Here are Geotechnical Engineering MCQs (Chapterwise).
1. Which of the following are used as a standard sedimentation method in a laboratory?
a) Sand replacement method
b) Pipette method
c) Hydrometer method
d) Sedimentation analysis method
View Answer
Explanation: Pipette method is used as a standard sedimentation method than hydrometer in a laboratory.
2. How does the specific surface of a soil particle change as the grain size decreases?
a) Bulges
b) Increases
c) Decreases
d) None of the mentioned
View Answer
Explanation: The subdivision of a mass yields greater surface area than the same mass itself. The specific surface of a mass increases as the grain size decreases.
3. Which of the following clay minerals are considered as colloidal?
a) Dichite
b) Attapulgite
c) Kaolinite
d) All of the mentioned
View Answer
Explanation: As entire clay particle has a greater dimension than 1μ, all of the clay minerals are considered as colloidal.
4. The USCS system was used for which of the following purpose during World War 2?
a) Dam construction
b) Air field construction
c) Earth slopes
d) Foundation
View Answer
Explanation: In earlier stages of World War 2, the USCS system was used for air field construction.
5. What are the forces involved in hygroscopic water or contact moisture?
a) Capillary force
b) Adhesion force
c) All of the mentioned
d) None of the mentioned
View Answer
Explanation: In hygroscopic water, soil particle freely adsorbs water from the atmosphere by the physical force of attraction, and is held by adhesion force.
6. The coefficient of surface tension depends on which of the following?
a) Atmospheric pressure
b) Forces acting
c) Surface area of the liquid
d) Chemical nature of liquids
View Answer
Explanation: Since surface tension is the property of the molecules on the surface of the liquid body, the coefficient depends on the chemical nature.
7. What are the minerals, responsible for large volume decrease in soil on drying in clayey soils?
a) Montmorillonite
b) Ilite and Kaolinite
c) None of the mentioned
d) All of the mentioned
View Answer
Explanation: When illite and kaolinite minerals are present in clay soil, the soil exhibit large initial volume decrease on drying.
8. What is the effect of adsorbed water on the permeability of soil?
a) Reduced degree of saturation
b) Structural arrangement is varied
c) Reduces the pore size
d) Size of the particles is diminished
View Answer
Explanation: The adsorbed water surrounding the fine soil particles is not free to move, and reduces the effective pore space available for the passage of water.
9. Which of the following tools is not used in static compaction?
a) DRT
b) Top cap
c) Split collar
d) Perforated plate
View Answer
Explanation: The DRT tool (Dynamic Ramming tool) is used for compaction in the Jodhpur mini compactor test.
10. Which of the following well, does not penetrate to the full depth of an aquifer?
a) Partially penetrating artesian gravity wall
b) Fully penetrating artesian gravity wall
c) Partially penetrating artesian wall
d) All of the mentioned
View Answer
Explanation: A partially penetrating artesian well is the one in which the well screen does not penetrate to the full depth of the confined aquifer. Such wells extend only partly through the water bearing stratum.
11. Seepage pressure is important for which of the following purpose?
a) Total head
b) Stability analysis
c) Structral arrangement
d) All of the mentioned
View Answer
Explanation: The seepage structure is a vital importance in the stability analysis of earth structures subjected to the action of seepage.
12. Which of the following is similar to that of khosla’s theory?
a) Terzaghi’s theory
b) Darcy’s theory
c) Haigh theory
d) Bligh’s theory
View Answer
Explanation: Both Bligh’s theory and khosla’s theory deals with a finding of uplift pressure and exit gradient.
13. The ground water table may be lowered by which of the following methods?
a) Electro-osmosis method
b) Well point system
c) Vacuum method
d) All of the mentioned
View Answer
Explanation: The ground water table can be lowered by methods like ditches and dumps, well point system, shallow well system, deep well system, vacuum method, electro-osmosis method.
14. For fine-grained soil what type of dewatering system can be used?
a) Vacuum method
b) Deep well system
c) Shallow well system
d) Electro-osmosis method
View Answer
Explanation: For fine-grained soils, the well point system can be extended by the vacuum method.
15. Which of the following equipment is not used in standard compactor test?
a) Collar
b) Circular face plate
c) Rammer
d) Cylindrical metal mould
View Answer
Explanation: The compactor test equipment consists of cylindrical metal mould, detachable base plate, collar, rammer of 2.5kg.
16. Which of the following property of soil is improved by compacting the soil?
a) Permeability
b) Water absorption
c) Reduction of compressibility
d) All of the mentioned
View Answer
Explanation: The main aim of compacting soil is to improve some desirable properties of the soil, such as reduction of compressibility, water absorption and permeability, increase in soil strength, bearing capacity.
17. Which of the following stresses does not have any influence on strength of a material?
a) Intermediate principal stress
b) Minor principal stress
c) Major principal stress
d) Shearing stress
View Answer
Explanation: When a material is subjected to three dimensional stresses, the intermediate principal stress does not have any influence on the strength of material.
18. Which of the following cannot be obtained by using un-drained test?
a) Shear strength
b) Effective stress failure envelope
c) sensitivity
d) All of the mentioned
View Answer
Explanation: Since only one Mohr circle in terms of effective stresses, is obtained from all un-drained tests, effective stress failure envelope cannot be obtained from this test.
19. Which of the following cases for cohesion less backfill in Rankine’s theory is considered?
a) Moist backfill with no surcharge
b) Backfill with sloping surface
c) Submerged backfill
d) All of the mentioned
View Answer
Explanation: In Rankine’s theory the following cases of cohesionless backfill are considered
i) Dry or moist backfill with no surcharge
ii) Submerged backfill
iii) Backfill with a sloping surface and inclined back and surcharge.
20. Which of the following is a basic assumption of the wedge theory?
a) The backfill is dry
b) The backfill is homogeneous
c) The slip surface is plane
d) All of the mentioned
View Answer
Explanation: Based on the assumptions of the wedge theory:
i. The backfill is dry, cohesion less, homogeneous, isotropic, and elastically undeformable.
ii. The slip surface is a plane which passes through the heel of the wall
iii. The sliding wedge itself acts as a rigid body.
21. Which of the following effect of line load can be taken into account by Culmann’s graphical method?
a) Road alignment
b) Railway track and Long wall of a building
c) None of the mentioned
d) All of the mentioned
View Answer
Explanation: Culmann’s graphical method can be used to take into account the effect of line of load, such as railway track or a long wall of a building etc., running parallel to the retaining wall.
22. Which of the following is not one of the criteria, for design of gravity dam?
a) The wall must be safe against overturning
b) The wall must be safe against sliding
c) No tension should be developed in the wall
d) The wall must be thinner in section
View Answer
Explanation: As the gravity wall resists the earth lateral pressure by its weight, therefore it should be thicker in section.
23. Which of the following conduit is installed in shallow bedding?
a) Positive projecting conduits
b) Ditch conduits
c) Negative projecting conduits
d) Special conduits
View Answer
Explanation: A passive projecting conduit is the one which is installed in shallow bedding, with its top projecting above the natural ground and which is then covered with an embankment.
24. Earth embankments or slopes are commonly required for which of the following purpose?
a) Road ways
b) Railways
c) Earth dams
d) All of the mentioned
View Answer
Explanation: Earth embankments are commonly required for railways, roadways, earth dams, levees and river training works.
25. Which of the following tests is used to determine the shear strength of cohesive soils?
a) Liquid Limit Test
b) Triaxial Shear Test
c) Permeability Test
d) Proctor Test
View Answer
Explanation: The triaxial shear test is a widely used laboratory test to determine the shear strength of soils, particularly cohesive soils like clay. It allows the measurement of shear strength parameters under controlled stress conditions, making it ideal for understanding how soils behave under various loading conditions.
26. What is the typical range of the specific gravity of soil solids?
a) 2.0 to 2.2
b) 1.2 to 1.6
c) 3.0 to 3.5
d) 2.6 to 2.8
View Answer
Explanation: The specific gravity of soil solids typically ranges from 2.6 to 2.8. This value is a dimensionless quantity that reflects the ratio of the density of the soil solids to the density of water. It’s an important parameter used in various soil calculations, including void ratio and porosity.
27. Which method is used to estimate the bearing capacity of shallow foundations?
a) Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Theory
b) Sieve Analysis
c) Direct Shear Test
d) Darcy’s Law
View Answer
Explanation: Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Theory is a widely used method to estimate the bearing capacity of shallow foundations. It considers the shear strength of the soil and the type of foundation to determine the load a foundation can support without failure.
28. The process of soil compaction increases which of the following?
a) Soil compressibility
b) Soil shear strength
c) Soil porosity
d) Soil permeability
View Answer
Explanation: Soil compaction increases the density of the soil by reducing air gaps between soil particles, leading to an increase in soil shear strength. This makes the soil more stable and less prone to settlement, which is crucial for the stability of structures built on it.
29. Which factor is most crucial in slope stability analysis?
a) Soil temperature
b) Groundwater table depth
c) Soil color
d) Angle of internal friction
View Answer
Explanation: The angle of internal friction is a key parameter in slope stability analysis. It represents the shear strength of the soil due to friction between particles. A higher angle indicates greater stability, while a lower angle increases the risk of slope failure.
30. In a consolidation test, the void ratio of soil is plotted against which parameter?
a) Load intensity
b) Time
c) Hydraulic gradient
d) Permeability
View Answer
Explanation: In a consolidation test, the void ratio (which measures the volume of voids relative to the volume of solid particles) is plotted against load intensity. This relationship helps in understanding how soil compresses over time under applied loads, which is important for predicting settlement in structures.
31. Which of the following conditions is assumed in Rankine’s earth pressure theory?
a) The soil is partially saturated
b) The soil is homogenous and isotropic
c) The wall is perfectly rigid and smooth
d) The wall moves towards the soil
View Answer
Explanation: Rankine’s earth pressure theory assumes that the soil is homogeneous and isotropic, meaning its properties are the same in all directions and throughout its mass. This simplification allows for easier calculation of earth pressures acting on retaining walls.
32. What is the primary purpose of soil stabilization?
a) To decrease soil density
b) To increase soil’s natural moisture content
c) To alter soil color and texture
d) To improve soil strength and durability
View Answer
Explanation: Soil stabilization is a process used to enhance the physical properties of soil, primarily to improve its strength and durability. This is often achieved by adding stabilizing agents like lime or cement, which help to reduce soil’s plasticity and increase its load-bearing capacity.
33. Which term describes the vertical downward movement of the ground due to load application?
a) Creep
b) Compaction
c) Settlement
d) Heave
View Answer
Explanation: Settlement refers to the vertical downward movement of the ground when a load is applied. It is a common phenomenon in geotechnical engineering and must be carefully monitored to avoid structural damage. Settlement can occur due to the consolidation of soil or displacement of soil particles.
34. Which test is used to measure the permeability of soil in the laboratory?
a) Atterberg Limits Test
b) Falling Head Permeability Test
c) Triaxial Compression Test
d) Standard Proctor Test
View Answer
Explanation: The Falling Head Permeability Test is a laboratory test used to determine the permeability of soils, especially fine-grained soils like silts and clays. It measures the rate at which water flows through a soil sample under a varying hydraulic head, providing valuable information about the soil’s drainage characteristics.
35. Stability of slopes of an earth dam is tested under, which of the following condition?
a) Stability of downstream slope during steady seepage and Stability of upstream slope during a sudden drawdown
b) Stability of upstream slope during sudden seepage
c) None of the mentioned
d) All of the mentioned
View Answer
Explanation: The stability of slopes of an earth dam is tested under the following conditions:
i) Stability of downstream slope during steady seepage
ii) Stability of upstream slope during a sudden drawdown
iii) Stability of upstream and downstream slopes during and immediately after construction.
36. When the slope is fully submerged, which of the following has to be used for finding stability number?
a) Shearing resistance
b) Submerged density
c) None of the mentioned
d) All of the mentioned
View Answer
Explanation: When the slope is fully submerged, the submerged density γ’, and weighted frictional angle φw should be used for computing stability number Sn.
37. Which of the following is not one of the characteristics of a local shear failure?
a) Failure is sudden
b) Ultimate bearing capacity is not well defined
c) Failure is defined by large settlements
d) Failure surface do not reach the ground surface
View Answer
Explanation: In local shear stress there is no tilting of footing and therefore the failure is not sudden.
38. which of the following, is a type of shallow footing?
a) Well foundation
b) Pier foundation
c) Pile foundation
d) Spread footing
View Answer
Explanation: The shallow foundations are of the following types: spread footing (or simple footing), strap footing, combined footing, and mat footing or raft footing.
Chapterwise Multiple Choice Questions on Geotechnical Engineering
- Preliminary Definitions and Relationships
- Index Properties Determination
- Classification of Soils
- Soil Structure and Clay Minerology
- Soil Water Effective and Neutral Stresses
- Permeability
- Well Hydraulics
- Seepage Analysis
- Drainage and Dewatering
- Elements of Elasticity
- Stress Distribution
- One Dimensional Consolidation
- Compaction
- Shear Strength
- Failure Envelopes & Earth Pressure
- Shafts, Tunnels and Conduits
- Stability of Slopes
- Bearing Capacity
- Shallow Foundations
- Pile Foundations
- Well Foundations
- Machine Foundations
- Design of Flexible & Rigid Pavement
- Stabilisation of Soils, Site Investigation and Sub – Soil Exploration
- Reinforced Earth and Geotextiles
1. Preliminary Definitions and Relationships
The section contains multiple choice questions and answers on void ratio, porosity, degree of saturation, density index, relative compaction, soil as three phase system, functional relationships and uniform spheres packing.
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2. Geotechnical Engineering MCQ on Index Properties Determination
The section contains questions and answers on sedimentation analysis, consistency of soils, water content, sieve analysis, particle size distribution, clays sensitivity and thixotropy, liquid determination, collapsible soils, shrinkage limit, pipette and hydrometer method.
3. Classification of Soils
The section contains MCQs on particle size classification, textural classification, unified and indian standard classification.
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4. Soil Structure and Clay Minerology
The section contains multiple choice questions and answers on honey comb structure as well as soil structure, structures like single grained, flocculent, dispersed and honey comb, atomic and molecule bonds and clay minerals.
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5. Soil Water Effective and Neutral Stresses
The section contains questions and answers on capillary water and its potential, frost action, capillary siphoning, swelling of soil and stress conditions in soil.
6. Geotechnical Engineering Questions on Permeability
The section contains MCQs on darcys law and its validity, poiseuille’s law, permeability test, jodhpur permeamter and capillarity permeability test.
7. Well Hydraulics
The section contains multiple choice questions and answers on dupuits theory, recuperation test, pumping in and pumping out tests.
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8. Geotechnical Engineering Questions on Seepage Analysis
The section contains questions and answers on seepage pressure, flow net application, laplace equation, khoslas theory, phreatic line of earth dam with and without filter.
9. Drainage and Dewatering
The section contains MCQs on shallow and deep well system, electro-osmosis method, seepage analysis, well point system and protective filters.
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10. Elements of Elasticity
The section contains multiple choice questions and answers on stress state at point, equilibrium and boundary condition equations, strain components and compatibility equations, hookes law and stress functions.
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11. Geotechnical Engineering MCQ on Stress Distribution
The section contains questions and answers on stresses, boussinesq equations, pressure distribution diagrams, vertical pressure, equivalent point load method, newmark’s influence chart, contact pressure, triangular loadings, vertical and horizontal pressure.
12. One Dimensional Consolidation
The section contains MCQs on consolidation process, undisturbed specimen consolidation, terzaghi’s theory of one dimensional consolidation, voids ratio calculations and volume change coefficient, consolidation problems, secondary and three dimensional consolidation.
13. Compaction
The section contains multiple choice questions and answers on effect of compaction on soil properties, field compaction test, harvard miniature compaction test, jodhpur mini compactor and standard proctor test.
14. Shear Strength
The section contains questions and answers on mohrs stress circle as well as coulomb failure theory, shear test and also tri axial compression test, unconfined compression test.
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15. Failure Envelopes & Earth Pressure
The section contains multiple choice questions and answers on mohr-colomb failure envelope, earth pressure basics and problems, active and passive states, rankines theory, cohesive soils earth pressure, coulombs wedge theory and culmanns graphical method.
16. Shafts, Tunnels and Conduits
The section contains questions and answers on positive and negative projecting conduits, conduits classes and stress distribution in vicinity.
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17. Stability of Slopes
The section contains MCQs on stability analysis with infinite slopes as well as finite slopes, swedish slip circle method, friction circle method and taylors stability curves.
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18. Bearing Capacity
The section contains multiple choice questions and answers on types of bearing capacities and its failures, terzaghi’s as well as brinch hansens analysis, plate load test, rankines analysis, standard penetration test and i.s. codes.
19. Shallow Foundations
The section contains questions and answers on types of foundations and footings like combined footing, strap footing and, mat or raft footing.
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20. Pile Foundations
The section contains MCQs on types of piles like concrete piles, bored piles, reamed piles and situ concrete piles.
21. Well Foundations
The section contains multiple choice questions and answers on shapes and analysis of well foundation, well curbs, cutting edges, well sinking and pneumatic caissons.
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22. Machine Foundations
The section contains questions and answers on mass spring system, barkens method and dynamic analysis of block foundations.
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23. Design of Flexible & Rigid Pavement
The section contains MCQs on pavement types, flexible pavements design and stresses, equivalent wheel, axle load and rigid pavements design.
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24. Stabilisation of Soils, Site Investigation and Sub – Soil Exploration
The section contains multiple choice questions and answers on mechanical stabilisation, site exploration and its methods, soil samples and geophysical methods.
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25. Reinforced Earth and Geotextiles
The section contains questions and answers on reinforced earth and geotextiles.
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Wish you the best in your endeavor to learn and master Geotechnical Engineering!
