MULUNGUSHI UNIVERSITY

Pursing the frontiers of knowledge

School of Science, Engineering and Technology

Department of Engineering

CIE 252 – Civil Engineering Materials

Test 1

May 2020

INSTRUCTIONS

1. You MUST ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS.

2. Present readable and tidy work
3. Write your Name, Student Number and NRC# on the answer sheet
4. The duration of test paper is 6 hours

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Question 1.

1.1. An oven-dried sample having mass of 195g was put inside a pycnometer which was then

completely filled with distilled water. The mass of pycnometer with soil and water was found to be

1584g. The mass of pycnometer filled with water alone was 1465g.

a. Calculate the Specific Gravity of soil solids.

b. What is the different between apparent specific gravity and Bulk-dry specific gravity?

1.2. Soil has void ratio = 0.72, moisture content = 12% and Specific gravity of soil (Gs) = 2.72.

Determine its

a. Dry unit weight

b. Moist unit weight, and the

c. Amount of water to be added per m3 to make it saturated. Use the unit density of water

9.81KN/m3

(20 Marks)

Question 2

The results as tabulated in table 1 were obtained from the gradation test of aggregates for construction of a

Laboratory near the Zambezi River.

a. From the results given, calculate the percentage of aggregates passing on each sieve?
b. Compute the Cumulative percentage of aggregates passing on each sieve?
c. Plot the gradation curve on the graph paper and comment on the grading of this aggregate?
d. Calculate the Fineness modulus for sieve No. 4mm, 2mm, 0.5mm and 0.063 and explain on the
results obtained?
e. Can these aggregate be suitable for the construction of a column on the Zambezi River? Give
reasons to support your answer. (25 Marks)

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 Table: Aggregate gradation test results

Sieve aperture size (mm) Mass of material retained (g)

16 0.0

8 157

4 243

2 235

1 185

0.5 492

0.25 406

0.125 221

0.063 39

<0.063(pan) 15

Sum

Question 3

As a Resident Engineer for Mulungushi University, you have been tasked to superverse a project for
putting up of a staff dining hall which will be constructed from timber. The timber will be sourced from
Western Province.

a. What kind of inspection or test are you going to carry out before you certify to use the timber from
western province for constructing the dining hall?
b. What requirements are you going to consider in selecting a preservative to use?
c. What type of wood preservative are you going to use?
d. From your answer in part (C), give reasons for selecting that type of wood preservative method?
e. With detailed diagrams explain on the five defects which are as a result of timber seasoning?
(20 Marks)

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Question 4

As a Civil Engineer, you have been asked to build a two story building which mostly comprise of concrete
as a main Civil Engineering material. But you need to make sure the concrete conform to the set standards
of Workability and slump.

a. What is the workability of concrete mixture and how can it be evaluated?

b. What is slump test and what is the importance in concrete works?
c. What are air-entraining agent and what properties of concrete will be affected if air-entraining
agent is added?
d. What are hardening accelerating, set retarder, and anti- freezing admixture and what are their real
significances when used in concrete projects? Give examples in your explanation
(20 Marks)

Question 5

Mr Phiri has a Housing complex of 10 houses which are located in Lukanga area of Kabwe. They are at 20
meters apart and. All the tenants which occupy these houses do not stay long due to the damp condition
on the floors and the walls up to the window level from the time they were bought two years ago. The
other problem is due to dust which is caused by vehicles when using the access roads within the housing
complex by the occupants. This has led to revenue lose for Mr. Phiri. As a Civil Engineer you have been
asked to give expert advice.

a. What could be the cause to the damp condition on the floors and the walls?
b. What expert advice would you give to Mr. Phiri to sort out the problem of damp condition so that
he does not lose out on the much needed revenue?
c. What would be the Engineering solution to the problem of dust emission and what engineering
properties should be taken into account when coming up with a solution? (15 Marks)

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