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GATE 2025 CE (CE1) – Question 16

Construction Materials · Concrete: constituents, mix design, short-term and long-term properties · 1 mark · Multiple choice

Identify the FALSE statement from the following options:

  1. The compressive strength of a concrete test specimen can vary depending on its shape and size
  2. Air-dried and saturated test specimens show the same compressive strength for concrete
  3. Curing conditions, such as temperature and relative humidity, can influence the compressive strength of concrete
  4. Compressive strength depends on the water-to-binder ratio used in the concrete mixture

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Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: (B) Air-dried and saturated test specimens show the same compressive strength for concrete

Explanation

A cube and a cylinder, or a small and a large specimen, give different strengths, so A is true. Curing conditions and the water-to-binder ratio clearly affect strength, so C and D are true. Saturated specimens, tested wet, show a lower compressive strength than air-dried ones, because water in the pores acts against the load, so B is false.