Civil Engineering – Chapter 2 (Engineering
Materials) Questions & Answers edited on 2025-
2026 by Brian
What are engineering materials?
They are materials used in construction such as concrete, steel, wood,
and bitumen.
What are the main types of building materials?
Natural materials and artificial materials.
What is the most widely used construction material?
Concrete.
What is cement made from?
Limestone, clay, and gypsum.
What is the function of cement in construction?
It acts as a binding agent.
What is Portland cement?
The most common type of cement used in construction.
What is hydration of cement?
The chemical reaction between cement and water that causes
hardening.
What is concrete?
A mixture of cement, sand, aggregates, and water.
What is reinforced concrete?
Concrete strengthened with steel bars.
Why is steel used in concrete?
To resist tensile forces.
, What is aggregate in concrete?
Sand, gravel, or crushed stone used in concrete.
What are fine aggregates?
Sand particles used in concrete.
What are coarse aggregates?
Gravel or crushed stones.
What is workability of concrete?
Ease of mixing and placing concrete.
What is slump test used for?
To measure concrete workability.
What is curing?
Maintaining moisture in concrete to gain strength.
Why is curing important?
It increases durability and strength.
What is mortar?
Mixture of cement, sand, and water.
Where is mortar used?
In masonry work like bricklaying.
What is brick?
A rectangular block used in building construction.
What is the main material of bricks?
Clay.
What is bitumen?
A black sticky material used in road construction.
Where is bitumen used?
Roads and waterproofing.
Materials) Questions & Answers edited on 2025-
2026 by Brian
What are engineering materials?
They are materials used in construction such as concrete, steel, wood,
and bitumen.
What are the main types of building materials?
Natural materials and artificial materials.
What is the most widely used construction material?
Concrete.
What is cement made from?
Limestone, clay, and gypsum.
What is the function of cement in construction?
It acts as a binding agent.
What is Portland cement?
The most common type of cement used in construction.
What is hydration of cement?
The chemical reaction between cement and water that causes
hardening.
What is concrete?
A mixture of cement, sand, aggregates, and water.
What is reinforced concrete?
Concrete strengthened with steel bars.
Why is steel used in concrete?
To resist tensile forces.
, What is aggregate in concrete?
Sand, gravel, or crushed stone used in concrete.
What are fine aggregates?
Sand particles used in concrete.
What are coarse aggregates?
Gravel or crushed stones.
What is workability of concrete?
Ease of mixing and placing concrete.
What is slump test used for?
To measure concrete workability.
What is curing?
Maintaining moisture in concrete to gain strength.
Why is curing important?
It increases durability and strength.
What is mortar?
Mixture of cement, sand, and water.
Where is mortar used?
In masonry work like bricklaying.
What is brick?
A rectangular block used in building construction.
What is the main material of bricks?
Clay.
What is bitumen?
A black sticky material used in road construction.
Where is bitumen used?
Roads and waterproofing.
