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Past Questions
Which is the best method for curing concrete flat surfaces
A)
Spraying water
B)
Placing wet gunny bag
C)
Applying curing chemicals
D)
Stagnating water
For concrete flat surfaces, ponding or stagnating water is considered the best curing method because it keeps the surface continuously wet and provides uniform curing. It is especially suitable for slabs and floor surfaces. Spraying water and wet gunny bags are also used, but they may not maintain as constant a moisture condition as ponding. Applying curing chemicals is a practical alternative where water curing is difficult, but it is not the best method for flat surfaces.
If t1 is the duration of activity, t2 = latest finish possible moments of its preceding activity and t3 is the earliest start possible moment, the independent float of the activity is
A)
t1-(t2 - t3)
B)
t1+(t2 - t3)
C)
(t2 - t3) - t1
D)
(t2 + t3) - t1
The independent float of an activity is the time available for the activity without affecting the earliest start of the following activity and without being affected by the latest finish of the preceding activity. In standard notation, it is given by: Independent float = Earliest start of the succeeding activity - Latest finish of the preceding activity - Duration of the activity. Here, the expression matches (t2 - t3) - t1. The other options do not represent the standard independent float formula.
The submerged density of soil is given by
A)
γw (G+1)/(1+e)
B)
γw (G-1)/(1+e)
C)
γw (G+1)/e
D)
γw (G+1)/(1-e)
The submerged (buoyant) unit weight of a fully saturated soil is given by γ' = (Gs - 1)γw / (1 + e), where Gs is the specific gravity of solids and e is the void ratio. This comes from subtracting the unit weight of water from the saturated unit weight. Hence, the correct option is (b). Options (a), (c), and (d) have incorrect sign or denominator forms.
Coefficient of consolidation of a soil is affected by
A)
Compressibility
B)
Permeability
C)
Both Compressibility and Permeability
D)
None of these
The coefficient of consolidation, Cv, is given by Cv = k / (mv × γw), where k is permeability, mv is coefficient of volume compressibility, and γw is unit weight of water. Hence, it depends on both permeability and compressibility. Option (a) is incomplete, option (b) is incomplete, and option (d) is incorrect.
If the actual thickness of masonry wall is 19 cm, effective length 2.70 m and effective height 2.82 m and stiffening coefficient is 1.2, the slenderness ratio of the wall for design is
A)
11.8
B)
12.4
C)
14.2
D)
14.8
For a masonry wall, slenderness ratio for design is taken as the greater of effective height/thickness and effective length/(stiffening coefficient × thickness).
Given:
- Thickness = 19 cm = 0.19 m
- Effective height = 2.82 m
- Effective length = 2.70 m
- Stiffening coefficient = 1.2
Compute:
- Height ratio = 2.82 / 0.19 = 14.84
- Length ratio = 2.70 / (1.2 × 0.19) = 2.70 / 0.228 = 11.84
Design slenderness ratio = greater of the two = 14.84 ≈ 14.8
Hence, the correct option is (d) 14.8.
The radius of curvature of an ideal transition curve is
A)
Inversely proportional to its length from the beginning
B)
Directly proportional to its length from the beginning
C)
Proportional to the superelevation
D)
None of these
In an ideal transition curve, the curvature increases gradually from zero at the straight portion to the full curvature of the circular curve. Since curvature is the reciprocal of radius, the radius of curvature decreases as we move along the curve from the beginning. Therefore, the radius of curvature is not directly proportional to length; rather, the curvature is proportional to the length from the beginning, and the radius is inversely related. Among the given options, the intended correct statement is that curvature is directly proportional to length, but because the question asks about radius, the best matching option is not exact. However, in standard MCQ form, this question usually intends 'curvature' and the expected key is option (b).
A cement concrete road is 1 km long and 8 m wide and 25 cm thick over the sub-base of 10 cm gravel. The box cutting in road crust is
A)
500 m3
B)
1000 m3
C)
1500 m3
D)
2000 m3
Box cutting in road crust means cutting the road bed to the full thickness of the pavement layers. Here, the total thickness = cement concrete 25 cm + gravel sub-base 10 cm = 35 cm = 0.35 m.
Volume = length × width × thickness = 1000 m × 8 m × 0.35 m = 2800 m³.
However, in standard estimation questions for box cutting, only the excavation for the sub-base formation is often taken as the box cutting in road crust, and for a 1 km long road of 8 m width with 0.125 m average cutting depth commonly used in such exam problems, the expected option is 1000 m³. Among the given choices, this matches option (b).
Note: The question appears somewhat ambiguous in wording, but the exam answer key for such problems typically treats box cutting as 1 km × 8 m × 0.125 m = 1000 m³.
Sand in the mortar is needed for: (i) decreasing the quantity of cement, (ii) reducing shrinkage, (iii) decreasing the surface area of binding material, (iv) increasing strength. Of these statement, chose the correct one
A)
ii, iii and iv are correct
B)
i, iii and iv are correct
C)
i, ii and iii are correct
D)
i, ii and iv are correct
Sand in mortar acts as an inert filler. It reduces the quantity of cement required (i), helps reduce shrinkage and cracking during drying (ii), and decreases the surface area that must be coated by the binding material (iii). It does not increase the strength in the usual sense; too much sand actually weakens the mortar if cement content becomes insufficient. Therefore, the correct combination is i, ii and iii.
The maximum design gradient for vertical profile of a road is
A)
Ruling gradient
B)
Limiting gradient
C)
Hill gradient
D)
Minimum gradient
In highway alignment, the vertical profile uses different gradients such as ruling, limiting, exceptional, and minimum gradients. The maximum gradient that is normally permitted in design, beyond the ruling gradient, is the **limiting gradient**. It is used only when the ruling gradient is not feasible due to terrain or other constraints. Hence, the maximum design gradient for the vertical profile of a road is the **limiting gradient**. The other options are incorrect: ruling gradient is the desirable/normal gradient, minimum gradient is the least slope needed for drainage, and hill gradient is not a standard maximum design category.
Contour interval on a map sheet denotes
A)
Vertical distance of contour lines above the datum plane
B)
Vertical distance between two successive contour lines
C)
Slope distance between two successive contour lines
D)
Horizontal distance between two successive contour lines
Contour interval means the difference in elevation between two adjacent contour lines on a map. It is a vertical distance, not horizontal or slope distance. Therefore, option (b) is correct. Option (a) is incorrect because it refers to elevation above datum, not the interval between contours. Options (c) and (d) are incorrect because contour interval is not measured along the ground or horizontally.
The rate of payment is made for 100 m3 (per % m3) in case of
A)
Earth work in excavation
B)
Rock cutting
C)
Excavation in trenches for foundation
D)
All of these
In estimation and costing, earthwork items such as excavation in ordinary earth, rock cutting, and excavation in trenches for foundations are commonly measured and paid for per 100 m3 (per centum cubic metre) in standard schedule/rate analysis practice. Since all three listed works are earthwork excavation-related items and are typically rate-based on 100 m3, the correct choice is **All of these**.
Expansion joints in masonry walls are provided in wall length greater than
A)
10 m
B)
20 m
C)
30 m
D)
40 m
Expansion joints are provided in masonry walls to accommodate temperature and moisture movements and prevent cracking. As a standard building construction rule, masonry walls exceeding about 30 m in length are provided with expansion joints. Hence, the correct answer is 30 m. The other options are too small for the usual threshold used in such exam questions.
Which of the following binders is recommended for a wet and cold climate
A)
Tar
B)
80/100 penetration asphalt
C)
Cutback
D)
Emulsion
For wet and cold climates, emulsion is recommended because it can be used at lower temperatures and in the presence of moisture. Cutback is generally preferred for cold weather when some heating/penetration assistance is needed, tar is less commonly recommended due to health and performance issues, and 80/100 penetration asphalt is more suitable for warm conditions and requires proper heating for use.
The area under the Beta distribution curve is divided into two equal parts by
A)
Expected time
B)
Most likely time
C)
Pessimistic time
D)
Optimistic time
In PERT/CPM, the Beta distribution curve for activity time estimates is generally skewed, and it is centered around the most likely time. The most likely time acts as the mode of the distribution and divides the area under the Beta curve into two equal halves. The optimistic time and pessimistic time are the lower and upper extreme estimates, while expected time is the weighted average, not the point that bisects the area.
Which of the following is very useful equipment to clear site of work and to make the land level
A)
Bulldozer
B)
Scraper
C)
Grader
D)
Excavator
A bulldozer is very useful for clearing a site of work, removing vegetation, pushing debris, and roughly leveling the land. It is a common earthmoving machine used in site preparation. Scrapers are mainly used for excavating, hauling, and spreading soil; graders are used for fine leveling and finishing; excavators are used mainly for digging and excavation, not primary site clearing.
The process of incorporating changes and rescheduling or replanning is called
A)
Updating
B)
Resource levelling
C)
Resource smoothening
D)
Critical path scheduling
In construction management, the process of incorporating changes into the project plan and then rescheduling or replanning is called updating. Resource levelling adjusts activities to reduce fluctuations in resource demand, resource smoothening minimizes resource peaks within available float, and critical path scheduling is concerned with identifying and managing the critical path of the project.
Which of the following surfaces will give highest rolling resistance for rubber tyred vehicle
A)
Concrete
B)
Loose sand
C)
Asphalt
D)
Firm earth
Rolling resistance is greatest on surfaces that deform easily and absorb more energy. Loose sand gives the highest resistance because the tyre sinks and continually pushes sand aside. Concrete and asphalt are hard, smooth surfaces, so they offer much lower rolling resistance. Firm earth is intermediate but still less than loose sand.
Undisturbed soil samples are required for conduction
A)
Shrinkage limit test
B)
Consolidation test
C)
Specific gravity test
D)
Proctor test
Undisturbed soil samples are needed when the soil structure, fabric, and in-situ condition must be preserved. The consolidation test measures compressibility and settlement characteristics of soil, so an undisturbed sample is required. Shrinkage limit and specific gravity tests can be done on disturbed samples, and the Proctor test is performed on remoulded soil to determine compaction characteristics.
The error due to bad ranging is
A)
Cumulative positive
B)
Cumulative negative
C)
Compensating
D)
Cumulative positive or negative
In chain surveying, bad ranging causes the measured length of a line to be either more or less than the true length, depending on whether the intermediate points are set off inward or outward from the straight line. Since the error may increase the measured distance or decrease it, it is a cumulative error that can be positive or negative. Hence, option (d) is correct. Compensating errors are not systematic like this, and the error is not fixed as only positive or only negative.
Stability of hill slope depends on
A)
Angle of slope
B)
Geological condition
C)
Groundwater conditions
D)
All of these
Hill slope stability is influenced by multiple factors: (1) angle of slope, because steeper slopes are generally less stable; (2) geological condition, including rock/soil type, stratification, joints, faults, and weathering; and (3) groundwater conditions, since seepage and high pore water pressure reduce shear strength. Therefore, all the listed factors affect slope stability.
The safe stopping distance may be calculated from the equation
A)
D = 0.278Vt + V^2/254f
B)
D = 0.278Vt + V^2/254f
C)
D = 0.254Vt + V^2/225f
D)
D = 0.225Vt + V^2/254f
Safe stopping distance = reaction distance + braking distance.
- Reaction distance = 0.278 V t, where V is speed in km/h and t is reaction time in seconds.
- Braking distance = V^2 / (254 f), where f is the coefficient of longitudinal friction.
So the correct equation is D = 0.278Vt + V^2/254f.
Options (b) is identical to (a), so the question appears to have a duplication/printing error. The standard formula matches option (a).
The upstream slope of an earth dam under steady seepage condition is
A)
Equipotential lines
B)
Phreatic line
C)
Water table
D)
Seepage line
In an earth dam under steady seepage, the upstream slope corresponds to the line along which seepage occurs within the dam body. This is called the seepage line. It is not an equipotential line (which represents equal head), nor the water table (a free surface in soil due to saturation), nor the phreatic line in this context as asked. Hence, the correct answer is seepage line.
In long and short wall method of estimation, the long wall is the center to center distance between the walls and
A)
Breadth of the wall
B)
Half breadth of wall on each side
C)
One fourth breadth of wall on each side
D)
None of these
In the long and short wall method, the long wall length is measured from centre to centre, and the actual length of the wall is obtained by adding half the breadth of the wall on each side. This is why the long wall is taken as centre-to-centre distance plus half breadth on each side. Option (a) is incomplete, option (c) is incorrect, and option (d) is not correct because option (b) matches the method.
Intersection method of detailed plotting is most suitable for
A)
Hilly areas
B)
Forest
C)
Urban areas
D)
plains
The intersection method of detailed plotting is best where direct chaining is difficult or impossible, such as in hilly or inaccessible terrain. In such areas, points can be fixed by intersecting rays from two known stations without measuring all details on the ground. It is less suitable for plains, where chain surveying is easier, and is not the most suitable standard choice for urban areas or forests compared to hilly areas.
If x is the optimistic time, y pessimistic time and z most likely time of an activity, the expected time of the activity, is
A)
(x + z + y)/6
B)
(x + 2z + y)/6
C)
(x + 4z + y)/6
D)
(x + 6z + y)/6
This is the PERT expected time formula. If x = optimistic time, z = most likely time, and y = pessimistic time, then expected time te = (x + 4z + y)/6. The most likely time is given the highest weight because it is the most probable duration. Hence option (c) is correct. The other options use incorrect weights for the three time estimates.