List Of Objective Questions On Solid Mechanics & Foundation
1.Voids ratio of a soil mass can
never be greater than unity
be zero
take any value greater than zero
take values between 0 and 1 only
ANSWER : : take any value greater than zero
2.If the voids of a soil mass are full of air only, the soil is termed as
air entrained soil
partially saturated soil
dry soil
dehydrated soil
ANSWER : : dry soil
3.If the sand in-situ is in its densest state, then the relative density of sand is
zero
1
between 0 and 1
greater than 1
ANSWER : : 1
4.A pycnometer is used to determine
water content and voids ratio
specific gravity and dry density
water content and specific gravity
voids ratio and dry density
ANSWER : : water content and specific gravity
5.Valid range for S, the degree of saturation of soil in percentage is
S>0
S<0
0
0 < S < 100
ANSWER : : 0 < S < 100
6.The hydrometer method of sedimentation analysis differs from
the pipette analysis mainly in the principle of test
the method of taking observations
the method of preparation of soil suspension
all of the above
ANSWER : : the method of taking observations
7.For proper field control, which of the following methods is best suited for quick determination of water content of a soil mass ?
oven drying method
sand bath
method alcohol
method calcium
carbide method
ANSWER : : calcium carbide method
8.Which of the following types of soil is transported by gravitational forces ?
loess
talus
drift
dune
sand
ANSWER : : talus
9.Relative density of a compacted dense sand is approximately equal to
0.4
0.6
0.95
1.20
ANSWER : : 0.95
10.Valid range for n, the percentage voids, is 0 0 n>0
n0
ID>0
0 < lD < 1
0 < ID < 1
ANSWER : : 0 < ID < 1
11.In hydrometer analysis for a soil mass
both meniscus correction and dispersing agent correction are additive
both meniscus correction and dispersing agent correction are subtractive
meniscus correction is additive and dispersing agent correction is subtractive
meniscus correction is subtractive and dispersing agent correction is additive
ANSWER : : meniscus correction is additive and dispersing agent correction is subtractive
12.Which of the following methods is most accurate for the determination of the water content of soil ?
oven drying method
sand bath method
calcium carbide method
pycnometer method
ANSWER : : oven drying method
13.The ratio of volume of voids to the total volume of soil mass is called
air content
porosity
percentage air voids
voids ratio
ANSWER : : porosity
14.If the degree of saturation of a partially saturated soil is 60%, then air content of the soil is
40%
60%
80%
100%
ANSWER : : 40%
15.Water content of soil can
never be greater than 100 %
take values only from 0 % to 100 %
be less than 0 %
be greater than 100 %
ANSWER : : be greater than 100 %
16.Stoke’s law is valid only if the size of particle is
less than 0.0002 mm
greater than 0.2 mm
between 0.2 mm and 0.0002 mm
all of the above
ANSWER : : between 0.2 mm and 0.0002 mm
17.If the volume of voids is equal to the volume of solids in a soil mass, then the values of porosity and voids ratio respectively are
1.0 and 0.0
0.0 and 1.0
0.5 and 1.0
1.0 and 0.5
ANSWER : : 0.5 and 1.0
18.Select the correct statement.
Unit weight of dry soil is greater than unit weight of wet soil.
For dry soils, dry unit weight is less than total unit weight.
Unit weight of soil increases due to submergence in water.
Unit weight of soil decreases due to submergence in water.
ANSWER : : Unit weight of soil decreases due to submergence in water.
19.A fully saturated soil is said to be
one phase system
two phase system with soil and air
two phase system with soil and water
three phase system
ANSWER : : two phase system with soil and water
20.Select the correct range of density index,ID
lD>0
ID>0
0 < lD < 1
0 < ID < 1
ANSWER : : 0 < ID < 1
21.A soil has a bulk density of 22 kN/m3 and water content 10 %. The dry density of soil is
18.6 kN/m3
20.0 kN/m3
22.0 kN/m3
23.2 kN/m3
ANSWER : : 20.0 kN/m3
22.When the degree of saturation is zero, the soil mass under consideration represents
one phase system
two phase system with soil and air
two phase system with soil and water
three phase system
ANSWER : : two phase system with soil and air
23.If the water content of a fully saturated soil mass is 100%, then the voids ratio of the sample is
less than specific gravity of soil
equal to specific gravity of soil
greater than specific gravity of soil
independent of specific gravity of soil
ANSWER : : equal to specific gravity of soil
24.Which of the following is a measure of particle size range ?
effective size
uniformity coefficient
coefficient of curvature
none of the above
ANSWER : : uniformity coefficient
25.If the natural water content of soil mass lies between its liquid limit and plastic limit, the soil mass is said to be in
liquid state
plastic state
semi-solid state
solid state
ANSWER : : plastic state
26.Dispersed type of soil structure is an arrangement comprising particles having
face to face or parallel orientation
edge to edge orientation
edge to face orientation
all of the above
ANSWER : : face to face or parallel orientation
27.Which of the following soils has more plasticity index ?
sand
silt
clay
gravel
ANSWER : : clay
28.At liquid limit, all soils possess
same shear strength of small magni-tude
same shear strength of large magni-tude
different shear strengths of small magnitude
different shear strengths of large magnitude
ANSWER : : same shear strength of small magni-tude
29.The total and effective stresses at a depth of 5 m below the top level of water in a swimming pool are respectively
zero and zero
0.5 kg/cm2 and zero
0.5 kg/cm2 and 0.5 kg/cm2
1.0 kg/cm2 and 0.5 kg/cm2
ANSWER : : 0.5 kg/cm2 and zero
30.The hydraulic head that would produce a quick condition in a sand stratum of thickness 1.5 m, specific gravity 2.67 and voids ratio 0.67 is equal to
1.0m
1.5 m
2.0 m
3m
ANSWER : : 1.5 m
31.Select the correct statement.
A uniform soil has more strength and stability than a non-uniform soil.
A uniform soil has less strength and stability than a non-uniform soil.
Uniformity coefficient does not affect strength and stability.
Uniformity coefficient of a poorly graded soil is more than that of a well graded soil.
ANSWER : : A uniform soil has less strength and stability than a non-uniform soil.
32.If the water table rises upto ground surface, then the
effective stress is reduced due to decrease in total stress only but pore water pressure does not change
effective stress is reduced due to increase in pore water pressure only but total stress does not change
total stress is reduced due to increase in pore water pressure only but effec-tive stress does not change
total stress is increased due to de-crease in pore water pressure but effective stress does not change
ANSWER : : effective stress is reduced due to increase in pore water pressure only but total stress does not change
33.When the plastic limit of a soil is greater than the liquid limit, then the plasticity index is reported as
negative
zero
non-plastic (NP)
1
ANSWER : : zero
34.Quick sand is a
type of sand
flow condition occurring in cohesive soils
flow condition occurring in cohesionless soils
flow condition occurring in both cohesive and cohesionless soils
ANSWER : : type of sand
35.The water content of soil, which represents the boundary between plastic state and liquid state, is known as
liquid limit
plastic limit
shrinkage limit
plasticity index
ANSWER : : liquid limit
36.Physical properties of a permeant which influence permeability are
viscosity only
unit weight only
both viscosity and unit weight
none of the above
ANSWER : : both viscosity and unit weight
37.Rise of water table above the ground surface causes
equal increase in pore water pressure and total stress
equal decrease in pore water pressure and total stress
increase in pore water pressure but decrease in total stress
decrease in pore water pressure but increase in total stress
ANSWER : : equal increase in pore water pressure and total stress
38.Effective stress is
the stress at particles contact
a physical parameter that can be measured
important because it is a function of engineering properties of soil
all of the above
ANSWER : s: c
39.Highway Research Board (HRB) classification of soils is based on
particle size composition
plasticity characteristics
both particle size composition and plasticity characteristics
none of the above
ANSWER : : both particle size composition and plasticity characteristics
40.If the plasticity index of a soil mass is zero, the soil is
sand
silt
clay
clayey silt
ANSWER : : sand
41.Sand particles are made of
rock minerals
kaolinite
illite
montmorillonite
ANSWER : : rock minerals
42.According to IS classification, the range of silt size particles is
4.75 mm to 2.00 mm
2.00 mm to 0.425 mm
0.425 mm to 0.075 mm
0.075 mm to 0.002 mm
ANSWER : : 0.075 mm to 0.002 mm
43.The admixture of coarser particles like sand or silt to clay causes
decrease in liquid limit and increase in plasticity index
decrease in liquid limit and no change in plasticity index
decrease in both liquid limit and plasticity index
increase in both liquid limit and plasticity index
ANSWER : : decrease in both liquid limit and plasticity index
44.Toughness index is defined as the ratio of
plasticity index to consistency index
plasticity index to flow index
liquidity index to flow index
consistency index to liquidity index
ANSWER : : plasticity index to flow index
45.Inorganic soils with low compressibility are represented by
MH
SL
ML
CH
ANSWER : : ML
46.The clay mineral with the largest swelling and shrinkage characteristics is
kaolinite
illite
montmorillonite
none of the above
ANSWER : : montmorillonite
47.If the material of the base of the Casagrande liquid limit device on which the cup containing soil paste drops is softer than the standard hard rubber, then
the liquid limit of soil always increases
the liquid limit of soil always decreases
the liquid limit of soil may increase
the liquid limit of soil may decrease
ANSWER : : the liquid limit of soil always increases
49.Uniformity coefficient of a soil is
always less than 1
always equal to 1
equal to or less than 1
equal to or gi eater than 1
ANSWER : : equal to or gi eater than 1
50.Select the correct statement.
coefficient of compressibility of an over-consolidated clay is less than that of a normally consolidated clay
coefficient of compressibility of an over-consolidated clay is greater than that of a normally consolidated clay
coefficient of compressibility is cons-tant for any clay
none of the above
ANSWER : : coefficient of compressibility of an over-consolidated clay is less than that of a normally consolidated clay
51.The flownet for an earthen dam with 30 m water depth consists of 25 potential drops and 5 flow channels. The coefficient of permeability of dam material is 0.03 mm/sec. The discharge per metre length of dam is
0.00018 nrVsec
0.0045 m3/sec
0.18m3/sec
0.1125m3/sec
ANSWER : : 0.00018 nrVsec
52.Coefficient of permeability of soil
does not depend upon temperature
increases with the increase in tempe-rature v
increases with the decrease in tempe-rature
none of the above
ANSWER : : increases with the increase in tempe-rature v
53.If the permeability of a soil is 0.8 mm/sec, the type of soil is
gravel
sand
silt
clay
ANSWER : : sand
54.Which of the following methods is best suited for determination of permeability of coarsegrained soils ?
constant head method
falling head method
both the above
none of the above
ANSWER : : constant head method
55.The value of compression index for a remoulded sample whose liquid limit is 50% is
0.028
0.28
036
0.036
ANSWER : : 0.28
56.Due to a rise in temperature, the viscosity and the unit weight of the percolating fluid are reduced to 60% and 90% respectively. If other things remain constant, the coefficient of permeability
increases by 25%
increases by 50%
increases by 33.3%
decreases by 33.3%
ANSWER : : increases by 50%
57.Compressibility of sandy soils is
almost equal to that of clayey soils
much greater than that of clayey soils
much less than that of clayey soils
none of the above
ANSWER : : much less than that of clayey soils
58.The slope of isochrone at any point at a given time indicates the rate of change of
effective stress with time
effective stress with depth
pore water pressure with depth
pore water pressure with time
ANSWER : : pore water pressure with depth
59.Total number of stress components at a point within a soil mass loaded at its boundary is
3
6
9
16
ANSWER : : 9
60.The most suitable method for drainage of fine grained cohesive soils is
well ppint system
vacuum method
deep well system
electro-osmosis method
ANSWER : : electro-osmosis method
61.Time factor for a clay layer is
a dimensional parameter
directly proportional to permeability of soil
inversely proportional to drainage path
independent of thickness of clay layer
ANSWER : : directly proportional to permeability of soil
62.Effective stress on soil
increases voids ratio and decreases permeability
increases both voids ratio and per-meability
decreases both voids ratio and per-meability
decreases voids ratio and increases permeability
ANSWER : : decreases both voids ratio and per-meability
63.The ultimate consolidation settlement of a structure resting on a soil
decreases with the increase in the initial voids ratio
decreases with the decrease in the plastic limit
increases with the increase in the initial voids ratio
increases with the decrease in the porosity of the soil
ANSWER : : decreases with the increase in the initial voids ratio
64.Coefficient of compressibility is
constant for any type of soil
different for different types of soils and also different for a soil under different states of consolidation
different for different types of soils but same for a soil under different states of consolidation
independent of type of soil but depends on the stress history of soil
ANSWER : s: b
65.Direct measurement of permeability of the specimen at any stage of loading can be made
only in fixed ring type consolido-meter
only in floating ring type consolido-meter
both (a) and (b)
none of the above
ANSWER : : only in fixed ring type consolido-meter
66.Within the consolidation process of a saturated clay
a gradual increase in neutral pressure and a gradual decrease in effective pressure takes place and sum of the two is constant
a gradual decrease in neutral pressure and a gradual increase in effective pressure takes place and sum of the two is constant
both neutral pressure and effective pressure decrease
both neutral pressure and effective pressure increase
ANSWER : : a gradual decrease in neutral pressure and a gradual increase in effective pressure takes place and sum of the two is constant
67.Coefficient of consolidation for clays normally
decreases with increase in liquid limit
increases with increase in liquid limit
first increases and then decreases with increase in liquid limit
remains constant at all liquid limits
ANSWER : : decreases with increase in liquid limit
68.Which of the following methods is more suitable for the determination of permeability of clayey soil ?
constant head method
falling head method
horizontal permeability test
none of the above
ANSWER : : falling head method
69.The average coefficient of permeability of natural deposits
parallel to stratification is always greater than that perpendicular to stratification
parallel to stratification is always less than that perpendicular to stratifi-cation
is always same in both directions
parallel to stratification may or may not be greater than that perpendicular to stratification
ANSWER : : parallel to stratification is always greater than that perpendicular to stratification
70.Coefficient of consolidation of a soil is affected by
compressibility
permeability
both compressibility and permeability
none of the above
ANSWER : : both compressibility and permeability
71.Which one of the following clays behaves like a dense sand ?
over-consolidated ciay with a high over-consolidation ratio
over-consolidated clay with a low over-consolidation ratio
normally consolidated clay
under-consolidated clay
ANSWER : : over-consolidated ciay with a high over-consolidation ratio
72.Degree of consolidation is
directly proportional to time and inversely proportional to drainage path
directly proportional to time and inversely proportional to square of drainage path
directly proportional to drainage path and inversely proportional to time
directly proportional to square of drainage path and inversely propor-tional to time
ANSWER : : directly proportional to time and inversely proportional to square of drainage path
73.The total discharge from two wells situated near to each other is
sum of the discharges from individual wells
less than the sum of the discharges from individual wells
greater than the sum of the discharges from individual wells
equal to larger of the two discharges from individual wells
ANSWER : : less than the sum of the discharges from individual wells
74.Clay layer A with single drainage and coefficient of consolidation Cv takes 6 months to achieve 50% consolidation. The time taken by clay layer B of the same thickness with double drainage and coefficient of consolidation Cv/2 to achieve the same degree of consolidation is
3 months
6 months
12 months
24 months
ANSWER : : 3 months
75.For a loose sand sample and a dense sand sample consolidated to the same effective stress
ultimate strength is same and also peak strength is same
ultimate strength is different but peak strength is same
ultimate strength is same but peak strength of dense sand is greater than that of loose sand
ultimate strength is same but peak
ANSWER : : ultimate strength is same but peak strength of dense sand is greater than that of loose sand
76.Sensitivity of a soil can be defined as
percentage of volume change of soil under saturated condition
ratio of compressive strength of unconfined undisturbed soil to that of soil in a remoulded state
ratio of volume of voids to volume of solids
none of the above
ANSWER : : ratio of compressive strength of unconfined undisturbed soil to that of soil in a remoulded state
77.Unconfmed compressive strength test is
undrained test
drained test
consolidated undrained test
consolidated drained test
ANSWER : : undrained test
78.In a triaxial compression test when drainage is allowed during the first stage (i. e. application of cell pressure) only and not during the second stage (i.e. application of deviator stress at constant cell pressure), the test is known as
consolidated drained test
consolidated undrained test
unconsolidated drained test
unconsolidated undrained test
ANSWER : : consolidated undrained test
79.With the increase in the amount of compaction energy
optimum water content increases but maximum dry density decreases
optimum water content decreases but maximum dry density increases
both optimum water content and maximum dry density increase
both optimum water content and maximum dry density decrease[ES 93]
ANSWER : : optimum water content decreases but maximum dry density increases
80.The maximum dry density upto which any soil can be compacted depends upon
moisture content only
amount of compaction energy only
both moisture content and amount of compaction energy
none of the above
ANSWER : : both moisture content and amount of compaction energy
81.In the triaxial compression test, the application of additional axial stress (i.e. deviator stress) on the soil specimen produces shear stress on
horizontal plane only
vertical plane only
both horizontal and vertical planes
all planes except horizontal and vertical planes
ANSWER : : all planes except horizontal and vertical planes
82.Rankine’s theory of earth pressure assumes that the back of the wall is
plane and smooth
plane and rough
vertical and smooth
vertical and rough
ANSWER : : vertical and smooth
83.In a consolidated drained test on a normally consolidated clay, the volume of the soil sample during shear
decreases
increases
remains unchanged
first increases and then decreases
ANSWER : : decreases
84.For better strength and stability, the fine grained soils and coarse grained soils are compacted respectively as
dry of OMC and wet of OMC
wet of OMC and dry of OMC
wet of OMC and wet of OMC
dry of OMC and dry of OMC where OMC is optimum moisture content
ANSWER : : wet of OMC and dry of OMC
85.Select the incorrect statement.
In a direct shear box test, the plane of shear failure is predetermined.
Better control is achieved on the drainage of the soil in a triaxial com-pression test.
Stress distribution on the failure plane in the case of triaxial compression test is uniform.
Unconfined compression test can be carried out on all types of soils.
ANSWER : : Unconfined compression test can be carried out on all types of soils.
86.During the first stage of triaxial test when the cell pressure is increased from 0.10 N/mm2 to 0.26 N/mm2, the pore water pressure increases from 0.07 N/mm2 to 0.15 “N/mm2. Skempton’s pore pressure parameter B is
0.5
-0.5
2.0
– 2.0
ANSWER : : 0.5
87.Coarse grained soils are best compacted by a
drum roller
rubber tyred roller
sheep’s foot roller
vibratory roller
ANSWER : : vibratory roller
88.A normally consolidated clay settled 10 mm when effective stress was increased from 100 kN/m2 to 200 kN/ m2. If the effective stress is further increased from 200 kN/ m2 to 400 kN/ m2, then the settlement of the same clay is
10 mm
20 mm
40 mm
none of the above
ANSWER : : 10 mm
89.Shear strength of a soil is a unique function of
effective stress only
total stress only
both effective stress and total stress
none of the above
ANSWER : : effective stress only
90.The angle that Coulomb’s failure envelope makes with the horizontal is called
cohesion
angle of internal friction
angle of repose
none of the above
ANSWER : : cohesion
91.Select the incorrect statement.
Effective cohesion of a soil can never have a negative value.
Effective angle of internal friction for coarse grained soils is rarely below 30.
Effective angle of internal friction for a soil increases as state of compact-ness increases.
Effective angle of internal friction is a complicated function of mineralogy and clay size content.
ANSWER : : Effective cohesion of a soil can never have a negative value.
92.In a deposit of normally consolidated clay
effective stress increases with depth but water content of soil and un-drained strength decrease with depth
effective stress and water content increase with depth but undrained strength decreases with depth
effective stress and undrained strength increase with depth but water content decreases with depth
effective stress, water content and undrained strength decrease with depth
ANSWER : : effective stress and undrained strength increase with depth but water content decreases with depth
93.Skempton’s pore pressure coefficient B for saturated soil is
1
zero
between 0 and 1
greater than 1
ANSWER : : 1
94.The shear strength of a soil
is directly proportional to the angle of internal friction of the soil
is inversely proportional to the angle of internal friction of the soil
decreases with increase in normal stress
decreases with decrease in normal stress
ANSWER : : decreases with decrease in normal stress
95.Allowable bearing pressure for a founda�tion depends upon
allowable settlement only
ultimate bearing capacity of soil only
both allowable settlement and ultimate bearing capacity
none of above
ANSWER : : both allowable settlement and ultimate bearing capacity
96.A 600 mm square bearing plate settles by 15 mm in plate load test on a cohesionless soil under an intensity of loading of 0.2 N/ram2. The settlement of a prototype shallow footing 1 m square under the same intensity of loading is
15 mm
between 15 mm and 25 mm
25 mm
greater than 25 mm
ANSWER : : between 15 mm and 25 mm
97.A 300 mm square bearing plate settles by 15 mm in a plate load test on a cohesive soil when the intensity of loading is 0.2 N/mm2. The settlement of a prototype shallow footing 1 m square under the same intensity of loading is
15 mm
30 mm
50 mm
167 mm
ANSWER : : 50 mm
98.The major principal stress in an element of cohesionless soil within the backfill of a retaining wall is
vertical if the soil is in an active state of plastic equilibrium
vertical if the soil is in a passive state of plastic equilibrium
inclined at 45 to the vertical plane
none of the above
ANSWER : : vertical if the soil is in an active state of plastic equilibrium
99.According to IS specifications, the minimum depths of foundation in sand and clay should be respectively
600 mm and 700 mm
800 mm and 900 mm
1 m and 800 mm
1 m and 1.2 m
ANSWER : : 800 mm and 900 mm
100.Coefficient of earth pressure at rest is
less than active earth pressure but greater than passive earth pressure
greater than active earth pressure but less than passive earth pressure
greater than both the active earth pressure and passive earth pressure
less than both the active and passive earth pressures
ANSWER : : greater than active earth pressure but less than passive earth pressure
101.Rise of water table in cohesionless soils upto ground surface reduces the net ultimate bearing capacity approximately by
25%
50%
75%
90%
ANSWER : : 50%
102.Bishop’s method of stability analysis
is more conservative
neglects the effect of forces acting on the sides of the slices
assumes the slip surface as an arc of a circle
all of the above
ANSWER : : assumes the slip surface as an arc of a circle
103.The effect of cohesion on a soil is to
reduce both the active earth pressure intensity and passive earth pressure intensity
increase both the active earth pressure intensity and passive earth pressure intensity
reduce the active earth pressure in-tensity but to increase the passive earth pressure intensity
increase the active earth pressure in-tensity but to reduce the passive earth pressure intensity [GATE 99]
ANSWER : : reduce the active earth pressure in-tensity but to increase the passive earth pressure intensity
104.Contact pressure beneath a rigid footing resting on cohesive soil is
less at edges compared to middle
more at edges compared to middle
uniform throughout
none of the above
ANSWER : : more at edges compared to middle
105.In the plate loading test for determining the bearing capacity of soil, the size of square bearing plate should be
less than 300 mm
between 300 mm and 750 mm
between 750 mm and 1 m
greater than 1 m
ANSWER : : between 300 mm and 750 mm
106.Terzaghi’s bearing capacity factors Nc, Nq and Nr are functions of
cohesion only
angle of internal friction only
both cohesion and angle of internal friction
none of the above
ANSWER : : angle of internal friction only
107.Select the incorrect statement.
Bearing capacity of a soil depends upon the amount and direction of load.
Bearing capacity of a soil depends on the type of soil.
Bearing capacity of a soil depends upon shape and size of footing.
Bearing capacity of a soil is indepen-dent of rate of loading.
ANSWER : : Bearing capacity of a soil depends upon the amount and direction of load.
108.The rise of water table below the foundation influences the bearing capacity of soil mainly by reducing
cohesion and effective angle of shearing resistance
cohesion and effective unit weight of soil
effective unit weight of soil and effective angle of shearing resistance
effective angle of shearing resistance
ANSWER : : cohesion and effective unit weight of soil