Geography

Soil and Foundation Engineering

584 Questions

Soil and foundation engineering questions address the physical and mechanical properties of soil critical for construction and stability. The topics include shear strength, soil compaction, void ratios, and subsurface investigation techniques. These advanced geotechnical concepts are typically evaluated in civil engineering and specialized recruitment examinations.

Soil compactionShear strengthBearing capacityVoid ratio analysisSubsurface exploration

Soil and Foundation Engineering Questions

Multiple choice

Water is flowing through the permeability apparatus as shown in the figure. The coefficient of permeability of the soil is km/s and the porosity of the soil sample is 0.50.

What are the discharge velocity and seepage velocity through the soil sample?

  1. k, 2k

  2. 2/3k, 4/3k

  3. 2k, k

  4. 4/3k, 2/3k
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

 $\text{Discharge velocity V = ki = k $\times$ hydraulic gradient = k m/s} \\ \text{Seepage velocity} = \frac{v}{n} = \frac{k}{0.5} = 2k m/s$

Multiple choice

The ground conditions at a site are as shown in the figure. The water table at the site which was initially at a depth of 5 m below the ground level got permanently lowered to a depth of 15 m below the ground level due to pumping of water over a few years. Assume the following data: i. unit weight of water = 10 kN/m3 ii. unit weight of sand above water table = 8 kN/m3 iii. unit weight of sand and clay below the water table = 20 kN/m3 iv. coefficient of volume compressibility = 0.25 m2/MN

What is the compression of the clay layer in mm due to the lowering of the water table?

  1. 125

  2. 100

  3. 25

  4. 0
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

 

Multiple choice

The ground conditions at a site are as shown in the figure. The water table at the site which was initially at a depth of 5 m below the ground level got permanently lowered to a depth of 15 m below the ground level due to pumping of water over a few years. Assume the following data i. unit weight of water = 10 kN/m3 ii. unit weight of sand above water table = 8 kN/m3 iii. unit weight of sand and clay below the water table = 20 kN/m3 iv. coefficient of volume compressibility = 0.25 m2/MN

What is the change in the effective stress in kN/m2 at mid-depth of the clay layer due to the lowering of the water table?

  1. 0

  2. 20

  3. 80

  4. 100
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

 

Multiple choice

When a retaining wall moves away from the back-fill, the pressure exerted on the wall is termed as

  1. passive earth pressure

  2. swelling pressure

  3. pore pressure

  4. active earth pressure
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

 Active earth pressure - When there is a horizontal strain and retaining wall moves away from bachfill. Passive earth pressure - When retaining wall moves toward the backfill. Pore pressure - Neutral pressure and constant in all directions.

Multiple choice

A pile of 0.50 m diameter and length 10 m is embedded in a deposit of clay. The undrained strength parameters of the clay are cohesion = 60 kN/m2 and the angle in internal friction = 0. The skin friction capacity (kN) of the pile for an adhesion factor of 0.6, is

  1. 671

  2. 565

  3. 283

  4. 106
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

 $\text{Skin friction capacity} \\ = \alpha . C \text{(perimeter $\times$ depth)} \\ = 0.6 \times 60 \times \pi \times 0.5 \times 10 \\ = 565.75 kN$