Building Materials MCQs Questions and Answers for All Competitive Examinations and Interviews

1. Which property of building stone indicates its resistance to crushing under load?
A) Toughness
B) Hardness
C) Compressive strength
D) Durability
Answer: C) Compressive strength

2. Which type of sand is best suited for reinforced concrete works?
A) Desert sand
B) Sea sand
C) River sand
D) Pit sand
Answer: C) River sand

3. The main function of lime in mortar is to:
A) Increase strength rapidly
B) Reduce setting time
C) Improve workability and plasticity
D) Increase weight
Answer: C) Improve workability and plasticity

4. Which defect in timber is caused by improper seasoning?
A) Knot
B) Shakes
C) Warping
D) Borer attack
Answer: C) Warping

5. The fineness of cement mainly affects its:
A) Color
B) Soundness
C) Rate of hydration and strength development
D) Density
Answer: C) Rate of hydration and strength development

6. Which material is commonly used as a damp-proof course (DPC)?
A) Lime mortar
B) Clay bricks
C) Bituminous felt
D) Cement slurry
Answer: C) Bituminous felt

7. Which test determines the resistance of bricks to crushing?
A) Water absorption test
B) Efflorescence test
C) Compressive strength test
D) Shape test
Answer: C) Compressive strength test

8. The process of removing moisture from timber before use is called:
A) Preservation
B) Painting
C) Seasoning
D) Polishing
Answer: C) Seasoning

9. Which aggregate is classified as fine aggregate?
A) Crushed stone
B) Gravel
C) Sand
D) Broken bricks
Answer: C) Sand

10. The main disadvantage of using sea sand in concrete is due to:
A) Low strength
B) Poor grading
C) Presence of salts causing corrosion
D) High cost
Answer: C) Presence of salts causing corrosion

11. Which building material is known for its high fire resistance?
A) Timber
B) Glass
C) Brick
D) Plastic
Answer: C) Brick

12. The initial setting time of ordinary Portland cement should not be less than:
A) 10 minutes
B) 20 minutes
C) 30 minutes
D) 60 minutes
Answer: C) 30 minutes

13. Which defect in stones is caused due to weathering action?
A) Veins
B) Cracks
C) Spots
D) Blisters
Answer: B) Cracks

14. The binding property of cement is mainly due to the presence of:
A) Alumina
B) Silica
C) Calcium silicates
D) Magnesia
Answer: C) Calcium silicates

15. Which type of brick is used for ornamental work?
A) Burnt clay brick
B) Engineering brick
C) Facing brick
D) Fly ash brick
Answer: C) Facing brick

16. Which material is used to protect timber from insect attack?
A) Cement paint
B) Whitewash
C) Preservatives like creosote
D) Water
Answer: C) Preservatives like creosote

17. The main function of coarse aggregate in concrete is to:
A) Improve workability
B) Reduce setting time
C) Provide strength and bulk
D) Increase color
Answer: C) Provide strength and bulk

18. Which type of glass is commonly used in windows?
A) Wired glass
B) Float glass
C) Bulletproof glass
D) Laminated glass
Answer: B) Float glass

19. Which property of building materials refers to their ability to withstand wear?
A) Elasticity
B) Plasticity
C) Hardness
D) Ductility
Answer: C) Hardness

20. The main raw material for manufacturing cement is:
A) Clay only
B) Gypsum only
C) Limestone
D) Sand
Answer: C) Limestone

21. Which type of stone is formed by cooling of molten magma?
A) Sedimentary
B) Metamorphic
C) Igneous
D) Artificial
Answer: C) Igneous

22. The presence of white patches on brick surfaces is called:
A) Blistering
B) Cracking
C) Efflorescence
D) Spalling
Answer: C) Efflorescence

23. Which timber defect appears as separation along the growth rings?
A) Knot
B) Shake
C) Warp
D) Twist
Answer: B) Shake

24. Which property makes concrete suitable for heavy structures?
A) Tensile strength
B) Elasticity
C) High compressive strength
D) Ductility
Answer: C) High compressive strength

25. Which building material is most suitable for sound insulation?
A) Brick
B) Concrete
C) Glass
D) Cork
Answer: D) Cork

26. Which property of mortar ensures proper bonding between bricks or stones?
A) Density
B) Strength
C) Adhesion
D) Color
Answer: C) Adhesion

27. Which type of cement is best suited for marine structures?
A) Ordinary Portland Cement
B) Rapid Hardening Cement
C) Sulphate Resisting Cement
D) White Cement
Answer: C) Sulphate Resisting Cement

28. The process of immersing bricks in water before use is done to:
A) Increase their weight
B) Improve their appearance
C) Prevent absorption of water from mortar
D) Make them stronger
Answer: C) Prevent absorption of water from mortar

29. Which aggregate shape provides maximum interlocking and strength?
A) Rounded
B) Flaky
C) Elongated
D) Angular
Answer: D) Angular

30. The main disadvantage of timber as a building material is its:
A) Light weight
B) Easy availability
C) Susceptibility to fire and insects
D) Workability
Answer: C) Susceptibility to fire and insects

31. Which test is used to determine the soundness of cement?
A) Vicat test
B) Le Chatelier test
C) Slump test
D) Flow table test
Answer: B) Le Chatelier test

32. Which type of brick is manufactured using industrial waste ash?
A) Clay brick
B) Concrete brick
C) Fly ash brick
D) Sand-lime brick
Answer: C) Fly ash brick

33. Which property of stone allows it to resist weathering for long periods?
A) Porosity
B) Durability
C) Density
D) Color
Answer: B) Durability

34. Which component of cement is responsible for early strength gain?
A) Tricalcium aluminate
B) Dicalcium silicate
C) Tricalcium silicate
D) Tetracalcium aluminoferrite
Answer: C) Tricalcium silicate

35. Which defect in timber causes surface irregularity due to unequal shrinkage?
A) Knot
B) Shake
C) Warping
D) Split
Answer: C) Warping

36. The use of gypsum in cement is mainly to:
A) Increase strength
B) Improve color
C) Control setting time
D) Reduce heat of hydration
Answer: C) Control setting time

37. Which material is commonly used as a binding agent in plastering?
A) Sand
B) Cement
C) Gravel
D) Brick dust
Answer: B) Cement

38. Which type of glass breaks into small harmless pieces when shattered?
A) Laminated glass
B) Wired glass
C) Toughened glass
D) Frosted glass
Answer: C) Toughened glass

39. Which test is performed to find water absorption of bricks?
A) Crushing test
B) Shape test
C) Water absorption test
D) Soundness test
Answer: C) Water absorption test

40. Which building material is considered environmentally friendly due to reuse of waste?
A) Burnt clay brick
B) Cement block
C) Fly ash brick
D) Marble
Answer: C) Fly ash brick

41. Which stone is most suitable for heavy construction works like bridges?
A) Sandstone
B) Limestone
C) Granite
D) Slate
Answer: C) Granite

42. Which property of concrete improves by using well-graded aggregates?
A) Color
B) Density
C) Workability and strength
D) Setting time
Answer: C) Workability and strength

43. Which building material has the highest compressive strength among the following?
A) Timber
B) Brick
C) Concrete
D) Glass
Answer: C) Concrete

44. The main function of fine aggregate in concrete is to:
A) Provide bulk only
B) Increase weight
C) Fill voids and improve workability
D) Reduce cost only
Answer: C) Fill voids and improve workability

45. Which defect in brick occurs due to rapid cooling after burning?
A) Cracking
B) Efflorescence
C) Warping
D) Spalling
Answer: D) Spalling

46. Which type of cement is used for decorative purposes?
A) Portland Pozzolana Cement
B) Rapid Hardening Cement
C) White Cement
D) Low Heat Cement
Answer: C) White Cement

47. Which property makes steel a suitable reinforcement material in concrete?
A) Corrosion resistance
B) Low density
C) High tensile strength
D) Low cost
Answer: C) High tensile strength

48. Which stone is commonly used for roofing tiles and flooring?
A) Granite
B) Marble
C) Slate
D) Basalt
Answer: C) Slate

49. Which material is used to improve the water resistance of mortar?
A) Sand
B) Lime
C) Waterproofing compounds
D) Brick powder
Answer: C) Waterproofing compounds

50. Which test checks the uniformity of size and shape of bricks?
A) Crushing test
B) Dimensional tolerance test
C) Water absorption test
D) Efflorescence test
Answer: B) Dimensional tolerance test

51. Which property of timber allows it to regain its original shape after removal of load?
A) Plasticity
B) Elasticity
C) Ductility
D) Hardness
Answer: B) Elasticity

52. Which building material is best suited for making lightweight partition walls?
A) Burnt clay bricks
B) Stone blocks
C) Gypsum boards
D) Reinforced concrete
Answer: C) Gypsum boards

53. Which test is used to determine the consistency of cement paste?
A) Le Chatelier test
B) Vicat test
C) Slump test
D) Compaction factor test
Answer: B) Vicat test

54. Which type of aggregate reduces segregation in concrete?
A) Very coarse aggregate
B) Flaky aggregate
C) Well-graded aggregate
D) Elongated aggregate
Answer: C) Well-graded aggregate

55. Which defect in stones is characterized by small cavities on the surface?
A) Veins
B) Cracks
C) Blow holes
D) Laminations
Answer: C) Blow holes

56. Which building material is most affected by moisture variations?
A) Brick
B) Stone
C) Timber
D) Concrete
Answer: C) Timber

57. Which type of cement is preferred for mass concrete works like dams?
A) Rapid hardening cement
B) Low heat cement
C) White cement
D) Sulphate resisting cement
Answer: B) Low heat cement

58. Which property of bricks ensures their resistance against crushing loads?
A) Porosity
B) Toughness
C) Compressive strength
D) Plasticity
Answer: C) Compressive strength

59. Which glass is used where fire resistance is required?
A) Frosted glass
B) Wired glass
C) Laminated glass
D) Float glass
Answer: B) Wired glass

60. Which defect in timber is caused by fungal attack?
A) Knot
B) Dry rot
C) Shake
D) Twist
Answer: B) Dry rot

61. Which material is used as an admixture to improve workability of concrete?
A) Lime powder
B) Brick dust
C) Plasticizers
D) Gypsum
Answer: C) Plasticizers

62. Which property of building materials refers to their ability to be moulded without cracking?
A) Elasticity
B) Plasticity
C) Hardness
D) Brittleness
Answer: B) Plasticity

63. Which stone is most suitable for decorative flooring?
A) Basalt
B) Marble
C) Laterite
D) Quartzite
Answer: B) Marble

64. Which defect in bricks appears as peeling of the surface layer?
A) Efflorescence
B) Cracking
C) Spalling
D) Warping
Answer: C) Spalling

65. Which property makes concrete durable in aggressive environments?
A) High tensile strength
B) Low permeability
C) Light weight
D) Plasticity
Answer: B) Low permeability

66. Which timber is obtained from coniferous trees?
A) Hard wood
B) Soft wood
C) Bamboo
D) Cane
Answer: B) Soft wood

67. Which test is used to check the resistance of stones to wear?
A) Crushing test
B) Abrasion test
C) Impact test
D) Soundness test
Answer: B) Abrasion test

68. Which material is used for manufacturing cement concrete pipes?
A) Clay
B) Concrete
C) Timber
D) Plastic only
Answer: B) Concrete

69. Which type of brick is used where high strength is required?
A) Facing brick
B) Engineering brick
C) Fly ash brick
D) Hollow brick
Answer: B) Engineering brick

70. Which property of aggregate influences the strength of concrete most?
A) Color
B) Texture
C) Strength and hardness
D) Shape only
Answer: C) Strength and hardness

71. Which building material provides maximum thermal insulation?
A) Concrete
B) Brick
C) Glass
D) Thermocol
Answer: D) Thermocol

72. Which cement is used to reduce cracks caused by thermal stresses?
A) Rapid hardening cement
B) Low heat cement
C) White cement
D) High alumina cement
Answer: B) Low heat cement

73. Which property makes glass a brittle material?
A) Elasticity
B) Plasticity
C) Lack of ductility
D) High density
Answer: C) Lack of ductility

74. Which type of sand is obtained by crushing rocks?
A) River sand
B) Pit sand
C) Manufactured sand
D) Sea sand
Answer: C) Manufactured sand

75. Which defect in timber causes twisting of its shape?
A) Bowing
B) Cuping
C) Twisting
D) Split
Answer: C) Twisting

76. Which property of building materials indicates their ability to resist sudden impact?
A) Hardness
B) Toughness
C) Elasticity
D) Plasticity
Answer: B) Toughness

77. Which material is most suitable for making fire-resistant doors?
A) Timber
B) Plastic
C) Steel
D) Plywood
Answer: C) Steel

78. Which type of cement is preferred for underwater construction?
A) Ordinary Portland Cement
B) Rapid hardening cement
C) Portland Pozzolana Cement
D) White cement
Answer: C) Portland Pozzolana Cement

79. Which stone is commonly used in road metal construction?
A) Marble
B) Limestone
C) Basalt
D) Slate
Answer: C) Basalt

80. Which defect in stones occurs due to chemical reactions with atmospheric gases?
A) Cracking
B) Blistering
C) Disintegration
D) Warping
Answer: C) Disintegration

81. Which building material is best suited for making acoustic panels?
A) Glass
B) Concrete
C) Fibre boards
D) Marble
Answer: C) Fibre boards

82. Which property of cement ensures it does not expand excessively after setting?
A) Fineness
B) Strength
C) Soundness
D) Consistency
Answer: C) Soundness

83. Which material is used for manufacturing terrazzo flooring?
A) Clay
B) Timber
C) Marble chips with cement
D) Gypsum
Answer: C) Marble chips with cement

84. Which type of brick reduces the dead load of structures?
A) Solid brick
B) Engineering brick
C) Hollow brick
D) Facing brick
Answer: C) Hollow brick

85. Which building material is most suitable for heat insulation in roofs?
A) Brick
B) Concrete
C) Glass
D) Vermiculite
Answer: D) Vermiculite

86. Which defect in concrete is caused by excessive water content?
A) Honeycombing
B) Segregation
C) Cracking
D) Shrinkage
Answer: B) Segregation

87. Which timber preservation method involves applying chemicals under pressure?
A) Brushing
B) Spraying
C) Pressure treatment
D) Dipping
Answer: C) Pressure treatment

88. Which building material is used as a reflective surface in interiors?
A) Marble
B) Brick
C) Glass mirror
D) Timber
Answer: C) Glass mirror

89. Which type of cement gains strength faster than OPC?
A) Low heat cement
B) Sulphate resisting cement
C) Rapid hardening cement
D) White cement
Answer: C) Rapid hardening cement

90. Which stone is commonly used for making statues and monuments?
A) Granite
B) Marble
C) Basalt
D) Sandstone
Answer: B) Marble

91. Which defect in bricks is indicated by black core inside the brick?
A) Overburning
B) Underburning
C) Incomplete oxidation of carbon
D) Efflorescence
Answer: C) Incomplete oxidation of carbon

92. Which property makes aluminium suitable for window frames?
A) Heavy weight
B) High cost
C) Corrosion resistance and light weight
D) Brittleness
Answer: C) Corrosion resistance and light weight

93. Which type of cement is used for decorative architectural finishes?
A) Rapid hardening cement
B) Sulphate resisting cement
C) White cement
D) Low heat cement
Answer: C) White cement

94. Which aggregate property increases the bond between cement paste and aggregate?
A) Smooth texture
B) Rounded shape
C) Rough surface texture
D) Light weight
Answer: C) Rough surface texture

95. Which building material is used to control moisture in basements?
A) Clay
B) Lime
C) Waterproofing membrane
D) Timber
Answer: C) Waterproofing membrane

96. Which defect in timber is caused by shrinkage across the width?
A) Bowing
B) Cupping
C) Twisting
D) Splitting
Answer: B) Cupping

97. Which material is used to manufacture ceramic tiles?
A) Cement
B) Limestone
C) Clay
D) Sand
Answer: C) Clay

98. Which property of concrete is improved by curing?
A) Color
B) Strength and durability
C) Weight
D) Texture
Answer: B) Strength and durability

99. Which type of glass reduces heat transmission into buildings?
A) Clear glass
B) Frosted glass
C) Tinted glass
D) Wired glass
Answer: C) Tinted glass

100. Which building material is most suitable for constructing water tanks?
A) Brick masonry
B) Timber
C) Stone masonry
D) Reinforced cement concrete (RCC)
Answer: D) Reinforced cement concrete (RCC)