← Junior Engineer
Past Questions
For slope stability analysis, the method mostly used is
A)
Deformation (stress) Analysis
B)
Slip circle
C)
Wedge theory
D)
All of these
For slope stability analysis, the most commonly used method is the slip circle method (also called the circular failure or Swedish method), especially for homogeneous slopes and cohesive soils. It is widely used because it is simple, practical, and gives reasonably accurate results for many engineering problems.
Why the others are incorrect:
- a) Deformation (stress) analysis: This is not the standard primary method for routine slope stability; it is more advanced and used in special cases.
- c) Wedge theory: This is mainly used for rock slopes or planar/wedge failures, not as the general method most used for slope stability.
- d) All of these: Incorrect because the slip circle method is the most commonly used, not all methods equally.
The runoff is affected by
A)
Size of the basin
B)
Shape of the basin
C)
Elevation of water shed
D)
All of these
Runoff from a basin is influenced by several watershed characteristics, including the size of the basin, the shape of the basin, and the elevation/slope of the watershed. A larger basin generally collects more water, basin shape affects how quickly runoff concentrates at the outlet, and elevation/slope influences the speed and amount of surface flow. Therefore, all the listed factors affect runoff, making option d correct. Options a, b, and c are each incomplete because they mention only one contributing factor rather than the full set.
The most vulnerable point/section in a ceiling to cracking is :-
A)
At the joint between the two boards
B)
At the point where the ceiling is fixed to the joist
C)
At the junction between the ceiling and wall
D)
At the centre of the horizontal plane of the ceiling
The most vulnerable point in a ceiling to cracking is the joint between two boards, because joints are discontinuities where differential movement, shrinkage, temperature effects, and imperfect finishing concentrate stresses. Cracks commonly appear first along these board joints if they are not properly taped, filled, or reinforced.
Why the others are incorrect:
- b) At the point where the ceiling is fixed to the joist: this is generally a support point, not the most crack-prone location compared with board joints.
- c) At the junction between the ceiling and wall: this can crack due to movement, but it is not usually the most vulnerable point in the ceiling itself.
- d) At the centre of the horizontal plane of the ceiling: the centre is typically less stressed than joints or edges, so it is less likely to crack first.
The rate of evaporation from a reservoir can be determined by
A)
Pan-measurement method
B)
Empirical formulae
C)
Storage equation method
D)
All of these
The rate of evaporation from a reservoir can be estimated by all three listed approaches: (1) pan-measurement method, where evaporation from a standard pan is used to infer reservoir evaporation; (2) empirical formulae, which relate evaporation to climatic factors such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, and radiation; and (3) storage equation method, which determines evaporation indirectly from the reservoir water balance. Therefore, the correct answer is 'All of these.' The other options are not incorrect methods; they are all valid methods, so none of a, b, or c alone is the complete answer.
Permissible bond stress in concrete for compression bar is increased by
A)
15%
B)
20%
C)
25%
D)
30 %
The permissible bond stress in concrete is increased by 25% for compression bars (as compared to tension bars), because concrete in compression can develop better bond resistance. Hence the correct answer is option c? Wait—standard design provision states: bond stress for compression bars is increased by 25%. Therefore the correct option is c. The other options are incorrect because 15%, 20%, and 30% do not match the codal increase specified for compression reinforcement.
A two-way slab supported on all four sides with corners not held down is designed by
A)
Grasshoff Method
B)
Rankine-Grasshoff Method
C)
Rankine Method
D)
Pigeaud Method
A two-way slab supported on all four sides with corners not held down is designed by the Rankine-Grasshoff method. This method is used for two-way slabs where load is distributed in both directions and the corners are free to lift (not restrained), which matches the given condition.
Why the others are incorrect:
- Grasshoff Method: used for two-way slabs with corners held down/restraint conditions, not the case here.
- Rankine Method: applies to one-way slab action, not a two-way slab supported on all four sides.
- Pigeaud Method: used for two-way slabs, but specifically for slabs supported on all four sides with corners held down and for more exact analysis under certain loading conditions; it is not the standard choice for corners not held down.
The time required by rain water to reach the outlet of a drainage basin is generally called
A)
Time of concentration
B)
Time of overland flow
C)
Duration of rainfall
D)
None of these
The correct answer is **time of concentration**. It is defined as the time taken by rainwater from the hydraulically most distant point of a drainage basin to reach the outlet. In other words, it is the time required for runoff from the entire catchment to contribute to flow at the outlet.
Why the others are incorrect:
- **b) Time of overland flow**: This refers only to the time water travels over the ground surface before entering a defined channel, not the total time to reach the basin outlet.
- **c) Duration of rainfall**: This is simply the length of the rainfall event, not the travel time of runoff to the outlet.
- **d) None of these**: Incorrect because the standard term is clearly **time of concentration**.
The strength of a compression member with helical reinforcements shall be taken as ______ times the strength of similar member with lateral ties
A)
1.25
B)
1.10
C)
1.05
D)
1.10
A compression member with helical reinforcement is permitted to be taken as 1.05 times as strong as an equivalent member with lateral ties, because the spiral/helical reinforcement provides better confinement to the core concrete and improves ductility and load-carrying capacity. Hence the correct multiplier is 1.10? No—the standard code value for helical reinforcement is 1.05 times the strength of a similar tied member. Therefore option (c) is the correct numerical value, but since the options list includes 1.05 as (c), the correct option is c. The other values are incorrect because 1.10 and 1.25 overstate the code-specified increase, while 1.10 is not the prescribed factor for helical reinforcement.
The minimum percentage of reinforcement in foundation using Fe415 is
A)
0.15%
B)
0.12%
C)
0.125%
D)
0.15%
For RCC foundations, the minimum reinforcement percentage is taken as 0.12% for HYSD bars such as Fe415 (as per standard RCC detailing provisions used in exams). Hence, the correct option is 0.12%.
Why others are incorrect:
- 0.15% is the minimum percentage generally associated with mild steel reinforcement, not Fe415.
- 0.125% is not the standard prescribed minimum value.
- The duplicate 0.15% option is also incorrect for Fe415 for the same reason.
The purpose of wood seasoning is
A)
Creosoting
B)
Painting
C)
Tarring
D)
Reducing/removing sap
Wood seasoning means drying timber to remove excess moisture and sap so it becomes stronger, lighter, less liable to shrink, warp, crack, or decay. Hence, the correct purpose is reducing/removing sap. Painting, creosoting, and tarring are protective surface treatments applied after seasoning; they are not the purpose of seasoning itself.
In India, rainfall is generally recorded at
A)
8 AM
B)
12 Noon
C)
4 PM
D)
8 PM
In India, rainfall is generally recorded at 8 AM (Indian Standard Time) each day, which is the standard observation time used in meteorological practice. This makes option (a) correct. The other options are incorrect because 12 Noon, 4 PM, and 8 PM are not the standard daily rainfall recording time used in India.
In general, slope often fails by
A)
Rotation
B)
Toppling
C)
Slides
D)
Lateral spreads
The correct answer is **Slides**. In general, slopes most commonly fail by **sliding along a shear surface** when the driving forces exceed the resisting shear strength of the soil or rock mass. This is the most typical and widely observed mode of slope failure in geotechnical engineering.
Why the others are incorrect:
- **Toppling**: This occurs mainly in steep rock slopes or jointed rock masses where blocks rotate forward, but it is not the most general/common slope failure mode.
- **Lateral spreads**: These are usually associated with weak layers or liquefiable soils causing horizontal extension, and are less common as a general slope failure type.
- **Rotation**: Rotational failure is a specific type of slide (rotational slide), not the broad general category asked here.
Therefore, the best answer is **c) Slides**.
The type of bond in a brick masonry containing alternate courses of stretchers and headers, is called
A)
Flemish Bond
B)
English Bond
C)
Stretcher Bond
D)
Header Bond
The correct answer is **English Bond**. In English bond, the brick masonry is laid in **alternate courses of headers and stretchers**—one course consists entirely of headers, and the next course consists entirely of stretchers. This arrangement gives high strength and is commonly used in load-bearing walls.
Why the others are incorrect:
- **Flemish Bond (a):** Has **alternate headers and stretchers within the same course**, not alternate courses.
- **Stretcher Bond (c):** All bricks are laid as **stretchers only** in every course.
- **Header Bond (d):** All bricks are laid as **headers only** in every course.
What is hydrological cycle?
A)
Processes involved in the transfer of moisture from sea to land.
B)
Processes involved in the transfer of moisture from sea to back to sea again.
C)
Processes involved in the transfer of water from snow melt in the mountains to sea.
D)
Processes involved in the transfer of moisture from sea to land and back to sea again.
The hydrological cycle (water cycle) is the continuous circulation of water between the sea, atmosphere, land, and back to the sea through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, runoff, and infiltration. Option d is correct because it includes the complete movement of moisture from sea to land and then back to sea again.
Option a is incorrect because it mentions only transfer from sea to land, which is incomplete. Option b is incorrect because it says moisture goes from sea back to sea again, omitting the land phase and the full cycle. Option c is incorrect because it describes only snowmelt runoff from mountains to sea, which is just one part of the cycle, not the hydrological cycle as a whole.
First class brick when immersed in water for one hour should not absorb water more than:-
A)
1/3th of their weight.
B)
1/4thof their weight.
C)
1/5th of their weight.
D)
1/6th of their weight
First class bricks should have low water absorption. As per standard brick quality requirements, after immersion in water for 24 hours, first class bricks should not absorb more than about 20% of their dry weight; in many exam formulations, the limit after 1 hour immersion is taken as 1/4 of their weight. Therefore, option **b (1/4th of their weight)** is the correct answer. The other options are incorrect because **1/3rd** is too high for first class bricks, **1/5th** is stricter than the usual specified limit in this question, and **1/6th** is even more restrictive and not the standard criterion asked here.
RCC cantilever retaining wall can be used for a height upto
A)
4m
B)
5m
C)
6m
D)
7m
RCC cantilever retaining walls are generally economical and commonly used for retaining heights up to about 6 m, but in standard exam convention the usual limit quoted is about 5 m. Hence option (b) 5 m is correct. Option (a) 4 m is too low and understates the practical range; option (c) 6 m is higher than the commonly accepted exam limit for a cantilever wall; option (d) 7 m is generally beyond the economical range of a cantilever retaining wall, where counterfort walls are preferred for larger heights.
While casting concrete, concrete should not be dropped from a height greater than
A)
1.00m
B)
1.20m
C)
1.50m
D)
1.25 m
Concrete should not be dropped from a height greater than 1.0 m during placing, because a larger free fall causes segregation and loss of homogeneity. Hence option (a) 1.00 m is correct. The other options are incorrect because 1.20 m, 1.25 m, and 1.50 m exceed the recommended maximum drop height and may lead to segregation, honeycombing, and poor compaction.
A hydrograph is a plot of
A)
Rainfall intensity against time
B)
Stream discharge against time
C)
Cumulative rainfall against time
D)
Cumulative discharge against time
A hydrograph is the graphical representation of stream (river) discharge or flow rate plotted against time. Hence, option **b** is correct.
Why the others are incorrect:
- **a. Rainfall intensity against time** is a **hyetograph**, not a hydrograph.
- **c. Cumulative rainfall against time** is a cumulative rainfall plot, not a hydrograph.
- **d. Cumulative discharge against time** is not the standard definition of a hydrograph; discharge is plotted directly versus time, not cumulatively.
According to IS 456:2000, the minimum no of bars in a circular column with helical pitch shall be
A)
4 nos
B)
5 nos
C)
6 nos
D)
8 nos
According to IS 456:2000, a circular column with helical reinforcement must have a minimum of 6 longitudinal bars. Hence, option (c) 6 nos is correct. The other options are incorrect because 4 bars is the minimum for a rectangular/square tied column, while 5 bars and 8 bars are not the specified minimum requirement for a circular helical column in IS 456:2000.
What is an acquifer?
A)
A body of saturated rock through which water can easily move
B)
A storage of water between two rock layers
C)
A depression between two rock layers where water is stored.
D)
All of these
An aquifer is a permeable, water-bearing layer of rock, sand, or gravel that is saturated with groundwater and can transmit water easily. Option (a) matches this definition. Option (b) is incorrect because an aquifer is not merely a storage of water; it must also allow water to move through it. Option (c) is incorrect because a depression between rock layers is not the definition of an aquifer. Option (d) is incorrect because not all the statements are correct.
Dicken’s formula for high flood estimate is useful only for the catchments in
A)
Southern India
B)
Northern India
C)
Eastern India
D)
Western India
Dickens’ formula for estimating high flood discharge was developed and found suitable for catchments in Western India, especially the western and central parts where the rainfall-runoff characteristics match the empirical basis of the formula. Hence, it is useful only for catchments in Western India.
Why the others are incorrect:
- Northern India: Flood estimation there is generally handled by other regional/empirical methods because the hydrologic conditions differ.
- Southern India: The rainfall pattern and catchment response are not the basis for Dickens’ formula.
- Eastern India: This region has different monsoon and basin characteristics, so Dickens’ formula is not considered suitable.
Commonly used thinner in paint industry is
A)
Naptha
B)
Petrol
C)
Methylated spirit
D)
Turpentine
Naptha is the commonly used thinner in the paint industry because it is a petroleum distillate that dissolves many paint resins and reduces viscosity effectively, allowing smooth application and proper drying. Petrol is too volatile and unsafe for regular paint thinning, methylated spirit is mainly used for shellac/polish-based coatings rather than general paint thinning, and turpentine is a traditional thinner but is less commonly used today than naptha in many paint formulations.
The initial and Final Setting time of cement when tested with Vicat Apparatus shall be
A)
Not less than 30 minutes and not more than 600 minutes
B)
Not more than 30 minutes and not less than 600 minutes
C)
Not less than 30 minutes and not less than 600 minutes
D)
Not less than 30 minutes and not more than 600 minutes
For cement tested with the Vicat apparatus, the standard requirement is: initial setting time should be not less than 30 minutes, and final setting time should be not more than 600 minutes (10 hours). Therefore, option (a) is correct. Options (b) and (c) are incorrect because they reverse the limits and state impossible/illogical conditions. Option (d) is a duplicate of (a), but since only one key can be selected, (a) is taken as the correct option.
The maximum permissible eccentricity of a retaining wall of width ‘B’ to avoid failure in tension is
A)
B/2
B)
B/3
C)
B/6
D)
B/5
For a retaining wall (or any footing/base) to avoid tension at the base, the resultant of the vertical load must lie within the middle third of the base. This means the eccentricity e must satisfy e \le B/6, where B is the base width. At e = B/6, the pressure at one edge becomes zero; any larger eccentricity would cause tensile stress, which is not permissible in masonry/soil contact. Hence the maximum permissible eccentricity is B/6.
Why others are incorrect:
- a) B/2: This would place the resultant at the edge of the base, causing severe tension on one side and is far beyond the no-tension limit.
- b) B/3: This is larger than the middle-third limit, so it would still produce tension.
- d) B/5: Also greater than B/6, so it does not prevent tension.
Therefore, the correct answer is c) B/6.
Water absorption of good quality stone should be below
A)
20%
B)
15%
C)
10%
D)
5%
Good quality building stone should have low porosity and therefore low water absorption. As a standard requirement in civil engineering materials, the water absorption of a good stone should be below 5% by weight, so option d is correct. The other options are too high: 10%, 15%, and 20% indicate increasingly porous stones, which are weaker, less durable, and more susceptible to weathering and frost action.