University of Uyo

Faculty of Environmental Studies

Department of Building
2016/2017 Academic Session
Second Semester Examination
BUILDING AND ENGINEERING MATERIALS SCIENCE (BLD 326)
Instruction: Answer Question 1 and two (2) other questions
Time allowed: 2 hours
Question 1
A. Name and discuss four material binders used in construction. (8 marks)
B. Define the following terms:
(i) Calcining
(ii) Sintering
(iii) Clinkering
(iv) Bogue Compounds (5 marks)
C. What is the importance of the preheater tower in cement manufacturing? (2 marks)
D. Explain in details, the wet and dry processes of cement manufacturing. (5 marks)
E. A concrete batch nominal mix (i.e. using 1 bag of cement) of proportion 1:3:6 is to have a cement /
water ratio of 5. (Take bulk densities of 1.515kg/dm3 for cement, 1.60kg/dm3 for sand and 1.43kg/dm3
for coarse aggregate). Assuming dry aggregates: find the batch quantities and water content when
batching
(i) By volume
(ii) By weight (10 marks)

Question 2
A. State three advantages of High Alumina Cement over OPC (3 marks)
B. From an engineering, chemical, environmental, cost and cement performance viewpoints, state why
it is important to cool a red-hot clinker in a cooler compartment before moving or further processing
it. (6 marks)
C. State three methods of curing concrete. (3 marks)
D. The dry batch quantities for a concrete mix are specified as follows: sand 86kg, gravel 150kg and
water 30 liters. Calculate the batch quantities to be measured at the mixer for damp aggregate with
moisture content of sand 6.5% and gravel 5%. (8 marks)

Question 3
A. What is rough wood? (1 mark)
B. State and explain four mechanical properties of timber (6 marks)
C. List three methods of artificial timber seasoning. (3 marks)
D. A green wood has a density of 0.56 g/cm3 and contains 165% water. Calculate the density of the wood
after it has completely dried. (7 marks)
E. Define the following timber defects:
(i) Heart Shake
(ii) Upset
(iii) Foxiness (3 marks)

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Question 4
A. Define the following:
(i) Pig Iron
(ii) Cast Iron
(iii) Wrought Iron
(iv) Steel (6 marks)
B. Explain the following steel treatment terms
(i) Annealing
(ii) Case hardening
(iii) Hardening
(iv) Normalising
(v) Tempering (7.5 marks)
C. Calculate the bulk density of a rectangular soil sample with dimensions 12 cm by 6 cm by 4 cm, that
is 15% moisture content and weighs 320 g. (6.5 marks)

Question 5
A. Define and state two types (each) of:
(i) Bitumen (3 marks)
(ii) Tar (3 marks)
(iii) Asphalt (3 marks)
B. What is the major component of oil paints? Give one alternative to this major component that is found
in modern oil paints. (2 marks)
C. List four (4) types of glass (4 marks)
D. Describe three types of Vanishes (3 marks)

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