Construction Materials & Methods Flashcards
7 cards from real CMA 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 Materials & Methods flashcards as text
What distinguishes Type X gypsum wallboard from standard Type W (regular) wallboard?
Answer: Addition of glass fibers and other non-combustible aggregates for enhanced fire resistance
Type X wallboard contains glass fibers and special aggregates in the gypsum core that slow calcination and maintain integrity under fire exposure longer than regular board.
In steel frame construction, what is the function of a 'shear tab' (single-plate shear connection)?
Answer: Transfers vertical shear while allowing beam-end rotation
A shear tab is a simple framing connection that transfers vertical shear load while allowing the beam end to rotate freely, making it a 'pinned' connection.
What is 'tilt-up' concrete construction?
Answer: Concrete wall panels cast horizontally on the slab and then tilted into vertical position
Tilt-up construction involves casting large concrete panels flat on the floor slab and then tilting them upright with a crane to form the building walls.
Which fastener is specifically designed to connect wood ledgers to concrete or masonry walls in seismic zones?
Answer: Code-listed ledger connector with shear and tension values
In seismic zones, IBC and AWC require tested, listed ledger connectors with published shear and withdrawal values; standard lag bolts lack the required testing documentation.
What is the water-cement (w/c) ratio's primary effect on hardened concrete?
Answer: Lower w/c ratios increase compressive strength and reduce permeability
Reducing the water-cement ratio produces a denser cement paste with higher compressive strength, lower permeability, and improved durability.
Which of the following best describes cross-laminated timber (CLT)?
Answer: Engineered panels with alternating perpendicular laminations glued together
CLT panels consist of multiple layers of lumber laminations oriented at 90° to adjacent layers and glued together, providing two-way structural capacity similar to concrete slabs.
In curtain wall construction, what is a 'pressure-equalized' rain screen design intended to accomplish?
Answer: Neutralize the pressure difference across the outer cladding to stop water infiltration
Pressure-equalized rain screen design vents the cavity behind cladding to equalize air pressure, eliminating the driving force that pushes rainwater through joints.