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Past Questions — 2016
Rankine’s Theory of Active Earth Pressure assumes that the resultant earth pressure acts at a height of X from the base. If h is the height of the retaining wall, then X is equal to
A)
h
B)
h/2
C)
h/3
D)
h/4
In Rankine’s active earth pressure theory, the lateral earth pressure varies linearly with depth, so the pressure diagram is triangular with zero at the top and maximum at the base. The resultant of a triangular load acts at one-third of the height from the base. Therefore, the resultant earth pressure acts at a height X = h/3 from the base. Hence, the correct option is (c).
The cgs unit for coefficient of permeability is
A)
darcy
B)
gm/sec
C)
stoke
D)
cm/sec
The coefficient of permeability has the dimensions of velocity, since it represents the rate at which water flows through soil under hydraulic gradient. In the cgs system, velocity is expressed in cm/sec.
- Darcy is a unit of permeability, but not the cgs unit of coefficient of permeability.
- gm/sec is a unit of mass flow rate, not permeability.
- Stoke is the cgs unit of kinematic viscosity.
- cm/sec is the correct cgs unit for coefficient of permeability.
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.
The data available as a result of conducting Standard Proctor Test on a soil sample are as follows : Moisture Content : 0.08 0.09 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16; Dry density (gm/cc) :1.20 1.40 1.60 1.80 1.70 1.50. Give the Optimum Moisture Content in percentage.
A)
9%
B)
10%
C)
12%
D)
14%
In a Standard Proctor compaction test, the Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) is the moisture content at which the dry density is maximum. From the given data, the dry densities are 1.20, 1.40, 1.60, 1.80, 1.70, and 1.50 gm/cc. The maximum dry density is 1.80 gm/cc, which occurs at moisture content 0.12 = 12%. Therefore, the OMC is 12%. Options 9%, 10%, and 14% do not correspond to the peak dry density.
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 liquid-retaining RCC members is normally higher for mild steel, but for deformed bars it may be reduced. For tanks having any dimension not more than 15 m, the minimum reinforcement in each of the two directions at right angles can be reduced to 0.18%.
Hence, the correct option is (a) 0.18%.
Why others are incorrect:
- 0.24% is the usual minimum for deformed bars in some cases, but not the reduced value asked here.
- 0.30% and 0.36% are higher than the code-reduced minimum for this condition.
Which of the following is an important parameter considered in Limit State Design of Serviceability?
A)
Buckling
B)
Collapse
C)
Shear
D)
Deflection
In Limit State Design, the serviceability limit state checks whether the structure remains fit for use under normal service conditions. Important serviceability parameters include deflection, crack width, vibration, and durability. Among the given options, deflection is the key serviceability parameter. Buckling, collapse, and shear are mainly associated with strength or ultimate limit state considerations.
Which of the following is not one of the operations involved in manufacturing of clay brick?
A)
Soiling
B)
Weathering
C)
Moulding
D)
Blending
The main operations in manufacturing clay bricks are preparing the clay, weathering, blending/treating, tempering, moulding, drying, and burning. Among the given options, weathering, moulding, and blending are all recognized steps. "Soiling" is not an operation involved in brick manufacturing, so it is the correct answer.
As per CPWD Specification, the minimum period of curing by continuous wetting in a Regular Coursed Rubble Stone masonry (1st sort) shall be
A)
7 days
B)
14 days
C)
21 days
D)
28 days
As per CPWD specifications, stone masonry in cement mortar is to be kept under continuous wetting for a minimum curing period of 14 days. For Regular Coursed Rubble Stone masonry (1st sort), the required minimum curing period is therefore 14 days. The other options are incorrect because 7 days is generally too short for masonry curing, while 21 and 28 days exceed the CPWD minimum specified period for this item.
Plastic limit is the water content corresponding to an arbitrary limit between the plastic and X states of consistency of a soil. Find the correct replacement for X.
A)
solid
B)
semi-solid
C)
liquid
D)
semi-liquid
The plastic limit is defined as the water content at the boundary between the plastic state and the semi-solid state of a soil. Hence, the correct replacement for X is "semi-solid." Option (a) solid is too dry, while (c) liquid and (d) semi-liquid are wetter states than plastic.
Weep holes in Retaining Walls are meant primarily for
A)
passing of air
B)
easing of subsurface pressure
C)
flow of water
D)
foothold of masons
Weep holes are provided in retaining walls to allow drainage of water accumulated behind the wall. By letting out this water, they reduce hydrostatic or subsurface pressure on the wall and help prevent damage or failure. Option (a) is incorrect because air passage is not the purpose, option (c) is incomplete because water flows out only as a means of drainage, and option (d) is irrelevant.
The (i) interception process and (ii) the depression storage are together called
A)
Primary loss
B)
Initial loss
C)
Evaporation loss
D)
Permanent loss
In hydrology, rainfall losses that occur at the beginning of a storm before runoff starts are called initial losses. These include (i) interception by vegetation and (ii) depression storage in surface hollows. Hence, interception process and depression storage together are termed initial loss. Primary loss, evaporation loss, and permanent loss are not the standard combined term for these two components.
A hydrograph is essentially a graph establishing the relation between the time of flow due to rainfall and
A)
catchment area
B)
discharge
C)
velocity of flow
D)
volume
A hydrograph is a plot showing how stream flow varies with time, usually after rainfall. It establishes the relationship between time and discharge. Catchment area is the area contributing runoff, velocity is not the defining ordinate, and volume is related to total runoff but not the direct hydrograph ordinate.
As per IS 3370 (Part I) : 2009, the roofs of liquid retaining structures should be tested by flooding for 24 hours or more with water to a minimum depth of
A)
25 mm
B)
30 mm
C)
35 mm
D)
40 mm
As per IS 3370 (Part I): 2009, the roof of a liquid-retaining structure should be tested by flooding for 24 hours or more with water to a minimum depth of 25 mm. Hence option (a) is correct. The other values (30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm) are not the prescribed minimum testing depth.
Maximum numbers of Retaining walls in Mizoram are constructed using
A)
stone masonry
B)
brick masonry
C)
plain cement concrete
D)
reinforced Cement Concrete
In Mizoram, retaining walls are commonly constructed using stone masonry because stones are locally available, economical, and suitable for hilly terrain. Brick masonry is less preferred in such conditions, plain cement concrete is not typically used for retaining walls by itself, and reinforced cement concrete is more expensive and generally reserved for special cases. Hence, the correct answer is stone masonry.
Which of the following is true for an under reinforced concrete section?
A)
concrete and steel reach maximum permissible stresses simultaneously
B)
permissible stress is attained by the steel first
C)
permissible stress is attained by the concrete first
D)
maximum stress in concrete is more than the permissible stress
In an under-reinforced concrete section, the steel reinforcement has a smaller area than the balanced amount. Therefore, when the load increases, the steel reaches its permissible/ultimate stress before the concrete reaches its permissible stress. This is desirable because it gives warning through yielding of steel before concrete crushes. Hence, option (b) is correct. Option (a) describes a balanced section, option (c) is typical of an over-reinforced section, and option (d) is not the defining feature of an under-reinforced section.
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 theoretical water-cement ratio required is about 0.38 by weight. However, in practice, additional water is needed to provide workability and to ensure full hydration of cement particles. Hence the required range is generally taken as more than 0.45 but less than 0.60. Options below 0.45 are insufficient for complete hydration.
When the plastic limit is equal to or greater than the liquid limit, the Y is reported as zero. Find the correct replacement for Y.
A)
liquid limit
B)
plastic limit
C)
plasticity index
D)
liquidity index
The plasticity index (PI) is defined as:
PI = Liquid limit (LL) - Plastic limit (PL).
If the plastic limit is equal to or greater than the liquid limit, then the difference becomes zero or negative. In such cases, the soil is considered non-plastic and the plasticity index is reported as zero. Therefore, Y = plasticity index.
Why others are incorrect:
- Liquid limit: this is a consistency limit, not the value set to zero.
- Plastic limit: this is another consistency limit, not the quantity reported as zero.
- Liquidity index: this depends on natural water content and Atterberg limits, but the statement refers specifically to the condition where LL and PL relation makes a property zero, which is PI.
Identify the incorrect statement from the following :
A)
Bending Moment is important for determining design depth of beams
B)
Bending Moment is important for determining area of steel reinforcement
C)
Steel is assumed to resist tensile stresses
D)
Concrete is assumed to resist tensile stresses
In RCC design, concrete is considered strong in compression but weak in tension. Therefore, tensile stresses are assumed to be resisted by steel reinforcement, not by concrete. Hence (d) is incorrect. Options (a), (b), and (c) are correct: bending moment helps determine the effective depth of the beam, the required area of steel, and steel is assumed to carry tensile stress.
The age of trees can be predicted by
A)
length of medulary rays
B)
counting number of rings
C)
measuring the diameter of pith
D)
the thickness of bark
The age of a tree is determined by counting its annual growth rings in the trunk. Each ring usually represents one year of growth. The other options are not standard methods for estimating tree age: medullary rays do not indicate age directly, pith diameter is not used for age prediction, and bark thickness varies with species and conditions.
Which of the following stones has maximum % water absorption by volume?
A)
Shale
B)
Granite
C)
Slate
D)
Quartzite
Water absorption by volume is highest in porous and laminated stones. Shale is a sedimentary, fine-grained stone with comparatively high porosity, so it absorbs more water than dense igneous or metamorphic stones. Granite and quartzite are very dense and absorb very little water, while slate also has low absorption compared with shale. Therefore, shale has the maximum water absorption by volume.
As per CPWD Specification, no portion of the dressed surface of masonry stones in a Regular Coursed Rubble Stone masonry (1st sort) shall be at a distance more than Y mm from a straight edge 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. Hence, Y = 8 mm. Option (c) is correct.
Based on the time delay between the precipitation and the runoff, the runoff is classified into two categories; viz Base flow and
A)
Groundwater runoff
B)
Surface runoff
C)
Direct runoff
D)
Delayed runoff
Runoff is commonly classified, based on the time delay between precipitation and runoff, into two types: base flow and direct runoff. Base flow is the delayed contribution from groundwater, while direct runoff is the portion that reaches the stream quickly after rainfall. Therefore, the correct completion is 'Direct runoff'. Option (a) is not correct because groundwater runoff is essentially part of base flow, not the second main category. Option (b) is too broad and refers to a component of runoff, but the standard classification paired with base flow is direct runoff. Option (d) is not the accepted hydrology term in this classification.
Which of the following aggregates gives maximum strength in concrete?
A)
Rounded aggregate
B)
Elongated aggregate
C)
Flaky aggregate
D)
Cubical aggregate
Cubical aggregates give the maximum strength in concrete because they pack well, interlock properly, and have a lower surface area-to-volume ratio. This leads to better bonding with cement paste and less void content. Rounded aggregates are better for workability but give comparatively less strength due to weaker interlocking. Elongated and flaky aggregates are undesirable because they reduce strength, increase voids, and make concrete less durable.
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