Construction Materials and Methods
What this domain tests
Properties, standards, installation, and failure modes of concrete, steel, wood, masonry, gypsum, roofing, and insulation.
Core rules
- Concrete: f'c at 28 days; water-cement ratio controls strength and durability; slump ASTM C143; cylinders ASTM C31/C39; air ASTM C231; cure 7 days per ACI 308; cold/hot weather ACI 306/305.
- Steel: ASTM A992 W-shapes; ASTM F3125 bolts (replaces A325/A490); welding per AWS D1.1; fireproofing per listed assembly.
- Wood: nominal vs actual sizes; grade stamp; moisture content; preservative treatment; fastener compatibility.
- Masonry: ASTM C90 CMU; mortar Type N or S; flashing and weep holes.
- Gypsum: Type X and Type C are fire-rated but not interchangeable in a listed assembly.
- Roofing/insulation: slope, underlayment, R-value, vapor retarder.
Worked example
A mix has 600 lb cement and w/c 0.45; water = 270 lb. If aggregate carries 2% free moisture, batch water is reduced accordingly. If slump is 5 in but the spec is 4 in, do not add water; use a water reducer or adjust the mix.
Traps
Adding water to raise slump; comparing nominal lumber sizes; substituting mortar types; omitting weep holes; swapping Type X for Type C in a listed assembly.