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Past Questions — 2015
The percentage compensation in gradient for ruling gradient of 4% and horizontal curve of radius 760 m is
A)
0.1%
B)
1%
C)
10%
D)
no compensation
In railway engineering, gradient compensation on curves is usually taken as 0.04% per degree of curve (or an equivalent standard formula based on radius). For a horizontal curve of radius 760 m, the compensation works out to about 0.1%. Since the given ruling gradient is 4%, the required percentage compensation is therefore 0.1%. The other options are not consistent with standard railway gradient compensation values.
The rail is designated by its
A)
length
B)
weight
C)
cross-section
D)
weight per unit length
Rails are designated by their weight per unit length, usually expressed in kg/m or lb/yd. This is the standard railway engineering convention because it directly indicates the rail section size and strength. Length alone does not define the rail section, and cross-section is not the usual designation method. Therefore, the correct answer is weight per unit length.
Free float is mainly used to
A)
identify the activities which can be delayed without affecting the total float of preceding activity
B)
identify the activities which can be delayed without affecting the total float of succeeding activity
C)
establish priorities
D)
identify the activities which can be delayed without affecting the total float of either the preceding or succeeding activities
Free float is the portion of float that an activity can use without delaying the early start of its immediate successor. In other words, it shows how much an activity can be delayed without affecting the total float of the succeeding activity. Hence, option (b) is correct. Option (a) is incorrect because free float is not defined with respect to the preceding activity's total float. Option (c) is too general. Option (d) describes neither free float nor total float correctly.
Which of the following surfaces will give highest coefficient of traction while using crawler track tractors?
A)
Ice
B)
Concrete
C)
Loose sand
D)
Earth
Crawler track tractors develop the highest traction on hard, firm surfaces because the track can grip without excessive sinkage or slippage. Among the given options, concrete provides the best support and friction, so it gives the highest coefficient of traction. Ice gives the least traction due to very low friction, loose sand causes sinkage and reduced grip, and earth is better than sand but still inferior to concrete.
The ruling design speed on a National Highway in plain terrain as per IRC recommendations is
A)
60 kmph
B)
80 kmph
C)
100 kmph
D)
120 kmph
As per IRC recommendations, the ruling design speed for a National Highway in plain terrain is 100 kmph. In plain terrain, highways are designed for higher speeds than in rolling or mountainous terrain due to better alignment and visibility. Hence, option (c) is correct.
Which of the following is a component of a shield for tunnelling?
A)
liner plate
B)
trench jack
C)
stiffener
D)
cutting edge
A shield used in tunnelling has a cutting edge at its front to help it penetrate the soil and support excavation. Liner plates are used for lining, trench jacks are used in trench support systems, and stiffeners are structural members but not the main identifying component of a tunnelling shield.
Water retentivity for brick masonry should not be less than
A)
50%
B)
60%
C)
70%
D)
80%
Water retentivity of bricks is the ability to retain water needed for proper hydration of mortar. For brick masonry, it should not be less than 70% so that the mortar does not lose water too quickly and bond strength is maintained. Hence, 70% is the correct minimum value. The other options are below the standard requirement.
In CBR test the value of CBR is calculated at
A)
2.5 mm penetration only
B)
5.0 mm penetration only
C)
7.5 mm penetration only
D)
both 2.5mm and 5.0 mm penetrations
In the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test, the load is measured at standard penetrations of 2.5 mm and 5.0 mm. The CBR value is calculated for both penetrations, and the higher of the two is generally reported, unless the 5.0 mm value is higher than the 2.5 mm value, in which case the test is usually repeated. Therefore, the correct choice is both 2.5 mm and 5.0 mm penetrations.
The stopping sight distance depends upon
A)
total reaction time of driver
B)
speed of vehicle
C)
efficiency of brakes
D)
all of these
Stopping sight distance (SSD) is the total distance required for a vehicle to stop safely after the driver perceives an obstruction. It depends on: (1) the driver's reaction time, because the vehicle continues moving during perception and reaction; (2) the speed of the vehicle, because higher speed increases both reaction and braking distance; and (3) the efficiency of the brakes, because better braking reduces the braking distance. Therefore, all the given factors affect SSD.
The type of surveying which requires least office work is
A)
tacheometry
B)
trigonometrical levelling
C)
plane table surveying
D)
theodolite surveying
Plane table surveying requires the least office work because the field observations and plotting are done simultaneously on the drawing sheet at the site itself. Hence, very little post-survey office computation or plotting is needed. In contrast, tacheometry, trigonometrical levelling, and theodolite surveying involve more measurements and calculations in the office.
The basic action involved in sheep foot rolling is
A)
Kneading
B)
Pressing
C)
Tamping
D)
Vibration
Sheep foot rollers compact soil mainly by a kneading action. The projecting feet penetrate the soil and repeatedly press and remold it, which is especially effective for cohesive soils like clay. Pressing is more associated with smooth wheel rollers, tamping with impact-type compaction, and vibration with vibratory rollers.
The maximum total settlement for isolated foundations on clayey soils should be limited to
A)
25 mm
B)
40 mm
C)
65 mm
D)
100 mm
For isolated foundations on clayey soils, the commonly accepted permissible maximum total settlement is about 65 mm. This is a standard serviceability limit used in foundation design for cohesive soils. The other options are either too low for general isolated footings on clay or too high for the usual recommended limit.
Which of the following is not a PERT event?
A)
site investigation started
B)
sessional work completed
C)
bus starts from Jaipur
D)
class is being attended
PERT events are specific milestones or instantaneous points in a project, not activities that take time.
- (a) site investigation started: a definite event/milestone.
- (b) sessional work completed: a clear completion event.
- (c) bus starts from Jaipur: a point event.
- (d) class is being attended: this is an ongoing activity, not an event.
Therefore, the option that is not a PERT event is (d).
Critical path
A)
is always longest
B)
is always shortest
C)
may be longest
D)
may be shortest
In CPM/PERT, the critical path is the path with the maximum total duration through the project network. It determines the minimum possible project completion time, so it is always the longest path in terms of time. The other options are incorrect because the critical path cannot be the shortest path; it is defined by the longest duration among all paths.
The probability of completion of any activity within its expected time is
A)
50%
B)
84.1%
C)
99.9%
D)
100%
In PERT, the expected time of an activity is the mean (most likely) completion time. By definition of the normal distribution used in PERT, there is a 50% probability that the activity will be completed within its expected time. Hence, the correct answer is 50%. The other options are incorrect because 84.1% corresponds to about one standard deviation above the mean, 99.9% is far higher, and 100% is impossible in probabilistic scheduling.
Make a précis, in your own words, of the following passage in about one-third of its length: [Passage regarding indiscipline in educational institutions, its causes, the role of democratic machinery, the responsibility of parents and teachers, and the importance of group games and staff discipline].
Page 46
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