Concrete Workability and Strength Quiz

Answers
1. Which of the following factors directly affects the workability of concrete?

A. Ambient temperature
B. Admixture type
C. Water content
D. Curing time

Answer: Water content (C)

Increasing the water content of a concrete mix increases its workability, but reduces its strength.

2. What is the purpose of the slump test?

A. To detect variations in the uniformity of a given concrete mix

B. To measure the density of fully compacted concrete
C. To determine the depth of penetration of a weighted ball
D. To measure the diameter of the spread after vibration

Answer: To detect variations in the uniformity of a given concrete mix (A)

The slump test is used to detect variations in the uniformity of a concrete mix with given nominal proportions.

3. What is the significance of a 'zero slump' result in the slump test?

A. It indicates a stiff mix

B. It indicates a segregated mix
C. It indicates a rich mix
D. It indicates a lean mix

Answer: It indicates a stiff mix (A)

A zero slump result in the slump test indicates a stiff mix, which is not necessarily a lean or rich mix.

4. Which test measures the depth of penetration of a weighted ball?

A. Kelly ball test

B. Slump test
C. Flow table test
D. Compacting factor test

Answer: Kelly ball test (A)

The Kelly ball test measures the depth of penetration of a weighted ball into the concrete mix, which is an indirect measure
of its workability.

5. What is the purpose of the compacting factor test?

A. To detect variations in the uniformity of a given concrete mix

B. To measure the density ratio of actual density to fully compacted density
C. To measure the diameter of the spread after vibration
 D. To measure the consistency of self-consolidating concrete

Answer: To measure the density ratio of actual density to fully compacted density (B)

The compacting factor test measures the ratio of the actual recorded density of the concrete to the density of the same
concrete when fully compacted, which is an indirect measure of its workability.

6. What is the primary reason for segregation in wet concrete mixes?

A. The cement and water separate from the aggregates

B. Different particle sizes settle at different rates
C. Chemical reactions cause separation of components
D. Air bubbles rise to the surface

Answer: Different particle sizes settle at different rates (B)

Coarse particles tend to separate out since they settle more than the fine particles, leading to segregation in wet mixes.

7. What is laitance?

A. The water that rises to the surface during bleeding

B. A layer of settled coarse aggregate on the concrete surface
C. The process of compacting concrete to remove entrapped air
D. A weak, friable layer formed on the concrete surface after curing

Answer: A weak, friable layer formed on the concrete surface after curing (D)

Laitance is a weak, friable layer on the surface of concrete and sand cement screeds which appears after curing.

8. What is the purpose of curing concrete?

A. To compact the concrete and remove entrapped air

B. To increase the slump of the concrete for pumping
C. To create an environment for the concrete to harden properly
D. To remove excess water from the concrete mixture

Answer: To create an environment for the concrete to harden properly (C)

Curing of Concrete involves the creation of an environment for a period of time (suitable temperature, prevention of loss of
moisture or providing moisture).

9. What is the primary characteristic of pumped concrete?

A. It is designed to be placed underwater

B. It has a high water-cement ratio
C. It contains special admixtures for pumpability
D. It has a relatively high slump (6-8 inches)

Answer: It has a relatively high slump (6-8 inches) (D)

Pumped Concrete is a type of concrete which is designed to be pumpable with relatively high slump (6-8 inches).

10. What is the primary requirement for mixing water in concrete?

A. It must be free of impurities and contaminants

B. It must have a specific pH value
C. It must be fit for drinking
D. It must be at a specific temperature range
Answer: It must be fit for drinking (C)

The quality of mixing water is covered by saying water must be fit for drinking.