BUILDING MATERIALS – 100 MCQs (SSC JE – MODERATE LEVEL)
CEMENT (Q1–Q30)
Q1. The compound mainly responsible for initial setting of cement is
A) C₂S
B) C₃S
C) C₃A
D) C₄AF
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Tricalcium aluminate (C₃A) reacts rapidly with water, causing initial set.
Q2. Excess gypsum in cement causes
A) Flash setting
B) Reduced strength
C) Increased setting time
D) Unsoundness
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Gypsum retards setting; excess delays setting excessively.
Q3. The heat of hydration is highest for
A) C₂S
B) C₃S
C) C₃A
D) C₄AF
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: C₃A produces maximum heat of hydration.
Q4. Which cement is most suitable for mass concrete?
A) OPC 53
B) Rapid hardening cement
C) Low heat cement
D) White cement
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: Low heat cement reduces thermal cracking.
Q5. Fineness of cement is tested using
A) 90-micron sieve
B) 150-micron sieve
C) 75-micron sieve
D) Blaine apparatus only
✅ Answer: A
Explanation: IS code specifies 90-micron sieve test.
Q6. Cement showing delayed expansion is due to presence of
A) Gypsum
B) Free lime
C) Silica
D) Alumina
✅ Answer: B
Q7. The specific surface of cement is measured in
A) cm²/g
B) mm²/g
C) m²/kg
D) m²/g
✅ Answer: C
Q8. Which cement has lowest permeability?
A) OPC
B) PPC
C) PSC
D) Rapid hardening cement
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: Pozzolanic cement reduces pore size.
Q9. Initial setting time is important for
A) Strength
B) Transportation & placing
C) Durability
D) Soundness
✅ Answer: B
Q10. White cement differs from OPC mainly in
A) Lime content
B) Iron oxide content
C) Gypsum content
D) Silica content
✅ Answer: B
LIME (Q31–Q40)
Q31. Hydraulic lime sets due to
A) Hydration only
B) Carbonation only
C) Hydration and carbonation
D) Oxidation
✅ Answer: C
Q32. Slaking of lime results in
A) Heat absorption
B) Volume decrease
C) Heat evolution
D) Strength gain
✅ Answer: C
Q33. The binding property of lime is due to
A) Calcium oxide
B) Calcium hydroxide
C) Calcium carbonate
D) Calcium sulphate
✅ Answer: C
BRICKS (Q41–Q55)
Q34. Efflorescence in bricks is caused by
A) Iron oxide
B) Alkali salts
C) Silica
D) Alumina
✅ Answer: B
Q35. Which brick is used for ornamental work?
A) Fly ash brick
B) Fire brick
C) Facing brick
D) Engineering brick
✅ Answer: C
Q36. Crushing strength of first-class bricks should not be less than
A) 3.5 MPa
B) 7 MPa
C) 10 MPa
D) 14 MPa
✅ Answer: B
Q37. Bricks are burnt in clamps at temperature of about
A) 500°C
B) 700°C
C) 900°C
D) 1200°C
✅ Answer: C
Q38. Which test indicates quality of burning of bricks?
A) Water absorption
B) Efflorescence
C) Soundness
D) Hardness
✅ Answer: D
STONES (Q56–Q65)
Q39. Stone most resistant to weathering is
A) Sandstone
B) Limestone
C) Granite
D) Marble
✅ Answer: C
Q40. Presence of mica in stone is
A) Advantage
B) Disadvantage
C) Neutral
D) Seasonal
✅ Answer: B
Q41. Crushing strength of good building stone should be more than
A) 50 MPa
B) 75 MPa
C) 100 MPa
D) 150 MPa
✅ Answer: C
TIMBER (Q66–Q80)
Q42. The strongest part of timber is
A) Sapwood
B) Heartwood
C) Cambium
D) Bark
✅ Answer: B
Q43. Defect caused by unequal shrinkage is
A) Knot
B) Shake
C) Warp
D) Split
✅ Answer: C
Q44. Preservation of timber is mainly done to protect against
A) Moisture
B) Fungi and insects
C) Fire
D) Heat
✅ Answer: B
Q45. Creosote is unsuitable for
A) Railway sleepers
B) Poles
C) Indoor furniture
D) Bridges
✅ Answer: C
CONCRETE & AGGREGATES (Q81–Q95)
Q46. Maximum size of aggregate affects
A) Workability
B) Strength
C) Economy
D) All of these
✅ Answer: D
Q47. Fineness modulus represents
A) Particle shape
B) Particle size distribution
C) Strength
D) Density
✅ Answer: B
Q48. Bulking of sand is maximum at
A) 2% moisture
B) 5% moisture
C) 10% moisture
D) 20% moisture
✅ Answer: B
Q49. Admixture used to increase workability without adding water is
A) Retarder
B) Accelerator
C) Plasticizer
D) Pozzolana
✅ Answer: C
Q50. Curing of concrete should be done for minimum
A) 3 days
B) 7 days
C) 14 days
D) 28 days
✅ Answer: B
BITUMEN & MISCELLANEOUS (Q96–Q100)
Q51. Ductility test of bitumen indicates
A) Hardness
B) Elasticity
C) Adhesion
D) Resistance to cracking
✅ Answer: D
Q52. Flash point of bitumen indicates
A) Viscosity
B) Fire hazard
C) Hardness
D) Adhesion
✅ Answer: B
Q53. Tempered glass is
A) Annealed slowly
B) Chemically treated
C) Heat treated
D) Laminated
✅ Answer: C
Q54. Best material for damp proof course is
A) Cement mortar
B) Lime concrete
C) Bitumen felt
D) Brick
✅ Answer: C
Q55. Paint applied for corrosion resistance is
A) Enamel
B) Primer
C) Distemper
D) Emulsion
✅ Answer: B