Discuss NCARB PDD Exam Topic 3 Question 2

Which of the following metals is best suited for embedments in concrete or masonry?

AStainless steel

BBronze

CAluminum

DCast iron

Suggested Answer: A

When metals are embedded in concrete or masonry, corrosion resistance is a critical factor due to the alkaline environment and potential moisture exposure.

Stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance, making it ideal for embedments in concrete or masonry where long-term durability is required.

Bronze is corrosion-resistant but typically used for decorative or hardware applications, not structural embedments.

Aluminum corrodes readily in alkaline concrete environments and is not suitable for embedments without protective coatings.

Cast iron is susceptible to rust and corrosion in moist conditions and is generally avoided for embedded components.

Thus, stainless steel is best suited for durability and corrosion resistance in concrete/masonry embedments.

NCARB ARE 5.0 Review Manual, Materials and Assemblies chapter

Building construction materials standards (ACI, ASTM) on metals in concrete

Corrosion resistance guides for metals embedded in concrete

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13 comments · newest first

Reuben 10 months ago

Totally agree, stainless steel is the way to go!

Nida 10 months ago

I think bronze is a good choice too, it resists corrosion.

Novella 10 months ago

Wait, aluminum? Really? I thought it wouldn’t hold up well.

Theola 10 months ago

Cast iron is heavy but not the best for embedments.

Lorrine 11 months ago

Definitely stainless steel, it’s super durable!

Lyla 11 months ago

Bronze sounds familiar, but I’m not confident if it’s better than stainless steel for concrete applications.

Gilbert 11 months ago

I feel like aluminum is too weak for embedments, but I can't recall the specifics on why.

Cecil 11 months ago

I remember practicing a question like this, and I think cast iron might be a good option too, but it can rust, right?

Jamal 12 months ago

I think stainless steel is the best choice because it’s resistant to corrosion, but I’m not entirely sure about the others.

Lindy 12 months ago

Ugh, I'm drawing a blank on the differences between these metals. I know stainless steel is corrosion-resistant, but I can't remember how the others compare. Maybe I'll just have to make an educated guess on this one.

Julio 12 months ago

Stainless steel seems like the obvious choice here. It's got great corrosion resistance, which is key for anything embedded in concrete. The other metals just don't seem as well-suited. I'm pretty confident that's the right answer.

Kattie 1 year ago

Hmm, this is a tricky one. I'm not totally sure about the properties of these metals and how they'd perform in concrete. I might need to review some info on metal corrosion and durability before deciding.

Rodolfo 1 year ago

I think I'd start by considering the properties of each metal - stainless steel is corrosion-resistant, bronze is strong but heavy, aluminum is lightweight but not as durable. I'll need to think about which one would hold up best in concrete or masonry.

NCARB PDD Exam - Topic 3 Question 2 Discussion