A direct shear test possesses the following disadvantage:

A relatively thin thickness of sample permits quick drainage

A relatively thin thickness of sample permits quick dissipation of pore pressure developed during the test

As the test progresses the area under shear, gradually changes

Pick up the incorrect definition from the following:

Ratio of the compressive strength of unconfined undisturbed soil to that of remoulded soil, is known as the sensitivity of the soil sample

The rotation of soil particles into stable state while remoulding, is known as the thiostropy of soil

The water content at which a soil changes from the liquid state to solid state, is known liquid limit of the soil

The water content at which a soil flows, is known plastic limit of the soil

The critical exist gradient of seepage water in soils, increases with

an increase in specific gravity

A triaxial shear test is prefered to direct shear test, because

precise measurement of pore pressure and change in volume during test, is not posible

it can be performed under all three driange conditions with complete control

precise measurement of pore pressure and change in volume during test, is not posible

stress distribution on the failure plane, is non uniform

Soil classification of composite soils, exclusively based on the particle size distribution, is known

High Way Research Board classification

The consolidation time for soils

increases with increasing compressibility

decreases with increasing permeability

increases rapidly with increasing size of soil mass

is independent of the magnitude of the stress change.

The shear strength of a soil

increases with an increase in the normal stress

is proportional to the cohesion of the soil

is generally known as the strength of the soil

is proportional to the tangent of the angle of internal friction

Negative skin friction on piles

is caused due to relative settlement of the soil

Pick up the correct definition from the following:

The lateral pressure exerted by the soil when the retaining wall moves away from the back fill, is generally known as active earth pressure of the soil

The lateral pressure exerted by the soil when the retaining wail moves towards the soil, is generally known as 'Passive earth pressure of the soil'

The lateral pressure exerted by the soil when the retaining wall has no movement relative to the back fill, is known as 'earth pressure at rest of the soil'

The capillary rise of water

increases as the size of the soil particles increases

depends upon the force responsible

increases as the size of the soil particles increases

decreases as the size of the soil particles decreases

is less in wet soil than in dry soil.

The Mohr's straight theory is based on the following fact :

Material fails essentially by shear

Ultimate strength of the material is determined by the stress in the plane of slip

Failure criterion is independent of the intermediate principal stress

The ultimate bearing capacity of a soil, is

load at which soil consolidates.

The seepage exit gradient in a soil is the ratio of

total head to the length of seepage

head upstream to that at downstream

head loss to the length of the seepage

The bearing capacity of a soil depends upon

cohesive properties of particles

internal frictional resistance of particles

266 + Mcqs in Soil Mechanics And Foundation Engineering in Civil Engineering Page 3 McqOptions

101.	For determing the specific gravity of soil solids, using a pycnometer of 500 cc., the following data is available : Weight of dry empty pycnometer = 125 g Weight of dried soil and pycnometer = 500 g Weight of dried soil and distilled = 850 g water filled in pycnometer up to top The specific gravity of soil soilds, is
A.	2
B.	2.25
C.	2.5
D.	2.75
Answer» D. 2.75

102.	A clay subjected to pressure in excess to its present over-burden, is said to be
A.	pre-compressed
B.	pre-consolidated
C.	over-consolidated
D.	all the above.
Answer» E.

103.	A direct shear test possesses the following disadvantage:
A.	A relatively thin thickness of sample permits quick drainage
B.	A relatively thin thickness of sample permits quick dissipation of pore pressure developed during the test
C.	As the test progresses the area under shear, gradually changes
D.	none of these.
Answer» D. none of these.

104.	The ratio of the difference between the void ratio of the soil in its loosest state and its natural void ratio (e) to the difference between the void ratios in the loosest and fully dense state, is generally termed as
A.	degree of density
B.	relativity
C.	density index
D.	all the above.
Answer» E.

105.	Water content of a soil sample is the difference of the weight of the given sample at the given temperature and the weight determined after drying it for 24 hours at temperature ranging from
A.	80¬∞ to 90¬∞C
B.	90¬∞ to 95¬∞C
C.	95¬∞ to 100¬∞C
D.	103¬∞ to 105¬∞C
Answer» E.

106.	A soil mass coated with a thin layer of paraffin weighs 460 g. When immersed, it displaces 299 cc of water. The weight of paraffin is 10 g. If specific gravity of solids is 2.5 and that of paraffin 0.9, the void ratio of soil, is
A.	0.55
B.	0.6
C.	0.65
D.	0.7
Answer» C. 0.65

107.	For determining the ultimate bearing capacity of soil, the recommended size of a square bearing plate to be used in load plate test should be 30 to 75 cm square with a minimum thickness of
A.	5 mm
B.	10 mm
C.	15 mm
D.	20 mm
Answer» E.

108.	The minimum depth of building foundations on
A.	sandy soils is 80 cm to 100 cm
B.	clay soils is 90 cm to 160 cm
C.	rocky soils is 5 cm to 50 cm
D.	all the above.
Answer» E.

109.	Pick up the incorrect definition from the following:
A.	Ratio of the compressive strength of unconfined undisturbed soil to that of remoulded soil, is known as the sensitivity of the soil sample
B.	The rotation of soil particles into stable state while remoulding, is known as the thiostropy of soil
C.	The water content at which a soil changes from the liquid state to solid state, is known liquid limit of the soil
D.	The water content at which a soil flows, is known plastic limit of the soil
Answer» E.

110.	The ratio of the volume of voids to the total volume of the given soil mass, is known
A.	porosity
B.	specific gravity
C.	void ratio
D.	water content.
Answer» B. specific gravity

111.	If the unit weight of sand particles is 2.696 g/cc. and porosity in loose state is 44%, the critical hydraulic gradient for quick sand condition, is
A.	0.91
B.	0.92
C.	0.93
D.	0.94
Answer» E.

112.	The passive earth pressure of a soil, is proportional to (where œÜ is the angle of internal friction of the soil.)
A.	tan (45¬∞ - œÜ)
B.	tan (45¬∞ + œÜ)
C.	tan2 (45¬∞ - œÜ
D.	tan2 (45¬∞ + œÜ)
Answer» E.

118.	If œÉ0' and œÉ' represent initial and increased pressure ; e0 and e void ratios corresponding to initial and increased pressure ; and C0 the compression index (dimensionless), then, the virgin compression curve as expressed by Terzaghi empirical formula is
A.	e = e0 + Cc log10 œÉ'/œÉ0'
B.	e = e0 - Cc log10 œÉ'/œÉ0'
C.	e0 = e - Cc log10 œÉ'/œÉ0'
D.	e0 = e + Cc log10 œÉ0'/œÉ'
Answer» C. e0 = e - Cc log10 œÉ'/œÉ0'

127.	The ratio of emax and emin of silty sand, is
A.	2
B.	5
C.	3
D.	3.5
Answer» D. 3.5

132.	A fundamental equation of void ratio(e), specific gravity (G), water content (œâ) and degree of saturation (Sr) is
A.	e =
B.	œâ =
C.	G =
D.	Sr =
Answer» B. œâ =

113.	If dry density, water density and specific gravity of solids of a given soil sample are 1.6 g/cc, 1.84 g/cc and 2.56 respectively, the porosity of the soil sample, is
A.	0.375
B.	0.37
C.	0.38
D.	0.39
Answer» B. 0.37

114.	The maximum net pressure intensity causing shear failure of soil, is known
A.	safe bearing capacity
B.	net safe bearing capacity
C.	net ultimate bearing capacity
D.	ultimate bearing capacity.
Answer» D. ultimate bearing capacity.

115.	The critical exist gradient of seepage water in soils, increases with
A.	an increase in specific gravity
B.	a decrease in specific gravity
C.	a decrease in void ratio
D.	both (a) and (c)
Answer» E.

116.	The expression œÅœâ is used for
A.	dry density
B.	bulk density
C.	degree of saturation
D.	optimum water content.
Answer» B. bulk density

117.	A triaxial shear test is prefered to direct shear test, because
A.	it can be performed under all three driange conditions with complete control
B.	precise measurement of pore pressure and change in volume during test, is not posible
C.	stress distribution on the failure plane, is non uniform
D.	none of these.
Answer» B. precise measurement of pore pressure and change in volume during test, is not posible

119.	The ratio of the volume of water present in a given soil mass to the total volume of its voids, is known
A.	porosity
B.	void ratio
C.	percentage voids
D.	degree of saturation.
Answer» E.

120.	Soil classification of composite soils, exclusively based on the particle size distribution, is known
A.	particle classification
B.	textural classification
C.	High Way Research Board classification
D.	unified soil classification.
Answer» C. High Way Research Board classification

121.	The consolidation time for soils
A.	increases with increasing compressibility
B.	decreases with increasing permeability
C.	increases rapidly with increasing size of soil mass
D.	is independent of the magnitude of the stress change.
Answer» E.

122.	The total active earth pressure due to dry back fill with no surcharge, acts at H/3 above the base of the wall and is directly proportional to
A.	H
B.
C.	H2
Answer» D.

123.	The shear strength of a soil
A.	increases with an increase in the normal stress
B.	is proportional to the cohesion of the soil
C.	is generally known as the strength of the soil
D.	is proportional to the tangent of the angle of internal friction
Answer» E.

Explore topic-wise MCQs in Civil Engineering.

A clay subjected to pressure in excess to its present over-burden, is said to be

A direct shear test possesses the following disadvantage:

The ratio of the difference between the void ratio of the soil in its loosest state and its natural void ratio (e) to the difference between the void ratios in the loosest and fully dense state, is generally termed as

Water content of a soil sample is the difference of the weight of the given sample at the given temperature and the weight determined after drying it for 24 hours at temperature ranging from

A soil mass coated with a thin layer of paraffin weighs 460 g. When immersed, it displaces 299 cc of water. The weight of paraffin is 10 g. If specific gravity of solids is 2.5 and that of paraffin 0.9, the void ratio of soil, is

For determining the ultimate bearing capacity of soil, the recommended size of a square bearing plate to be used in load plate test should be 30 to 75 cm square with a minimum thickness of

The minimum depth of building foundations on

Pick up the incorrect definition from the following:

The ratio of the volume of voids to the total volume of the given soil mass, is known

If the unit weight of sand particles is 2.696 g/cc. and porosity in loose state is 44%, the critical hydraulic gradient for quick sand condition, is

The passive earth pressure of a soil, is proportional to (where œÜ is the angle of internal friction of the soil.)

If dry density, water density and specific gravity of solids of a given soil sample are 1.6 g/cc, 1.84 g/cc and 2.56 respectively, the porosity of the soil sample, is

The maximum net pressure intensity causing shear failure of soil, is known

The critical exist gradient of seepage water in soils, increases with

The expression œÅœâ is used for

A triaxial shear test is prefered to direct shear test, because

If œÉ0' and œÉ' represent initial and increased pressure ; e0 and e void ratios corresponding to initial and increased pressure ; and C0 the compression index (dimensionless), then, the virgin compression curve as expressed by Terzaghi empirical formula is

The ratio of the volume of water present in a given soil mass to the total volume of its voids, is known

Soil classification of composite soils, exclusively based on the particle size distribution, is known

The consolidation time for soils

The total active earth pressure due to dry back fill with no surcharge, acts at H/3 above the base of the wall and is directly proportional to

The shear strength of a soil

The change of moisture content of soils, changes the

The shear strength in plastic undrained clay, is due to

The maximum water content at which a reduction in water content does not cause a decrease in volume of a soil mass, is known

The ratio of emax and emin of silty sand, is

Negative skin friction on piles

Pick up the correct definition from the following:

The total weight of a pycnometer with water and oven dried soil 20 (g) is 1600 g. The pycnometer filled with water alone weighs 1500 g. The specific gravity of the soil, is

The length/diameter ratio of cylindrical specimens used in triaxial test, is generally

A fundamental equation of void ratio(e), specific gravity (G), water content (œâ) and degree of saturation (Sr) is

The capillary rise of water

The degree of saturation of the soil sample stated in Question No. 11.243, is

The Mohr's straight theory is based on the following fact :

A pile is being driven with a drop hammer weighing 1800 kg and having a free fall of 1.00 m. If the penetration with last blow is 5 mm, the load carrying capacity of the pile, -according to the Engineering News formula, is

The ultimate bearing capacity of a soil, is

The specific gravity of sands, is approximately

The general relationship between specific gravity (G), weight of water (Œ≥œâ), degree of saturation (Sr), void ratio (e) and bulk density (Œ≥), is

The compression resulting from a long term static load and consequent escape of pore water, is known as

The void ratio of a soil sample decreases from 1.50 to 1.25 when the pressure is increased from 25 tonnes/m2 to 50 tonnes/m2, the coefficient of compressibility is

For slopes of limited extent the surface of slippage, is usually along

'Drift' is the material picked up, mixed, disintegrated, transported and redeposited by

Flow net is used for the determination of

You are given a sample of soil containing coarse grains to determine its water content, you will use

A soil sample of mass specific gravity 1.92, has a moisture content 30%. If the specific gravity of solids is 2.75, the degree of saturation, is

The maximum pressure which a soil can carry without shear failure, is called

The seepage exit gradient in a soil is the ratio of

An unsaturated 100 cm3 sample of soil weighs 190 g. If its dried weight is 160 g, water content of the soil, is

The bearing capacity of a soil depends upon

124.	The change of moisture content of soils, changes the
A.	value of the angle of repose
B.	amount of compaction required
C.	cohesive strength of soil
D.	all the above.
Answer» E.

125.	The shear strength in plastic undrained clay, is due to
A.	inter-granular friction
B.	internal friction
C.	cohesion
D.	none of these.
Answer» D. none of these.

126.	The maximum water content at which a reduction in water content does not cause a decrease in volume of a soil mass, is known
A.	liquid limit
B.	plastic limit
C.	shrinkage limit
D.	permeability limit.
Answer» D. permeability limit.

128.	Negative skin friction on piles
A.	is caused due to relative settlement of the soil
B.	is caused in soft clays
C.	decreases the pile capacity
D.	all of the above.
Answer» E.

129.	Pick up the correct definition from the following:
A.	The lateral pressure exerted by the soil when the retaining wall moves away from the back fill, is generally known as active earth pressure of the soil
B.	The lateral pressure exerted by the soil when the retaining wail moves towards the soil, is generally known as 'Passive earth pressure of the soil'
C.	The lateral pressure exerted by the soil when the retaining wall has no movement relative to the back fill, is known as 'earth pressure at rest of the soil'
D.	All the above.
Answer» E.

130.	The total weight of a pycnometer with water and oven dried soil 20 (g) is 1600 g. The pycnometer filled with water alone weighs 1500 g. The specific gravity of the soil, is
A.	1
B.	1.5
C.	2
D.	2.5
Answer» D. 2.5

131.	The length/diameter ratio of cylindrical specimens used in triaxial test, is generally
A.	1
B.	1.5
C.	2
D.	2.5
Answer» D. 2.5

133.	The capillary rise of water
A.	depends upon the force responsible
B.	increases as the size of the soil particles increases
C.	decreases as the size of the soil particles decreases
D.	is less in wet soil than in dry soil.
Answer» B. increases as the size of the soil particles increases

134.	The degree of saturation of the soil sample stated in Question No. 11.243, is
A.	0.54
B.	0.64
C.	0.74
D.	0.84
Answer» E.

135.	The Mohr's straight theory is based on the following fact :
A.	Material fails essentially by shear
B.	Ultimate strength of the material is determined by the stress in the plane of slip
C.	Failure criterion is independent of the intermediate principal stress
D.	All the above.
Answer» E.