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Past Questions
The most economical section for a steel column is
A)
Rectangular section
B)
Tubular section
C)
Solid round section
D)
I- Section
The most economical section for a steel column is the tubular section because it provides the greatest radius of gyration and least material for a given load-carrying capacity. Its closed shape gives high resistance to buckling in all directions, making it efficient in compression.
The I-section is efficient mainly in bending, not as a column section, because its material is concentrated in flanges and it has lower torsional and buckling efficiency than a tube. A rectangular section is less economical because more material is placed away from the centroid without giving as much buckling resistance as a tubular shape. A solid round section is also less economical since it uses much more steel for the same compressive strength and has a lower radius of gyration per unit weight than a hollow tubular section.
The excavation exceeding 1.5m in width and 10 sq.m. in plan area with a depth not exceeding 30cm is termed as
A)
Excavation
B)
Surface excavation
C)
Cutting
D)
Surface dressing
The description matches the standard definition of **surface excavation**: excavation exceeding **1.5 m in width** and **10 m² in plan area**, with a **depth not exceeding 30 cm**. This is a shallow excavation spread over a relatively large area.
Why the others are incorrect:
- **a. Excavation**: This is a general term for digging and does not specify the shallow, area-based limits given in the question.
- **c. Cutting**: In civil engineering, cutting usually refers to excavation made below ground level for roads or embankments, not this specific shallow excavation classification.
- **d. Surface dressing**: This refers to finishing or treatment of a surface, not excavation.
Theodolite is an instrument used for
A)
Tightening of the capstan-headed nuts of level tube
B)
Measurement of horizontal angles only
C)
Measurement of vertical angles only
D)
Measurement of both horizontal & vertical angles
A theodolite is a surveying instrument used to measure both horizontal and vertical angles accurately. Hence option (d) is correct. Option (b) is incorrect because a theodolite does not measure only horizontal angles; it also measures vertical angles. Option (c) is incorrect because it does not measure only vertical angles. Option (a) is unrelated: tightening capstan-headed nuts of a level tube is not a function of a theodolite.
Which one of the following is the standard treatment of rapid sand filter?
A)
Plain chlorination
B)
Pre-chlorination
C)
Post chlorination
D)
Super chlorination
Post chlorination is the standard treatment associated with rapid sand filtration because disinfection is normally carried out after filtration, when the water has been clarified and the chlorine demand is lower. This ensures effective killing of remaining pathogens and provides a residual disinfectant in the distribution system.
Why the others are incorrect:
- Plain chlorination: This is not a specific standard treatment step for rapid sand filters; it refers only to adding chlorine without the context of filtration stage.
- Pre-chlorination: Chlorine added before filtration is used only in special cases (e.g., algae control, odor control, oxidation), not as the standard treatment.
- Super chlorination: This means applying a much higher-than-normal chlorine dose, generally for emergency or special treatment, not the standard practice.
In calculating shear and bending stresses, the effective diameter of the bolt shall be taken as
A)
Hole diameter
B)
Nominal diameter of bolt
C)
Diameter
D)
Actual bolt diameter
The effective diameter of a bolt for calculating shear and bending stresses is taken as the actual (core/minor) diameter of the bolt, because stresses are evaluated on the resisting metal section of the bolt, not on the hole size or nominal designation. Hence option d is correct.
Why the others are incorrect:
- a) Hole diameter: the hole is larger than the bolt and does not represent the resisting section of the bolt.
- b) Nominal diameter of bolt: the nominal size is the stated bolt size, but the actual stress-carrying area is based on the real metal section, not the nominal value.
- c) Diameter: too vague and incomplete; the relevant diameter must be the actual bolt diameter used for stress calculation.
Slenderness ratio of a compression member is defined as
A)
Moment of Inertia/Least radius of gyration
B)
Effective Length/Least radius of gyration
C)
Moment of Inertia/Cross Sectional Area
D)
Effective Length/Cross sectional area
The slenderness ratio of a compression member is defined as the ratio of its effective length to its least radius of gyration: \(\lambda = \frac{L_e}{r_{min}}\). This measures how prone the member is to buckling; a larger value means a more slender and buckling-sensitive member. Option **b** matches this definition exactly.
Why the others are incorrect:
- **a**: Moment of inertia divided by least radius of gyration is not the slenderness ratio. In fact, radius of gyration is related to moment of inertia by \(r = \sqrt{I/A}\), not \(I/r\).
- **c**: Moment of inertia divided by cross-sectional area is incorrect; the correct relation is \(r^2 = I/A\), not \(I/A\) as slenderness ratio.
- **d**: Effective length divided by cross-sectional area is dimensionally incorrect for slenderness ratio; area has units of length squared, so this does not produce a dimensionless ratio as required.
The centerline method is specially adopted for estimating
A)
Circular buildings
B)
Hexagonal buildings
C)
Octagonal buildings
D)
All of these
The centerline method is specially used for estimating buildings with symmetrical plans and repeated wall lengths, such as circular, hexagonal, and octagonal buildings. In these cases, the centerline lengths can be conveniently used to compute quantities accurately and quickly. Hence, "All of these" is correct. Options a, b, and c are each individually true examples of structures for which the centerline method is adopted, so none of them is incorrect in itself; the best answer is the inclusive option d.
Depreciation is
A)
The rate of decrease of the value of a property annually
B)
The gradual exhaustion of the usefulness of property
C)
The gradual decay of quality of a property
D)
All of these
Depreciation in the context of civil engineering and valuation is the loss in the value of an asset over time. It is a comprehensive term that encompasses several factors:
1. **Economic Value (Option a):** Depreciation is measured as the decrease in the monetary value of a property annually due to age and wear.
2. **Functional Usefulness (Option b):** It refers to the gradual exhaustion of the utility or usefulness of the property. As a building or machine ages, its efficiency and ability to perform its intended function decrease.
3. **Physical Condition (Option c):** It involves the gradual decay of quality, physical deterioration, and wear and tear caused by usage, weather, and chemical reactions (like corrosion or rot).
Since depreciation is the result of physical decay, functional obsolescence, and the resulting decrease in market value, all three descriptions are correct.
In the design of any water works project, a more accurate estimate of water that is required can be arrived at using
A)
Total population of city
B)
Daily consumption per person served
C)
Total daily consumption averaged over one month
D)
Total daily consumption averaged over ten years
The most accurate estimate of water demand for a water works project is obtained from the actual consumption data over a recent representative period, such as the total daily consumption averaged over one month. This reflects current usage patterns, seasonal variation, and present population behavior better than broad long-term averages or population alone.
Why the others are incorrect:
- a) Total population of city: Population alone does not indicate how much water is actually used; per-capita demand varies widely.
- b) Daily consumption per person served: This is a useful design parameter, but by itself it is not as accurate as using observed total consumption data for a recent period.
- d) Total daily consumption averaged over ten years: A ten-year average is too broad and may hide recent growth, changes in lifestyle, leakage, or seasonal demand shifts, making it less accurate for present design needs.
The first stage of deciding the alignment of a hill road is
A)
Reconnaissance
B)
Detsil survey
C)
Trace out
D)
Preliminary survey
The first stage in deciding the alignment of a hill road is the reconnaissance survey. In this stage, the engineer makes a rapid field inspection to study the general topography, possible routes, gradients, drainage, and major obstacles, and then identifies feasible alignments for further study.
Why the others are incorrect:
- Preliminary survey: This comes after reconnaissance and involves more detailed field measurements of the shortlisted routes.
- Detailed survey: This is the final, most accurate stage, used to fix the selected alignment and prepare construction drawings and estimates.
- Trace out: This is not the standard first survey stage in road alignment selection; it is not the accepted initial step in hill road alignment planning.
The strength of weld is equal to permissible stress multiplied by
A)
Throat thickness
B)
Throat area
C)
Weld area
D)
Leg length
For a fillet weld, the strength is given by:
Strength = permissible stress × effective throat area
The effective throat area = throat thickness × weld length. Since the question asks what the strength is equal to when multiplied by permissible stress, the correct quantity is the throat area.
Why others are incorrect:
- a) Throat thickness alone is only a linear dimension, not an area, so it cannot directly give strength.
- c) Weld area is too general; in fillet weld design, strength is specifically based on the effective throat area.
- d) Leg length is not the resisting section; the weld resists across the throat, not along the leg.
Which comes next in the sequence? AB CD CD AB DA BC BC DA CD AB
A)
DA BC
B)
AB DC
C)
AB CD
D)
DA CB
The sequence is built from repeating 2-pair blocks: AB CD, CD AB, DA BC, BC DA, then again CD AB. This shows a cyclic pattern where the next block after CD AB is DA BC. Therefore, the next term is DA BC.
Why the others are wrong:
- b (AB DC): breaks the observed block order and changes CD to DC.
- c (AB CD): this is an earlier block in the cycle, not the next one after CD AB.
- d (DA CB): the second pair is incorrect; the pattern uses BC, not CB.
The gross diameter of a rivet is the diameter of
A)
Cold rivet before driving
B)
rivet measured after driving
C)
Rivet hole
D)
None of these
The gross diameter of a rivet refers to the diameter of the rivet before it is driven, i.e., the diameter of the cold rivet. This is the original shank diameter used for design and hole sizing. Option (b) is incorrect because after driving, the rivet head is formed and the shank may expand slightly, so that is not the gross diameter. Option (c) is incorrect because the rivet hole diameter is larger than the rivet diameter to allow insertion. Option (d) is incorrect because option (a) is the correct definition.
In the mid-section formula
A)
The mean depth is the average of depths of two consecutive sections
B)
The area of mid sections is calculated using mean depth
C)
The volume of the earth work is calculated by multiplying the mid-section area by the distance between the two original sections
D)
All of these
The mid-section method uses the mean depth of two consecutive sections to estimate the mid-section area, and the earthwork volume is then obtained by multiplying this mid-section area by the distance between the two original sections. Hence statements (a), (b), and (c) are all correct, so the correct option is (d) All of these. Option (a) is correct because mean depth is the average of the depths of two adjacent sections. Option (b) is correct because the mid-section area is computed using this mean depth. Option (c) is correct because the volume is taken as mid-section area × spacing between sections.
Salvage value is
A)
The value of the building at the end of utility period after dismantling
B)
The value of the building at the end of utility period without dismantling
C)
The value of dismantled materials
D)
None of these
Salvage value is the amount realized from an asset at the end of its useful life after it is dismantled or sold as scrap. In building valuation, it generally means the value of the dismantled materials that can be recovered and sold, so option (c) is correct.
Option (a) is incorrect because it refers to the value of the building itself after dismantling, whereas salvage value is not the value of the intact building. Option (b) is incorrect because it describes the value of the building without dismantling, which is closer to market or residual value, not salvage value. Option (d) is incorrect because option (c) correctly defines salvage value.
The maximum pitch of to be used for rivet should not exceed (t is thickness of thinner plate)
A)
35t or 350mm, whichever is less
B)
30t or 300mm, whichever is less
C)
25t or 250mm, whichever is less
D)
32t or 300mm, whichever is less
For riveted joints, the maximum pitch (center-to-center distance between adjacent rivets) is limited by code to prevent plate buckling and ensure proper load transfer. The standard limit is:
Maximum pitch = 30t or 300 mm, whichever is less,
where t is the thickness of the thinner plate.
So option **b** is correct.
Why the others are incorrect:
- **a (35t or 350 mm)**: exceeds the permissible maximum pitch, so it is too large.
- **c (25t or 250 mm)**: this is more restrictive than the standard maximum; it is not the prescribed maximum value.
- **d (32t or 300 mm)**: 32t is not the standard code limit; the correct factor is 30t, not 32t.
The time limit between the date of publication of tender in press and the date of receipt of tender for work costing more than Rs. 2.00 crore is
A)
12 days
B)
15 days
C)
14 days
D)
21 days
For works costing more than Rs. 2.00 crore, the standard minimum time allowed between publication of the tender notice in the press and the receipt of tenders is 15 days. Hence option (b) is correct.
Why the others are incorrect:
- 12 days: too short; does not satisfy the prescribed minimum notice period.
- 14 days: close, but still not the specified period.
- 21 days: longer than required; not the standard minimum for this category.
The multiplying constant of a theodolite
A)
f/i
B)
(f + d)/f
C)
f/i + d
D)
(f + i)/d
The multiplying constant (also called the stadia interval factor) of a theodolite/tacheometer is given by K = f/i, where f is the focal length of the objective lens and i is the stadia interval (distance between the upper and lower stadia hairs). In the common lens formula form used in tacheometry, the constant may also be expressed as K = (f + d)/i when the distance d is the distance from the objective to the instrument axis; however, among the given options, the standard multiplying constant is represented by f/i, which corresponds to option a. If the question intends the full lens-system expression, the correct form would involve i in the denominator, not d. The other options are incorrect because (f + d)/f, (f + i)/d, and f/i + d do not match the standard definition of the multiplying constant and have incorrect dimensional form.
Which of the following methods of contouring is most suitable for a hilly terrain?
A)
Direct method
B)
Square method
C)
Cross section method
D)
Tacheometric method
Tacheometric method is most suitable for hilly terrain because it allows rapid indirect measurement of distances and elevations over uneven, inaccessible ground. In hilly areas, taking many direct ground measurements is difficult, so tacheometry is preferred for contouring.
Why the others are incorrect:
- Direct method: Accurate but very slow and laborious; not suitable for large or rough hilly areas.
- Square method: Best for fairly level ground where a grid can be laid out easily; inefficient on steep, irregular terrain.
- Cross section method: Mainly used for route surveys such as roads, railways, and canals, not as the most suitable general method for hilly contouring.
Surveys which are carried out to depict mountains, rivers, water bodies, wooded areas and other cultural details are known as
A)
Cadastral surveys
B)
City surveys
C)
Topographical surveys
D)
Guide map surveys
Topographical surveys are carried out to depict the natural and man-made features of an area, such as mountains, rivers, water bodies, wooded areas, roads, buildings, and other cultural details. Hence, option (c) is correct.
Why the others are incorrect:
- (a) Cadastral surveys are mainly concerned with property boundaries, land parcels, and ownership details, not general terrain and physical features.
- (b) City surveys focus on urban areas and municipal planning details, but the term for showing both natural and cultural features is topographical survey.
- (d) Guide map surveys are not the standard term for surveys depicting detailed physical and cultural features of the ground surface.
In rigid pavement, arrangements given for tying two slabs together but without transferring the pavement load are
A)
Wire mesh
B)
Tie bars
C)
Dowel bars
D)
Bars mat
Tie bars are used in rigid pavements to hold adjacent slabs together and prevent joint opening, but they are not designed to transfer wheel load across the joint. Hence, they provide continuity/holding action only, not load transfer.
Why others are incorrect:
- Dowel bars (c): These are specifically provided at transverse joints to transfer load from one slab to the next while allowing slight movement.
- Bars mat (d): This is not the standard element used for tying two slabs in rigid pavement joints.
- Wire mesh (a): Wire mesh is used as reinforcement in slabs, not as a joint device for tying two slabs together without load transfer.
Maximum slenderness ratio (l/r) of compression member carrying dead loads and superimposed load shall not exceed
A)
180
B)
250
C)
200
D)
350
For a compression member carrying dead load and superimposed load, the maximum permissible slenderness ratio (l/r) is 250 as per standard steel design provisions. Hence option (c) is correct.
Why others are incorrect:
- (a) 180: too low; this is not the specified upper limit for such compression members.
- (b) 250: correct value, so this is the right choice.
- (d) 350: too high; exceeds the allowable slenderness limit.
- (c) 200: not the standard maximum limit for this case.
Coarse grained soils are best compacted by a
A)
Drum roller
B)
Rubber tyre roller
C)
Sheep’s foot roller
D)
Vibratory roller
Coarse-grained soils (sand and gravel) are best compacted by a vibratory roller because vibration rearranges the particles into a denser packing, which is most effective for non-cohesive soils. Sheep’s foot rollers are meant for cohesive fine-grained soils like clay, where kneading action is needed. Rubber tyre rollers are more suitable for finishing and for a mix of soil types, but they are not the best choice for coarse-grained soils. A drum roller (smooth wheel roller) mainly provides static pressure and is less effective than vibration for compacting coarse soils.
The term ‘Characteristic load’ means that value of load which has a probability of not being exceeded during the life of the structure as below
A)
85%
B)
90%
C)
95%
D)
100%
Characteristic load is defined as the load value having a specified low probability of being exceeded during the design life of the structure. In standard structural design practice, this probability is taken as 5%, meaning there is a 95% probability that the load will not be exceeded. Therefore, the correct option is 95%.
Why the others are incorrect:
- 90% and 85% are too low; they imply a much higher chance of exceedance than the standard definition.
- 100% is incorrect because no real load can be guaranteed never to be exceeded over the life of a structure.
The following statement is not correct
A)
For larger structure, rigid joints are preferred
B)
Rectangular tanks are useful for small capacities
C)
Circular tanks are preferred for large capacities
D)
Water tightness is one of the most important factor in water tank design
Option (c) is not correct because circular tanks are generally preferred for smaller capacities and for better structural efficiency, while rectangular tanks are commonly used for small capacities and where space/layout demands it. For large capacities, circular or other efficient forms may be used, but the statement as written is not the standard correct rule.
Why the others are correct:
- (a) For larger structures, rigid joints are preferred because they provide greater stiffness and better control of deformation.
- (b) Rectangular tanks are useful for small capacities, especially where construction simplicity and site constraints matter.
- (d) Water tightness is one of the most important factors in water tank design because leakage must be prevented to ensure serviceability and durability.