2016 March

1. Which of the following is NOT a type of volume change of concrete?

a. Air content
b. Temperature changes
c. Shrinkage
d. Creep

2. The following factors does NOT affect the strength of concrete core drilled from the structure except:
a. Diameter of the core
b. Length to diameter ratio
c. Manner of drilling
d. Thickness of the core

3. What is the weight of class "A" riprap stones?

a. 20 kg. to a max. of 35 kg with at least 50% weighing 30 kg.
b. 15 kg. to a max. of 25 kg with at least 50% weighing 20 kg.
c. 15 kg. to a max. of 30 kg with at least 50% weighing 25 kg.
d. 10 kg. to a max. of 25 kg with at least 50% weighing 20 kg.

4. What is the function of emulsifiers in liquid asphalt?

a. To increase mixing ability with aggregates
b. To retain water in asphalt for longer periods
c. To prevent asphalt from hardening
d. To enable asphalt and water to mix

5. Which of the following is NOT authorized to test materials for use in DPWH projects?
a. Any DPWH-accredited private testing laboratory
b. Any testing laboratory of a local government unit
c. Any DPWH-Implementing Offices Laboratory
d. DOST Testing laboratory

6. What is NOT the most commonly accepted measure of the hardness of concrete?
a. Soundness test
b. L.A. Abrasion test
c. Petrographic test
d. Fractured face test

7. The temperature of a 7.0 cu.m. bituminous mix delivered at the project site is 20 degrees centigrade
lower than the required compaction temperature require by the job-mix formula. As the materials
engineer of the project, what should you recommend?
a. Allow the use of the delivered materials
b. Advise the contractor to spread the mixture in one layer only
c. Reject the delivered materials
d. Adjust the job-mix formula
2016 March

8. A soil compacted dry will reach a certain dry density. If compacted again with the same compacted
effort, but this time with water in soil, the dry density will go higher because:
a. The water lubricates the grains and allows them to slide in a denser structure
b. Air is forced out of the soil
c. More space is left for the soil solids
d. All of the above

9. What is the minimum compaction requirement for an embankment?

a. 80%
b. 90%
c. 95%
d. 100%

10. The amounts of materials passing the No. 50 and No. 100 sieves are important to concrete
aggregates because:
a. The minimum amounts of these fine-sand sizes are required to ensure that the surface can be
finished easily to an acceptable degree of smoothness
b. The maximum amounts of these fine-sand sizes are required to ensure that the cement paste is
sufficient to cover each particle
c. An excessive quantity of fines would result in an uneconomical mix
d. All of the above

11. Portland cement is called because:

a. It mainly comes from Portland, Oregon, USA
b. It was originally registered as a trade name in the island of Portland
c. It resembled cement obtained by grinding natural rocks found on the Isle of Portland
d. It was mainly the idea of its inventor, Mr. Joseph Aspdin

12. The purpose of capping concrete cylinders prior to testing for compression is to:
a. Protect the ends of the cylinder from premature breaking resulting from improper application of
load
b. Provide smooth, flat ends that are perpendicular to axis of the sample
c. Prevent cylinder from tilting
d. To maintain the verticality of the cylinder

13. It is the class of concrete used for bedding and after each layer of stone in rubble concrete
a. Class A
b. Class B
c. Class C
d. Class D

14. If beam samples taken from a newly paved section failed to meet the strength requirement and it is
not advisable to obtain cores from the structure due to structural considerations, as a Materials
Engineer, what will you do if the deficiency in strength of the concrete specimens is 15%?
a. Reject the section represented by the failed specimens.
b. Rework the section represented by the failed specimens.
c. Accept the section at an adjusted price due to strength deficiency.
d. Modify the concrete mix design
2016 March

15. A transit mixer for road construction was found to have a 6" slump of fresh concrete instead of the
required 3". What will you recommend if you are the assigned Materials Engineer?
a. Add Portland cement to attain the required 3" slump.
b. Add Portland cement and fine aggregate to attain the required 3" slump
c. Reject the concrete mixture
d. Let the concrete mix diverted for pouring on a prepared column for retaining wall of the same
project.

16. What test determines the resistance to deformation of a compacted asphalt concrete mix?
a. Hardness Test
b. Marshall Stability Test
c. Ductility Test
d. Durability Test

17. The improper compaction of an embankment material will ______, except:

a. Minimize compressibility
b. Decrease soil permeability
c. Increase shear strength and soil stability
d. Decrease voids spaces

18. In concrete pouring, large variations in the concrete cylinder test results were observed. This shall be
remedied by:
a. Taking the average test result to ensure it is above the specifications requirement
b. Checking the calibration of the compression machine.
c. Reviewing the mix design, materials quality and aggregate condition in the batching process
d. All of the above

19. What is the significance of the loss on ignition test of cement?

a. It is a measure of the heat generated when cement is mixed with water.
b. It signifies pre-hydration or moisture uptake of cement while it is shelved
c. It is a measure of the resistance of cement when exposed to fire
d. None of the above

20. Unconfined compressive strength test is usually performed on:

a. Sandy soils
b. Silty Soils
c. Organic Soils
d. Clayey Soils

21. The following properties of asphalt mix can be determined in a core sample, except for:
a. Index of Retained Strength
b. Asphalt Content
c. Grading
d. Specific Gravity
2016 March

22. Consolidation test is usually performed on ________ samples.

a. Disturbed
b. Undisturbed
c. Consolidated
d. Compacted

23. What is the minimum test requirement for riprap boulders?

a. Stone size and specific gravity
b. Stone Size or weight test and inspection report on assessment of stone soundness
c. Stone size or weight test and abrasion test
d. Abrasion test only

24. Under Item 406, Prestressed Concrete Structures of the DPWH Specifications, post-tensioning of the
Prestressing reinforcement shall be not commenced until test on concrete cylinder indicate that the
concrete has attained a compressive strength of at least:
a. 25 MPa
b. 30 MPa
c. 20 MPa
d. 28 MPa

25. The following are generally true in the production of high-strength concrete, except:
a. Coarse aggregates should be obtained from crushed rock to give the best cement/particle bond
b. Smaller-size aggregates are preferred as more area is available for cement bonding
c. Admixtures include accelerators and retarders
d. Bigger size aggregates are preferred as more voids are available for cement bonding

26. The rate of application of emulsified asphalt used as tack coat, should be within the range of.
a. 0.2 to 0.5 liters/sq.meter
b. 0.2 to 0.7 liters/sq.meter
c. 0.15 to 0.7 liters/sq.meter
d. 1.0 to 2.0 liters/sq.meter

27. In how many hours should concrete core samples be submerged in water before subjecting them to
compression test?
a. At least 30
b. At least 35
c. At least 40
d. At least 48

28. A concrete beam fails within middle third at 7,000 lbs. The flexural strength of the sample is:
a. 248 psi
b. 583 psi
c. 680 psi
d. 3,500 psi
2016 March

29. In the process of compaction of Item 200 (Aggregate Subbase Course) which contains sandy
material, only 80% density was attained. What is your recommendation in order to comply with the
100% minimum degree of the compaction?
a. Adjust the water content
b. Place the material in thin layer
c. Provide additional binder
d. Use roller with greater compactive effort

30. In bituminous plant-mix surface course, the temperature of the mix shall have an allowable of:
a. ±5 Degrees Celsius
b. ±10 Degrees Celsius
c. ±15 Degrees Celsius
d. ±20 Degrees Celsius

31. The apparent omission of a detailed description or definition concerning the quality of materials in
the plan and specification shall be regarded to mean that:
a. Any material can be used
b. Materials of first class quality are to be used
c. Materials that are recommended by the contractor can be used
d. None of the above

32. Stability of an asphalt pavement is the ability to resist shoving and rutting under traffic loads.
a. more medium size sand
b. angular and rough aggregates
c. more asphalt
d. b and c

33. The spot test on asphalt is used to determine:

a. Overheating during manufacture
b. Overheating during construction
c. The amount of spot per unit volume
d. The amount of spot per unit area

34. What is used to measure pavement surface irregularity?

a. Falling Weight Deflectometer
b. Pendulum apparatus
c. Dynamic Cone Penetrometer Apparatus
d. 3-meter straight edge

35. The laboratory density of a bituminous mix 97%. If the density of the newly completed asphalt
pavement is 95%, what is the degree of compaction?
a. 95%
b. 97%
c. 98%
d. 102%
2016 March

36. The following can be used to help stabilize slope except:

a. Vetiver grass hedgerows
b. Legumes
c. Grass cover
d. Coconut Tree

37. The following test can be performed on disturbed samples from soil exploration, except:
a. Grading test
b. Unit weight and quantity of organic matter
c. Consolidation test
d. Liquid and plastic limit

38. The workability of a bituminous mix is dependent on the:

a. Gradation of aggregates
b. Temperature of mix
c. Asphalt content
d. Shape and texture of aggregates

39. Slurry system for road surface treatment of Item 304A is a type of:
a. Cold asphalt mixture
b. Hot mix asphalt mixture
c. Warm mix asphalt
d. Porous asphalt

40. The rate of loading of the machine will somehow affect the strength of the materials being test. The
rate of loading that must be observed when testing the concrete cylinder specimen is:
a. 20-50 psi/sec
b. 30-60 psi/sec
c. 40-70 psi/sec
d. 50-80 psi/sec

41. When the top surface of a concrete specimen is rough and not truly plane, stress concentrations are
introduced and the strength of the concrete is reduced by about:
a. 1/2
b. 1/3
c. 1/4
d. 1/5

42. During testing of concrete cylinders in uniaxial compression, what will happen to the result of the
test if the rate of loading is rapid (i.e. way above the prescribed rate of loading?
a. Nothing - rate of loading has no bearing on the result of the test
b. The computed compressive strength will be lower
c. The computed compressive strength will be higher
d. The result will depend on the age of the specimen
2016 March

43. In hot climate under sustained loading, asphalt cements behave like:
a. Viscous liquids
b. Viscous solids
c. Elastic solids
d. Soft solids

44. Before concrete paving, the base of a roadway should be kept in moist condition and saturated with
water for at least:
a. 2 Hours
b. 4 Hours
c. 6 Hours
d. 8 Hours

45. From the following data, determine the degree of compaction.

Field density test data:
Weight of material taken from hole, kg = 4.885
Weight of sand to fill hole, kg = 3.885
Volume of hole, cu.m = 0.0028
Wet unit weight, kg/cu.m = 1745
Dry unit weight, kg/cu.m = 1663
Laboratory Data:
Maximum dry density, kg/cu.m = 2250
Optimum Moisture Content, % = 8.10
a. 74
b. 78
c. 95
d. 105

46. ASTM C150 requires that the 28-day strength of mortar made from Type I Portland cement be at
least 27.6 MPa. Three specimens were tested: two passed but one failed by more than 20%. What will
be the conclusion?
a. Discard the failed result and conclude that the particular cement passed the specification.
b. Perform a re-test since the data is inconclusive
c. Get the average of the three and if the average is more than 27.6 MPa, conclude that the
particular cement passed the specification
d. Conclude that the cement does not pass the specifications since it failed to give the consistent
results

47. How do you obtain the density of soil in the field?

a. By weighing the disturbed soil removed and obtaining the volume of hole with sand or with
other means
b. By conducting in-situ CBR in the field
c. By weighing the remaining soil in the laboratory
d. By conducting triaxial test in the field
2016 March

48. Following are the results obtained from field density and laboratory compaction tests:
Weight of dry soil = 80 g
Weight of water in soil sample = 16 g
Wet density of soil = 1.9 g/cc
Maximum dry density obtained from laboratory compaction = 1.68 g/cc
Using the above data, the moisture content of the sample is:
a. 15%
b. 20%
c. 25%
d. 30%

49. In a plastic limit test, what is the diameter of thread soil samples to be rolled by hand?
a. 3.2 mm
b. 4.75 mm
c. 6.4 mm
d. 9.6 mm

50. The fine-grained soils in the field can be identified through the use of simple visual and manual tests
except:
a. Dry Strength
b. Plasticity
c. Water Mobility
d. Dry Weight

51. Accreditation of Contractors'/Consultants' Materials Engineers is provided in the Department Order

(D.O.) No.
a. D.O. No. 26, Series of 1990
b. D.O. No. 141, Series of 1999
c. D.O. No. 253, Series of 2003
d. None of the above

52. It is essential to soil mechanics work that drying ovens are preset to a temperature of:
a. 105 to 110 Degree Celsius
b. 110 to 120 Degree Celsius
c. 75 to 105 Degree Celsius
d. 75 to 110 Degree Celsius

53. In pavement construction, what is the required density of bituminous mixture based on laboratory
density of the compacted specimens?
a. Equal or greater than 65%
b. Equal or greater than 75%
c. Equal or greater than 85%
d. Equal or greater than 95%
2016 March

54. How many layers should a 40-cm thick Aggregate Base Course be placed?
a. 2
b. 3
c. 4
d. 5

55. It is a type of emulsified asphalt that works better with wet aggregates and in cold weather.
a. Anionic Emulsion
b. Cationic Emulsion
c. Liquid Asphalt
d. Cutback Asphalt

56. If the soil is NOT compacted at its maximum dry density, it will:
a. Increase stability/strength
b. Minimize future settlement
c. Decrease permeability
d. Increase permeability

57. Bituminous mixture shall have a minimum dry compressive strength of:
a. 100 psi
b. 200 psi
c. 300 psi
d. 400 psi

58. The DPWH minimum requirement for asphalt pavement thickness acceptance is _____.
a. +5 mm
b. +5%
c. -5 mm
d. -5%

59. The result of Immersion/Compression test conducted on an asphalt mix sample as follows:
Dry Stability = 2000
Wet Stability = 1000
What is the resulting Index of Retained Strength? Does it meet the specification requirement of Item
310, Bituminous Concrete Surface Course?
a. 200% Yes.
b. 200% No.
c. 50% Yes
d. 50% No

60. The following are the measurements (in cm.) of a concrete core taken for thickness determination at
Sta. 0+100: 23, 24, 23, 23, 24, 24, 23. Actual measurement of the core at the center is 23 cm. What is the
average thickness of the core if the design thickness is 23 cm.?
a. 23.5 cm
b. 23.44 cm
c. 23.25 cm
d. 23.22 cm
2016 March

61. Soil sample was subjected to the following procedures at the laboratory a.) compaction at its
optimum moisture content: b.) application of surcharge (to the sample) to represent the estimated
thickness of pavement over the subgrade c.) soaking the sample for four days; and then d.) forcing a
plunger into the sample to a depth of 2.5mm. What test was conducted on the soil?
a. Abrasion test
b. Triaxial test
c. Consolidation test
d. CBR Test

62. In the 2013 Edition of DPWH Standard Specifications for Highways, Bridges and Airports, Item 202 is
about:
a. Lime Stabilized Road Mix Base Course
b. Portland Cement Road Mix Base
c. Asphalt Stabilized Road Mix Base Course
d. Crushed Aggregates Base Course

63. What penetration grade of asphaltic material is appropriate for sealing of PCCP joints?
a. 85-100
b. 120-150
c. 150-200
d. not exceeding 90

64. Under what climatic condition(s) do we use the lower penetration grade or hard asphalts?
a. Cold climate
b. hot climate
c. both cold and hot climate
d. rainy weather

65. The approval of preliminary samples from the same source shall:
a. Be used as basis for acceptance of all materials from the source
b. Not be considered a guarantee of acceptance of all materials from the source
c. Be used as basis for payment of the materials
d. Be used as basis for incorporation of the materials into the works

66. The minimum testing requirement for one quality test of concrete hollow block is ______ units for
every 10,000 units.
a. 3
b. 6
c. 10
d. 12

67. What should be done on the subbase course with existing moisture content of 10% higher than the
optimum moisture of the AASHTO T180 Method D?
a. Spread the required loose thickness and compact
b. Add water, spread the loose thickness and compact
c. Dry out to reduce moisture, spread to the required loose thickness and compact
d. Spread to the required loose thickness
2016 March

68. The concrete has been tested for consistency. After the test, the height of concrete was measured at
178 mm. What is the slump of the concrete?
a. 122mm
b. 172mm
c. 222mm
d. 272mm

69. Which of the following is not part of the Marshall Method for preparing and evaluating trial mixes?
a. Aggregates are blended in proportion meeting the specifications.
b. The mixing and compacting temperature for the asphalt cement to be used are obtained from
the temperature viscosity graph
c. Density of the molded sample is measured to be able to calculate the void properties
d. Trial mixes are conducted using various ranges of asphalt content to determine the physical
properties of the samples.

70. What is the permitted variation from design thickness of a layer of aggregate subbase course?
a. ± 20 mm
b. ± 10 mm
c. ± 15 mm
d. ± 30 mm

71. The correctness/effectiveness of all concrete mix design can be checked by conducting:
a. core test
b. trial mix
c. strength test
d. soundness test

72. Given: Mass of Asphalt Specimen in air is = 1200. Mass of asphalt specimen in water = 700; Mass of
asphalt cement in SSD = 1203; Calculate the Bulk Specific Gravity of the asphalt specimen.
a. 2.406
b. 1.714
c. 1.179
d. 2.386

73. Which is NOT a type of PCCP distress:

a. Scaling
b. Crazing
c. Ravelling
d. Pockmarks

74. The temperature of concrete during the period of mixing while in transport and/or during placing
shall not be permitted to rise above:
a. 25 Degree Celsius
b. 40 Degree Celsius
c. 36 Degree Celsius
d. 50 Degree Celsius
2016 March

75. When the result of the second test differs from that of the first test on a sample representing the
same lot of materials, the third test is done. This is referred to as:
a. Tertiary test
b. Verdict test
c. Referee test
d. Final test

76. If the minimum compressive strength for concrete class "A" is 20.7 MPa, what is the minimum
compressive strength for concrete class "C"
a. 16.5 MPa
b. 20.7 MPa
c. 28.5 MPa
d. 37.7 MPa

77. Materials suitable for embankment shall have a plasticity index of not more than:
a. 12
b. 10
c. 8
d. 6

78. The shape of a compaction curve in a laboratory compaction test of soil is a:

a. hyperbolic
b. parabolic
c. semi-circle
d. straight line

79. Peat and muck are considered as:

a. Suitable soil
b. Highly organic soil
c. High plastic soil
d. Colloids

80. When using a nuclear density gauge, which of the following is NOT a requirement?
a. Operator must be licensed
b. Radiation exposure limits must be specified
c. Operator must wear thick clothes
d. Unit must be transported in approved cases

81. The maximum percentage abrasion loss allowed for paving concrete coarse aggregate is:
a. 30%
b. 40%
c. 50%
d. 60%
2016 March

82. Stone Mastic Asphalt shall be placed at a temperature not less than:
a. 107 Degree Celsius
b. 115 Degree Celsius
c. 125 Degree Celsius
d. 135 Degree Celsius

83. Permit for the procurement of chemicals used for various laboratory testing can be secured from:
a. BEAD
b. NAPOLCOM
c. NBI
d. PDEA

84. Concrete curing refers to:

a. Procedures done to repair damages in concrete surface
b. Procedures done to promote cement hydration
c. Procedures done to maximize concrete strength
d. Procedures done to minimize concrete cracking

85. The aggregate component contributes internal friction to shear strength and stability of the
bituminous mixture. The desirable shape and surface texture of aggregate particles are:
a. Round and smooth aggregate particles
b. Angular and smooth aggregate particles
c. Round and rough-textured particles
d. Angular and rough-textured particles

86. The following are NOT the purpose of driving test piles except:
a. To determine the required pile length
b. To determine the cross-sectional area of the pile
c. To determine the actual number of piles needed
d. To determine spacing of the piles

87. This is a test criterion for reinforced concrete pipe tested in a three-edge bearing test.
a. 0.3 mm crack
b. 0.4 mm crack
c. 0.5 mm crack
d. 0.6 mm crack

88. The measurement of the thickness of an asphalt core using a caliper is based on:
a. 4 sides
b. 5 sides
c. 6 sides
d. 9 sides
2016 March

89. As construction work progresses, you noticed that the materials delivered at the project site are
different from the ones tested and that passed the requirements. As materials engineer, what would
you do?
a. Authorize the use of the material
b. Conduct immediate retesting of the materials for verification purposes
c. Reject the materials
d. Replace the materials

90. Testing of concrete samples may be done at an earlier age for purposes of:
a. payment of completed pavement
b. determining the trend of its strength development
c. designing the concrete mixture
d. decongesting the curing tank with samples

91. What test determines the resistance to deformation of a compacted asphalt concrete mix?
a. Hardness test
b. Marshall Stability test
c. Ductility Test
d. Durability test

92. If the bulk specific gravity of a bituminous mix is 2.342, and the dry stability is 3,000 lbs., what is its
Index of Retained test (IRS) if its wet stability is 2,400 lbs.?
a. 34
b. 53
c. 80
d. 127

93. The laboratory density of a bituminous mix 2.233. What is the degree of compaction of a 5 cm,
asphalt overlay for which a field Density of 2.010 was obtained?
a. 45%
b. 55%
c. 90%
d. 110%

94. A set of three (3) core samples has the following compressive strengths: 4000 psi, 3500 psi, and 2600
psi. If the required strength is 3500 psi, the area represented by the core samples is:
a. Acceptable
b. Not acceptable
c. Acceptable but with adjustments in pavement
d. Subject to monitoring within the warranty period

95. Sampling of soil aggregates in a big stockpile shall be done by:

a. Taking sample from the bottom, middle, and top of the stockpile
b. Shoveling-off the surface at the bottom of the stockpile and taking full sample thereat
c. Shoveling-off the surface at the middle of the stockpile and taking full sample thereat
d. Shoveling-off the surface at the top of the stockpile and taking full sample thereat
2016 March

96. In Item 311-PCCP, the dividing line between coarse and fine aggregates is mm sieve?
a. 2.36
b. 4.75
c. 9.5
d. 12.5

97. Sample of aggregate base course material when tested for quality passed the requirements except
grading. What will you recommend as a Materials Engineer?
a. Reject the material
b. Replace the material
c. Accept the material at an adjusted price
d. Reprocess the material by blending

98. The following are NOT true regarding the rebound hammer (Schmidt) test for concrete, except:
a. The test is used to determine the consistency of fresh concrete
b. Can be used as a substitute to direct methods of compressive strength determination such as
tests on cored samples
c. Is a simple and versatile test method which can be used even on rough concrete surfaces
d. The test is used to determine the composition of aggregates

99. Tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation are the common required tests to determine quality
of:
a. Aluminum guardrails
b. Galvanized steel sheets and coils
c. Reinforcing steel bars
d. Steel pipes

100. The sand used in the field density test in determining the volume of hole using sand cone method
must be cleaned, dry and passing sieve number:
a. 30
b. 40
c. 200
d. 10