SOUTH EASTERN KENYA UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS 2022/2023

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

FIRST-YEAR FIRST SEMESTER BUSINESS AND TECHNICAL EXAMINATIONS

FOR:

DIPLOMA IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

DIPLOMA IN BUILDING TECHNOLOGY

MODULE I

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
STRUCTURES I

TIME: 3 hours

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
a) The paper consists of EIGHT questions in TWO sections; A and B
b) Answer FIVE questions choosing at least TWO questions from sections A and B and ONE other
question from either section.
c) All questions carry equal marks
d) Maximum marks for each part of a section are indicated
e) Candidates should answer the questions in English

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 SECTION A: STRUCTURES I
Answer at least TWO questions from this section
1. a) (i) State Hook’s law and write the mathematical relationship between stress, strain
and elastic modulus. (4marks)

(ii) Sketch and label a typical stress-strain curve for a mild steel rod tested to
destruction under tensile load. (6marks)

b) A mild steel specimen was tested to destruction under tension and the following results
were obtained:

Length of specimen= 380mm

Bar diameter = 30mm
Load at yield point = 249KN
Extension under load of 60 KN = 0.15mm
Maximum load = 375KN
Length of specimen after fracture= 446mm
Diameter of cross-section at fracture = 22.4mm

Determine the following:

(i) Young modulus of elasticity for the specimen;

(ii) Yield point stress;
(iii) Working stress if the factor of safety applied on the yield stress is 1.5;
(iv)The percentage reduction in area. (10marks)

2. a) Define the following terms;

(i) Shear force;
(ii) Bending moment. (4marks)

b) Fiqure 2 shows a loaded beam.

(i) Plot the shear force and bending moment diagram indicating values at the critical
points

(ii) Determine the position and magnitude of the maximum bending moment.
(16marks)

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3. a) state four assumptions considered in the theory of simple bending. (4marks)

b) The T-section shown in Figure 3 is subjected to a shear force of 80 KN at a section.

Find the maximum shear stress in the section and show the variation of the shear stress.
(16marks)

4. a) Differentiate between imposed load and dead load on a building. (4marks)

b) Figure 5 shows a loaded beam which is simply supported.

(i) Sketch the shear force diagram indicating values at critical points;

(ii) Sketch the bending moment diagram indicating values at critical points.
(11marks)

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 c) Calculate the extreme fibre stress for a rectangular section of a beam 200 mm in
breadth and 500 mm deep, when subjected to a bending moment of 150KN/m.
(5marks)

SECTION B: CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

Answer at least TWO questions from this section

5. a) Define the term quarrying. (2marks)

b) Outline the following characteristics of building stones:

(i) Appearance;
(ii) Structure;
(iii) Strength;
(iv) Workability. (6marks)

c) Describe the following factors affecting hardening of Portland cement:

(i) The mixing amount of gypsum;

(ii) Cement fineness. (4marks)

d) Describe the following constituents of plastics;

(i) Resin;

(ii) Filler;

(iii) Lubricant;

(iv) Catalyst. (8marks)

6. a) List five differences between stones and clay bricks when used as building materials
(5marks)

b) Explain the formation of the following rock classifications giving one example in each
case;

(i) Igneous rocks;

(ii) Sedimentary rocks;
(iii) Metamorphic rocks.
(9marks)

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 c) Describe three methods of quarrying stones. (6marks)

7. a) Outline the following classification of properties of materials

(i) Physical properties

(ii) Mechanical properties. (4marks)

b) (i) State five reasons for seasoning timber. (5marks)

(ii) Using an elaborate sketch, explain a typical cross-section of a tree trunk. (6marks)

(iii) State five defects of timber. (3marks)

8. a) State five objectives of seasoning timber. (5marks)

b) Describe the procedure followed during hand mixing of concrete. (5marks)

c) Explain four qualities of a good concrete. (8marks)

d) State two characteristics of a good paint. (2marks)