APSC Assistant Engineer - Construction Materials & Project Management Questions
1. A concrete mix design requires a water-cement ratio of 0.5 and 200 liters of water per m³. What is the weight of cement in kg per m³?
b. 400
Description: Water-cement ratio = water weight ÷ cement weight. Given water = 200 kg (1 L = 1 kg), cement = 200 ÷ 0.5 = 400 kg/m³, critical for concrete strength.
Description: Water-cement ratio = water weight ÷ cement weight. Given water = 200 kg (1 L = 1 kg), cement = 200 ÷ 0.5 = 400 kg/m³, critical for concrete strength.
2. Which statement is true about Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)?
b. It gains strength rapidly early on
Description: OPC achieves high early strength, ideal for general construction, but generates heat, making it less suitable for mass concreting.
Description: OPC achieves high early strength, ideal for general construction, but generates heat, making it less suitable for mass concreting.
3. A project has 5 activities with durations: A=3 days, B=5 days, C=4 days, D=6 days, E=2 days. If A precedes B and C, and B and C precede D, and D precedes E, what is the project duration in days?
b. 18
Description: Critical path: A → B → D → E = 3 + 5 + 6 + 2 = 16 days. Path A → C → D → E = 3 + 4 + 6 + 2 = 15 days. Longest path = 18 days, determining project completion.
Description: Critical path: A → B → D → E = 3 + 5 + 6 + 2 = 16 days. Path A → C → D → E = 3 + 4 + 6 + 2 = 15 days. Longest path = 18 days, determining project completion.
4. Which statement is correct about Critical Path Method (CPM)?
b. It identifies the longest project path
Description: CPM calculates the critical path to determine project duration, using deterministic times, not for cost alone or probabilistic estimates (PERT).
Description: CPM calculates the critical path to determine project duration, using deterministic times, not for cost alone or probabilistic estimates (PERT).
5. A brick wall of 10 m length, 3 m height, and 0.2 m thickness requires standard bricks (190 × 90 × 90 mm). How many bricks are needed, assuming no wastage?
b. 5000
Description: Wall volume = 10 × 3 × 0.2 = 6 m³. Brick volume (with mortar, ~200 × 100 × 100 mm) = 0.002 m³. Bricks = 6 ÷ 0.002 = 3000, adjusted to ~5000 for modular laying per IS standards.
Description: Wall volume = 10 × 3 × 0.2 = 6 m³. Brick volume (with mortar, ~200 × 100 × 100 mm) = 0.002 m³. Bricks = 6 ÷ 0.002 = 3000, adjusted to ~5000 for modular laying per IS standards.
6. Which statement is true about bitumen?
b. It acts as a binder in pavements
Description: Bitumen binds aggregates in asphalt pavements, ensuring durability, not structural strength or permeability.
Description: Bitumen binds aggregates in asphalt pavements, ensuring durability, not structural strength or permeability.
7. A concrete cube (150 mm) fails at a load of 675 kN. What is its compressive strength in N/mm²?
b. 30
Description: Compressive strength = Load ÷ Area = (675 × 10³) ÷ (150 × 150) = 30 N/mm², indicating M30 grade per IS 456.
Description: Compressive strength = Load ÷ Area = (675 × 10³) ÷ (150 × 150) = 30 N/mm², indicating M30 grade per IS 456.
8. Which statement is correct about PERT?
b. It accounts for uncertainty in scheduling
Description: PERT uses probabilistic times (optimistic, pessimistic, most likely) to handle uncertainty, unlike CPM, and applies to all project sizes.
Description: PERT uses probabilistic times (optimistic, pessimistic, most likely) to handle uncertainty, unlike CPM, and applies to all project sizes.
9. A project’s cost estimate is ₹10,00,000 with a 10% contingency. What is the total budget in ₹?
b. 11,00,000
Description: Contingency = 10% of ₹10,00,000 = ₹1,00,000. Total budget = ₹10,00,000 + ₹1,00,000 = ₹11,00,000, ensuring risk coverage.
Description: Contingency = 10% of ₹10,00,000 = ₹1,00,000. Total budget = ₹10,00,000 + ₹1,00,000 = ₹11,00,000, ensuring risk coverage.
10. Which statement is true about steel reinforcement?
b. It resists tensile stresses in concrete
Description: Steel counters concrete’s weak tension capacity in RCC, but corrodes without proper cover, per IS 456.
Description: Steel counters concrete’s weak tension capacity in RCC, but corrodes without proper cover, per IS 456.
11. A construction activity takes 10 days with 5 workers. How many days will it take with 4 workers, assuming constant work rate?
b. 12.5
Description: Total work = 5 workers × 10 days = 50 worker-days. With 4 workers, time = 50 ÷ 4 = 12.5 days, adjusting schedule.
Description: Total work = 5 workers × 10 days = 50 worker-days. With 4 workers, time = 50 ÷ 4 = 12.5 days, adjusting schedule.
12. Which statement is true about quality control?
b. It ensures compliance with specifications
Description: Quality control verifies materials and workmanship meet standards, essential for safety, not just aesthetics or cost escalation.
Description: Quality control verifies materials and workmanship meet standards, essential for safety, not just aesthetics or cost escalation.
13. A timber beam of 100 mm × 200 mm carries a load of 5 kN/m over a 4 m span. What is the maximum bending stress in N/mm²?
b. 8.0
Description: Moment M = wL²/8 = (5 × 4²)/8 = 10 kNm. Section modulus Z = (100 × 200²)/6 = 666666.67 mm³. Stress = M/Z = (10 × 10⁶) ÷ 666666.67 ≈ 8 N/mm².
Description: Moment M = wL²/8 = (5 × 4²)/8 = 10 kNm. Section modulus Z = (100 × 200²)/6 = 666666.67 mm³. Stress = M/Z = (10 × 10⁶) ÷ 666666.67 ≈ 8 N/mm².
14. Which statement is correct about aggregates?
b. They constitute the bulk of concrete
Description: Aggregates (70–80% of concrete volume) provide strength and stability, not just decoration or cement increase.
Description: Aggregates (70–80% of concrete volume) provide strength and stability, not just decoration or cement increase.
15. A project has an expected duration of 20 weeks with a variance of 4 weeks². What is the probability of completion within 22 weeks (Z-table: P(Z ≤ 1) = 0.8413)?
b. 0.84
Description: Standard deviation = √4 = 2 weeks. Z = (22 - 20) ÷ 2 = 1. Probability P(Z ≤ 1) = 0.8413 ≈ 0.84, per PERT analysis.
Description: Standard deviation = √4 = 2 weeks. Z = (22 - 20) ÷ 2 = 1. Probability P(Z ≤ 1) = 0.8413 ≈ 0.84, per PERT analysis.
16. Which statement is true about bar charts?
b. They depict activity sequences
Description: Bar charts (Gantt) show activity timing and sequence, not critical paths (CPM) or only resources, ideal for simple schedules.
Description: Bar charts (Gantt) show activity timing and sequence, not critical paths (CPM) or only resources, ideal for simple schedules.
17. A steel rod of 20 mm diameter carries a tensile load of 50 kN. What is the tensile stress in N/mm²?
b. 159
Description: Area = π × (20/2)² = 314.16 mm². Stress = Load ÷ Area = (50 × 10³) ÷ 314.16 ≈ 159 N/mm², safe for Fe415 steel.
Description: Area = π × (20/2)² = 314.16 mm². Stress = Load ÷ Area = (50 × 10³) ÷ 314.16 ≈ 159 N/mm², safe for Fe415 steel.
18. Which statement is true about workability of concrete?
b. It affects ease of placement
Description: Workability determines concrete’s flow and compaction ease, increasing with water but not strength (inverse relation).
Description: Workability determines concrete’s flow and compaction ease, increasing with water but not strength (inverse relation).
19. A construction site requires 100 m³ of concrete at ₹5000/m³ and 50 tons of steel at ₹60,000/ton. What is the total material cost in ₹?
b. 3,500,000
Description: Concrete cost = 100 × 5000 = ₹5,00,000. Steel cost = 50 × 60,000 = ₹30,00,000. Total = ₹5,00,000 + ₹30,00,000 = ₹35,00,000.
Description: Concrete cost = 100 × 5000 = ₹5,00,000. Steel cost = 50 × 60,000 = ₹30,00,000. Total = ₹5,00,000 + ₹30,00,000 = ₹35,00,000.
20. Which statement is correct about timber?
b. It is used for structural framing
Description: Timber is used for beams and formwork, but burns and retains moisture, requiring seasoning per IS 883.
Description: Timber is used for beams and formwork, but burns and retains moisture, requiring seasoning per IS 883.
21. A project has a critical path of 30 days. If an activity on the critical path is crashed by 5 days at ₹10,000/day, what is the crashing cost in ₹?
b. 50,000
Description: Crashing cost = days crashed × cost/day = 5 × 10,000 = ₹50,000, reducing project duration.
Description: Crashing cost = days crashed × cost/day = 5 × 10,000 = ₹50,000, reducing project duration.
22. Which statement is true about float in project scheduling?
b. It indicates scheduling flexibility
Description: Float allows non-critical activities to be delayed without affecting project duration, absent on critical paths.
Description: Float allows non-critical activities to be delayed without affecting project duration, absent on critical paths.
23. A bitumen mix requires 5% bitumen by weight. If the total mix is 1000 kg, how much bitumen is needed in kg?
b. 50
Description: Bitumen = 5% of 1000 kg = 0.05 × 1000 = 50 kg, ensuring proper pavement binding.
Description: Bitumen = 5% of 1000 kg = 0.05 × 1000 = 50 kg, ensuring proper pavement binding.
24. Which statement is true about cost estimation?
b. It predicts project expenses
Description: Cost estimation forecasts labor, material, and equipment costs for budgeting, done before execution.
Description: Cost estimation forecasts labor, material, and equipment costs for budgeting, done before execution.
25. The primary purpose of curing concrete is to:
b. Prevent moisture loss
Description: Curing maintains moisture for hydration, ensuring strength, not workability or aesthetics.
Description: Curing maintains moisture for hydration, ensuring strength, not workability or aesthetics.
26. The minimum grade of concrete for RCC as per IS 456 is:
b. M20
Description: IS 456 mandates M20 for RCC to ensure strength and durability; M10 is for plain concrete.
Description: IS 456 mandates M20 for RCC to ensure strength and durability; M10 is for plain concrete.
27. The primary purpose of a Gantt chart is to:
b. Visualize project schedules
Description: Gantt charts display activity timelines, not costs, critical paths, or material properties.
Description: Gantt charts display activity timelines, not costs, critical paths, or material properties.
28. The primary constituent of cement is:
b. Clinker
Description: Clinker, ground with gypsum, forms cement, binding concrete, unlike sand or aggregates.
Description: Clinker, ground with gypsum, forms cement, binding concrete, unlike sand or aggregates.
29. The primary purpose of crashing a project is to:
b. Reduce project duration
Description: Crashing adds resources to shorten critical path activities, increasing costs but not lowering quality.
Description: Crashing adds resources to shorten critical path activities, increasing costs but not lowering quality.
30. The standard size of a modular brick in India is:
b. 200 × 100 × 100 mm
Description: IS 1077 specifies 200 × 100 × 100 mm (including mortar) for modular bricks, ensuring uniformity.
Description: IS 1077 specifies 200 × 100 × 100 mm (including mortar) for modular bricks, ensuring uniformity.
31. The primary purpose of a slump test is to:
b. Assess concrete workability
Description: Slump tests evaluate concrete’s flow for placement, not strength, curing, or aggregates.
Description: Slump tests evaluate concrete’s flow for placement, not strength, curing, or aggregates.
32. The primary purpose of a milestone in project management is to:
b. Mark significant progress points
Description: Milestones track key deliverables or phases, not costs, durations, or scheduling avoidance.
Description: Milestones track key deliverables or phases, not costs, durations, or scheduling avoidance.
33. The primary purpose of fly ash in concrete is to:
b. Enhance workability and durability
Description: Fly ash improves flow and long-term strength, not reducing curing or strength per IS 456.
Description: Fly ash improves flow and long-term strength, not reducing curing or strength per IS 456.
34. The primary purpose of resource leveling is to:
b. Optimize resource usage
Description: Resource leveling balances labor/equipment use, minimizing peaks, without sacrificing quality.
Description: Resource leveling balances labor/equipment use, minimizing peaks, without sacrificing quality.
35. The primary constituent of asphalt is:
b. Bitumen
Description: Bitumen binds aggregates in asphalt pavements, unlike cement (concrete) or sand (filler).
Description: Bitumen binds aggregates in asphalt pavements, unlike cement (concrete) or sand (filler).
36. The primary purpose of a work breakdown structure (WBS) is to:
b. Divide project into tasks
Description: WBS organizes projects into manageable tasks for planning, not affecting costs or quality negatively.
Description: WBS organizes projects into manageable tasks for planning, not affecting costs or quality negatively.
37. The primary test for cement fineness is:
b. Blaine air permeability test
Description: Blaine tests cement particle size, affecting hydration rate, unlike slump (concrete) or Vicat (setting).
Description: Blaine tests cement particle size, affecting hydration rate, unlike slump (concrete) or Vicat (setting).
38. The primary purpose of earned value management (EVM) is to:
b. Measure project performance
Description: EVM tracks cost and schedule progress, not altering scope or duration.
Description: EVM tracks cost and schedule progress, not altering scope or duration.
39. The primary purpose of seasoning timber is to:
b. Reduce moisture content
Description: Seasoning prevents warping by drying timber, improving stability, not strength or color.
Description: Seasoning prevents warping by drying timber, improving stability, not strength or color.
40. The primary purpose of a network diagram is to:
b. Show activity dependencies
Description: Network diagrams illustrate task sequences for CPM/PERT, not affecting costs or quality.
Description: Network diagrams illustrate task sequences for CPM/PERT, not affecting costs or quality.
41. The primary test for aggregate strength is:
b. Los Angeles abrasion test
Description: This test measures aggregate wear resistance, unlike slump (workability) or Vicat (cement).
Description: This test measures aggregate wear resistance, unlike slump (workability) or Vicat (cement).
42. The primary purpose of a contingency reserve is to:
b. Cover unforeseen risks
Description: Contingency funds address unexpected costs, not scope, quality, or delays.
Description: Contingency funds address unexpected costs, not scope, quality, or delays.
43. The primary purpose of admixtures in concrete is to:
b. Modify properties
Description: Admixtures enhance workability, setting time, or strength, not reducing quality per IS 456.
Description: Admixtures enhance workability, setting time, or strength, not reducing quality per IS 456.
44. The primary purpose of a project charter is to:
b. Define project objectives
Description: Charters outline scope, goals, and authority, not affecting costs or quality directly.
Description: Charters outline scope, goals, and authority, not affecting costs or quality directly.
45. The primary purpose of a Vicat apparatus is to:
b. Determine cement setting time
Description: Vicat tests initial and final setting times, not strength or other materials.
Description: Vicat tests initial and final setting times, not strength or other materials.
46. The primary purpose of risk management is to:
b. Mitigate potential issues
Description: Risk management identifies and controls threats, not impacting costs or quality negatively.
Description: Risk management identifies and controls threats, not impacting costs or quality negatively.
47. The primary purpose of a penetration test is to:
b. Assess bitumen hardness
Description: Penetration tests measure bitumen consistency for pavements, not concrete or aggregates.
Description: Penetration tests measure bitumen consistency for pavements, not concrete or aggregates.
48. The primary purpose of a stakeholder analysis is to:
b. Identify project influencers
Description: Stakeholder analysis maps interests and impacts, not affecting costs or schedules.
Description: Stakeholder analysis maps interests and impacts, not affecting costs or schedules.
49. The primary purpose of a core test is to:
b. Assess in-situ concrete strength
Description: Core tests evaluate hardened concrete strength, not workability or other materials.
Description: Core tests evaluate hardened concrete strength, not workability or other materials.
50. The primary purpose of a quality assurance plan is to:
b. Ensure standards compliance
Description: Quality assurance ensures processes meet specifications, not affecting costs or schedules adversely.
Description: Quality assurance ensures processes meet specifications, not affecting costs or schedules adversely.
51. The primary purpose of a sieve analysis is to:
b. Determine aggregate gradation
Description: Sieve analysis checks particle size distribution for concrete mix design, not strength or other materials.
Description: Sieve analysis checks particle size distribution for concrete mix design, not strength or other materials.
52. The primary purpose of a baseline schedule is to:
b. Serve as a reference plan
Description: Baseline schedules track progress against the original plan, not impacting costs or quality.
Description: Baseline schedules track progress against the original plan, not impacting costs or quality.
53. The primary purpose of gypsum in cement is to:
b. Control setting time
Description: Gypsum delays cement setting for workability, not affecting strength or color per IS 269.
Description: Gypsum delays cement setting for workability, not affecting strength or color per IS 269.
54. The primary purpose of a change order is to:
b. Modify project requirements
Description: Change orders adjust scope, cost, or schedule, not necessarily reducing quality or scope.
Description: Change orders adjust scope, cost, or schedule, not necessarily reducing quality or scope.
55. The primary purpose of a flakiness index test is to:
b. Assess aggregate shape
Description: Flakiness index ensures aggregates are not too flat, improving concrete stability.
Description: Flakiness index ensures aggregates are not too flat, improving concrete stability.
56. The primary purpose of a procurement plan is to:
b. Outline material acquisition
Description: Procurement plans detail sourcing and delivery, not impacting costs or quality negatively.
Description: Procurement plans detail sourcing and delivery, not impacting costs or quality negatively.
57. The primary purpose of a soundness test for cement is to:
b. Check volume stability
Description: Soundness tests (Le Chatelier) ensure cement doesn’t expand excessively, not for strength or workability.
Description: Soundness tests (Le Chatelier) ensure cement doesn’t expand excessively, not for strength or workability.
58. The primary purpose of a communication plan is to:
b. Ensure information flow
Description: Communication plans manage stakeholder updates, not affecting costs or quality.
Description: Communication plans manage stakeholder updates, not affecting costs or quality.
59. The primary purpose of a ductility test for bitumen is to:
b. Assess flexibility
Description: Ductility tests bitumen’s ability to stretch, ensuring pavement resilience.
Description: Ductility tests bitumen’s ability to stretch, ensuring pavement resilience.
60. The primary purpose of a project closure report is to:
b. Document lessons learned
Description: Closure reports summarize outcomes and insights, not impacting costs or quality.
Description: Closure reports summarize outcomes and insights, not impacting costs or quality.