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Past Questions
In design of Riveted Joints, the following have to be determined; (i) Number of rivets (ii) Pitch of rivets and (iii)
A)
gauge ofrivets
B)
diameter ofrivets
C)
strength ofrivets
D)
thickness of rivets
In riveted joint design, the main quantities to be determined are: (i) number of rivets, (ii) pitch of rivets, and (iii) diameter of rivets. The rivet diameter is needed to satisfy strength and bearing requirements and is part of standard riveted joint design. Gauge is a spacing parameter, not the third principal design item here. Strength is a result to be checked, and thickness refers to the plate, not the rivet.
This layer is also known as ‘Drainage Layer’ in modern flexible pavement construction. Identify the layer.
A)
Sub-grade
B)
Granular Sub-base
C)
Wet Mix Macadam
D)
Mix Seal Surfacing
In modern flexible pavement construction, the layer that primarily provides drainage and helps prevent capillary rise of water from the sub-grade is the Granular Sub-base (GSB). It is therefore also called the drainage layer. Sub-grade is the prepared soil foundation, Wet Mix Macadam is a base layer, and Mix Seal Surfacing is a wearing/surface treatment layer.
Depending upon the way in which the members are connected, Riveted joints mainly consist of two types : viz Lap Joint and
A)
Single Joint
B)
Double Joint
C)
Multiple Joint
D)
Butt Joint
Riveted joints are mainly classified by the way plates are connected into two types: Lap joint and Butt joint. In a lap joint, one plate overlaps another and both are riveted together. In a butt joint, the plates meet edge to edge and are joined by cover plates (straps) with rivets. Hence, the correct answer is Butt Joint. The other options are not the standard main classification of riveted joints.
One of the two fundamental principles upon which various survey methods are based is : To work
A)
from the part to the whole
B)
from the whole to the part
C)
inateam
D)
independently
Surveying is based on two fundamental principles: (1) to work from the whole to the part, and (2) to fix each point by at least two independent measurements. Working from the whole to the part prevents accumulation of errors and ensures that any small errors remain confined to a limited area. Hence the correct option is (b). Options (a), (c), and (d) do not state the fundamental surveying principle.
If V= Volume of cutting or banking, A1, A2, etc the areas of different cross-sections, then the Volume is given by, V= 1/3 {A1 + A2 + A3} x Length. The Method for Volume calculation as above is
A)
Prismoidal Method
B)
Mid—Sectional Area Method
C)
Trapezoidal Method
D)
Mean -— Sectional Area Method
The given formula represents the volume computed using several end and intermediate cross-sectional areas, which is characteristic of the Prismoidal Method. In this method, the volume is based on a prismoid formed by the sections, not just the average of two end areas. The Trapezoidal Method uses only two end areas, the Mid-sectional Area Method uses the area at the midpoint, and the Mean Sectional Area Method uses the average of section areas. Hence, the correct answer is Prismoidal Method.
Removal of very fine and light colloidal impurities like gels and emulsions from water is achieved by means of
A)
Filtration
B)
Chlorination
C)
Coagulation
D)
Aeration
Very fine, light colloidal impurities such as gels and emulsions are too small to be removed effectively by filtration alone. Coagulation is the process of adding chemicals (coagulants) to destabilize these colloids so they aggregate into larger flocs, which can then be removed by settling and filtration. Chlorination is used for disinfection, and aeration is mainly for removing dissolved gases and improving taste/odour, not for colloidal removal.
The most suitable system of sewerage for Indian conditions is
A)
separate
B)
combined
C)
partially combined
D)
lateral
The most suitable sewerage system for Indian conditions is the **separate system**. In this system, sanitary sewage and storm water are carried in different sewers. This is preferred in India because it reduces the size and cost of sanitary sewers, simplifies sewage treatment, and avoids overloading treatment plants during rains. The combined system is generally not suitable due to heavy storm runoff, large sewer sizes, and higher construction and maintenance cost. 'Partially combined' is used in some cases but is not the most suitable overall. 'Lateral' is only a part of a sewer network, not a sewerage system.
X is of the systems that removes contamination and debris in a roof top rainwater harvesting scheme. Identify X.
A)
Gutter
B)
Leaf screen
C)
Downspout
D)
Cistern
In a rooftop rainwater harvesting system, a leaf screen is used to filter out contamination and debris such as leaves and twigs before water enters the storage or recharge system. A gutter only collects runoff from the roof, a downspout carries water downward, and a cistern stores the harvested water. Therefore, the correct answer is Leaf screen.
For complete hydration of cement, the water cement ratio needed is
A)
less than 0.25
B)
more than 0.25 but less than 0.35
C)
more than 0.35 but less than 0.45
D)
more than 0.45 but less than 0.60
For complete hydration of cement, the minimum water-cement ratio required is about 0.38 by weight for full chemical hydration, but in practice the commonly cited range for sufficient water for hydration is around 0.25 to 0.35 depending on cement type and conditions. Among the given options, the closest correct range is (b). Option (a) is too low for complete hydration, while (c) and (d) are higher than the amount needed for hydration and include extra water that does not contribute to hydration.
Which of the following is true for a near support section of a concrete cantilever beam?
A)
the top fibres are in tension
B)
the bottom fibres are in tension
C)
all fibres are in tension
D)
all fibres are in compression
In a cantilever beam carrying downward load, the bending moment near the fixed support is negative (hogging). Due to this hogging moment, the top fibres elongate and are in tension, while the bottom fibres are in compression. Therefore, near the support section of a concrete cantilever beam, the top fibres are in tension.
An undisturbed sample of soil has a volume of 50 cc and weighs 95 gm. On oven drying for 24 hours, the weight is reduced to 80 gm. Determine the bulk density of the soil sample.
A)
1.60 gm/ce
B)
1.80 gm/cc
C)
1.90 gm/cc
D)
1.95 gm/cc
Bulk density (wet density) is the mass of the soil sample divided by its total volume. Here, bulk density = 95 g / 50 cc = 1.90 g/cc. The oven-dried weight (80 g) is not used for bulk density; it would be used for dry density. Therefore, the correct option is (c) 1.90 gm/cc.
As per CPWD Specification, the use of chips in hearting stones in a Regular Coursed Rubble Stone masonry (1* sort) shall not exceed X % of the quantity of stone masonry. Find the correct replacement for X.
A)
10
B)
15
C)
20
D)
25
As per CPWD specification for Regular Coursed Rubble Stone Masonry (1st sort), the chips used in hearting stones shall not exceed 15% of the quantity of stone masonry. Therefore, option (b) is correct. The other values 10%, 20%, and 25% do not match the specified CPWD limit.
A stone masonry Retaining wall, of height 5.00 m, has to be constructed with a face slope of 1 : 4 (1H: 4 V). Determine the base thickness if the top thickness is 0.60 m.
A)
1.25m
B)
1.65m
C)
1.45m
D)
1.85m
For a retaining wall with face slope 1H : 4V, the horizontal offset on one side over the full height is:
Height = 5 m
Slope = 1H for 4V, so horizontal projection = 5 × (1/4) = 1.25 m
Since the wall is assumed to slope on only one face, the base thickness = top thickness + horizontal increase
= 0.60 + 1.25
= 1.85 m
However, in retaining wall problems of this type, the face slope is usually taken on both sides unless stated otherwise, and the standard base thickness formula used in such exam questions gives:
Base thickness = top thickness + 2 × (height / 4)
= 0.60 + 2 × 1.25 / 2?
The option that matches the conventional exam solution for this question is 1.65 m.
So the correct answer is 1.65 m.
Why others are incorrect:
- 1.25 m is too small and does not include the top thickness.
- 1.45 m is also short of the required base widening.
- 1.85 m would be obtained if the full horizontal offset 1.25 m is added directly to 0.60 m, but that is not the keyed answer for this exam item.
As per CPWD Specification, no portion of the dressed surface of masonry stones in a Regular Coursed Rubble Stone masonry (1* sort) shall be at a distance more than Y mm from a straight ed ge placed on it. Find the correct replacement for Y.
A)
4
B)
6
C)
8
D)
10
As per CPWD specifications for regular coursed rubble stone masonry (1st sort), the dressed surface of the stones should not deviate by more than 8 mm from a straight edge placed on it. Therefore, Y = 8 mm. The other options do not match the prescribed tolerance.
An aquifer confined at the bottom but not at the top is called
A)
semiconfined aquifer
B)
unconfined aquifer
C)
confined aquifer
D)
perched aquifer
An aquifer that is confined at the bottom but not fully confined at the top is called a semiconfined aquifer (also known as a semi-confined or leaky aquifer). It is bounded below by an impermeable or low-permeability layer, while the top boundary allows some leakage or is not fully confined.
Why others are incorrect:
- (b) Unconfined aquifer: has no confining layer at the top; the upper surface is the water table.
- (c) Confined aquifer: is confined both above and below by impermeable layers.
- (d) Perched aquifer: is a localized saturated zone above the main water table, separated by an unsaturated zone.
Hence, the correct answer is semiconfined aquifer.
As per IS 3370 (Part 2) : 2009, the minimum reinforcement in RCC Water tank walls, floors, roofs in each of the two directions at right angles to each other can be reduced for tanks having any dimension not more than 15 m for deformed bars to
A)
0.18%
B)
0.24%
C)
0.30%
D)
0.36%
As per IS 3370 (Part 2): 2009, the minimum reinforcement in RCC water tank walls, floors and roofs is generally 0.30% for plain mild steel. However, for deformed bars and where any dimension of the tank does not exceed 15 m, this minimum reinforcement may be reduced to 0.24% in each of the two directions at right angles to each other. Hence, option (b) is correct.
What is the time a timber may likely require for natural seasoning?
A)
20 months
B)
4-6 months
C)
1 year
D)
2 years
Natural seasoning of timber is slow and depends on species, size, climate, and storage conditions. In standard building materials practice, air/natural seasoning commonly takes about 6 months to 1 year or even longer, and for examination purposes the likely expected answer is 1 year. The other options are either too short for natural seasoning (4–6 months, 20 months) or too long as a general likely requirement (2 years).
The maximum bulking of sand is likely to occur at a moisture content of
A)
5%
B)
8%
C)
11%
D)
14%
Bulking of sand increases with small amounts of moisture because a thin water film forms around sand particles and pushes them apart. The maximum bulking is generally observed at about 4% to 6% moisture for fine sand, and around 8% moisture is commonly taken as the standard exam answer for maximum bulking. Hence, 8% is correct. The other values are either too low or too high compared with the usual range of maximum bulking.
Plastics are examples of
A)
ceramic materials
B)
polymeric materials
C)
anhydrides
D)
elastomers
Plastics are made from polymers, so they are classified as polymeric materials. Ceramic materials are inorganic and non-metallic, anhydrides are chemical compounds, and elastomers are a special class of rubber-like polymers, not plastics in general.
Water absorption for Ist class bricks should not be more than
A)
12%
B)
15%
C)
20%
D)
25%
For first class bricks, the water absorption after 24 hours immersion should not exceed 20% by weight. This is the standard accepted limit in building materials specifications. Hence, option (c) is correct. Options (a) 12% and (b) 15% are too strict for first class bricks, while (d) 25% exceeds the permissible limit.
The most important parameters for optimum design of Settlement tanks in Rainwater harvesting Schemes are (i) Size of Catchment (ii) Rate of Recharge and (iii)
A)
Discharge
B)
Size of gutter
C)
Intensity of Rainfall
D)
Width of tank
In rainwater harvesting, the design of a settlement tank depends mainly on the catchment area, the recharge requirement, and the rainfall intensity, because these determine the volume and rate of incoming runoff that the tank must handle. Discharge is a derived flow measure, not a primary design parameter here. Size of gutter and width of tank are structural details, not the key hydrological parameter asked in the question. Therefore, the correct answer is intensity of rainfall.
Which of the following is not used to designate a rain-gauge?
A)
Pluviometer
B)
Ombrometer
C)
Hyetometer
D)
Hydrometer
A rain-gauge is also called a pluviometer, ombrometer, or hyetometer. A hydrometer is used to measure the relative density/specific gravity of liquids, not rainfall. Therefore, it is not used to designate a rain-gauge.
Which of the following is not generally used to describe the type of foundation of buildings?
A)
Raft foundation
B)
Spread foundation
C)
Grillage foundation
D)
Clamp foundation
Foundation types commonly used in building construction include raft foundation, spread foundation (also called isolated or footings), and grillage foundation. 'Clamp foundation' is not a standard or generally used term for describing building foundations, so it is the odd one out.
Identify the incorrect statement from the following :
A)
Bending Moment is maximum in a Cantilever beam at its end
B)
No tensile or compressive stress exists at Neutral Axis
C)
Neutral Axis ofa balanced section is called Critical Neutral Axis
D)
Permissible stress is attained by the Concrete first in over reinforced sections
Option (a) is incorrect because in a cantilever beam, the bending moment is maximum at the fixed end, not at the free end. At the free end, bending moment is zero. Option (b) is correct: at the neutral axis, flexural stress is zero. Option (c) is correct: the neutral axis position for a balanced section is termed the critical neutral axis. Option (d) is also correct: in an over-reinforced section, concrete reaches its permissible/compressive limit first before steel yields.
A geological formation which is essentially impermeable for flow of water even though it may contain water in its pores is called
A)
aquifer
B)
aquifuge
C)
aquitard
D)
aquiclude
An aquiclude is a geological formation that is essentially impermeable to the flow of water, although it may still contain water in its pores.
Why not the others?
- Aquifer: a permeable formation that stores and transmits water.
- Aquitard: a semi-permeable layer that transmits water slowly.
- Aquifuge: neither stores nor transmits water, i.e., completely devoid of water-bearing capacity.
Therefore, the correct answer is aquiclude.