Construction Methods and Materials
Structural systems
Concrete strength is governed by water-cement ratio, not slump alone. Cylinders are tested at 28 days for design strength; curing requires moisture and temperature control for the full curing period. Cold weather needs protection; hot weather needs retarding or cooling. Reinforcement requires correct cover and lap splices. In soils work, compaction is done in lifts and verified against a laboratory density standard - compaction and consolidation are not the same thing.
Structural steel questions turn on connection type (bolted versus welded, shop versus field) and tolerances. Wood questions turn on grading, span tables, moisture content, and nominal-versus-actual sizing. Masonry questions turn on mortar joints, flashing, weep holes, and control joints. Roofing and waterproofing questions turn on slope, underlayment, and flashing details.
Sequence and interfaces
Know a logical sequence: sitework and footings, foundation, structure, envelope, rough MEP, insulation and drywall, finishes, trim and closeout. MEP coordination and penetration detailing are classic exam topics.
Traps
Equating 7-day strength with design strength; confusing curing with drying; assuming a wetter, higher-slump mix is stronger (it usually is not); treating compaction and consolidation as synonyms; forgetting that a 2×10 is not 10 inches wide.
Rule of thumb: a common slab-on-grade thickness is 4 inches, and one cubic yard covers about 81 sf at that thickness (27 cf ÷ 0.333 ft). Confirm against the drawings before ordering.