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ENCE 301Bachelor in Civil Engineering · Semester 51 Paper Available

Design of Timber and Masonry Structures

Past examination question papers and complete curriculum syllabus for Design of Timber and Masonry Structures (ENCE 301), Bachelor in Civil Engineering Semester 5 under Institute of Engineering (IOE), Tribhuvan University.

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Most Frequently Asked Questions

Top recurring IOE board exam questions for Design of Timber and Masonry Structures with verified mark schemes, formula notation, and recurrence frequency.

Showing 30 of 30 top repeated questions

Structural timber

4 Questions
#1Repeated 5 Times[4 Marks]Structural timber
Explain the natural defects in timber and the factors affecting the strength of structural timber (moisture content, grain slope, knots, density, and duration of loading).
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2082 Kartik2081 Chaitra2078 Chaitra2075 Bhadra
#2Repeated 4 Times[4 Marks]Structural timber
Differentiate between Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam). Explain their manufacturing processes, advantages, and applications in modern multi-story mass timber structures.
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2081 Chaitra2080 Chaitra2079 Chaitra
#3Repeated 3 Times[6 Marks]Structural timber
Explain the moisture content in timber, fiber saturation point (FSP), and shrinkage along longitudinal, radial, and tangential directions. How does seasoning affect the physical and mechanical properties of timber?
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2081 Bhadra2079 Chaitra
#4Repeated 3 Times[6 Marks]Structural timber
Describe the preservation methods for timber against fungal decay, termite attacks, and fire hazards: brushing, spraying, dipping, and vacuum pressure impregnation (Creosote and CCA preservatives).
Appeared in:2082 Bhadra2080 Chaitra2077 Magh

Joints in Timber Structures

3 Questions
#1Repeated 4 Times[6 Marks]Joints in Timber Structures
Explain the structural behavior and failure modes of bolted and nailed connections in timber structures. Describe different types of timber connectors (split rings, shear plates, and toothed plates) and their efficiency.
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2081 Chaitra2079 Chaitra2076 Baisakh
#2Repeated 3 Times[6 Marks]Joints in Timber Structures
Describe carpentry joints in timber framing: lap joints, mortise and tenon joints, notched joints, and scarf joints with neat sketches. What are split rings and shear plate timber connectors?
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2080 Baishakh2078 Bhadra
#3Repeated 3 Times[8 Marks]Joints in Timber Structures
Design a lap joint between two Sal wood tension members of cross-section $100\text{ mm} \times 150\text{ mm}$ subjected to a tensile force of $50\text{ kN}$ using bolts of diameter $16\text{ mm}$. Calculate the required number and spacing of bolts according to IS 883.
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2081 Chaitra2079 Baishakh

Structural Elements of Timber Structures

4 Questions
#1Repeated 5 Times[8 Marks]Structural Elements of Timber Structures
Design a Sal wood beam having a clear span of 4.0 m carrying a uniformly distributed load of 20 kN/m including self-weight of the beam. The bearing width at supports is 250 mm. Check the beam for bending stress, horizontal shear stress, bearing stress, and deflection as per IS 883:1994.
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2082 Kartik2080 Chaitra2078 Chaitra2075 Baisakh
#2Repeated 5 Times[8 Marks]Structural Elements of Timber Structures
Design a solid rectangular and spaced timber column of Sal/Deodar wood of effective length 3.5 m to support an axial compressive load of 200 kN and bending moment 40 kNm under inside exposure conditions as per IS 883.
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2082 Kartik2081 Chaitra2078 Chaitra2074 Bhadra
#3Repeated 4 Times[10 Marks]Structural Elements of Timber Structures
Design a built-up (flitched) beam consisting of two Sal wood timber flitches of size $75\text{ mm} \times 200\text{ mm}$ and a mild steel plate of size $10\text{ mm} \times 180\text{ mm}$ sandwiched between them, simply supported over a span of $4.5\text{ m}$.
Appeared in:2082 Bhadra2081 Baishakh2078 Chaitra2075 Bhadra
#4Repeated 3 Times[8 Marks]Structural Elements of Timber Structures
Explain the design principles of timber roof trusses (King Post truss and Queen Post truss). Draw neat sketches of joint details at the apex, crown, and shoe (heel joint) connections.
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2080 Chaitra2076 Chaitra

Masonry Structures

4 Questions
#1Repeated 5 Times[6 Marks]Masonry Structures
Explain the various types of masonry bonds with neat sketches: English bond, Flemish bond, and Rat-trap bond. Explain how rat-trap bond saves materials and provides superior thermal performance in building walls.
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2082 Chaitra2082 Bhadra2080 Baishakh2076 Ashwin
#2Repeated 4 Times[5 Marks]Masonry Structures
Explain the properties and classification of mortars used in masonry construction. Discuss the influence of water retention, sand grading, and mortar compressive strength on masonry bond strength.
Appeared in:2082 Bhadra2080 Baishakh2078 Bhadra2075 Ashwin
#3Repeated 3 Times[6 Marks]Masonry Structures
Explain the factors affecting the compressive strength of masonry: brick unit strength, mortar strength, water absorption, bricklaying workmanship, bed joint thickness, and age of masonry.
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2081 Bhadra2077 Chaitra
#4Repeated 3 Times[6 Marks]Masonry Structures
Describe the types of masonry units used in Nepal: traditional clay burnt bricks (Dachi Appa, Ma Appa), hollow concrete blocks (HCB), Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEB), and Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) blocks.
Appeared in:2081 Chaitra2079 Chaitra2075 Bhadra

Design of Masonry Walls for Gravity Loads

5 Questions
#1Repeated 5 Times[8 Marks]Design of Masonry Walls for Gravity Loads
Design an interior load-bearing cross wall of a two-story building to carry a 150 mm thick RCC slab with 3.3 m ceiling height. The wall is unstiffened and supports a 2.5 m wide RCC slab on both sides. Live load on roof = 1.5 kN/m^2, live load on floor = 2.0 kN/m^2, and floor finish = 1.0 kN/m^2. Design the wall thickness and mortar grade as per IS 1905 / NBC 109.
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2082 Chaitra2082 Bhadra2080 Baishakh2078 Bhadra
#2Repeated 5 Times[6 Marks]Design of Masonry Walls for Gravity Loads
Explain the step-by-step procedure to design a masonry wall subjected to vertical axial load with eccentricity. Explain how effective height, effective thickness, slenderness ratio, and stress reduction factor (ks) are computed.
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2081 Bhadra2079 Bhadra2076 Ashwin2074
#3Repeated 5 Times[8 Marks]Design of Masonry Walls for Gravity Loads
A brick in cement mortar column of size 35 cm x 50 cm is axially loaded with service load P. The height of column is 4.0 m and is fully restrained at top and bottom. Determine the allowable axial load P. Also calculate the allowable load when applied with an eccentricity of 50 mm about the major axis.
Appeared in:2082 Bhadra2081 Baishakh2078 Bhadra2075 Ashwin2073
#4Repeated 4 Times[8 Marks]Design of Masonry Walls for Gravity Loads
Explain the stress reduction factor ($k_s$), area reduction factor ($k_a$), and shape modification factor ($k_p$) in masonry wall design. Determine the permissible compressive stress for a wall with basic compressive stress $f_b = 0.96\text{ MPa}$, $\lambda = 16$, and eccentricity ratio $e/t = 1/6$.
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2082 Chaitra2080 Chaitra2077 Magh
#5Repeated 3 Times[6 Marks]Design of Masonry Walls for Gravity Loads
Explain effective height, effective length, and effective thickness of masonry walls according to IS 1905 / NBC 109. How is the slenderness ratio ($\lambda$) calculated for solid walls, cavity walls, and pilastered walls?
Appeared in:2082 Bhadra2080 Baishakh2078 Chaitra

Masonry Structures Under Lateral Loads

3 Questions
#1Repeated 5 Times[6 Marks]Masonry Structures Under Lateral Loads
Describe the in-plane and out-of-plane behavior and failure mechanisms (diagonal shear cracking, toe crushing, flexural rocking, and out-of-plane bending) of masonry walls under lateral earthquake loading.
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2082 Bhadra2080 Baishakh2078 Bhadra2075 Ashwin
#2Repeated 4 Times[6 Marks]Masonry Structures Under Lateral Loads
List the lateral load resisting elements in masonry buildings. Explain the calculation of lateral seismic shear force distribution among various masonry shear walls based on their relative flexural and shear rigidities.
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2081 Chaitra2079 Bhadra2076 Ashwin
#3Repeated 3 Times[8 Marks]Masonry Structures Under Lateral Loads
Explain the distribution of lateral seismic shear forces among parallel shear walls in a single-story and multi-story masonry building with rigid diaphragms versus flexible diaphragms.
Appeared in:2081 Bhadra2079 Baishakh2077 Magh

Seismic Design and Strengthening of Masonry Buildings

4 Questions
#1Repeated 5 Times[8 Marks]Seismic Design and Strengthening of Masonry Buildings
Explain the design principles of earthquake-resistant masonry buildings. Describe the functions, locations, and reinforcement detailing of horizontal seismic bands (plinth, sill, lintel, and roof bands) and vertical reinforcement at corners and openings as per NBC 203.
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2082 Chaitra2081 Bhadra2079 Bhadra2078 Bhadra
#2Repeated 5 Times[8 Marks]Seismic Design and Strengthening of Masonry Buildings
What are the common structural deficiencies and damage patterns observed in unreinforced masonry buildings during earthquakes? Describe seismic retrofitting and strengthening measures including RC jacketing, ferrocement overlays, and containment mesh.
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2082 Chaitra2081 Baishakh2078 Bhadra2075 Ashwin
#3Repeated 4 Times[8 Marks]Seismic Design and Strengthening of Masonry Buildings
Explain the role and construction details of seismic bands in masonry buildings according to NBC 202: plinth band, lintel band, sill band, and roof/eaves band. Detail the reinforcing bar arrangements and corner splices.
Appeared in:2082 Bhadra2080 Baishakh2076 Bhadra2074 Chaitra
#4Repeated 3 Times[8 Marks]Seismic Design and Strengthening of Masonry Buildings
Describe seismic retrofitting and post-earthquake repair techniques for stone and brick masonry structures: cement/epoxy injection grouting, reinforced plaster splint-and-bandage (ferrocement overlay), PP-band mesh retrofitting, and vertical tie rods.
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2081 Chaitra2078 Bhadra

Testing of Masonry Elements

3 Questions
#1Repeated 5 Times[6 Marks]Testing of Masonry Elements
Describe the in-situ push shear test (bed joint shear test) and diagonal compression test (ASTM E519) of masonry walls to determine the shear modulus and bed joint cohesion/friction with neat test sketches.
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2082 Chaitra2081 Bhadra2079 Bhadra2078 Bhadra
#2Repeated 4 Times[5 Marks]Testing of Masonry Elements
Explain the importance of laboratory and in-situ testing of masonry materials. Describe the test procedure for determining the compressive strength of masonry prisms under axial compression.
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2082 Bhadra2080 Baishakh2076 Ashwin
#3Repeated 3 Times[6 Marks]Testing of Masonry Elements
Describe the test method for determining the compressive strength of a masonry prism (ASTM C1314 / IS 1905). How does prism aspect ratio ($h/t$) affect measured compressive strength, and what correction factors are applied?
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2080 Chaitra2079 Chaitra

Curriculum Syllabus & Course Topics

Sourced from TU curriculum portal
Full Syllabus (PDF)Micro Syllabus (PDF)
Chapter-wise Units & Micro-Syllabus Topics (8 Units)

  1. 1. Structural timber

    • 1.1Introduction to timber structures
    • 1.2Characteristics and classification of structural timbers
    • 1.3Factors affecting the strength of structural timbers
    • 1.4Grade of structural timbers and permissible stresses
    • 1.5Cross-laminated timber, glued- laminated timber, nail-laminated timber, and dowel-laminated timber

  2. 2. Joints in Timber Structures

    • 2.1Types of mechanical fasteners: Bolts, nails, screws
    • 2.2Behavior and design of bolted and nailed joints
    • 2.3Joint (Connection) detailing

  3. 3. Structural Elements of Timber Structures

    • 3.1Types of timber columns and columns bases
    • 3.2Design of axially loaded columns
    • 3.3Design of column subjected to combined bending and direct stresses
    • 3.4Types of timber beams
    • 3.5Design of flexural members (Beams and flitched beams)

  4. 4. Masonry Structures

    • 4.1Introduction, history and use of masonry structures
    • 4.2Characteristics of brick, stone, concrete block, hollow block, and compressed earth block
    • 4.3Stone masonry structures: Types and characteristics
    • 4.4Brick masonry structures: Types (English, Flemish and rat‐trap bonds) and characteristics
    • 4.5Reinforced and un‐ reinforced masonry
    • 4.6Confined masonry

  5. 5. Design of Masonry Walls for Gravity Loads

    • 5.1Codal provisions
    • 5.2Design of solid walls under gravity loads
    • 5.3Design of walls with openings
    • 5.4Design of walls subjected to eccentric loads
    • 5.5Design of walls acting as columns

  6. 6. Masonry Structures Under Lateral Loads

    • 6.1In‐plane and out‐of‐ plane behavior of masonry structures
    • 6.2Typical damage patterns in masonry structures due to lateral loads
    • 6.3Ductile behavior of reinforced and unreinforced masonry structures
    • 6.4Lateral force distribution for rigid and flexible diaphragms
    • 6.5Design of masonry walls for wind loads
    • 6.6Elements of lateral load- resisting masonry system

  7. 7. Seismic Design and Strengthening of Masonry Buildings

    • 7.1Seismic behavior of unreinforced and reinforced masonry
    • 7.2Seismic design principles for masonry construction
    • 7.3Seismic design of masonry walls
    • 7.4Codal provisions for seismic design of masonry
    • 7.5Seismic strengthening measures of masonry structures

  8. 8. Testing of Masonry Elements

    • 8.1Compressive strength of bricks and walls
    • 8.2Diagonal shear test
    • 8.3Non‐destructive tests: Ultra-sonic pulse velocity test; Elastic wave tomography; Semi-destructive tests (Flat‐jack test, push shear test)

Examination Scheme & Marks Distribution

Evaluation Structure

  • Final Board Theory Exam: 60 Marks (Pass mark: 24)
  • Internal Assessment: 40 Marks (Pass mark: 16)
  • Practical / Lab Exam: 25 or 50 Marks (Continuous lab evaluation + viva, where applicable)

* This is the general current IOE 60/40 scheme; verify course-specific details in the syllabus above.

Exam Preparation Guidelines

  • Review the available past examination paper to understand question styling, typical derivation topics, and marks allocation.
  • Cross-reference key answers with official syllabus units, standard textbooks, and lecture notes.
  • Structure answers with labeled diagrams, concise bullet points, and highlight final answers in numerical solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions (Design of Timber and Masonry Structures)

Q: How can I download Design of Timber and Masonry Structures past question papers?

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Q: What is the pass mark for Design of Timber and Masonry Structures?

The general current scheme is a 60-mark final theory exam and a 40-mark internal assessment, with pass marks of 24 and 16. Verify the course-specific syllabus above.

Q: Where can I find the complete syllabus for this subject?

The available chapter-wise syllabus and topic breakdown is indexed in the Syllabus section above, with links to the curriculum PDF source.

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