NPTEL MOOC COURSE ON

Basic Construction Materials

By Dr Manu Santhanam and Dr. Radhakrishna G Pillai | IIT Madras

PMRF TA: Umesh Hule

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Types of bonds
• Stretcher
• Flemish
• English

http://www.bricksandbrass.co.uk/design_by_element/external_wall/bricks_and_brickwork_in_period_home.php
Mortar joints are weakest planes along which shear and flexural
failure can occur
• Shear failure

• Flexural failure

http://frprepair.com/
https://law.resource.org/pub/eur/ibr/en.1996.1.1.2005.html
Summary
• Many types of masonry units exist
• Compressive strength is important, but mainly used for quality control
• Strength of the masonry construction depends on the strength of mortar and
tensile bonding strength of the joint between the mortar and masonry units
• Resistance against environmental factors play a major role in the quality and
durability of the masonry construction
• To attain quality construction, moisture absorption must be minimized
 What are the different type of Rocks ?

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Q1) Increase in strength of the burnt building bricks over time is known as induration. State true or false.?

• True

• False

Ans- False

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 Q2) Burnt bricks have higher compressive strength than unburnt bricks.

• True

• False

Ans- True

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Q3) Which of the following is true for a queen closer modular brick

a) Length = 20cm, Width = 5 cm

b) Length = 10cm, Width = 5 cm
c) Length = 10cm, Width = 10 cm
d) Length = 5cm, Width = 10 cm

Ans- a

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Q4) Consider the following three statements
A: Lime hardens by absorbing atmospheric CO
B: Non-hydraulic lime mortars are not generally used in substructures
C : Lime mortars are generally designed weaker than masonry units

Which of the following is the most appropriate answer that best describes these statements?

a) A and B are correct. But C is incorrect

b) A, B and C are correct, and C is the proper reasoning for B
c) B is incorrect. A and C are correct, and A is the proper reasoning for C
d) B is correct. A and C are incorrect.
e) A, B and C are correct, and A is the proper reasoning for B

Ans- e
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 Q5Match the masonry structural parts in Column A to their definition.

a) A-iv, B-iii, C-ii, D-i

b) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii
c) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii
d) A-iii, B-ii, C-iv, D-i

Ans- c

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Q6) Which of the following is/are the correct reason(s) to pre-soak bricks before placing?

a) Pre-soaked bricks have high compressive strength

b) Pre-soaked bricks absorb less water from the mortar when compared to unsoaked bricks
c) Pre-soaked bricks have low coefficient of thermal expansion
d) Pre-soaked bricks have better resistance to abrasion

Ans- b
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Q7) In a newly constructed structure, all the electrical wires are housed in a conduit made of amorphous
polypropylene. There was an accidental short circuiting. Which of the following is true regarding the conduits?
(Glass transition temperature is -17° C and melting point is 176° C)?

a) The conduit behaves like a viscous liquid at temperature above 176° C.

b) The conduit become an amorphous material below a temperature of -23° C.
c) The conduit enters into a glassy state at temperature between 176° C and -17° C.
d) The conduit behaves like a viscous liquid at temperature below -17° C.

Ans- a, b
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 THANK YOU
Please contact me on:
huleumesh@gmail.com, ce21d005@smail.iitm.ac.in, or
NPTEL discussion forum

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