This set of Building Construction Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Earthquake Terminology and Seismic Effects on Buildings”.
1. The earthquakes which occur along the boundaries of the tectonic plates are known as __________
a) Inter-Plate Earthquakes
b) Intra-Plate Earthquakes
c) Internal earthquakes
d) External earthquakes
View Answer
Explanation: The earthquakes which occur along the boundaries of the tectonic plates are known as Inter-Plate Earthquakes. An example of this type of earthquake is the Assam earthquake of 1897.
2. The inner core of the earth consists of light materials while the crust is solid and comprises of heavy metals.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: The crust of the earth consists of light materials while its inner core is solid and comprises of heavy metals. The heavy metals include nickel and iron while the light materials include granites and basalts.
3. The earthquakes which occur within the tectonic plate itself away from the plate boundaries are known as __________
a) Internal earthquakes
b) External earthquakes
c) Intra-Plate Earthquakes
d) Inter-Plate Earthquakes
View Answer
Explanation: The earthquakes which occur within the tectonic plate itself away from the plate boundaries are known as Intra-Plate Earthquakes. An example of this type of earthquake is the Latur earthquake of 1993.
4. Which of the following waves has the highest velocity?
a) S-waves
b) Love waves
c) P-waves
d) Rayleigh waves
View Answer
Explanation: There are two types of seismic waves. These are surface waves and body waves. Surface waves consist of Rayleigh waves and Love waves while the body waves consist of S-waves and P-waves. The waves having the highest velocity are the P-waves. The decreasing order of velocity of others is S-waves, Love waves and Rayleigh waves.
5. The speed of P-waves in granite is ________
a) 0.5 cm/sec
b) 0.5 km/sec
c) 1.8 cm/sec
d) 1.8 km/sec
View Answer
Explanation: P-waves stand for Primary Waves and S-waves stand for Secondary Waves. The speed of P-waves in granite is 1.8 km/sec while the speed of S-waves in granite in 3.0 km/sec.
6. The instrument which is used to measure the earthquake shaking is called _______
a) Seismograph
b) Anemometer
c) Barometer
d) Nomograph
View Answer
Explanation: The instrument which is used to measure the earthquake shaking is called seismograph. There are three components of a seismograph. These are the recorder, the sensor and the timer.
7. The depth of the focus from the epicentre is known as __________
a) Shock depth
b) Epicentre depth
c) Focal depth
d) Earthquake depth
View Answer
Explanation: The point which is vertically above the focus on the surface of the earth is called the epicentre. The depth of the focus from the epicentre is known as focal depth. It is an essential parameter to determine the damaging potential of an earthquake.
8. Which of the following instruments is used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake?
a) Seismograph
b) Speedometer
c) Ammeter
d) Richter scale
View Answer
Explanation: Richter scale is used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake. Magnitude of an earthquake refers to the quantitative measure of the actual size of an earthquake. Therefore, the magnitude of an earthquake is a number that is a measure of the energy released in the earthquake.
9. Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale ranges from _________
a) I-XII
b) I-V
c) I-IX
d) I-VIII
View Answer
Explanation: Intensity of earthquakes is assigned as Roman Capital Numerals. There two intensity scales commonly used are the MSK scale and the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale. Both these scales range from I-XII, with I corresponding to the least perceptive and XII corresponding to the most severe.
10. The maximum acceleration which is experienced by the ground during shaking is known as ________
a) Shaking acceleration
b) Sky acceleration
c) Peak ground acceleration
d) Radar acceleration
View Answer
Explanation: The maximum acceleration which is experienced by the ground during shaking is known as peak ground acceleration. It is a way to quantify the severity of the ground shaking.
11. According to the Indian Standard considerations, the most severe earthquake effects are ________
a) DBE
b) DBS
c) MSE
d) MCE
View Answer
Explanation: According to the Indian Standard considerations, the most severe earthquake effects is MCE. MCE stands for the maximum considered earthquake.
12. The full form of DBE is _________
a) Depth basis earthquake
b) Depth breadth earthquake
c) Design basis earthquake
d) Design breadth earthquake
View Answer
Explanation: The full form of DBE is depth basis earthquake. DBE is defined as an earthquake that can be reasonably expected to occur at least one time during the life of the structure.
13. Which seismic code states the Indian standard guidelines for repair and seismic strengthening of the buildings?
a) IS 1893
b) IS 1897
c) IS 1390, 1998
d) IS 13935, 1993
View Answer
Explanation: IS 13935, 1993 states the Indian standard guidelines for repair and seismic strengthening of the buildings. The regulations in these standards ensure that the structures can respond to the earthquake shakings to the possible extent.
14. The first formal seismic code in India is _________
a) IS 1893
b) IS 1920
c) IS 1937
d) IS 1993
View Answer
Explanation: The first formal seismic code in India is IS 1893. This code was published in 1962. Seismic codes are unique to a specific country or region.
15. Indian standard criteria for earthquake resistant design of structures (first part, fifth revision) is stated by ____________
a) IS 1899, 2000
b) IS 1894, 2000
c) IS 1893, 2002
d) IS 1896, 2001
View Answer
Explanation: Indian standard criteria for earthquake resistant design of structures (first part, fifth revision) is stated by IS 1893, 2002. And, Indian standard code of practice for earthquake resistant design and construction of buildings (second revision) is stated by IS 4326, 1993.
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