CM 2113 – CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS & METHODS
Updated 2026/2027 Syllabus | 100+ Q&A Study Guide
UNIT 1: Introduction to Construction Materials & Sustainability
1. What is the primary difference between load-bearing and non-load-bearing
construction?
ANSWER ✓ Load-bearing construction uses walls to support vertical loads; non-load-
bearing uses a structural frame (steel/concrete) where walls only enclose space.
2. Name three key embodied carbon reduction strategies in material selection
(2026/2027 focus).
ANSWER ✓ 1) Use low-carbon concrete (e.g., slag/fly ash blends), 2) Specify recycled
steel, 3) Locally sourced mass timber.
3. What does “cradle-to-cradle” mean in green building?
ANSWER ✓ Materials are designed for continuous recycling or safe biodegradation
without downcycling.
4. List four common ASTM standards for construction materials.
ANSWER ✓ ASTM C39 (concrete compressive strength), ASTM A36 (structural steel),
ASTM D2487 (soil classification), ASTM E119 (fire resistance).
5. What is the service life of typical Type I Portland cement concrete in a non-
aggressive environment?
ANSWER ✓ 50–100 years.
6. Define “thermal mass” and give one example material.
ANSWER ✓ Ability to store heat; example: concrete, brick, or rammed earth.
7. Which USGBC rating system is most common for commercial buildings in 2026?
ANSWER ✓ LEED v5 (2026 release) – BD+C.
, 8. What is the minimum compressive strength (f’c) for structural concrete per ACI
318-25?
ANSWER ✓ 2,500 psi (17.2 MPa) for general use; 4,000 psi typical for columns.
9. Name three “circular economy” construction methods.
ANSWER ✓ Design for disassembly, material passports, reusable modular connections.
10. What is the role of a “building material red list” (e.g., Living Building
Challenge)?
ANSWER ✓ Prohibits worst-in-class chemicals (PVC, phthalates, formaldehyde, etc.).
UNIT 2: Aggregates, Cement, and Concrete
11. What are the four main ingredients of Portland cement concrete?
ANSWER ✓ Cement, water, fine aggregate (sand), coarse aggregate (gravel/crushed
stone).
12. What is the maximum water-cement ratio for exterior concrete in freeze-thaw
climates (ACI 318-25)?
ANSWER ✓ 0.45.
13. Define “slump test” and its acceptable range for general concrete work.
ANSWER ✓ Measures workability; acceptable range: 2–4 inches (50–100 mm) for normal
reinforced concrete.
14. What causes efflorescence on concrete surfaces?
ANSWER ✓ Water-soluble calcium salts migrating to surface and reacting with CO₂.
15. Name two types of chemical admixtures for cold weather concreting.
ANSWER ✓ Accelerators (calcium chloride, non-chloride alternatives), air-entraining
agents.
16. What is the difference between normal-weight, lightweight, and heavyweight
concrete?
ANSWER ✓ Normal (145–155 pcf), lightweight (85–120 pcf, using expanded shale),
heavyweight (>200 pcf, using magnetite/barite for radiation shielding).
Updated 2026/2027 Syllabus | 100+ Q&A Study Guide
UNIT 1: Introduction to Construction Materials & Sustainability
1. What is the primary difference between load-bearing and non-load-bearing
construction?
ANSWER ✓ Load-bearing construction uses walls to support vertical loads; non-load-
bearing uses a structural frame (steel/concrete) where walls only enclose space.
2. Name three key embodied carbon reduction strategies in material selection
(2026/2027 focus).
ANSWER ✓ 1) Use low-carbon concrete (e.g., slag/fly ash blends), 2) Specify recycled
steel, 3) Locally sourced mass timber.
3. What does “cradle-to-cradle” mean in green building?
ANSWER ✓ Materials are designed for continuous recycling or safe biodegradation
without downcycling.
4. List four common ASTM standards for construction materials.
ANSWER ✓ ASTM C39 (concrete compressive strength), ASTM A36 (structural steel),
ASTM D2487 (soil classification), ASTM E119 (fire resistance).
5. What is the service life of typical Type I Portland cement concrete in a non-
aggressive environment?
ANSWER ✓ 50–100 years.
6. Define “thermal mass” and give one example material.
ANSWER ✓ Ability to store heat; example: concrete, brick, or rammed earth.
7. Which USGBC rating system is most common for commercial buildings in 2026?
ANSWER ✓ LEED v5 (2026 release) – BD+C.
, 8. What is the minimum compressive strength (f’c) for structural concrete per ACI
318-25?
ANSWER ✓ 2,500 psi (17.2 MPa) for general use; 4,000 psi typical for columns.
9. Name three “circular economy” construction methods.
ANSWER ✓ Design for disassembly, material passports, reusable modular connections.
10. What is the role of a “building material red list” (e.g., Living Building
Challenge)?
ANSWER ✓ Prohibits worst-in-class chemicals (PVC, phthalates, formaldehyde, etc.).
UNIT 2: Aggregates, Cement, and Concrete
11. What are the four main ingredients of Portland cement concrete?
ANSWER ✓ Cement, water, fine aggregate (sand), coarse aggregate (gravel/crushed
stone).
12. What is the maximum water-cement ratio for exterior concrete in freeze-thaw
climates (ACI 318-25)?
ANSWER ✓ 0.45.
13. Define “slump test” and its acceptable range for general concrete work.
ANSWER ✓ Measures workability; acceptable range: 2–4 inches (50–100 mm) for normal
reinforced concrete.
14. What causes efflorescence on concrete surfaces?
ANSWER ✓ Water-soluble calcium salts migrating to surface and reacting with CO₂.
15. Name two types of chemical admixtures for cold weather concreting.
ANSWER ✓ Accelerators (calcium chloride, non-chloride alternatives), air-entraining
agents.
16. What is the difference between normal-weight, lightweight, and heavyweight
concrete?
ANSWER ✓ Normal (145–155 pcf), lightweight (85–120 pcf, using expanded shale),
heavyweight (>200 pcf, using magnetite/barite for radiation shielding).
