What Do You Know About Building Construction?

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Last updated · 13 min play time

From the pyramids of ancient Egypt to the Great Wall of China to modern skyscrapers– civilizations are often judged by the size and quality of their buildings. An effective building is elegant and aesthetically pleasing, but it is important to remember that construction is as much a science as an art. The more you know about building techniques and materials, the better you will understand the requisite skill and effort.

 


Tony Conrad grew up in the construction industry. By the age of 10, he was already learning glazing and remodeling in his family’s shop. At the age of 14 he started working part time in the trades and by 16 had started a full-time career that’s still going strong.

Over the years, Tony has acquired a large and diverse set of skills through experience and practice. He has been a licensed General Contractor in California since 1996, and currently has over 40 years working in the industry.

Building Construction Quiz Questions

40 Questions · 156.9K Plays · 4 Comments

Question 1

Spray foam and fiberglass can both ______ a building.

  • A
    Insulate
  • B
    Reinforce
  • C
    Decorate
  • D
    Demolish

Question 2

What material are most I-beams made out of?

  • A
    Dilithium
  • B
    Transparent aluminum
  • C
    Structural steel
  • D
    Mithril

Question 3

The building material made out of laminated sheets of wood is called:

  • A
    Plywood
  • B
    Lumber
  • C
    Studwood
  • D
    Timber

Question 4

Rebar is steel used to reinforce:

  • A
    Gravel
  • B
    Vinyl
  • C
    Wood
  • D
    Masonry and concrete

Question 5

Tongue & groove is a method to ______ pieces of wood.

  • A
    Expand
  • B
    Shrink
  • C
    Cut
  • D
    Fit

Question 6

Millwork materials come from a:

  • A
    Hammermill
  • B
    Gristmill
  • C
    Woodmill
  • D
    Millionaire

Question 7

What material is most drywall made from?

  • A
    Gypsum
  • B
    Granite
  • C
    Quartz
  • D
    Pumice

Question 8

Other than asphalt, roofing can be made from all of the following except:

  • A
    Slate
  • B
    Spray foam
  • C
    Wood
  • D
    Metal

Question 9

Building structures by bending, cutting, and assembling metal is called:

  • A
    Fabrication
  • B
    Treatment
  • C
    Framing
  • D
    Engineering

Question 10

To be recycled, concrete cannot contain:

  • A
    Gravel
  • B
    Water
  • C
    None of the Above
  • D
    Sand

Question 11

Double-pane windows contain two glass panels that can be separated by a spacer and:

  • A
    Spray foam
  • B
    Argon or krypton gas
  • C
    Boron or freon
  • D
    Lusitanian francesinhas

Question 12

Shiplap is usually used for:

  • A
    Termites
  • B
    Siding
  • C
    Soundproofing
  • D
    Fireproofing

Question 13

Walls that separate rooms are known as:

  • A
    Dividers
  • B
    Aesthetic walls
  • C
    Party walls
  • D
    Partition walls

Question 14

Low-emissivity glass contains a metallic coating that reflects:

  • A
    Ozone
  • B
    Projectiles
  • C
    Visible light
  • D
    Infrared and Ultraviolet radiation

Question 15

All of the following materials can be wood stain finishing agents except:

  • A
    Lacquer
  • B
    All of the above
  • C
    Shellac
  • D
    Polyurethane

Question 16

Parallel strand lumber is a construction material made out of:

  • A
    Strands of oak
  • B
    Parallel bamboo and yew strands
  • C
    Synthetic strands
  • D
    Wooden strands held together by adhesive

Question 17

A material that contains gravel, sand and a binding substance is called__________.

  • A
    Concrete
  • B
    Cement
  • C
    Adhesive
  • D
    Glue

Question 18

The purpose of patterned textures in stucco is:

  • A
    Soundproofing
  • B
    Bricklaying
  • C
    Decoration
  • D
    Fireproofing

Question 19

Most mezzanine floors have a frame made from:

  • A
    Copper
  • B
    Pig iron
  • C
    Cold-rolled steel
  • D
    Bronze

Question 20

______ glass helps to soundproof buildings.

  • A
    Low-E
  • B
    Acoustic
  • C
    Fiber
  • D
    Stucco

Question 21

Which of the following is not a benefit of insulated walls?

  • A
    Fireproofing
  • B
    Energy efficiency
  • C
    Pest control
  • D
    All of the above

Question 22

What does glue lamination help timber do?

  • A
    Enhance flexibility
  • B
    Bear heavier loads
  • C
    Stick to other materials
  • D
    Increase embodied energy

Question 23

Which building material is made primarily of earth and organic substances?

  • A
    Fiberglass
  • B
    Adobe
  • C
    Cement
  • D
    Concrete

Question 24

To qualify as Type IV, a building must use:

  • A
    Heavy timber
  • B
    Fiberglass
  • C
    Spray foam
  • D
    Gypsum

Question 25

The horizontal members that are attached to girders in a rib-like pattern are called:

  • A
    Frame
  • B
    H-beam
  • C
    Joists
  • D
    I-beam

Question 26

Passive solar building design uses solar energy to:

  • A
    Absorb heat
  • B
    Generate electricity
  • C
    Sequester carbon
  • D
    Strengthen the structure

Question 27

Construction using termite-resistant material involves all of the following materials except:

  • A
    Steel mesh
  • B
    Bamboo
  • C
    Concrete
  • D
    Pressure-treated wood

Question 28

3-tab asphalt roofing should be replaced approximately every __ years.

  • A
    30
  • B
    10
  • C
    40
  • D
    20

Question 29

What is hydraulic cement?

  • A
    A cement brand distributed by Hydros, LLC
  • B
    Cement that holds moisture
  • C
    Cement that is used for hydraulic fracturing
  • D
    Cement that hardens by chemical reaction with water

Question 30

Spray-applied fireproof coating protects a building’s:

  • A
    Energy efficiency
  • B
    VoIP call quality
  • C
    Structural integrity
  • D
    Curb appeal

Question 31

This type of paint helps slow the spread of fire?

  • A
    Intumescent paint
  • B
    Insulated paint
  • C
    Lead paint
  • D
    Aluminum paint

Question 32

______ refers to any type of binding material.

  • A
    Cement
  • B
    Concrete
  • C
    Binder
  • D
    Paste

Question 33

Thermal mass building materials are materials that can:

  • A
    Grow heavier with heat
  • B
    Facilitate changes in temperature
  • C
    Block heat
  • D
    Store heat

Question 34

All of the following are advantages of using rammed earth in construction except:

  • A
    Minimal labor
  • B
    Simplicity
  • C
    Combustion resistance
  • D
    Durability

Question 35

Thermal barriers slow the spread of:

  • A
    All of the above
  • B
    Temperature
  • C
    Fire
  • D
    Smoke

Question 36

A wall that separates two buildings or distinct units within a building is a ______ wall.

  • A
    Privacy
  • B
    Party
  • C
    Insulation
  • D
    Family

Question 37

How tall is the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building?

  • A
    828 meters
  • B
    932 meters
  • C
    781 meters
  • D
    1 kilometer

Question 38

What is the tallest building in the world that is made primarily from concrete?

  • A
    The Burj Khalifa
  • B
    The Trump International Hotel & Tower
  • C
    The Empire State Building
  • D
    The Torre dos Clérigos

Question 39

Wood-framed buildings are Type:

  • A
    I
  • B
    III
  • C
    IV
  • D
    V

Question 40

High-rise structures are classified as Type _ buildings.

  • A
    III
  • B
    II
  • C
    I
  • D
    A

Comments (4)

We want to hear your feedback! Share your scores and discuss the quiz, but keep it civil.

That was a good quiz 👌

· · · ·

Not tech.enough

· · · ·

Good Questions.

· · · ·

Well done. . .would enjoy deep dive into MEPs , LEED, etc. thanks, Steve

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