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Past Questions
The aggregate impact value of aggregate to be used in wearing course of pavement is:
A)
Less than or equal to 30%
B)
Less than or equal to 50%
C)
Less than 32%
D)
More than 25%
Aggregate impact value (AIV) measures the toughness of aggregates against sudden impact. For aggregates used in the wearing course of pavements, a stronger aggregate is required, so the permissible AIV is stricter. The standard requirement is AIV ≤ 30%. Option (b) 50% is too high and is generally unacceptable for wearing courses. Option (c) 32% is close but not the standard limit. Option (d) is incorrect and not a permissible criterion.
Finer the cement, the need for water for hydration and workability:
A)
Reduces
B)
Same for all size of cement
C)
Reduces to great extent
D)
Increase
Finer cement has a larger surface area per unit mass. As a result, it requires more water for complete hydration and also more water to maintain workability. Hence, with increase in fineness, the need for water increases. Options (a), (b), and (c) are incorrect because fineness does not reduce the water requirement.
Causeway is one type of:
A)
Pavement
B)
Subsurface drainage
C)
Cross drainage
D)
Temporary crossing on river
A causeway is a raised roadway or passage across low-lying land or a shallow watercourse, often used as a temporary or low-cost crossing over a river or stream. In highway engineering, it is commonly treated as a type of temporary crossing. Pavement is the road surface, subsurface drainage deals with removing water from below the road, and cross drainage refers to structures like culverts and bridges that allow water to pass across a road alignment.
Proper grading of aggregates in concrete improves:
A)
Workability
B)
Slump
C)
Density
D)
Setting time of concrete
Proper grading of aggregates means having a suitable distribution of particle sizes. This reduces voids, improves packing, and makes the concrete mix easier to place and compact, thereby increasing workability. Slump may change as an indicator of workability, but it is not the direct property improved. Density may also improve slightly due to better packing, but the standard expected answer is workability. Setting time is controlled mainly by cement and admixtures, not aggregate grading.
The recommended values of camber for cement concrete and high type bituminous surface in heavy rainfall area is
A)
2.5%
B)
3.0%
C)
2.0%
D)
4.0%
For cement concrete and high-type bituminous surfaces, the recommended camber in heavy rainfall areas is 2.0%. Such impervious surfaces need comparatively less camber than earth or gravel roads, but in heavy rainfall a slightly steeper camber is preferred to ensure quick drainage. Hence, 2.0% is the correct standard value among the given options. The other options are either too steep for these surfaces or not the recommended value.
What is the number of bricks taken in analysis of cost for 1sqm half brick wall?
A)
49.5 nos
B)
52 nos
C)
52.5 nos
D)
56.5nos
For a half-brick wall, the nominal thickness is about 100 mm. For 1 sqm area, the volume of brickwork is 1 × 0.10 × 1 = 0.10 m³. Since 1 m³ of brickwork generally requires about 500 bricks, 0.10 m³ requires about 50 bricks; in standard estimation analysis, with mortar joints included, the adopted figure is about 52.5 bricks per 1 sqm of half-brick wall. Hence option (c) is correct. The other values are not the standard analysis figure used in estimation and costing.
What length of bridge is considered a minor bridge?
A)
Above 5 m to 25m
B)
Above 6m to 60m
C)
7m to 80m
D)
10m to 60m
In highway engineering, a bridge with a length more than 5 m but not exceeding 25 m is classified as a minor bridge. Bridges up to 5 m are usually culverts, while longer bridges are classified as major bridges. Therefore, option (a) is correct.
Curing is of particular importance in situation where:
A)
The water-Cement ratio is high
B)
The water-Cement ratio is low
C)
Temperature of surrounding environment is low
D)
There is high humidity
Curing is especially important when the water-cement ratio is low because there is less free water available for complete hydration of cement. In such concrete, moisture can be lost quickly, so proper curing is needed to maintain hydration, strength gain, and durability.
Why the others are incorrect:
- (a) High water-cement ratio already has excess water, so curing is less critical than in low w/c mixes.
- (c) Low surrounding temperature affects setting and hardening, but the specific situation where curing becomes particularly important is low water-cement ratio.
- (d) High humidity reduces moisture loss, so curing demand is not as severe as in dry conditions.
What is the unit weight of Bituminous pavement layer in kN/cum?
A)
24
B)
25
C)
22
D)
20
The unit weight of a bituminous pavement layer is commonly taken as about 20 kN/m³ (kN/cum) in highway engineering design and estimation. This is a standard approximate value used for flexible pavement calculations. The other options, 22, 24, and 25 kN/m³, are higher than the usual adopted value for bituminous layers.
What is the ruling gradient on mountainous terrain?
A)
1:16
B)
1:16.5
C)
1:16.7
D)
1:20
In highway engineering, the ruling gradient is the steepest gradient normally adopted as the design gradient under ordinary conditions. For mountainous terrain, the ruling gradient is 1:16.7. The other options are not the standard ruling-gradient value for mountainous terrain.
The cost of form work estimated for concrete structure is:
A)
1/2 to 1/3 of total cost of concrete structure
B)
1/3 to 1/4 of total cost of concrete structure
C)
1/4 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, the shuttering/formwork cost for RCC or concrete structures is commonly taken as about 20% to 25% of the total cost of the concrete structure. This corresponds to 1/5 to 1/4, and the closest matching option given is 1/4 to 1/5. The other options are too high for normal concrete works.
The aggregate impact value of aggregate to be used in water bound macadam base course is:
A)
Less than or equal to 55%
B)
Less than or equal to 40%
C)
Less than 45%
D)
More than 30%
For Water Bound Macadam (WBM) base course, the aggregate should be sufficiently tough and resistant to impact. The permissible aggregate impact value is generally **not more than 40%**. Hence option (b) is correct. The other options are either too high for base course requirements or do not match the standard specification.
The desired temperature range of Bitumen when mixing is:
A)
120 degree centigrade – 130 degree centigrade
B)
110 degree centigrade – 140 degree centigrade
C)
150 degree centigrade – 177 degree centigrade
D)
160 degree centigrade – 187 degree centigrade
In bituminous paving work, bitumen is generally heated to the mixing range of about 150°C to 177°C so that it attains proper fluidity and coats the aggregates uniformly. Lower ranges such as 110°C–140°C or 120°C–130°C are usually insufficient for proper mixing, while 160°C–187°C is too high and may cause excessive ageing of bitumen.
Codes specifies lower bond resistance for the top reinforcement in beam because.
A)
Top reinforcement in a beam is more important and hence lower bond resistance is given for having longer development length.
B)
There is a possibility of air trapped beneath the upper reinforcement and thereby weakening the bond.
C)
The higher part of concrete in a beam have lower strength.
D)
The top part is exposed to air after casting so the concrete on the upper part is weaker.
In RCC beams, the top bars are said to have lower bond resistance because of the 'top bar effect'. During casting, bleed water and settlement cause a weak laitance layer and slightly poorer compaction near the top surface of concrete. As a result, the concrete around top reinforcement is not as strong in bond as that around bottom bars, so codes provide lower bond stress for top reinforcement. Option (a) is wrong because the reason is not that top reinforcement is more important; (b) is not the standard code reason; and (c) is too vague and not the accepted explanation.
The standard weight of 1m length 20mm dia reinforcing bar is:
A)
1.59 kg
B)
1.58kg
C)
2.47 kgs
D)
2.8 kgs
The standard unit weight of a steel reinforcing bar is calculated by the formula d²/162, where d is the diameter in mm. For a 20 mm bar: 20²/162 = 400/162 ≈ 2.47 kg per metre. Hence, the correct answer is 2.47 kgs. The other options do not match the standard weight formula.
What is the function of Catch water drain?
A)
To drain water from pavement surface
B)
It is another form of subsurface drainage
C)
To prevent water from hillside falling to road pavement
D)
To drain water coming from weep hole.
A catch water drain is provided on hill roads above the road formation to intercept and divert storm water flowing down the hillside before it reaches the road. Its purpose is to protect the pavement and side slopes from erosion and damage. Option (a) refers to surface drainage on the pavement, (b) refers to subsurface drainage, and (d) refers to drainage from weep holes in retaining structures.
The length of Cross drainage structure considered as culvert is:
A)
Upto 6m
B)
1.2m to 5m
C)
Upto 5m
D)
1m to 1.5m
In highway engineering, a cross-drainage structure is classified as a culvert when its span/length is up to 6 m. Structures with larger spans are generally treated as small bridges or bridges, depending on the standard followed. Hence, option (a) is correct. The other options give incorrect span ranges that do not match the standard culvert classification.
The minimum width of single lane village road is:
A)
3.5m
B)
4.25m
C)
3.0m
D)
3.75m
In rural road standards, the minimum width of a single-lane village road is generally taken as 3.0 m. This is the standard carriageway width for a single-lane road in village/rural road practice. 3.5 m is typically used for a single-lane road carriageway in some highway standards, while 4.25 m and 3.75 m are larger widths and do not represent the minimum for a village road.
As construction material, plywood is preferred to thin planks of timber because of:
A)
Good strength and dimensional stability in both lateral and longitudinal directions
B)
Good dimensional stability in both longitudinal and lateral directions
C)
Good strength in both longitudinal and lateral directions
D)
Savings in cost and environmental considerations
Plywood is made by gluing thin layers of wood with adjacent grains at right angles. This cross-laminated structure reduces shrinkage and warping, giving plywood good strength and dimensional stability in both directions. Thin planks of timber are more prone to swelling, shrinking, splitting, and warping along the grain and across the grain. Option (b) is incomplete because it mentions only dimensional stability, while the key advantage also includes strength. Option (c) is less precise because plywood is valued not just for strength but especially for stability in both directions. Option (d) is not the main technical reason.
Complete hydration of cement the water cement ratio required is about:
A)
0.25
B)
0.37
C)
0.15
D)
0.40
For complete hydration of cement, the theoretical water-cement ratio required is about 0.38 by weight; in many exam questions it is taken approximately as 0.37. This amount is enough for both chemical combination and gel pore filling. Option (a) 0.25 is too low, (c) 0.15 is far below the requirement, and (d) 0.40 is slightly higher than the standard approximate value.
Roadway width (Formation width) for Major District Road (Single lane road) in mountainous and steep terrain is:
A)
12m
B)
4.75m
C)
6.25m
D)
4.0m
As per IRC standards for hill roads, the formation width for a single-lane Major District Road in mountainous and steep terrain is 4.0 m. The wider values given in the options (4.75 m and 6.25 m) correspond to larger or different roadway configurations/terrain classes, not this specific case.
The bond strength of steel and concrete is enhanced by various measures. Which of the following do not enhance bond strength?
A)
Deformed bars are used instead of Plain bars
B)
Bigger bar diameters are used
C)
Higher grade of concrete is used
D)
Increased cover is provided.
Bond strength between steel and concrete is improved by increasing mechanical interlock and adhesion. Deformed bars develop better bond than plain bars, higher-grade concrete generally provides better grip/anchorage, and smaller bar diameters are preferable to larger diameters because they usually give better bond. However, increased concrete cover does not enhance bond strength; it mainly improves protection against corrosion and fire. Therefore, the option that does not enhance bond strength is (d).
The Flexible pavement consist the following components:
A)
Subgrade, GSB, BM & surface course
B)
Subgrade, Sub-base, Base & Surface course
C)
Subgrade, Dry Lean concrete, WBM, Wearing course
D)
Subgrade, WBM, WMM & Concrete
A flexible pavement is generally constructed in layers starting from the natural soil support and moving upward: subgrade, sub-base, base, and surface course. This is the standard component sequence in highway engineering. Option (a) is incomplete/mixed terminology, while (c) and (d) include rigid pavement or non-standard layer combinations.
Rolling of Bituminous layer is done:
A)
From centre to edge
B)
From edge to centre
C)
In anyway the operator like but at required speed
D)
Start on the two edges and then to centre
In bituminous road construction, rolling is generally started from the centre of the pavement and progressed towards the edges. This helps in pushing the material outward, maintaining proper cross-fall and avoiding accumulation of material at the centre. Rolling from edge to centre is avoided because it can cause shoving and irregular surface formation. Hence, the correct answer is (a) From centre to edge.
The desired temperature range of Bitumen when spreading at the location of laying is:
A)
121 degree centigrade – 163 degree centigrade
B)
110 degree centigrade – 140 degree centigrade
C)
150 degree centigrade – 177 degree centigrade
D)
160 degree centigrade – 187 degree centigrade
For bituminous work, the temperature at the site of laying/spreading is generally kept around 110°C to 140°C so that the binder remains workable and provides proper coating and compaction. Temperatures much lower than this make the bitumen too stiff, while much higher temperatures may lead to excessive aging and loss of desirable properties. Hence, option (b) is correct.