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Past Questions
The weight of a foundation is assumed as:
A)
5% of wall weight
B)
7% of wall weight
C)
10% of wall weight
D)
12% of wall weight
In estimation and costing, the weight of foundation is commonly assumed as 10% of the wall weight when calculating loads for approximate design/quantity estimation. Hence option (c) is correct. The other percentages are not the standard assumption used in this context.
In EI30, I30 stands for:
A)
Rainfall intensity at 30 cm
B)
Maximum rainfall intensity at 30 min duration
C)
Rainfall intensity at 30 mins interval
D)
Maximum rainfall intensity at 30 cm
In the EI30 erosion index, I30 means the maximum rainfall intensity occurring over a 30-minute duration. The 'E' stands for kinetic energy of rainfall, and 'I30' is the highest 30-minute rainfall intensity used to measure erosive power. Option (a) and (d) are incorrect because intensity is not measured in cm. Option (c) is vague and does not specify maximum intensity.
Out of the following rain gauges, which rain gauge is of non-recording type?
A)
Tipping bucket rain gauge
B)
Weighing bucket rain gauge
C)
Symon’s rain gauge
D)
Natural Syphon rain gauge
Rain gauges are of two main types: recording and non-recording. Tipping bucket, weighing bucket, and natural syphon rain gauges are recording types because they continuously or automatically register rainfall over time. Symon’s rain gauge is the standard non-recording rain gauge, used to measure the total rainfall collected over a period without any automatic recording mechanism.
The maximum shear stress (qmax) in a rectangular beam is:
A)
1.50 times the average
B)
1.75 times the average
C)
1.25 times the average
D)
2.0 times the average
For a rectangular beam section, the shear stress distribution is parabolic. The maximum shear stress occurs at the neutral axis and is given by qmax = 1.5 times the average shear stress (V/A). Therefore, the correct answer is 1.50 times the average. The other options are incorrect because the maximum shear stress in a rectangle is not 1.75, 1.25, or 2.0 times the average.
At which point in the entire canal system the duty of water will be more?
A)
Head of the Minor
B)
Head of the Distributary
C)
Head of the Water-course
D)
Head of the Branch
Duty of water is the area irrigated by one unit discharge flowing for the crop period. As water moves downstream through the canal system, losses due to seepage, evaporation, and other conveyance losses reduce the available discharge. Therefore, the same unit of water can irrigate a larger area near the tail end branches like the water-course compared to the head reaches. Hence, the duty is maximum at the head of the water-course. The other points—head of minor, distributary, and branch—are upstream locations where more water is available, so duty is comparatively lower.
What type of losses can be mainly avoided by lining the canals?
A)
Evaporation Losses
B)
Seepage Losses
C)
Erosion of Canal Bed
D)
Discharge Losses at Branch Canals
Canal lining is mainly provided to reduce water loss through seepage from the canal bed and sides. By making the canal section impervious, it prevents percolation into the surrounding soil. Evaporation losses are only slightly affected, erosion control is a secondary benefit, and discharge losses at branch canals are not the main purpose of lining.
A steady discharge of 1 cumec flows uniformly in a rectangular channel 1 m wide at a depth of 250 mm. The slope of the channel bed is:
A)
Adverse
B)
Steep
C)
Critical
D)
Mild
For a rectangular channel, area A = b y = 1 × 0.25 = 0.25 m². Velocity V = Q/A = 1/0.25 = 4 m/s. Hydraulic depth = A/T = by/b = y = 0.25 m, so critical velocity Vc = √(gD) = √(9.81 × 0.25) ≈ 1.57 m/s. Since V > Vc, the flow is supercritical, which corresponds to a steep slope. Therefore, the channel bed slope is steep. Mild slope would give subcritical flow, critical slope gives V = Vc, and adverse slope is uphill.
In the Rise and Fall method, if the next staff reading is greater than the previous, it indicates:
A)
A fall
B)
No change in elevation
C)
An incorrect reading
D)
A rise
In the Rise and Fall method of levelling, if the next staff reading is greater than the previous one, the point on the ground is lower, so it indicates a fall in elevation. Conversely, a smaller next reading indicates a rise. Therefore, the correct answer is (a) A fall.
The fall which is used to minimise the disturbance and water impact at the fall is:
A)
Ogee falls
B)
Rapid falls
C)
Inglis fall
D)
Sarda Type falls
An ogee fall is designed with a smooth, curved profile so that the water passes over it with minimum disturbance, reduced turbulence, and less impact at the foot of the fall. This makes it the appropriate type when minimizing water impact is the main objective. Rapid falls are steep drops with higher disturbance, while Inglis and Sarda types are different fall arrangements and are not primarily known for minimizing impact in this manner.
The real image of an object formed by the objectives must lie:
A)
At the centre of the telescope
B)
In the plane of cross hairs
C)
At the optical centre of the eye-piece
D)
Anywhere inside the telescope
In a telescope, the objective lens forms a real, inverted image of the distant object at its focal plane. For proper viewing and accurate focusing, this real image must coincide with the plane of the cross hairs (the diaphragm), so that the image and cross hairs are seen sharply together. The eye-piece then magnifies this image. Hence, the correct answer is the plane of cross hairs. The other options are incorrect because the image is not formed at the centre of the telescope, not at the optical centre of the eye-piece, and it cannot be anywhere inside the telescope.
Find the delta for a crop when its duty is 864 ha/cum on the field and the base period is 120 day.
A)
140 cm
B)
120 cm
C)
100 cm
D)
180 cm
Use the relation between duty (D), base period (B), and delta (Δ): Δ = 8.64 × B / D, where Δ is in meters when B is in days and D is in ha/cum. Substituting B = 120 days and D = 864 ha/cum: Δ = (8.64 × 120) / 864 = 1.2 m = 120 cm. However, the computed value is 120 cm, which matches option (b), not (c). Therefore, the correct option is (b) 120 cm.
Straight, parallel and widely spaced contours represent:
A)
A steep surface
B)
A flat surface
C)
An inclined plane surface
D)
Curved surface
Straight, parallel, and widely spaced contour lines indicate a uniform slope. Since the lines are parallel and equally shaped, the surface is a plane; because they are widely spaced, the slope is gentle, but among the given options this corresponds to an inclined plane surface. A steep surface would have closely spaced contours, a flat surface would have no contour variation, and a curved surface would show non-parallel or irregular contours.
What is the main difference between a dam and weir?
A)
Material used for Construction
B)
Height and Duration of Storage
C)
Capacity of Water
D)
Location of the Structure
A dam is generally a higher structure built to create a large reservoir and store water for a long duration. A weir is usually a low overflow structure constructed mainly to raise the water level temporarily and divert water, with little or no long-term storage. So the key difference is the height of the structure and the duration/extent of storage.
What is the typical range of Manning’s roughness coefficient for concrete lined canals?
A)
0.002 - 0.005
B)
0.006 - 0.009
C)
0.012 - 0.017
D)
0.02 - 0.03
Manning’s roughness coefficient n for concrete lined canals is typically very low because the surface is smooth. Standard irrigation engineering tables give a range around 0.012 for unfinished concrete, but for well-finished concrete lining the commonly used range is about 0.006 to 0.009. Hence option (b) is correct. Option (c) is more suitable for earth channels or rougher surfaces, while option (d) corresponds to much rougher natural channels.
In an analysis of rates, contractors’ profit is calculated at
A)
20%
B)
15%
C)
5%
D)
10%
In standard estimation and costing practice, contractors’ profit in rate analysis is generally taken as 10% of the works cost. This is added after accounting for materials, labour, tools and plant, overheads, and incidental expenses. Hence, 10% is the accepted answer. The other options are not the standard rate used in basic rate analysis.
A hydrometric curve is a plot of:
A)
Area elevation curve
B)
Time of concentration and elevation curve of catchment
C)
Spot rainfall values and isohyets on a basin map
D)
Depth elevation curve
A hydrometric curve is commonly referred to as an area–elevation curve, which shows how the area of a reservoir/catchment varies with elevation. It is used in hydrology and reservoir studies. Option (b) is not the standard meaning, (c) describes rainfall mapping, and (d) is a depth–elevation relation, not a hydrometric curve.
Which zone is the most important from an irrigation point of view?
A)
Soil Zone
B)
Intermediate Zone
C)
Capillary Zone
D)
Saturation Zone
In irrigation engineering, the soil zone is the most important because it is the root zone where plant roots grow and extract water and nutrients. Irrigation water must be stored in this zone in a form available to plants. The capillary zone and saturation zone mainly describe water below the root zone, while the intermediate zone is not the primary zone of concern for crop water use.
If the slump value of the concrete mix is 60mm, what is the workability level?
A)
Low
B)
Medium
C)
High
D)
Very High
Slump is a measure of workability of concrete. A slump value of about 25–75 mm is generally classified as medium workability. Since the given slump is 60 mm, it falls in the medium workability range. Low workability is usually associated with very small slump, while high and very high workability correspond to much larger slump values.
When the velocity of flowing water causes no scouring or no silting in a channel, it is known as:
A)
Critical velocity
B)
Optimum velocity
C)
Average velocity
D)
Minimum velocity
The velocity at which flowing water does not cause either silting or scouring in a channel is called the optimum (or non-silting, non-scouring) velocity. It is the desirable velocity for stable channel flow.
- Critical velocity is related to the condition of flow where specific discharge and channel parameters create a threshold relation, but it is not the standard term for no silting/no scouring.
- Average velocity is just the mean velocity of flow.
- Minimum velocity is simply the lowest velocity and does not imply stable channel conditions.
Therefore, the correct answer is Optimum velocity.
Seasoning of timber is done to
A)
Make it waterproof
B)
Expel moisture from timber
C)
Increase its strength
D)
Heat the timber
Seasoning is the process of drying timber to reduce its moisture content. This makes the wood more durable, stable, and less likely to warp, shrink, or decay. So, the correct purpose is to expel moisture from timber.
(a) Waterproofing is not the main aim of seasoning.
(c) Strength may improve indirectly after seasoning, but that is not the direct purpose.
(d) Heating may be used in some seasoning methods, but seasoning itself means removal of moisture, not merely heating.
In a lined irrigation channel, the most economical section is achieved when:
A)
Hydraulic radius = half the depth
B)
Hydraulic mean depth = half the width
C)
Wetted perimeter is minimum for a given discharge
D)
Velocity distribution is uniform across the section
The most economical section of a lined irrigation channel is the one that gives maximum discharge for a given area/roughness, or equivalently minimum wetted perimeter for a given flow area and discharge. This reduces boundary friction losses and makes the section hydraulically efficient. Option (a) is not the defining condition, (b) is not a standard criterion, and (d) relates to velocity profile, not economic section.
Which method is widely used in India for the computation of consumptive use?
A)
Penman’s equation
B)
Hargreaves – Christiansen equation
C)
Blaney-Criddle equation
D)
Tanks and lysimeter
Consumptive use (crop evapotranspiration) is commonly estimated by empirical methods. In India, the Blaney-Criddle equation has been widely used because it is simple and needs only temperature and daylight data. Penman’s equation is more rigorous and data-intensive, Hargreaves–Christiansen is also an estimation method but not the most widely used standard answer here, and tanks/lysimeters are measurement devices rather than the commonly cited computation method.
Manning’s formula is used for:
A)
Head loss due to friction in pipes
B)
Head loss due to friction in open channel
C)
Flow in open channel
D)
Flow in pipes
Manning’s formula is used to compute the discharge/velocity of flow in open channels such as canals, rivers, and drains. It relates flow to channel roughness, hydraulic radius, and slope.
Why others are wrong:
- (a) Head loss due to friction in pipes: this is generally given by Darcy-Weisbach or Hazen-Williams formula.
- (b) Head loss due to friction in open channel: Manning’s formula is not directly a head-loss formula; it is primarily a flow-velocity/discharge formula.
- (d) Flow in pipes: pipe flow is usually analyzed using formulas like Darcy-Weisbach, not Manning’s formula.
So, the correct answer is flow in open channel.
A staff reading taken on a point of known elevation is known as:
A)
Fore sight
B)
Back Sight
C)
Intermediate Sight
D)
Turning point
A staff reading taken on a point of known elevation is called a **Back Sight (BS)**. It is the first reading taken after setting up the instrument, usually on a benchmark or any point whose reduced level is already known, to establish the height of instrument.
Why others are incorrect:
- **Fore sight**: reading taken on a point of unknown elevation or the last reading before shifting the instrument.
- **Intermediate sight**: readings taken on points of unknown RL between BS and FS.
- **Turning point**: not a type of staff reading; it is a point used to transfer RL when shifting the instrument.
Type of surveying in which the mean surface of the earth is considered as a plane and the spheroidal shape is neglected called as ________.
A)
Topographic Surveying
B)
Hydrographic Surveying
C)
Geodetic Surveying
D)
Plane Surveying
In plane surveying, the mean surface of the earth is assumed to be a plane and the curvature (spheroidal shape) of the earth is neglected. This approximation is valid for small areas. Geodetic surveying, on the other hand, considers the earth's curvature for large areas. Therefore, the correct answer is Plane Surveying.