BAYERO UNIVERSITY, KANO

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
M. ENG. DEGREE, SECOND SEMESTER EXAMINATIONS 2019/2020 SESSION

CIV8318: Advanced Civil Engineering Materials and Construction Technology

LEVEL: 800
DATE: 26/08/2021 TIME:3 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer question one (1) and any other four (4) questions. All questions and parts of
questions carry marks as indicated in brackets. Only silent, self-contained calculators with a Single-Line
Display or Dual-Line Display are permitted in this examination.

Q.1
a. Explain what is meant by contemporary concrete and name any two innovative developments in
contemporary concrete
(3 marks)
b. A high strength/high performance concrete is required for construction of a tunnel. The clients
are considering reduction in the cost of the concrete; therefore 30% pulverized fuel ash (fly ash)
will be used to replace cement. A concrete characteristic strength of 45 N/mm 2 at 28 days was
used for the mix design. The result of the sieve analysis showed that 40% of the fine aggregate
was retained in 600 μm sieve. The available aggregates were natural aggregate as fine aggregate
and crushed granite as the coarse aggregate with a maximum size of 20 mm. the specific gravity
of the aggregates was 2.6. the available cement strength class is 52.5N and is minimised to 350
kg/m3 to reduce cost and heat of hydration. The maximum water to cementitious materials ratio
should not exceed 0.5. the recommended slump is medium slump. As a Civil Engineer, design
the concrete using DOE method, by assuming about 2.5% defective rate. Also carry out a trial
mix for a 0.075 m3 of the concrete.
(15 marks)
c. Outline the suitable areas of application for the concrete designed in Q.1b.
(2 marks)
Q.2
a. List all the products of hydration (POH) of cement. Also write the relevant chemical reactions.
(6 marks)
b. Briefly explain how gel pores and capillary pores differ from each other in terms of water cement
ratio and degree of hydration. Also explain the functions of gel and capillary pores in cement
paste.
(6 marks)
c. Draw block diagrams for the materials, products of hydration and voids involved in the hydration
of 200 gm of OPC and 100 ml of water for 50% hydration
Use S. G. cement = 3.15. Assume the materials are in a sealed tube and there is no entrapped air.

(8 marks)
Q.3
a.
i. Define admixtures?

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 (2 marks)
ii. Differentiate between a chemical admixture and a mineral admixture.
(4 marks)
b. What are the benefits of using mineral admixtures in concrete?
(3 marks)
c. Write notes on two types of mineral admixtures and two types of chemical admixtures
(6 marks)
d. Briefly describe the mechanism of water-reducing admixture. Give relevant sketches to support
your explanation.
(5 marks)
Q.4
a.
i. What is meant by workability of concrete?
(2 marks)
ii. List all the factors affecting the workability of concrete
(2.5 marks)
iii. Differentiate between consistency and cohesiveness as related to workability of concrete
(5 marks)
b. With the aid of simple sketches differentiate between segregation and bleeding in concrete.
(7.5 marks)
c. List all the factors that influence the properties of concrete
(3 marks)

Q.5
a. State any five (5) advantages and disadvantages of concrete
(5 marks)
b.
i. What is a durable concrete?
(2 marks)
ii. Why Corrosion of reinforcement occurs?
(4 marks)
c.
i. Briefly explain the mechanism of sulphate attack in concrete. Write the relevant chemical
equations involved.
(5 marks)
ii. How can you control sulphate attack in concrete?
(4 marks)
Q.6
a. Explain how alkali silica reaction occurs in concrete.
(5 marks)
b.
i. Briefly explain the effect of ingress of CO2 in reinforced concrete. Write the relevant
chemical reactions that take place to support your explanation.
(6 marks)
ii. Explain how the ingress of CO2 affects the reinforced concrete members in terms of
durability.
2
 (4 marks)
c. Briefly explain how sulphate attack is measured in concrete.
(5 marks)

Q.7
a.
i. List and explain the functions of any three Earth moving equipment for construction.
(9 marks)
ii. What are the advantages of hiring a construction plant over buying?
(2 marks)
b.
i. Enumerate the critical factors that influence the performance of flexible pavement.
(3 marks)
ii. Differentiate between flexible and rigid pavement in terms of load transfer behaviour.
(2 marks)
c. State any four advantages of cold-rolled steel sections over hot-rolled steel sections.
(4 marks)
Q.8
a.
i. Discuss the role of incorporating fibres in concrete.
(5 marks)
ii. Enumerate the suitable areas of application of fibre reinforced concrete.
(4 marks)
b. Discuss the possible remedies for non-pumpable concrete in the process of pumping concrete.
(7 marks)
c. What are the advantages of using timber over steel in construction?
(4 marks)