MATERIALS ENGINEERS REVIEW NOTES

1. Portland cement concrete pavement is what Item in DPWH Spec’s.?

Ans. – Item 311

2. Concrete area represented by the cores will be considered adequate if the average strength is equal to?
Ans. – 85% of the required strength

3. Lumber is considered as well – seasoned if the moisture content is ________?

Ans. – 12 – 18%

4. Soils can be classified according to grain size and plasticity?

Ans. – yes

5. Thickness determination for 1km concrete pavement. How many cores shall be taken?
Ans. – 5/lane

6. The resistance of bituminous mix to moisture damage is determined by ________.

Ans. – Index of Retained Strength (IRS)

7. The average compressive strength of a load bearing concrete hollow blocks is ________.
Ans. – 1,000 psi

8. Bleeding of asphalt in bituminous surface course means ________.

Ans. – over asphalt mix

9. What is the result of over vibration of concrete mix?

Ans. – segregation of aggregates

10. What is the corrected measurement for 23.6mm concrete core?

Ans. – 23.5mm

11. What are the other terms for particle size analysis?
Ans. – sieve analysis
- mechanical analysis
- grading test/analysis

12. What is liquid-limit?

Ans. – it is the lowest moisture content at which the soil will flow upon the application of a very small
shearing force

13. The liquid limit is expressed as the moisture content corresponding to what number of blows?
Ans. – 25 blows

14. What is plastic limit?

Ans. – it is the minimum moisture content at which the soil can be readily molded without breaking or
crumbling

15. What kind of water shall be used in laboratory test especially if it deals with chemicals?
Ans. – distilled water

16. Liquid limit brass cup with sample is raised and allowed to drop sharply on the base through a height of
what?
Ans. – 10mm

17. How many rotations per second will the crank of a liquid limit device are rotated?
Ans. – 2 rotations per second

18. In doing plastic limit tests to what diameter will the soil thread will begin to break?
Ans. – 3.2mm (1/8”)

19. What is the formula for plastic limit?

Ans. – PL= (Wa – Wb) / Wb x 100
where: Wa = orig.wt. Crumbled soil thread
Wb = wt. of oven-dried crumbled soil

20. What is the Plastic Index (PI)?

Ans. – it is the difference between the liquid limit and plastic limit
or PI = LL - PL
21. What is specific gravity?
Ans. – it is used in a gravimetric-volumetric relationship in soils, (or defined as the ratio of the wt. in air of
an equal volume of water at a stated temp.)

22. What is the approximate area for density control strips?

Ans. – 335 sq.m.

23. What is the maximum depth of roadway embankments per horizontal layer in loose measurement?
Ans. – 200mm (8”)

24. What item of work is embankment?

Ans. – Item 104

25. What is the kind of material use for Item 200?

Ans. – aggregate sub-base course

26. What is the required particle size for selected borrow for topping under Item 104 (embankment)?
Ans. – all particle size will pass a sieve 75mm or 3” square openings and not more than 15% mass will pass
0.075mm (No.200) AASHTO T-11

27. P.I. requirement for Item 104 (selected common borrow) is what?
Ans. – 6 maximum

28. LL requirements for Item 104 (selected common borrow) are what?
Ans. – 30 maximum

29. What is the LL requirement for Item 200 (aggregate sub-base course) passing sieve #40?
Ans. – 35 maximum

30. P.I. requirement of materials passing sieve #40 for Item 200?
Ans. – 12 maximum

31. Coarse portion retained on sieve #10 (2.00mm) for Item 200 shall have a mass percent of wear by Los
Angeles abrasion test of what?
Ans. – 50% maximum

32. The required CBR value for Item 200?

Ans. – 25% minimum (AASHTO T-180 method D)

33. What is the minimum % field density or degree of compaction for Item 104 (embankment)?
Ans. – 95% minimum

34. What is the minimum degree of compaction for Item 200 and 201?
Ans. – 100% minimum

35. What is the highest point in moisture density curve of the moisture density relation test or compaction
test of soil represents?
Ans. – MDD (Maximum Dry Density) and OMC (Optimum Moisture Content)

36. What is the required size of calibrated sand used for Field Density Test?
Ans. – any clean, dry, free –flowing, uncemented sand passing #10 and retained
#200 sieves

37. What is the degree of compaction of soil having a maximum dry density 2,250 kg./cu.m. and wet density
of soil from hole equivalent to 2,335 kg./cu.m. and an average moisture content of 8.85%?
% Degree of Compaction = (Dry Density) / Max Dry Density) x 100
Where:
Dry Density = Wet Density / (1+MC/100)
Wet Density = Wt. of soil filled in hole/volume of hole

% Degree of Compaction = (1,335) / [1+ (8.85 / 100)]

2.250
= (2,145.15 / 2,250) x 100
= 95.34%
38. Is the soil for No.45 passed the Item 104 requirement for % Degree of Compaction?
Ans. – Yes

39. What are the test and number of test needed for 1,800 cu.m. Item 104?
G or Grading = 2
P or Plasticity = 2
 C or Compaction = 2
D or Density = three in-situ density tests/500 sq.m.

40. What are the test and number of test needed for 2,980 cu.m. Aggregates Base Course (Item 201)?
G = 10
P = 10
C=2
D = three in- situ density tests/500 sq.m.
CBR = 2 (1 test for every 2,500 cu.m. or fraction thereof)
Q=2

41. What are the apparatus/materials uses for Field Density Test?
Ans. – sand cone, jug (at least 4 liters), guide plate, moisture cans, sand weighing scale, oven with
temperature control, chisel, or digging tools, plastic bags and labeling materials (tag name)

42. What is the standard diameter of an orifice in FDT sand cone?

Ans. – ½ inch (12.7mm)

43. CHB is tested to determine its moisture content and ________.

Ans. – strength

44. Quality of Portland cement sent to the laboratory for testing.

Ans. – 10 kg.

45. A set of three beam samples is conducted representing ________ cu.m. of concrete.
Ans. – 75

46. Two major components of concrete: select two answers

Ans. – paste and mineral aggregates

47. Regardless of use, the grading of aggregates should be:

Ans. – uniform

48. The type of Portland cement used in DPWH projects.

Ans. – type 1

49. Determines the proportion of the ingredients that will produced concrete of proper workability when
fresh and the________.
Ans. – Design Mix

50. The maximum permissible water-cement ration for strength of 3,000 psi.
Ans. – 0.58

51. The consistency of concrete mixture is determined in the field by:

Ans. – slump test

52. For every 75 cu.m. of concrete poured, a minimum of ________ cylinder sample are taken in each day of
pouring.
Ans. – 3

53. When tested at 14 days, the compressive strength of concrete is

Ans. – 3,500 psi

54. Forms of concrete pavement shall not deviate from true line by more than ________ at any point.
Ans. – 1 cm

55. When hauled in non-agitating trucks, the time elapsed from the water is added to the mix until concrete is
deposited in placed shall not exceed ________.
Ans. – 45 minutes maximum

56. The depth of the weakened plane joint should at all times not less than
Ans. – 50 mm

57. Minimum compressive strength of concrete

Ans. – 2,400 psi

58. Transverse contraction joint is also called

Ans. – weakened plane joint
59. Vibrators shall not be operated longer than ________ in any one location.
Ans. – 15 seconds

CONCRETE AGGREGATES AND CONCRETE:

60. How many hours does a fine aggregates tested for specific gravity and absorption be soaked in water?
Ans. – 15 to 19 hrs.

61. How to determine if the fine aggregates reaches the saturated surface dry condition?
Ans. – it is determine by the use of cone test for surface moisture and if the molded shape of fine
aggregates slumps slightly, it indicates that it has reached a surface dry condition.

62. What are the tests required for concrete aggregates?

Ans. – a.) Fine Aggregates = grading, specific gravity, absorption, dry unit wt.
b.) Course Aggregates = grading, specific gravity, absorption, dry unit wt. and abrasion

Note: soundness is also tested as per request.

63. What is the maximum mass % of wear by Los Angeles Abrasion Test?
Ans. – 40% maximum

64. What is the required speed of Los Angeles Abrasion Machine per minute?
Ans. – 30 to 33 mm

65. What is the size or diameter and weight of cast-iron spheres use in abrasion?
Ans. – approximately 46.8 mm diameter and each weighing between
390-455 grams

66. What is the required total wt. of sample for abrasion test of coarse aggregate, grading A with 12 numbers
of spheres?
Ans. – 5,000 grams ±25 grams

67. What is the significance of abrasion test?

Ans. – it evaluates the structural strength of coarse aggregates
- gives an indication of quality as determined by resistance to impact and wear
- it determines whether the aggregates will have degradation during traffic of rolling

68. Quality test for cement is represented by how many bags of cement?
Ans. – 2,000 bags or traction thereof

69. What is the sieve use in sieving materials form Abrasion Machine?
Ans. – sieve # 12 (1.70mm)

70. Testing machines should be calibrated once every six (6) months if possible but if it is not possible what is
the required time should the machine be calibrated?
Ans. – once a year

71. Percent tolerance of error in calibrating the machines.

Ans. - ± 1%

72. What is the sample for concrete pavement?

Ans. – concrete beam sample

73. How many samples should be taken for every 75 cu.m. fresh concrete?
Ans. – 3 pcs. sample or 1 set sample

74. What is the sample for structural concrete?

Ans. – concrete cylinder sample

75. What is the test use to determine the consistency of concrete?

Ans. – slump test

76. How to compute for the slump of concrete?

Ans. – slump = height of slump cone – height of fresh cone after subsidence

77. How to compute for the compressive strength of concrete cylinder sample?
CS = P
A where : P = load, lbs
A = area, sq. in
 A = πD2 = 28.27 in sq
4

78. At what age should a concrete beam sample be tested for flexural test?
Ans. – 14 days

79. How to compute the flexural strength of concrete beam sample tested at third Point Loading?
R = PL
A where: R = modulus of rapture
= P (16’) P = load in lbs. of tons
6”x6”x6” L = span length in inches
=P B = base in inches
12 A = depth in inches

80. What is the minimum flexural strength for third point loading test?
Ans. – 3.8 Mpa (550 psi)

81. What is the minimum flexural strength for center point loading test?
Ans. – 4.5 Mpa (650 psi)

82. How to compute for flexural strength at center point loading test?
R = 3 PL
2 bd2
= 3 P (16)
2 (6) (6)

83. Which part of the batch for fresh concrete should the sample be taken from a stationary mixers, revolving
drum truck mixers or agitators?
Ans. – two or more regular intervals during discharge of middle portion of the batch

84. What is the size of the tamping rod use in sampling concrete?
Ans. – 16mm (5/8 inches) diameter and 610mm (24 inches) long with the tamping end rounded to a
hemispherical tip of the same diameter as the rod.

OTHER CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS:

85. Concrete masonry (hollow blocks) if subjected to test how many sample is required?
Ans. – 6 pcs. / 10,000 units

* 12 pcs. if more than 10,000 units

86. What is the strength requirement for loading bearing concrete masonry units?
Ans. – individual = 5.5 Mpa (300 psi) minimum
average (for 3 samples) = 6.9 Mpa (1,000 psi) minimum

87. How about for non-load bearing concrete masonry units what is the required strength?
Ans. – individual = 3.45 Mpa (500 psi) minimum
average (for 3 samples) = 4.14 Mpa (600 psi) minimum

88. What is the significance of testing reinforcing steel bars?

Ans. – to determine the yield and tensile strength of the bar as well as its elongation and is used to
classify the bars into grade

89. What is the required length of RSB for testing?

Ans. – 1 meter / 10,000 kgs. / size / shipment

90. What is the significance of bending test for RSB?

Ans. – to evaluate the ductile properties of RSB

91. What is the required size of test specimen for G.I. Sheets?
Ans. – 60mm x 60mm (3 pcs. from one (1) sheet / 1,000 sheets

92. What is the required sample for paints?

Ans. – 1 can (gal. or pail) / 100 cans (gal. or pail)

93. What kind of paint that has a reflectance in the form of beads?
Ans. – reflectorized traffic plant
94. What is the common component of house paints?
Ans. – pigment and vehicle

95. What is this construction material that is dark brown to black cementations material in which the
predominating constituents are bitumen?
Ans. – asphalt

96. What asphalt is commonly called hot asphalt?

Ans. – asphalt cement

97. What is liquid asphalt?

Ans. – cut-back asphalt and emulsified asphalt

98. What is the use of blown asphalt or hard asphalt?

Ans. – use as joint filler or water proofing

99. SS-I or SS-IH is what kind of asphalt?

Ans. – slow setting emulsified asphalt

100. What are the three kinds of emulsified asphalt?

Ans. – rapid setting, medium setting, slow setting

101. What asphalt contains water?

Ans. – emulsified asphalt

102. What is the penetration grade for blown asphalt?

Ans. – 0 to 30

103. What is the ideal penetration grade of asphalt use in tropical regions?
Ans. – 85 to 100 (but some uses 60 to 70)

104. Tack coat is use in an existing bituminous of concrete pavement. True or false?
Ans. – true

105. What is the rate of application for bituminous tack coat?

Ans. – 0.2 to 0.7 L/m2

106. What is the required size of test specimen for G.I. sheets?
Ans. – 60 mm x 60 mm (3 pcs. from one (1) sheet) / 1,000 sheets

107. What is the required sample for paints?

Ans. – reflector zed traffic paint

108. What is the common component of house paints?

Ans. – pigment and vehicle

109. What is this construction material that is dark brown to black cementations
material in which the predominating constituents are bitumen?
Ans. – asphalt

110. What asphalt is commonly called hot asphalt?

Ans. – asphalt cement

111. For how many hours or how long shall a bituminous prime coat left
undisturbed?
Ans. – 24 hrs.

112. What kind of asphalt is use as prime coat?

Ans. – cut-back asphalt (medium curing or rapid curing)

113. Bituminous prime coat is use to treat the surface of base course. True or false?
Ans. – true

114. No tack coat or prime coat shall be applied when the weather is foggy or rainy.
True or false?
Ans. – true

115. What kind of asphalt is use as tack coat?

Ans. – cut-back asphalt (rapid curing) or emulsified asphalt
116. Where should the bituminous seal coat be used?
Ans. – on an existing bituminous surface course with or without an application of aggregates.

117. If concrete cylinder sample for RCCP is not available for compressive test, one
(1) whole piece RCCP for every 50 pieces RCCP will be submitted for quality
test. True or false?
Ans. – true

118. One set (3 pcs.) concrete cylinder sample shall be taken for every how many
pieces of RCCP?
Ans. – 25 pieces