Question 1 of 5
A good building stone should have which of the following qualities?
\ni. Uniform texture\nii. Strength\niii. Fire resistance\niv. Hardness
A
i, ii and iii
B
ii, iii and iv
C
i, ii and iv
D
i, ii, iii and iv
Why: A good building stone must possess all listed qualities: uniform texture for structural integrity, strength (60-200 N/mm²) for load-bearing, fire resistance (up to 800°C), and hardness for durability in floors and pavements. All options i, ii, iii, and iv are essential characteristics as per standard building material specifications[1].
Question 2 of 5
Which of the following stone is best suited for construction of piers and abutments of a railway bridge?
A
Granite
B
Sand stone
C
Lime stone
D
Quartzite
Why: Granite is the best suited for construction of piers and abutments of railway bridges due to its **high compressive strength** (typically >100 MPa), **excellent durability** against weathering and abrasion, and **low porosity** which prevents water ingress and freeze-thaw damage. These properties ensure long-term structural stability under heavy dynamic loads and harsh environmental conditions. Sandstone and limestone have lower strength and higher porosity, while quartzite though strong is less commonly used for such applications[3][4].
Question 3 of 5
The predominant constituent which is responsible for strength in granite is:
A
Quartz
B
Felspar
C
Mica
D
None of the above
Why: **Quartz** provides the primary strength to granite due to its exceptional hardness (Mohs scale 7) and high compressive strength. Quartz crystals interlock to form a dense, durable matrix resistant to crushing and abrasion. Feldspar provides bulk but is softer, while mica contributes to cleavage planes that can weaken the stone under certain loading conditions[3][4].
Question 4 of 5
Crushing strength of a good building stone should be more than:
A
50 MPa
B
100 MPa
C
150 MPa
D
200 MPa
Why: A good building stone must have **crushing strength >100 MPa** to safely bear structural loads in construction. This ensures **durability** under compressive forces and resistance to failure. Stones like granite (120-250 MPa) and basalt meet this criterion, while weaker stones like limestone (<100 MPa) are unsuitable for load-bearing applications[3][21].
Question 5 of 5
Granite is not suitable for ordinary building purpose because:
A
It cannot be polished
B
It is not a fire proof material
C
It is costly
D
It has less crushing strength
Why: Granite's **high cost** due to difficult quarrying, expensive dressing, and transportation makes it uneconomical for ordinary buildings. Despite excellent properties like high strength (>150 MPa), durability, and fire resistance, its **poor workability** (hard to cut/shape) further increases costs. It's reserved for premium applications like bridges and monuments[3][4][18].
