GAMBELLA UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIVIL ENGINEERING
Course Name: Construction Equipment November, 2024
Course Code: CEng 3102 Time allowed: 2:00
Target group: 5th year weekend Instructor: Samrawit B.
✓ Attempt all questions clearly
✓ Read instructions carefully
✓ Neatness has a great value
✓ Exam is closed book
✓ Return question paper along with the answer sheet

Name_________________________________________ ID no. ______________

1. Which of the following is the primary compound responsible for the early strength
of cement?
A) Dicalcium silicate (C₂S)
B) Tricalcium silicate (C₃S)
C) Tricalcium aluminate (C₃A)
D) Tetra calcium alumino ferrite (C₄AF)
2. The main purpose of adding gypsum to cement is to:
A) Increase strength
B) Enhance durability
C) Control the setting time
D) Improve color
3. Which of the following types of cement is most suitable for use in marine structures?
A) Rapid hardening cement
B) Low-heat cement
C) Sulfate-resisting cement
D) White cement
4. What is the chemical formula for quicklime?
A) CaCO₃
B) CaO
C) Ca(OH)₂
D) CaSO₄
5. Plaster of Paris is obtained by heating gypsum to about:
A) 50°C
B) 100°C
C) 150°C
D) 250°C

6. Which cement compound contributes the least to the strength of concrete?

A) C₃S
B) C₂S
C) C₃A
D) C₄AF

7. If the proportion of C₃A in cement is increased, the cement becomes:

A) Faster setting and more resistant to sulfate attack
B) Faster setting but less resistant to sulfate attack
C) Slower setting and more durable
D) Slower setting and less reactive

8. Hydraulic lime is different from non-hydraulic lime because it:

A) Contains calcium hydroxide
B) Does not react with water
C) Sets under water due to clay impurities
D) Is produced at lower temperatures

9. Which property of gypsum makes it suitable for use in fire-resistant construction?

A) High compressive strength
B) Thermal conductivity
C) Presence of water molecules
D) Low density

10. An increase in fineness of cement results in:

A) Lower rate of hydration and lower strength
B) Higher rate of hydration and faster setting
C) Increased durability and lower strength
D) Reduced workability and increased shrinkage

11. Which type of cement is preferred for construction in hot climates to avoid
cracking?
A) Rapid hardening cement
B) Low-heat cement
C) High alumina cement
D) Portland pozzolana cement
12. Gypsum is used in the manufacturing of cement as a:
A) Retarder
B) Accelerator
C) Hardener
D) Binder

13. The color of cement is influenced mainly by the proportion of:

A) Lime
B) Silica
C) Iron oxide
D) Alumina

14. If water-to-cement ratio is increased, it will:

A) Increase the strength of concrete
B) Improve workability but reduce strength
C) Reduce the setting time
D) Lead to quicker hydration

15. In cement hydration, which compound contributes to the most heat generation?
A) C₃A
B) C₄AF
C) C₂S
D) C₃S

16. Cement is primarily used as a:

A) Coating material
B) Binding material
C) Insulating material
D) Decorative material
17. Which of the following is a key ingredient in the manufacture of cement?
A) Sand
B) Limestone
C) Gravel
D) Clay
18. What is the main function of silica in cement?
A) Provides strength
B) Acts as a filler material
C) Enhances durability
D) Controls setting time
19. Which cementing material is obtained by heating limestone and clay together?
A) Lime
B) Plaster of Paris
C) Portland cement
D) Slaked lime
20. Cement hardens primarily due to a chemical reaction with:
A) Air
B) Water
C) Heat
D) Pressure
21. The term “hydration” in cement technology refers to:
A) The process of adding water to cement.
B) A chemical reaction between cement and water.
C) Evaporation of water during curing.
D) Cooling of cement during mixing.
22. Portland cement is classified as a hydraulic material because:
A) It sets and hardens under water.
B) It absorbs water during setting.
C) It requires water to be mixed.
D) It dissolves in water.
23. Which compound gives cement its gray color?
A) Silica
B) Alumina
C) Lime
D) Iron oxide
24. The initial setting time of ordinary Portland cement is:
A) 10-20 minutes
B) 30-45 minutes
C) 1-2 hours
D) 24 hours
25. Which material is not a primary component in the production of cement?
A) Gypsum
B) Limestone
C) Silica
D) Quartz
26. Which of the following correctly lists the primary oxides found in Portland cement?
A) CaO, MgO, Al₂O₃, SiO₂
B) CaO, SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃
C) SiO₂, Fe₂O₃, MgO, Na₂O
D) Al₂O₃, SiO₂, K₂O, Na₂O
27. Why is gypsum added to cement during its production?
A) To act as a filler material.
B) To increase the setting time.
C) To prevent flash setting.
D) To improve its strength.
28. Which cementing material is used for rapid setting in emergency repairs?
A) Hydraulic lime
B) Plaster of Paris
C) Quicklime
D) Ordinary Portland Cement
29. What is the approximate composition of lime in ordinary Portland cement?
A) 20-30%
B) 40-50%
C) 60-65%
D) 70-75%
30. Pozzolanic materials are added to cement to:
A) Increase early strength.
B) Enhance resistance to chemical attack.
C) Reduce heat of hydration.
D) Both B and C.
31. Which property is most important for selecting a material to withstand heavy loads
in construction?
A) Thermal conductivity
B) Compressive strength
C) Workability
D) Ductility
32. The ability of a material to resist deformation under tensile stress is known as:
A) Toughness
B) Ductility
C) Tensile strength
D) Elasticity
33. Which of the following materials has the highest thermal conductivity?
A) Concrete
B) Brick
C) Aluminum
D) Wood
34. A construction material’s durability refers to its ability to:
A) Resist water penetration
B) Sustain long-term environmental effects
C) Maintain its appearance over time
D) Withstand high temperatures
35. What is the term for the property that allows a material to absorb energy and
deform plastically without fracturing?
A) Hardness
B) Elasticity
C) Toughness
D) Strength
36. Which of the following materials would be most suitable for use in a coastal
environment?
A) Ordinary steel
B) Concrete with high permeability
C) Sulfate-resisting cement
D) Wood
37. The workability of concrete is primarily influenced by:
A) Aggregate size
B) Water-cement ratio
 C) Cement type
D) Admixtures
38. A material that can return to its original shape after deformation has high:
A) Plasticity
B) Elasticity
C) Toughness
D) Hardness
39. Which property of a construction material determines its suitability for insulation
purposes?
A) Thermal conductivity
B) Electrical resistivity
C) Compressive strength
D) Density
40. If a construction material has a high modulus of elasticity, it indicates that:
A) The material can undergo large deformations.
B) The material is highly elastic.
C) The material is very rigid.
D) The material has high plasticity.
41. Which of the following factors is NOT typically considered during the selection of
construction materials?
A) Cost
B) Availability
C) Magnetic properties
D) Environmental impact
42. The specific gravity of a material is important for determining its:
A) Water absorption
B) Density relative to water
C) Strength properties
D) Thermal properties
43. Porosity in a material can negatively impact its:
A) Workability
B) Thermal resistance
C) Durability
D) Tensile strength
44. For materials exposed to fire hazards, which property is most critical?
A) Compressive strength
B) Thermal insulation
C) Fire resistance
D) Density
45. Which of the following is the most sustainable construction material?
A) Reinforced concrete
B) Timber from certified sources
C) Steel
D) Plastic composites
46. Which of the following factors does NOT directly affect the setting time of cement
mortar?
a) Water-cement ratio
b) Ambient temperature
c) Type of aggregate used
d) Fineness of cement
47. What is the primary purpose of adding lime to a cement mortar mix?
a) To increase compressive strength
b) To improve workability and plasticity
c) To reduce permeability
d) To accelerate setting
48. If a mortar mix is too rich in cement, what is the most likely consequence?
a) Increased durability
b) Cracking upon drying
c) Reduced initial setting time
d) Improved water resistance
49. What is the typical effect of adding too much water to a concrete mix?
a) Increase in compressive strength
b) Increase in shrinkage and cracking
c) Reduced setting time
d) Decrease in slump
50. Which of the following tests is used to determine the workability of concrete?
a) Compression test
b) Slump test
c) Ultrasonic pulse velocity test
d) Rebound hammer test
51. In reinforced concrete, what is the primary purpose of the cover provided to
reinforcement bars?
a) To improve tensile strength
b) To protect the steel from corrosion and fire
c) To increase the modulus of elasticity of the structure
d) To enhance the ductility of the concrete
52. What is the primary reason for seasoning timber before use?
a) To improve its aesthetic appearance
b) To remove moisture and improve dimensional stability
c) To reduce the density of timber
d) To increase its thermal conductivity
53. Which type of defect in timber is caused by fungal attack?
a) Knot
b) Shake
c) Blue stain
d) Split
54. ‘The term "hardwood" refers to:’
a) Timber from coniferous trees
b) Timber that is naturally harder than others
c) Timber from angiosperm trees
d) Timber with low water absorption properties
55. Creosote treatment of timber is primarily done to:
a) Enhance fire resistance
b) Increase strength
c) Protect against decay and insects
d) Improve thermal insulation properties