Class 9 Skill Education Kaushal Vikas Chapter 6 Construction Solutions (NCERT 2026–27)

These Class 9 Skill Education Kaushal Vikas Chapter 6 Construction solutions cover the full chapter from Unit II – Work with Machines and Materials of the new NCF-2023 textbook (2026–27). You will learn what construction is, the basic structural elements of a building, how to scope work and make a process chart, prepare technical drawings, select materials and tools, prepare a Bill of Materials, lay bricks, cure, plaster, finish and paint — plus complete, exam-ready answers to every “Assess your learning” question.

Class: 9 Subject: Skill Education Book: Kaushal Vikas Chapter: 6 – Construction Unit: II – Work with Machines and Materials Session: 2026–27
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Class 9 Kaushal Vikas Chapter 6 Construction – Overview

Chapter 6, Construction, introduces the building trade as a hands-on vocational skill. It begins with the scale of construction in India — over 6,138 dams built between Independence and 2025, including the 261 m Tehri dam — and explains that construction is simply the process of building the structures we use every day. The chapter then walks you through a complete mini-project: scoping the work (deciding what, where and with which materials to build), making a process chart, doing a site visit, preparing a technical drawing to scale, selecting materials and tools, preparing a Bill of Materials (including estimating bricks and mortar), carrying out minor repairs, and finally building, curing, plastering, finishing and painting a small structure such as a ramp, boundary wall or tree guard. Safety and quality (alignment using plumb bob, spirit level and water level tube) run through every step.

Key Concepts & Notes

What is construction?

Construction is the process of building structures that people use in daily life — homes, schools, hospitals, shops, factories, roads, bridges and railway stations. From cave shelters to mud-and-grass huts, and then to brick, cement, iron and steel, construction evolved so people could build stronger, longer-lasting buildings. As towns grew into cities, multi-storey buildings became common.

Basic structural elements of a building

ElementFunction
FoundationStrong base that increases the life of the building, avoids cracks and safeguards against calamities like earthquakes; its depth depends on the load.
WallsMade from bricks, stones, cement panels, wood, bamboo, etc.; enclose and divide the building.
BeamsHorizontal elements that carry the load of the slab (upper floors) or roof; size depends on the load.
ColumnsVertical elements that support the beams and transfer the building’s weight to the foundation.
RoofsUpper element built with rafters or trusses; supports the roof load and protects from weather.
Windows and doorsStructural openings in walls for entry, ventilation, natural light and aesthetic appeal.

Two main types of housing construction

Load-bearing (wall-bearing) construction: the walls themselves carry the whole load and transfer it directly to the ground. Used for single-storey houses and where deep foundations are not needed — simple, cheaper and easy to repair. RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete) construction: the building stands on a skeleton of concrete-and-steel columns and beams; the load passes through this frame, not the walls. Used for multi-storey, very strong, earthquake-resistant buildings.

Process chart and scoping work

Before building, decide what to construct (a boundary wall, shed, ramp, pavement, wash basin, etc.), whether materials and tools are available and affordable, whether the structure is useful, and where it will be built. Then make a process chart listing the key tasks with target dates and responsibilities.

Tasks for construction
Preparing the construction drawing
Marking the drawing on the field (line out)
Preparation of foundation
Brick work
Curing (process to strengthen the construction)
Plastering
Finishing and painting

Mortar vs concrete

Mortar (sand + cement + water, sometimes lime) is used to bind materials — gluing bricks, laying steps, fixing tiles — and is more flexible. Concrete (sand + cement + water + gravel/crushed stone) creates the actual structure and supports weight; it hardens to a stone-like strength. Concrete reinforced with steel bars is RCC.

Mortar ratios

Use of mortarRatio (cement : sand)
Brick masonry1:3
RCC1:2
General repair and maintenance1:3 to 1:6

For plastering, the usual cement-to-fine-sand ratio is 1:6 for external and 1:4 for interior walls. By rule of thumb, about 5–10 kg of cement lays 100 standard bricks at a 1:4 or 1:5 ratio.

Estimating bricks and the Bill of Materials

In India the standard brick is 190 × 90 × 90 mm, but adding 10 mm for mortar we treat it as 200 × 100 × 100 mm. By rule of thumb, 1 m³ of construction needs about 500 bricks, and engineers add 10% extra for breakage and cutting. The Bill of Materials (BoM) lists every material and labour cost so the team buys only what is needed and avoids waste.

Brick bonds, alignment, curing and finishing

Bricks are laid in patterns called bonds — stretcher (length facing front, for thin/boundary walls), header (width facing front, for thick or curved walls), English (alternate stretcher and header rows, among the strongest, for wall-bearing structures) and Flemish (alternate stretcher and header in each row). Bricks are soaked 6–12 hours before laying. Alignment is checked with the plumb bob (vertical), spirit level (horizontal) and water level tube (two distant points at the same height). After brickwork comes curing (keeping the surface wet for 14–28 days so the cement gains strength), then plastering (12–15 mm thick, base + second coat), and finally painting (whitewash, distemper or cement paint) for protection and appearance.

Key Terms

TermMeaning
ConstructionThe process of building structures that people use in daily life.
FoundationThe strong base of a building that bears its load and transfers it to the ground.
BeamHorizontal structural element that carries the load of the slab or roof.
ColumnVertical structural element that supports beams and transfers weight to the foundation.
Load-bearing constructionConstruction in which the walls themselves carry and transfer the building’s load.
RCCReinforced Cement Concrete — a frame of concrete and steel columns/beams that carries the load.
MortarA binding mixture of cement, sand and water used to join bricks and fill joints.
ConcreteA strong mix of cement, sand, water and gravel/crushed stone used to form structures.
Bill of Materials (BoM)A list of materials and labour with quantities and costs, prepared to estimate cost and avoid waste.
CuringKeeping new construction wet for 14–28 days so the cement reaction completes and gains strength.
PlasteringApplying a smooth or textured coat of plaster to a wall for durability and a neat finish.
Plumb bobA weight on a string used to check that a wall or pillar is perfectly vertical.
Spirit levelA tool that uses a bubble to check whether a surface is horizontal or vertical.
Water level tubeA water-filled transparent tube used to check that two distant points are at the same height.
Brick bondThe pattern in which bricks are arranged and laid (stretcher, header, English, Flemish) for strength.
Technical drawingA scaled drawing (side view, plan, elevation) that communicates the exact details of the structure.

Assess your learning — Solutions

All nine “Assess your learning” questions (Section 6.12) are reproduced verbatim from the NCERT textbook; answers are original and exam-ready. Questions 1, 2, 8 and 9 are reflective/observational tasks — model answers and guidance are given since your own work and surroundings should fill in the specifics.

1. Look around your school or neighbourhood, and identify any one structure. Identify the basic structural elements (foundation, walls, roof, beams or columns) that you can observe and describe their functions.

ANSWER Taking a single-storey school classroom as an example: the foundation is the hidden base below ground that bears the entire weight of the building and stops it from sinking or cracking. The walls (brick) enclose the room, support the roof in a load-bearing design, and give space for doors and windows. The roof (a flat RCC slab or a sloping tin roof on rafters) covers the room and protects it from sun and rain. If it is an RCC building, the columns at the corners carry the load down to the foundation and the beams across the top of the walls carry the slab’s weight to those columns. Guidance: Choose any real structure you can see — a boundary wall, a bus shelter, a bridge or a shop — and name only the elements actually visible, describing each one’s job in your own words.

2. What kind of construction has been used for your house or school (Load-bearing construction or RCC construction)? Write the reasons for selecting particular types of construction.

ANSWER Model answer: My house is a single-storey home built using load-bearing construction. The thick brick walls themselves carry the weight of the roof and pass it straight to the ground, so no separate column-beam frame was needed. This type was chosen because the building is only one floor high, a deep foundation was not required, it was cheaper and faster to build, and it is easy to repair. If your school is a multi-storey building, it is most likely RCC construction, chosen because the load of several floors must be carried safely by a strong skeleton of concrete-and-steel columns and beams, making the building strong and earthquake-resistant. (Answer according to your own house/school.)

3. Suppose you are asked to construct a small boundary wall in your school. List the major steps you would include in the process chart and explain why sequencing of steps is important.

ANSWER Major steps in the process chart: (1) Prepare the construction drawing; (2) mark the drawing on the field (line out); (3) prepare and level the foundation/ground; (4) do the brick work, laying soaked bricks with mortar in a proper bond; (5) curing — keep the work wet for 14–28 days; (6) plastering; (7) finishing and painting. Each task is given a date and a person responsible. Why sequencing matters: Construction steps depend on one another and cannot be reordered. You cannot lay bricks before the foundation is prepared and levelled, and you cannot plaster or paint before the brickwork has been cured and hardened. Following the correct order makes the wall strong, straight and durable, avoids rework and wasted materials, and keeps the work safe and on schedule.

4. Identify three safety rules that must be followed at a construction site. Explain how ignoring any one of them could lead to an accident.

ANSWER Three safety rules: (1) Wear protective gear — gloves while handling cement and lime, and a mask while handling dry sand or paint fumes. (2) Stack and handle bricks and heavy sacks carefully, lifting with the legs to avoid back strain. (3) Prevent water spills in walking areas and keep tools like chisels and hammers under control, away from others. How ignoring one causes an accident: If a worker handles cement without gloves or a mask, the cement can burn the skin and eyes and the fine dust can be inhaled, causing irritation and breathing problems. Similarly, spilled water on the floor can make someone slip and fall, and swinging a plumb bob or hammer near others can injure them. Following safety rules protects both the worker and the people around the site.

5. Cement was left exposed in the room during the rainy season for many months. What might happen to cement and why ?

ANSWER Cement sets by reacting with water, so it must be kept dry. If it is left exposed in a damp, rainy environment, it absorbs moisture from the air and reacts slowly with it. The cement begins to harden, form lumps and set inside the bag, and over many months it can turn into hard, useless cakes. Such cement loses its binding strength, so it will not form proper mortar or concrete and should not be used — which is why the safety note tells us to store cement in a dry place.

6. Often, during summer season, especially during a drought year, the Government bans construction activities. Why do you think this is done?

ANSWER Construction uses a large amount of water — for mixing mortar and concrete and especially for curing, where surfaces must be kept wet for 14–28 days. During a summer drought, water is scarce and is urgently needed for drinking, household use and agriculture. The Government therefore bans construction so that the limited water is saved for these essential needs rather than being used to build structures. It also prevents poor-quality construction, since proper curing is hard to do when water is short.

7. A student is laying bricks to make a boundary wall and decides to skip using the plumb bob to save time, claiming they can ‘see’ if the wall is straight. What is the specific technical risk of relying on visual estimation instead of a plumb bob? If the wall is even slightly ‘out of plumb’ (not perfectly vertical), how might this affect the building’s safety over the years?

ANSWER Technical risk of visual estimation: The human eye cannot detect small deviations from the vertical. A wall may look straight but actually lean by a small angle, because a plumb bob uses gravity to mark the true vertical far more accurately than the eye can judge. Effect of being out of plumb: A structure is designed to push its load straight down into the ground. If the wall is even slightly tilted, the load no longer passes straight down; gravity creates a sideways (bending) force on the wall. Over the years this uneven, off-centre load causes cracks, bulging and weakening, and the wall can eventually lean further or collapse. Spending a little time with the plumb bob keeps the wall vertical and structurally safe for its full life.

8. Of the tasks that you did, which did you enjoy the most? Which did you enjoy the least? Give examples of what went well and what did not go well. What would you do differently next time?

ANSWER This is a personal reflection on your own construction project, so answer from your own experience. Example response: “I enjoyed brick-laying the most because it was satisfying to see the wall rise row by row in a neat stretcher bond, and our alignment check with the spirit level went well. I enjoyed mixing mortar the least, as our first batch was too watery and slid off the trowel. Next time I would add water more slowly to get the right consistency, soak the bricks fully for 6–12 hours beforehand, and keep the curing schedule for the full 28 days.”

This is a self-reflection task. Write honestly about the tasks you actually performed; there is no single correct answer.

9. Give examples of how you can apply your learnings in a real-life situation.

ANSWER The skills from this chapter are useful in everyday life. For example, you can carry out minor repairs at home — filling cracks in a wall, fixing a loose tile or repairing a broken step by mixing 1:3 mortar and curing it properly. You can help build small useful structures such as a tree guard, flower bed, handwash stand or boundary wall in your school or community. You can prepare a Bill of Materials to estimate how many bricks and how much cement and sand a job needs and what it will cost, so nothing is wasted. You can also supervise quality by checking alignment with a plumb bob, spirit level and water level tube, ensuring curing is done, and choosing the right paint — skills that also open up career paths as a mason, contractor, civil engineer or architect.

Extra Practice Questions

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. What is the difference between a beam and a column?

ANSWERA beam is a horizontal element that carries the load of the slab or roof, while a column is a vertical element that supports the beams and transfers the building’s weight down to the foundation.

Q2. Why must bricks be soaked in water for 6–12 hours before laying?

ANSWERDry bricks absorb water from the mortar, which weakens the bond. Soaking them first means they do not draw water out of the mortar, so the joint sets properly and stays strong.

Q3. What is curing and how long does it usually take?

ANSWERCuring is the process of keeping new construction wet so the chemical reaction between cement and water completes and the bond becomes strong. It must be continued for 14–28 days, and generally takes about 28 days to complete.

Q4. State the standard size of a brick in India and the size used for estimation.

ANSWERThe standard brick size is 190 × 90 × 90 mm. Adding 10 mm for the mortar joint, we take the size as 200 × 100 × 100 mm while estimating.

Q5. Name three tools used to ensure correct alignment during construction.

ANSWERThe plumb bob (checks vertical), the spirit level (checks horizontal/level) and the water level tube (checks that two distant points are at the same height).

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1. Explain the steps a student team would follow to prepare a Bill of Materials for constructing a ramp.

ANSWERFirst the team estimates the number of bricks by finding the volume of the ramp (area of the triangle × width) and using the rule that 1 m³ needs about 500 bricks, then adding 10% for wastage. Next they estimate the mortar, choosing the correct cement-to-sand ratio (1:3 for brick masonry) and roughly 5–10 kg of cement per 100 bricks. They then list every material — bricks, cement, sand, gravel, water — with quantity and cost, and add the cost of labour (time in hours × hourly rate × number of people) for tasks like making the foundation, marking the layout, mixing and brick-laying and curing. Adding these gives the total estimated cost. The BoM ensures only what is necessary is bought, helps plan the budget in advance and avoids waste.

Q2. Describe the complete process of building and finishing a small structure, from preparing the ground to painting.

ANSWERFirst prepare the ground — clean the site, remove grass and loose soil, and sprinkle water to settle dust. Mark the boundary with a metre tape and pointed stick, then make the foundation, ensuring the ground is flat (using a spirit level and water level tube) and firm. Put a reference line with string or chalk so brickwork starts in correct alignment. Soak bricks 6–12 hours, then lay them in the chosen bond with mortar, cutting bricks where shapes are needed, and check alignment with plumb bob and spirit level. After brickwork, cure the structure by keeping it wet for 14–28 days, then plaster it (clean and dampen the wall, apply a 12–15 mm base coat, let it set, add a second coat, finish smooth and cure again). Finally paint the structure — clean and wet the surface, prepare the paint, apply two coats with curing in between — and clean up the site for safety and a neat appearance.

Q3. Distinguish between load-bearing and RCC construction with their uses.

ANSWERIn load-bearing construction, the walls themselves carry the entire weight of the roof and upper parts and transfer it directly to the ground. It is simple in design, costs less, is easy to repair, and is used for single-storey houses where deep foundations are not needed. In RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete) construction, the building stands on a strong skeleton of columns and beams made of concrete and steel; the load of the slab and floors is transferred to the ground through this frame, not the walls. It is used for multi-storey buildings and structures that must be very strong and earthquake-resistant. Thus, load-bearing suits small low buildings while RCC suits tall, heavy and earthquake-prone structures.

MCQs & Assertion–Reason

1. The horizontal structural element that carries the load of the slab is called a:

(a) column    (b) beam    (c) foundation    (d) truss

2. In load-bearing construction, the weight of the building is carried mainly by the:

(a) columns    (b) beams    (c) walls    (d) roof

3. The standard size of a brick in India is:

(a) 200 × 100 × 100 mm    (b) 190 × 90 × 90 mm    (c) 150 × 75 × 75 mm    (d) 230 × 110 × 70 mm

4. By rule of thumb, 1 m³ of construction needs about how many bricks?

(a) 100    (b) 250    (c) 500    (d) 1000

5. The recommended cement-to-sand ratio of mortar for brick masonry is:

(a) 1:2    (b) 1:3    (c) 1:6    (d) 1:8

6. Which tool is used to check whether a wall is perfectly vertical?

(a) spirit level    (b) metre tape    (c) plumb bob    (d) trowel

7. Bricks should be soaked in water before laying for at least:

(a) 1–2 hours    (b) 6–12 hours    (c) 24–48 hours    (d) no soaking needed

8. Curing of new construction should generally be continued for:

(a) 1–2 days    (b) 5–7 days    (c) 14–28 days    (d) 60 days

9. Which mixture is used to create the actual structure and support heavy weight?

(a) mortar    (b) concrete    (c) lime wash    (d) distemper

10. The strongest brick bond, with alternate rows of stretcher and header, used for wall-bearing structures is:

(a) stretcher bond    (b) header bond    (c) English bond    (d) Flemish bond

Answer key: 1-(b), 2-(c), 3-(b), 4-(c), 5-(b), 6-(c), 7-(b), 8-(c), 9-(b), 10-(c).

For each Assertion–Reason question, choose: (A) Both true and the Reason correctly explains the Assertion; (B) Both true but the Reason is not the correct explanation; (C) Assertion true, Reason false; (D) Assertion false, Reason true.

A-R 1. Assertion: A strong foundation is needed for a building.

Reason: The foundation increases the life of the building, avoids cracks and safeguards against calamities like earthquakes.

A-R 2. Assertion: Bricks are soaked in water before laying.

Reason: Dry bricks would absorb water from the mortar and weaken the bond.

A-R 3. Assertion: Curing can be stopped just one day after laying mortar.

Reason: The cement–water reaction completes instantly when mortar is applied.

A-R 4. Assertion: Mortar and concrete are the same material.

Reason: Concrete contains gravel or crushed stone and is used to form load-bearing structures, while mortar binds materials.

A-R 5. Assertion: RCC construction is preferred for multi-storey, earthquake-resistant buildings.

Reason: In RCC, a frame of concrete-and-steel columns and beams carries the load to the ground.

Answer key: 1-(A), 2-(A), 3-(D), 4-(D), 5-(A).

Exam Tips & Common Mistakes

How to score full marks in this chapter

Learn the six structural elements with one-line functions and the clear difference between load-bearing and RCC construction. Memorise the key numbers — brick size 190 × 90 × 90 mm (200 × 100 × 100 mm for estimation), 500 bricks per m³ + 10% wastage, curing 14–28 days, plaster 12–15 mm, mortar ratio 1:3 for brick masonry. For “process chart” and “how to build” questions, always write the steps in the correct order and explain why the order matters. Always link each tool (plumb bob, spirit level, water level tube) to exactly what it checks.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Confusing beams (horizontal) with columns (vertical).
  • Mixing up mortar (binds materials) and concrete (forms the structure, contains gravel).
  • Writing that curing takes only a day or two — it must continue for 14–28 days.
  • Forgetting to soak bricks before laying, which weakens the mortar bond.
  • Saying the plumb bob checks horizontal level — it checks vertical; the spirit level checks level.
  • Reordering the construction steps (e.g. plastering before curing the brickwork).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Class 9 Skill Education Kaushal Vikas Chapter 6 about?

Chapter 6, Construction, from Unit II (Work with Machines and Materials) teaches the construction trade as a vocational skill — the basic elements of a building, load-bearing vs RCC construction, scoping work and process charts, technical drawings, selecting materials and tools, preparing a Bill of Materials, and building, curing, plastering, finishing and painting a small structure such as a ramp or boundary wall.

What is the difference between mortar and concrete?

Mortar is a mix of cement, sand and water (sometimes lime) used to bind materials such as bricks; it is more flexible. Concrete is a mix of cement, sand, water and gravel or crushed stone used to form the actual structure and support heavy weight; it hardens to a stone-like strength, and when reinforced with steel bars it is called RCC.

Why is curing important in construction?

Curing means keeping new construction wet for 14–28 days so the chemical reaction between cement and water completes and the materials bond strongly. If curing is stopped too early, the structure becomes weak and cracks may appear, reducing its strength.

Accuracy note: All exercise questions and headings are reproduced verbatim from the official NCERT Kaushal Vikas (Class 9 Skill Education) textbook, Chapter 6; all answers, notes, key terms, MCQs, Assertion–Reason items and FAQs are original and prepared for the 2026–27 session.

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