AL BC-U Building Construction
Under Four Stories Exam Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale2026 Q&A|
Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a footing in a building?
A) To provide an aesthetic finish
B) To support the roof structure
C) To distribute the load of the building to the ground
D) To prevent water infiltration
Rationale: Footings transfer the load of the structure to the soil and
prevent excessive settlement.
2. Which type of foundation is most suitable for a building under four
stories on strong soil?
A) Raft foundation
B) Strip foundation
C) Pile foundation
D) Floating foundation
Rationale: Strip foundations are ideal for low-rise buildings on stable
soil as they are economical and provide adequate support.
3. What is the minimum concrete compressive strength generally required
for strip footings in residential buildings?
A) 5 MPa
B) 17 MPa
C) 25 MPa
D) 40 MPa
Rationale: Residential strip footings typically use concrete with a
, minimum compressive strength of 17 MPa to ensure structural
stability.
4. Damp-proof course (DPC) is provided to:
A) Strengthen the walls
B) Reduce thermal transfer
C) Prevent rising damp
D) Support the roof
Rationale: DPC is a layer of impermeable material in walls to stop
moisture from rising into the building.
5. Which of the following is the most commonly used material for
structural beams in low-rise buildings?
A) Timber
B) Aluminum
C) Reinforced concrete
D) Steel
Rationale: Reinforced concrete beams are strong, durable, and
suitable for buildings under four stories.
6. What is the main purpose of reinforcement in concrete?
A) To improve thermal insulation
B) To make it waterproof
C) To resist tensile forces
D) To reduce cost
Rationale: Concrete is strong in compression but weak in tension, so
reinforcement (steel bars) is used to resist tensile stresses.
7. In masonry walls, the vertical joints between bricks should be:
A) Filled with sand only
B) Fully filled with mortar
C) Left open for ventilation
D) Filled with adhesive
Rationale: Fully filled vertical joints ensure stability, strength, and
prevent water ingress.
8. The main function of lintels above openings is to:
A) Decorate the wall
B) Transfer loads around the opening
C) Act as a waterproof layer
D) Increase insulation
, Rationale: Lintels support the wall above doors and windows,
preventing cracks and collapse.
9. Which type of wall is suitable for non-load-bearing partitions in
residential buildings?
A) Reinforced concrete wall
B) Brick wall 230 mm thick
C) Timber or lightweight block wall
D) Stone wall
Rationale: Non-load-bearing walls can use lightweight materials like
timber or blocks to reduce cost and speed construction.
10. The minimum thickness of a concrete slab for residential floors is
usually:
A) 50 mm
B) 75 mm
C) 100 mm
D) 150 mm
Rationale: 100 mm is generally sufficient for ground or first-floor
slabs in low-rise buildings.
11. What is the correct water-cement ratio for standard structural
concrete?
A) 1:1
B) 0.5
C) 0.3
D) 0.7
Rationale: A water-cement ratio of about 0.5 provides a good balance
between workability and strength.
12. Which soil type is most suitable for shallow foundations?
A) Soft clay
B) Loose sand
C) Dense granular soil
D) Peat
Rationale: Dense granular soil has good bearing capacity and
minimal settlement, making it ideal for shallow foundations.
13. Which type of roof is most economical for a residential building
under four stories?
A) Flat roof with concrete
B) Pitched roof with timber and tiles
Under Four Stories Exam Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale2026 Q&A|
Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a footing in a building?
A) To provide an aesthetic finish
B) To support the roof structure
C) To distribute the load of the building to the ground
D) To prevent water infiltration
Rationale: Footings transfer the load of the structure to the soil and
prevent excessive settlement.
2. Which type of foundation is most suitable for a building under four
stories on strong soil?
A) Raft foundation
B) Strip foundation
C) Pile foundation
D) Floating foundation
Rationale: Strip foundations are ideal for low-rise buildings on stable
soil as they are economical and provide adequate support.
3. What is the minimum concrete compressive strength generally required
for strip footings in residential buildings?
A) 5 MPa
B) 17 MPa
C) 25 MPa
D) 40 MPa
Rationale: Residential strip footings typically use concrete with a
, minimum compressive strength of 17 MPa to ensure structural
stability.
4. Damp-proof course (DPC) is provided to:
A) Strengthen the walls
B) Reduce thermal transfer
C) Prevent rising damp
D) Support the roof
Rationale: DPC is a layer of impermeable material in walls to stop
moisture from rising into the building.
5. Which of the following is the most commonly used material for
structural beams in low-rise buildings?
A) Timber
B) Aluminum
C) Reinforced concrete
D) Steel
Rationale: Reinforced concrete beams are strong, durable, and
suitable for buildings under four stories.
6. What is the main purpose of reinforcement in concrete?
A) To improve thermal insulation
B) To make it waterproof
C) To resist tensile forces
D) To reduce cost
Rationale: Concrete is strong in compression but weak in tension, so
reinforcement (steel bars) is used to resist tensile stresses.
7. In masonry walls, the vertical joints between bricks should be:
A) Filled with sand only
B) Fully filled with mortar
C) Left open for ventilation
D) Filled with adhesive
Rationale: Fully filled vertical joints ensure stability, strength, and
prevent water ingress.
8. The main function of lintels above openings is to:
A) Decorate the wall
B) Transfer loads around the opening
C) Act as a waterproof layer
D) Increase insulation
, Rationale: Lintels support the wall above doors and windows,
preventing cracks and collapse.
9. Which type of wall is suitable for non-load-bearing partitions in
residential buildings?
A) Reinforced concrete wall
B) Brick wall 230 mm thick
C) Timber or lightweight block wall
D) Stone wall
Rationale: Non-load-bearing walls can use lightweight materials like
timber or blocks to reduce cost and speed construction.
10. The minimum thickness of a concrete slab for residential floors is
usually:
A) 50 mm
B) 75 mm
C) 100 mm
D) 150 mm
Rationale: 100 mm is generally sufficient for ground or first-floor
slabs in low-rise buildings.
11. What is the correct water-cement ratio for standard structural
concrete?
A) 1:1
B) 0.5
C) 0.3
D) 0.7
Rationale: A water-cement ratio of about 0.5 provides a good balance
between workability and strength.
12. Which soil type is most suitable for shallow foundations?
A) Soft clay
B) Loose sand
C) Dense granular soil
D) Peat
Rationale: Dense granular soil has good bearing capacity and
minimal settlement, making it ideal for shallow foundations.
13. Which type of roof is most economical for a residential building
under four stories?
A) Flat roof with concrete
B) Pitched roof with timber and tiles
