Basic Civil Engineering Questions and Answers – Soil Properties

This set of Basic Civil Engineering Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Soil Properties”.

1. Most soils have a particle density of about:
a) 2.6 g/cc
b) 2.9 g/cc
c) 2.5 g/cc
d) 2.7 g/cc
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Particle density is mass per unit volume of soil particles. It is expressed in g/cc and most soils have 2.6 g/cc as particle density.

2. Soil exists in how many states?
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Soil can exist in four states based on the amount of water content. They are liquid, plastic, semi solid and solid state. Water content decreases with each state.

3. In oven drying method for determination of water content, temperature maintained is:
a) 100-105oC
b) 150-160oC
c) 105-110oC
d) 110-120oC
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: An optimum and constant temperature of 105-110oC is to be maintained in the oven. The specimen is kept for about 24 hours to ensure proper drying.
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4. A soil generally consists of combination of __________ separates.
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: The mineral components of soil are termed as separates. These are three of them – clay, silt and sand. Various soils are designated based on the proportion of separates.

5. Loose soil has a relative density within a range of:
a) 60-85
b) 85-100
c) 10-35
d) 35-60
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Relative density is used to express relative compactness of cohesionless soil. It ranges from <10 to 100 (very loose to very dense). Loose soil has a relative density between 10 and 35.
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6. _________ apparatus is used to test liquid limit of a soil.
a) Mohr
b) Casagrande
c) Otto
d) Terzaghi
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: The water content at which soil changes from liquid to plastic state is liquid limit. Casagrande apparatus consists of a rubber base and brass cup. Sample is filled in a cup, subjected to blows by rotating handle at 2 revolutions per second. Water content corresponding to 25 blows is the liquid limit.

7. How many tests in the lab can be performed to get permeability of soil?
a) 5
b) 4
c) 3
d) 2
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: The two tests are constant head permeability test and variable head permeability test. The constant head permeability test is done for highly permeable soil and the other one for fine grained soil.
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8. Soil with higher Ic (consistency index) is a better foundation material.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: If two soils are to be compared, based on Ic, then higher value one is better foundation material. If Ic < 0, natural water content < liquid limit and soil would behave like liquid. This is not a desired property for foundation material.

9. How many types of pores are present in a soil mass?
a) 6
b) 3
c) 5
d) 4
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The five types are macropore (too large, >75μm), mesopore (30-75μm), micropore (5-30μm), ultramicropore (0.1-30μm) and cryptopore (smallest, < 0.1 μm).
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10. How many grades of soil are there?
a) 5
b) 4
c) 7
d) 6
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Based on the degree of distinctness of peds (natural aggregates of soil particles), there are 4 grades of soil. They are structureless, weak, moderate and strong.

Sanfoundry Global Education & Learning Series – Basic Civil Engineering.

To practice all areas of Basic Civil Engineering, here is complete set of 1000+ Multiple Choice Questions and Answers.

If you find a mistake in question / option / answer, kindly take a screenshot and email to [email protected]

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Manish Bhojasia, a technology veteran with 20+ years @ Cisco & Wipro, is Founder and CTO at Sanfoundry. He lives in Bangalore, and focuses on development of Linux Kernel, SAN Technologies, Advanced C, Data Structures & Alogrithms. Stay connected with him at LinkedIn.

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