Day 1 - Materials Engineer Test Reviewer

1. Scales for weighing aggregates and cement shall be accurate within ____ % throughout the range of use.
Scales shall be inspected and sealed as often as the Engineer may deem necessary to assure their continued
accuracy.
a) 1.0 % c) 0.5 %
b) 1.5 % d) 2.0 %

2. When cement is placed in contact with the aggregate, batches may be rejected unless mixed within _____
hours of such contact.
a) 1.5 hours c) 0.5 hours
b) 2.0 hours d) 2.5 hours

3. When mixed at the site or in a central mixing plant, the mixing time shall not be less than ______ nor more
than ____ unless mixer performance test prove adequate mixing of concrete in a shorter time period.

a) 30 seconds nor more than 90 seconds b) 50 seconds nor more than 90 seconds
c) 60 seconds nor more than 120 seconds d) 90 seconds nor more than 120 seconds

4. The flow of water shall be uniform and all water should be in the drum by the end of the first ____ seconds of
the mixing period.
a) 45 seconds c) 15 seconds
b) 30 seconds d) 20 seconds

5. Concrete not place within ____ minutes from the time the ingredients were charged into the mixing drum
shall be used.
a) 120 minutes c) 60 minutes
b) 150 minutes d) 90 minutes

6. When concrete is delivered in truck mixers, additional water may be added to the batch and additional mixing
performed to increase the slump to meet the specified requirement if permitted by the Engineer, provided all
these operation are performed within ____ after the initial mixing operation and the water and cement ratio is
not exceeded.
a) 30 minutes c) 45 minutes
b) 15 minutes d) 60 minutes

7. A sample from a bituminous mix weighs 1000 grams. At extraction, it was found out that the dry aggregate
weighed 950 grams. What is the % of asphalt by weight of mix?

a) 5.2 % c) 5.4 %
b) 5.0 % d) 4.8%

8. The minimum penetration of the preservative with the surface of the timber piles shall be ____
a) 150 mm c) 250 mm
b) 200 mm d) 100 mm

9. The contractor shall submit in writing a job-mix formula for the mixture supported by laboratory test data
along with samples of resources of components and viscosity – temperature relationships to the Engineer for
testing and approval at least ____.

a) two weeks c) one week

b) three weeks d) four weeks

10. The concrete samples should be stored in a moist conditioned temperature within the range of ____ until the
time of test.
a) 18° C to 24° C c) 14° C to 24° C
b) 15° C to 18° C d) 18° C to 28° C

11. This is used in soil stabilized road surface due to its high ____ property, that is, it absorb and retain water.
a) Potassium Chloride c) Magnesium Chloride
b) Calcium Chloride d) Sodium Chloride

12. The mass % wear of soil aggregate used in cement/lime proportions should not be more than ____.
a) 40 % c) 45 %
b) 50 % d) 55 %

13. The uniform rate at which the movable head of the CBR machine travel is _____.
a) 0.05 in / min c) 0.08 in /min
b) 0.10 in /min d) 0.09 in /min

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14. Cast in place concrete shall not be post – tensioned until at least ____ and until the compressive strength has reached the
strength specified.

a) 7 days c) 14 days
b) 10 days d) 20 days

15. The penetration test is an indication of the ____ of asphalt.

a) Consistency c) Hardness
b) Softness d) Flash Point

16. Specification requires one (1) Quality test for every ____ of asphalt
a) 20 tons c) 50 tons
b) 200 tons d) 40 tons

17. The ____ is the most commonly used method in the design and evaluation of bituminous concrete mixes.
a) Job mix formula c) Marshall Stability
b) Design mix d) Extraction

18. Vibration shall operate a frequency of 8,300 to 9,600 impulse per minute under load at a maximum spacing of ____ cm.
a) 30 cm c) 60 cm
b) 50 cm d) 40 cm

19. The specific gravity of Sodium Sulfate used in soundness test for aggregate should be with in the range of ____.
a) 1.151 to 1.174 c) 1.051 to 1.154
b) 1.250 to 1.178 d) 1.058 to 1.184

20. The specific gravity magnesium sulfate solution used in soundness test for aggregate should be within the range of ____.

a) 1.280 to 1.408 c) 1.295 to 1.308

b) 1.180 to 1.308 d) 1.195 to 1.318

21. Aggregate accounts for 92 – 95 % of the weight of the bituminous mixture asphalt accounts for 5 – 8 % of the weight of
the mix. The exact percentage to be used is determined by the _____

a) Trial mix c) Job mix

b) Design mix d) Job order

22. _____ is an indication that the asphalt mix is overheated.

a) Blue smoke c) Rising steam
b) Stiff appearance d) Mix slumps in truck

23. In checking the temperature of the mix, the thermometer should be inserted into the mix at least ____.
a) 2 inches c) 4 inches
b) 6 inches d) 6.0 mm

24. _____ is applied on existing bit, or cement concrete surface with bituminous materials.
a) Bituminous Prime Coat c) Bituminous Seal Coat
b) Bituminous Tack Coat d) Bituminous Surface Treatment

25. The solution used in the soundness test of aggregate shall be cooled to a temperature of 21 +or – 1° C and maintain at that
temperature for at least _____.
a) 24 hours c) 48 hours
b) 36 hours d) 18 hours

26. Proper compaction of the fill materials is very important, as it will ______.
a) Increase the shear strength
b) Decrease permeability
c) Minimize compressibility
d) All of the above

27. In which DPWH item is emulsified asphalt not suitable?

a) Item 301 c) Item 304
b) Item302 d) Item 308

28. Unconfined compressive strength test is usually performed on ______.

a) Sandy soils c) Organic soils
b) Silty soils d) clayey soils

29. Consolidation test is usually performed on ____ samples

a) Disturbed c) Consolidated
b) Undisturbed d) both a & b

30. A concrete core sample having a maximum height of less than _____ of its diameter before capping or height less than its
diameter after capping shall not be tested.
a) 93 % c) 95 %
b) 94 % d) 96 %

31. The cohesion and internal friction of soil is tested by

a) Tri axial shear test c) Bearing test
b) Direct shear test d) All of the above

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32. In concrete acceptance, core will be considered adequate if the average strength of the cores is equal to what?
a) 80% of specified strength & if no single core is less than 75% of specified strength
b) 90% of specified strength & if no single core is less than 80% of specified strength
c) 85% of specified strength & if no single core is less than 75% of specified strength

33. Before the cement is to be used, sampling must be done at least _____ before use.
a) one week c) two weeks
b) 14 days d) 12 days

34. Asphalt cement shall not be used while it is foaming nor shall be heated at ____ at anytime after delivery.
a) 107 ͦ C c) 120 ͦ C
b) 159 ͦ C

35. Moisture content of aggregate in bit mix shall not exceed ____ of the time it is introduce into the mixing unit.
a) 1.5 mass % c) 1 mass %
b) 2.0 mass %

36. Batching tolerance for Sand and Aggregate is ____.

a) 1 % c) 3 %
b) 2 %

37. Between stages of curing, concrete shall not be exposed for more than how many hours?
a) 24 hours c) ½ hour
b) 3 hours d) 72 hours

38. As a Materials Engineer, what will you do with major honeycombed area that is considered as defective work?
a) Plaster
b) Payment of the concrete will be made an adjustment
c) Removed and replaced at the expensed of the contractor

39. If the strength of control specimen does not meet the requirement and not feasible to obtain cores due to structural
consideration, as a Materials Engineer what will be your decision?
a) Removed and replaced
b) Area will not be paid
c) Payment will be made at an adjusted price

40. After concrete has been placed, it is advisable to maintain fully welted and in position for how many hours?
a) 14 hours c) 72 hours
b) 24 hours d) 15 – 18 hours

41. Rock shall be excavated to a depth ____ below subgrade within the limit of the roadbed
a) 100 mm c) 200 mm
b) 150 mm

42. Minimum penetration of all piles shall be ____.

a) 3 meter c) 7 meter
b) 6 meter d) 4.5 meter

43. Piles shall not be driven within 7 meters of concrete less than _____ old.
a) 7 days c) 28 days
b) 14 day

44. Paint contains _____ of pigment and _____ vehicle.

a) 20 % & 80 % c) 79 % & 21 %
b) 21 % & 79 % d) 80 % & 20 %

45. Minimum thickness of bedding materials beneath the pipe is _____.

a) 100 mm c) 200 mm
b) 150 mm

46. Tolerance of gabion dimension is _________________.

a) +/- 1% c) +/- 3 %
b) +/- 2 % d) +/- 4 %

47. Minimum size of galvanized wire mesh is ____________.

a) 2.0 mm c) 2.7 mm
b) 2.2 mm d) 3.4 mm

48. Minimum density of gabions is ___________.

a) 1,000 kg/cu. m c) 1,400 kg/cu. m
b) 1,200 kg/cu. m d) 1,500 kg/cu. m

49. Soundness loss of field gabions is __________________.

a) 9 % after 5 cycles c) 11 % after 5 cycles
b) 10 % after 5 cycles d) 12 % after 5 cycles

50. The heating temperature of reflectorized thermoplastic material during application is _____
a) 130 +/- 7° C c) 200 +/- 7° C
b) 150 +/- 7° C d) 211 +/- 7° C

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51. Submission of sample minimum quantity of material for asphalt cement is -------.
a) 5 kg c) 20 kg
b) 10 kg d) 100 kg

52. For how many years does the small Contractor given to procure necessary testing equipment?
a) 2 years c) 5 years
b) 4 years d) 6 years

53. The depth of the weakened joints must not be less than ____ and a width of ___.
a) 40 mm & 6 mm c) 40 mm & 5 mm
b) 50 mm & 5 mm d) 50 mm & 6 mm

54. In soil, all boring shall be carried to a depth of at least ____ below the proposed grade line.
a) 0.50 m c) 1.5 m
b) 1.0 m d) 1.8 m

55. The test that determine pile bearing capacity by loading one or more pile and measuring settlement under load is _____.
a) Vane shear test c) Pile load test
b) Plate bearing test

56. The weight of disturbed samples from hard auger or split spoon shall be at least ____.
a) 1 kg c) 10 kg
b) 20 kg d) 100 kg

57. Submission of sample for testing for cement is _____.

a) 10 kg c) 15 kg
b) 20 kg d) 40 kg

58. The length of Shelby Tube of an undisturbed sample is _____.

a) 10” long c) 20” long
b) 18” long

59. For small project where quantity of steel bars is 10,000 kg or less, what is the basis for acceptance of material?
a) No testing c) Mill certificate
b) P.E, certificate

60. ______ determine the best combination of the material that will produce a potentially stable & durable
mixture.
a) Job mix formula c) Design of bituminous mix
b) Marshall formula

61. _______ is the rate of loading for concrete cylinder sample subject to compression test
a) 20 - 40 psi/sec c) 15 – 40 psi/sec
b) 20 - 50 psi/sec d) 15 – 40 psi/sec

62. In a soil exploration, if the characteristic of rock is questionable, the minimum depth of boring into the bedrock should be
_______.
a) 1.5 m c) 2.5 m
b) 2.0 m d) 3.0 m

63. Determine soil bearing capacity by loading a steel plate usually 30” diameter.
a) Vane shear test c) Pile load test
b) Plate bearing test d) none of the above

64. How many hours does aggregate stock file or binned for draining before being batch?
a) 1 hour c) 12 hours
b) 6 hours d) 24 hours

65. What is the relative strength of mortar at 7 & 28 days of fine aggregates, when tested for the effect of organic impurities,
which is higher than the standard?
a) Not less than 90 % c) not less than 95 %
b) Not less than 80 % d) not less than 98 %

66. What is the rate of loading for concrete beam tested for flexural stress?
a) 110 – 150 psi/sec c) 125 – 175 psi/sec
b) 115 – 150 psi/sec d) 130 - 175 psi/sec

67. In concrete sampling paste shall be of normal consistency of _____ when the rod settles to a point below the original
surface in 30 secs.
a) 10 +/- 1 mm c) 15 +/- 1mm
b) 11 +/- 1 mm d) 20 +/- 1 mm

68. What the temperature of a concrete sample?

a) 10 – 15° C c) 15 – 18° C
b) 18 – 24° C

69. What is the wash loss of fine aggregates in the no. 200 sieve?
a) 1 % c) 3 %
b) 2 % d) 4 %

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70. Retarder can delay the setting time of concrete up to how many hours?
a) 1 hour c) 4 hours
b) 2 hours d) 8 hours

71. Super plasticizer can increase the strength of concrete up to how many percent?
a) 40 – 60 % c) 50 – 70 %
b) 50 – 60 % d) 60 – 70 %

72. ___________ is the moisture in an air – dried soil

a) Moisture Content
b) Natural Moisture Content
c) Hygroscopic Moisture Content
d) Hydrometer Moisture Content

73. _________ is the tolerance of mix in bituminous.

a) 10° C c) 15° C
b) 12° C d) 18° C

74. _________ Number of measurement taken in a core sample for thickness determination of the finish asphalt pavement
a) 3 c) 5
b) 4 d) 8

75. In the absence of beam mold in site, cylinder mold is allowed by specification. What is the required strength?
a) 2,500 psi c) 3,500 psi
b) 3,000 psi d) 4,000 psi

76. Prime coat shall be left undisturbed for at least _____.

a) 6 hours c) 24 hours
b) 12 hours

77. The first phase of rolling the spread bituminous mix is called breakdown rolling which is carried out by pneumatic roller,
temperature requirement must be _____.
a) 200 – 225° F c) 160 – 180° F
b) 190 – 199° F d) 150 – 185° F

78. How many gradation ranges for hot plant mix bituminous pavement are there in the blue book?
a) 5 c) 7
b) 6 d) 8

79. What is the plasticity index of mineral filler?

a) Not greater than 4 c) not greater than 8
b) Not greater than 6 d) zero

80. If no core had been taken at the end of each day of operation and the project has already been completed, a core shall be
taken ________.
a) For every 75 l.m,/lane c) for every 100 l.m/lane
b) For every 150 l.m/lane d) for every 1,000 l.m/lane

81. ________ is the slump of workable concrete if vibrated.

a) 10 – 20 mm c) 40 – 50 mm
b) 10 – 40 mm d) 40 – 75 mm

82. ________ Burnt product which is used by Gypsum and pulverized to form Portland cement.
a) Hydraulic cement c) Fly Ash
b) Clinker d) Volcanic Ash

83. When group index = 0, what is the grade of soil?

a) Weak soil c) good soil
b) Poor soil

84. ______ is a process of breaking down of rocks into small pieces of various size that can range from large boulders to very
small clay particles.
a) Consolidation c) Weathering
b) Unconsolidation

85. ________ is the limit were further loss of water due to evaporation which will not result in reduction of volume.
a) Plastic limit c) Shrinkage limit
b) Liquid limit

86. ________ a classification of soil which 35% or less the particles pass through no. 200 sieve.
a) Grain size soil c) Silty clay materials
b) Granular materials d) clayey materials

87. ________ a classification of soil which 35% or more of the particles pass through no. 200 sieve
a) Course Sand Soil c) Silty-Clay Materials
b) Granular Materials d) Clayey Materials

88. It evaluate the quality of soil as highway subgrade material.

a) Atterberg Limit c) Group Index

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 b) Plasticity Index d) Liquid Limit

89. When soil has plasticity index value of 10, what is the criteria of the material?
a) Coarse grain c) Clayey
b) Sandy d) Silty

90. When plasticity index is equal

a) Coarse grain c) Clayey
b) Sandy d) Silty

91. _______ is an empirical number used in evaluation for G.I.

a) 0 – 15 c) 0 – 20
b) 5 – 20 d) 0 – 25

92. It indicates good sub base materials when G.I. is equal to _____.
a) 0 c) 10
b) 5 d) 20

93. It indicates very poor sub base materials when G.I. is equal to _____.
a) 0 c) 10
b) 5 d) 20

94. ______ indicates the composition of soil.

a) Atterberg Limit b) Plasticity Index

95. The higher the value of PI of the soil, the weaker will be the soil performance as a _____.
a) True c) Depend
b) False d) None of the above

96. _______ the Plasticity Index of group of soil

a) 0 c) 10
b) 6 d) 11

97. _______ is the minimum percent of A-6 group classification of soil.

a) 0 % c) 35 %
b) 25 % d) 36 %

98. _______ is the maximum of G.I. of Silty Clay Materials

a) 0 c) 20
b) 25 d) 35

99. When the value of G.I. is negative, what will be the soil performance?
a) Poor Subgrade c) Good subgrade
b) Very good subgrade d) none of the above

100. The weight of Sandy soil for Hydrometer Analysis is ______.

a) 10 grams c) 50 grams
b) 25 grams d) 100 grams