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Past Questions
In 1 cum of 1:1.5:3 cement concrete, the cement quantity is-
A)
350 kgs
B)
476 kgs
C)
500 kgs
D)
400kgs
For 1 cum of nominal concrete mix 1:1.5:3, the dry volume is taken as about 1.54 cum. Total proportion = 1 + 1.5 + 3 = 5.5. Cement share = (1/5.5) × 1.54 = 0.28 cum approximately. Since 1 cum of cement weighs about 1440 kg, cement quantity = 0.28 × 1440 ≈ 403 kg, which is taken as about 400 kg. Hence option (d) is correct. The other values are not close to the standard estimate for this mix.
What does grade 33 cement indicate?
A)
Tensile strength of 33 kN/m2
B)
Tensile strength of 33 N/mm2
C)
Compressive strength of 33 kN/m2
D)
Compressive strength of 33 N/mm2
In cement grading, the grade number denotes the minimum compressive strength of standard cement mortar cubes after 28 days, measured in N/mm² (MPa). So, Grade 33 cement means a compressive strength of 33 N/mm². Tensile strength is not used for cement grading, and kN/m² is not the correct unit here.
Alumina in excess _________.
A)
reduces the strength of the cement
B)
increases the strength of the cement
C)
causes no change
D)
sometimes increase or decrease the strength of the cement
Alumina (Al2O3) in cement is useful in small amounts because it helps in quick setting and lowers the fusion temperature. However, if alumina is present in excess, it makes the cement more liable to shrink and reduces its overall strength and durability. Therefore, the correct answer is that excess alumina reduces the strength of the cement.
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 increases as we move downstream in a canal system because the same canal supply serves a larger command area due to accumulated conveyance and distribution. Among the given points, the head of the minor is farther downstream than the branch, distributary, and water-course heads, so the duty is maximum there. The water-course head has the lowest duty because it is the last outlet before actual field application.
The approximate cost of a building of cubic content of 400 cu m@ Rs.180/- per cu m is __________.
A)
Rs. 92000/-
B)
Rs. 12000/-
C)
Rs. 72000/-
D)
Rs. 42000/-
Approximate cost = cubic content × rate per cubic metre = 400 × 180 = 72,000. Hence the correct answer is Rs. 72,000/-. The other options do not match this multiplication.
What is the recommended size of a brick?
A)
20x10x10cm
B)
20x9x9cm
C)
19x9x9cm
D)
19x8x8cm
The recommended standard size of a brick in India is 19 cm × 9 cm × 9 cm (actual size). With mortar, the nominal size becomes 20 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm. Hence option (c) is correct. Option (a) is the nominal size, not the actual brick size, and the other options do not match the standard dimensions.
Which type of irrigation method uses supply ditch, borders, ridges?
A)
Border Flooding
B)
Check Flooding
C)
Basin Flooding
D)
Drip Irrigation Method
In border flooding, the field is divided into long strips (borders) separated by ridges, and water is supplied through a supply ditch at the head of the borders. This matches the description given in the question. Check flooding uses small basins enclosed by bunds, basin flooding is for trees/orchards, and drip irrigation delivers water drop by drop through pipes, not by supply ditch and borders.
Which of the following is the last step in chain surveying?
A)
Fixing
B)
Reconnaissance
C)
Running survey lines
D)
Marking
In chain surveying, the usual sequence is: reconnaissance, marking stations, running survey lines, and then fixing the stations/pegs on the ground. Hence, the last step is fixing.
- Reconnaissance is the first step.
- Marking and running survey lines come next.
- Fixing is done at the end to establish the survey points permanently.
Concrete placed in cold weather will take __________ time to gain strength.
A)
no
B)
less
C)
more
D)
equal to hot weather
In cold weather, the hydration reaction of cement slows down because low temperature reduces the rate of chemical reaction. As a result, concrete gains strength more slowly and takes more time to develop the required strength. Therefore, the correct answer is 'more'. Options (a), (b), and (d) are incorrect because concrete does not gain strength immediately, does not gain it faster, and does not gain it at the same rate as in hot weather.
To make out an estimate for a work, the following data are necessary-Drawing, Specification and __________.
A)
Materials
B)
Rates
C)
Labours
D)
Transportation
To prepare an estimate for a work, the essential inputs are the drawing, the specification, and the rates of materials, labour, and other items. The drawing shows the dimensions, the specification gives the quality and method of work, and the rates are needed to calculate the cost. Therefore, the correct completion is 'Rates'. Options like materials, labours, or transportation are included in the estimate, but without rates the cost cannot be worked out.
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 store water for a long period and create a reservoir. A weir is usually lower and is mainly used to raise the water level or divert flow, with little or no long-term storage. Hence, the main difference is the height of the structure and the duration of storage. The other options are not the key distinguishing features.
In an analysis of rates, contractors’ profit is calculated at
A)
20%
B)
15%
C)
5%
D)
10%
In standard rate analysis for civil works, contractors’ profit is usually taken as 10% of the total cost. This is the conventional value used in estimation and costing. 20% is too high for normal analysis, 15% is not the standard textbook value here, and 5% is too low.
In irrigation channel design, the term “command area” refers to:
A)
Area under the control of irrigation department
B)
Area that can be irrigated by a canal system
C)
Area occupied by canal structures
D)
Area reserved for drainage
In irrigation engineering, the command area is the area commanded by a canal or irrigation project, i.e., the land that can be irrigated by that canal system under gravity or planned supply. Option (a) is incorrect because it refers to administrative control, not irrigation coverage. Option (c) is only the land occupied by physical canal works, which is not the meaning of command area. Option (d) refers to drainage land, which is unrelated.
A rectangular plot of land is to be excavated 20 m long, 10 m wide and 3m deep. What is the volume of earth to be excavated?
A)
500 m3
B)
600 m3
C)
700 m3
D)
800 m3
Volume of a rectangular excavation = length × width × depth. So, 20 × 10 × 3 = 600 cubic metres. Therefore, the correct answer is 600 m3. The other options do not match the calculated volume.
Which of the following is the first principle of surveying?
A)
Whole to whole
B)
Part to part
C)
Whole to part
D)
Part to whole
The first principle of surveying is to work from the whole to the part. This means the main control points are fixed first with high precision, and then the smaller details are filled in. This helps prevent the accumulation of errors. 'Part to part' is incorrect because it can magnify errors, and 'whole to whole' or 'part to whole' are not the standard surveying principles.
The cost of formwork estimated for the concrete structure is-
A)
½ to 1 / 3 of total cost of concrete structure
B)
1 / 3 to ¼ of total cost of concrete structure.
C)
¼ to 1/ 5 of total cost of concrete structure.
D)
1 / 5 to 1 / 6 of total cost of concrete structure
In estimation and costing, formwork (centering/shuttering) for concrete works is usually taken as about 20% to 25% of the total cost of a concrete structure. This corresponds to 1/4 to 1/5 of the total cost. The other options give much higher or lower proportions than the standard estimating thumb rule.
If the slump value of the concrete mix is 60mm, what is the workability level?
A)
Low
B)
Medium
C)
High
D)
Very High
Concrete slump is a measure of workability. As a general rule, a slump of about 25–75 mm indicates medium workability. Since the given slump value is 60 mm, the workability level is Medium. Low workability is usually associated with very small slumps, while high and very high workability correspond to much larger slump values.
Calculate the hydraulic radius for a channel having a cross-sectional area of 20 m2 and a wetted perimeter of 50 m.
A)
0.4 m
B)
0.8 m
C)
2.5 m
D)
0.6 m
Hydraulic radius (R) is defined as:
R = A / P
where A = cross-sectional area and P = wetted perimeter.
Given:
A = 20 m²
P = 50 m
So,
R = 20 / 50 = 0.4 m
Hence, the correct option is (a) 0.4 m. The other options do not match the formula result.
The total area that can be irrigated from a project on its full utilization in a design agricultural area is:
A)
Ultimate Irrigation Potential
B)
Gross Irrigated Area
C)
Irrigation Potential Utilized
D)
Irrigation Potential Created
The phrase "total area that can be irrigated from a project on its full utilization in a design agricultural area" refers to the maximum irrigation capability planned for the project, i.e., the **Ultimate Irrigation Potential**.
- **Ultimate Irrigation Potential** = the total area that the project can irrigate when fully developed/utilized.
- **Gross Irrigated Area** = total area actually irrigated in a season, including repeated irrigation of the same land, so it is not the design potential.
- **Irrigation Potential Utilized** = the portion of created potential that has actually been put to use.
- **Irrigation Potential Created** = the area for which irrigation facilities have been constructed, but it is not specifically the phrase used for total area on full utilization of the design agricultural area.
Hence, the correct answer is **(a) Ultimate Irrigation Potential**.
In surveying, levelling deals with measurements in a ______.
A)
Horizontal plane
B)
Inclined plane
C)
Vertical plane
D)
Both vertical and horizontal plane
Levelling in surveying is concerned with determining the relative elevations or differences in height of points. These measurements are taken with reference to a vertical datum, so levelling deals with measurements in a vertical plane. Horizontal measurements, on the other hand, are part of chaining/taping and plan surveying. Hence, the correct option is (c) Vertical plane.
Gravity dam is most suitable when the foundation is _______________.
A)
Weak
B)
strong
C)
with heavy burden
D)
rocky but cracked
A gravity dam is very heavy and resists water pressure mainly by its own weight. Therefore, it requires a strong and sound foundation to safely transmit the load to the ground. A weak, cracked, or burdened foundation may fail under the enormous load. Hence, the correct answer is strong.
Which has the highest Coefficient of steel for estimation, Beam, Column, slab or footing?
A)
Slab
B)
Column
C)
Beam
D)
Footing
In estimation, the coefficient of steel is generally highest in columns because they are heavily reinforced to carry axial loads and moments. Slabs usually require the least steel, beams need more than slabs, and footings are generally less than or comparable to beams depending on design, but columns typically have the maximum steel consumption among these members.
What is the unit of discharge in hydrology?
A)
Liters per minute (L/min)
B)
Gallons per hour (gal/hr)
C)
Cubic feet per minute (ft3/min)
D)
Cubic meters per second (m3/s)
In hydrology, discharge means the volume of water flowing past a point per unit time. The standard SI unit used in hydrology and water resources engineering is cubic meters per second (m3/s). The other options are non-standard or less commonly used units for discharge.
What is the most accurate method of estimation from the following :
A)
Building cost index estimate
B)
Detailed estimate
C)
Plinth area estimate
D)
Cube rate estimate
A detailed estimate is the most accurate method because it is prepared item-wise from detailed drawings, specifications, and exact quantities of all materials and works. It gives the closest approximation to the actual cost. In contrast, building cost index estimate, plinth area estimate, and cube rate estimate are all approximate methods used only for preliminary planning and are less accurate.
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 capillary zone is the most important because it lies just above the water table and supplies moisture to plant roots through capillary action. This zone helps maintain soil moisture available for crops. The soil zone is mainly the root zone, while the intermediate zone is less directly important. The saturation zone is fully filled with water and is not the primary zone considered for crop water use.