Construction Methods and Materials Flashcards
7 cards from real CITB practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Construction Methods and Materials flashcards as text
What is the term for concrete placed at near-freezing temperatures that requires special protection measures?
Answer: Cold-weather concrete
Cold-weather concrete, defined by ACI 306 as placement when ambient temperature is below 40°F, requires measures like heated materials and insulating blankets to ensure proper hydration.
In structural steel fabrication, what does 'camber' refer to?
Answer: A deliberate upward pre-bend in a beam to offset anticipated deflection under load
Camber is an intentional upward curvature built into steel beams during fabrication so that once dead loads are applied, the beam deflects to a level position.
Which type of wall is defined as carrying both its own weight and loads from floors or roofs above?
Answer: Load-bearing wall
A load-bearing wall is a structural element designed to carry gravity loads from floors, roofs, and walls above and transfer them to the foundation.
What is the purpose of a 'shot-fired' or powder-actuated tool on a construction site?
Answer: To fasten materials like track or conduit directly to concrete or steel using explosive charges
Powder-actuated tools use a controlled explosive charge to drive hardened fasteners directly into concrete, masonry, or steel, eliminating the need for pre-drilled holes in many applications.
In wood-frame construction, what is the function of blocking installed between floor joists?
Answer: All of the above
Blocking between floor joists serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transfers lateral loads, prevents joist rotation and buckling, provides edge nailing for sheathing, and acts as a fire stop.
What is the key characteristic that distinguishes 'Type I' Portland cement from 'Type III' Portland cement?
Answer: Type III gains strength faster due to finer grinding, while Type I is general purpose
Type III cement is ground finer than Type I, which increases the surface area for hydration reactions, resulting in faster early strength gain used when quick form removal or cold weather placement is needed.
What is the primary structural difference between a 'one-way' and a 'two-way' concrete slab?
Answer: One-way slabs span in a single direction and are reinforced accordingly; two-way slabs span in both directions with reinforcement in both
One-way slabs transfer loads to beams or walls along one axis with primary reinforcement running in that direction, while two-way slabs (used in square or nearly square bays) carry loads in both directions with reinforcement in both.