fields are rectangles whose length is twice the breadth

flow lines and equipotential lines cross each other at right angles

fields are rectangles whose length is twice the breadth

smaller the dimensions of the field, smaller will be the hydraulic gradient and velocity of flow through it

for homogeneous soil, the curves are smooth and circular.

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

Plasticity index is defined as the range of water content between

plastic limit and semi solid limit

semi-solid limit and liquid limit

Buoyant unit weight equals the saturated density

multiplied by unit weight of water

divided by unit weight of water

A critical hydraulic gradient may occur when

seepage pressure is in upward direction

Rankine's theory of active earth pressure assumes

soil mass is homogeneous, dry and cohesionless

ground surface is a plane which may be horizontal or inclined

back of the wall is vertical and smooth

For general engineering purposes, soils are classified by

particle size classification system

High Way Research Board (HRB), classification system

unified soil classification system.

The compressibility of clays, is caused due to:

expulsion of double layer water from in between the grains

sliping of particles to new positions of greater density

bending of particles as elastic sheets

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

Pick up the incorrect statement from the following:

Permeability decreases with increase in the dry density of a compacted soil

Compaction has no effect on the structure of a soil

Permeability decreases with increase in the dry density of a compacted soil

A wet side compacted soil is more compressible than a dry side compacted soil

Dry side compaction soils swell more when given access to moisture

The density of soil can be increased

by reducing the space occupied by air

by elastic compression of soil grains

Tergazhi's theory of one dimensional consolidation assumes

load is applied in one direction

coefficient of permeability is constant

excess pore water drains out only in the vertical direction

Back fill with a sloping surface exerts a total active pressure Pa on the wall of height H and acts at

H/5 above the base parallel to base.

H/4 above the base parallel to base

H/2 above the base parallel to base

H/3 above the base parallel to base

H/5 above the base parallel to base.

The seepage force in a soil, is

perpendicular to the equipotential lines

proportional to the exit graident

The ultimate Settlement of a soil is directly proportional to:

depth of the compressible soil strata

372 + Mcqs in Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering in Surveying Page 3 McqOptions

101.	In a fow net
A.	flow lines and equipotential lines cross each other at right angles
B.	fields are rectangles whose length is twice the breadth
C.	smaller the dimensions of the field, smaller will be the hydraulic gradient and velocity of flow through it
D.	for homogeneous soil, the curves are smooth and circular.
Answer» B. fields are rectangles whose length is twice the breadth

Discussion

102.	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

Discussion

103.	Si particles
A.	show dilatancy
B.	swell when moist
C.	possess high strength when dry
D.	disintegrate easily.
Answer» B. swell when moist

Discussion

104.	Plasticity index is defined as the range of water content between
A.	liquid and plastic limit
B.	plastic limit and semi solid limit
C.	semi-solid limit and liquid limit
D.	liquid limit and solid limit.
Answer» B. plastic limit and semi solid limit

Discussion

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.	105° to 110°C
Answer» E.

Discussion

106.	Buoyant unit weight equals the saturated density
A.	multiplied by unit weight of water
B.	divided by unit weight of water
C.	plus unit weight of water
D.	minus unit weight of water.
Answer» E.

Discussion

107.	The clay soil mainly consists of
A.	Kaolinites .
B.	Montomorillonite
C.	Illites
D.	All the above.
Answer» E.

Discussion

108.	A critical hydraulic gradient may occur when
A.	flow is in upward direction
B.	seepage pressure is in upward direction
C.	effective pressure is zero
D.	all the above.
Answer» E.

Discussion

109.	A phreatic line is defined as the line within a dam section below which there are
A.	positive equipotential lines
B.	positive hydrostatic pressure
C.	negative hydrostatic pressure
D.	negative equipotential lines
Answer» C. negative hydrostatic pressure

Discussion

110.	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

Discussion

111.	If there is no impervious boundary at the bottom of a hydraulic structure, stream lines tend to follow :
A.	a straight line
B.	a parabola
C.	a semi-ellipse
D.	a semi-circle.
Answer» D. a semi-circle.

Discussion

112.	The minimum water content at which the soil just begins to crumble when rolled into threads 3 mm in diameter, is known
A.	liquid limit
B.	plastic limit
C.	shrinkage limit
D.	permeability limit.
Answer» C. shrinkage limit

Discussion

113.	A moist soil sample of volume 60 cc. weighs 108 g and its dried weight is 86.4 g. If its absolute density is 2.52, the degree of saturation is
A.	54%
B.	64%
C.	74%
D.	84%
Answer» E.

Discussion

114.	Rankine's theory of active earth pressure assumes
A.	soil mass is homogeneous, dry and cohesionless
B.	ground surface is a plane which may be horizontal or inclined
C.	back of the wall is vertical and smooth
D.	all the above.
Answer» E.

Discussion

115.	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.	0.370
C.	0.380
D.	0.390
Answer» B. 0.370

Discussion

116.	The weight of a container is W1 and that of container with soil simple, is W2. If the weight of the container and oven dried soil sample is W3, the moisture content of the soil, is
A.	A
B.	B
C.	C
D.	D
Answer» B. B

Discussion

117.	For a base failure of a slope, depth factor
A.	Df = 1
B.	Df < 1
C.	Df > 1
D.	none of these.
Answer» D. none of these.

Discussion

118.	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.

Discussion

119.	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.	2.0
B.	2.25
C.	2.50
D.	2.75
Answer» D. 2.75

Discussion

120.	For general engineering purposes, soils are classified by
A.	particle size classification system
B.	textural classification system
C.	High Way Research Board (HRB), classification system
D.	unified soil classification system.
Answer» E.

Discussion

121.	The compressibility of clays, is caused due to:
A.	expulsion of double layer water from in between the grains
B.	sliping of particles to new positions of greater density
C.	bending of particles as elastic sheets
D.	all the above.
Answer» E.

Discussion

122.	Pile foundations are generally preferred to for
A.	bridge foundations
B.	sky scrapper buildings
C.	residential buildings
D.	runways.
Answer» C. residential buildings

Discussion

123.	The phreatic line in an earth dam may be
A.	circular
B.	elliptical
C.	parabolic
D.	a straight line
Answer» D. a straight line

Discussion

124.	According to the Indian Standards the specific gravity is the ratio of the unit weight of soil solids to that of water at a temperature of
A.	17°C
B.	23°C
C.	27°C
D.	30°
Answer» D. 30°

Discussion

125.	A flow net may be utilised for the determination of
A.	exit gradient
B.	seepage
C.	hydrostatic pressure
D.	all the above.
Answer» E.

Discussion

126.	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

Discussion

127.	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.	All the above.
Answer» E.

Discussion

128.	The soil which contains finest grain particles, is
A.	coarse sand
B.	fine sand
C.	silt
D.	clay.
Answer» E.

Discussion

129.	For slopes of limited extent the surface of slippage, is usually along
A.	a parabolic arc
B.	an elliptical arc
C.	a straight line
D.	a circular arc.
Answer» E.

Discussion

130.	The water content in a soil sample when it continues to loose weight without loosing the volume, is called
A.	Shrinkage limit
B.	Plastic limit
C.	liquid limit
D.	semi-solid limit.
Answer» B. Plastic limit

Discussion

131.	The specific gravity of quartz, is
A.	2.65
B.	2.72
C.	2.85
D.	2.90
Answer» B. 2.72

Discussion

132.	'Drift' is the material picked up, mixed, disintegrated, transported and redeposited by
A.	wind
B.	gravitational force
C.	glaciated water
D.	all the above.
Answer» D. all the above.

Discussion

133.	Through a point in a loaded soil, the principal stress is maximum on
A.	minor principal plane
B.	intermediate principal plane
C.	major principal plane
D.	none of these.
Answer» D. none of these.

Discussion

134.	Pick up the cohesive soil from the following:
A.	Red earth
B.	Clay
C.	Black cotton soil
D.	Compacted ground.
Answer» D. Compacted ground.

Discussion

135.	The maximum possible value nf dry density is referred to as
A.	dry density
B.	zero air voids
C.	saturation dry density
D.	all the above.
Answer» E.

Discussion

136.	Pick up the incorrect statement from the following:
A.	Compaction has no effect on the structure of a soil
B.	Permeability decreases with increase in the dry density of a compacted soil
C.	A wet side compacted soil is more compressible than a dry side compacted soil
D.	Dry side compaction soils swell more when given access to moisture
Answer» B. Permeability decreases with increase in the dry density of a compacted soil

Discussion

137.	The earth pressure of a soil at rest, is proportional to (where φ is the angle of internal friction of the soil)
A.	tan (45° - φ)
B.	tan (45° + φ)
C.	tan² (45° - φ)
D.	none of these
Answer» E.

Discussion

138.	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

Discussion

139.	The density of soil can be increased
A.	by reducing the space occupied by air
B.	by elastic compression of soil grains
C.	by expelling water from pores
D.	All the above.
Answer» E.

Discussion

140.	Tergazhi's theory of one dimensional consolidation assumes
A.	load is applied in one direction
B.	coefficient of permeability is constant
C.	excess pore water drains out only in the vertical direction
D.	all the above.
Answer» E.

Discussion

141.	An unsaturated 100 cm³ sample of soil weighs 190 g. If its dried weight is 160 g, water content of the soil, is
A.	0.188
B.	0.288
C.	0.388
D.	0.488
Answer» B. 0.288

Discussion

142.	A soil not fully consolidated under the existing over-burden pressure, is called
A.	pre-consolidated
B.	normally consolidated
C.	under-consolidated
D.	none of these.
Answer» D. none of these.

Discussion

143.	The compression resulting from a long term static load and consequent escape of pore water, is known as
A.	compaction
B.	consolidation
C.	swelling
D.	none of these.
Answer» C. swelling

Discussion

144.	The property of a soil which allows it to be deformed rapidly without rupture, elastic rebound and also a volume change, is known
A.	porosity
B.	plasticity
C.	permeability
D.	ductility.
Answer» C. permeability

Discussion

145.	The slip at critical angle, is generally known
A.	δ 1-line
B.	rupture plane
C.	slip plane
D.	all the above.
Answer» E.

Discussion

146.	The minimum water content at which the soil retains its liquid state and also possesses a small shearing strength against flowing, is known
A.	liquid limit
B.	plastic limit
C.	shrinkage limit
D.	permeability limit.
Answer» B. plastic limit

Discussion

147.	Back fill with a sloping surface exerts a total active pressure Pa on the wall of height H and acts at
A.	H/4 above the base parallel to base
B.	H/2 above the base parallel to base
C.	H/3 above the base parallel to base
D.	H/5 above the base parallel to base.
Answer» D. H/5 above the base parallel to base.

Discussion

148.	The ratio of the weight of given volume of soil solids to the weight of an equal volume of distilled water at the given temperature, is known
A.	porosity
B.	specific gravity
C.	void ratio
D.	water content.
Answer» C. void ratio

Discussion

149.	The seepage force in a soil, is
A.	perpendicular to the equipotential lines
B.	proportional to the exit graident
C.	proportional to the head loss
D.	all the above.
Answer» E.

Discussion

150.	The ultimate Settlement of a soil is directly proportional to:
A.	depth of the compressible soil strata
B.	compressive index
C.	void ratio
D.	both (a) and (b)
Answer» E.

Discussion

Explore topic-wise MCQs in Surveying.

In a fow net

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

Si particles

Plasticity index is defined as the range of water content between

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

Buoyant unit weight equals the saturated density

The clay soil mainly consists of

A critical hydraulic gradient may occur when

A phreatic line is defined as the line within a dam section below which there are

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

If there is no impervious boundary at the bottom of a hydraulic structure, stream lines tend to follow :

The minimum water content at which the soil just begins to crumble when rolled into threads 3 mm in diameter, is known

A moist soil sample of volume 60 cc. weighs 108 g and its dried weight is 86.4 g. If its absolute density is 2.52, the degree of saturation is

Rankine's theory of active earth pressure assumes

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 weight of a container is W1 and that of container with soil simple, is W2. If the weight of the container and oven dried soil sample is W3, the moisture content of the soil, is

For a base failure of a slope, depth factor

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

For general engineering purposes, soils are classified by

The compressibility of clays, is caused due to:

Pile foundations are generally preferred to for

The phreatic line in an earth dam may be

According to the Indian Standards the specific gravity is the ratio of the unit weight of soil solids to that of water at a temperature of

A flow net may be utilised for the determination of

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

The consolidation time for soils

The soil which contains finest grain particles, is

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

The water content in a soil sample when it continues to loose weight without loosing the volume, is called

The specific gravity of quartz, is

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

Through a point in a loaded soil, the principal stress is maximum on

Pick up the cohesive soil from the following:

The maximum possible value nf dry density is referred to as

Pick up the incorrect statement from the following:

The earth pressure of a soil at rest, is proportional to (where φ is the angle of internal friction of the soil)

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

The density of soil can be increased

Tergazhi's theory of one dimensional consolidation assumes

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

A soil not fully consolidated under the existing over-burden pressure, is called

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

The property of a soil which allows it to be deformed rapidly without rupture, elastic rebound and also a volume change, is known

The slip at critical angle, is generally known

The minimum water content at which the soil retains its liquid state and also possesses a small shearing strength against flowing, is known

Back fill with a sloping surface exerts a total active pressure Pa on the wall of height H and acts at

The ratio of the weight of given volume of soil solids to the weight of an equal volume of distilled water at the given temperature, is known

The seepage force in a soil, is

The ultimate Settlement of a soil is directly proportional to: