BUILDING MATERIALS – 100 MCQs (SSC JE – Easy Level)
CEMENT (Q1–Q25)
Q1. Ordinary Portland Cement mainly consists of
A) Calcium sulfate
B) Calcium silicates
C) Calcium aluminates
D) Magnesium oxide
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: Strength of cement is mainly due to calcium silicates (C₃S & C₂S).
Q2. Initial setting time of OPC should not be less than
A) 15 min
B) 30 min
C) 45 min
D) 60 min
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: As per IS code, minimum initial setting time is 30 minutes.
Q3. Final setting time of OPC should not exceed
A) 5 hours
B) 8 hours
C) 10 hours
D) 12 hours
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: Maximum final setting time is 10 hours (600 minutes).
Q4. Soundness of cement is tested by
A) Vicat apparatus
B) Le Chatelier apparatus
C) Blaine apparatus
D) Compression testing machine
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: Le Chatelier test checks excessive expansion.
Q5. Excess of which compound causes unsoundness?
A) Lime
B) Silica
C) Alumina
D) Iron oxide
✅ Answer: A
Explanation: Excess free lime leads to delayed expansion.
Q6. Which compound is responsible for early strength?
A) C₂S
B) C₃S
C) C₃A
D) C₄AF
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: Tricalcium silicate gives early strength.
Q7. Which cement is used in marine structures?
A) OPC
B) PPC
C) SRC
D) White cement
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Sulphate Resistant Cement resists sulphate attack.
Q8. Fineness of cement affects
A) Color
B) Setting time
C) Strength
D) All of these
✅ Answer: D
Explanation: Finer cement hydrates faster, improving strength.
Q9. Specific gravity of cement is approximately
A) 2.0
B) 2.5
C) 3.15
D) 3.8
✅ Answer: C
Q10. Which test determines consistency of cement?
A) Soundness test
B) Vicat test
C) Compression test
D) Tensile test
✅ Answer: B
LIME (Q26–Q35)
Q26. Fat lime contains calcium oxide more than
A) 60%
B) 70%
C) 80%
D) 90%
✅ Answer: D
Q27. Hydraulic lime sets
A) Only in air
B) Only in water
C) In air and water
D) Only in vacuum
✅ Answer: C
Q28. Slaking of lime is
A) Oxidation
B) Hydration
C) Carbonation
D) Evaporation
✅ Answer: B
Q29. Lime used for whitewashing is
A) Hydraulic lime
B) Fat lime
C) Poor lime
D) Magnesian lime
✅ Answer: B
Q30. Hydraulicity of lime is due to presence of
A) Silica and alumina
B) Iron oxide
C) Calcium oxide
D) Magnesium oxide
✅ Answer: A
BRICKS (Q36–Q50)
Q36. Standard size of brick (India) is
A) 200×100×100 mm
B) 190×90×90 mm
C) 230×110×75 mm
D) 250×120×80 mm
✅ Answer: B
Q37. Water absorption of good brick should not exceed
A) 10%
B) 15%
C) 20%
D) 25%
✅ Answer: C
Q38. Which brick is overburnt?
A) First class
B) Second class
C) Third class
D) Fourth class
✅ Answer: D
Q39. Frog in brick is provided to
A) Reduce weight
B) Increase strength
C) Hold mortar
D) Improve appearance
✅ Answer: C
Q40. Which test is conducted on bricks?
A) Hardness
B) Soundness
C) Crushing strength
D) All of these
✅ Answer: D
STONES (Q51–Q60)
Q51. Best stone for road metal is
A) Marble
B) Limestone
C) Granite
D) Slate
✅ Answer: C
Q52. Which stone is metamorphic?
A) Sandstone
B) Granite
C) Marble
D) Basalt
✅ Answer: C
Q53. Durability of stone depends on
A) Texture
B) Structure
C) Chemical composition
D) All of these
✅ Answer: D
TIMBER (Q61–Q70)
Q61. Age of tree is determined by
A) Color
B) Height
C) Annual rings
D) Density
✅ Answer: C
Q62. Timber defect caused by fungi is
A) Knot
B) Shake
C) Warp
D) Dry rot
✅ Answer: D
Q63. Seasoning of timber improves
A) Weight
B) Strength
C) Durability
D) Both B & C
✅ Answer: D
Q64. Which seasoning method is fastest?
A) Air seasoning
B) Water seasoning
C) Kiln seasoning
D) Chemical seasoning
✅ Answer: C
CONCRETE (Q71–Q80)
Q71. Strength of concrete mainly depends on
A) Cement content
B) Water-cement ratio
C) Aggregates
D) Admixtures
✅ Answer: B
Q72. Nominal mix for M20 concrete is
A) 1:1.5:3
B) 1:2:4
C) 1:3:6
D) 1:1:2
✅ Answer: A
Q73. Curing of concrete is done to
A) Increase workability
B) Prevent cracking
C) Gain strength
D) All of these
✅ Answer: D
BITUMEN (Q81–Q90)
Q81. Bitumen is obtained from
A) Coal
B) Petroleum
C) Wood
D) Limestone
✅ Answer: B
Q82. Penetration test measures
A) Ductility
B) Viscosity
C) Hardness
D) Flash point
✅ Answer: C
Q83. Which bitumen is used in cold weather?
A) Hard bitumen
B) Soft bitumen
C) Blown bitumen
D) Oxidized bitumen
✅ Answer: B
MISCELLANEOUS (Q91–Q100)
Q91. Glass is manufactured from
A) Lime
B) Silica
C) Alumina
D) Gypsum
✅ Answer: B
Q92. Steel used in RCC is
A) Mild steel
B) HYSD bars
C) Stainless steel
D) Cast iron
✅ Answer: B
Q93. Paint applied before final coat is
A) Enamel
B) Primer
C) Distemper
D) Varnish
✅ Answer: B
Q94. Which material resists fire best?
A) Timber
B) Plastic
C) Steel
D) Brick
✅ Answer: D
Q95. Specific gravity of bitumen is about
A) 0.8
B) 1.0
C) 1.2
D) 2.5
✅ Answer: B
Q96. Admixture used to reduce setting time
A) Plasticizer
B) Retarder
C) Accelerator
D) Air entrainer
✅ Answer: C
Q97. Gypsum is added to cement to
A) Increase strength
B) Prevent flash set
C) Increase fineness
D) Increase color
✅ Answer: B
Q98. Most commonly used artificial stone is
A) Marble
B) Granite
C) Cement concrete
D) Slate
✅ Answer: C
Q99. Which timber is hardest?
A) Teak
B) Sal
C) Deodar
D) Pine
✅ Answer: B
Q100. Which material is best for damp proofing?
A) Lime
B) Cement
C) Bitumen
D) Sand
✅ Answer: C