BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

UNIT – 1

1. Outline the characteristics properties of good building

stones. Ans –
Qualities of a good building stone :
The following are the qualities or requirements of a good building stone.
1) Crushing strength: For a good building stone, the crushing strength should
be greater than l000kg per cm2 .
2) Appearance: Good building stone should be a uniform colour, and free
from clay holes, spots of other colour bands etc capable of preserving the
colour for long time.
3) Durability: A good building stone should be durable. The factors like heat
and cold alternative wet and dry, dissolved gases in rain, high wind velocity
etc affect the durability.
4) Fracture: For good building stone its fracture should be sharp, even and
clear.
5) Hardness: The hardness greater than 17, treated as hard used in road
works. It is between 14 to 17, medium hardness, less 14 said be poor
hardness.
6) Percentage wear: For a good building stone, the percentage wear should
be equal to or less then 3 percent.
7) Resistance to fire: A good building stone be fire proof. Sandstone,
Argillaceous stone resists fire quite well
8) Specific gravity: For a good building stone the specific gravity should be
greater then 8.7 or so.
9) Texture: A good building stone should have compact fine crystalline
structure should be free from cavities, cracks or patches of stuff or loose
material.

1
 2. Classify the different types of stones and their uses in brief.
Ans –
Based on geology stones or rocks are classified into three types :
I. Igneous rocks – Basalt, Trap, Andesite, Granite, Rhyolite.
II. Sedimentary rocks – Lime stones, Dolomite and Sand stones.
III. Metamorphic rocks – Gneiss, Quartzite, Marble, Slate.
Some of the common stones which are used for different purposes are :
I. Granite
II. Basalt and Trap
III. Lime stone
IV. Sand Stone
V. Gneiss
VI. Marble
VII. Slate
VIII. Quartzite
Uses of building stones :
1. Fine grained granite and gneiss stones are used for heavy engineering
works such as building bridge piers, break waters, monuments, etc.,
2. Granite, Quartzite and compact sand stones are used for masonry works in
industrial areas exposed to smoke and fumes.
3. Marble, Granite and Sand stones are used for facing work of buildings.
4. Lime stone and Sand stone are used for general building works.
5. Fine grained granite, marble and soft sand stone are used for carving and
ornamental works.
6. Compact lime stone and sand stone are used for fire – resistant masonry.
7. Marble, slate, sand stone and granite stones are used for floor paving.
3(a). Explain the bond strength of
aggregate. Ans –
Due to difference between the coefficients of thermal expansion of paste and
aggregate and to the shrinkage of cement paste during hardening, concrete is in a
state of internal stress even if no external forces are present. It is reported that
stresses are likely to be greatest at the paste - aggregate interfaces where minute
cracks exist, even in concrete that has never been loaded. Under increasing
external load, these cracks spread along the interfaces before extending into the
paste or aggregate particles. The strength of the bond between aggregate and
cement paste thus has an important influence on the strength of concrete. There
is no standard test for bond but it is known that the rougher the surface texture
of the particles, the better the bond. The roll of particle shape is less well
understood
; the greater specific surface of angular particles should enable greater adhesive
force to be developed, but the angular shape probably causes more severe
concentrations of internal stress.

3(b). Explain about Moisture content of Aggregate.

Ans –
Since aggregates are porous they can be absorb moisture. In general, there are four
aggregates moisture conditions :
1. Over Dry (OD) – The whole moisture was removed by heating the
aggregates in an oven at 105°c (221°F) to constant weight. All pores
connected to the surfaces are empty and the aggregate is fully absorbent.
2. Air Dry (AD) – The whole moisture is removed from the surface, but pores
connected to the surface is partially filled with water. The aggregate is
some what absorbent.
3. Saturated Surface Dry (SSD) – All pores connected to the surface are filled
with water, but the surface is dry. The aggregate is neither absorbent nor
does it contribute water to the concrete mixture.
4. Wet – All pores connected to the surface is filled with water and there is
excess moisture on the surface.
4. Summarize the process of burning bricks in

kilns. Ans –
A kiln is a large over which is used to burn bricks. The kiln which are used in the
manufacturer of bricks are of the following two types.
1. Intermittent Kiln
2. Continuous Kiln
1. Intermittent Kiln :

The example of this type of an over ground, rectangular kiln is shown in Fig. After
loading the kiln, it is fired, cooled and unloaded and then the next loading is done.
Since the walls and sides get cooled during reloading and are to be heated again
during next firing, there is wastage of fuel.
 Intermittent kiln is classified into two types. They are –
i. Intermittent up – drought kilns
ii. Intermittent down – drought kilns
 i. Raw bricks are laid in row of thickness equal to 2 to 3 bricks and height 6
to 8 bricks with 2 bricks spacing between rows.
ii. Fuels are filled with brush wood which takes up a free easily.
iii. Loading of kiln with raw bricks with top course is finished with flat bricks
and other courses are formed by placing bricks on edges.
iv. Each door is built up with dry bricks and are covered with mud or clay.
v. The kiln is then fired for a period of 48 to 60 hours draught rises in the
upward direction from bottom of kiln and brings about the burning of
bricks.

2. Continuous Kiln :

The examples of continuous kiln are Hoffman’s kiln and Bull’s trench kiln .In a
continuous kiln, bricks are stacked in various chambers wherein the bricks
undergo different treatments at the same time. When the bricks in one of the
chambers is fired, the bricks in the next set of chambers are dried and preheated
while bricks in the other set of chambers are loaded and in the last are cooled.
Section 1 – Loading
Section 2 – Empty
Section 3 – Unloading
Section 4 – Cooling
Section 5 – Burning
Section 6 – Heating

Hoffman’s Kiln
Chamber 1 – Loading
Chamber 2 to 5 – Drying and pre – heating
Chamber 6 and 7 – Burning
Chamber 8 to 11 – Cooling
Chamber 12 – Unloading

5(a). Distinguish between Clamp & Kiln burning.

Ans –
S.no Items Clamp Burning Kiln Burning

1. Capacity About 20000 – Avg . 25000.

100000.
2. Cost of fuel Low as grass, cow High because of
dung, litter may be coal dust is to be
used. used.
3. Initial cost Very low as no More as
structures are to be permanent
built. structures are to be
constructed.
4. Quality of The percentage of Percentage of good
bricks good quality bricks quality bricks is
is small about 60%. high 90%.
5. Regulation of fire It is not possible to The fire is under
control or regulate control throughout
fire during the the process of
process of burning. burning.
6. Skilled Not necessary The continuous
supervision through out the skilled supervision
process of burning. is necessary.
7. Structure Temporary Permanent
structure. structure.
8. Suitability For small scale. For large scale.
9. Time of burning and It requires about 2 Actual burning
cooling – 6months. times is 24 hour
and 12 days are
required for
cooling
of bricks.
5(b). Choose the materials used for blasting.
Ans –
Following materials are required in the process of blasting
1 Detonator :
 Detonator itself is not explosive, it is a small explosion cap which is used to
trigger explosive for blasting operation.
 It is in the form of copper cylinder having diameter 6mm and length 25mm.
 It is closed at one end and contains 6 to 9 grains of mercury.
 Detonators are fired by fuse or electric spark.
2 Explosives :
 Commonly used explosives are dynamite and blasting powder.
 Blasting powder is also known as gun powder and it is a mechanical mixture
of charcoal (15%), sulphur (10%) and saltpeter (KNo3) (15%).
 Composition of dynamite is 75% of nitro – glycerin and 25% saturated earth.

6 . Construct a brief note on geological, physical and chemical classification of

stones with examples.
Ans –
Geological Classification :
In this , rocks are classified on the bases of formation These are of three types -
I. Igneous rocks – The rocks which are formed by the cooling of magma are
known as igneous rocks.
Eg – Granite, Dolerite, Basalt, etc,.
II. Sedimentary rocks – These rocks are Formed by the deposition of products
of weathering on pre – existing rocks .
Eg – Gypsum, Lime stone, Sand stone, etc,.
III. Metamorphic rocks – These rocks are formed by the change in character of
the pre – existing rocks.
Eg – Gneiss, Quartzite, Marble, Slate, etc,.
Physical Classification :
In this, rocks are classified on the bases of general structure . According to this rocks
are of three types. They are :
1. Stratified rocks
2. Unstratified rocks
3. Foliated rocks

1. Stratified rocks :
These rocks possess planes of stratification or cleavage and such rocks can
easily split up along these planes. Sedimentary rocks are distinctly stratified
rocks .
Eg – Sand stone, Lime stone, Shake, Marble, Slate, etc,.
2. Unstratified rocks :
These rock have a crystalline granular or compact granular. The igneous
rocks of volcanic agency and sedimentary rocks affected by the movement
of earth are of this types.
Eg – Granite, Basalt, etc,.
3. Foliated rocks :
These rocks have a tendency to be split up in definite direction only. The
foliated structure is very common in case of metamorphic rocks .
Eg – Gneiss, Schist

Chemical Classification :
This classification is known as scientific or engineering classification , According to
this , rocks are of three types –
1. Siliceous rocks
2. Argillaceous rocks
3. Calcareous rocks
1. Siliceous rocks : In these rocks, silica predominates. The rocks are hard and
durable. They are not easily affected by the weathering agencies.
Eg - Granite, Quartzite, etc.
2. Argillaceous rocks : In these rocks, the argil or clay predominates. Such rocks
may be dense and compact or they may be soft . These rocks are hard and
durable but brittle.
Eg - Slates, Laterites, etc,.
3. Calcareous Rocks : In these rocks, the calcium carbonate predominates. The
durability of these rocks will depend upon the constituents present in the
surrounding.
Eg – Lime stone, Marbles, etc,.