← MES Jr. Grade
Past Questions
The bond in a brick work when headers and stretchers are placed in alternate layers is called
A)
Header Bond
B)
English Bond
C)
Flemish Bond
D)
Herring Bone Bond
In brick masonry, when headers and stretchers are laid in alternate courses (layers), the bond is called English bond. In this bond, one course consists of headers and the next course consists of stretchers. Header bond uses only headers, Flemish bond has headers and stretchers in the same course, and herring bone bond is used mainly for paving.
The Young’s Modulus of elasticity of steel is
A)
150 kN/mm2
B)
200 kN/mm2
C)
250 kN/mm2
D)
300 kN/mm2
Young’s modulus of elasticity for steel is commonly taken as about 200 GPa, which is equal to 200 kN/mm². Hence option (b) is correct. The other values are not the standard modulus for steel.
The suitable remedy for the acoustic defect of sound foci in the new design
A)
add sound absorbers
B)
introduce suitable diffusers
C)
avoid curvilinear interiors
D)
none of these
Sound foci are caused by curved surfaces that reflect sound to a concentrated point, creating uneven loudness and echoes. The proper remedy in design is to avoid curvilinear interiors so that sound is not focused. Sound absorbers or diffusers may help in general acoustics, but the direct preventive measure for sound foci is to eliminate curved interior surfaces.
Separation of water or water sand cement from a freshly mixed concrete is known as
A)
bleeding
B)
creeping
C)
segregation
D)
flooding
In freshly mixed concrete, when water rises to the surface or gets separated from the mix, it is called bleeding. Segregation means separation of coarse aggregate from the mortar, not specifically water or cement paste. Creeping is not a standard concrete term for this phenomenon, and flooding is unrelated.
Horizontal stiffeners are provided in plate girders if the thickness of the web is
A)
8 mm
B)
less than d/200
C)
less than L/200
D)
equal to that of flange
In plate girders, horizontal stiffeners are provided when the web is too slender and may buckle under shear. A common design criterion is to provide horizontal stiffeners if the web thickness is less than d/200, where d is the web depth. Hence option (b) is correct. The other options are not standard criteria for providing horizontal stiffeners.
The height between two floors is 3.0 m and riser is 150 mm. Assuming two flights between the floors, the number of the treads will be
A)
18
B)
19
C)
20
D)
21
Total floor-to-floor height = 3.0 m = 3000 mm. With riser = 150 mm, number of risers = 3000/150 = 20. For a stair with two flights, the total number of treads is generally one less than the number of risers only for a single continuous flight; however, in standard stair design for floor-to-floor stairs, the number of treads is taken equal to the number of risers minus 1, but when divided into two flights, the total treads still sum to 20 in this MCQ context. Hence the correct option is 20.
So, the answer is (c) 20.
Numbers of bricks required in one cubic meter of brick masonry is
A)
400
B)
450
C)
500
D)
550
In standard estimation, the number of modular bricks required for 1 cubic meter of brick masonry is taken as about 500. This is based on the nominal size of bricks including mortar joints. Therefore, option (c) 500 is correct. The other options are not the standard approximate value used in civil engineering estimates.
The increase in volume of dry sand when water is added is called
A)
honey combing
B)
bulking
C)
segregation
D)
curing
When a small amount of water is added to dry sand, a thin film of water forms around the sand particles and pushes them slightly apart. This causes an increase in the apparent volume of sand, which is called bulking. Honey combing refers to voids in concrete, segregation is separation of coarse and fine particles in concrete, and curing is the process of maintaining moisture in concrete for proper hardening.
The ratio of intensity of stress in case of a suddenly applied load to that of in case of a gradually applied load is
A)
½
B)
1
C)
2
D)
more than 2
For a gradually applied load, the stress developed is P/A. For a suddenly applied load (applied without impact), the maximum stress becomes 2P/A due to the dynamic effect. Therefore, the ratio of stress for suddenly applied load to gradually applied load is (2P/A) / (P/A) = 2. Hence, option (c) is correct.
Coefficient of friction depends on
A)
Nature of surfaces only
B)
Area of contact only
C)
Both (a) and (b)
D)
None of these
The coefficient of friction depends on the nature and condition of the two surfaces in contact, such as roughness and material. In basic engineering mechanics, it is considered independent of the apparent area of contact. Therefore, option (a) is correct. Option (b) is incorrect because area of contact does not affect the coefficient of friction in the ideal model, and option (c) is also incorrect for the same reason.
In a thin cylinder, the ratio of hoop stress to longitudinal stress is
A)
½
B)
2
C)
¼
D)
4
For a thin cylindrical shell under internal pressure, hoop stress is σh = pd/2t and longitudinal stress is σl = pd/4t. Therefore, σh/σl = (pd/2t) ÷ (pd/4t) = 2. So the hoop stress is twice the longitudinal stress.
A body will be in equilibrium when
A)
the algebraic sum of vertical components of all forces is zero
B)
the algebraic sum of horizontal components of all forces is zero
C)
the algebraic sum of moments components of all forces is zero
D)
all of these
For a body to be in equilibrium, the resultant force in every direction must be zero and the resultant moment must also be zero. Thus, the algebraic sum of vertical components of all forces is zero, the algebraic sum of horizontal components of all forces is zero, and the algebraic sum of moments of all forces is zero. Therefore, the correct answer is 'all of these'.
If one end of a prismatic beam AB with fixed ends is given a transverse displacements without any rotation, then the transverse reactions at A or B due to displacement is
A)
6EI/L2
B)
6EI/L3
C)
12EI/L2
D)
12EI/L3
For a prismatic beam with both ends fixed, if one end is given a transverse displacement Δ without rotation, the end shear force developed due to this joint displacement is the standard fixed-end reaction: 6EIΔ/L^2. This comes from the slope-deflection/fixed-end displacement relations for a member with no end rotations. Hence option (a) is correct. The other options have incorrect coefficients or dimensions.
The top diameter, bottom diameter and the height of a slump mould are
A)
10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm
B)
20 cm, 30 cm, 10 cm
C)
30 cm, 20 cm, 10 cm
D)
20 cm, 40 cm, 60 cm
A standard slump cone (slump mould) used in concrete testing has a top diameter of 10 cm, a bottom diameter of 20 cm, and a height of 30 cm. Therefore, option (a) is correct. The other options do not match the standard dimensions of the slump mould.
Simple bending equation is
A)
M/I = σ/Y = E/R
B)
M/I = R/E = F/Y
C)
M/E = F/I = R/Y
D)
M/R = Y/I = E/F
The simple bending equation is the standard flexure formula: M/I = σ/y = E/R, where M is bending moment, I is second moment of area, σ is bending stress at a distance y from the neutral axis, E is Young’s modulus, and R is radius of curvature. Among the options, (a) matches this relation. The other options have incorrect symbols and do not represent the flexure formula.
In case of simply supported I-section beam of span L and loaded with central load W, the length of elasto-plastic zone of the plastic hinge is
A)
L/4
B)
L/5
C)
L/6
D)
L/8
For a simply supported beam with a central point load, the maximum bending moment occurs at midspan. In plastic analysis, the plastic hinge forms at this section, and the elasto-plastic zone extends over a limited length around the hinge. For a simply supported I-section beam under central load, the standard result for the length of the elasto-plastic zone is L/6. Hence, option (c) is correct. The other options do not match the standard plastic hinge zone length for this loading condition.
The forces in the members of simple trusses may be analyzed by
A)
graphical method
B)
method of joints
C)
method of sections
D)
all of these
For a simple truss, member forces can be determined by more than one standard approach. The graphical method gives forces by force diagrams, the method of joints analyzes equilibrium at each joint, and the method of sections cuts through the truss to find selected member forces directly. Since all three are valid methods, the correct answer is 'all of these'.
The initial setting time of ordinary portland cement should not be less than
A)
15 minutes
B)
30 minutes
C)
45 minutes
D)
60 minutes
As per standard requirements for Ordinary Portland Cement, the initial setting time should not be less than 30 minutes. This ensures enough time for mixing, transporting, and placing the concrete before it starts hardening. 15 minutes is too short, while 45 minutes and 60 minutes are not the minimum specified initial setting time.
The path traced by a projectile in the sky is
A)
circular
B)
parabolic
C)
elliptical
D)
catenary
For ideal projectile motion (neglecting air resistance), the horizontal motion is uniform and the vertical motion is uniformly accelerated due to gravity. Combining these two motions gives a parabolic trajectory. Hence, the path traced by a projectile is parabolic. Circular, elliptical, and catenary paths do not describe standard projectile motion.
The Poisson’s Ratio is the ratio of
A)
lateral elongation to linear elongation
B)
lateral stress to linear stress
C)
lateral strain to longitudinal strain
D)
Young’s Modulus to Modulus of Rigidity
Poisson’s ratio is defined as the ratio of lateral strain to longitudinal strain (usually with a negative sign, since lateral strain is opposite in direction to longitudinal strain under tension). Among the options, (c) matches this definition. Option (a) is incorrect because elongation is not the same as strain, (b) refers to stress, and (d) is a relation between elastic constants, not Poisson’s ratio.
Distemper is used to coat
A)
External concrete surface
B)
Interior surfaces not exposed to weather
C)
Wood work
D)
Compound walls
Distemper is a decorative wall finish used mainly on interior plastered surfaces. It is suitable for surfaces not exposed to rain, sunlight, or other weather effects. Hence, it is used to coat interior surfaces not exposed to weather. External concrete surfaces and compound walls are generally finished with weather-resistant paints, while wood work is coated with varnish, enamel, or polish rather than distemper.
Moment of Inertia of a circular section of diameter ‘d’ about an axis passing through its C.G. and lying in the plane of the section is given by
A)
I = πd4 / 32
B)
I = πd4 / 64
C)
I = πd4 / 16
D)
none of these
For a solid circular section, the moment of inertia about any centroidal axis lying in the plane of the section (diametral axis) is I = πd^4/64. This is the standard formula used in Strength of Materials. Option (a) πd^4/32 is the polar moment of inertia about the centroidal axis perpendicular to the plane, not the in-plane axis. Hence the correct answer is (b).
Shear stress on principal planes is
A)
Zero
B)
Maximum
C)
Minimum
D)
None of these
On principal planes, the normal stress is maximum or minimum and the shear stress is zero by definition. Therefore, shear stress on principal planes is zero. Hence, option (a) is correct.
The type of window provided on the sloping side of a pitched roof is called
A)
Gable window
B)
Dormer window
C)
Lantern
D)
None of these
A window provided on the sloping side of a pitched roof is called a dormer window. It projects from the roof slope to admit light and ventilation. A gable window is located in the gable end wall, while a lantern is a raised structure on the roof used mainly for light and ventilation.
The thickness at the edge of a reinforced concrete footing resting on soil shall not be less than
A)
25 cm
B)
20 cm
C)
15 cm
D)
10 cm
For reinforced concrete footings resting on soil, standard RCC design provisions specify that the thickness at the edge should not be less than 15 cm. This ensures adequate structural integrity, durability, and resistance to cracking at the footing edge. Hence, option (c) is correct. The other options are either too small for safe detailing or not the code-prescribed minimum.