Explore topic-wise MCQs in Civil Engineering.

This section includes 1888 Mcqs, each offering curated multiple-choice questions to sharpen your Civil Engineering knowledge and support exam preparation. Choose a topic below to get started.

1201.

Which one of the following structures can be classified in a system of coplanar forces ?

A. A grid
B. A plane pin-jointed truss
C. A shaft
D. A stab
Answer» C. A shaft
Discussion
1202.

In a 4 m wide rectangular channel with 0.8 m depth of flow, a sharp-crested weir of 2.5 m length with its sill 0.3 m above the channel bed is fixed symmetrically across the width of the channel. Taking the flow to be free but with end contractions, what would be the discharge neglecting approach velocity effect? (Take Cd = 0.625)

A. 1.39 m3/s
B. 1.42 m3/s
C. 1.49 m3/s
D. 1.56 m3/s
Answer» E.
Discussion
1203.

If two triangulation signals of 6.75 m height each, are to be just visible over ground mutually, what is the maximum distance between their locations on the ground surface ?

A. 10 km
B. 20 km
C. 30 km
D. 40 km
Answer» C. 30 km
Discussion
1204.

In a simply supported wooden beam under uniformly distributed load, a hole has to be made in the breadthwise direction at mid-span to provide a pipeline. From structural strength point of view, it would be advisable to have the hole made at

A. the bottom
B. the top
C. mid-depth
D. 1/4 depth either from the top or the bottom
Answer» D. 1/4 depth either from the top or the bottom
Discussion
1205.

During seepage through an earth mass, the direction of seepage is

A. parallel to the equipotential lines
B. perpendicular to the stream lines
C. perpendicular1 to the equipotential lines
D. along the direction of gravity
Answer» D. along the direction of gravity
Discussion
1206.

Which one of the following gives the correct distance between the lighthouse and a ship, when the lighthouse whose height is 100 m is visible just above the horizon from the ship ?

A. 30.68 km
B. 36.50 km
C. 38.54 km
D. 40.54 km
Answer» B. 36.50 km
Discussion
1207.

Two bodies of masses m1 and m2 are communicated by a light inextensible string passing over a small smooth fixed pulley; m1 > m2. What is the acceleration of the system ?

A. g (m1 + m2)/(m1 - m2)
B. g (2m1 + m2)/(m1 - 2m2)
C. g (m1 + 2m2)/(2m1 - m2)
D. g (m1 - m2)/(m1 + m2)
Answer» E.
Discussion
1208.

Which of the following factors have to be considered for the design of the flexible pavement for a highway ?1. Design wheel load2. Strength of pavement component material3. Expansion joints4. Climatic factorsSelect the correct answer using the codes given below :

A. 1, 2 and 3
B. 2, 3 and 4
C. 1, 3 and 4
D. 1, 2 and 4
Answer» E.
Discussion
1209.

For a masonry dam of base width b, at which location w.r.t. the central line, should the resultant loading intersect the section to avoid tension in any horizontal section ?

A. Outside of b/6
B. Within b/6
C. Within b/8
D. At the central line
Answer» C. Within b/8
Discussion
1210.

At a cross-section of a beam, the maximum compressive stress at top is 800 kg/cm2 and its maximum tensile stress at bottom is 200 kg/cm2. The depth of cross-section is 10 cm. The depth of the neutral axis from the top of the section is n. The n is equal to

A. 2 cm
B. 4 cm
C. 6 cm
D. 8 cm
Answer» E.
Discussion
1211.

Given that for a soil deposit, K0 = earth pressure coefficient at rest, Ka = active earth pressure coefficient, Kp = passive earth pressure coefficient and u = Poisson's ratio, the value of (1 - μ) is given by

A. Ka/Kp
B. K0/Ka
C. KP/Ka
D. 1/K0
Answer» E.
Discussion
1212.

The probability that the load on a scaffolding will exceed the design load of 3 tonnes is 0.15. At the same time, the probability that the strength of the scaffolding will be more than 3 tonnes is 0.85. The probability that the scaffolding will fail is

A. 0.2775
B. 0.1275
C. 0.0225
D. 0.002
Answer» D. 0.002
Discussion
1213.

Which one of the following is the reaction of the cantilever at B as shown in the figure ?

A. 3/8 wl
B. 5/8 wl
C. 6/17 wl
D. 3/21 wl
Answer» E.
Discussion
1214.

A parabolic arch, symmetrical, with hinges at centre and ends, carries a point load P at distance x from left support. The arch has a span of 20 m and rise of 5 m. What is the value of x if the left hinge reaction is inclined with a slope of two vertical on one horizontal ?

A. 8 m
B. 5 m
C. 4 m
D. 2.5 m
Answer» D. 2.5 m
Discussion
1215.

The local sidereal time (LST) is always

A. ahead of the local mean time (LMT) by about 2 hours per month
B. behind LMT by about 2 hours per month
C. ahead of LMT by about 4 hours per month
D. equal to LMT
Answer» B. behind LMT by about 2 hours per month
Discussion
1216.

What is the steepest gradient permissible on a 2° curve for B.G. line having using gradient of 1 in 200 ?

A. 1 in 250
B. 1 in 238
C. 1 in 209
D. 1 in 198
Answer» C. 1 in 209
Discussion
1217.

In a tree, the cambium layer is situated between :

A. the outer bark and inner bark
B. the inner bark and sap wood
C. the sap wood and heart wood
D. the pith and heart wood
Answer» C. the sap wood and heart wood
Discussion
1218.

The issue rate of an item stocked in stores is

A. Permanently fixed
B. fixed at the beginning of each year
C. a rate less than the market rate
D. the rate revised during the year when there is an appreciable variation in the rates of the items
Answer» B. fixed at the beginning of each year
Discussion
1219.

The wood preservative "Creosote" is derived from

A. wood or coal
B. acidic cupric chromate
C. chromated zinc chloride
D. pentachlorophenol
Answer» B. acidic cupric chromate
Discussion
1220.

Consider the following statements :1. Infiltration galleries are placed along the river beds at a depth of 4 to 6 m.2. The draw-down for the infiltration galleries is more than that for radial wells.3. Clogging of pipe pores in inflitration galleries is less than that for radial wells.4. The cost of extracting unit volume of water is more in case of infiltration galleries as compared to radial wells.Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

A. 1 and 2
B. 1, 2 and 3
C. 2, 3 and 4
D. 4 only
Answer» D. 4 only
Discussion
1221.

Given for a soil sample :Degree of saturation = 90%Specific gravity of soil grains = 2.70Void ratio = 0.30The water content of the sample is

A. 0.1
B. 0.135
C. 0.225
D. 0.35
Answer» B. 0.135
Discussion
1222.

Grid lines on a mapsheet can be plotted mechanically by means of a

A. rotometer
B. pantograph
C. coordinatograph
D. stereometer
Answer» D. stereometer
Discussion
1223.

Which of the following instruments have both horizon glass and index glass ?1. Optical square2. Line ranger3. Box sextant4. PedometerSelect the correct answer using the code given below :

A. 2, 3 and 4
B. 1, 3 and 4
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 2 and 4 only
Answer» D. 2 and 4 only
Discussion
1224.

In the case of panel wall subjected to horizontal loads at right angles to the plane of the wall, with the mortar not leaner than M1 type, tensile stress in bending in the vertical direction may be allowed to the extent of

A. 0.4 kg/cm2
B. 0.7 kg/cm2
C. 1.0 kg/cm2
D. 1.2 kg/cm2
Answer» D. 1.2 kg/cm2
Discussion
1225.

A flownet for an earth dam on impervious foundation consists of 4 flow channels and 15 equipotential drops. The full reservoir level is 15 m above the downstream horizontal filter. Given that horizontal permeability is 9 x 10-6 m/s and vertical permeability is 1 x 10-6 m/s, the quantity of seepage through the dam will be

A. 36 ml/s/m
B. 25 ml/s/m
C. 20 ml/s/m
D. 15 ml/s/m
Answer» B. 25 ml/s/m
Discussion
1226.

Presence of which one of the following in water is the major cause of depression paralysis, blindness and/or birth defects ?

A. cadmium
B. Chromium
C. Manganese
D. Mercury
Answer» E.
Discussion
1227.

Length of line measured with a 20 m chain was found to be 634.4 m. If the chain was 5 cm too long, throughout the measurement, then the true length of the line is

A. 635.990 m
B. 635.986 m
C. 632.818 m
D. 632.814 m
Answer» C. 632.818 m
Discussion
1228.

End A of the beam AB shown in the figure is on rollers and end B is hinged. C and D are the points on normals drawn at A and B to the beam at A and B respectively. To determine for reactions, funicular polygon must start at

A. A
B. B
C. C
D. D
Answer» C. C
Discussion
1229.

Two men, one stronger than the other have to lift a load of 1200 N which is suspended from a light rod of length 3 m. The load is suspended between the two persons positioned at the two ends of the rod. The weaker of the two persons can carry a load up to 400 N only. The distance of the load to be suspended from the stronger person such that the weaker person has the full share of 400 N is

A. 0.5 m
B. 1.0 m
C. 1.5 m
D. 2.0 m
Answer» E.
Discussion
1230.

Consider the following factors :1. Mass of ships to be berthed2. Overall transit time3. Speed of berthing4. Environmental conditions of the portWhich of these factors are taken into account while selecting the type of fender system ?

A. 1, 2 and 3
B. 2, 3 and 4
C. 1, 3 and 4
D. 1 and 4
Answer» D. 1 and 4
Discussion
1231.

For practically impervious type of soil, the coefficient of permeability is determined using

A. variable head test
B. constant head test
C. consolidation test
D. pumping test
Answer» B. constant head test
Discussion
1232.

If a circular shaft is subjected to a torque T and a bending moment 'M' the ratio of the maximum shear stress to the maximum bending stress is given by :

A. 2M/T
B. T/2M
C. 2T/M
D. M/2T
Answer» C. 2T/M
Discussion
1233.

In the set up shown in the above figure, assuming the specific weight of water as 10, 000 N/m3, the pressure difference between the points A and B will be

A. 10 N/m2
B. - 10 N/m2
C. 20 N/m2
D. -20 N/m2
Answer» C. 20 N/m2
Discussion
1234.

The representative fraction means that the scale is 1 cm equal to

A. 0.25 m
B. 2.5 m
C. 25 m
D. 2.5 km
Answer» D. 2.5 km
Discussion
1235.

A propped cantilever of span 4 m is fixed at A and propped at B. The beam carries a u.d.l. of 1 t/m over the entire span. The reaction at B is

A. 5/2 t
B. 2 t
C. 1 t
D. 3/2 t
Answer» E.
Discussion
1236.

The discharge per unit drawdown at the well is known as :

A. Specific yield
B. Specific storage
C. Specific retention
D. Specific capacity
Answer» E.
Discussion
1237.

Consider the following parameters related to a rotary intersection :1. Width of the weaving section.2. Length of the weaving section.3. Proportion of weaving traffic.4. Weaving angle.5. Width of the carriageway at entry.Capacity is generally expressed in terms of

A. 1, 2, 3 and 4
B. 1, 2, 3 and 5
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 4 and 5
Answer» E.
Discussion
1238.

Following data are given for two soil samples A and B : Sample A : Void ratio = 1, total volume = 1 m3 Sample B : Void ratio = 2, total volume = 1 m3.The two samples are mixed and compacted in a mould to a volume of 1 m3. Which one of the following figures correctly indicates the porosity of the compacted soil ?

A. 0.17
B. 0.54
C. 0.6
D. 0.83
Answer» B. 0.54
Discussion
1239.

What is efflorescence ?

A. Formation of white patches on the brick surface due to insoluble salts in the brick clay
B. Swelling of brick due to presence of carbonaceous matter and gas
C. Deformation of brick due to exposure to rain
D. Impurities in the brick clay which show after burning
Answer» B. Swelling of brick due to presence of carbonaceous matter and gas
Discussion
1240.

A commonly used handpump is the

A. centrifugal pump
B. reciprocating pump
C. rotary pump
D. axial flow pump
Answer» C. rotary pump
Discussion
1241.

What type of noise can be abated by providing lining on walls and ceiling with sound absorbing material?

A. Source noise
B. Reflection noise
C. Structural noise
D. Direct air-borne noise
Answer» C. Structural noise
Discussion
1242.

A car accelerates from rest to a speed of 10 m/s and the energy spent in doing this is E. If the car is further accelerated from 10 m/s to 20m/s, what is the amount of energy to be spent further ?

A. E
B. 2E
C. 3E
D. 4E
Answer» E.
Discussion
1243.

Which one of the following, gives the correct decreasing order of the densities of a soil sample?

A. Saturated, submerged, wet, dry
B. Saturated, wet, submerged, dry
C. Saturated, wet, dry, submerged
D. Wet, saturated, submerged, dry
Answer» D. Wet, saturated, submerged, dry
Discussion
1244.

In a truss work as shown in the figure given above, what is the force induced in the member DE ?

A. 50 kN (tensile)
B. zero
C. 50 kN (compressive)
D. 25 kN (compressive)
Answer» C. 50 kN (compressive)
Discussion
1245.

Which of the following pairs are correctly matched ?1. Alpha iron....non magnetic2. Beta iron....strongly magnetic3. Gamma iron....non-magnetic and capable of dissolving carbon.4. Delta iron....non-magnetic and absorbs very little carbon.Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

A. 3 and 4
B. 1 and 2
C. 1, 3 and 4
D. 2 and 4
Answer» B. 1 and 2
Discussion
1246.

For a vertical concentrated load acting on the surface of a semi-infinite elastic soil mass, the vertical normal stress at depth z is proportional to

A. z
B. z2
C. z3
D. 1/z2
Answer» E.
Discussion
1247.

The modules of elasticity (E) of concrete is given by

A. E = 1000 fck
B. E = 5700 fck
C. E = 5700 fck
D. E = 10, 000 fck
Answer» D. E = 10, 000 fck
Discussion
1248.

Well-graded dense saturated sands have high shear strength because :

A. Such sands have a better grade (superior type) of sand grains resulting in higher strength
B. Such sands have lower water content, which increases shear strength
C. Such sands have better interlocking of grains, higher inter-particle contacts and higher inter-particle frictional resistance resulting in higher strength.
D. Presence of water in such sands induces capillary pressure generating higher inter-granular stresses, which generate apparent cohesion and hence higher shear strength.
Answer» D. Presence of water in such sands induces capillary pressure generating higher inter-granular stresses, which generate apparent cohesion and hence higher shear strength.
Discussion
1249.

The discharge per metre width at the foot of a spillway is 10 m3/s at a velocity of 20 m/s. A perfect free hydraulic jump will occur at the foot of the spillway when the tail water depth is approximately equal to

A. 4.50 m
B. 5.00 m
C. 5.50 m
D. 6.50 m
Answer» E.
Discussion
1250.

Consider the following statements :A : The collapse load found in the plastic analysis of a continuous beam is affected by sinking of supports. B : Large elastic stresses are caused at the supports due to sinking of supports.Of these statements :

A. Both A and B are true
B. A is true but B is false
C. Both A and B are false
D. A is false but B is true
Answer» B. A is true but B is false
Discussion