SSC-JE 2022

STAFF SELECTION COMMISION-JUNIOR ENGINEER

Also useful for State Engineering Service Examination

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First Edition : 2022

 PREFACE
As the level of competition is increasing each and every day, students demand
for a better learning resource gets surged with each passing attempt. Junior
engineers recruited by Staff Selection commission abbreviated as SSC-JE has
raised their bar in terms of testing the students at various levels. Students need
to be well versed with fine details of technical as well as non-technical subjects
and same needs to be demonstrated before the examiner.
This book of Building Materials comprises every requisite detail in concise and
lucid manner to help students for forming a mindset required for exams. Further,
it goes on to bridge the knowledge gap of students by including each and every
topic relevant for the exam. It also goes without saying that students were in
need of a reliable content and IES Master has designed an optimized study
resource as postal study package of SSC-JE competitive exam.
IES Master has designed the postal study program for SSC-JE with a motto for
students that “learn only which you can reproduce”. The sole objective is to
create a companion for students which will help in solidifying their basic concepts
and make them able to create a ladder for themselves for strengthening each
and every concept.
This masterpiece from IES Master’s Research & Development Team ensures that
your level of preparedness matches exactly to that required for the actual SSC-
JE exam. Thus far, and no further, the content of this book leaves no stone
unturned in its easy-to-understand language, optimized with fonts and layout
that your eyes will surely relish.

IES Master Publication

Ch. No. Chapter Name Page

1. Cement .................................................... 001-019

2. Concrete .................................................. 020-054

3. Bricks ...................................................... 055-074

4. Stones ..................................................... 075-090

5. Masonry................................................... 091-111

6. Timber ..................................................... 112-137

7. Lime ......................................................... 138-141

8. Paints, Varnishes & Distempers ......... 142-150

9. Miscellaneous......................................... 151-158
 CEMENT

1.1 Introduction 1.1 INTRODUCTION

 Cement is a product obtained by pulverizing clinker formed by
1.2 Chemical Composition of
calcinating raw materials primarily consisting of lime (CaO), silicate
Raw Materials
(SiO2), alumina (Al2O3) and iron oxide (Fe2O3).
1.3 Composition of Cement  It has cohesive and adhesive properties in the presence of water.
Clinker and their Setting Standard density of cement is 1440 kg/m3 and 1 bag of cement is 50

Action kg; thus volume of cement in 1 bag would be 50 kg  1440 kg/m3 =
0.0347 m3  35 ltr.
1.4 Hydration of cement
(Pulverize : Make into powder by breaking up or cause to become
1.5 Manufacturing of Cement dust.
Clinker : Fused mass of 3 mm to 20 mm.
1.6 Testing of Cement
Calcination : The process of heating a substance to a high
1.7 Varities of Cement temperature in the absence or limited supply of oxygen).

1.8 Storage of Cement Cement

Hydraulic Non-hydraulic
cement cement
 It is made out of limestone,  It is composed of non hydraulic
clay and gypsum. lime, gypsum plaster and
oxychloride.

 It sets and harden extremely  It sets and hardens when there

fast in presence of water (due
to chemical action between
cement and water known as
hydration) and results in water
resistant product which is
stable.
 It should be kept dry to attain
 This allows hardened material
to resist from chemical attack.
Ex: Portland cement
is a reaction due to carbonation
with the carbon dioxide which
is naturally present in the air.
strength hence it can not set in
wet or under water conditions.
Ex: Plaster of Paris.

 Cement can be manufactured either from natural cement stones or

artificially by using calcareous (lime predominates) and argillaceous
(clay predominates) materials. Example of natural cements are Roman
cement, Pozzolana cement and mediana cement and of artificial cement
are portland cement and special cements.
 2 BUILDING MATERIAL CIVIL ENGINEERING

1.2 CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF RAW MATERIALS

 The three basic constituents of hydraulic cements are lime, silica and alumina.
 The relative proportions of these oxide compositions are responsible for influencing the various properties
of cement.
 The approximate limits of chemical composition in cement are given below.
Constituents of portland cement (Raw materials)
Ingredient Function Composition (%) Average (%)

Lime (CaO)  It control strength and soundness. 60 to 65 62

 Its deficiency reduces strength and setting action

(time to change of plastic to solid state of paste)
and excess of it causes unsoundness (cement to
expand and disintegrate).

Silica (SiO2)  It imparts strength. 17 to 25 22

 Excess of it increases the strength but setting
action is prolonged.

Alumina (Al2O3)  Responsible for quick setting. 3 to 8 5

 Strength decreases if alumina is in excess amount.

Calcium sulphate  It increases initial setting time (time period during 3 to 4 4

(CaSO4) which paste remains in plastic state) of cement.

Iron oxide (Fe2O3)  Gives colour and helps in fusion of different 0.5 to 6 3
ingredients.

 Excess of it produces a hard clinker which is

difficult to grind.

Magnesia (MgO)  It imparts colour and hardness (rigidity of paste). 0.5 to 4 2

 Excess amount makes the cement unsound.

Sulphur trioxide (SO3)  Excess of it makes cement unsound. 1 to 3 1

Alkalies [Soda (Na2O)  These are residue. 0.5 to 1.3 1

and Potash (K2O)]  Excess of these cause efflorescence and cracking.

1.3 COMPOSITION OF CEMENT CLINKER AND THEIR SETTING ACTION

 When these raw materials are put in kiln then they fuse and following major compounds are formed and
they are known as Bogue’s compounds.
 Following Bogue’s compounds are formed during clinkering process:
Bogue’s compounds Formula Name Symbol Composition(%)
1. Tricalcium silicate 3CaO.SiO2 Alite C3S 25 - 50%
2. Dicalcium silicate 2CaO.SiO2 Belite C2S 25 - 40%
3. Tricalcium aluminate 3CaO.Al2O3 Celite C3A 6 - 12%
4. Tetracalcium alumino
4CaO.Al2Fe2O3 Felite C4AF 6 - 10%
ferrite

 The mixing of cement and water results in formation of various complicated compounds, are not simultaneous,
but setting action of cement continuous for long time.

IES MASTER Publication

 TIMBER

6.1 Introduction 6.1 INTRODUCTION

 Wood: Organic material obtained from trees.
6.2 Classification of Tree
 Timber: Wood used for structural purposes is known as timber.
6.3 Classification of  Lumber: Sawed wood meant for construction in the form of boards.
Timber (IS: 399-
1963) Note: The milky fluid from trees is known as latex.

6.4 Structure of Timber Advantages of Timber

6.5 Physical Properties of  Good Insulator: Bad conductor of Heat & electricity
Good Timber
 Economical: wastage is minimum
6.6 Structural/Mechanical  Workable: Can be easily workable to any size and shape.
Properties of Timber
 Resistance to bending.
6.7 Defects in Timber  Light weight.

6.8 Sawing of Timber  Durable.

6.9 Seasoning of Timber Disadvantages of Timber

(IS: 1141-1993)
6.10 Preservation of Timber
(IS: 401–2001)
6.11 Methods of Treatment
(IS: 401-2001)
6.12 Fire Resistance of
Timber
6.13 Wood Products
6.14 Important Timber and
Their Uses
 Shrinks, swells, twists, cracks and bends over time and different
climatic conditions (generally due to change in moisture content).
 Decay and inflammability
 Variations in strength in length and across fibers
 Look old if left natural and unpainted
Note: These drawbacks can be greatly be reduced by the application of
some modern wood processing techniques.
6.2 CLASSIFICATION OF TREE
 For the engineering purposes, the trees are classified according to
their mode of growth.
Trees

Exogenous Endogenous

Conifer Deciduous

Soft wood Hard wood

CIVIL ENGINEERING TIMBER 113

Endogenous Tree v/s Exogenous Tree

Endogenous tree
 Bamboo, palm etc.
 Grow inwards.
 Very limited engineering application (used for
temporary structural supporting systems and
are unsuitable as permanent structural
elements because they can not be cut, worked
and joined like exogenous wood.
Exogenous tree
 Teak, Deodar, Sal, Eucalyptus etc.
 Grows Outwards, increasing in bulk with the
formation of ring every year.
 Annual rings used for predicting age of tree.
 Used for engineering works.

Conifers Trees v/s Deciduous Trees

Conifers trees (Gymnosperm trees)
 Deodar, Chir, Kail, Pine, Christmas tree.
 Needle shaped leaves.
 Evergreen trees as leaves of these trees
do not fall till new ones are grown.
 Temperate region and high altitude.
 Distinct annual rings (pine exception).
 Soft wood (easily cut).
 Sports equipment, furniture, paper etc.
(Finishing is more important).
Deciduous trees (Angiosperm trees)
 Oak, Teak, Sheesham, Poplar.
 Broad leaves.
 Leaves of these trees fall in autumn and
new ones appear in spring season.
 Open areas having moderately dry climatic
regions.
 No distinct annual rings (Poplar exception).
 Hard wood.
 Engineering construction high-quality
furniture (durability and strength).

Note: The names hardwoods and softwood are commercially popular but has nothing to do with the hardness of
the particular group. Some softwoods like Deodar are harder than hard woods like Papita.

S. No. Property Soft wood Hardwood

1. Comes from Gymnosperm trees (Coniferous) Angiosperm trees (Deciduous)

2. Colour Lighter Darker

3. Growth Faster Slower

4. Weight Lighter Heavier

5. Density Low High

6. Annual Rings Distinct Indistinct

7. Compressive Strength Strong along the Grain Strong along and across the Grain

8. Tensile and shear strength Well tensile and weaker shear strength. Good tensile and shear strength.

9. Conversion Easy Difficult

10. Resinous material Exists Does not exit

11. Fire Resistance Poor Moderate

12. Heart Wood & Sap Wood Can not be Distinguished Can be Distinguished

13. Durability Less durable Highly durable survive for decades.

14. Cost Less expensive. More expensive.

15. Uses high-quality furniture, flooring and Building components (e.g., windows,
construction that needs to last. doors), furniture,
16 Examples Deodar, Chir, Kail,Pine, Christmas tree. Oak, Teak, Shishum, Poplar.

IES MASTER Publication

 BRICK

3.1 Introduction 3.1 INTRODUCTION

3.2 Classification of Bricks  Brick is one of the oldest building unit and it is extensively used at
present as a loading material in construction methods because of its
3.3 Properties of Good
durability, strength, reliability, low cost, easy availability etc.
Bricks
 It is used for building-up exterior and interior walls, partitions walls,
3.4 Composition of Good
piers, footing and other loading bearing structures.
Brick Earth
10 to 20 10 to 20
3.5 Harmful Ingredients in
Brick Earth 40 40
90 90
3.6 Manufacturing of 100 60
Bricks

3.7 Testing of Bricks 90

190 90 190
(IS:3495-1992) [All dimensions in mm]
3.8 Defects of Bricks
 As per IS : 1077 – 1992,
3.9 Special Bricks
Types of bricks Size
Modular bricks 19 × 9 × 9cm

Non modularbricks 23 × 11 × 7 cm

 The unit weight of bricks varies from 1600 to 1900 kg/m3.

 500 number of bricks are required for 1 cubic meter brick work.

 An indent called frog, 1 – 2 cm deep is provided in the brick and size

of frog should be 10 × 4 × 1cm.

 Purpose of providing frog is to form a key for holding the mortar, and
therefore bricks are laid with frogs on top

Note: In many countries bricks are still made in non-standardize size which
are called as traditional bricks or field bricks. Size of such bricks is
1
9 × 4 × 3 (i.e 23 × 11.4 × 7.6 cm)
2
To check the dimension of brick, according to IS code, 20 bricks shall
be taken.
 56 BUILDING MATERIAL CIVIL ENGINEERING

3.2 CLASSIFICATION OF BRICKS

1. On the Basis of Field Practice

(a) First Class Bricks

 These are thoroughly brunt and are of deep red, cherry or copper colour.

 Surface should be smooth and rectangular with parallel, sharp and straight edges and square corners.

 These bricks are table moulded and burnt in kilns.

 It should be free from flaws, cracks and stones.

 It should have uniform texture.

 No impression should be left on the bricks when a scratch is made by finger nail.

 Fracture surface of the brick should not show lumps of lime.

 Metallic ringing sound should come when two bricks are struck against each other.

 On allowing immersed in cold water for 24 hours, water absorption should be 12 – 15% of its dry weight.

 Compressive strength  10.5 N/mm2.

Uses: First class brick are recommended for pointing, exposed face work in masonry structures, flooring
and reinforced brick work.

(b) Second Class Bricks

 These bricks have same requirements as first class bricks except the following.

 These bricks are ground moulded and they are burnt in kilns.

 Small cracks and distortions are permitted.

 Water absorption 16–20% of its dry weight.

 Compressive strength  7.0 N/mm2

Uses: Second class bricks are recommended for all important or unimportant hidden masonry works and
centering and reinforced bricks and reinforced cement concrete structures.

(c) Third Class Bricks

 These bricks are ground moulded and they are burnt in clamps.

 These bricks are soft and reddish yellow coloured.

 Produce a dull sound when struck with each other.

 Water absorption is about 25% of dry weight.

 These have rough surface with irregular and distorted edges.

Uses: For unimportant and temporary structures and at places where rainfall is not heavy.

(D) Fourth Class Bricks

 These bricks are burnt and badly distorted in shape and sizes, and are brittle in nature.
Uses: Ballast of such bricks is used for foundations and floors in lime concrete and road metal, because
burnt bricks have compact structures and found to be stronger than even first class bricks.

IES MASTER Publication

 MASONRY

5.1 Introduction 5.1 INTRODUCTION

5.2 Brick Masonry  Masonry may be defined as the construction of building units bonded
(IS:2212-1991) together with mortar. The building units (commonly known as masonry
5.3 Bricks
units) may be stones, bricks or precast blocks of concrete. When
stones, are used as the building units, we have stone masonry. Similarly,
5.4 Basic Definitions in
in brick masonry bricks are used as the building units.
Bricks Masonry

5.5 Mortar 5.2 BRICK MASONRY (IS:2212-1991)

5.6 Bonds in Bricks Work
 Brick masonry is made up of bricks bonded together with mortar.
5.7 Rules of Bonding Therefore two essential requirements of bricks masonry are:

5.8 Types of Bonds (i) Bricks

5.9 Defects in Brick (ii) Mortar

Masonry
 In brick masonry for optimum use of materials, mortar strength should
5.10 Plastering match the brick strength.
5.11 Pointing  We will discuss both bricks and mortar requirements for bricks
5.12 Grout masonry.

5.13 Gunite or Shotcrete  The unit weight of brick masonry is around 1900 kg/m3 – 1950 kg/m3.

5.14 Design Parameter of

Unreinforced Masonry 5.3 BRICKS
Wall (IS: 1905–1987)
 Bricks used in masonry can be of two types:

(i) Traditional/country/non modular bricks (23 × 11.4 × 7.6 cm)

(ii) Standard modular bricks (19 × 9 ×9 cm).

 Some times bricks are also manufactured into special shapes and
sizes according to IS : 6165–1971 for architectural purpose example
coping, cornices string courses, slopping walls etc.

 Few commonly used specially shaped bricks are as below:

 92 BUILDING MATERIAL CIVIL ENGINEERING

(a) Single Bull Nose (b) Double Bull Nose (c) Cownose (d) Curved

(e) Coping (f) Birds mouth (g) Cant (Jamb brick) (h) Double cant.

(i) Squint (j) Plinth stretcher (k) Plinth Header (l) Dogleg
(Splay stretcher) (Splay stretcher)

5.4 BASIC DEFINITIONS IN BRICKS MASONRY

Quoin

Perpend

Racking
back

Quoin
header

Stretcher Toothing
course
Header course

Quoin Vertical Stretcher

closer joint course
Elevation of a brick wall

1. Lap: Lap is the horizontal distance between the vertical joints of successive bricks courses
2. Perpend: It is an imaginary vertical line which includes the vertical joint separating two adjoining bricks.
3. Closers:
 It is a portion of a brick with the cut made longitudinally, and is used to close up bond at the end
of the course.
 It helps in preventing the joints of successive sources (higher or lower) to come in a vertical line.
 Closers may be of various types:

IES MASTER Publication