Advanced Building Construction & Earthquake Engineering MCQs for APSC PWD & WRD JE 2025

30 Advanced Building Construction & Earthquake Engineering MCQs for APSC JE PWD & Water Resources 2025

Topics Covered

• Advanced Construction Materials
• Construction Techniques
• Structural Systems
• Earthquake Resistant Design
• Seismic Analysis and Retrofitting

Topic: Advanced Construction Materials

1. Which material is known for its high strength-to-weight ratio?

a) Concrete b) Steel c) Timber d) Brick

Answer: b) Steel
Steel’s high strength-to-weight ratio makes it ideal for tall structures.

Topic: Advanced Construction Materials

2. What is the primary advantage of using fiber-reinforced concrete?

a) Reduced cost b) Increased tensile strength c) Faster curing d) Lower density

Answer: b) Increased tensile strength
Fibers enhance concrete’s ability to resist cracking.

Topic: Advanced Construction Materials

3. Which material is used for insulation in modern buildings?

a) Glass wool b) Reinforced concrete c) Mild steel d) Cement mortar

Answer: a) Glass wool
It provides excellent thermal and acoustic insulation.

Topic: Construction Techniques

4. What is the purpose of slip form construction?

a) Reduce material use b) Continuous vertical construction c) Temporary scaffolding d) Precast assembly

Answer: b) Continuous vertical construction
Slip forms move upward as concrete sets, used for tall structures like silos.

Topic: Construction Techniques

5. Which technique is used for constructing tall buildings quickly?

a) Precast concrete construction b) Brick masonry c) Timber framing d) Cast-in-situ concrete

Answer: a) Precast concrete construction
Precast elements are made off-site, speeding up assembly.

Topic: Construction Techniques

6. What is the advantage of using a tunnel form system?

a) Low cost b) Rapid construction of walls and slabs c) Improved insulation d) Reduced labor

Answer: b) Rapid construction of walls and slabs
It allows simultaneous casting of walls and floors in a single cycle.

Topic: Structural Systems

7. What is a moment-resisting frame?

a) Frame with rigid joints b) Frame with pinned joints c) Frame without beams d) Frame with shear walls

Answer: a) Frame with rigid joints
It resists lateral forces through bending of beams and columns.

Topic: Structural Systems

8. Which system is used for large-span roofs?

a) Truss system b) Load-bearing walls c) Flat plate system d) Shear wall system

Answer: a) Truss system
Trusses efficiently span large distances with minimal material.

Topic: Structural Systems

9. What is the primary function of a shear wall?

a) Support vertical loads b) Resist lateral forces c) Improve insulation d) Reduce construction time

Answer: b) Resist lateral forces
Shear walls provide stability against wind and seismic loads.

Topic: Advanced Construction Materials

10. What is self-healing concrete?

a) Concrete with high water content b) Concrete that repairs its own cracks c) Lightweight concrete d) Pre-stressed concrete

Answer: b) Concrete that repairs its own cracks
It uses bacteria or chemicals to fill cracks autonomously.

Topic: Advanced Construction Materials

11. Which material is used for fire-resistant construction?

a) Timber b) Gypsum board c) PVC d) Aluminum

Answer: b) Gypsum board
Gypsum resists fire by releasing water vapor when heated.

Topic: Construction Techniques

12. What is the purpose of vacuum dewatering in concrete?

a) Increase water content b) Remove excess water c) Improve insulation d) Reduce curing time

Answer: b) Remove excess water
It enhances concrete strength and reduces shrinkage.

Topic: Construction Techniques

13. What is modular construction?

a) On-site concrete pouring b) Pre-fabricated building units c) Traditional bricklaying d) Slip form technique

Answer: b) Pre-fabricated building units
Modules are built off-site and assembled on location.

Topic: Structural Systems

14. What is a flat plate system?

a) Roof with beams b) Slab directly supported by columns c) Wall-supported slab d) Truss-supported roof

Answer: b) Slab directly supported by columns
It eliminates beams, simplifying construction.

Topic: Structural Systems

15. What is the advantage of a braced frame system?

a) Reduced material use b) Enhanced lateral stability c) Faster construction d) Improved insulation

Answer: b) Enhanced lateral stability
Bracing resists wind and seismic forces effectively.

Topic: Earthquake Resistant Design

16. What is the primary goal of earthquake-resistant design?

a) Reduce construction cost b) Ensure life safety during earthquakes c) Increase building height d) Minimize material use

Answer: b) Ensure life safety during earthquakes
It aims to prevent collapse and protect occupants.

Topic: Earthquake Resistant Design

17. What is a base isolation system?

a) Rigid foundation b) Flexible layer between structure and foundation c) Reinforced concrete slab d) Shear wall system

Answer: b) Flexible layer between structure and foundation
It reduces seismic forces by isolating the building from ground motion.

Topic: Earthquake Resistant Design

18. Which structural feature increases ductility?

a) Brittle materials b) Reinforced concrete with steel bars c) Thin walls d) Rigid joints

Answer: b) Reinforced concrete with steel bars
Steel provides ductility, allowing deformation without failure.

Topic: Seismic Analysis and Retrofitting

19. What is the purpose of seismic retrofitting?

a) Reduce building height b) Strengthen existing structures c) Improve aesthetics d) Increase insulation

Answer: b) Strengthen existing structures
It enhances resistance to earthquakes in older buildings.

Topic: Seismic Analysis and Retrofitting

20. What is a common retrofitting technique?

a) Adding shear walls b) Reducing wall thickness c) Removing columns d) Using lightweight materials

Answer: a) Adding shear walls
Shear walls improve lateral stability in existing structures.

Topic: Earthquake Resistant Design

21. What is the purpose of a seismic damper?

a) Increase building weight b) Absorb earthquake energy c) Support vertical loads d) Reduce construction time

Answer: b) Absorb earthquake energy
Dampers dissipate vibrational energy, reducing structural damage.

Topic: Seismic Analysis and Retrofitting

22. What does seismic zoning indicate?

a) Building height limits b) Earthquake risk levels c) Construction material types d) Population density

Answer: b) Earthquake risk levels
It classifies regions based on seismic activity for design purposes.

Topic: Earthquake Resistant Design

23. Why should buildings avoid soft stories?

a) High cost b) Weak lateral resistance c) Poor insulation d) Reduced height

Answer: b) Weak lateral resistance
Soft stories lack stiffness, leading to collapse during earthquakes.

Topic: Seismic Analysis and Retrofitting

24. What is a response spectrum used for?

a) Measuring wind speed b) Analyzing structural response to earthquakes c) Estimating material strength d) Calculating building cost

Answer: b) Analyzing structural response to earthquakes
It predicts how structures respond to seismic waves.

Topic: Earthquake Resistant Design

25. What is the benefit of lightweight construction in seismic zones?

a) Lower cost b) Reduced inertial forces c) Faster construction d) Improved insulation

Answer: b) Reduced inertial forces
Less mass means lower forces during an earthquake.

Topic: Advanced Construction Materials

26. What is geopolymer concrete?

a) Concrete with high cement content b) Cement-free concrete c) Lightweight concrete d) Pre-stressed concrete

Answer: b) Cement-free concrete
It uses industrial byproducts, reducing carbon emissions.

Topic: Construction Techniques

27. What is the purpose of shotcrete?

a) Decorative finishing b) Rapid concrete application c) Insulation d) Waterproofing

Answer: b) Rapid concrete application
Shotcrete is sprayed onto surfaces, ideal for tunnels and repairs.

Topic: Seismic Analysis and Retrofitting

28. What is jacketing in retrofitting?

a) Adding a decorative layer b) Strengthening columns with concrete or steel c) Reducing building load d) Installing dampers

Answer: b) Strengthening columns with concrete or steel
It increases column strength and ductility.

Topic: Earthquake Resistant Design

29. What is the significance of a building’s natural frequency?

a) Determines construction cost b) Affects resonance with seismic waves c) Measures material strength d) Indicates insulation quality

Answer: b) Affects resonance with seismic waves
Matching frequencies can amplify vibrations, causing damage.

Topic: Seismic Analysis and Retrofitting

30. What is the purpose of a seismic gap?

a) Allow thermal expansion b) Prevent adjacent buildings from colliding c) Reduce construction cost d) Improve ventilation

Answer: b) Prevent adjacent buildings from colliding
It ensures buildings don’t pound each other during an earthquake.