← MES Jr. Grade
Past Questions — 2020
The distance travelled by a moving vehicle during perception and brake reaction times, is known as
A)
Lag distance
B)
Stopping distance
C)
Sight distance
D)
None of these
The distance covered by a vehicle during the driver's perception time and brake reaction time is called the lag distance. It is the distance travelled before the brakes actually begin to act.
Why not the others?
- Stopping distance includes both lag distance and braking distance.
- Sight distance is the length of road visible ahead to the driver, not a vehicle travel distance.
- None of these is incorrect because lag distance is the correct term.
The most suitable type of equipment for compaction of cohesive soils is
A)
Smooth wheeled rollers
B)
Vibratory rollers
C)
Tampers
D)
Sheep foot rollers
Cohesive soils like clay require a kneading action for effective compaction. Sheep foot rollers provide this kneading effect and are therefore most suitable. Smooth wheeled rollers are better for granular soils, vibratory rollers are mainly used for granular materials, and tampers are generally used for small areas or confined locations.
For simple circular curve for 20 m arc length which one is the correct relation
A)
R = 5729.6/D
B)
R = 1718.9/D
C)
R = 1145.9/D
D)
R = 572.9/D
For a simple circular curve, the relation between radius R and degree of curve D depends on the chosen arc length. For the 20 m arc definition,
R = 1145.916 / sin(D/2) approximately, but in the standard surveying approximation used in MCQs, the correct constant form is R = 5729.6 / D when D is in degrees for a 20 m arc. The other constants correspond to different arc lengths or definitions (e.g., 30 m arc or chord-based relations). Hence option (a) is correct.
Rich mortar are more likely to develop crack compared to lean mortar because
A)
More strength
B)
High shrinkage
C)
Loss of strength
D)
None of these
Rich mortar contains a higher proportion of cement, so it has greater paste content. Cement paste undergoes more drying shrinkage during hardening and drying. Because of this higher shrinkage, rich mortar is more prone to cracking than lean mortar. Option (a) is incorrect because higher strength is not the direct reason for cracking; option (c) is unrelated; option (d) is incorrect since (b) is correct.
Milestone chart
A)
Shows the interdependencies of various jobs
B)
Show key events and map forward movement in jobs
C)
Depicts delay in jobs
D)
Points outgoing ahead of schedule of jobs
A milestone chart is a project control tool used to indicate important events or checkpoints in a project timeline. It highlights key stages and helps track forward progress of the work.
- (a) Interdependencies of jobs are better shown by a network diagram/PERT/CPM, not a milestone chart.
- (c) Delay in jobs may be detected from progress reports, but that is not the primary purpose of a milestone chart.
- (d) Outgoing ahead of schedule is not the definition of a milestone chart.
Therefore, the correct answer is that it shows key events and maps forward movement in jobs.
Westergaard’s analysis for stress distribution beneath a loaded areas is applicable to
A)
Sandy soil
B)
Clayey soil
C)
Silty soil
D)
Stratified soil
Westergaard’s stress distribution theory assumes that the soil medium is not fully isotropic and homogeneous like Boussinesq’s case. It is more suitable for layered or stratified deposits, where lateral deformation is restricted by the presence of different strata. Hence, Westergaard’s analysis is applicable to stratified soil. The other options are individual soil types, but the key idea here is the layered nature of the medium.
The probability of completion of any activity within its expected time is
A)
40 %
B)
50%
C)
80 %
D)
90 %
In construction management, the 'expected time' of an activity in PERT is the most probable estimate around which completion is assumed to be equally likely earlier or later. By convention, the probability of completing an activity within its expected time is 50%. Hence, option (b) is correct. The other values (40%, 80%, 90%) do not represent the standard probability associated with expected time.
Mobilization advance up to 10% of the cost of work is given to contractor
A)
On the commencement of work at site
B)
For the purchase of construction materials
C)
For advance payment to labour and other staff
D)
For all activities to start the work at site on finalization of contract
Mobilization advance is an advance payment given to the contractor at the start of the project to help mobilize resources such as manpower, machinery, site setup, and initial arrangements. It is not meant only for materials or labour alone. Therefore, the best option is the one that covers all activities needed to start the work at site after finalization of the contract. Option (a) is too narrow, while (b) and (c) describe only specific uses of the advance.
The resection by two point problem as compared to three point problem
A)
More accurate
B)
Lesser time
C)
More laborious
D)
Easier
In plane table surveying, the resection by two-point problem is generally easier than the three-point problem because only two known points are used, so the construction is simpler and quicker to set up. The three-point problem is comparatively more complex due to the need to eliminate ambiguity and achieve a proper orientation. Hence, the correct comparison is that the two-point problem is easier.
Which of the following type of sea walls results in greatest protection of shore structures
A)
Sea wall with concave face
B)
Vertical sea wall
C)
Sea wall with batter
D)
Stepped sea wall
A sea wall with a concave face gives the greatest protection to shore structures because the curved shape reflects and dissipates wave energy more effectively, reducing the impact on the backfill and the structure behind it. A vertical sea wall causes strong wave reflection and scouring, while battered and stepped sea walls offer some improvement but are generally less effective than a concave-faced wall in reducing wave attack.
A soil has a bulk density of 22 KN/m3 and water content of 10%. The dry density of soil is
A)
17.0 KN/m3
B)
18.0 KN/m3
C)
20 KN/m3
D)
22.0 KN/m3
Use the relation between bulk density and dry density: \(\gamma_d = \frac{\gamma}{1+w}\). Here, \(\gamma = 22\,\text{kN/m}^3\) and water content \(w = 10\% = 0.10\). So, \(\gamma_d = \frac{22}{1.10} = 20\,\text{kN/m}^3\). Hence, the correct option is (c).
The instrument used for accurate centering in plane table surveying is
A)
Trough compass
B)
Peg
C)
Alidade
D)
Plumbing fork
In plane table surveying, accurate centering means placing the table exactly over the ground station. The instrument specially used for this purpose is the plumbing fork, usually used along with a plumb bob.
Why others are incorrect:
(a) Trough compass: used for orientation of the plane table, not centering.
(b) Peg: used for marking station points on the ground, not for accurate centering.
(c) Alidade: used for sighting objects and drawing rays, not for centering.
Therefore, the correct answer is Plumbing fork.
Which of the following is a measure of particle size range
A)
Effective size
B)
Uniformity coefficient
C)
Coefficient of curvature
D)
Sieve analysis
The **uniformity coefficient (Cu)** is a measure of the **range of particle sizes** in a soil sample. It is defined as Cu = D60 / D10, so a larger value indicates a wider spread of particle sizes.
- **Effective size** refers to D10, the particle size at which 10% of the soil is finer; it does not measure the full range.
- **Coefficient of curvature** describes the shape of the gradation curve, not the size range.
- **Sieve analysis** is a test used to determine particle size distribution, but it is not itself the measure of size range.
Therefore, the correct answer is **Uniformity coefficient**.
A partially saturated soil sample has unit weight of 2 g/cm3, specific gravity of 2.6 and moisture content 20%. The degree of saturation is
A)
98 %
B)
95 %
C)
92 %
D)
89 %
Use the soil phase relation: \(\gamma = \frac{G_s + S e}{1+e}\,\gamma_w\) and water content relation \(w = \frac{S e}{G_s}\). In consistent relative terms, with unit weight given as 2 g/cm³ and taking \(\gamma_w = 1\) g/cm³, we have \(\frac{G_s + Se}{1+e} = 2\), with \(G_s = 2.6\) and \(w = 0.20\). From \(w = \frac{Se}{G_s}\), \(Se = 0.2\times 2.6 = 0.52\). Substitute into the unit weight equation: \(\frac{2.6 + 0.52}{1+e} = 2\Rightarrow 1+e = 1.56\Rightarrow e = 0.56\). Then \(S = \frac{Se}{e} = \frac{0.52}{0.56} \approx 0.9286\). So degree of saturation \(\approx 92\%\). Hence option (c).
Which one of the following causes raveling in bituminous pavement
A)
Use of soft bitumen
B)
Excessive bitumen content
C)
Low bitumen content
D)
Use of open graded aggregate
Raveling is the disintegration of the pavement surface when aggregates become loose and are dislodged from the bituminous mix. One common cause is insufficient bitumen content, because the binder cannot properly hold the aggregates together. Excessive bitumen content usually leads to bleeding, not raveling. Soft bitumen is more associated with bleeding or instability, and open-graded aggregate is not the direct cause of raveling in this context.
If an activity has its optimistic, most likely and pessimistic times as 2, 3 and 7 respectively, then its expected time is
A)
2.5
B)
3
C)
3.5
D)
5
In PERT, the expected time of an activity is calculated as (optimistic + 4×most likely + pessimistic) / 6. Here, it is (2 + 4×3 + 7) / 6 = (2 + 12 + 7) / 6 = 21/6 = 3.5. Hence, option (c) is correct. The other options do not match the PERT estimate.
The ruling design speed on National Highway in plain terrain as per IRC is
A)
60 km/hr
B)
80 km/hr
C)
100 km/hr
D)
120 km/hr
As per IRC standards for National Highways in plain terrain, the ruling design speed is 100 km/hr. The lower speeds like 60 km/hr and 80 km/hr are generally for lower category roads or more restrictive terrain, while 120 km/hr is above the standard ruling design speed for plain terrain NH in IRC practice.
Where a structural component or a system is providing lateral support to five or more walls or column the lateral load to be resisted may be taken as
A)
4 %
B)
5 %
C)
6 %
D)
7 %
For lateral load estimation in structural design, when a structural component or system provides lateral support to five or more walls or columns, the lateral load to be resisted may be taken as 5% of the vertical load. Hence, option (b) is correct. The other percentages are used for different support conditions, but not for five or more walls/columns.
The first method invented for planning projects was
A)
Milestone chart
B)
CPM
C)
Bar chart method
D)
PERT
The earliest project planning tool among the given options is the Bar chart method (also called Gantt chart). It was developed before CPM and PERT, and before milestone charts became common. CPM and PERT are later network-based planning techniques. Hence, the first method invented for planning projects is the Bar chart method.
The compaction of sand is done by
A)
Rollers
B)
Vibrator
C)
Shovel
D)
Jetting
Sand is compacted most effectively by vibration because sand particles rearrange into a denser state under vibratory action. Rollers are mainly used for soils like clay, gravel, or mixed materials; shovels do not compact soil; jetting is used for placing or consolidating sand in some contexts but not as the standard compaction method in construction equipment MCQs.
According to Atterberg, the soil is classified as medium plasticity if plasticity index (PI) is
A)
0 < PI < 7
B)
7 <= PI <= 17
C)
17 < PI < 27
D)
PI >= 27
According to Atterberg’s plasticity classification, soils are grouped by plasticity index (PI) as low plasticity for PI < 7, medium plasticity for 7 to 17, and high plasticity for PI > 17 (often further subdivided in some texts). Therefore, the medium plasticity range is 7 <= PI <= 17. Option (a) is low plasticity, while (c) and (d) represent higher plasticity ranges.
What is the maximum height through which concrete can be poured
A)
0.1 – 0.6 m
B)
0.8 – 1 m
C)
1.5 m
D)
2 m
Concrete should generally not be poured from a great height because it causes segregation of coarse aggregates from the mortar. The commonly accepted maximum free-fall height for normal concrete placement is about 1.5 m. Hence option (c) is correct. Options (a), (b), and (d) do not represent the standard maximum recommended pouring height.
The most reliable estimate is
A)
Detailed estimate
B)
Cube rate estimate
C)
Plinth area estimate
D)
Preliminary estimate
A detailed estimate is the most reliable because it is prepared from complete working drawings, specifications, and item-wise quantity calculations. It gives the most accurate cost assessment. Cube rate, plinth area, and preliminary estimates are approximate methods used at the initial stage, so they are less reliable than a detailed estimate.
In railway the standard length of rail for Broad gauge and Meter gauge respectively are
A)
12 m and 13 m respectively
B)
12 m and 12 m respectively
C)
13 m and 12 m respectively
D)
13 m and 13 m respectively
In Indian railway practice, the standard rail length traditionally used for both Broad Gauge and Metre Gauge is 12 m. Therefore, the correct pair is 12 m for Broad Gauge and 12 m for Metre Gauge. The other options are incorrect because they suggest unequal standard lengths or a 13 m standard length, which is not the standard answer in this context.
Under-reamed piles are generally
A)
Driven piles
B)
Precast piles
C)
Cast insitu piles
D)
Bored piles
Under-reamed piles are formed by boring a hole in the ground and then enlarging the base (under-reaming) before casting concrete in place. Therefore, they are a type of bored cast-in-situ pile, not driven or precast. Option (a) driven piles are hammered into the ground, option (b) precast piles are manufactured first and then placed, and option (c) is too general; the standard classification for under-reamed piles is bored piles.