Bricks and Mortar MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Bricks and Mortar - Download Free PDF
Last updated on Jun 11, 2025
Latest Bricks and Mortar MCQ Objective Questions
Bricks and Mortar Question 1:
Identify the type of masonry bond in the figure below:
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Bricks and Mortar Question 1 Detailed Solution
Explanation:
Types of brick masonry bonds:
Type of bond |
Properties |
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Raking Bond |
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English Bond |
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Flemish Bond |
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Stretcher Bond |
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Header Bond |
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Dutch Bond |
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Raking Bond |
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Bricks and Mortar Question 2:
The tool which is used to measure the perpendicularity between two walls to make sure the bricks are set at an exact 90 degree is known as:
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Bricks and Mortar Question 2 Detailed Solution
Explanation:
Mason's square |
It is an instrument, which is useful for checking the right angles. With the help of this tool, we can verify the accuracy of the two corners to get the standard reference of 90°. |
Mason's line |
It is also called Mason's twine, which is used to create straight lines and a level surface. It is needed when laying out posts, patios, footings, and more. |
Mason's level |
It is used, when establishing vertical or Plumb lines and horizontal or level lines. This tool is preferred by most masons since it can use to measure vertical and horizontal measurements. |
Straight edge |
These tools act as extensors to the mason’s level. They are used, when levels are shorter than the area that needs to be measured. |
Other tools that are used in brick masonry construction:
Brick Hammer: Used for cutting bricks, also for pushing the bricks in courses.
Trowel: Used for lifting and spreading mortar; also for cutting bricks.
Spirit Level: Used, with a straight edge, for getting horizontal surface; also used for leveling.
Plumb rule: Used for checking verticality of brick walls.
Line and Pins: Used for maintaining alignment of courses.
Scutch: Used for cutting soft bricks and dressing out surfaces.
Bolster: Used for accurate cutting of bricks.
Jointer: Used for pointing the joints.
Bricks and Mortar Question 3:
Which of the following constituents, when present in excess quantity, changes the colour of the brick from red to yellow?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Bricks and Mortar Question 3 Detailed Solution
Explanation:
Effect of Excessive Limestone on Brick Colour
Definition: Bricks are one of the most widely used construction materials, and their quality and aesthetic appearance depend significantly on the raw materials used during their manufacturing process. One of the primary constituents that can influence the colour of bricks is limestone (calcium carbonate, CaCO3). When limestone is present in excess, it reacts during the firing process, causing a distinct change in the brick's colour from red to yellow.
Working Principle: During the firing of bricks, the raw materials undergo various chemical reactions due to the high temperatures in the kiln. Limestone, which is a calcium-based compound, plays an important role in this process. When present in small quantities, limestone contributes positively to the strength and durability of bricks. However, when present in excess, it interferes with the natural chemical reactions of other constituents, such as iron oxide, which is responsible for the red coloration of bricks.
Iron oxide imparts the characteristic red colour to bricks during the firing process. Excessive limestone alters the chemical environment in the kiln by forming compounds such as calcium silicates and calcium aluminates. These compounds suppress the formation of the red iron oxide, resulting in a yellowish colour in the final product.
Chemical Reaction:
The key reactions involved when limestone is present in excess are as follows:
- Decomposition of limestone during heating:
CaCO3 → CaO + CO2 (calcium oxide and carbon dioxide)
- Formation of calcium silicates and aluminates:
CaO + SiO2 → CaSiO3 (calcium silicate)
CaO + Al2O3 → Ca(AlO2)2 (calcium aluminate)
These reactions consume the calcium oxide (CaO) generated by the decomposition of limestone. The presence of these newly formed compounds inhibits the normal reactions of iron oxide, leading to the yellowish hue in bricks.
Advantages:
- In controlled amounts, limestone can improve the workability of raw brick material and enhance its durability.
- It contributes to a smoother surface finish in fired bricks.
Disadvantages:
- Excessive limestone significantly alters the natural red colour of bricks, which may be undesirable for aesthetic purposes.
- It can lead to a brittle and weaker brick structure if not carefully controlled during the manufacturing process.
Applications: The use of bricks with a yellowish hue due to excess limestone might be acceptable for specific architectural styles or where the colour variation is not a concern. However, for standard construction practices, controlling the limestone content is crucial to maintain the desired red colour and structural integrity of bricks.
Bricks and Mortar Question 4:
Which of the following bonds is considered the strongest and most suitable for loadbearing walls?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Bricks and Mortar Question 4 Detailed Solution
Explanation:
- The English bond is considered the strongest and most suitable for load-bearing walls due to its construction and arrangement of bricks.
- It consists of alternating courses of headers (bricks laid flat, with their ends exposed) and stretchers (bricks laid lengthwise).
- This bond provides excellent strength and stability, making it ideal for structures that will bear heavy loads.
Additional Information
- Stretcher bond: This bond consists of all bricks laid as stretchers in each course. It is weaker than the English bond because there is no interlocking of headers to provide additional strength. It is more commonly used for non-loadbearing walls or decorative purposes.
- Flemish bond: In this bond, each course alternates between headers and stretchers. While it is aesthetically pleasing and often used for decorative walls, it is not as strong as the English bond for load-bearing applications.
- Header bond: This bond consists of all bricks laid as headers, which means only the short ends of the bricks are exposed. While it can be strong in some cases, it is less efficient for load-bearing purposes compared to the English bond.
Bricks and Mortar Question 5:
According to the Bureau of Indian Standards, IS 12894:2002, clay and silt in sand for pulverized fuel-ash lime bricks should preferably be:
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Bricks and Mortar Question 5 Detailed Solution
Explanation:
According to IS 12894:2002
- The clay and silt content in sand used for pulverized fuel-ash lime bricks should preferably be in the range of 0-5%.
- This helps ensure the proper bonding and workability of the bricks without excessive shrinkage or cracking.
Additional InformationPulverized Fuel-Ash Lime Bricks (PFAL Bricks)
These bricks are made by using pulverized fuel ash (PFA), also known as fly ash, which is a by-product of coal combustion in power plants. The process involves mixing PFA with lime and sometimes sand to create durable building materials.
Key Components:
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Pulverized Fuel Ash (PFA): A fine ash generated from coal combustion. It's the primary ingredient in PFAL bricks.
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Lime: Acts as a binding agent to bind PFA particles and provide strength.
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Sand: Sometimes used in small quantities to adjust the texture and workability of the brick mix.
Top Bricks and Mortar MCQ Objective Questions
The process of taking out stones from natural rock is known as:
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Bricks and Mortar Question 6 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDF1) Weathering is the process of breaking down and loosening the surface minerals of rock so that they can be transported away by agents of erosion such as water, wind and ice.
2) Quarrying is the multistage process by which rock is extracted from the ground and crushed to produce aggregate, which is then screened into the sizes required for immediate use, or for further processing, such as coating with bitumen to make bituminous macadam or asphalt.
3) Dressing of Stone is the working of quarried stone into the shape and size required for use. This can be necessary as stones obtained from quarrying generally do not have the exact required dimensions or finish.
4) Cladding is a layer of natural stone applied to the walls. When applied it gives an effect such that the wall is made of the natural stone itself.Match the name of the stone in List 1 with the use of that stone in List 2.
List 1 |
List 2 |
A. Granite |
1. Ornamental Work |
B. Marble |
2. Sea Walls |
C. Lime stone |
3. Flooring |
D. Slate |
4. Manufacture of Cement |
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Bricks and Mortar Question 7 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFConcept:
Classification and uses of building stones-
Type |
Classification |
Uses |
Granite |
Igneous rock |
Most suitable for important engineering works such as bridge abutments, piers, dams, Sea Walls, light houses, etc |
Marble |
Metamorphic rock |
Most suitable for monuments, statutes flooring, decorative and ornamental works |
Lime stone |
Sedimentary rock |
Suitable for flooring, paving, roofing and in the manufacturing of cement. |
Slate |
Metamorphic rock |
Most suitable for roof covering, flooring, damp proofing and partitions. |
Sandstone |
Sedimentary rock |
In the form of flag stone for paving, tile stone for roofing, natural stone for ornamental works and grit for heavy engineering works |
Laterite (Sandy clay stone) |
Sedimentary rock |
Suitable for rough stone masonry work, The nodular variety yields road metal |
Trap and basalt |
Igneous rock |
Suitable for road metal and concrete aggregates, used for decorative features. |
The crushing strength (MPa) of good stone used for construction of a building must not be less than ____.
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Bricks and Mortar Question 8 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFA good building stone has the following properties:
- Percentage of wear in the attrition test should not be more than 3
- Specific gravity should be at least 2.7
- Coefficient of hardness should be greater than 17
- Percentage of water absorption by weight of stone should be less than 5
- Toughness index should not be less than 13
- Crushing strength should be greater than 100 N/mm2 or MPa.
Maximum permissible wear in stones for road work is
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Bricks and Mortar Question 9 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFA good building stone has the following properties:
- The percentage of wear in the attrition test should not be more than 2 for road work.
- Specific gravity should be at least 2.7
- The coefficient of hardness should be greater than 17
- Percentage of water absorption by weight of stone should be less than 5
- The toughness index should not be less than 13
- Crushing strength should be greater than 100 N/mm2
For road works, Wear not more than 2% and for building stone, It should not more than 3%.
Which constituent of good brick earth added in small quantity during the manufacturing of bricks, to give a yellow tint to bricks and decrease shrinkage?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Bricks and Mortar Question 10 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFExplanation:
Good Brick Earth Constituents table:
Constituents | Percentage | Properties Impart | Excess causes |
Alumina | 20 - 30 | Plasticity | Shrinking and warping |
Silica | 50 - 60 | Uniform shape | Makes brick Brittle |
Lime | 4 - 5 | Prevent cracking and shrinkage | Causes the bricks to melts. |
Oxide of Iron | 5 - 6 | Imparts red-brown color and strength. | Makes bricks dark blue and blackish. |
Magnesia | < 1 | Yellow tint color to brick. | Decay of brick. |
Which of the following possess more ability to resist fire?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Bricks and Mortar Question 11 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFCompacted sandstone: It is a type of rock which has the quartz or the sand bound together with the cementing minerals like mica, feldspar etc.
Compacted sandstone has the following properties:
(a) It is a sedimentary rock
(b) Its colour depends upon that of the feldspar
(c) It can be used as a road metal if the higher quality stones like basalt and granite are not available
(d) It is fire resistant
(e) Its specific gravity is 2.25
(f) Its crushing strength varies 35 to 40 MN/m2
Among all these Compacted sandstones has more fire resisting properties.Mangalore Tiles belong to the category of -
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Bricks and Mortar Question 12 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFMangalore tiles are a type of tile native to the city of Mangalore, India. These red coloured clay tiles, unique in shape and size. Since these clay tiles are molded under extreme heat, they are resistant to damage or destruction from fire.
Mosaic tile is any combination of materials such as glass, ceramic, porcelain or stone, usually set in a small format and set on a mesh sheet for easy installation. They are used in backsplash, shower, bath or floor.
Slate tile is a type of natural stone which is quarried from the side of mountains or taken from the earth. A finely grained, homogeneous, metamorphic rock, it is named for the way the material forms in plains, like sheets resting on top of the other, compressed under great pressure to create a strong bond.
Concrete tiles are made from concrete. They are highly durable and easy to maintain. The main drawback of these tiles is that since these tiles are heavy they can increase the dead load on structure.___________ are used to press mortar and spread it uniformly.
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Bricks and Mortar Question 13 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFExplanation:
Floats are used to press mortar and spread it uniformly.
A trowel is a small hand tool used for digging, applying, smoothing, or moving small amounts of viscous or particulate material.
Aluminium rod is used to strike off excess mortar.
A brush is used to clean the mortar. Floats are used to press mortar and spread it uniformly.
The shape of the brick gets deformed due to rain water falling on hot brick. This defect is known as ______.
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Bricks and Mortar Question 14 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFExplanation:
Defects in Bricks are:
1. Bloating: This defect observed as spongy swollen mass over the surface of burned bricks is caused due to presence of excess carbonaceous matter and sulphur in brick clay.
2. Chuffs: The deformation of the shape of bricks caused by the rain water falling on hot bricks is known as chuffs.
3. Laminations: These are caused by the entrapped air in the voids of clay. Laminations produce thin lamina on the brick faces which weather out on exposure. Such bricks are weak in structure.The process of mixing clay, water and other ingredients to make bricks is known as
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Bricks and Mortar Question 15 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFConcept:
Kneading: It is the process of mixing water with blended clay (clay with additional minerals) to make it plastic.
Kneading of the brick earth occurs after clay has been weathered, and blended and is the last step in the preparation of brick earth before moulding it into the shape.
Kneading is done either manually or by combined kneading-tempering by adding moisture to the already blended soil and placing it in pug mills (often called as clay mixers).
Kneading is done to obtain a homogeneous mass and to develop plasticity for the following moulding process.
Tempering of clay: It is the process of adding water to the clay and allowing it to remain un-disturbed for few days before mixing occurs.
Pugging: It is also the process of working and tempering of clay to make it plastic and consistent.
Moulding: It is the process of giving a required shape to the brick from the prepared brick earth. It can be hand moulded or machine moulded.