MATERIALS ENGINEER ACCREDITATION EXAMINATION

March 10, 2007

1. Which of the ff. is not included in determining moisture content?

a. Beam Balance w/ sensitivity of OIG
b. Oven
c. Moisture Can
d. Extruder

2. The test that determines the purity of asphalt (how much bitumen is in the asphalt.
Ans. Solubiltiy Test

3. The reflective media for reflectorized paint.

Ans. Glass beads

4. What is the function of emulsifier in emulsified asphalt?

a. To increase mixing ability w/ aggregates
b. To retain water in asphalt in longer period.
c. To prevent asphalt from hardening

5. Failed samples does not necessarily mean that the structure represents is defective. Why?
Ans. Maybe sampling is incorrect

6. The use of sea water in reinforced concrete may _____

Ans. induce risk and corrosion to steel

7. In item 104 – embankment, field density test is carried out for every_____ sq.m.
Ans. 500 sq. m

8. What greatly influence the service of an asphalt pavement?

Ans. Grade and quantity of asphalt

9. A non-destructive portable equipment used to determine concrete strength, presence of

voids, cracks and other impurities.
Ans. Pundit Ultrasonic Concrete Tester

10. Which of the ff. is used to measure pavement deflection?

a. Falling weight deflectometer
b. Dynamic Cone Penetrometer
c. Benkelmen Beam and Deflection Logger
d. Both a and c

11. The proportion of bituminous material into the total dry aggregate in item 310.
Ans. 5% - 8%

12. A core specimen taken from a concrete pavement was measured for thickness determination.
The specified pavement thickness is 23 cm. The measurements taken were: 23, 24, 23,
23, 24, 24, 24, 23. The measurement at the center is 23 cm. Obtain the average thickness.
Ans. 23.22 mm

13. Compute the degree of compaction (given: dry density = 1663 kg/cu.m, max. dry density =
2250 kg/ cu.m)
Ans. 74%

14. The test which determines the asphalt present.

Ans. Extraction Test

15. Sample for CBR test is soaked for ____ hrs. before subjecting to penetration test.
Ans. 96 hours

16. A field density result of 88% degree of compaction obtained on the sub-grade indicates_____
Ans. The sub – grade fails and needs additional compaction

17. What is the upper limit of the sand to be used in Alterberg limit test?
Ans. No 40 (0.425 mm)
18. In abrasion test using Los Angeles Abrasion Machine, How many cast iron spheres are used
in grading B?
Ans. 11 spheres

19. Given: Wt. of dry agg. = 950 g, wt. of asphalt = 50 g. What is the % of asphalt by weight of
total mix?
Ans. 5%

20. The maximum compacted thickness of any one layer of aggregate sub-base coarse materials.
Ans. 150 mm

21. The test on asphalt cement consisting of heating the asphalt in an open cup and passing a
small test flame.
Ans. Flash point

22. If the bulk volume of asphalt specimen is 500 cc and weight of dry specimen in air is 1200 g.
What is the bulk specific gravity of asphalt specimen?
Ans. 2.40

23. In a penetration test, if the penetration is 9.0mm. What is the grade of the asphalt?
Ans. 85 - 100

24. Liquid limit is expressed as the moisture corresponding to how many no. of blows?
Ans. 25 blows

25. What is the required size of calibrated sand used for field density test?
Ans. Passing No. 10 and retained No.200

26. How many samples should be taken for every 75 cu.m of fresh concrete?
Ans. 1 set consist of 3 cylinders

27. What is the rate of application of bituminous tack coat?

Ans. 0.2 – 0.7 L/m2

28. If concrete cylinder is not available for a 300 pcs culverts, how many pipes shall be subjected
to test?
Ans. 6 pipes

29. What is the requirement for flexural strength of a concrete when tested by third point
loading?
Ans. 3.80 MPa

30. What is the required mixing for mortar for stone masonry?
Ans. 1 part cement to 2 parts sand with sufficient water

31. How many samples of bituminous cement (item 310) shall be taken for each full day
operation?
Ans. At least 1 but not more than 3

32. The apparatus used in determining the initial setting of hydraulic cement.
Ans. Vicat Apparatus

33. The minimum weight of sample of cement for testing.

Ans. 10 kg

34. Which of the ff. factors does not affect the workability of bituminous mixes/
a. Gradation of aggregates
b. Quality of Asphalt
c. Temperature of Mix
d. Shape and texture of aggregates

35. Which of the ff. does not affect the compressive strength of concrete core?
a. manner of drilling
b. L-d ratio
c. diameter of core
d. none of the above
36. The smaller the fines modulus, the ______ the materials.
Ans. The finer the materials

37. If there’s a necessity to add water to the concrete mix in order to increase its workability
(provided that concrete does not exceed specified slump). How many minutes after the
initial time of mixing does adding of water be permitted?
Ans. 45 minutes

38. What is the latest state of the art equipment used in the measurement of moisture content of
soil?
Ans. Nuclear Density Gauge

39. Which part of the batch for fresh concrete should the sample be taken from a stationary
mixer?
Ans. Middle batch

40. Which of the ff. is considered unsuitable material for embankment?

a. Soil w/ LL of 50%
b. Soil w/ density of 1200 kg/ cu.m
c. Organic soils
d. Soil w/ PL of 60%

41. Which of the ff. is considered suitable material for embankment?

a. Highly Organic Soils
b. Soil that cannot be compacted
c. Soil w/ PL of 60%
d. None of the above

42. The minimum compaction trial for embankment.

Ans. 500 sq. m

43. Concrete sample shall be molded from the cylinder mold after ____ hrs, from mixing.
Ans. 24 hours

44. What should be the condition of soil before it is subject to compaction?

Ans. At optimum moisture content

45. The net stability of a soil is 2400 Kpa and its dry stability is 3000 Kpa. What is its index
retained strength?
Ans. 80%

46. What is the sampling requirement for compaction of item 201?

Ans. 1 sample per 1500 cu.m

47. The moisture density curve is different for each soil, which of the ff. statement is true?

48. As construction work progresses, you’ve notice that the delivered matls are different from the
one tested and passed. If you are in doubt, what will you do?
Ans. conduct immediate re - testing

49. Which of the ff. need not inspection report?

a. Water
b. Top soil
c. Pavement Markings
d. Sodding

50. The type of asphaltic material that is being referred to by penetration grade.
Ans. asphalt cement

51. If the length of the project is 1 km and the width is 10m, how many FDT should be
conducted for item 104?
Ans.

52. As a materials engineer, you have found out that there is a 15% deficiency in strength of
concrete specimen and it is not feasible or not advisable to obtain cores from the structure
due to structure considerations, what will you do?
Ans. Recommend payment at an adjusted price
53. In asphalt cement, 60-70 refers to what?
Ans. Penetration grade

54. The rate of loading in the determination of compressive strength of cylindrical concrete
specimen is at a constant rate within the range of____
Ans. 20psi – 50 psi

55. What will be the condition of soil that can obtain 100% compaction?
Ans. At optimum moisture content

56. What is the penetration grade of sealing asphalt in PCCP?

Ans, 0 - 30

57. Core test is performed to_____.

Ans. To determine the density and thickness of pavement

58. In FDT, how do we compute the volume of the hole?

Ans.

59. It is equally as important as testing, and the sampler shall use every
Ans. sampling

60. In Slump test, the aggregates are molded into _____ equal layers.
Ans. 3 equal layers

61. Clay can be made plastic by_______.

Ans. adding water

62. In the slip form method of paving, the allowable slump is_____.
Ans. Almost zero

63. What admixture is used to reduced thermal cracking?

Ans.

64. An experienced materials engineer, what methods can you apply in easily determining the
plasticity of soil?
Ans. Hand feel test