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Past Questions
Zoning theory is used in valuation of land in the
A)
Flat Rate System
B)
Comparative System
C)
Belting System
D)
Development System
Zoning theory is applied in the **belting system** of land valuation. In this method, land is divided into belts according to distance from a main road or frontage, and different rates are assigned to different belts. The theory recognizes that the value of land decreases as one moves away from the road frontage.
Why other options are incorrect:
- **Flat Rate System**: applies one uniform rate to the whole plot, not based on zoning.
- **Comparative System**: values land by comparing with similar recent sales.
- **Development System**: considers development potential and deducts development costs.
Therefore, the correct answer is **(c) Belting System**.
The method of levelling in which the difference in elevation between two points is accurately determined by two sets of observations when it is not possible to set up the level midway between the two points is
A)
Check Levelling
B)
Reciprocal Levelling
C)
Differential Levelling
D)
Profile Levelling
Reciprocal levelling is used when the level cannot be set up midway between two points, such as when they are separated by a river or obstruction. In this method, observations are taken from both sides in two sets, and the true difference in elevation is obtained accurately by eliminating errors due to collimation, curvature, and refraction. Check levelling is used to verify earlier work, differential levelling is a general method of finding elevation differences over distance, and profile levelling is used to determine ground levels along a line.
Determination of Y along the sloping surface is an important process of slope stability analysis. Find the most appropriate replacement for Y.
A)
shearing strength
B)
bearing capacity
C)
density
D)
soundness
In slope stability analysis, the key property determined along the potential sloping failure surface is the soil's shearing strength. The tendency of soil to resist sliding depends on its shear resistance, so this is the critical parameter. Bearing capacity relates to foundation support, density is a mass property, and soundness is not the governing term in slope stability.
Which of the following is true for a mid-span section of a simply supported concrete 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 simply supported beam under downward loading, the bending moment at mid-span is sagging. Sagging causes the top fibres to be in compression and the bottom fibres to be in tension. Therefore, at the mid-span section, the bottom fibres are in tension. The other options are incorrect because the top fibres are not in tension, and not all fibres are in the same state of stress.
Effective depth of a concrete beam is the distance from
A)
top fibre to bottom fibre
B)
top fibre to neutral axis
C)
top fibre to reinforcing bar
D)
neutral axis to reinforcing bar
In RCC beam design, the effective depth is the distance from the extreme compression fibre (top fibre in a singly reinforced beam) to the centroid of the tension reinforcement. Among the options, this corresponds to 'top fibre to reinforcing bar'.
Why others are incorrect:
- (a) Top fibre to bottom fibre = overall depth, not effective depth.
- (b) Top fibre to neutral axis = depth of neutral axis, not effective depth.
- (d) Neutral axis to reinforcing bar = this is not the standard definition of effective depth.
As per CPWD Specification, the use of chips in hearting stones in a Regular Coursed Rubble Stone masonry (1st 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 specifications for Regular Coursed Rubble Stone Masonry (1st sort), the chips used in hearting stones shall not exceed 10% of the quantity of stone masonry. Hence, X = 10.
Why not the others:
- 15%, 20%, and 25% are higher than the CPWD limit for this item.
- The specification is intended to keep the masonry well-packed with proper larger stones, with only a small proportion of chips allowed in hearting.
Identify the source of energy for the hydrological cycle.
A)
Ocean
B)
Sun
C)
Water
D)
Precipitation
The hydrological cycle is driven mainly by solar energy. The Sun heats water in oceans, rivers, and lakes, causing evaporation. This water vapour later condenses and falls as precipitation, completing the cycle. Ocean is the main reservoir of water, but not the energy source. Water and precipitation are parts of the cycle, not the driving energy.
In Limit State Method of Design, the partial factor of safety for concrete is kept
A)
more than that of steel
B)
less than that of steel
C)
equal to that of steel
D)
equal to 1
In Limit State Method, the partial safety factor for materials is higher for concrete than for steel. As per IS 456, the partial safety factor for concrete (γm) is 1.5, while for steel it is 1.15. This is because concrete is more variable and brittle compared to steel, so a higher factor of safety is used. Therefore, the correct option is (a).
The level of water within its granular pores of soil or fissures of rock below which the pores of the host are saturated is known as
A)
ground water
B)
aquifer
C)
aquiclude
D)
water table
The level below which the pores of soil or rock are fully saturated with water is called the **water table**. It is the upper surface of the zone of saturation.
Why the other options are incorrect:
- **Ground water**: refers to the water present below the ground surface, not the level itself.
- **Aquifer**: a water-bearing porous rock or soil layer that stores and transmits groundwater.
- **Aquiclude**: a formation that may hold water but does not transmit it appreciably.
So, the correct term is **water table**.
The portion of the precipitation which by a variety of paths above and below the surface of the earth reaches the stream channel is called
A)
runoff
B)
rainfall
C)
infiltration
D)
groundwater
The part of precipitation that reaches a stream channel by different routes, both over the land surface and through subsurface flow, is called runoff. Rainfall is the precipitation itself, infiltration is water entering the soil, and groundwater is water stored below the surface. Therefore, the correct answer is runoff.
An undisturbed sample of soil has a volume of 50 cc and weighs 90 gm. On oven drying for 24 hours, the weight is reduced to 80 gm. Determine the dry density of the soil sample.
A)
1.60 gm/cc
B)
1.80 gm/cc
C)
1.90 gm/cc
D)
1.95 gm/cc
Dry density is the mass of dry soil per unit volume. After oven drying, the weight becomes 80 g, and the volume remains 50 cc. So, dry density = 80 / 50 = 1.60 gm/cc. The other options do not match this calculation.
An undisturbed sample of soil has a volume of 50 cc and weighs 90 gm. On oven drying for 24 hours, the weight is reduced to 80 gm. Determine the water content.
A)
11.11%
B)
12.50%
C)
20%
D)
62.50%
Water content w is defined as:
w = (Weight of water / Weight of dry soil) × 100
Given:
- Wet weight = 90 g
- Dry weight after oven drying = 80 g
- Weight of water = 90 - 80 = 10 g
So,
w = (10 / 80) × 100 = 12.5%
However, among the given options, 12.50% corresponds to option (b). The correct computed answer is 12.5%, not 20%.
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/cc
B)
1.80 gm/cc
C)
1.90 gm/cc
D)
1.95 gm/cc
Bulk density is the total mass of the soil sample divided by its total volume. Here, the undisturbed sample has mass 95 g and volume 50 cc, so bulk density = 95/50 = 1.90 g/cc. The oven-dried weight (80 g) is used for dry density, not bulk density. Therefore, the correct option is (c) 1.90 gm/cc.
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. Ceramics are inorganic non-metallic materials, anhydrides are chemical compounds, and elastomers are a specific class of flexible polymers, not all plastics.
A unit hydrograph is defined as the hydrograph of direct runoff resulting from one unit X of rainfall excess occurring uniformly over the basin at a uniform rate for a specified duration. Find the correct replacement for X.
A)
depth
B)
area
C)
discharge
D)
Volume
A unit hydrograph is defined as the hydrograph of direct runoff resulting from **one unit depth of rainfall excess** occurring uniformly over the basin at a uniform rate for a specified duration. Therefore, the correct replacement for X is **depth**. The other options are incorrect because a unit hydrograph is not defined in terms of rainfall area, discharge, or volume.
Water absorption for Ist class bricks should not be more than
A)
12%
B)
15%
C)
20%
D)
25%
For first class bricks, the standard limit of water absorption is not more than 20% by weight after 24 hours in water as per common building materials standards. However, in many civil engineering exam contexts, the intended answer for 'Ist class bricks should not be more than' is 20%. Since that option is present, the correct choice is (c). The 15% limit is generally associated with superior quality/engineered bricks, not ordinary first class bricks. Therefore among the given options, (c) 20% is correct.
Which of the following is not a form of precipitation?
A)
Hail
B)
Snow
C)
Cloud
D)
Dew
Precipitation means water that falls from the atmosphere to the ground in liquid or solid form. Hail and snow are forms of precipitation, and dew is condensed water deposited near the ground. Cloud is not precipitation; it is a suspension of tiny water droplets or ice crystals in the atmosphere.
Which of the following methods is related to direct test for degree of compaction i.e field density of soils?
A)
Plate Load Test
B)
Modified Proctor Test
C)
California Bearing Ratio (CBR) Test
D)
LA Abrasion Test
The question asks for a method related to the direct test for degree of compaction, i.e. field density/compaction of soils. The Modified Proctor Test is used to determine the optimum moisture content and maximum dry density of soil, which are directly related to compaction control. It is a standard compaction test in soil mechanics. Plate Load Test is for bearing capacity, CBR Test is for pavement subgrade strength, and LA Abrasion Test is for aggregate toughness/abrasion resistance, so they are not related to direct compaction testing.
An undisturbed sample of soil has a volume of 50 cc and weighs 100 gm. On oven drying for 24 hours, the weight is reduced to 90 gm. If the Specific gravity of the soil is 2.70, determine the voids ratio of the sample.
A)
0.45
B)
0.50
C)
0.60
D)
0.80
Given: total volume V = 50 cc, wet weight = 100 g, dry weight (soil solids weight) Ws = 90 g, and specific gravity Gs = 2.70.
1) Water content is not needed directly, because void ratio can be found from volume of solids.
2) Volume of solids, Vs = Ws / (Gs × density of water) = 90 / (2.70 × 1) = 33.33 cc.
3) Volume of voids, Vv = V − Vs = 50 − 33.33 = 16.67 cc.
4) Void ratio, e = Vv / Vs = 16.67 / 33.33 ≈ 0.50.
So the correct answer is 0.50.
Why others are incorrect:
- 0.45 is too low for the given volume and solids weight.
- 0.60 and 0.80 would require a much larger void volume than obtained from the data.
A road formation has been eroded by heavy rains. Remedial measures have to be taken immediately by construction of a masonry Z wall on the downstream side. Find the most appropriate replacement for Z.
A)
Breast
B)
Toe
C)
Retaining
D)
Revetment
A masonry Z wall on the downstream side of a road formation is essentially a wall provided at the base or foot of the slope to protect it from erosion and slipping. The most appropriate term for such a wall is a **toe wall**. A breast wall is built on the slope face, a retaining wall supports earth laterally, and a revetment is a protective lining against erosion. Hence, the correct replacement for Z is **Toe**.
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 air seasoning, which generally takes several months to reduce moisture content gradually. For ordinary timber, the likely time required is about 4–6 months. One year or 2 years would be too long for the usual textbook estimate, while 20 months is not the standard answer.
Plywood is specified by
A)
weight
B)
volume
C)
thickness
D)
number of layers
Plywood is generally specified by its thickness, not by weight, volume, or number of layers. In building materials, standard plywood sizes are described by length, breadth, and thickness. The number of layers may vary, but it is not the standard specification criterion.
As per IS: 456 : 2000 the formula for Permissible loads, P on short concrete columns is given by P=σcc A + σsc A sc. The term A stands for
A)
Cross-sectional area of longitudinal (concrete – steel)
B)
Cross-sectional area of longitudinal (concrete + steel)
C)
Cross-sectional area of longitudinal concrete
D)
Cross-sectional area of longitudinal steel
For a short reinforced concrete column, the permissible axial load is given by P = σcc A + σsc Asc, where A is the area of concrete in the column section excluding the steel area, and Asc is the area of longitudinal steel. Since the steel occupies part of the gross section, the concrete area is taken as gross area minus steel area. Hence, A stands for cross-sectional area of longitudinal concrete, i.e., concrete area excluding steel. Option (a) best matches this meaning. Options (b), (c), and (d) do not correctly represent the concrete area used in the formula.
Minimum depth of foundation is given by
A)
Terzaghi’s formula
B)
Rankine’s formula
C)
Coulomb’s formula
D)
Darcy’s formula
The minimum depth of foundation is determined using Rankine’s formula. This formula gives the depth below which the pressure from the foundation will not cause shear failure in the soil. Terzaghi’s formula is related to bearing capacity, Coulomb’s formula is used in earth pressure analysis, and Darcy’s formula deals with flow of water through soil.
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 remove contamination and debris such as leaves and twigs before water enters the storage or recharge system. A gutter only collects water from the roof edge, a downspout carries water downward, and a cistern stores the harvested water. Therefore, the correct answer is Leaf screen.