Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
SOILS
1. Q- How will you prepare sample for proctor if there are soft particles in the sample?
A- By preparing 5 individual samples having different moisture content. Discard sample
every each test.
2. Q- What is the minimum surcharge weight place in doing a C.B.R. test ?
A- 10 lbs. (4.54 kg).
3. Q- How do you calculate actual surcharge weight for C.B.R ?
A- By equation : W=dxvxA
Where :
A = AREA OF MOLD.
W = Actual surcharge weight
d = Density of material,
V = Thickness of Layers.
4. Q- What is the difference between a standard proctor test & a modified proctor test ?
A- Aside from the compactive energy which is 5 times greater than in the standard test, the
maximum density and optimum water content obtained from the two compaction test is
greater in fine-grained that for a coarse-grained soils.
5. Q- What is S.P.T. ? Describe the procedure of this test in detail.
A- S.P.T. or Standard Penetration Test:
The standard split-tube sampler, 18 inches in length and 2 inches in diameter is driven
into the soil, with a drive weight of 63.5 kg. At 30 inches free falling. The blow count
for the first 6 inches is not used, as this is to seat the sampler below the disturbed soil in
the bottom of the borehole. The number of blows to drive the final 12 inches is the
penetration resistance. If it is not practical to drive the sampler the full 12 inches
because of very dense, cemented hardpan, rock, etc., the boring log dense, cemented
hardpan, rock, etc., the boring log will indicate the blow count and penetration as ratio
i.e. 70:4 for 70 blows and 4 inches in penetration.
6. Q- Define liquid limit and plastic limit. How do you calculate plasticity index ? How many
strokes are specified for rolling the thread of soil when determining plastic limit ? and
How many revolution per second when determining liquid limit ?
A- Liquid limit is the % water content in which the soil mass has a capacity to flow as a
liquid. It is in between the liquid and plastic state. The rate is 2 revolution per second.
Plastic limit is the % water content in which the soil mass can be molded without
crumbling. It is in between the plastic and semi-solid state. The rate is 80 to 90 strokes
per minute.
7. Q- Could we used sand for embankment material ?
A- Yes, (by plating) it is a method of covering or confining of unstable fills with a suitable,
stable material.
8. Q- Why is wadi sand preferable to wind blown sand as a construction material ?
A- Because wadi sand are free from clay and other organic matters and also meet grading
requirements for fineness modulus.
9. Q- What are the test you run to determine the suitability of a sub grade material ?
A- a) Sieve analysis
b) Atterberg test
c) Proctor test
d) C.B.R. test
e) Field Density test.
10. Q- What are the basic test normally carried out to determine soil characteristics and
conditions ?
1 Soil◌ٍ
Interview with highways
A- a) C.B.R. test
b) Sieve analysis
c) Atterberg test.
11. Q- How do you determine the shear strength of a soil ?
A- By tri-Axial test: The basic principle is that a cylindrical soil specimen is first encased
in a thin rubber membrane and subjected to fluid pressure around the cylindrical
surface. The lateral pressure is held constant while an axial load is applied and
increased until failure occurs.
12. Q- Why and when C.B.R. value needs adjustment ? What is the rate of loading ?
A- When the curve is concave upward shape because of swell, adjustment is made by
adjusting the point of origin by extending the line of stress-strain curve downward until
it intersect the abscissa. Rate of loading is 0.05 inch per minute.
13. Q- How do you take a sand sample from a sand stockpile ?
A- Take sample at inner middle of stockpile at random.
14. Q- How would you carry-out in-situ density test on prepared sub grade ?
A- By sand cone method.
15. Q- How do you reduce the size of field samples ?
A- By splitting or quartering of samples.
16. Q- How will you distinguished A-1 and A-7 soil visually ?
A- A-1 materials is a well-graded gravel or sand or a mixture of sand and gravel with or
without non-plastic soil binder. Whereas, A-7 material is a clayey soil.
17. Q- What is C.B.R. ?
A- C.B,R, or California Bearing Ratio : It is a ratio of a force required to penetrate a
sample to a certain depth (with a 5 cm. piston) to a force required to penetrate the
sample of high quality crushed stone with the same depth and piston.
18. Q- Where will you fix the penetration gauge in C.B.R. test ?
A- In a plunger, to determine the accurate relationship between the load and penetration.
19. Q- How do you classify soils ?
A- Soils are classified as coarse-grained and fine-grained soils. Materials passing the 3
inches sieve and retained #4 sieve are considered coarse-grained while material passing
#4 sieve and retained #200 sieve are fine-grained soils.
20. Q- What is the pressure in pneumatic rollers ?
A- 80 psi.
21. Q- How much thickness is allowed for rockfill ?
A- Maximum thickness Maximum unit of weight for
Of Free Layer (cm.) Vibrating (kg./unit of width,m.)
40 2,300 – 2,900
60 2,900 – 3,600
80 3,600 – 4,300
100 4,300 – 5,000
* For multi vibrating, unit of weighing shall be limited in accordance with unit of axial
weight.
22. Q- What is the construction procedure for preparing natural ground to receive the
embankment layers ?
A- Removal of undesirable materials such as logs, tress, stumps, weeds, heavy grass, etc.
2 Soil◌ٍ
Interview with highways
23. Q- What is the allowable tolerance of the top of sub grade layer and how it can be
measured ?
A- Refer to Tolerance Table.
24. Q- What is A-3 soil ? can we used sand in subgrade and embankment ?
A- A-3 soil is a fine-beach or desert blown sand without fines or with a small amount of
non-plastic silt. This kind of material cannot be used for subgrade because of the
following reasons;
a) Poor load sustaining qualities
b) Highly permeable
c) Compressible under sustained loads
d) Subject to changes in strength and volume du to variation in water content, For
embankment yes, by method of plating.
25. Q- If water is not available for this kind of job, what will you do ?
A- Either by spraying sand stabilizer or by using vibratory roller with high frequency low
amplitude.
26. Q- How will you compact rock-fill ?
A- As mentioned above (Q-21) – Refer to M.O.C. circular.
27. Q- What do you understand by the material of aggregate base coarse ?
A- This materials consist of clean, tough, durable, sharp angle fragments free of soft,
disintegrated or decomposed stone and free from any deleterious matter. Max. size of
agg. Is 2½”, LL = 25 max., P.I = 6 max. (Look Q-55).
28. Q- What types of soil are well suitable for sub grade ?
A- A-1-a, A-1-b, A-2-4.
29. Q- What do you mean my type A, AA, AAA in the compaction of soil ?
A- Type “A” : Compacted density of a soil shall be equal or greater that
90% of Maximum Density or 70% of Relative density.
3 Soil◌ٍ
Interview with highways
Sieve at 60%
U.C =
Sieve at 10%
37. Q- What are the factors affecting density of soil ?
A- a) Relative volume of solid and void spaces : The greater the volume of solids or the
less the volume of voids, the greater is the density.
b) Specific gravity of soil particles : The greater the specific gravity of solids, the
greater is the density, all other factors being equal.
c) Amount of water is void spaces: This factor affect only the wet density. It is obvious
that the amount of water the greater is the wet density.
38. Q- What is permeability and its significance ?
A- Is that hydraulic property of a soil which indicates the case with which water will flow
through the soil mass. It is significant on numerous engineering problems such as
seepage through dams and irrigation canals, lowering the water table to improve
stability of foundations, selecting capacity of pumps for lowering the ground-water
level during excavations, and settlement of structures resting on compressible soils.
39. Q- What is a shrinkage limit ?
A- A- highest water content at which a soil mass attained a minimum volume but continue
to loose weight.
40. Q- What is consolidation in soil ?
A- It is the escape of water and a gradual transfer of stress from the water to solid in a soil
mass.
* It is not synonymous with compaction which is artificial compression of a soil by re-
arrangement of its particles aided by lubricating effect of water.
41. Q- What is a proctor test ?
A- It is the determination of the amount of mixing water that a soil mass can be compacted
to higher density.
4 Soil◌ٍ
Interview with highways
5 Soil◌ٍ
Interview with highways
A- 1. Granular Soils:
a) Good load bearing qualities
b) Permeable
c) Comparatively incompressible when subjected to static loads.
d) Not subject to changes in strength or volume due to vibration and water
content, However loose granular materials will undergo considerable reaction
in volume when subjected to vibratory loads.
2. Fine-Grain Soils:
a) Poor load sustaining quality
b) Highly impermeable
c) Compressible under sustained loads
d) Subject to changes in strength and in volume due to variation in water content.
3. Organic Soils – Inferior than fine-grained soils with respect to the
properties stated under the latter group.
48. Q- What are the 2 methods for sampling ?
A- 1. Disturbed sampling
2. Undisturbed sampling.
49. Q- What is Soil Stabilization ?
A- It is the process which improve the properties of materials by additives to improve
strength, plasticity, workability and shrinkage.
50. Q- What do you know about Lime Stabilization ?
A- Lime stabilization is the most economic and effective with clay soils, where pH = 12.30
added to soil by about 3% to 7% by weight of dry material.
51. Q- What do you know about compaction of sand ?
A- Compaction is performed on sand in cases of;
1. Water content are between dry and saturated state.
2. Completely watered (saturated)
3. Completely dry (Unsaturated)
* Compaction in completely dry state give the highest dry density and layer thickness
can be increase by using of dry compaction.
Compaction should be made by roller “vibratory” with Low Amplitude and High
Frequency.
52. Q- What is the relation between modified and standard proctor ?
A- The standard and modified proctor test give result nearly closed together for granular
soil, but for plastic clay soil modified gives higher results than standard.
53. Q- What is the energy for compacted test ?
A- Energy is equal to the number of layer multiplied by the number of blows, Weight of
Hammer and height divided by the volume of the mold.
54. Q- What are the causes of sub-surface soil ?
A- 1. Jaw Hammer
2. Fan Hammer
3. Conical Hammer.
55. Q- Describe the Aggregate Base Course material.
6 Soil◌ٍ
Interview with highways
7 Soil◌ٍ
Interview with highways
8 Soil◌ٍ
Interview with highways
By hands:
9 Soil◌ٍ
Interview with highways
A- should be dense, free from excessive moisture, high in internal friction and cohesion
and possess low compressibility and capillarity.
75. Q- What are the types of soil stabilization?
A- Mechanical stabilization.
Soil cements stabilization.
Lime stabilization.
Chemical stabilization.
10 Soil◌ٍ
ASPHALT
1. Q- What is the temperature of water in getting specific gravity of asphalt?
A- 25*C 1'C
2. Q- How will you get the specific gravity of molded specimen if voids are present in the
sample ?
A- Coat the specimen with paraffin by chilling the specimen in a refrigerating unit to a
temperature of approximately 4.5 'C for 30 minutes and then dipping the specimen in
warm paraffin (5.5'C above melting point).
3. Q- What is the rate of application of MC-1 & RC-2 ?
A- 0.65 lit./sq.m to 1.75 lit./ sq.m. for NC-1
0.10 lit./sq.m to 0.20 lit./sq.m. for RC-2.
4. Q- What is the method normally used for preparing asphalt mix design ? Describe the
essential steps and procedures.
A- Marshall method; The essential steps are;
1. Selection of quality of aggregates.
Important properties to be considered are shape, surface texture & wetting
characteristics of aggregate particles.
2. Selection of aggregate gradation.
Important properties are workability of mix, surface texture of pavement & over-
all economy.
3. Selection of type & grade of bituminous binders. Important properties are
workability, climatic conditions, aging considerations & gradation of aggregate.
4. Determination of correct amount of bituminous binders.
Procedures:
1. Preliminary calculation
a) Calculate surface area of aggregates.
b) Calculate percent emulsion.
2. Determine optimum asphalt content by immersion – compression stability test.
a) Prepare trial mix specimen at different emulsified asphalt content at 1%
increments using the specified compaction method.
b) Calculate theoretical maximum density (D) of each specimen from equation,
100
D, g/cc =
% agg. % asp.
S.G. (agg.) S.G. (asp)
c) Determine actual density (d) of each compacted specimen and determine
“dry stability” by unconfined compression test.
d) Calculate percent air voids in total mix from equation,
Dd
%V= x 100
D
e) Determine wet stability to evaluate resistance to water action on duplicate
specimens after immersion in water for 4 days. Losing strength is
considered measure of water action.
5. Q- How would you adjust the mix if air void and stability is low ?
A- Either by increase little asphalt content or by increasing the amount of aggregate
particles.
*Air void is kept above 4 to allow film thickness of asphalt to the aggregate particle
Asphalt
1
which give durable and stable asphalt mix.
6. Q- How would you classify cutback asphalt and their respective spraying temperature ?
A- a) Slow curing cutback (S.C) - - - - - - 10'C – 130'C
b) Medium curing ’’ (M.C) - - - - - - 50'C – 80'C
c) Rapid curing ’’ (R.C) - - - - - - 65'C – 95'C
7. Q- What are the tests you should run on a compacted asphalt pavement ?
A- a) Density & Thickness test
b) Riding quality.
8- Q- What is rutting and its causes ?
A- It is the channel-like grooves that occur in the wheel track of a pavement. The main
causes are;
a) Poor compaction
b) Fine-graded mix
c) Excessive asphalt content, Low air voids.
d) High temperature
e) Excessive wheel and traffic loads
f) Natural aggregates
g) Dune sand more than 7.5% of fine aggregates
h) Low softening point.
9. Q- On the mixing plant, How can you say the hot mix is okey or not okey ?
A- a) Required temp. should be uniform
b) Mix should be free from excessive fines
c) Mix should be free from free asphalt
d) Larger aggregates should not be uncoated
e) Appearance should be uniform
f) Should not be burned
g) Should not be too brown or gray
h) Should not be too fat
i) Should not steam in truck.
10. Q- When do you put the flow meter to determine the flow of an asphalt mix ?
A- Before Marshall testing start.
11. Q- How many blows will you apply on each face of asphalt specimen ?
A- *75 blows for heavy loads (Use by M.O.C. in all type of traffic.
50 blows for medium loads
35 blows for light loads.
12. Q- What are the requirements for bituminous coarses in respect of the following;
a) Voids in mineral aggregates
b) Percent air voids
c) Marshall stability
d) Hveem stability
e) Marshall flow
A- Limits
Wearing course Base course
Asphalt
2
a) V.M.A. 15 13
b) Percent air voids 4–7 5–8
c) Marshall stability (min.) 1000 1000
d) Hveem stability (min.) 40 40
e) Marshall flow (mm) 2 – 3.5 2 – 3.5
13. Q- What is the Marshall mixing and compacting temp. of hot mix?
A- Mixing temp. 160'C – 5'C
Compacting temp. 145'C – 5'C.
14. Q- Where will you get asphalt sample during production and paving operation ?
A- During production, samples should be taken from that him, One sample consisting of
four soil samples taken in a small sample units to form a composite sample.
During paving, samples should be taken behind the paver, sample units taken from
different locations constituting of minimum of four sub-samples to make one composite
asphalt samples for grading, Marshall and extraction.
* M.O.C. circular 513, section 1.4.3.
15. Q- What is MC-1 and RC-2 ?
A- MC-1 or Medium curing cutback is a liquid bituminous material having kerosene as a
solvent. Its purpose is to stabilized and waterproof the absorbent surface and to promote
adhesion to the bituminous course to follow.
RC-2 or Rapid curing cutback is a liquid bituminous material having gasoline or
naphtha as a solvent. Its purpose is to provide bond with a super imposed course.
16. Q- What is raveling and its causes ?
A- It is a progressive loosening or separation of aggregate particles in a pavement surface
coarse from the surface downward or from the edge inward.
The causes are;
a) Lack of compaction
b) Construction in thin lift during cold weather
c) Dirty or disintegrated aggregates
d) Too little asphalt in the mix
e) Overheating of asphalt mix
f) Mix is very close to coarse
g) Action of water
h) Sensitive aggregate refuse coating due to special charge (anti-stripping materials
must be used)
Asphalt
3
A- a) Dirty lumps of old asphalt from the paver
b) Temperature of the mix is low
c) Auger is not distributing the mix properly
d) Paver operator is folding the hopper sides after each load
e) Screed is tilted or uneven
f) Screed is not vibrating properly
g) Screed is not heated properly
h) Stopping of continuity.
20. Q- What is the maximum aggregate size for B.B.C. & B.W.C. ?
A- 1½ inch, ¾ inch.
21. Q- What is the rang eof temperature for bituminous mixture delivered to the paver at site ?
A- 140'C – 150'C.
22. Q- What is the pressure at the nozzles of the bitumen distributor is equal to ?
A- 2.00 – 3.50 kg/sq.m.
23. Q- What is the maximum variation allowed for asphalt content ?
A- 0.30%.
24. Q- What is the minimum capacity of power unit and pump distribution system of a bitumen
distributor ?
A- 950 liters/minute.
25. Q- What is the minimum capacity of asphalt distributor ?
A- 4,000 liters.
26. Q- What is the max. loss of Marshall stability allowed for asphalt?
A- 25%
27. Q- What is the min. temp. required for applying prime coat ?
A- 15'C
28. Q- What is the max. plasticity index for combined mineral aggregated of B.B.C. and
B.W.C. ?
A- B.B.C. = 6 & B.W.C. = 4
29. Q- How do mineral filler improve properties of mix ?
A- When voids is high but stability is satisfactory in the mix, it leads to higher permeability
resulting in premature hardening of the asphalt. To reduced voids, filler is increased
which improves the properties of the mix.
30. Q- What will happen if we over-used the filler ?
A- Over-used of filler may bring the voids low in the mix, consequently instability or
flushing after the pavement is exposed to traffic.
31. Q- During paving operation if there is much fine particles, what will happen ?
A- Excessive fines can cause a mix to have a lean, brown, dull appearance like a mix too
little asphalt.
32. Q- If soundness is higher, stability is equal to 1000 kg. Exactly, would you let the
contractor to proceed ?
A- A higher soundness not allowed but it does not help in the longer stability and
durability of the pavement in general. So, it is better to adjust the mix to achieved
higher stability than just to trust on soundness of aggregate alone. The contractor should
be instructed accordingly.
33. Q- What factors affecting the compaction of asphalt mix ?
A- a) Mix properties:
Asphalt
4
1. Aggregate, If maximum aggregate size or percentage of coarse agg. in the
mix increases, the workability decreases and greater compactive
effort is required to achieve the target density. Natural sand often
turns the mixes tender which are easily over-stressed by heavy
rollers and too much rolling. Combination of filler and asphalt
produces necessary cohesion when the mix cools. But too many
fines will make the mix “gummy” and very difficult to compact.
2. Asphalt, Proper compaction can be achieved only when asphalt is still
fluid enough. Consequently, compaction of the mix is extremely
difficult once the mix has cooled to 85'C. Grade of asphalt is
also important. Higher viscosity asphalt in the mix requires
higher compaction, temperature and/or greater compactive
effort. If quantity of asphalt in mix increases, film thickness of
asphalt on aggregate also increases, which make the mix
workable and easy in compaction and vice versa.
3. Mix temp., Up to a certain point, the hotter the mix, the more fluid the
asphalt and less resistant to compaction and vice versa if it cools.
b) Environmental conditions:
Ambient temperature, humidity, wind and the temp. of the surface under the mix also
affects the compaction.
c) Layer (lift) thickness:
Generally, it is easier to achieved target density in thicker layers of asphalt concrete
than in thinner ones, because of the difference in rate of cooling.
34. Q- What produces a workable mix and non-workable mix ? Do you have to adjust bitumen
content or agg. ?
A- Basic causes of workability are;
1. Larger maximum sizes of particle
2. Excessive coarse aggregate
3. Too low a mix temperature
4. Too much medium-sized sand
5. Low mineral filler content
6. High mineral filler content
So, instead of adjusting bitumen content, the aggregate should be adjusted.
35. Q- What do you check, when you go to the mixing plant ?
A- a) Inspection of truck beds
b) Mixing of aggregate is enough-mixing time
c) Weighing of ingredients i.e., aggregate, filler & bitumen
d) Temperature of the mixture is uniform
e) Appearance of mix
f) Rate of mixing should coordinate with paving requirements.
36. Q- During production of aggregate what do you look for the stockpiled materials ?
A- a) Do aggregate meet quality specifications
b) Are proper sizes being produced
c) Satisfactory storage
d) Separation of stockpiles
e) No segregation allowed
f) Mineral filler kept dry
g) No deleterious materials to acceptable limits
37. Q- As asphalt inspector, what important properties you are looking for and what is your
target on site ?
Asphalt
5
A- a) Asphalt content should check job-mix formula
b) Aggregate gradation should check job-mix formula
c) Required temperature should be uniform
d) Mix should be free from excessive fines
e) " " " " " free asphalt
f) " " not be burned
g) " " not be too brown or gray
h) " " not be too fat
i) " " not steam in truck
j) " " smoke on discharge from hopper
k) Larger agg should not be uncoated, etc.
38. Q- What do you watch during pavement ?
A- a) Temperature of the paving mixtures
b) Appearance of the paving mixtures
c) Alignment and thickness of the pavement
d) Rolling at correct time and temperature
e) Sufficient rolling
f) Surface irregularities and its repairs
g) Quantity paved during the day
h) Stations/Locations paved in each shift
i) Coordination with the mixing plant to maintain the rate of mixing and rate of paving
j) Weather conditions of the day, etc.
39. Q- What is Marshall stability tests ?
A- It is the method that covers the measurement of the resistance to plastic flow of
cylindrical specimens of bituminous paving mixtures loaded on the lateral surface by
means of Marshall apparatus. The method outlines are as follows;
a) Bulk specific gravity determination
b) Stability and flow test
c) Density and voids analysis
d) Loss of stability
40. Q- What is the rate of loading of test machine in the Marshall stability test ?
A- 2 inches (51 mm) per minute
41. Q- What are the test involved for liquid asphalt ?
A- a) Penetration
b) Viscosity
c) Flashpoint
d) Thin-film oven test
e) Rolling thin-film oven test
f) Ductility
g) Solubility
h) Specific gravity, etc.
42. Q- If asphalt sample in laboratory is cooled then reheated for 2 or 3 times (for a breakdown
in equipment), what will heating do to the sample ?
A- Re-heating of asphalt sample in laboratory is not permissible because by this process
the asphalt looses its viscous properties which will not yield the stability, voids in the
mix, and flow etc., and aside re-heated samples will no longer be a representative of the
in-situ pavement.
43. Q- Why not to use high penetration asphalt say 100 – 120, Do air voids affected ?
Asphalt
6
A- Harder asphalt cements are recommended for heavy duty pavements and for hot
weather construction. Generally asphalt of penetration grade 60 – 70 is used in medium
to heavy types of pavements. Higher penetration grade like 100 – 120 will not produce
a thick film of coating around the particles. This will turn the mix instable, indurable
and low in voids. This will filled the air voids more comparatively, making the mix
more brittle and easily disintegrated when exposed to traffic.
44. Q- If stability is low say 400 which is less than the specification, what is the problem ?
A- Stability of asphalt pavement is its ability to resist shoving and rutting under loads
(traffic). Stability depends on internal friction and cohesion. Inter-practical friction is
related to shape and surface texture of the aggregate.
Following are the possible causes and their effects for the instability of pavement:
Causes Effects
1. Excessive asphalt in mix. Wash hoarding, rutting and flushing or
bleeding.
2. Excessive medium size sand in mixture. Tenderness during rolling and for period
after construction, difficult in compaction.
3. Rounded aggregate, little or no crushed Rutting and channeling.
surfaces.
45. Q- What is the maximum variation in specific gravity of marshall mold ?
A- 0.02.
46. Q- What are the type of asphalt mix ?
A- a) Dense graded type : Aggregate is well-graded from coarse to fine, and
contains an appreciable amount of material passing
#200 sieve.
b) Open graded type : Have a poor grading or it may differ from the dense
graded only in the amount of material passing #200
sieve.
47. Q- How to improve filler ?
A- By adding certain amount of :
a) Portland Cement
b) Crusher powder
c) Caolina clay
d) Earth fillers
e) Asbestos powder
f) Limestone powder.
Asphalt
7
48. Q- How to determine the mixing time of asphalt ?
A- Pugmill dead capacity in kilos
Mixing time in second =
Pugmill output in kilos / second
49. Q- How to determine the maximum theoretical specific gravity without using rice method ?
A- By equation:
W
Gmm =
Vsb Vb Vab
Where:
W- Weight of compacted mix (grans)
Vsb – Vol. Of agg. (by bulk sp. gr., g/cc)
Vb – Volume of bitumen, cc.
Vab – Volume of absorbed bitumen, cc.
50. Q- What is the formula in determining Percent Index of Retained Strength ?
A- Wet stability
% (IRS) = x 100 (loss of stability)
Dry stability
% IRS - - - - - - 70% minimum.
51. Q- What is the Job-mix formula ?
A- a) Definite grading of aggregate
b) Definite percentage of asphalt
c) Delivery temperature
52. Q- What do you mean by effective asphalt content ?
A- It is the asphalt content that serve as a binder.
53. Q- What do you mean by Voids of Mineral Aggregate (VNA) ?
A- It is an intergranular space between the mineral aggregate particles.
54. Q- Did asphalt affect by acids, alkalis, and salts ?
A- No
55. Q- Why was that material called a thermoplastic material ?
A- Because it softens as it is heated and hardens as it is cooled.
56. Q- Tell us about the difference of the following materials;
a) Cutting back asphalt
b) Cutback asphalt
c) Emulsified asphalt
d) Emulsion breaks or sets
e) Liquid asphalt
A- a) Dissolving the asphalt in selected petroleum solvents.
b) The diluted asphalt.
c) By emulsifying the asphalt with water.
d) When the asphalt and water separate.
e) Combination of cutback asphalt and emulsified asphalt.
57. Q- What is the percentage of aggregate in asphalt mix ?
A- Normally from 90% to 95%.
58. Q- How to classify crude oil ?
Asphalt
8
A- 1. Asphaltic base crude
2. Paraffin base crude
3. Mixed base crude
59. Q- What is the desired properties of asphalt cement ?
A- 1. Consistency: Is the term used to describe the degree of plasticity of asphalt
at any particular temperature specified and measured by
penetration test or a viscosity test.
2. Purity: Refined asphalts are almost pure bitumen and are usually more
than 99.5% soluble in carbon disulfide (Solubility test).
3. Safety: Asphalt not foam at temperature up to 175'C and flash point of
asphalt should be known.
60. Q- Why you added filler to mix ?
A- a) To improve resistance to weathering.
b) To improve strength.
c) To increase stability.
d) To close the space between coarse and fine aggregate, etc.
61. Q- What are the test for asphalt and its definition ?
A- 1) Penetration - Measures the distance that a standard needle will penetrate a
sample at a specified temperature and at a given time.
Standard Needle - - - 100 grams
Specified temp. - - - 25'C
Time - - - - - - - - - - - 5 seconds
2) Viscosity:
a) Saybolt Furol - Number of seconds required for 60 cc of liquid
asphalt to flow thru an orifice of standard size (0.124
cm) at a specified temperature.
NC 30 - - - - - 25'C
70 - - - - - 50'C
250 - - - - - 60'C
E.A - - - - - - 25'C
Viscosity - - - 60 seconds
b) Kinematic – Time measured for a fixed volume of the liquid to flow
through a calibrated capillary glass viscometer under
accurately reproducible head at a controlled temperature
(60'C).
Approx. time (Sec.) x Viscometer
Kinematic = Calibration.
3) Ductility - Ability of the asphalt to stretch before breaking. Distance
(cm.) that a standard briquette of asphalt cement will
stretch before breaking.
4) Flash point - Indicates the temperature at which the asphalt can be
heated without the danger of spontaneous flask in the
presence of an open flame.
5) Loss on Heating - Determine the loss of volatile oils and change in
penetration cause by excessive heating.
6) Distillation Determine the amount of diluents that distills off at
(E.A & Cutback) - specified temperature denoting its evaporation
characteristics. It also determine the proportion of
asphalt present in the mixture.
7) Specific Gravity - See definition of terms.
8) Spot test - Dissolving the sample to xyleneheptane, If result is;
Negative ( - ), asphalt is okey
Positive ( + ), asphalt is not okey (burned)
Asphalt
9
9) solubility - Determine the bitumen content of the asphalt.
Bitumen Content - - - - 99%
Solvent used - - - - Trichlorothylene
10) Cement Mixing (E.A) - By mixing 100 cc of E.A. with 50 gram
Portland cement. (passing #14) sieve.
11) Sieve Test (E.A) - Determine the amount of asphalt that is present in
emulsion in relatively large globule.
*Passing #20 sieve – the amount retained is the
large globule which is 0.1%
12) Storage Stability - To detect the tendency of asphalt globule to settle
during storage.
13) Softening Point - Indicates the temperature at which the harden
asphalt reach an arbitrary degree of softening.
62. Q- What are the grades of asphalt cement ?
A- a) 40 – 50 penetration grade
b) 60 – 70 " "
c) 85 - 100 " "
d) 120 - 150 " "
e) 200 – 300 " "
63. Q- How to determine the grade of asphalt ?
A- a) By Penetration Test : Old Method
b) By Viscosity Test : Modern Method 0 temp. of 60'C to 135'C.
64. Q- What are the uses of blown asphalt ?
A- 1. Application for roofing
2. Pipe coating
3. Fill cavities of concrete pavement
4. Use as water proofing membrane, etc.
* Very rare to use in asphalt aggregate mixtures.
65 Q- What do you understand about artificial aggregate ?
A- Blast-furnace slag is the most commonly used artificial aggregate, have unusual
resistance to wear and use in bridge deck & roof deck.
66. Q- What is the suitability of aggregate for use in asphalt construction ?
1. Size and Grading
a) Dense-graded
b) open-graded
c) One size
d) Coarse graded
e) Fine graded
f) Gap graded
2. Cleanliness
3. Toughness
4. Soundness
5. Particle shape – Affect workability & strength.
6. Surface texture
7. Absorption - A certain degree of porosity is desirable as it permits
aggregate to absorb asphalt which then forms a mechanical
linkage between the asphalt film and the stone particle.
8. Affinity for asphalt:
Asphalt
10
Stripping - Separation of the asphalt film from the aggregate through the action
of water, such material is referred to as (Water Loving) such as
siliceous aggregates (quartzite & some granites).
Aggregates that exhibit a high degree of resistance to film stripping
in the presence of water are usually most suitable in asphalt paving
- mixes, such material is referred to as (water hating) such as
limestone, and dolomite usually high resistance to asphalt film
stripping.
67. Q- What is the desired properties of asphalt mix ?
A- a) Stability - Resistance to displacement and shearing stress caused by
stationary and moving loads.
b) Durability - Resistance to disintegration due to the effects of traffic, water,
and temperature change.
c) Flexibility - Ability of the pavement to adjust to the settlement of the base
without cracking.
d) Skid Resistance - The frictional resistance between the surface of the
pavement and the vehicle tire to resist motion.
e) Workability - Is the ease by which the material can be placed to its
desired form and compacted to required density.
f) Fatigue Resistance - Resistance to wear and aging.
g) Impermeability - Resistance to the penetration of water.
Asphalt
11
68. Q- What are the factors affecting the stability ?
A- a) Gradation of aggregate
b) Hardness
c) Shape and surface texture of aggregate
d) Quantity of asphalt
e) Degree of compaction : at least 95% compacted
69. Q- What are the factors affecting durability ?
A- a) Density of the compacted pavement
b) Properties of the aggregate
c) Quality of the asphalt
70. Q- What are the factors affecting flexibility ?
A- a) Quality of the asphalt
b) Quality of the mineral filler
* The more viscose the asphalt the more flexible.
71. Q- What are the factors affecting skid resistance ?
A- a) Quality of asphalt
b) Surface texture of the aggregate
72. Q- What are the factors affecting workability ?
A- a) Graduation of aggregate
b) Consistency of the asphalt
c) Temperature of the mix
73. Q- What is the effect of hydrated lime on asphalt ?
A- Hydrated Lime which is highly alkaline starts a chemical reaction to change the
character of the aggregate surface and neutralized any acidic properties present in
asphalt. It improves the coatability and bonding process of asphalt without reveling or
bleeding with durable surface. It is usually added to aggregate at the pugmill.
74. Q- What is the chemical composition of asphalt ?
A- 1. Carbon : 70% - 85%
2. Hydrogen : 7% - 12%
3. Nitrogen : 0% - 1%
4. Sulphur : 1% - 7%
5. Oxygen : 0% - 5%
75. Q- What are the test recommended on fillers ?
A- 1. Particle size analysis by hydrometer (Mineral Filler)
2. Plasticity Index (Mineral Filler)
3. Immersion – Compression test (Joint Filler)
76. Q- What will be you recommendation to minimize rutting ?
A- 1. Gravel should be scalped on at least 1.5" screen before feed to the crusher.
2. Natural sand limited to 15% from fine aggregate and should not contain more than
50% dune sand.
3. Trial section should be made to determine the maximum density in the field and air
voids in the mix at that density.
4. Filler to asphalt cement ratio should be between 1.3 to 1.5 to get softening point of
85'C to 95'C maximum.
5. Use asphalt 40/50 instead of 60/70 penetration in the desert areas.
6. Follow the M.O.C Circular 2401 & 2403.
Asphalt
12
7. The total thickness of the asphalt layers shall not exceed 15 cm. Or as shown on the
drawings not more than 20 cm.`
77. Q- What are the types of asphalt cracks ?
A- 1. Alligator Cracks: These are inter-connected cracks forming a series of
small blocks resembling an alligators skin or
chicken wire.
Causes: Excessive deflection of the surface over unstable subgrade or
lower course of the pavement. The unstable support usually is
the result of saturated granular bases of subgrade.
Repair: Deep patch, skin patch, agg. seal coat patch, slurry seal patch.
2. Edge Cracks: Longitudinal cracks, 1/3 meter from the edge of
pavement with or without transverse cracks branching
towards the shoulders.
Causes: 1. Due to lack of lateral (shoulder) support.
2. Settlement or yielding of the material underlying the cracked
area due to result of poor drainage, frost heave or shrinkage
from drying out of the surrounding earth.
Repair: 1. Fill as for reflection cracks.
2. Fill with asphalt emulsion slurry or emulsified or cutback
asphalt mixed with sand.
3. Edge Joint Cracks: Is really a Seam; It is the separation of the Joint
between the pavement and the shoulder.
Causes: Alternate wetting and drying beneath the shoulder surface.
Shoulder settlement, mix shrinkage, and trucks straddling the joint.
Repair: Improve the drainage by getting rid of the condition that traps
water.
Same as reflection cracks.
4. Lane Joint Cracks: Are longitudinal separations along the seam
between two paving lanes.
Causes: A weak seam between adjoining spreads in the courses of the
pavement.
Repair: See reflection cracks.
5. Reflection Cracks: In asphalt overlays which reflect the crack pattern
in the pavement structure underneath.
Causes: 1. Vertical or horizontal movements in the pavement beneath the
overlay, brought on by expansion and contraction with
temperature or moisture changes.
2. Traffic or earth movement.
3. Loss of moisture in sub-grades with high clay contents.
Repair: Fill with asphalt emulsion slurry or light grade of emulsified asphalt
mixed with fine sand. Also, special asphalt compounds or heavier
bodied asphalt material may be used to fill large cracks.
6. Shrinkage Cracks: Are interconnected crack forming a series of large
blocks usually with sharp corners or angles.
Causes: 1. Volume change in the asphalt mix or in the base of subgrade.
2. Volume change of fine aggregate asphalt mix that have a high
content of low penetration asphalt.
Repair: Fill cracks with asphalt emulsion slurry followed by a surface
treatment or a slurry seal over the entire surface.
Asphalt
13
7. Slippage Cracks: Crescent-shape cracks that point in the direction of
the thrust of wheels on the pavement surface.
Causes: 1. Lack of a good bond between the surface layer beneath, may be due
to dust, oil, rubber, dirt, water, or other non-adhesive material
between the two courses.
2. Mixture having a high sand content.
3. Can occur whether the sand is sharp or rounded.
4. Improper compaction during construction causes the bond layers to
be broken.
Repair: Remove the surface layer from around the crack to the point where
good bond between the layers is found, then fill the area with plant
mixed asphalt material.
8. Widening Cracks: Are longitudinal reflection cracks that show up in
the asphalt overlay above the joint between the
old and new sections of a pavement widening.
Causes: See reflection cracks
Repair: See reflection cracks
78. Q- What are the causes of distortion in asphalt ?
A- 1. Too little compaction of the pavement courses.
2. Too many fines in surface mixture.
3. Too much asphalt
4. Swelling of underlying courses or settlement.
79. Q- What are the different forms of distortion ?
A- 1. Grooves or ruts
2. Shoving
3. Corrugations
4. Depressions
5. Upheaval
Ruttin These are channelized depressions which may develop in the wheel
g: tracks of an asphalt pavement.
Causes (Mentioned before)
:
Repair: Level the pavement by filling the channels with hot
plant mixed asphalt material, followed with a thin
asphalt plant-mix overlay.
Corrugations & Shoving: Is a form of plastic movement typified by
ripples across the asphalt pavement surface.
SHOVING is a form of plastic movement
resulting in localized bulging of the
pavement surface. These occur usually at
points where traffic starts and stops, on hills
where vehicles brake on the downgrade, on
sharp curves, or where vehicles hit a bump
and bounce up and down.
Asphalt
14
Causes Lack of stability which is caused by:
: 1. Too much asphalt in the mix
2. Too high a proportion of fine aggregate.
3. Too smooth texture or too round soft coarse or fine agg.
4. Too soft asphalt cement.
5. Excessive moisture.
Repair: Shoved areas must be removed and patched. (Thick asphalt surface)
To repair corrugations in a thin surface treatment;
1. Scarify and break up the surface with a rotary tiller.
2. Mix the broken-up surface material with the base material to a depth
of 10 cm (4 in.)
3. Compact and reshape the base.
4. Prime the base.
5. Apply a new surface treatment.
Grade They dip several centimeter or more below grade and water
Depressions: will collect in them. These “birdbaths” make deterioration in
pavement and give hazards to motorists.
Causes 1. Poor construction method
: 2. Settlement of lower pavement layers.
Repair: Depressions should be filled with hot plant-
mixed asphalt material and compacted to bring
them up to the same grade as the surrounding
pavement.
Upheaval: Is the localized upward displacement of a pavement due to
swelling of the subgrade or some portion of the pavement
structure.
Causes 1. Expansion of ice in the lower courses of the
: pavement or the subgrade.
2. Swelling effect of moisture on expansive soils.
Repair: See alligator cracks – Deep patched.
80. Q- What is disintegration in asphalt pavement ?
A- Disintegration is the breaking up of a pavement into small loose fragments.
Two (2) common types are;
1. Potholes
2. Raveling
Potholes: These are bowl-shaped holes of various sizes in the pavement
resulting from localized disintegration.
Causes Weakness in the pavement resulting from:
: 1. Little asphalt
2. Too thin an asphalt surface
3. Too much fines
4. Too few fines
5. Poor drainage
Asphalt
15
Repair: (Temporary) Filling with a pre-mixed asphalt
patching material.
(Permanent) By cutting out the hole to solid material
on both sides and bottom and filling it with new base
and surface material.
Raveling: This is the progressive separation of aggregate particles in the
pavement from the surface downward or from the edges inward.
Usually fine aggregate comes off first and leaves little “pock
marks” on the pavement surface. As the erosion continues, large
and large particles are broken free and the pavement soon has the
rough and jagged appearance typical of surface erosion.
Causes: 1. Lack of compaction during construction.
2. Construction during wet or cold weather.
3. Dirty or disintegrating aggregate.
4. Too little asphalt in the mix.
5. Overheating of the asphalt mix.
Repair: Surface treatment (Slurry seal, Sand seal, Aggregate
seal, Plant-mixed surface treatment).
81. Q- What are the causes of skid hazard or slipping ?
A- 1. A thin film of water on a smooth or slipping ?
2. A thick film of water which at high speeds, causes the vehicle to leave the
pavement surface and skim over the water like an aquaplane.
3. May also develop from surface contamination, such as from oil spillage or
certain types of clay.
Treatment: Cleaning the surface of contamination to removal of excess
asphalt and resurfacing to improve surface drainage.
82. Q- What is bleeding in asphalt ?
A- Bleeding or flushing is the upward movement of asphalt in an asphalt pavement
resulting in the formation of a film of asphalt on the surface.
Causes 1. Too much asphalt in one or more of the pavement courses.
: 2. Too heavy a prime or tack coat
3. Overweight traffic.
Repair: 1. Repeated applications of hot sand
2. Hot slag screening
3. Hot rock screening to blot up the excess asphalt.
83. Q- What is polished aggregate ?
A- These are aggregate particles in the surface of a pavement that have been polished
smooth. This includes both naturally smooth uncrushed gravels and crushed rock
that wears down quickly under the action of traffic.
Causes: 1. Some aggregates, particularly some types of limestone will become
polished rather quickly under traffic.
2. Some types of gravel are naturally polished and if they are used in a
pavement surface without crushing they will be a skid hazard. These
polished aggregate are quite slippery when wet.
Repair: 1. Cover the surface with a skid resistance treatment.
2. Application of a hot plant mixed surface treatment and sand seal.
84. Q- What is Loss of cover aggregate ?
A- The whipping-off of aggregate under traffic from a surface-treatment pavement, leaving
the asphalt.
Asphalt
16
Causes: 1. Cold mix
2. Too dusty aggregate
3. too wet aggregate
4. Poor compaction
5. When steel-wheeled roller alone is used for compaction, aggregate
may be lost from low spots that are bridged over by the roller.
6. Too cool the weather
7. Too soon of fast traffic
8. Surface which absorbs part of the asphalt leaving too little to hold the
aggregate.
Repair: Hot coarse sand, spread over the affected areas.
85. Q- What is a longitudinal streaking in asphalt ?
A- Alternating lean and heavy lines of asphalt running parallel to the centerline of the
road.
Causes: 1. Spray bar on the asphalt distributor not set at the correct height for the
spray fans to overlap properly.
2. Spray bar rising as load in distributor lightens.
86. Q- What are the classification of asphalt treatment ?
A- 1) Sprayed asphalt treatment:
a. Dust laying
b. Road oiling
c. Prime coating
d. Tack coating
e. Fog sealing.
2) Sprayed asphalt and cover aggregate treatment:
a. Single surface treatment
b. Multiple surface treatment
c. Sand seal.
3) Asphalt aggregate mixtures:
a. Emulsion slurry seal
b. Road mix
c. Plant mix
87. Q- What are the advantages of pneumatic roller in asphalt paving?
A- 1. They provide a more uniform degree of compaction than steel wheel roller.
2. They improve the seal near the surface thus decrease the permeability of layer.
3. They orient the aggregate particles for greatest stability, as high pressure truck tires
do after using the asphalt surface for some time.
4. Pneumatic rollers not increase density but increase stability which assures minimum
distortion under heavy traffic.
88. Q- What is the case or appearance of subgrade before applying prime coat ?
A- Clean surface shall be given a light application of water and allowed to dry to a surface-
dry condition.
89. Q- How will you determine the defficiences of asphalt mixtures ?
A- 1. Too Hot: Blue smoke rising from the mix indicates an overheated batch.
2. Too Cold: a) Stiff appearance
b) Improper coating of the larger aggregate particles.
3. Too much asphalt: Mix in truck appears lying flat.
Asphalt
17
4. Too little asphalt: a) It has a lean
b) Granular appearance
c) Improper coating
d) Brown appearance.
5. Non-uniform mixing : a) Spots of lean
b) Brown dull appearance.
6. Excessive Coarse Agg.: a) Poor workability
b) Coarse appearance
7. Excessive fine Agg. : a) Different texture from a properly graded
mix after it has been rolled.
8. Excessive moisture : a) The mix may also foam so that it appears
to have too much asphalt.
9. Segregation: a) Improper handling
b) Loads have become contaminated.
90. Q- What are the rolling procedures ?
A- 1. Transverse joints rolling
2. Longitudinal joints rolling
3. Outside edge rolling
4. Initial or breaking rolling
5. Second or intermediate rolling
6. Finish rolling.
91. Q- Why the contractor start the rolling operation on the low side of spread ?
A- The reason for these is that the asphalt mixture when hot, tend to migrate towards
the low side of the spread under the action of the roller.
92. Q- What are the stops in rolling paving mixtures ?
A- 1. Rolling shall begin as soon as the mixture will bear the roller without undue
displacement.
2. Rolling shall be longitudinally, beginning at the low side of the spread of material
and proceeding toward the high side.
3. Slow and uniform speed, 3 mph for steel rollers and 5mph for pneumatic rollers.
4. Roller wheels should kept moist with only enough water to avoid picking-up the
material.
93. Q- What are the types of roller required for compacting hot mix asphalt ?
A- Function Types Weight Number of
In tons passes
Breakdown Steel 10 – 12 4
Intermediate Pneumatic 10 8- 12
Finishing Steel 5–8 4
Asphalt
18
A- A2-4 material because it absorbs more prime coat due to more surface area.
96. Q- If while performing the test of coating and stripping of bitumen aggregate mixture,
it is observed that the estimated coated area is below 95%. What to do ?
A- Antistripping agent to be used to promote coating and adhesion. Additives are used
to aid the coating of aggregates, particularly when in a damp or wet condition. They
are also used to increase the resistance of asphalt film to stripping by the action of
water.
Asphalt
19
105. Q- How you express penetration and ductility ?
A- Penetration by mm/10
Ductility by cm.
106. Q- What do you mean by dense graded mix in asphalting work ? How it differs from
open graded mix ? When it is used ?
A- Open graded asphalt mix differ from dense graded ones in that they (1) Contain
much little no fine aggregates/dust (2) Asphalt content of open graded mixes
generally is set as high as possible. (3) Open graded mixes are often applied in a
thin inch. Overlay over old pavements (4) Open graded mixes better resist the
reflection of cracks from the old pavement upward to the surface.
Definitions:
108. Q- What precautionary measures are adopted in case of high loss of stability?
A- Stripping value lest of asphalt should be rechecked. Less coating of asphalt
(below 95%) can give the more loss.
Checking of asphalt batching plant and proportion of natural and crushed
sand is necessary, as the higher quantity of natural sand gives the more loss.
It is necessary to check the plasticity index of fine aggregates as more
plasticity in premix reflects the swelling properties of clay.
Check the bitumen content % of hot mix as little asphalt content % gives
more loss. Therefore it is necessary to determine the optimum asphalt content of
asphalt with care.
Rechecking of Sand Equivalent test is also necessary as less value of Sand
Equivalent also gives the indication of more plasticity in material.
It is also necessary to recheck the compaction temperature of Marshall
molds.
The temperature of the bot water in which the Marshall molds are being kept
to know the stability and loss of stability may be carefully checked.
109. Q- What is the precautionary measure taken if a hot mix results in excessive voids?
A- The percentage of air voids can be decreased by increasing asphalt content. Voids can
also be reduced by increasing the mineral filler contents. Care should be taken that
asphalt content may be increased upto a certain limit to avoid further problems of
rutting and bleeding.
110. Q- What is the meaning of open Graded and Gap Graded?
A- The same meaning, Gap Graded means some sizes are deleted we have only more fine
and more coarse, it will be harsh mix.
Asphalt
20
111. Q- What are the types of protections in road construction?
A- Slope protection.
Irish crossing.
Grouted and loss rip rap.
Borrow ditch.
Culverts and Bridges.
Guard rails.
Gabon’s.
Dykes.
New jersey Barrier.
112. Q- What is the difference between sand equivalent and material passing No 200 sieve?
A- Sand equivalent gives the proportion of clay and dust percentage by volume, while
gradation determines the same percentage by weight.
113. Q- Who gives more sand equivalent and fineness modules natural sand or crushed sand?
Why?
A- Natural sand gives more sand equivalent and fineness modulus because less filler and
clay.
114. Q- What is the function of loss of stability?
A- To know the durability of asphalt.
115. Q- What is the relation between Gmm and asphalt content?
A- As asphalt content increase Gmm decrease.
116. Q- What is the relation between (V.M.A) and Asphalt content?
A- (V.M.A) increase as asphalt content increase.
117. Q- What is the relation between air voids and Asphalt content?
A- Voids are more at low asphalt content.
118. Q- What is the relation between Asphalt content and stability?
A- As per curve.
119. Q- What is the relation between ac and loss of stability?
A- More Ac the low the loss of stability.
120. Q- Can bitumen absorption be higher than the water absorption in asphalt mix design?
A- Bitumen absorption can not be higher or even equal to water absorption in
any case. As Bitumen is more viscous and has high molecular volume as copared
to water.
Bitumen penetrates less in agg. compared to water.
121. Q- In case bitumen absorption is higher than the water absorption in your asphalt mix
design?
What does it mean?
A- It means either Gse is abnormally higher or Gsb Is lower in case Gse is higher value
of Gmm is also.
So both G.s.e. and G.s.b need to be rechecked. This is all due to the experimental
error.
Asphalt
21
( G.S.a > G.s.e. > G.s.b >
apparent effective Bulk.
122. Q- what is the rigidity or stiffness how it is caused in asphalt mix and what does it harm?
A- Rigidity or stiffness is caused in hot mixes where low penetration asphalt is used.
Cause the volume changes making the pavement ridge and give higher value of
marshal stability and low flow values.
Pavement of such hot mix is cracked under heavy volume of traffic.
stability
Rigidity (kg/m m )
flow
123. Q- What causes of high loss of stability?
A- Stripping more than 5%.
Natural sand is more.
Plasticity index is more. (more clay)
More asphalt content.
Less value of Sand equivalent. (more clay)
Temperature of marshal mold. and water temperature.
& of filler asphalt ratio.
124. Q- How to clean Trucks during Asphalt production?
A- By thin film of paraffin oil or calcium hydroxide solution.
125. Q- What is the tolerance of marshal stability?
A- + 200 from the design value.
126. Q- thin
What are the limits of ( ) and elongated pieces?
flat
A- t w1
The flat = 1/3, the elongated = 1/3
w L
Where w 2 w1 (width)
L (Length)
T (thickness)
127. Q- What is the riding quality?
A- Special equipment to measure the tolerance of surface.
128. Q- What is the difference in temperature allowed bet. aggregate and asphalt cement.
A- Asphalt temperature not less than 14oc from the aggregate temperature at Time of
entrance to bug mill.
129. Q- What is asphalt plank?
A- Asphalt plank consists of asphalt, finder and mineral aggregate to produce uniformly
dense mass.
130. Q- What is the plasticity index for mineral filler?
A- Not more than 4 except hydrated lime and hydraulic cement.
Asphalt
22
Interview with Highway Construction
CONCRETE
1. Q. In construction, what are the main problems we can face in Saudi Arabia?
A- Cracks on concrete due to hot whether condition.
2- Q. In slab, the drawing shows certain bars and their spacing, suppose that particular bar size is
not available at site, what will you do?
A- Calculate the areas of steel bars available at site against the area of steel bars on the
drawing by equation;
A 1 = D 2 ; N1 = N2
D12 D 22
N1 x N 2x
4 4
N1 (D1)2 = N2 (D2)2
N 1 ( D1 ) 2
N2
(D 2 ) 2
Where:
D1 : Diameter of steel bar on the drawing
D2 : Diameter of steel available on site
N1 : No. of bars required on the drawing
N2 : Calculated No. of bars using steel bars available at site.
3. Q- What is the maximum spacing of bars for slab?
A- Max. Spacing = 20cm. (5 bars in one meter)
4- Q- How to make a dense concrete?
A- a) Proper proportion of water-cement ratio.
b) Aggregate must be well-graded.
c) Concrete should be air-entrained.
d) Good vibration, etc.
e) Use plasticizer.
5- Q- What is tremie in concrete?
A- It is a method of placing concrete underwater. A tube called “tremie” about 10" – 12" in
diameter, rigid and watertight are held vertically in water during pouring operation to
avoid washing-out of concrete mix.
6- Q- What is the use of plasticizer and super plasticizer in concrete?
A- Plasticizer:
Primary Action Practical Effect
Reduction of the force of attraction between Increasing plasticity; reduction of w/c ratio
the cement particles and/or reduction of the by up to 10%; resultant 15% increase in
surface tension of the water. strength; possibility for reduction of cement
Reduce W/C ratio content.
Super Plasticizer:
Primary Action Practical Effect
Extreme lowering of the force of attraction Extreme increases in workability or
between the cement particles. reduction of water content by 20-30%;
strength can increase by 50% owing to
lesser water demand.
Q- What is the function of calcium chloride in hot weather concreting?
1 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
A- When added to concrete mixtures impart as an accelerating agent. Increasing the rate of
hydration; speeding up the setting, and early strength development. (Never use in Hot
Weather).
8- Q- What is the effect of chloride and sulfate in concrete?
Chloride attack:
a) When the lime in cement react with carbon dioxide (CO2) it will produce calcium
carbonate.
b) The presence of calcium carbonate in water, increases the amount of alkalinity up to
11%, thereby the water will attack the reinforcement which lead to corrosion.
c) While rust increases, the volume of the bars also increases leading to produce cracks
in concrete.
Sulfate attack:
a) When tricalcium aluminate (C3A) in cement react with sulfate due to the presence of
moisture, it produces “gel” expansion in concrete and the volume will also increases
leading to cracks in concrete.
b) Also contribute to disintegration of the aggregates.
9- Q- What type of cement are you going to use in sulfate area?
A- Type V or sulfate resisting cement.
10- Q- What are the methods for curing concrete?
A- a) Water curing method
b) Membrane curing method
c) Steam curing method
d) Cold weather curing method
11- Q- When do you start curing concrete?
A- Right after the final placement of concrete mix, when the water sheen or mixing water just
begun to disappear.
12- Q- What is the rate of application of curing membrane?
A- One (1) liter /5 sq. m. ; If applied by hand spray.
One (1) liter /3 sq. m. ; If mechanically applied.
13- Q- What is the initial and final setting time of concrete?
A- 45 minutes ; 8 hours
14- Q- What are the types of admixtures?
A- a) Plasticizer
b) Retarder
c) Accelerator
d) Plasticizer with retarding agent – Type D
e) Plasticizer with accelerating agent
f) Superplasticizer
g) Superplasticizer with retarding agent
15- Q- What is the effect of retarded in concrete mix?
A- To delay the setting time of about 1 – 4 hours over normal setting time and reduces the
mixing water by about 3-9 kg/cu.m. and increased the compressive strength by about 10-
15%. The common chemical used is “Lignosulfic acid”.
16- Q- What are the precautionary measures during cold weather concreting?
A- a) Avoid overheating of fresh concrete
2 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
3 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
wt. Of C.A. x
% absorption % moisture
100
wt. of F.A. x
% absorption % moisture
100
32- Q- How will you calculate the Saturn Survey Drag aggregate with 1.5% absorption?
A- By equation:
1 % absorption
CORRECTED WT. OF AGG. = Uncorrected wt.
100
33- Q- How do you reduce water content in a mix design and what are the advantages of reducing
water in a concrete mix?
A- By using water reducing admixture. The advantage are less cracking, possibilities and
increase compressive strength.
34- Q- What is alkali reactivity? What type of cement are you going to use if aggregate is
susceptible?
A- It is the reaction of certain aggregate containing silica or silica alumina which react alkali
is cement producing "gel" which lead to cracking due to osmatic pressure. The type of
cement to be used are;
a) Low alkali cement; having less than 0.6% alkali by weight of cement.
b) Pozzolanic cement
35- Q- What are the different types of cement?
4 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
Post-tensioning
The pre-stressing tendons or cables are placed in ducts before concrete is casts, after
the concrete has hardened, the tendons or cables are stretched to a predetermined
tension by jacking and are wedged in its position. The tubes may also be pressure
grouted.
37- Q- What is the effect of humidity on creep and shrinkage?
A- It contribute losses of water in concrete thereby causing cracks due to volume change.
38- Q- What could be the maximum depth of a structure you can cast in one (1) lift?
A- 1.5 meters
39- Q- What is the required slump for class "A" vibrated concrete?
A- 25mm – 75mm (1 – 3 inches)
40- Q- In the grouted riprap, what is the proportion for the mortar to be used for grouting?
A- 1 part cement and 2 part sand.
41- Q- What is the limiting temperature for concreting?
A- Not less than 5oC during cold weather, and
not more than 33oC during hot weather.
42- Q- What is the effect of aluminum pipe during pumping of concrete mix?
A- It will exhibit decreased strength due to chemical reaction of abraded aluminum particles
with the alkalies in the portland cement, resulting in the formation of hydrogen gas and
thereby increasing in volume of fresh concrete.
43- Q- What are the Non-Destructive test to determine strength and other properties of concrete?
A- a) Indentation Rebound test (Schmidt Rebound Hammer)
b) Sonic test
c) Pulse-transmission at sonic & ultra-sonic frequencies
d) Radioactive test
e) Penetration Probe test
44- Q- What are the curing procedures?
A- a) By maintaining a moist environment by the application of water through pounding,
sprays, steam or saturated cover materials such as earth, sawdust, have or burlap.
Care should be taken to insure that saturated cover materials do not dry out and
absorb water from the concrete.
b) By prevention of loss of mixing water from the concrete by means of sealing
materials such as impervious sheets of paper or plastic or by application of a
membrane forming curing compound to the freshly placed concrete.
45- Q- How shrinkage cracks and honey-combing are repaired?
A- By guniting or shot-concreting.
46- Q- What is the max. storage period of cement before you request test for its quality?
5 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
6 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
Cold joints:
When the placement of concrete is delayed for any reason and the concrete takes
it initial set, a cold joint is said to be occurred. When this happens, the contractor
shall have to removed the previously partially placed-concrete from the forms
immediately.
53- Q- Where to provide metal beam guardrail?
A- a- In the sharp curve.
b- In the hilly area.
c- In the steeper slopes
d- To structural location
54- Q- What are the necessary precautions to be taken while applying thermoplastic paint?
A- a- Pavement shall be free from foreign matters and dust.
b- Should dry and clean.
c- Should have good weather condition.
d- Barricades should be installed, etc.
55- Q- What is to be done if shifting of box culvert is required?
A- a- Select the low lying areas.
b- Locate catch main area.
c- Determine the level of water.
d- Calculate actual vent dimension.
e- Calculate velocity or discharge of water by equation:
Q = VA
where :
Q : is the discharge, m3/hr.
V : is the velocity, km/hr.
A : cross-sectional area, m2
56- Q- Cores are taken for what purpose?
A- a- If the samples failed from the required strength.
b- To determine the actual thickness of the structure.
c- To determine the formation of harden concrete, etc.
57- Q- What criteria as to spacing of stirrups be followed in a beam?
A- 1- Put the maximum spacing in the center of the beam.
2- Put the minimum spacing at both ends, to resist the maximum shear, using equation;
qst =
A x f
s
x ns
exb
where :
qst = Allowable stresses carried by stirrups.
AS = Cross-sectional area of bar.
fS = Steel stresses (working stress)
n = Number of legs
e = Spacing between stirrups
b = Width of concrete section
58- Q- How many times do you apply curing membrane?
A- Two (2) times, first application is parallel to the pavement, and the second application is
perpendicular to the first application or vice versa.
59- Q- What is the minimum and maximum slope of chutes during pouring concrete?
7 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
A- Minimum slope is 1: 3
Maximum slope is 1 : 2
Maximum height of chute : 1.5 meters
Typical height not less than 1.0 meters
60- Q- What is the minimum compressive strength of concrete cylinders after 28 days for pre-
stressed concrete?
A- At least 350k 3/cm2
61- Q- What should be the minimum strength of concrete before applying the force for post-
tensioning?
A- 300 kg/cm3
62- Q- When do you start counting the mixing time of concrete and what is the mixing time for a
stationary or central batching plant?
A- Mixing time shall be measured from the time all materials “except water” are in the drum.
Mixing time should not less than 50 seconds nor more than 90 seconds.
63. Q- What is the agitating speed of the mixer?
A- 2 to 6 revolution per minute.
64- Q- What is the mixing speed of the mixer?
A- 6 to 18 revolution per minute.
65- Q- How many cylinder or cube samples are you going to get in every pouring?
A- One (1) set or six (6) pieces for every 50 cu.m. of concrete mix or fraction thereof in each
days pouring.
66- Q- Why do we cure concrete samples while structure has a different curing procedures?
A- In sample, volume is less comparing to surface area. So the water needed for hydration
will be easy to loss. Whereas, in structure the volume is bigger comparing to area. So,
losing of water of hydration is minimal.
67- Q- How will you choose or specify the maximum size of the aggregate?
A- a) 1/5 of the narrowest dimension between the sides of forms.
b) 3/4 of the minimum clear spacing between the reinforcing bars and forms and
between adjacent bars.
c) 1/3 of the depth of un-reinforced slabs.
68- Q- What is the variation of the fineness modulus of the sand?
A- 0.20
69- Q- What is the minimum length for splicing of re-bars?
A- a) 40 x dia. Of re-bars : In case of tension
b) 20 x dia. Of re-bars : In case of compression
70- Q- What is the effect of lime in curing samples?
A- To accelerate strength-gain.
71- Q- What will happen if you mix lime to water?
A- Water will become salty.
72- Q- According to AASTHO what is the proportion of volume of concrete to whole capacity of
gross drum volume of truck mixer to agitator?
A- 63% for truck mixer and 80% for agitators.
73- Q- What is the minimum frequency for vibrators used for concrete?
8 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
9 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
A- The term workability is difficult to define precisely but it could be defined in at least three
separate properties:
1- Compatibility – or the ease with which the concrete can be compacted and the air
voids removed.
2- Mobility - or the ease with which the concrete can flow into moulds, around steel,
and be re molded.
3- Stability – or the ability of concrete to remain a stable homogenous mass during
handling and vibration without segregation.
84- Q- Can we use snow water in concrete? What is the effect?
A- No, because this kind of water carries carbon dioxide (CO2) that when this element react to
lime in cement will lead to cracking of concrete by the action of carbon oxide (CO). It also
produces erosion on the mix during the flow of water thereby carrying away the sand in
the mix.
85- Q- What is the effect of leaching by water on concrete?
A- In the process of cement – hydration, soluble calcium hydroxide is formed. The leakage of
water through cracks or joints or porous concrete may carry the calcium hydroxide in
solution through the concrete structure. The reaction between the calcium hydroxide and
carbon dioxide will cause precipitation of calcium carbonate in the surface will form of a
white deposits, that over along period of time it will cause disintegration.
86- Q- What is the effect of efflorescence in concrete?
A- Efflorescence may be described as the deposition of salts (e.g. white powdery sulphates)
on the surface and within the pores of concrete, masonry, mortar or plaster, which occurs
when a slat solution evaporates. Due to evaporation from concrete, dissolved salts are left
behind the surface as it will appear to be dry, and the deposition takes place within the
pores under the surface. Which will result in the disruption and corrosion of reinforcement
on concrete.
87- Q- What are the types of piles and where do we used them?
A- 1- Timber piles – is used in light construction such as in drainage system, wherein it
can be driven by light application of load.
2- Concrete Piles
3- Steel Piles
Concrete & steel piles – is used in a massive construction, such as in dams and high
rise structures.
Types of Loading Piles
1- End bearing piles
2- Friction piles
Classes of Piles
1- Driven pre-cast piles – can be driven in impervious strata by not more than 24
meters and can sustained light loads.
2- Driven cast in-situ piles – can be driven in impervious strata by more than 50
m. and can carry heavy loads.
3- Driven steel piles – same as cast in-situ piles but more expensive.
4- Bored pre-cast piles – by replacement of soil
5- Bored cast in-situ piles by replacement of soil
88- Q- Where do we provide pile foundation?
A- 1- In a soil whose bearing capacity cannot sustained the weight of the structure.
10 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
11 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
12 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
A- (1) Tricalcium Silicate (C-S) – Hardens rapidly and is mainly responsible for the initial
sot and early strength.
(2) Dicalcium Silicate (C2S) – Hydrates slowly and is the main source of increased
strength after the first wok of hardening.
(3) Tricalcium Aluminate (C3A) – reacts very quickly and adds a small amount of
strength. (heat of hydration).
(4) Tetracalcium Alumina Ferrate (C4AF) – reacts slowly, and reducing clinking
temperature.
106. Q- What chemical affect the strength?
A- Tricalcium Silicate (C3S).
107. Q- If a mix is prone to segregate, How would you overcome it ?
A- By reducing the water content or increasing the overall specific surface by :
a) Adding more cement
b) Adding more sand
c) Adding the same weight of sand out of a finer sand.
d) Decrease the maximum size of aggregate.
e) Use of admixtures or additions.
108. Q- What the 2 basic states of properties of concrete?
A- (1) Plastic State:
a) Water / Cement ratio
b) Workability
c) Segregation
d) Bleeding
(2) Hardened State:
a) Strength, both compressive & tensile
b) Durability
c) Shrinkage and Creep
d) Surface finish
109. Q- What is the advantages of reducing water?
A- a) Increase strength
b) Increase impermeability
c) Increase resistance to weathering
d) Increase Water-tightness
e) Increase resistance to chloride attack and sulfate attack
f) Increase resistance to corrosion, etc.
110. Q- What is pozzolanic material?
A- These includes certain types of soils, certain ground rocks, and fly ash that react with
calcium hydroxide to form weak cementing compounds. They may be used to help control
temperature rise in concrete, to aid in controlling potential expansion due to reactive
aggregates, to improve workability or to provide economy, with the pozzolan replacing
some of the Portland cement (at the expense of strength, of course).
111. Q- How will you compare steel grade 40, 60, and 75?
A- Yield Strength Ultimate Strength
Grade 40 40,000 psi 70,000 psi
Grade 60 60,000 psi 90,000 psi
Grade 75 75,000 psi 270,000 to 300,000 psi
112. Q- What are the methods used to accelerate curing of concrete cylinder samples?
13 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
14 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
A- It is a volume change due to cement hydration but not due to variation in moisture
temperature or stress. This may be either an expansion or contraction.
Expansion of “gel” due to absorption of pores to water.
contraction of “gel” due to extraction of water by the remaining unhydrated cement.
Autogenous Volume Change are influenced by:
1- Composition and fineness of cement.
2- Quantity of mixing water.
3- Mix proportions.
4- Curing conditions
5- Time
121. Q- What is the effect of weathering on concrete?
A- a- Disintegration of poor concrete.
b- Disruptive action of freezing and thawing
c- Alternate wetting and drying
d- Undesirable chemical activity
e- Temperature variation in concrete mass
122. Q- What is the effect of sea-water on concrete?
A- a) Wetting and drying
b) Loaching
c) Temperature variations
d) Corrosion of reinforcing steel
e) Battering by waves and tides
f) Sulphate attack
g) Freezing and Thawing
123. Q- What is the factor affecting rate of evaporation?
A- 1- Air temperature
2- Relative humidity
3- Concrete temperature
4- Wind Velocity
Normal rate of evaporation is 0.8 kg/m2/hr. at 20oC air, 60% humidity, 25oC concrete
temp., 20 km./hr. wind velocity. The maximum rate of evaporation is 4 kg./m2/hr.
124. Q- What is the effect of sewage on concrete?
A- Hydrogen sulphide formed by bacteria above 10oC and combines with oxygen to form
sulfuric acid.
To Prevent: 1. Keep the sewage at low temp. 2- Ventilation. 3- Running the sewer. 4-
Use of high alumina cement
125. Q- What is standard deviation
A- Is the average disportion of each individual test result, regardless of the sign, from the
arithmetic mean, and is calculated from the formula:
x x
2
S.D.
n 1
where:
x = Individual test result
x = Mean
n = Number of results
= Summation of
15 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
16 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
17 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
A- 1. Abutments.
2. Piers.
3. Debris on beam scats and bearings.
141. Q- What are the factors causing deterioration of steel ?
A- 1. Air (oxygen) and moisture – rust.
2. Rust from carbonation effect in moist concrete.
3. Rust from chloride-ion attack in moisture.
4. Industrial fumes (e.g. presence of hydrogen sulphide causes traces of sulphuric acid
when mixed with dioxidc and moisture).
5. De-icing salt (chloride attack).
6. Yield/Buckle/Crack….. due to
a. Thermal strain & restraint.
b. Overloads.
7. Fatigue from pulsating loads.
8. Fatigue from stress – concentrations (at re-entrant corners, insufficient bearing
width).
9. Fire-extreme heat will cause deformation and prior to that there will be loss of
strength if it is steel higher than grade 40.
10. Collision & Kinks – by live load etc. may bend / buckle / break steel elements.
11. Animal Waste – can cause rusting (chemical attack)
12. Welds – where welding is poor, technique is improper, the weld may crack.
13. Galvanic Action: Other metals that are in contact with steel may cause corrosion
similar to rust.
142. Q- What are the minimum requirements for concrete exposed to sea water ?
A- 1. Minimum cement content not less than 350kg/m3
2. Minimum cover not less than 10cm.
3. Portland Blast Furnace slag cement or Sulphate Resistant cement.
4. Dense mix.
5. Vibration.
6. Minimum strength 300kg/cm2
143. Q- What are the construction procedure for Post-tensioning ?
A- 1. All tendons are free to move between jacking points.
2. No application of tensions before the concrete reach to the required compressive
strength.
3. Arrange datum point to measure extension and jack pressure.
4. Add jack losses and friction due to duct alignment and curvature.
5. the stresses in tendons shall not exceed 70% of their ultimate tensile strength, not
more than 80%.
6. If the measured extension differs by more than 5% from the estimated extension,
corrective action shall be taken.
7. Stressing shall be from both ends.
8. After applying the force, the tendons shall be anchored and jack pressure shall be
released to avoid shock to the anchorage of tendons.
9. The tendons shall not be cropped less than 3 days after grouting.
144. Q- Are Grade 40 & Grade 60 steel could be welded ?
18 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
19 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
20 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
153. Q- If the maximum size of aggregates is 2½" how will you measure the compressive
strength of concrete?
A- If the maximum size of aggregates is 2 inches then we can use the cylinder of
concrete having dimension 6" x 12".
The diameter of the cylinder should be three times as compared to the maximum size
of the aggregate. If the maximum size of aggregate is 2½" then concrete cylinder
should be prepared with 7½" diameter and 15" in length.
154. Q- After taking out the cylinder from the pond what precautionary measures you will
take before crushing ?
A- The cylinders are kept in the shade for drying till there is no sputtering when they are
capped. Even after capping the cylinder are kept moist till they are crushed. The
cylinders should be capped on both sides and the thickness of capping should not be
more than 8 mm.
155. Q- What is water reducing and retarding admixture, What are its affects?
A- It is normally based on sugar, tartaric acid, lingo sulphonates and carbohydrate
derivatives that delay the setting time of concrete.
It is designed to improve the quality and durability of all types of concrete. It
improves the workability without loss of strength. It increase the compressive
strengths also. It reduces bleeding and segregation in concrete. It makes concrete
denser, more durable, more waterproof and less permeable. It reduces the heat of
hydration and temperature rises within the massive concrete. This is type “D”
admixture according ASTM or AASTHO.
156. Q- What is the effect of using Sea water in concrete?
A- Sea water concrete develops higher early strength than normal water concrete but at
later ages the strength is slower than normal. Sea water concrete increases the risk of
corrosion of steel reinforcement. If sea water is used as mixing water, the strength of
concrete is weakened and cracks occur because of crystallization of salt which
increases cracking pressure if there are no enough air voids in the mix.
If not avoidable, sea water containing up to 35,000 PPM or 3.5% of salt is generally
suitable as mixing water for non-reinforced concrete (concrete without steel).
Sea water should not be used for making pre-stressed concrete where pre-stressing
steel is in contact with concrete.
157. Q- What are the precautionary measures if O'C pouring of concrete is unavoidable?
A- Either heats the mixing water or aggregates. Heat the equipment and forms by steam
heating to equal or greater than 5'C.
158. Q- What are the correction factors for concrete coring samples?
A- Ratio of length Strength correction
To diameter L/D Factor
1.75 0.98
1.50 0.96
1.25 0.93
1.00 0.87
Length = Height of samples + capping compound
159. Q- What are the qualities required to produce proper concrete?
A- - Workability
- Durability
- Economy
21 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
22 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
c) Truck transit time is more than 30 minutes for non agitating equipment, one
hour for truck agitator or truck mixer.
d) Slump is not within the specified limits.
e) If contractor add water to mix on site without approval.
f) Air temperature is more than 32oC.
g) Cement temperature is more then 77oC.
23 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
169. Q- What chlorides and sulphates attack in concrete? What is their effect on strength and
what do you do to overcome this effect?
A- Chlorides attack steel bars while sulphates attack the cement. Both increase early
strength of concrete but later strength decreased.
To overcome this effect the following are
a) Use dense concrete by:
Water content to optimal min. (0.4 or less by wt.)
- Increasing the min. cement content (by 10-25%).
- Use plasticizer or retarder or super-plasticizer.
- Early and adequate curing is necessary.
- Increase cover to rft. Bars at design stage.
- Avoid casting in hot and windy weather.
170. Q- What is pleasticizers ? And super plasticizers ? When do you use ? and what is its
good & bad effects on concrete ?
A- Plasticizer is a type of admixture used usually for low water cement ratio concrete to
increase its workability. They plasticize the mix by reducing friction between the
ingredients and hence give better workability of concrete, i.e., water content can be
reduced and this can permit higher strength.
Super plasticizers can give highly increased workability, and permit flowing concrete
of high strength i.e. of considerable reduction in water content ratio. They may be
used with retarders in hot weather concreting or where long hauls are involved. The
bad effect of plasticizer is that their effect is of relatively short duration 30 to 60
minutes and is followed by rapid loss in workability, also effect on other properties of
concrete as shrinkage is unpredictable. Increase air content and bleeding.
171. Q- What are the general test according to AASHTO required to check the suitability of
water for concrete ?
A- The test required to check the suitability of water for concrete are:
1) Chemical Analysis: Acidity and alkalinity.
If the hydrogen ion concentration is determined and PH value is less than 4.5 or
more than 8.5 the water is refused. PH value shall be determined either by
electrometric or colorimetric method.
2) Total solids and inorganic matter (Water containing less than 2000 PPM of
dissolved solids can be used for concrete).
3) Action on setting time by using a cement paste tested by vicat needle apparatus:
Any marked change in setting time is sufficient to reject the water under test.
4) Strength of the same cement paste: A reduction more than 10 percent in strength
from paste mixed with distilled water is sufficient to reject the water under test.
172. Q- Compare quality assurance with quality control ?
A- Quality assurance: The activities that have to do with making sure that the quality of a
product is what it should be.
Quality control: The activities that have to do with making the quality of a product
what it should be.
173. Q- What are the advantages of gap grading ?
A- Recommend for mixes of relative low workability that are to be compacted by
vibration.
Lower resistance to freezing and thawing.
24 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
25 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
26 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
27 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
28 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
A- 1- To protect from disentegration and sulphate and chloride attack by adding 10%
without additional payment.
2- Due to wind losses (10%).
3- Due to pouring under water (10%).
206. Q- What is the sequence of adding water during mixing concrete in patching plant ?
A- 1- Part of water will enter before cement and agg.
2- Rate of water must be gradually.
3- All water must be in drum after 15 seconds from the required mixing time.
207. Q- What are the causes of foundation movement ?
A- 1- Differential settlement.
2- Slide failure.
3- Bearing failure.
4- Consolidation.
5- Seepage effect.
6- Water table variations.
7- Scouring.
208. Q- What are the causes affecting on friction pile ?
A- 1- Soil consolidation.
2- Ground water table.
3- Pile Group.
4- Type of soil.
219. Q- What are the factors affecting anchorage sleepage ?
A- 1- Wedge sleepage due to rust.
2- Elastic deformation of wedge.
3- Yielding of concrete under the anchorage plate.
210. Q- What are the Types of Jacks ?
A- 1- H.Z. 4000/250
(4000KN, 250mm – strock)
2- H.Z. 1750/150
211. Q- What are the causes of yielding at anchorage ?
A- 1- Concrete not reach to the required strength.
2- Hony comping or air voids.
3- Over vibration.
212. Q- What are the factors affecting tensial strength of concrete ?
29 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
A-
Ft =8 → 10 Fc' where Fc' by P.S.I
strength of concrete.
1
Ft Fc where Fc Kg/cm2
10
1- Strength of concrete.
2- Cover.
3- Spacing bet. bars.
213. Q- What are the causes of structure cracks ?
A- 1- Over loads.
2- Over stresses.
3- Dynamic load.
4- Impact load.
5- Fire.
6- Foundation movement.
7- Superstructure movement.
8- Bearing failure.
214. Q- What is the effect of over vibration ?
A- 1- Bleeding.
2- Plastic settlement.
3- Segregation.
215. Q- What are the types of culverts ?
A- 1- Box culvert. – Wear Box culvert.
2- Pipe culvert.
3- Arch culvert.
216. Q- What are the hydrology data ?
A- 1- Drainage area.
2- Slope factor.
3- Silt factor/ Roughness coefficient.
4- Run off coefficient.
5- Design discharge.
6- Slope of channel.
7- High water level.
8- Hydraulic radius.
217. Q- What are the types of Irish crossing ?
A- Type A, B, C, D
30 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
A- 1- Slump Test.
2- Bleeding Test.
3- Ball Test.
4- Compacting factor.
5- % of air in fresh concrete. (entrapped air).
219. Q- In cylinder sample what is the result if 5 layers ?
A- It will give more strength due to more compaction.
220. Q- How to calculate cable elongation ?
A- L
L = F average x Es
Where L = Elongation cm
L = length cm, Es = 2x 106 kg/ cm2
F jacking Fx
F = 2 Modulus of elasticity of
steel = Es
221. Q- What are the chemical effect on concrete ?
A- 1- chloride attack (corrosion).
2- Sulphate attack (Disintegration).
3- Alkali aggregate reaction.
4- Carbonation and efflorescence.
222. Q- What is the function of approach slab ?
A- 1- To absorb impact effect.
2- To protect entrance of bridge from sudden effect.
223. Q- How to calculate jacking force ?
A- Fj = Ultimate strength of strands x 75% x N0 of strand x area of strand.
= t/Tendon.
224. Q- How open abutment resist earth pressure ?
A- No effect because it’s open (columns and footings).
225. Q- How HL force transfer to sub-structure ?
A- HL force it will absorb by bearings and never reach to substructure.
226. Q- How to put voided slab on cross-head ?
A- Voided slab put on columns directly.
227. Q- What is the value of friction for free sliding Bearing ?
A- 0.03
228. Q- Where did you prefer to put fixed bearing abutment or pier ?
A- On pier.
229. Q- What are the types of protections in road construction ?
31 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
A- 1- Slope protection.
2- Irrish crossing.
3- Grouted and loss rip rap.
4- Gabions.
5- Borrow ditch.
6- Culverts and bridges.
7- Retaining walls.
8- Dykes.
9- Sacked concrete riprap.
10- New Jersy Barrier.
11- Polting, Meshing, Shot creating.
12- Benching.
13- Curb and Gutter.
230. Q- If the boundary of road limited and no chance to make proper embankment slope.
What to do ?
A- Provide any type of protection to prevent movement of side slope due to internal
friction.
231. Q- How to calculate the value of camber ?
A- We calculate the deflection, if within the tolerance O.K. the more the deflection than
specified use in camber.
232. Q- How to accept the ducts profile in the prestressed Beam ?
A- By using level and measuring tape in 3 directions.
233. Q- What is the max. temperature of cement allowed ?
A- 70oC.
234. Q- What is the recommended admixture in General Specification ?
A- Type D “plastsizer with retardering agent”
“Plastsizer = water reducing agent.
235. Q- How to approve the water source without checking in lab. To give direct action to the
contractor ?
A- We drink it, if good taste O.K. otherwise reject.
236. Q- How to calculate stressing force at Distance x ?
A- Fx = Fj x e (d + Kx)
Where:
Fx = Jacking froce at distance x. kg/cm2
= Friction coefficient. Say 0.2/radian.
K = Wobble coefficient. Say 2 x 10-3 /m.
= Angle of tendon by radians.
FJ = Jacking Force. Kg/cm2.
237. Q- What is end block ?
A- Enlarged end section of member designed to reduce anchorage stresses.
238. Q- What is Wrapping or Sheeting ?
32 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
33 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
34 Concrete
Interview with Highway Construction
35 Concrete
Interview With Highway Construction
TECHNICAL QUESTIONS
1. Q- If the contractor get the strength of concrete more than the specified, with lesser cement
factor than the required will you pay him? Why?
2. Q- If you are to select any one of the following for control, which one you will select?
General Specification
Special Specification
Bill of Quantities (B.O.Q.)
Drawing
3. Q- Based on your experience, what is your opinion about the works in the climate in Saudi
Arabia?
4. Q- What will be the number of trucks with a capacity of 30 tons are required in an asphalt
plant producing 180 tons/hour, if the truck takes 2 hours in going and coming from the
pavers?
A- 12 trucks. Hence, for 2 hours asphalt plant produces 360 tons of mix. 6 trucks will load
180 tons while the remaining trucks will load another 180 tons while 6 trucks (early
batch) are coming back from the pavers for continuous operation of the plant.
5. Q- If in cut section the 20 cm. material are okay but below it the soil has natural compaction
of 90% and the contractor are asking for a payment, are you going to pay?
A- No
7. Q- Supposing there are many activities going on that day, and same day request for next day
activities was submitted by the contractor, what will be the flow of those request and such
request be acted?
A- Distribute the request to fieldsman and instruct them to finish first the previous request by
doing overtime work if necessary, so that so that new request will be acted immediately
the following day.
1 Technical Questions
Interview With Highway Construction
8. Q- If the contractor request to use salty water for concreting, is it possible to used such for
concrete?
A- If potable water is not available, salty water could be used for non-reinforced slab. To
reinforced structure, concrete must be dense and proper and strict supervision to be
adopted. For pre-stressing, salty water cannot be used.
9. Q- what “Back Slopes” you would adopt in the rocky area and sandy area?
10 Q- Steps taken in the preparation of a monthly certificate. what deduction are usually
applied?
A- Monthly payment for contractor
Monthly payment for Consultant
Monthly Resident Engineers report
Monthly Materials report
Following report which consist of;
Beginning of project
End of project
Cost of project
Percentage of progress
percentage of progress
Equipment list of contractor & his staff
List of consultant
Approval certificate for materials like steel and cement.
14. Q- What are the procedure for payment in Common Excavation, Bock Excavation, Borrow
Excavation & Unclassified Exc. ?
2 Technical Questions
Interview With Highway Construction
A- Only one.
17. Q- If the contractor submit his schedule or program for work. How will you deal with it?
A- As per special specification we check his staff and people and all equipments.
Check the program as per actual activities.
Correct the program and send to the contractor for. Revise it for approval.
3 Technical Questions