Multiple choice question for engineering
Set 1
1. A good soil should have
a) Ease of compaction
b) Temporary strength
c) High sensitivity
d) High void ratio
Answer
Answer: a [Reason:] A good soil should have ease of compaction, permanent strength and less sensitivity.
2. The process by which the water voids are removed is called
a) Compaction
b) Consolidation
c) Permeability
d) Shear strength
Answer
Answer: b [Reason:] The water voids are mostly removed by consolidation; it is a long process so mostly compaction is used.
3. If the GWT rises to the ground level, then the bearing capacity reduces by
a) 1/2
b) 1/3
c) 1/4
d) 3/4
Answer
Answer: a [Reason:] The bearing capacity of the soil reduces by 50%, if the ground water rises to the ground level.
4. The most common method used for the removal of voids in soil is
a) Compaction
b) Consolidation
c) Permeability
d) Shear strength
Answer
Answer: a [Reason:] Compaction is the most commonly used method for removal of voids; it is mostly done by modified proctor or standard proctor test.
5. The volume of voids in the 3 phase diagram of soil is
a) Volume of air
b) Volume of water
c) Volume of air and volume of water
d) Volume of solids
Answer
Answer: c [Reason:] Both the volume of air and volume of water contribute to the voids in the 3 phase diagram of soil.
6. The ratio of volume of voids and volume of soil solids is called
a) Void ratio
b) Porosity
c) Saturation
d) Air content
Answer
Answer: a [Reason:] The ratio of volume of voids and volume of soil solids is called as void ratio, porosity is the ratio of voids and total volume, saturation is volume of voids in volume of water, air content is air voids in volume.
7. Montimorrite is a type of mineral which causes expansive behaviour is found in
a) Black cotton soil
b) Laterite soil
c) River soil
d) Glacial soil
Answer
Answer: a [Reason:] Montimorolite is a type of mineral which is of expansive nature, it isfound in mostly black cotton soil.
8. The soil that is formed by the action of wind is called
a) Lacustrine soil
b) Alluvial soil
c) Aeolian soil
d) Glacial soil
Answer
Answer: c [Reason:] The soil that is formed by the action of wind is called as Aeolian soil, lacustrine by lakes, alluvial by River and glacial by glacier.
9. The maximum density which is desirable in highway embankments is
a) Dry density
b) Saturated density
c) M.D.D
d) O.M.C
Answer
Answer: c [Reason:] The maximum density which is desirable in highway embankments is M.D.D, if it is greater than MDD then it’s density decreases.
10. The void ratio can never be
a) Less than 1
b) Greater than 1
c) Less than zero
d) Equal to 1
Answer
Answer: c [Reason:] The void ratio can never be less than zero, as it is a positive quantity, but it can be greater than 1 or equal to 1.
11. In Indian system the soil is classified as per
a) USCS
b) ISCS
c) BIS
d) ASTM
Answer
Answer: b [Reason:] In Indian system the soil is classified as per ISCS. In international as per USCS, BIS regards the standard in India and ASTM in USA.
12. The theoretical void ratio of sand is taken as
a) 0.87
b) 0.91
c) 1.01
d) 1.03
Answer
Answer: b [Reason:] The theoretical void ratio of sand is taken as 0.91.
13. If the water content of a soil sample is 25%, and dry density is 15KN/m3 then its dry density in KN/m3 is
a) 18.75
b) 19
c) 20
d) 21
Answer
Answer: a [Reason:] Ὑd=Ὓ/1+w
Ὓ=15*1.25
=18.75KN/m3
14. If the permeability is high then its void ratio is
a) High
b) Low
c) Medium
d) Depends on soil
Answer
Answer: a [Reason:] If the void ratio is high then, the permeability of the soil will be very high, for example gravel in which there is a lot of void ratio so permeability is very high.
15. The property of soil by which its state and size changes is called
a) Activity
b) Sensitivity
c) Thixotropy
d) Shear strength
Answer
Answer: c [Reason:] Thixotropy means changing on touch; it is used for very sensitive soils.
Set 2
1. In soil cement stabilisation the bond is imparted between cement and
a) Water
b) Fine aggregate
c) Coarse aggregate
d) Soil
Answer
Answer: d [Reason:] In the soil cement stabilisation, the bond is imparted between hydrated cement and compacted soil.
2. Making of solid into fine powder is called.
a) Powdering
b) Crushing
c) Pulverising
d) Refining
Answer
Answer: c [Reason:] The crushing of the solid into the fine powder is called as pulverising, mostly pulverised materials are used.
3. The chemical that can harm the hydrated cement is.
a) Calcium sulphate
b) Calcium di sulphate
c) Calcium tri sulphate
d) Magnesium sulphate
Answer
Answer: d [Reason:] The magnesium sulphate is a very strong chemical and it may even effect the hydrated cement reducing its strength.
4. The increase of cement causes.
a) Increase in weight
b) Increase in void ratio
c) Increase in strength
d) Increase in porosity
Answer
Answer: c [Reason:] The increase in cement causes the increase in strength and durability, and of water is added then it’s strength decreases.
5. Presence of unpulverised dry lumps reduce the.
a) Strength
b) Durability
c) Strength and durability
d) Water content
Answer
Answer: c [Reason:] The strength and durability of the soil are badly affected by the unpulverised powder.
6. If compaction efforts increase, then.
a) Dry density increase
b) Dry density decrease
c) Wet density increase
d) Wet density decrease
Answer
Answer: a [Reason:] If compaction efforts increase, then dry density increase and wet density doesn’t change.
7. The high temperature in soil cement stabilisation accelerates.
a) Strength
b) Dry density
c) Shear
d) Compaction
Answer
Answer: a [Reason:] The higher temperature leads to rapid drying of the sample, which leads to the gain in strength.
8. The additive not used in soil cement stabilisation is.
a) Sodium hydroxide
b) Sodium carbonate
c) Calcium chloride
d) Sugar
Answer
Answer: d [Reason:] Sugar is a retarder and it should not be used in soil cement stabilisation, whereas other chemicals like calcium chloride and sodium carbonate can be used.
9. The BIS for soil cement stabilisation is based on.
a) British
b) ASTM
c) PCA
d) British and ASTM
Answer
Answer: d [Reason:] The BIS method is based on both British and ASTM for the soil cement stabilisation.
10. The soil samples are prepared in a mould of diameter.
a) 5 cm
b) 10 cm
c) 15 cm
d) 20 cm
Answer
Answer: a [Reason:] The samples are tested in a sample of diameter 5 cm and height 10 cm, by compacting them into the mould.
11. The graph between cement content and compressive strength is plotted for how many days of curing?
a) 3 days
b) 5 days
c) 7 days
d) 9 days
Answer
Answer: c [Reason:] The graph is plotted for cement content and compressive strength for a curing period of 7 days.
12. The maximum brushing loss for A6 A7 soil type is.
a) 5
b) 6
c) 7
d) 10
Answer
Answer: c [Reason:] The PCA recommends a loss of not more than 7% for soil type of A6 and A7, after 12 cycles of freeze and thaw.
13. The plasticity index of soil cement base course should be less than.
a) 28
b) 18
c) 38
d) 48
Answer
Answer: b [Reason:] From practical considerations, the results obtained tell that the plasticity index should be less than 18.
14. How many methods are available for the construction of soil cement base course?
a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Four
Answer
Answer: b [Reason:] The two available methods are mix in place method, plant mix method.
15. The degree of pulverisation is checked by sieve of.
a) 10 mm
b) 6.25 mm
c) 4.75 mm
d) 2.36 mm
Answer
Answer: c [Reason:] The degree of pulverisation is checked by the sieve passing through 4.75 mm and it should exceed 50%.
Set 3
1. The non desirable property of soil after addition of lime is.
a) High affinity with water
b) Friability
c) Pulverisation
d) Reduction in plasticity
Answer
Answer: a [Reason:] The soil should show less affinity towards the water, and all other changes are desirable.
2. The maximum dry density of soil lime mix is decreased by.
a) 1 to 1.5%
b) 2 to 2.5%
c) 2 to 3%
d) 4 to 5%
Answer
Answer: c [Reason:] The maximum dry density decrease by 2 to 3%, but it doesn’t effect its strength in any manner.
3. The structure of clay is.
a) Flocculated
b) Dispersed
c) Elongated
d) Flaky
Answer
Answer: a [Reason:] The structure of clay is formed in flocks and when they react, a flocculated structure is formed.
4. The flocculated substances are.
a) Stable
b) Unstable
c) Neutral
d) Depends on soil
Answer
Answer: a [Reason:] The flocculated substances are very stable, and they even remain stable under subsequent soaking.
5. The factor on which the property of soil lime doesn’t depend is.
a) Soil
b) Lime
c) Shear
d) Curing
Answer
Answer: c [Reason:] The soil lime doesn’t depend on the shear, as it is a property of soil it can’t change the stability.
6. The increase in soil strength depends on.
a) Clay fraction
b) Thixotropy
c) Activity
d) Shear
Answer
Answer: a [Reason:] The clay fraction content in soil affect the physical and other properties such as base exchange and pozzolanic action.
7. The point at which plastic limit increase and then decrease is.
a) Lime point
b) Fixing point
c) Lime fixation point
d) Lime reducing point
Answer
Answer: c [Reason:] The plastic limit in lime stabilized soils, increase up to a certain point and then decrease, it is termed as lime fixation point.
8. The chemical which causes burns while working with is.
a) Quick lime
b) Hydrated lime
c) Quick cement
d) Sulphate resistant cement
Answer
Answer: a [Reason:] The quick lime is very effective in stabilisation, but it causes burns, so hydrated lime is preferred.
9. The compaction is carried out at.
a) 6% Water content
b) OMC
c) MDD
d) Saturated density
Answer
Answer: b [Reason:] The strength is a very important factor considered in the soil lime stabilisation, so it is compacted at OMC to achieve MDD.
10. The strength of soil lime for several years after curing.
a) Increases
b) Decreases
c) Remains constant
d) Can’t say
Answer
Answer: a [Reason:] The lime soil strength increases with increase in curing period unless and until effected by external sources its strength increases.
11.The substance added with lime for extra strength are called .
a) Fertiliser
b) Additive
c) Plasticiser
d) Super plasticiser
Answer
Answer: b [Reason:] The strength of lime alone is not enough for the stabilisation, so special substances called additives are added.
12. The design of soil lime mix is based on.
a) BIS
b) PAC
c) ASTM
d) Lime fixation point
Answer
Answer: d [Reason:] The design of lime soil mix is based on lime fixation point, as it has no specific method for design.
13. The first step in the construction step of soil lime base course is.
a) Preparation of sub grade
b) Preparation of pulverised soil
c) Field tests
d) Pre conditioning
Answer
Answer: a [Reason:] The first step after design of the mix is preparation of the sub grade followed by pulverising.
14. The lime soil can’t be used in.
a) Sub base
b) Base
c) Surface
d) Sub grade
Answer
Answer: c [Reason:] The lime soil is very weak and cannot be used in the surface course, it can only be used in light traffic areas.
15. Increase in lime content results in.
a) Decrease in plastic limit
b) Decrease in plasticity index
c) Increase in plasticity index
d) Change in volume
Answer
Answer: b [Reason:] The increase in lime content will cause a slight change in plastic limit, increasing the plastic limit and decrease of plasticity index.
Set 4
1. How many objectives of soil stabilised roads ?
a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Four
Answer
Answer: b [Reason:] There are two objective of soil stabilised roads, they are to achieve roads with low cost and upgrading of existing roads.
2. The biggest drawback in India for laying roads is
a) Limited roads
b) Limited resources
c) Limited finance
d) Limited labour
Answer
Answer: c [Reason:] The biggest problem in the developing countries like India is limited finance, so it takes a lot of time.
3. The stabilisation of roads is not done in
a) Sub grade
b) Base
c) Sub base
d) Surface Layer
Answer
Answer: d [Reason:] The stabilisation of roads is not done in the surface layer of the pavement, because it is made of bitumen or concrete, so stabilization cannot be done.
4. The subgrade thickness is compacted to
a) 200 mm
b) 300 mm
c) 400 mm
d) 500 mm
Answer
Answer: d [Reason:] For national highway and important roads the thickness is compacted to 500 mm and for village road it may be lesser.
5. The soil stability is not so good in
a) Black cotton soil
b) Gravel
c) Sand
d) Boulders
Answer
Answer: a [Reason:] The black cotton soil is useful for agriculture, but not so good for pavement as it swell on absorption of the water and retain them as they are suitable for agriculture, plants grow very well in black cotton soil.
6. The more thickness of the excavation will lead to
a) More stability
b) Less stability
c) Increase of cost
d) Decrease of cost
Answer
Answer: c [Reason:] The more thickness of the excavation will lead to more labour charge, which lead to more cost.
7. The PMGSY aims to connect
a) Highway
b) Cities
c) Towns
d) Villages
Answer
Answer: d [Reason:] The PMGSY was launched to connect the villages all across the country from north to south and east to west by linking them with a nearby city.
8. The construction of soil stabilised roads is possible in
a) High volume roads
b) Highway
c) Village road
d) Low volume roads
Answer
Answer: d [Reason:] The soil stabilised roads can be used in places where the volume of traffic is very low.
9. The black cotton soil is replaced in which roads?
a) Highway
b) Low volume road
c) Street road
d) Village road
Answer
Answer: a [Reason:] The priority is maximum given to the highway for laying roads, and if soil is not suitable then it is replaced.
10. The most commonly used material for stabilisation of soils is
a) Cement
b) Lime
c) Heating
d) Chemicals
Answer
Answer: a [Reason:] If there is no chance for soil replacement or its very costly then cement stabilised soil is used.
Set 5
1. How many types of challenges are encountered in bitumen stabilisation?
a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Four
Answer
Answer: c [Reason:] The major problems are choice of stabilisation, design mix and thickness of layer.
2. The final choice of stabilisation technique is based on.
a) Labour
b) Material
c) Equipment
d) Cost
Answer
Answer: d [Reason:] Though all the equipment, labour and materials are equally important, the final factor is cost.
3. The flexural strength is based on.
a) IRC
b) Plate test
c) CBR
d) Shear
Answer
Answer: c [Reason:] The most commonly used method for testing the strength of the flexible pavement.
4. The mix design should take into consideration.
a) Stability
b) Durability
c) Stability and durability
d) Age
Answer
Answer: c [Reason:] The mix should take into consideration, the stability and durability requirements, strength is also equally important.
5. The modification factor used in base course thickness is called.
a) Granite equivalence
b) Gravel equivalence
c) Sand equivalence
d) Soil equivalence
Answer
Answer: b [Reason:] In the thickness of the pavement layer the mix can’t be designed directly, so it needs some factor which is called equivalence factor.
6. The colloidal content in BC soils can be up to.
a) 20%
b) 30%
c) 40%
d) 50%
Answer
Answer: d [Reason:] The colloidal content in the soil may be up 50%, which is an undesirable property for pavement.
7. The shrinkage limit value in BC soil is
a) 0%
b) 9%
c) 15%
d) 16%
Answer
Answer: c [Reason:] The BC soils have a less shrinkage limit value from 10% to 15% , which is a very high value, whereas in sand and silt they don’t exist.
8. The cement content required for BC soil is.
a) High
b) Very high
c) Low
d) Very low
Answer
Answer: b [Reason:] The cement content required for the cement is 15 to 25%, so it is not advisable to directly stabilize with cement.
9. The desert sand is.
a) Strong
b) Weak
c) Normal
d) Unfit for pavements
Answer
Answer: b [Reason:] The sand in the desert is very huge and non availability of water is a major problem in the desert, and desert sand is very less stable, hence suitable stabilisation should be done.
10. The water content in emulsion is about.
a) 10%
b) 20%
c) 30%
d) 40%
Answer
Answer: d [Reason:] The emulsion in the mix consists of 40% of water, hence it is used for stabilisation of desert sand.