McGill University CIVE 527:
Renovation and Preservation of
Infrastructure
What is the difference between a condition assessment and an inspection? - CORRECT
ANSWER-The assessment is the global approach while the inspection is the physical
lab testing and field examination.
Define concrete quality. - CORRECT ANSWER-The ability of concrete to sustain loads
and environmental conditions.
Define compressive strength and how it is tested. - CORRECT ANSWER-It's resistance
to axial compression, tested by core crushing, Schmidt hammer or Windsor pin/probe .
Comp. strength is related directly and indirectly to many other properties.
Define tensile strength and how it is tested. - CORRECT ANSWER-It's resistance to
tension stress, the critical property in durability design. Using splitting test or pressure
testing of cores.
Describe the splitting test. (Brazilian) - CORRECT ANSWER-Tensile testing of concrete
by loading the a core from the top and bottom sides until splitting occurs down the
middle.
Describe the pressure test. - CORRECT ANSWER-Tensile testing of concrete by
combining an applied pressure to the core sides and an induced pore pressure to create
a net tensile pressure in the concrete.
What is the yield strength of concrete? - CORRECT ANSWER-The point at which
plastic deformation begins.
Define condition assessment. - CORRECT ANSWER-A global approach to examining a
structure to identify and define areas of distress.
Name the 5 inspection types. - CORRECT ANSWER-Inventory (Initial), routine
(scheduled), in-depth (detailed), interim (monitoring) and damage (unscheduled due to
cause).
Name the 5 steps of a condition assessment. - CORRECT ANSWER-1. Assessment
planning
2. Preliminary assessment and evaluation
3. Cost-impact study
, 4. Detailed assessment and evaluation (if needed)
5. Final report and recommendations
Name 4 methods of transport for aggressive agents to enter concrete. - CORRECT
ANSWER-Diffusion, absorption, adsorption and permeation.
Describe the purpose and factors affecting air entrainment. - CORRECT ANSWER-Vital
in freeze-thaw resistance by providing space for volumetric expansion without cracking.
Affected by amount (4-7% wanted), spacing (close but dispersed), size (small) and
interconnection (none).
Name 5 properties of concrete that will affect durability. - CORRECT ANSWER-(Any of
the following)
1. Air entrainment
2. Density
3. W/C ratio
4. Mix uniformity
5. Acidity
6. Soundness
7. Color
8. Chemical content
Describe the effect of necking on steel in structures. - CORRECT ANSWER-Loading
leading to a reduced cross-sectional area causes increased stress in the steel, which
may lead to failure.
Name and describe two measures of ductility. - CORRECT ANSWER-1. Elongation:
Increase in member length from loading to failure.
2. Reduced cross-section area.
Name 5 properties of steel affecting loading resistance. - CORRECT ANSWER-1.
Breaking strength
2. Connections strength
3. Coatings
4. Chemical composition (also carbon content)
5. Weld shear strength
Define absorption: - CORRECT ANSWER-Liquid transport from capillary surface
tension. (fastest)
Define permeation: - CORRECT ANSWER-Liquid and gas transport from pressure
gradients through a saturated porous medium. (rare)
Define diffusion: - CORRECT ANSWER-Mass transfer from random motion due to
concentration gradients. (most common)
Renovation and Preservation of
Infrastructure
What is the difference between a condition assessment and an inspection? - CORRECT
ANSWER-The assessment is the global approach while the inspection is the physical
lab testing and field examination.
Define concrete quality. - CORRECT ANSWER-The ability of concrete to sustain loads
and environmental conditions.
Define compressive strength and how it is tested. - CORRECT ANSWER-It's resistance
to axial compression, tested by core crushing, Schmidt hammer or Windsor pin/probe .
Comp. strength is related directly and indirectly to many other properties.
Define tensile strength and how it is tested. - CORRECT ANSWER-It's resistance to
tension stress, the critical property in durability design. Using splitting test or pressure
testing of cores.
Describe the splitting test. (Brazilian) - CORRECT ANSWER-Tensile testing of concrete
by loading the a core from the top and bottom sides until splitting occurs down the
middle.
Describe the pressure test. - CORRECT ANSWER-Tensile testing of concrete by
combining an applied pressure to the core sides and an induced pore pressure to create
a net tensile pressure in the concrete.
What is the yield strength of concrete? - CORRECT ANSWER-The point at which
plastic deformation begins.
Define condition assessment. - CORRECT ANSWER-A global approach to examining a
structure to identify and define areas of distress.
Name the 5 inspection types. - CORRECT ANSWER-Inventory (Initial), routine
(scheduled), in-depth (detailed), interim (monitoring) and damage (unscheduled due to
cause).
Name the 5 steps of a condition assessment. - CORRECT ANSWER-1. Assessment
planning
2. Preliminary assessment and evaluation
3. Cost-impact study
, 4. Detailed assessment and evaluation (if needed)
5. Final report and recommendations
Name 4 methods of transport for aggressive agents to enter concrete. - CORRECT
ANSWER-Diffusion, absorption, adsorption and permeation.
Describe the purpose and factors affecting air entrainment. - CORRECT ANSWER-Vital
in freeze-thaw resistance by providing space for volumetric expansion without cracking.
Affected by amount (4-7% wanted), spacing (close but dispersed), size (small) and
interconnection (none).
Name 5 properties of concrete that will affect durability. - CORRECT ANSWER-(Any of
the following)
1. Air entrainment
2. Density
3. W/C ratio
4. Mix uniformity
5. Acidity
6. Soundness
7. Color
8. Chemical content
Describe the effect of necking on steel in structures. - CORRECT ANSWER-Loading
leading to a reduced cross-sectional area causes increased stress in the steel, which
may lead to failure.
Name and describe two measures of ductility. - CORRECT ANSWER-1. Elongation:
Increase in member length from loading to failure.
2. Reduced cross-section area.
Name 5 properties of steel affecting loading resistance. - CORRECT ANSWER-1.
Breaking strength
2. Connections strength
3. Coatings
4. Chemical composition (also carbon content)
5. Weld shear strength
Define absorption: - CORRECT ANSWER-Liquid transport from capillary surface
tension. (fastest)
Define permeation: - CORRECT ANSWER-Liquid and gas transport from pressure
gradients through a saturated porous medium. (rare)
Define diffusion: - CORRECT ANSWER-Mass transfer from random motion due to
concentration gradients. (most common)
