Sarvajanik University

Foundation Year
(B. Arch – I Sem - I)
Question Bank: Basics of Building Materials, Components and Structure

Q1. FILL IN THE BLANKS

1. Rocks deposited by action of water or wind are called __________.
2. Marble is a __________rock.
3. __________ rocks have planes along which they can be split
4. Rocks in which silica predominate are called _________ rocks
5. ___________ lime can set under water
6. Lime is obtained from __________
7. _________ and ________ are used for spanning of openings
8. Building can be broadly divided into two components sub-structure and _____________
9. Soil in Surat is ________________________ soil.
10. ___________is the name of good quality wood used to make shutters for a wooden paneled door.
11. Weather protection is generally provided at _________ level.
12. Wrought iron contains carbon upto ________%
13. The horizontal member supporting the slab is known as ________
14. Quartzite is a ___________ rock
15. Slaking of lime is due to the presence of ________
16. Glass is an inorganic product of fusion, which has been cooled to a solid state condition without
___________.
17. Glass is an __________ solid.
18. ___________&__________ are the primary sources of the key ingredients in
plastic.
19. ________________ is a process through which a large number of monomer molecules react
together to form a polymer.
20. ______ Clay doesn't need a glaze.
21. _______ is the most fragile & soft clay.
22. Process of heating limestone to get lime is called ______
23. _____ sand cannot be used for construction.
24. _______ can be used as an alternative for sand.
25. _______ Clay is often used in cutlery, plates & bowls to resist high temperature.
26. Sand is measured in _______.
27. _________metals do not have a significant amount of iron in its chemical composition.
28. _______ & _______ have been used for the construction before the invention of cement.
29. Natural cement comes in _______ colour.
30. _______ % of silica particles are there in cement
31. _______ % of lime particles are there in cement.
32. Cement should not be used after _______ months.
33. _______ invented the Portland cement.
34. Aggregates whose particles pass through _______ IS sieve are termed as _______.
35. Aggregates whose particles do not pass through 4.75 mm IS and not greater than 7.5mm are termed
as _______.
36. _______ is a binding mixture which is used to bind the bricks.
37. _______ mortar was used in the making of the Egypt pyramid.

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SARVAJANIK UNIVERSITY Basics of Building Materials, Components and Structure
38. _______ & _______ is the main material used to make mortar.
39. ______________ mortar is used to make a fire resistant construction.
40. ______________ mortar is used to restrict the x-ray waves.
41. ______________ is used for the plastering and pointing process in construction.
42. Soil in Surat is ________________________ soil.
43. In footing _______________ degree of angle is considered to be ideal for transfer of load.
44. The lowermost portion of the foundation which is in direct contact with the sub soil is called
____________
45. _______________ prevent or minimize cracks due to movement of moisture in case of weak or
poor soil.
46. In ________________Foundation, the bottom concrete is replaced by timber platform constructed of
timber planks.
47. Strap foundation is also known as ___________________
48. When a nail is hammered in a wall it is an _____ load.
49. When we put hanger on a rope , it will apply _____ load on rope
50. Ability to carry load is known as ______.
51. More stiff members means _____ deformation.
52. Movable load is known as _______
53. Human load goes in category of ______ load
54. Self-weight of a member is known as ______ load
55. Dead load & live load are known as ______ load
56. Gravity load are in the direction of a _____.
57. Earthquake load is ______ load.
58. Load from footing is transferred to ______.
59. Load of a wall on beam is applied as ______ load
60. Lintel transfers load through _____ action
61. Truss is made up of _____ elements.

TRUE OR FALSE
1. Presence of salt in sand can be known by tasting it
2. Gauged mortars are used to achieve good qualities of both cement and lime
3. Fire resistant mortar is used for furnaces
4. Stone wall can be constructed without use of mortar
5. Argillaceous rocks are brittle
6. Each and every part of a frame structure plays an important role in load transfer.
7. Sand stones have planes of stratification.
8. Plastic is an organic substance.
9. For the manufacture of plywood, veneers are placed so that grains of adjacent veneers run at right
angles.
10. As a construction material bamboo is as strong as steel.
11. In a mortar, the binding material is cement.
12. Plinth is a part of the sub structure.
13. Beam & Column can be a part of the Sub Structure.
14. In Frame structure,every wall element carries the load to the foundation which is then transferred to
the soil.
15. The Substructure of a building transfers the load of the building to the ground.
16. The Superstructure is that part of the building which is above the ground and which serves the
purpose of building’s intended use.

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SARVAJANIK UNIVERSITY Basics of Building Materials, Components and Structure
17. The structure constructed with a combination of both load bearing as well as framed structure is
called composite structure.
18. In Load bearing construction, openings should be narrow and inline vertically, rather than wide or
haphazardly located on the elevation.
19. In Frame structure, the internal walls have only small doorways, while the external walls have large
windows. Therefore, most of the load will be taken directly by the internal walls.
20. Granite stones cannot be used for construction.
21. Good sand should have good amount of salt it.
22. A kiln is a cooling chamber to obtain Lime
23. Clay is much more versatile, manageable & eco friendly than wood.
24. Sand for construction should contain SALT, IRON, ALKALIES & OTHER inorganic substances.
25. Extraction of sand has caused ecological problems
26. Sand is measured in cubic feet
27. Cement comes in boxes.
28. Cement does not require weather protection.
29. Cement is made out of lime and silica.
30. Cement production unit should be near the old city area.
31. Portland cement was firstly invented by Ar. Joseph Allen stein.
32. Mortar is made of cement and sand.
33. Ideal proportion of Cement and sand in mortar is 1:2.
34. Surkhi mortar is made of sand and cement.
35. Mortar can be used for the construction of slab.
36. Each and every part of a frame structure plays an important role in load transfer.
37. Stone wall can be constructed without use of mortar
38. Brick walls are light in weight compared to stone walls
39. The size and depth of a foundation is determined by the structure and size of a building it supports
and the nature and bearing capacity of the ground supporting it.
40. The soil which is located immediately below the base of the foundation is called the subsoil.
41. In the Grillage foundation, concrete filling carries the load of the structure.
42. In the Timber Grillage Foundation, the bottom concrete is replaced by a timber platform constructed
of timber planks.
43. Laterite stones are the most durable stones for construction.
44. Stability means to allow movement
45. If column fails , its strength is less
46. By changing the cross section & material strength can be increased or decreased
47. When we open a bottle by rotating its cap, we put axial tension on cap.
48. In a tug of war , rope is subjected to compression
49. Column transfers load by axial tension.
50. A simply supported beam transfers load by bending & shear
51. Roller support has only one reaction
52. Hinge support allows rotation.
53. Fixed support allows rotation & displacements.
54. Truss transfer load by axial Tension & compression.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

Q1. The innermost central portion of a tree is called?

a) Pith

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SARVAJANIK UNIVERSITY Basics of Building Materials, Components and Structure
 b) Heartwood
c) Bark
d) Roots

Q2. Which amongst these structure systems have structural walls as load transferring elements?
a) Load bearing Structure
b) Frame structure
c) Slip formwork structure

Q3. Among the following structure systems, the load transfer occurs through beams and columns.
a) Frame Structure
b) Load bearing Structure
c) Slip formwork structure

Q.4 The rocks which are formed due to cooling of magma at a considerable depth from earth’s surface
are known as

a) Plutonic rocks b) Sedimentary rocks c) Volcanic rocks d) Igneous rocks

Q.5. Cast iron is used for

a) Structural works in beams
b) Small sized water pipes
c) Columns and struts
d) None of these

Q.6. A construction system where walls are used as filler material between structural members is known
as?
a) Frame structure b) Load bearing structure c) Hybrid structure

Q.7. The cement becomes unsound by the presence of excess

a) Sulphur b) Magnesia c) Lime d) All of these

Q. 8 Plywood has the advantage of

a) Greater tensile strength in longer direction

b) Greater tensile strength in shorter direction
c) Same tensile strength in all directions
d) None of the above

Q. 9 Which of the following is the purest form of iron?

a) Cast iron b) Wrought iron c) Mild steel d) High carbon steel

Q.10 Wrought iron contains carbon up to

0.25% b) 1.0% c) 1.5% d) 2%

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SARVAJANIK UNIVERSITY Basics of Building Materials, Components and Structure
 Q.11 Select the incorrect statement from the following
a) Hydraulic Lime is generally obtained by burning residual soil
b) Hydraulic lime sets slowly as compared to fat lime
c) Hydraulic lime is generally used in lime mortar
d) None of these

Q.12 Sandstone is a ……………

a)Sedimentary rock b)Metamorphic rock c) Igneous rock d) Volcanic rock

Q. 13 Due to attack of termites or dry rot timber

a) Cracks b) shrinks c) reduces to powder d) none of these

Q14 Which of these can be used as alternative for sand

a)Surkhi b) Burnt coal c) Quarry dust d) all of the above

Q15 Which clay is used to make Flower pots & Diwali Diya
a)Porcelain clay b) Earthenware clay c) Stoneware clay d) All of the above

Q16) What is the chemical compound of lime

a)Caco3 b) Ca2co3 c) Caco d) Caco2

Q17) Lime is also used for

a)Purification of water b) Production of glass c) mortar in masonry d) all of the above

Q.18) Inner part of a timber log surrounding the pith is called

a)Sapwood b) Cambium layer c) Heartwood d) None of these

Q.19) According to Terzaghi, a foundation is shallow if its depth is equal to or

___________________
a) less than its width b) more than its width c) double than its width d) All of above

Q.20) ________________foundation is provided when stable soil with adequate bearing capacity
occurs near to the ground level.
a) Shallow b) Deep c) None of above d) All of above

Q.21) Identify the given Image.

a) Combined Footing b) Isolated Footing c) Strip Foundation d) Raft Foundation

Q.22) A type of foundation often used at the base of a column. It consists of one, two or more tiers of
steel beams superimposed on a layer of concrete, adjacent tiers being placed at right angles to each
other, while all tiers are encased in concrete.

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SARVAJANIK UNIVERSITY Basics of Building Materials, Components and Structure
 a) Combined Footing b) Strap Foundation c) Grillage Foundation d) Raft Foundation

Q.23) Identify the given Image.

a) Combined Footing b) Strap Foundation c) Timber Grillage Foundation d) Raft Foundation

Q.24) Equilibrium means

a) No displacement b) no rotation c) all of above d) none of above

Q.25) when we cut apple load is transferred by

a) Shear b) tension c) bending d) torsion

Q.26) One way slab bends in

a) One direction b) two direction c) all direction d) all of above

Q.27) Two way slab bends in

a) One direction b) two direction c) all direction d) all of above

Q.28) Cantilever beam means

a) One end fixed & other free b) both end fixed c) one end hinged & other roller d) both ends free

Q.29) Load bearing structure transfers vertical load of beam by

a) Load bearing walls b) RCC column c) Beam d) soil

Q.30) In RCC building tension is taken by

a) Steel b) concrete c) sand d) water

Q.31) Concrete takes

a) Tension b) compression c) none of these d) all of these

Q.32) Center to center distance between two columns is known as

a) Span of a beam b) span of slab c) span of column d ) none of these

Q.33) footing of load bearing structure is known as

a) Stepped footing b) isolated column footing c) combined footing d) none of these

Q.34) Beam at plinth level of a structure is known as

a) Plinth beam b) ground beam c) Top beam d) foundation beam

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SARVAJANIK UNIVERSITY Basics of Building Materials, Components and Structure
Q.35) Inverted beam means
a) Beam projecting downward from slab b) beam projecting upward from slab c) all of these d) none of
these

Q.36) Sunk slab means

a) Slab at top of a beam b) slab at bottom of a beam c) slab at mid-level of a beam d) none of these

Define the following terms

1. MDF
2. HDF
3. LDF
4. Explain Super structure of a building
5. Define Toughened Glass
6. What is fire resistant glass?
7. Define igneous rocks.
8. Define Metamorphic rocks
9. Define Sedimentary rocks
10. What are boulders? Where is it used?
11. Explain recycled concrete aggregates.
12. Explain glass aggregates.
13. Define Sill and Lintel in a building
14. Define thermosetting plastics
15. What is quarrying of stones?
16. What is slaked lime?
17. What types of sands are available for construction?
18. What are types of mortars?
19. Define plywood.
20. Define Acid resistant cement.
21. Define the name of the field tests for cement.
22. What do you mean by the dressing of stones?
23. Define Ferrous and Nonferrous metals.
24. Define Metal alloys and its uses.
25. What are thermosetting plastics?
26. Define the manufacturing of cast iron?
27. Define stainless steel.
28. What is clay? What is the texture of clay & where is it found?
29. What is a kiln?
30. What do you mean by calcination? Why is calcination done?
31. Where is clay used in the construction industry?
32. What is hydraulic lime?
33. What are the uses of fat lime?
34. Name 3 main types of lime available in the market.
35. Name 3 types of sand based on the size of their grain.
36. Explain surkhi mortar.
37. Explain lime mortar.
38. Explain gauged mortar.
39. Explain mud mortar.

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SARVAJANIK UNIVERSITY Basics of Building Materials, Components and Structure
 40. Define Foundation.
41. How can one determine the size and depth of the foundation?
42. Strength
43. Stability
44. Stiffness
45. Dead load
46. Live load
47. Wind load
48. Earthquake load
49. Static load
50. Dynamic load
51. Impact load
52. Hydrostatic load
53. Bending
54. Shear
55. Axial compression
56. Axial tension
57. Torsion
58. Load bearing structure
59. Framed structure
60. Span
61. One way slab
62. Two way slab
63. Cantilever slab
64. Beam
65. Column
66. Fixed beam
67. Roller support
68. Hinge support
69. Fixed support
70. Jack arch flooring
71. Point load
72. Uniformly distributed load
73. Partition wall
74. Truss

Q2. ANSWER IN BRIEF/COMPARISON ( 4 MARKS EACH )

1. Properties of Cement.
2. Definition of Substructure
3. Definition of Superstructure
4. Definition of Load bearing structure and its advantages
5. Definition of Frame structure and its advantages.
6. Definition of Composite structure with its advantages.
7. Properties of Glass
8. Classification/Types of Glasses
9. Name any 5 Special varieties of Glasses
10. Different Process for composition of Plastics
11. Properties of Plastics

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SARVAJANIK UNIVERSITY Basics of Building Materials, Components and Structure
 12. Name Molding Compound in Plastics.
13. Constituents of Lime
14. Enlist various types of Mortar.
15. Discuss the coarse and fine aggregates
16. Rapid Hardening cement and its properties
17. Explain Manufacturing of Glass.
18. Explain Manufacturing of Plastic.
19. Acid Resistant Cement and its advantages.
20. Briefly describe the tests for Limestone’s.
21. Write a short note on Aggregates.
22. Discuss Quick Lime.
23. Physical classification of rocks
24. Types of sand based on their sources and properties of good sand
25. Lime as a building material
26. What are the causes of decay in timber?
27. Compare Block board and Particle board
28. Define Seasoning process for timber
29. What is the use of the plinth in a building?
30. What are defects in timber? List any 4 such defects.
31. Define Hardwood
32. Define Softwood
33. Define Fine Aggregates
34. Define coarse aggregates.
35. Explain how sand is used in construction?
36. State benefits of using Lime mortar.
37. What are the various uses of Lime?
38. What precautions are to be taken while handling Lime?
39. State different types of clay with 3 differences.
40. State Benefits of building with clay.
41. What Is a Kiln? How is it used in obtaining lime & clay?
42. Why is pit sand better than sea sand for construction?
43. What is vitrification & glazing? What does it do?
44. What are the functions of sand in mortar?
45. Explain the evolution of cement.
46. Explain the difference between cement and lime.
47. Enlist the Composition of cement.
48. Enlist the types of aggregates and explain any two in detail.
49. What is lightweight aggregate?
50. What is heavyweight aggregate?
51. Enlist distinguishes between fine aggregates and coarse aggregates.
52. Explain the quality of good mortar.
53. Explain surkhi and mud mortar.
54. Explain cement, lime and gypsum mortar.
55. Explain the main functions of mortar in construction.
56. What is the purpose of the foundation?
57. What are the factors that affect the design of foundation?
58. What is the requirement of a good foundation?
59. When is the combined foundation required?
60. When is the Strap foundation required?
61. Enlist various methods of preservation of stones.

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SARVAJANIK UNIVERSITY Basics of Building Materials, Components and Structure
 62. Load bearing & framed structures - difference
63. Lintel & sill
64. GL & Pl ( ground level & plinth level)
65. Strength & stability
66. Strength & stiffness
67. Stiffness & stability
68. Static & dynamic load

Q3. DRAW DETAILED SKETCHES (5-6 MARKS EACH)

1. Sketch load distribution diagram in Load bearing structure
2. Sketch load distribution diagram in Frame structure
3. Illustrate different components of Substructure.
4. Draw different components of Superstructure.
5. Sketch a detailed Wall section of Frame structure and label the components.
6. Sketch a detailed Wall section of Load bearing structure and label the components.
7. Explain Fabrication of Plastic with help of Diagram.
8. Cross section of Tree with all its layers
9. Air seasoning of timber
10. Artificial seasoning of timber
11. Kiln seasoning
12. Radial Sawing of a timber log
13. Quarter sawing of a timber log
14. Market forms of steel.
15. Canopy and Balcony in a building
16. Defects in metals
17. Enlist the composition of cement.
18. Why packing process is important for cement industry.
19. Explain the physical properties of aggregates.
20. Explain the Classification of aggregates based on its size.
21. Explain the Classification of aggregates based on its formation.
22. Explain properties of good quality mortar.
23. Sketch and explain different types of Cantilever foundation.
24. Sketch and explain different types of Raft foundation.
25. Sketch and explain different types of Grillage foundation.
26. Sketch and explain the spread foundation for the wall.
27. Sketch and explain the spread foundation for the column.
28. Stepped footing
29. Isolated sloped footing
30. Arch
31. Cantilever beam
32. truss
33. Example showing compression
34. Examples showing Tension, bending, torsion etc.
35. In an object explain how load is getting transferred.
36. In a building show different types of loads acting on a building

Q4. ANSWER IN DETAIL (15 MARKS EACH)

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SARVAJANIK UNIVERSITY Basics of Building Materials, Components and Structure
 1. Types of sand based on their sources and properties of good sand.
2. Explain Load bearing construction in detail
3. Explain Frame construction in detail
4. Enlist various interior components and explain any 3 in detail.
5. Explain building typology based on its occupancy.
6. Explain building typology based on structure.
7. Explain building typology in detail.
8. Explain in Detail the Special Varieties of Glasses and their uses with Examples.
9. Explain in detail each property of glasses.
10. Explain in Detail treatment of Glasses
11. Explain in detail the each process for manufacturing of Glass
12. Explain in detail each process for manufacturing of Plastic.
13. Properties of Plastics and its Uses.
14. Properties of Ordinary Cement and its use.
15. Discuss the varieties of Cement.
16. What are substructures and superstructures in a building? Describe its components in detail with
neat sketches.
17. Role of soil in deciding the type of construction system.
18. Compare Frame structure and Load bearing structure with respect to construction and load
bearing behavior.
19. What are the characteristics of good timber? Explain with the help of neat sketches the structure
of a tree with all the components.
20. What are ferrous and Non-Ferrous metals? Elaborate with its properties and applications
21. Compare Cast iron, Wrought iron and Steel with common parameters required for its applications.
22. Discuss in detail about various types of Seasoning of Timber with neat sketches.
23. What is artificial timber? Explain any two types of artificial timber with its applications.
24. Describe the manufacturing process of glass. Also discuss the various properties of glass as a
building material.
25. Explain in detail different treatments possible on glass as per its use?
26. Explain classification of Lime with its respective properties.
27. Explain the manufacturing process of cement.
28. Explain process of Lime extraction from Limestone. ( draw sketch & explain)
29. How is lime better than concrete?
30. Explain/ Differentiate between 3 different types of clay.
31. How & where clay is used in the construction industry?
32. What are the functions of sand in mortar? / Properties of sand
33. Explain in detail, benefits of building with clay.
34. Explain in detail, benefits of constructing with lime instead of concrete.
35. Differentiate between kaolin clay, Stoneware clay & Earthenware clay.
36. What are the different techniques to test sand?
37. Explain the types of aggregates.
38. Explain the types of tests for aggregates.
39. Explain the different types of mortar based on its application.
40. Enlist & elaborate on various advantages & disadvantages of Load Bearing System
41. Enlist & elaborate on various advantages & disadvantages of RCC frame structure.
42. What are Substructure and superstructure? Describe components of sub structure and super
structure.
43. State the difference between Load Bearing System & Frame Structure.
44. What do you understand about a shallow foundation? State various types of shallow foundation
with neat labeled sketches.

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SARVAJANIK UNIVERSITY Basics of Building Materials, Components and Structure
 45. Write short note on Isolated Footing
46. Explain the role of foundation in transferring the load of the superstructure. Explain combined
footing in detail.
47. Explain the role of foundation in transferring the load of the superstructure. Explain Raft
foundation in detail.
48. What do you understand by Sub-structure? What is the role of foundations in the construction
system?
49. Enlist various types of foundations with brief descriptions.
50. What are Substructure and Superstructure? Describe components of sub structure and super
structure.
51. What do you understand about a shallow foundation? State various types of shallow foundation
with neat labeled sketches.

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SARVAJANIK UNIVERSITY Basics of Building Materials, Components and Structure