BUILDING CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE ENGINEERING
(SSC JE / RRB JE / OSSC JE / State JE–AE)
CHAPTER 1: BUILDING PLANNING & COMPONENTS
1-Page High-Yield One-Liner Notes
- Building: Structure with roof and walls for human use.
- Plinth: Portion between ground level & floor level.
- Plinth height (IS): ≥ 450 mm (for flood safety).
- Carpet area: Area usable for living (no walls).
- Built-up area = Carpet area + wall thickness.
- Floor area ratio (FAR) = Total floor area / Plot area.
- Aspect: Direction of doors/windows → ventilation.
- Orientation: Position of building w.r.t. sun & wind.
- Prospect: View from inside building.
- Room height (IS):
- Living room ≥ 2.75 m
- Kitchen ≥ 2.6 m
- Foundation purpose: Safely transmit load to soil.
Important Table
| Component | Standard Value |
| Plinth height | ≥ 450 mm |
| Minimum stair width | 900 mm |
| Riser | 150–175 mm |
| Tread | 250–300 mm |
| Door height | 2.1 m |
| Window sill | 750–900 mm |
Numerical Examples
Example 1
Plot area = 200 m², total floor area = 300 m²
CHAPTER 2: FOUNDATIONS
One-Liner Notes
- Foundation: Lowest part of structure below ground.
- Shallow foundation: Depth ≤ width.
- Deep foundation: Depth > width.
- Functions:
- Load distribution
- Settlement control
- Bearing capacity: Max load soil can carry safely.
- Footing: Structural part transferring load.
Types of Foundations
| Type | Use |
| Isolated footing | Individual columns |
| Combined footing | Closely spaced columns |
| Strap footing | Unequal load columns |
| Raft foundation | Low SBC soil |
| Pile foundation | Weak soil, heavy load |
Key Formula
Where:
P = Load (kN), A = Area (m²)
Numerical Example
Load = 600 kN, SBC = 200 kN/m²
CHAPTER 3: BRICK MASONRY
One-Liner Notes
- Brick size (IS): 190 × 90 × 90 mm
- With mortar: 200 × 100 × 100 mm
- Standard mortar: Cement : Sand = 1:6
- Brick strength: ≥ 3.5 N/mm²
- Bond purpose:
- Strength
- Load distribution
- Best bond: English bond
Types of Bonds
| Bond | Feature |
| English | Strongest |
| Flemish | Decorative |
| Stretcher | Load bearing walls |
| Header | Thick walls |
Numerical Example
Bricks per m³ (standard):
CHAPTER 4: DOORS, WINDOWS & VENTILATORS
One-Liner Notes
- Door: Provides access.
- Window: Light & ventilation.
- Ventilator: Near roof for hot air.
- Door location: Near corner, not at center.
- Window area ≈ 10–20% of floor area
Types of Doors
| Door | Use |
| Panelled | Residential |
| Flush | Offices |
| Sliding | Limited space |
| Revolving | Hotels |
CHAPTER 5: STAIRS
Key Formula
R = Riser, T = Tread
One-Liner Notes
- Stair slope: 25°–40°
- Landing width ≥ stair width
- Headroom: ≥ 2.1 m
CHAPTER 6: ROOFS
Types of Roofs
| Roof | Use |
| Flat | RCC buildings |
| Pitched | Rainy areas |
| Shell | Large spans |
Roofing Materials
- RCC
- AC sheets
- GI sheets
- Tiles
CHAPTER 7: PLASTERING & PAINTING
Plaster Types
| Type | Ratio |
| Cement plaster | 1:3 to 1:6 |
| Lime plaster | 1:2 |
| Gypsum | Finishing |
Paint Types
| Paint | Property |
| Oil | Durable |
| Enamel | Glossy |
| Distemper | Cheap |
| Cement | Exterior |
CHAPTER 8: BUILDING MAINTENANCE & DEFECTS
Common Defects
- Cracks
- Dampness
- Efflorescence
- Peeling paint
Damp Proofing Methods
| Method | Use |
| DPC | Horizontal barrier |
| Cavity wall | Moisture control |
| Waterproofing | Roofs |
50 EXAM-ORIENTED MCQs
THEORY MCQs (25)
Q1. Best bond for strength?
- A) Flemish
B) English ✔
C) Stretcher
D) Header
Explanation:
English bond has alternate courses → better load transfer.
Q2. Standard brick size?
- A) 200×100×100
B) 190×90×90 ✔
C) 230×110×75
D) 180×80×80
Q3. Minimum plinth height?
- A) 300 mm
B) 450 mm ✔
C) 600 mm
D) 900 mm
Q4. Carpet area includes
- A) Wall thickness
B) Balcony area
C) Area usable for living ✔
D) Staircase area
Explanation:
Carpet area = net usable area only.
❌ Walls, balconies, stairs are excluded.
Exam Tip: Carpet < Floor < Built-up
Q5. Which foundation is suitable for weak soil?
- A) Isolated footing
B) Combined footing
C) Raft foundation ✔
D) Strip footing
Explanation:
Raft foundation spreads load over large area → low SBC soil.
Q6. Maximum room height required as per IS code for living room
- A) 2.4 m
B) 2.6 m
C) 2.75 m ✔
D) 3.0 m
Q7. Purpose of bond in brick masonry is
- A) Decoration
B) Economy
C) Strength & load distribution ✔
D) Speed of work
Q8. Most commonly used bond in load bearing walls
- A) Flemish
B) English ✔
C) Header
D) Stretcher
Q9. Which door is suitable for hospitals?
- A) Panelled
B) Sliding ✔
C) Revolving
D) Battened
Q10. Minimum headroom in staircase
- A) 1.8 m
B) 2.0 m
C) 2.1 m ✔
D) 2.4 m
Q11. Relationship between riser (R) and tread (T)
- A) R + T = 450
B) R = T
C) 2R + T = 600–650 ✔
D) R/T = 2
Q12. Which roof is preferred in heavy rainfall areas?
- A) Flat roof
B) Shell roof
C) Pitched roof ✔
D) RCC slab
Q13. Best material for damp proof course
- A) Brick
B) Cement mortar
C) Bitumen ✔
D) Lime
Q14. Efflorescence is caused due to
- A) Cement deficiency
B) Salts in bricks ✔
C) Overloading
D) Shrinkage
Q15. Which paint is best for exterior walls?
- A) Distemper
B) Oil paint
C) Cement paint ✔
D) Enamel paint
Q16. Window sill height generally is
- A) 300 mm
B) 450 mm
C) 750–900 mm ✔
D) 1200 mm
Q17. Which defect occurs due to moisture?
- A) Cracking
B) Dampness ✔
C) Settlement
D) Buckling
Q18. Purpose of plinth is
- A) Decoration
B) Load transfer
C) Protection from dampness ✔
D) Ventilation
Q19. Which staircase occupies least space?
- A) Dog-legged
B) Open well
C) Spiral ✔
D) Straight
Q20. Standard thickness of partition wall
- A) 75 mm
B) 100 mm ✔
C) 150 mm
D) 230 mm
Q21. Best mortar for brick masonry
- A) 1:2
B) 1:3
C) 1:6 ✔
D) 1:8
Q22. Which defect causes white powder on wall?
- A) Cracks
B) Dampness
C) Efflorescence ✔
D) Peeling
Q23. Minimum width of stair in residential building
- A) 600 mm
B) 750 mm
C) 900 mm ✔
D) 1200 mm
Q24. Which roof is economical for large span?
- A) Flat
B) RCC
C) Shell roof ✔
D) Timber
Q25. Which is NOT a function of foundation?
- A) Load transfer
B) Stability
C) Decoration ✔
D) Settlement control
NUMERICAL MCQs (Q26–Q50)
Q26. FAR if plot area = 200 m², total floor area = 300 m²
- A) 1.25
B) 1.5 ✔
C) 2.0
D) 0.75
Q27. No. of bricks in 1.5 m³ masonry
- A) 500
B) 750 ✔
C) 1000
D) 1500
(500 bricks per m³)
Q28. Load = 600 kN, SBC = 200 kN/m². Area of footing?
- A) 2 m²
B) 3 m² ✔
C) 4 m²
D) 5 m²
Q29. If riser = 150 mm, tread = ?
- A) 250 mm ✔
B) 300 mm
C) 200 mm
D) 350 mm
Q30. Height of stair = 3 m, riser = 150 mm. No. of steps?
- A) 15
B) 18
C) 20 ✔
D) 22
Q31. Volume of plaster for 100 m² wall, thickness = 12 mm
- A) 0.8 m³
B) 1.0 m³
C) 1.2 m³ ✔
D) 1.5 m³
Q32. Cement bags for 1 m³ mortar (1:6)?
- A) 3
B) 4
C) 5 ✔
D) 7
Q33. Roof slope for tiled roof is about
- A) 5°
B) 10°
C) 30° ✔
D) 60°
Q34. Area of footing for column load 800 kN, SBC 160 kN/m²
- A) 4
B) 5 ✔
C) 6
D) 8
Q35. Window area for room 20 m² (10%)
- A) 1 m²
B) 1.5 m²
C) 2 m² ✔
D) 3 m²
Q36. No. of bricks in 3 m³ masonry
- A) 1000
B) 1200
C) 1500 ✔
D) 1800
Q37. If tread = 250 mm, riser = ?
- A) 125 ✔
B) 150
C) 175
D) 200
Q38. Volume of brickwork in wall (10 m × 3 m × 0.23 m)
- A) 5.9
B) 6.9 ✔
C) 7.5
D) 8.2
Q39. Cement paint coverage ≈
- A) 3 m²/kg
B) 5 m²/kg ✔
C) 8 m²/kg
D) 10 m²/kg
Q40. Height of one storey building is approx
- A) 2.5 m
B) 3.0 m ✔
C) 3.5 m
D) 4.0 m
Q41. Thickness of RCC slab generally
- A) 75 mm
B) 100 mm ✔
C) 150 mm
D) 200 mm
Q42. DPC thickness usually
- A) 20 mm
B) 25 mm ✔
C) 40 mm
D) 50 mm
Q43. If wall plaster ratio is 1:4, cement fraction
- A) 20% ✔
B) 25%
C) 30%
D) 40%
Q44. Height of parapet wall
- A) 600 mm
B) 750 mm
C) 900 mm
D) 1000 mm ✔
Q45. Stair slope angle generally
- A) 10°
B) 20°
C) 30° ✔
D) 45°
Q46. Minimum door height
- A) 1.8 m
B) 2.0 m
C) 2.1 m ✔
D) 2.4 m
Q47. Which foundation requires pile cap?
- A) Raft
B) Strip
C) Pile ✔
D) Grillage
Q48. Thickness of load bearing wall
- A) 100 mm
B) 150 mm
C) 230 mm ✔
D) 300 mm
Q49. Most common cause of cracks in plaster
- A) Overloading
B) Shrinkage ✔
C) Settlement
D) Dampness
Q50. Best method to prevent dampness
- A) Painting
B) Plastering
C) DPC ✔
D) Whitewashing
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