Plate load test is useful to estimate

Both bearing capacity and settlement of foundation

According to Terzaghi’s bearing capacity theory for foundation, a foundation is shallow if:

Depth is greater than or equal to 2 times the width

Depth is less than or equal to width

Depth is greater than or equal to 2 times the width

Depth is greater than 2 times the width

If the actual observed value of standard penetration resistance, N is greater than 15 in a fine sand layer below water table, then the equivalent penetration resistance will be

\(15 + \left( {\frac{{N + 15}}{2}} \right)\)

\(15 + \left( {\frac{{N - 15}}{2}} \right)\)

\(15 + \left( {\frac{{N + 15}}{2}} \right)\)

\(15 - \left( {\frac{{N + 15}}{2}} \right)\)

cannot be determined with available data

In a rigid footing on a cohesive soil, the contact pressure distribution is:

non-uniform, with maximum at the centre and minimum at the ends

non-uniform, with maximum at the ends and minimum at the centre

In a standard penetration test (SPT) for soil, the SPT number is

Number of blows required for 20 cms of penetration of sampler in the soil

Penetration depth of sampler in the soil for any given number of blows

Number of blows required for 30 cms of penetration of sampler in the soil

Number of blows required for 20 cms of penetration of sampler in the soil

Net ultimate bearing capacity of a footing embedded in a clay stratum:

Increases with depth of footing only.

Increases with size of footing only.

Increases with depth and size of footing.

Is independent of depth and size of footing.

Plate load test is used to determine:

The bearing capacity of the soil

On which of the following do the numerical values of Terzaghi’s bearing capacity factors depend?

Coefficient of curvature of soil and bulk density of soil

Angle of internal friction of soil and depth of foundation

Angle of internal friction of soil only

Coefficient of curvature of soil and bulk density of soil

Uniformity coefficient of soil and dry density of soil

Bearing capacity of soil strata supporting a footing of size 3 m × 3 m will not be affected by the presence of water table located at a depth of _______

1.0 meters below the base of the footing

1.5 meters below the base of the footing

2.0 meters below the base of the footing

3.0 meters below the base of the footing

For purely cohesive soil, the net ultimate bearing capacity is nearly independent of

Cohesion and rise of water table to GL

Width, depth and rise of water table to ground level

Negative skin friction on a pile under vertical compressive load acts

upwards and increase the load-carrying capacity

downwards and increase the load-carrying capacity

downwards and reduce the load-carrying capacity

upwards and increase the load-carrying capacity

upwards and reduce the load-carrying capacity

193 + Mcqs in Types Bearing Capacity Failures in Geotechnical Engineering Page 1 McqOptions

1.	As per IS 8009 Part I: 1976, the influence factor for rigid square footing is:
A.	0.82
B.	1
C.	1.56
D.	2.2
E.	5.62
Answer» B. 1

Discussion

2.	Piles, which are used to protect waterfront structures against the impact from ships and other floating objects, are called:
A.	fender piles
B.	anchor piles
C.	friction piles
D.	end-bearing piles
E.	compaction piles
Answer» B. anchor piles

Discussion

3.	Match the following:Column (1)Column (2)a. Electro-osmosisI. Provide water-free area for workb. Under reamed pileIl. Eliminate differential settlementc. Cellular cofferdamIII. Dewatering of fine-grained soild. Raft foundationIV. Foundation for expansive soil
A.	a - III, b - II, c - IV, d - I
B.	a - III, b - IV, c - I, d - II
C.	a - IV, b - III, c - I, d - II
D.	a - I, b - IV, c - III, d - II
Answer» C. a - IV, b - III, c - I, d - II

Discussion

4.	Plate load test is useful to estimate
A.	Bearing capacity of foundation
B.	Settlement of the foundation
C.	Both bearing capacity and settlement of foundation
D.	Depth of the foundation
E.	Width of the foundation
Answer» D. Depth of the foundation

Discussion

5.	In case of footings in sand, if the soil pressure distribution is triangular, the maximum soil pressure is ______ the average soil pressure
A.	equal to
B.	double
C.	three times
D.	four times
Answer» C. three times

Discussion

6.	According to the I.S. code for single footing in cohesive soil, the permissible settlement is taken as:-
A.	3 cm
B.	4 cm
C.	5 cm
D.	6.5 cm
Answer» E.

Discussion

7.	Consider the following statements:1. According to Terzaghi’s, a foundation is shallow if its depth is equal to or less than its width.2. Spread footing, strap footing and raft footing are types of shallow foundations.3. Combined footing may be trapezoidal if the two columns carry unequal loads; and rectangular if both columns carry equal loads.4. For water tanks, providing raft foundations will avoid unequal settlements.Which of the above statements are correct?
A.	1, 2, 3 and 4
B.	1, 2 and 3 only
C.	1, 2 and 4 only
D.	3 and 4 only
Answer» B. 1, 2 and 3 only

Discussion

8.	Consider the following statements:1. In the case of footings on purely cohesive soils, the benefit due to surcharge or depth of foundation is only marginal.2. The bearing capacity of a footing in pure clay may be increased by increasing its size.3. Factor of safety should be applied only to the net ultimate bearing capacity.Which of the above statements are correct?
A.	1, 2 and 3
B.	1 and 2 only
C.	2 and 3 only
D.	1 and 3 only
Answer» E.

Discussion

9.	In which mode of shear failure, all the three zones of failure develops fully
A.	local shear failure
B.	punching shear failure
C.	general shear failure
D.	Vertical shear
Answer» D. Vertical shear

Discussion

10.	A single acting steam hammer weighing 2000 kg and falling through a height of 2 m drives a pile an average penetration of 0.5 cm under the last few blows. What will be the allowable load (in tonnes) for the pile?
A.	40
B.	80
C.	88.88
D.	92.44
Answer» D. 92.44

Discussion

11.	If the load carrying capacity of an individual friction pile is 250 kN. What is the total load carrying capacity of a group (in kN) of 8 such piles with group efficiency factor of 0.75?
A.	2000
B.	1600
C.	2400
D.	1500
E.	1875
Answer» E. 1875

Discussion

12.	In a plate load test bearing plate size which is recommended is
A.	Minimum 30 cm, maximum 75 cm
B.	Minimum 50 cm, maximum 500 cm
C.	Minimum 100 cm, maximum 500 cm
D.	Minimum 75 cm, maximum 300 cm
Answer» B. Minimum 50 cm, maximum 500 cm

Discussion

13.	Consider the following statements:For a rigid footing placed at the ground surface on sand, the contact pressure1. is maximum at the edges.2. is zero at the edges.3. distribution is parabolic.4. is uniform throughout the base of the footing.Which of the above statements are correct?
A.	1 and 3 only
B.	1 and 4 only
C.	2 and 3 only
D.	2 and 4 only
Answer» D. 2 and 4 only

Discussion

14.	A single vertical friction pile of diameter 500 mm and length 20 m is subjected to a vertical compressive load. The pile is embedded in a homogeneous sandy stratum where: angle of internal friction is = 30°, dry unit weight (γd)= 20 kN/m3 and angle of wall friction is 2ϕ/3. Considering the coefficient of lateral earth pressure (K) = 2.7 and the bearing capacity factor (Nq) = 25, the ultimate bearing capacity of the pile (in kN) is________
A.	196.56
B.	1965.6
C.	617.5
D.	6175
Answer» E.

Discussion

15.	Consider the following statement:1. Initial load tests and routine load tests are carried out on test piles and working Piles, respectively.2. In a pile load test, the allowable load can be taken equal to half the ultimate load at which the total settlement amounts to one-tenth of the pile diameter.3. In a pile load test, the allowable load can be taken equal to two-thirds of the total toad which causes a plastic settlement of 6 mm.Which of the above statements are correct?
A.	1, 2 and 3.
B.	1 and 2 only
C.	1 and 3 only
D.	2 and 3 only
Answer» B. 1 and 2 only

Discussion

16.	According to Terzaghi’s bearing capacity theory for foundation, a foundation is shallow if:
A.	Depth is less than or equal to width
B.	Depth is greater than or equal to 2 times the width
C.	Depth is greater than 2 times the width
D.	Depth is greater than width
Answer» B. Depth is greater than or equal to 2 times the width

Discussion

17.	In the pile foundation, which type of pile acts as columns and transmit the load through weak soil to a firm stratum at a greater depth?
A.	Footing piles
B.	End bearing piles
C.	Compaction piles
D.	Friction piles
Answer» C. Compaction piles

Discussion

18.	Consider the following statements:1. Dynamic resistance of a soil is not much different from its static resistance2. The most comprehensive pile driving formula is Hiley’s formula3. Pile driving formulae are more useful if the subsoil consists of coarse grained soils.Which of the above statements are correct?
A.	1 and 2 only
B.	1 and 3 only
C.	2 and 3 only
D.	1, 2 and 3
Answer» D. 1, 2 and 3

Discussion

19.	Consider the following statements as suggestive of the bearing capacity of soil:1. The maximum net loading intensity at which neither the soil fails in shear nor is there excessive settlement detrimental to the structure.2. The maximum net pressure which the soil can carry without shear failure.3. The net ultimate bearing capacity of the soil divided by a factor of safety.Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A.	1, 2 and 3
B.	1 only
C.	2 only
D.	3 only
Answer» D. 3 only

Discussion

20.	As per IS code, the frequency ratio (ratio of operating frequency of a machine to the natural frequency of soil) should not be within the range of
A.	0.5 to 1.5
B.	1.0 to 2.5
C.	1.5 to 3.0
D.	3.0 to 6.0
Answer» B. 1.0 to 2.5

Discussion

21.	If the actual observed value of standard penetration resistance, N is greater than 15 in a fine sand layer below water table, then the equivalent penetration resistance will be
A.	\(15 + \left( {\frac{{N - 15}}{2}} \right)\)
B.	\(15 + \left( {\frac{{N + 15}}{2}} \right)\)
C.	\(15 - \left( {\frac{{N + 15}}{2}} \right)\)
D.	cannot be determined with available data
Answer» B. \(15 + \left( {\frac{{N + 15}}{2}} \right)\)

Discussion

22.	If the weight of excavated soil is equal to the superimposed load, then the foundation is known as
A.	Dolphin type foundation
B.	Well foundation
C.	Floating foundation
D.	Balanced foundation
Answer» D. Balanced foundation

Discussion

23.	A column of size 1.5 m × 3.0 m is supported on a footing as shown in figure below. The water table is at a depth of 10 m below the base of the footing. The net ultimate bearing capacity (kN/m2) of the footing based on Terzaghi’s bearing capacity equation is
A.	216
B.	432
C.	657
D.	846
Answer» D. 846

Discussion

24.	In a rigid footing on a cohesive soil, the contact pressure distribution is:
A.	uniform
B.	non-uniform, with maximum at the centre and minimum at the ends
C.	non-uniform, with maximum at the ends and minimum at the centre
D.	linear
Answer» D. linear

Discussion

25.	Negative skin friction in the soil is considered when the pile is constructed through a:
A.	Fill material
B.	Dense coarse sand
C.	Over consolidated stiff clay
D.	Dense fine sand
Answer» B. Dense coarse sand

Discussion

26.	Pre-cast pile generally used is
A.	circular
B.	square
C.	octagonal
D.	square with corners chamfered
Answer» E.

Discussion

27.	In a standard penetration test (SPT) for soil, the SPT number is
A.	Penetration depth of sampler in the soil for any given number of blows
B.	Number of blows required for 30 cms of penetration of sampler in the soil
C.	Number of blows required for 20 cms of penetration of sampler in the soil
D.	None of the above
Answer» C. Number of blows required for 20 cms of penetration of sampler in the soil

Discussion

28.	A 30 cm square bearing plate settles by 8 mm in the plate load test on cohesionless soil when the intensity of loading is 180 kN/m2. The settlement of a shallow foundation of 1.5 m square under the same intensity of loading will be nearly
A.	30 mm
B.	26 mm
C.	22 mm
D.	18 mm
Answer» D. 18 mm

Discussion

29.	According to IS: 6403 - 1981, what will be the value of the multiplier of the size with respect to the consistency for the square base?
A.	1.3
B.	0.8
C.	1.2
D.	1
Answer» D. 1

Discussion

30.	Net ultimate bearing capacity of a footing embedded in a clay stratum:
A.	Increases with depth of footing only.
B.	Increases with size of footing only.
C.	Increases with depth and size of footing.
D.	Is independent of depth and size of footing.
Answer» E.

Discussion

31.	Plate load test is used to determine:
A.	Depth of foundation
B.	Building dampness
C.	Thickness of pavement layer
D.	The bearing capacity of the soil
Answer» E.

Discussion

32.	A raft foundation of 6 m × 9 m is placed at a depth of 3 m in a cohesive soil having c = 120 kN/m2. The net ultimate bearing capacity of the soil using Terzaghi's theory will be.
A.	820 kN/m2
B.	1020 kN/m2
C.	1220 kN/m2
D.	1420 kN/m2
Answer» B. 1020 kN/m2

Discussion

33.	In a soil investigation work at a site, Standard Penetration Test (SPT) was conducted at every 1.5 m interval up to 30 m depth. At 3 m depth, the observed number of hammer blows for three successive 150 mm penetrations were 8. 6 and 9, respectively. The SPT N-value at 3 m depth, is
A.	23
B.	17
C.	15
D.	14
Answer» D. 14

Discussion

34.	Consider the following statements:Problem regarding foundations to be constructed in expansive soils are solved by1. Resorting to light foundation pressure.2. Using under-reamed piles for light loads3. Making the structure rigid enough so that settlement and uplift would not affect them4. Providing a well-designed basement with the foundation below the neutral pointWhich of the above statements are correct?
A.	1 and 2
B.	2 and 4
C.	1 and 3
D.	2 and 3
Answer» C. 1 and 3

Discussion

35.	On which of the following do the numerical values of Terzaghi’s bearing capacity factors depend?
A.	Angle of internal friction of soil and depth of foundation
B.	Angle of internal friction of soil only
C.	Coefficient of curvature of soil and bulk density of soil
D.	Uniformity coefficient of soil and dry density of soil
Answer» C. Coefficient of curvature of soil and bulk density of soil

Discussion

36.	Bearing capacity of soil strata supporting a footing of size 3 m × 3 m will not be affected by the presence of water table located at a depth of _______
A.	1.0 meters below the base of the footing
B.	1.5 meters below the base of the footing
C.	2.0 meters below the base of the footing
D.	3.0 meters below the base of the footing
Answer» E.

Discussion

37.	A 0.3 m square bearing plate settles by 10 mm in the plate load test cohesionless soil, when the intensity of load is 200 kN/m2. Estimate the settlement of a shallow foundation of 2 m square under the same intensity loading.
A.	30.25 mm
B.	3.31 mm
C.	17.39 mm
D.	5.75 mm
Answer» B. 3.31 mm

Discussion

38.	Permissible settlement is relatively higher for which of the following?
A.	Isolated footings on clays
B.	Isolated footings on sands
C.	Rafts on clays
D.	Rafts on sands
Answer» D. Rafts on sands

Discussion

39.	Consider the following statements:1. According to Terzaghi, the average angle of wall friction may be taken equal to two-thirds of the respective angle of internal friction.2. Wall friction increases the active earth Pressure and also decreases the passive earth resistance of the soil3. Wall friction decreases the active earth pressure and increases the passive earth resistance of the soil.Which of the above statements is/are Correct?
A.	1, 2 and 3
B.	1 and 2 only
C.	3 only
D.	1 and 3 only
Answer» E.

Discussion

40.	A Grillage foundation is essentially a
A.	Shallow foundation
B.	Deep foundation
C.	Spread foundation
D.	Pile foundation
Answer» D. Pile foundation

Discussion

41.	Consider the following statements associated with local shear failure of soils:1. Failure is sudden with well-defined ultimate load.2. This failure occurs in highly compressible soils.3. Failure is preceded by large settlement.Which of these statements are correct ?
A.	1, 2 and 3
B.	1 and 2
C.	2 and 3
D.	1 and 3
Answer» D. 1 and 3

Discussion

42.	In the Engineering News Record formula for determining the safe load carrying capacity of a pile, the factor of safety used is
A.	1.5
B.	3
C.	4.5
D.	6
Answer» E.

Discussion

43.	For purely cohesive soil, the net ultimate bearing capacity is nearly independent of
A.	Depth of footing only
B.	Cohesion and rise of water table to GL
C.	Width of the footing only
D.	Width, depth and rise of water table to ground level
Answer» E.

Discussion

44.	Consider the following statements:1. The proportioning of footing in sand is more often governed by settlement rather than by bearing capacity.2. The pressure bulb profiles under a strip footing form as co-axially imaginable bulbs under its length3. Friction piles are also called ‘floating piles’Which of the above statements are correct?
A.	1, 2 and 3
B.	1 and 2 only
C.	1 and 3 only
D.	2 and 3 only
Answer» B. 1 and 2 only

Discussion

45.	Depth of foundation for any structure is determined by
A.	Ranson's formula
B.	Reynolds formula
C.	Roosevelt's formula
D.	Rankine's formula
Answer» E.

Discussion

46.	If the soil is of expansive type, like in Black Cotton Soil, then the best foundation type is -
A.	End bearing pile
B.	Batter pile
C.	Friction pile
D.	Under-reamed pile
Answer» E.

Discussion

47.	In determining the bearing capacity of pile, empirical factor C is assumed _________ for drop hammers.
A.	0.25
B.	1.5
C.	2.5
D.	3.5
Answer» D. 3.5

Discussion

48.	Negative skin friction on a pile under vertical compressive load acts
A.	downwards and increase the load-carrying capacity
B.	downwards and reduce the load-carrying capacity
C.	upwards and increase the load-carrying capacity
D.	upwards and reduce the load-carrying capacity
Answer» C. upwards and increase the load-carrying capacity

Discussion

49.	Piles used to resist uplift forces are known as
A.	Bearing piles
B.	Friction piles
C.	Anchor piles
D.	Batter piles
Answer» D. Batter piles

Discussion

50.	A footing 1 m × 1 m is size rests on the surface of an infinite layer of soil. It is subjected to a load of 600 kN. What is the immediate settlement of the soil by considering Eu = 2.0 MPa, N = 0.5 and influence factor = 0.95?
A.	21.3 cm
B.	25.5 cm
C.	27.5 cm
D.	30.0 cm
Answer» B. 25.5 cm

Discussion

Explore topic-wise MCQs in Geotechnical Engineering.

As per IS 8009 Part I: 1976, the influence factor for rigid square footing is:

Piles, which are used to protect waterfront structures against the impact from ships and other floating objects, are called:

Match the following:Column (1)Column (2)a. Electro-osmosisI. Provide water-free area for workb. Under reamed pileIl. Eliminate differential settlementc. Cellular cofferdamIII. Dewatering of fine-grained soild. Raft foundationIV. Foundation for expansive soil

Plate load test is useful to estimate

In case of footings in sand, if the soil pressure distribution is triangular, the maximum soil pressure is ______ the average soil pressure

According to the I.S. code for single footing in cohesive soil, the permissible settlement is taken as:-

In which mode of shear failure, all the three zones of failure develops fully

A single acting steam hammer weighing 2000 kg and falling through a height of 2 m drives a pile an average penetration of 0.5 cm under the last few blows. What will be the allowable load (in tonnes) for the pile?

If the load carrying capacity of an individual friction pile is 250 kN. What is the total load carrying capacity of a group (in kN) of 8 such piles with group efficiency factor of 0.75?

In a plate load test bearing plate size which is recommended is

Consider the following statements:For a rigid footing placed at the ground surface on sand, the contact pressure1. is maximum at the edges.2. is zero at the edges.3. distribution is parabolic.4. is uniform throughout the base of the footing.Which of the above statements are correct?

According to Terzaghi’s bearing capacity theory for foundation, a foundation is shallow if:

In the pile foundation, which type of pile acts as columns and transmit the load through weak soil to a firm stratum at a greater depth?

As per IS code, the frequency ratio (ratio of operating frequency of a machine to the natural frequency of soil) should not be within the range of

If the actual observed value of standard penetration resistance, N is greater than 15 in a fine sand layer below water table, then the equivalent penetration resistance will be

If the weight of excavated soil is equal to the superimposed load, then the foundation is known as

A column of size 1.5 m × 3.0 m is supported on a footing as shown in figure below. The water table is at a depth of 10 m below the base of the footing. The net ultimate bearing capacity (kN/m2) of the footing based on Terzaghi’s bearing capacity equation is

In a rigid footing on a cohesive soil, the contact pressure distribution is:

Negative skin friction in the soil is considered when the pile is constructed through a:

Pre-cast pile generally used is

In a standard penetration test (SPT) for soil, the SPT number is

A 30 cm square bearing plate settles by 8 mm in the plate load test on cohesionless soil when the intensity of loading is 180 kN/m2. The settlement of a shallow foundation of 1.5 m square under the same intensity of loading will be nearly

According to IS: 6403 - 1981, what will be the value of the multiplier of the size with respect to the consistency for the square base?

Net ultimate bearing capacity of a footing embedded in a clay stratum:

Plate load test is used to determine:

A raft foundation of 6 m × 9 m is placed at a depth of 3 m in a cohesive soil having c = 120 kN/m2. The net ultimate bearing capacity of the soil using Terzaghi's theory will be.

In a soil investigation work at a site, Standard Penetration Test (SPT) was conducted at every 1.5 m interval up to 30 m depth. At 3 m depth, the observed number of hammer blows for three successive 150 mm penetrations were 8. 6 and 9, respectively. The SPT N-value at 3 m depth, is

On which of the following do the numerical values of Terzaghi’s bearing capacity factors depend?

Bearing capacity of soil strata supporting a footing of size 3 m × 3 m will not be affected by the presence of water table located at a depth of _______

A 0.3 m square bearing plate settles by 10 mm in the plate load test cohesionless soil, when the intensity of load is 200 kN/m2. Estimate the settlement of a shallow foundation of 2 m square under the same intensity loading.

Permissible settlement is relatively higher for which of the following?

A Grillage foundation is essentially a

Consider the following statements associated with local shear failure of soils:1. Failure is sudden with well-defined ultimate load.2. This failure occurs in highly compressible soils.3. Failure is preceded by large settlement.Which of these statements are correct ?

In the Engineering News Record formula for determining the safe load carrying capacity of a pile, the factor of safety used is

For purely cohesive soil, the net ultimate bearing capacity is nearly independent of

Depth of foundation for any structure is determined by

If the soil is of expansive type, like in Black Cotton Soil, then the best foundation type is -

In determining the bearing capacity of pile, empirical factor C is assumed _________ for drop hammers.

Negative skin friction on a pile under vertical compressive load acts

Piles used to resist uplift forces are known as

A footing 1 m × 1 m is size rests on the surface of an infinite layer of soil. It is subjected to a load of 600 kN. What is the immediate settlement of the soil by considering Eu = 2.0 MPa, N = 0.5 and influence factor = 0.95?