CON 252 Building Construction Method, Material, Equipment October 06, 2021
EXAM I
● The exam is during the class time unless you have received special
accommodation.
● Please note that each student should answer the questions on his/her own.
The exam is open book/open note; but sharing and consulting with others are
not allowed.
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present in your zoom box.
● Feel free to ask/text any questions you may have pertaining to the clarity of
the questions.
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in paper copy in class. If you do not have access to a word processor, you can
download the pdf version and use other typing platforms or write by hand.
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and uploading it on Canvas under “Exam I” link before the site closes. The
site closes at 5:45 PM. No late submission will be accepted.
Student Name: ___________________________
1. In terms of combustibility of building materials, which of the following is the
most combustible? (5 Points)
a) Type I
b) Type IV
c) None of them are combustible
d) Type V
e) All of them have the same combustibility rating
Ans: D
2. What are factors contributing to biodeterioration of wood? As a consultant on
a massive wood project, what do you recommend for preventing wood
biodeterioration. (8 Points)
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CON 252 Building Construction Method, Material, Equipment October 06, 2021
Ans:
The factors are microorganisms that deteriorate the wood, these organisms
can live and feast on the wood if the moisture content is above 20%. I
would recommend keeping the wood dry, make the wood an unsuitable
food source, poison the wood, or pressure treat the wood.
3. Which of the following brick joint (mortar tooling) is the most resistant to
freeze-thaw? (5 Points)
Ans: B
4. A wood sample of 10-foot-long 2 × 6 weighs 15 pounds. After drying in an
oven, it weighs 11 pounds. What is the moisture content? (2 Points) As the
consultant on a structural project in Arizona, you are asked whether the above
optional material is appropriate for use as a structural framing member?
Explain your recommendation and explain why? (Do not suffice to the final
answer; show your calculations). (5 Points)
Ans: The moisture content of the wood is 36.6%, I would not use this
material for framing the recommended moisture content is below 20%, and
for this piece of wood it is 36%
15lbs-11lbs/11lbs x 100 = 36.6%
5. In a blast furnace to make steel for structural application, we have access to
limestone, sandstone, and quartz in a nearby place. As the consultant which
stone do you think we should add to our iron ore in the furnace? Explain the
role of your selected stone in making quality steel. (5 Points)
Ans:
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CON 252 Building Construction Method, Material, Equipment October 06, 2021
I would use limestone as the stone used. The limestone combines with
impurities and is drawn off as waste slag.
6. Give the actual cross-sectional dimensions of the following pieces of kiln-dried
lumber: 4 × 12, 2 × 6, 4 × 8, 4 × 10, 2 × 10? (5 Points)
Ans:
4x12 = 3 ½ x 11 ¼
2X6 = 1 ½ X 5 ½
4x8 = 3 ½ x 7 ¼
4x10 = 3 ½ x 9 ¼
2x10 = 1 ½ x 9 ¼
7. What is the critical path? (5 Points) Why is it important for construction
scheduling? (2 Points)
Ans:
The critical path method calculates the time and resources needed to
complete a project. It can prevent scheduling problems and coordinate
timely task performance by letting project managers know what needs
to be done when. A Gantt chart is used to plan out the critical path of a
project, which includes all phases of construction. The critical path is
important because it ensures that all workers are completing their duties
within the time frame and it organizes all activities, to make sure that the
project is completed on time.
8. What are the differences between light weight and heavy weight Concrete
Masonry Units (CMU). (4 Points). As the consultant on an energy efficient
building aiming to minimize energy required for cooling the building which one do you
recommend. (3 Points)
Ans:
Lightweight blocks are less expensive to transport and lay, they have lower
thermal conductivity, and higher fire-resistance rating. Heavyweight blocks are
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CON 252 Building Construction Method, Material, Equipment October 06, 2021
less expensive to manufacture, more durable, less moisture absorbent, have
higher compressive strength, better acoustical isolation between adjacent
spaces. for minimizing the energy required I would recommend using a
lightweight block to cool a building.
9. As the consultant on a building project do you recommend using
wood-plastics for exterior decking? Please explain your reasoning (5 Points)
Ans:
I would recommend using wood plastic for exterior decking, the reason
being is wood plastic has more consistent quality, the defects and
distortion is less likely since each piece is manufactured, and it has greater
resistance to moisture.
10.Which brick type: molded or extruded is most common in the U.S.? (2
Points) Explain what the differences between these two types are (5 points).
Ans:
Extruded is the most common type of brick in the US.
Moderately moist clay is extruded through dies and then sliced into individual
units.
Molded
Relatively moist clay is pressed into individual molds.
11. Which mortar type would you use for historic restoration work?(5 Points)
a) Type I
b) Type N
c) Type II
d) Type O
e) Type S
Ans: D Type O
12.Explain the designation MC 10X 22 (explain what each character and number
refer to in this designation). (5 Points)
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CON 252 Building Construction Method, Material, Equipment October 06, 2021
Ans:
MC - Miscellaneous Channel
10 - 10 IN deep
22 - 22 pounds per linear foot
13.Explain whether Hardwood or Softwood is mostly used in building
construction (explain your reasoning). (5 Points)
Ans: Mostly softwood is used throughout building construction because of
the fact that it is easily worked, fast-growing, plentiful, and relatively
inexpensive. Most originating from north american forests.
14.List four functions of mortars in brick masonry. (8 Points)
Ans:
Cushions the masonry units despite the irregular surface.
Seals the unit to keep water and wind from penetrating.
Adheres units to one another to form a structural unit.
For the appearance of the finished masonry wall.
15.Explain the relationship of density, water absorption and durability of various
rocks? (5 Points)
Ans:
High density and low water absorption correlate with greater durability.
So the higher the density of the rock and the lower the water absorption
leads to a more durable rock. Granite and marble being the more durable vs
limestone and sandstone.
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CON 252 Building Construction Method, Material, Equipment October 06, 2021
16.What are differences between simple connection and fully restrained
connection in steel structures? (5 Points)
Ans: Simple connection
When only the beam web is connected, only gravity loads are transferred
from beam to column.
Fully Restrained
When flanges are also fully joined to the column, both gravity loads and
bending forces are transferred through the connection. The beam is
restrained from even small rotations.
17.Which of the following order is correct in terms of carbon content? (5 Points)
a) Wrought> Cast Iron> Mild Steel
b) Wrought > Mild Steel > Cast Iron
c) Cast Iron> Mild Steel> Wrought
d) Cast Iron> > Wrought > Mild Steel
Ans: B
❖Bonus questions
18.Explain what the following phrases mean in construction domain/discipline
(from textbook glossary) (3 Points)
a) Course
b) Shear Connection
c) Stretcher
Ans:
a) A horizontal layer of masonry units one unit high; a horizontal line of
shingles or siding.
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CON 252 Building Construction Method, Material, Equipment October 06, 2021
b) A connection designed to resist only the tendency of one member to
slide past the other, and not, as in a moment connection, to resist any
tendency of the members to rotate with respect to one another; in steel
frame construction, a simple connection.
c) A brick or masonry unit laid in its most usual position, with the broadest
surface of the unit horizontal and the length of the unit parallel to the
surface of the wall.
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