Explore topic-wise MCQs in Geotechnical Engineering.

This section includes 180 Mcqs, each offering curated multiple-choice questions to sharpen your Geotechnical Engineering knowledge and support exam preparation. Choose a topic below to get started.

1.

The Boussinesq equation representing the tangential stress is ___________

A. \(τ_{rz}=\frac{3}{2πz^3} \left[\frac{1}{1+(\frac{r}{z})^2} \right]^{5/2}\)
B. \(τ_{rz}=\frac{3Qr}{2π} \left[\frac{1}{1+(\frac{r}{z})^2} \right]^5\)
C. \(τ_{rz}=\frac{3Qr}{2πz^3} \left[\frac{1}{1+(\frac{r}{z})^2} \right]^{\frac{5}{2}}\)
D. \(τ_{rz}=\frac{3Q}{2πz^3} \left[\frac{1}{1+(\frac{r}{z})^2} \right]^2\)
Answer» D. \(τ_{rz}=\frac{3Q}{2πz^3} \left[\frac{1}{1+(\frac{r}{z})^2} \right]^2\)
2.

If v is the displacement in y-direction, the linear strain component in is defined by __________

A. \(ε_Y=\frac{∂v}{∂y}\)
B. \(ε_Y=\frac{∂y}{∂v}\)
C. \(ε_Y=\frac{dy}{dv}\)
D. εᵧ=v+y
Answer» B. \(ε_Y=\frac{∂y}{∂v}\)
3.

The hydraulic gradient in terms of pore water pressure is given by _________

A. \(i=\frac{γ_w \overline{u}∂h}{∂z} \)
B. \(i=\frac{\overline{u}∂h}{γ_w ∂z} \)
C. \(i=\frac{\overline{u}∂h}{∂z} \)
D. \(i=\frac{1}{γ_w}\frac{∂\overline{u}}{∂z} \)
Answer» E.
4.

When the ratio of r/z equals to 1, the Boussinesq influence factor is ________ of the maximum.

A. 23%
B. 57%
C. 17.7%
D. 1.8%
Answer» D. 1.8%
5.

The relation between the stress component in z-direction on a horizontal plane in Cartesian coordinates and polar coordinates for vertical line load is ___________

A. σz=σᵣ cos²⁡θ
B. σz=σᵣ cosec²⁡θ
C. σz=σᵣ cos⁡θ
D. σz=σᵣ sin²⁡θ
Answer» B. σz=σᵣ cosec²⁡θ
6.

At a certain point within soil mass, the stresses are caused only because of surface loadings.

A. True
B. False
C. May be True or False
D. Can't say
Answer» C. May be True or False
7.

The shearing strain component in X-Y plane is ________

A. \(Γ_{xy}=\frac{∂v}{∂x}+\frac{∂u}{∂y} \)
B. \(Γ_{xy}=\frac{∂v}{∂x}-\frac{∂u}{∂y} \)
C. \(Γ_{xy}=\frac{∂v}{∂y}+\frac{∂u}{∂x} \)
D. \(Γ_{xy}=\frac{∂v}{∂y}-\frac{∂u}{∂x} \)
Answer» B. \(Γ_{xy}=\frac{∂v}{∂x}-\frac{∂u}{∂y} \)
8.

The shear stress component in xz-plane in Cartesian coordinates for horizontal line load is ___________

A. \(τ_{xz}=\frac{2Q}{xzsinθcos⁡θ} \)
B. \(τ_{xz}=\frac{2Qxz^2}{π(x^2+z^2)^2} \)
C. \(τ_{xz}=\frac{2Qx^3}{π(x^2+z^2)^2} \)
D. \(τ_{xz}=\frac{2Qx^2 z}{π(x^2+z^2)^2} \)
Answer» E.
9.

If XY pane is considered to be ground surface and the z-axis as depth, then this condition is known as _______

A. semi-infinite
B. infinite
C. finite
D. semi- finite
Answer» B. infinite
10.

Find the vertical pressure at depth 5m for a uniformly loaded circular area of 80 kN/m² load and radius of 5m.

A. 51.72 kN/m²
B. 54.12 kN/m²
C. 78.325 kN/m²
D. 12.24 kN/m²
Answer» B. 54.12 kN/m²
11.

In Terzaghi’s Theory of one dimensional consolidation, the change in thickness of a layer during consolidation is ___________

A. significant
B. insignificant
C. large
D. very large
Answer» C. large
12.

The Boussinesq influence factor for uniformly distributed circular area is given by ____________

A. \(K_B= \left[1-\left[\frac{1}{1+(\frac{a}{z})^2}\right]^{\frac{3}{2}}\right] \)
B. \(K_B= \left[1+\left[\frac{1}{1+(\frac{a}{z})^2}\right]^{\frac{3}{2}}\right] \)
C. \(K_B= \left[\frac{1}{1+(\frac{a}{z})^2}\right]^{\frac{3}{2}} \)
D. \(K_B= q\left[1-\left[\frac{1}{1+(\frac{a}{z})^2}\right]^{\frac{5}{2}}\right] \)
Answer» B. \(K_B= \left[1+\left[\frac{1}{1+(\frac{a}{z})^2}\right]^{\frac{3}{2}}\right] \)
13.

The normal stress in y-direction in terms of effective stress is given by __________

A. σy= σy’-γw(h-he)
B. σy= σy’+γw(h-he)
C. σy= σy’/γw(h-he)
D. σy= σy’*γw(h-he)
Answer» C. σy= σy’/γw(h-he)
14.

The uniformly varying load is __________ in a beam.

A. rate of loading increases linearly from zero
B. rate of loading increases non-linearly from zero
C. equal load at every point
D. equal load only at supports
Answer» B. rate of loading increases non-linearly from zero
15.

_________ chart is used to find the vertical stress on Westergaard’s equation.

A. Influence chart
B. Isocurve chart
C. Isobar chart
D. Fenske’s chart
Answer» B. Isocurve chart
16.

If the influence value \(i_f=\frac{1}{35} \left[1-\left[\frac{1}{1+(\frac{a}{z})^2}\right]^\frac{3}{2}\right] \) for a uniformly loaded circular area, then the circular area is divided into _________ sectors.

A. 20
B. 35
C. 7
D. 14
Answer» C. 7
17.

When the ratio of r/z equals to 2, the Boussinesq influence factor is ________ of the maximum.

A. 23%
B. 57%
C. 17.7%
D. 1.8%
Answer» E.
18.

In Terzaghi’s Theory of one dimensional consolidation, load is applied in _____________

A. one direction only
B. two directions only
C. three directions only
D. none of the direction
Answer» B. two directions only
19.

The vertical stress under the corner of a uniformly loaded rectangular area of size 2m*4m at depth 5m and load of 80 kN/m² is given by ___________

A. 6.22 kN/m²
B. 7.45 kN/m²
C. 8.12 kN/m²
D. 9.23 kN/m²
Answer» C. 8.12 kN/m²
20.

The Boussinesq’s vertical pressure σz due to line load is given by ________

A. \(σ_z=\frac{5q’}{πz}\frac{1}{[1+\frac{x}{z}^2 ]^2} \)
B. \(σ_z=\frac{3q’}{πz}\frac{1}{[1+(\frac{x}{z})^2 ]^2} \)
C. \(σ_z=\frac{2q’}{πz}\frac{1}{[1+(\frac{x}{z})^2 ]^2} \)
D. \(σ_z=\frac{2q’}{z}\frac{1}{[1+⌊\frac{x}{z}⌋^2 ]^2} \)
Answer» D. \(σ_z=\frac{2q’}{z}\frac{1}{[1+⌊\frac{x}{z}⌋^2 ]^2} \)
21.

For maximum vertical stress, the shear stress is _________ if the load is 30 kN and r=4m.

A. 0.4356 kN/m²
B. 0.1359 kN/m²
C. 0.1518 kN/m²
D. 0.3625 kN/m²
Answer» C. 0.1518 kN/m²
22.

When the maximum vertical stress is 0.111 kN/m² at a radial distance of 4m from the point load is __________ kN.

A. 0
B. 10
C. 20
D. 30
Answer» D. 30
23.

An elastic body is said to be homogeneous if there are ______ elastic constants.

A. 36
B. 20
C. 26
D. 30
Answer» B. 20
24.

An elastic body is said to be isotropic if the elastic constants are ______

A. same only in y- direction
B. same only in x- direction
C. different in al direction
D. same in all direction
Answer» E.
25.

The linear strain of a diagonal is equal to half the sum shearing strain components.

A. True
B. False
C. May be True or False
D. Can't say
Answer» B. False
26.

If the footing is flexible, then the distribution pressure is uniform.

A. True
B. False
C. May be True or False
D. Can't say
Answer» B. False
27.

If the r/z ratio is 2, then the vertical pressure on a horizontal plane is given by _________

A. \(σ_z=\frac{0.0085Q}{z^2} \)
B. \(σ_z=\frac{0.0844Q}{z^2} \)
C. \(σ_z=\frac{0.2733Q}{z^2} \)
D. \(σ_z=\frac{0.4775Q}{z^2} \)
Answer» B. \(σ_z=\frac{0.0844Q}{z^2} \)
28.

The intensities of pressure below a point load where r=0 on axis of loading is ____________

A. \(σ_z=\frac{0.4775Q}{z^2} \)
B. \(σ_z=\frac{0.7Q}{z^2} \)
C. \(σ_z=\frac{0.4775Q}{z^3} \)
D. \(σ_z=\frac{0.8Q}{z}\)
Answer» B. \(σ_z=\frac{0.7Q}{z^2} \)
29.

The Boussinesq influence factor for r/z ratio equal to 1 is given by ____________

A. 0.3840
B. 0.5465
C. 0.0844
D. 0.2312
Answer» D. 0.2312
30.

The relation between the stress component in x-direction on a horizontal plane in Cartesian coordinates and polar coordinates for vertical line load is ___________

A. σₓ=σᵣ tan²⁡θ
B. σₓ=σᵣ cosec²⁡θ
C. σₓ=σᵣ cos⁡θ
D. σₓ=σᵣ sin²⁡θ
Answer» E.
31.

The shearing strain component in Z-X plane is ________

A. \(Γ_{xz} =\frac{∂w}{∂y}+\frac{∂v}{∂z} \)
B. \(Γ_{xz} =\frac{∂v}{∂x}-\frac{∂w}{∂y} \)
C. \(Γ_{xz} =\frac{∂u}{∂z}+\frac{∂w}{∂x} \)
D. \(Γ_{xz} =\frac{∂v}{∂y}-\frac{∂w}{∂x} \)
Answer» D. \(Γ_{xz} =\frac{∂v}{∂y}-\frac{∂w}{∂x} \)
32.

If r/z ratio is 0.5 and load of 20 kN is acting at a point, then the vertical pressure at a depth 6m is ____________

A. 0.4356 kN/m²
B. 0.244 kN/m²
C. 0.1518 kN/m²
D. 0.597 kN/m²
Answer» D. 0.597 kN/m²
33.

An isobar diagram consists of __________The vertical pressure distribution on any horizontal plane at a depth z below the ground due to concentrated load is ___________

A. family of isobars of various intensities\(σ_z=K_B \frac{Q}{z} \)
B. single isobar only\(σ_z=K_B \frac{Q}{z^2} \)
C. two isobars only\(σ_z=K_B \frac{z}{Q} \)
D. isobars of same intensities\(σ_z=K_B \frac{Q}{z^3} \)
Answer» C. two isobars only\(σ_z=K_B \frac{z}{Q} \)
34.

If a load of 30 kN is acting on a point on the ground surface, then the intensity of vertical stress directly below the point on its axis of loading at a depth of 2m is given by __________

A. 4.356 kN/m²
B. 2.44 kN/m²
C. 3.58kN/m²
D. 5.97 kN/m²
Answer» D. 5.97 kN/m²
35.

From the symmetry and orthogonality of principal planes ____________

A. both horizontal and vertical planes will be devoid of shear stress
B. both horizontal and vertical planes will have shear stress
C. only vertical plane has shear stress
D. only horizontal plane has shear stress
Answer» B. both horizontal and vertical planes will have shear stress
36.

If the r/z ratio is 0.5, then the vertical pressure on a horizontal plane is given by _________

A. \(σ_z=\frac{0.56Q}{z^3} \)
B. \(σ_z=\frac{0.4775Q}{z^3} \)
C. \(σ_z=\frac{0.2733Q}{z^2} \)
D. \(σ_z=\frac{0.4775Q}{z^2} \)
Answer» D. \(σ_z=\frac{0.4775Q}{z^2} \)
37.

An isobar is a curved surface of the shape of _________

A. circular
B. rectangle
C. bulb
D. hexagon
Answer» D. hexagon
38.

The shearing strain component in Y-Z plane is ________

A. \(Γ_{yz} =\frac{∂w}{∂y}+\frac{∂v}{∂z} \)
B. \(Γ_{yz} =\frac{∂v}{∂x}-\frac{∂w}{∂y} \)
C. \(Γ_{yz} =\frac{∂v}{∂y}+\frac{∂w}{∂x} \)
D. \(Γ_{yz} =\frac{∂v}{∂y}-\frac{∂w}{∂x} \)
Answer» B. \(Γ_{yz} =\frac{∂v}{∂x}-\frac{∂w}{∂y} \)
39.

The normal stress in x-direction in terms of effective stress is given by __________

A. σx= σx’+γw(h-he)
B. σx= σx’*γw(h-he)
C. σx= σx’-γw(h-he)
D. σx= σx’
Answer» B. σx= σx’*γw(h-he)
40.

The normal stress in z-direction in terms of effective stress is given by __________

A. σz= γw(h-he)
B. σz= σz’
C. σz= σz’+γw(h-he)
D. σz= σz’-γw(h-he)
Answer» D. σz= σz’-γw(h-he)
41.

The contact pressure of a footing was found to be 85 kN/m² for a load of 212.5 kN. What will be the contact area?

A. 1 m²
B. 2.5 m²
C. 3 m²
D. 3.5 m²
Answer» C. 3 m²
42.

Find the depth z for a uniformly loaded circular area of 80 kN/m² load and radius of 50m. k=0.9160.

A. 2m
B. 4m
C. 25m
D. 50m
Answer» D. 50m
43.

The velocity with which the excess pore water flows is _________

A. \(v=\frac{k}{2}\frac{∂\overline{u}}{∂z}\)
B. \(v=\frac{1}{γ_w}\frac{∂\overline{u}}{∂z}\)
C. \(v=\frac{k}{γ_w}\frac{∂\overline{u}}{∂z}\)
D. \(v=\frac{∂\overline{u}}{∂z}\)
Answer» D. \(v=\frac{∂\overline{u}}{∂z}\)
44.

The vertical stress at a point within soil mass at a depth z is ____________

A. σz=γ+z
B. σz=γ-z
C. σz=γ/z
D. σz=γz
Answer» E.
45.

The σz in terms of stress function is given by __________

A. \(\frac{∂Φ}{∂z}\)
B. \(\frac{∂^2 Φ}{∂z^2}\)
C. \(\frac{∂^2 Φ}{∂x^2}\)
D. \(\frac{∂Φ}{∂x}\)
Answer» D. \(\frac{∂Φ}{∂x}\)
46.

For two dimensional case, for both plane stress as well as plain strain case the compatibility equation is _______

A. \(\frac{∂^2 ε_x}{∂z^2} +\frac{∂^2 ε_z}{∂x^2} =\frac{∂^2 Γ_{xz}}{∂x∂z}\)
B. \(\frac{∂^2 ε_z}{∂z^2} +\frac{∂^2 ε_y}{∂x^2} =\frac{∂^2 Γ_{zy}}{∂z∂y}\)
C. \(\frac{∂^2 ε_x}{∂y^2} +\frac{∂^2 ε_y}{∂x^2} =\frac{∂^2 Γ_{xy}}{∂x∂y}\)
D. \(\frac{∂^2 ε_z}{∂z^2} +\frac{∂^2 ε_y}{∂x^2} =0\)
Answer» B. \(\frac{∂^2 ε_z}{∂z^2} +\frac{∂^2 ε_y}{∂x^2} =\frac{∂^2 Γ_{zy}}{∂z∂y}\)
47.

In Terzaghi’s Theory of one dimensional consolidation, the deformation occurs in __________

A. one direction only
B. two directions only
C. three directions only
D. none of the direction
Answer» B. two directions only
48.

____________ is not the vertical pressure distribution diagram, which can be prepared by Boussinesq’s theory.

A. stress isobars
B. vertical pressure distribution on a horizontal plane
C. horizontal pressure distribution on a horizontal plane
D. vertical pressure distribution on a vertical plane
Answer» D. vertical pressure distribution on a vertical plane
49.

If a uniformly loaded circular area is divided into 20 sectors, then the influence value if is given by ___________

A. \(\frac{1}{20}\left[1-\left[\frac{1}{1+(\frac{a}{z})^2}\right]^\frac{3}{2}\right]\)
B. \(20\left[1-\left[\frac{1}{1+(\frac{a}{z})^2}\right]^\frac{3}{2}\right]\)
C. \(20\left[1-\left[\frac{1}{1+(\frac{a}{z})^2}\right]^\frac{5}{2}\right]\)
D. \(\frac{1}{20}\left[1-\left[\frac{1}{1+(\frac{a}{z})^2}\right]^\frac{5}{2} \right]\)
Answer» B. \(20\left[1-\left[\frac{1}{1+(\frac{a}{z})^2}\right]^\frac{3}{2}\right]\)
50.

If u is the displacement in x-direction, the linear strain component in is defined by __________

A. \(ε_X=\frac{∂u}{∂x}\)
B. \(ε_X=\frac{∂x}{∂u}\)
C. \(ε_X=\frac{dx}{du}\)
D. εₓ=x+u
Answer» B. \(ε_X=\frac{∂x}{∂u}\)