Mix design – GATE model questions 04-Jan-2019

1. Let the characteristic strength be defined as that value, below which not more than
50% of the results are expected to fall. Assuming a standard deviation of 4 MPa, the
target mean strength (in MPa) to be considered in the mix design of a M25 concrete
would be
(a) 18.42
(b) 21.00
(c) 25.00
(d) 31.58

2. Mean strength of M20 grade of concrete is _____MPa

(A) 20 (B) 26.58 (C) 13.42 (D) 21

3. If the characteristic strength of concrete fck is defined as the strength below which not
more than 50% of the test results are expected to fall the expression for fck in terms of
mean strength fm and standard deviation S would be
(a) fm - 0.1645S
(b) fm -1.645S
(c) fm
(d) fm +1.645S

4. 90% of cubes tested for M25 grade of concrete mix will have compressive strength
between A and B. The values of A and B in MPa are….
a) A = 31.6 & B = 38.2
b) A = 25 & B = 38.2
c) A = 25 & B = 31.6
d) A = 0 & = 38.2

5. Target mean strength , fm =fck + k(σ) & characteristic compressive strength is

defined as the strength below which not more than 10% of test results are expected to
fall. The value of k is ______.
A) 1.65 B) 1.96 C)1.28 D) 2.33
6. The frequency distribution of the compressive strength of 20 concrete cube specimens
is given in the table. f (MPa) Number of specimens with compressive strength equal
to
f (MPa) No of specimen with compr. Strength
equal to ‘f’
23 4
28 2
22.5 5
31 5
29 4
If μ is the mean strength of the specimens and σ is the standard deviation, the number of
specimens (out of 20) with compressive strength less than μ -3σ is ______

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 7. The probability of failure impiled in Limit state method of design is of the order of
___.
A) 10-2 B) 10-3 C) 10-4 D) 10-5
8. The characteristic compressive strength of concrete is __
A) Equal to average cube strength
B) Lower than average cube strength
C) Higher than average cube strength
D) Higher than 95% of average cube strength
9. Characteristic strength of M20 concrete is 20 MPa. What is the number of cubes
having 28 days compressive strength greater than 20 MPa out of 120 cubes made with
this concrete.?
A) All B) 114 C) 96 D) 60

10. Minimum grade of concrete to be used for RCC structures as per IS 456:2000 is ___.
11. The partial safety factor for concrete as per IS 456:2000 is ___.
A) 1.50 B) 1.15 C) 0.87 D) .446

12. 50% of cubes tested for M35 grade of concrete mix will have compressive strength
more than …….

13. If the characteristic strength of concrete is wrongly defined as the strength below
which not more than 95% of the test results are expected to fall. Average compressive
strength of cube is given as 43.25 MPa and standard deviation is 5MPa. Then what is
the value of characteristic compressive strength of concrete as per wrong definition.?

14. The true value for characteristic compressive strength of concrete for Qn. 13 is ____.
A) 51.5 MPa B) 35 MPa C) 43.25 MPa D) 20

15. To calculate an acceptable value for standard deviation for a particular grade of
concrete, minimum number of samples to be tested is …….. as per S 456:2000.
A) 25 B) 50 C) 30 D) 100

True / False
16. The target mean strength of concrete mix should be equal to the characteristic strength
plus 1.65 times the standard deviation irrespective of grade of concrete.
17. Nominal mix concrete may be used for concrete of grade M 25 or lower.

Note : Try these Questions & any doubts will be clarified.

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