This set of Basic Civil Engineering Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Geotechnical Engineering”.
1. Water content is given by:
a) Weight of water/mass of soil
b) Mass of water/mass of solid
c) Mass of water/mass of soil
d) Mass of water/weight of solid
View Answer
Explanation: In Geotechnical Engineering, water content is an important parameter for analysing the soil. It is expressed as mass of water divided by mass of solids. It is denoted by w and expressed in %.
2. Who is the father of Geotechnical Engineering?
a) Christian Otto Mohr
b) Clausius Cleyperon
c) John Smith
d) Karl Von Terzaghi
View Answer
Explanation: He was an Austrian civil engineer and geologist. Most of the findings in geotechnical engineering and soil properties are done by him.
3. According to Darcy’s Law:
a) q=iA
b) q=kA
c) q∞iA
d) q∞kA
View Answer
Explanation: Darcy’s Law states that the rate of flow per unit time is proportional to a hydraulic gradient. q∞iA is the mathematical representation of the law.
4. Triaxial compression test is used to find __________ of soil.
a) Compressive strength
b) Permeability
c) Specific gravity
d) Shear strength
View Answer
Explanation: There are 4 methods available to measure shear strength of soil – direct shear, triaxial compression, unconfined compression and vane shear test. Triaxial compression test is the most accurate one.
5. ____________ index is used to find settlement of soil.
a) Compression
b) Expansion
c) Recompression
d) Reloading
View Answer
Explanation: A plot is made between void ratio (e) and log effective stress (logσ). It shows different curves corresponding to loading, unloading and reloading of soil. Compression index Cc= – ∆e⁄∆logσ
6. Which of the following does not happen when compaction is done?
a) Permeability decreases
b) Water content increases
c) Shear strength decreases
d) Compressibility decreases
View Answer
Explanation: On compaction of a soil mass, the shear strength is increased. It is tightly and firmly compacted and offers resistance to deformation and flow.
7. ____________ is the measure of loss of strength with remoulding, with water content unchanged.
a) Compressibility
b) Sensitivity
c) Stability
d) Thixotropy
View Answer
Explanation: Sensitivity values range from 1-16. For an insensitive soil, it is 1. A soil with sensitivity above 16, is termed as quick.
8. In Geotechnical Engineering, soil is considered as a _________ phase material.
a) 3
b) 2
c) 1
d) 4
View Answer
Explanation: Soil is a 3 phase material. It consists of solids, water and air voids. It is represented in a 3 phase diagram with volume on left side and mass on the right side.
9. Fine particles are those particles with size less than _______ mm diameter.
a) 0.023
b) 0.090
c) 0.075
d) 4.75
View Answer
Explanation: Fine particles should pass through 75μ IS sieve. Fine particles include clay, silt and organic content in a soil mass.
10. The mass density of water at 4oC is:
a) 1000g/ml
b) 1kg/m3
c) 1000Mg/m3
d) 1000kg/m3
View Answer
Explanation: Mass density is the ratio of mass of water to volume of water. At 4oC, it is 1g/ml or 1000kg/m3 or 1Mg/m3.
11. Percentage air voids is denoted as:
a) v
b) na
c) s
d) av
View Answer
Explanation: Percentage air voids is the ratio of volume of air in voids to total volume of soil. It is denoted by na and expressed as a %.
12. Porosity and void ratio are related by:
a) e = n⁄(1-n)
b) n = e⁄(1-e)
c) 1-e = n
d) (1+n)⁄n = e-1
View Answer
Explanation: Void ratio is e and porosity is n. Another relationship between the two is
n = e⁄(1+e)
Sanfoundry Global Education & Learning Series – Basic Civil Engineering.
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