Civil Engineering Multiple Choice Questions

Civil Engineering Multiple Choice Questions

1) Mach number is defined as

The ratio of a mass number to weight

The ratio of characteristic velocity to velocity of sound

The ratio of force to velocity

The ratio of friction to acceleration 

Answer: b

Explanation: Mach number refers to a non-dimensional number in fluid mechanics which defines the velocity of the fluid with respect to the velocity of sound in air or any fluidic medium through which the body travels. In other words, we can say that it is the ratio of the velocity of the object to the speed of sound in air or vacuum. Consider an example to understand this concept, suppose an airplane travels at a speed of 420 m/s has a Mach number of 4, find the velocity of sound in air? 

Where, M = Mach number

C = speed of an object

a = Velocity of the sound in air or any fluidic medium

therefore, 

2) If gram crop has a kor period of 24 days and kor depth of 16 cm, find the duty of the gram

1866 ha/cumec

2036 ha/cumec

1296 ha/cumec

882 ha/cumec 

Answer: c

Explanation:

Given;

Kor period = 24 days

Kor depth = 16 cm

We know that, 

Where,

B = Kor period = 24 days

a = Kor depth = 16 cm

therefore, 

3) 1 litre of sewage, when enabled to settle for 60 minutes, gives a sludge volume of 36 cm3. If the dry weight of this sludge is 6 grams, find its sludge volume index?

12

10

6

14 

Answer: c

Explanation:

Given;

Settled sludge volume = 36 cm3

The dry weight of this sludge =6 grams

We know that, 

4) In an irrigation project, in a specific year, 70% and 40% of the cultivable command area in Rabi and Kharif, respectively, remained without water and the rest of the area got irrigation water. Find the intensity of irrigation in that year for the project

60 %

70 %

80 %

90 % 

Answer: d

Explanation:

Given;

Area under Kharif crop = 100 - 40 = 60

Area under Rabi crop = 100 - 70 = 30

We know that,

Intensity of irrigation = Area under kharif crop + Area under Rabi crop

= 60 + 30 = 90 %

5) The plan of a map was photocopied to a reduced size such that a line originally 300 mm measurer 280 mm, the original scale of the plan was 1: 1200. Find the revised scale?

 

Answer: a

Explanation:

Given;

Measured length = 280

Original length = 300

Original scale = 1:1200

We know that, 

6) The width of the expansion joint gap is 3 cm in a cement concrete pavement. Find the spacing between the expansion joint for a maximum rise in temperature of 40 0C. (Assume the coefficient of thermal expansion is 10 × 10 -6 per degree C)

67.6 m

37.5 m

47.9 m

97.8 m 

Answer: b

Explanation: 

7) The PCU for motor cycle on urban road is

1

0.5

3

0.2 

Answer: d

Explanation: PCU stands for Passenger car unit. The PCU for motorcycles on the urban road is 0.2. The PCU for Car/ jeep on the urban road is 1. The PCU for 2 axile trucks on the urban road is 4. The PCU for three axile trucks on the urban road is 5.

8) The number of revolution of a current meter is 60 seconds were found to be 18 and 40, corresponding to the velocity of 0.5 and 0.6 m/s, respectively. What velocity would be indicated by 80 revolutions of the current meter in two minutes?

0.78

0.98

0.38

0.58 

Answer: a

Explanation:

Velocity for current meter

V = a Ns + b

In first case,

V = a Ns + b

0.5 = a × 18 + b

In second case,

V = a Ns + b

0.6 = a × 40 + b

From case 1 and 2

We get,

a = 0.0045

b = 0.42

For 80 revoutions

Number of revolutions for 60 seconds 

Velocity ( V ) = a Ns + b

V = 0.0045

= 0.78

9) In duty (D) is 1800 hectare/cemec and base period (B) is 150 days for an irrigated crop; find the value ∆ in a meter?

0.22

0.92

0.72

0.32 

Answer: c

Explanation:

We know that,

Duty (D) = 1800 hectare/cemec

B = 150 days 

10) The surveying method used to determine additional details such as boundaries of fields is called.

Rural surveying

Urban surveying

Cadastral surveying

Isolated surveying 

Answer: c

Explanation: Cadastral surveying is used to calculate additional details such as boundaries of fields and determine the area of land.

11) The beam is a structural member predominantly subjected to

Tensile strength

Coaxial forces

Transverse loads

Magnetic moment 

Answer: c

Explanation: The beam is a structural element that usually resists load applied to the beam axis.

12) Find the tensile stress of a steel rod made up of mild steel of 15 mm diameter with a load of 10 ton

0.88 ton/mm2

0.579 ton/mm2

0.324 ton/mm2

0.067 ton/mm2 

Answer: d

Explanation:

Given;

Diameter = 20 mm

Load = 10 ton

We know that, 

13) Rankine's Gorden formula is used to calculate the buckling load of the column.

Rectangular column

Medium column

Square column

Long column 

Answer: b

Explanation: Rankine's Gorden formula is used to calculate the buckling load of a medium column, whereas the Euler formula is used to calculate the buckling load of the long column.

14) The procedure of implementing cement mortar under pressure through a nozzle is called.

Soffit

Guniting

Balusters

Tread 

Answer: b

Explanation: Guniting refers to the process of putting cement mortar under specific pressure through a nozzle. The equipment which is used for guniting is known as cement gun. It applies a pressure of 2.5 kg/cm2 to 3.5 kg/cm2 through the nozzle.

15) If the undistributed strength of a soil sample is 70 units while the remolded strength is 30 units, find the sensitivity of the soil?

2.3

3.7

4.6

5.1 

Answer: a

Explanation:

Given,

Undistributed strength - 70 units

Remolded strength - 30 units

We know that, 

16) The relationship between ac (air content of soil) and its Sr(degree of saturation) is given as

ac = 1 - Sr

ac = Sr-1

ac = 1 + Sr

ac = 1 × Sr 

Answer: a

Explanation:

We know that,

Relationship between air content of soil ac and its degree of saturation Sr

ac = 1 - Sr

ac+ Sr= 1

Where,

S = Degree of saturation

ac = air content

17) 1 torr pressure is equal to

1 atm pressure

1 mm of mercury

100 kg - m

1 newton 

Answer: b

Explanation:

We know that,

760 torr = 1 atm pressure

760 mm = 1 atm pressure

It means 1 mm of mercury = 760 torr

18) A liquid compressed in the cylinder has a volume of 0.06 m3 at 60 N/cm2 and a volume of 0.047 m3 at 160 N/cm2. Find the build modulus of elasticity of liquid

991 N/m2

304 N/m2

461 N/m2

3202 N/m2 

Answer: c

Explanation: We know that, 

19) Find the pressure in pascals at a depth of 5 m below the free surface of a body of water?

60050 Pa

49050 Pa

67068 Pa

89070 Pa 

Answer: b

Explanation:

Given,

h = 5 m

g = 9.81 and ρ=1000

We know that,

Pressure (P) = ρgh

= 1000 × 9.81 × 5

= 49050 Pa

20) Contour interval is

Directly proportional to the scale of a map

Inversely proportional to the scale of a map

Short for accurate work

Square of the flatness of the ground 

Answer: b

Explanation: Contour interval refers to the vertical distance between two consecutive contours. It is inversely proportional to the scale of a map, money, and time.

21) If the distance between two stations, P and Q, can be accurately measured with one complete Gunter's chain and one complete engineer's chain, find the distance between P and Q?

296 ft

326 ft

586 ft

166 ft 

Answer: d

Explanation:

Given,

Gunter's chain = 66 ft

Engineers chain = 100 ft

So the distance between two stations P and Q = Gunter's chain + Engineers chain

= 66 ft + 100 ft

= 166 ft

22) The modular ratio is given by

 

Answer: c

Explanation:

We know that, 

Where,

m = Modular Ratio, and σcbc=Permissible stress in concrete in bending compression

23) If the soil has a bulk density of 48 kN/m3 and water content is 20%, find the dry density?

40 kN/m3

80 kN/m3

120 kN/m3

20 kN/m3 

Answer: a

Explanation:

Given,

bulk density Yb = 48 kN/m3

Water content w = 20%

We know that 

24) A vehicle has a wheelbase of 8.5 m. find the off-tranking while negotiating a curved path with a mean radius of 40 m?

0.30

0.60

0.90

1.20 

Answer: c

Explanation:

Length of the wheelbase (I) = 8.5m

Radius (R) = 40 m.

Off tracking =?

We know that 

25) The condition of zero atmospheric pressure can be expected

Upper sea level

Lower sea level

Mean sea level

Phreatic surface 

Answer: d

Explanation: Phreatic line refers to the upper flow line, which distinguishes the saturated soil mass from the unsaturated soil mass. The pressure below the phreatic line is called hydrostatic pressure, and the pressure on and beyond the phreatic line is the atmosphere. Therefore, a condition of zero atmospheric pressure can be expected at the phreatic surface.

26) The critical depth of flow in a most economic triangular channel section for a discharge of 2 m3/sec is given by?

(0.296) 1/5 m

(0.746) 1/5 m

(0.816) 1/5 m

(0.586) 1/5 m 

Answer: c

Explanation:

Given,

Discharge(Q) = 2 m3/sec

For the most economical triangular channel section, the side slope m is given by

m = tanθ = tan 450 = 1

We know that, the critical depth for tringular channel section is given by 

27) The equation gives the angle of twist of a circular shaft under the action of a torsional moment T

LT/GJ

GL/TJ

JL/TJ

GT/JL 

Answer: a

Explanation:

From the equation of torsion 

Where, θ=Angle of twist

L = Length of the shaft

T = Applied twisting moment

J = Polar moment of inertia

G = Modulus of rigidity

28) A soil sample has liquid limit of 40% ,plastic limit of 30%, and shrinkage limit of 20% for natural water content of 25%, find the consistency index for the sample

50 %

100 %

150 %

200 % 

Answer: c

Explanation:

Given,

Liquid limit (WL) = 40% = 0.40

Plastic limit (WP) = 30% = 0.30

Liquid limit (WS) = 20% = 0.20

Natural water content (WN) = 25% = 0.25

We know that, 

29) Pycnometer method is used to calculate

Latent heat

Specific heat

Specific gravity

Tensile strength 

Answer: c

Explanation: Specific gravity refers to the ratio of the mass of a unit volume of solid at a given temperature to the mass of the same volume of gas-free distilled water at a given temperature. The pycnometer method is used to calculate the specific gravity.

30) Find the value of peak factor considered in the estimation of water demand for the population of 2,50,222?

3.0

4.5

3.5

2.0 

Answer: d

Explanation:

If the population is more than 2 lakhs, the peak factor is considered as 2.0

If the population is between 50,000 to 2 lakhs, the peak factor is considered as 2.5

If the population is upto 50000, the peak factor is considered as 3

31) The lost time due to starting delay on a traffic signal is noted to be 5s, the actual green time is the 20s, and the yellow tine is 2s. Find the value of effective green time?

11 seconds

17 seconds

24 seconds

34 seconds 

Answer: b

Explanation:

Effective green time is given as

= Actual green time + yellow time - lost time

= 20 + 2 - 5

= 17 seconds.

32) If the allowable percentage limit error in the estimate of basic rainfall is "E" and the coefficient of variation of rainfall is a CV, find the optimum number of rain gauges.

 

Answer: a

Explanation:

The following equation gives the optimum number of rain gauges 

Where,

N = Number of rain gauges.

CV = Coefficient of variation of rainfall.

E = Allowable percentage error.

Here, 

33) A soil has a discharge velocity of 8 × 10 -9 m/s and a void ratio of 0.8. Find its seepage velocity?

29.28 × 10 -9 m/s

48.58 × 10 -8 m/s

78.18 × 10 -7 m/s

18.18 × 10 -9 m/s 

Answer: d

Explanation:

Given,

Discharge velocity (V) = 8 × 10 -9 m/s

Void ratio(e) = 0.8

We know that, 

34) If the coefficient of permeability for the soil is 10-2 cm/sec, the soil can be classified as

Sand

Gravel

Silt

Clay 

Answer: a

Explanation:

The coefficient of permeability for the soil is 1 - 10- 3 cm/sec; the soil can be classified as Sand.

The coefficient of permeability for the soil is 10-3 - 10-6 cm/sec; the soil can be classified as Silt.

The coefficient of permeability for the soil is < 10-6 cm/sec; the soil can be classified as Clay.

The coefficient of permeability for the soil is > 1 cm/sec; the soil can be classified as Gravel.

35) According to the Kuichling formula, if K is the population of a thousand, find the fire demand of water in liters per minute?

1818√K

6316√K

3182√K

2589√K 

Answer: c

Explanation:

According to the Kuichling formula, fire demand is given by the equation

Q = 3182√K

Where,

Q = I/ min

K = Population (In thousand)

36) According to the Indian soil classification system, inorganic silts of high compressibility are given by the symbol.

KI

MH

TH

GH 

Answer: b

Explanation:

As per the Indian soil classification system,

MH = High compressible salt.

MI = Medium compressible salt.

ML = Low compressible salt.

37) A substance bar is used to determine

Vertical distances

Displacements

Horizontal distances

None of these 

Answer: c

Explanation:

Substance bar is used to determine the perpendicular angle (900) in any point and drawing perpendicular by exterior point. It is also used to measure horizontal distance.

38) If the duty of a crop is 950 hectare/cumec and the base period is 150 days, find the delta of the crop?

130 cm

140 cm

150 cm

160 cm 

Answer: a

Explanation:

Given,

Duty of a crop (D)= 950 hectare/cumec

Base period (B)= 150 days

∆ =?

We know that the relation between ∆ and duty is 

39) If the fineness modulus of sand is 3.1, it is graded as

Fine sand

Low sand

Coarse sand

Medium sand 

Answer: c

Explanation: The fineness modulus of sand having a value of 3.1 is graded as coarse sand. 

40) If the weight of a dia is 40 mm, find the bar per meter length?

6.587 kg

4.859 kg

7.394 kg

9.888 kg 

Answer: d

Explanation: The weight of bar per meter length is given by the equation 

= 0.00618 × (40)2

= 9.888 kg

41) If the stopping distance of a vehicle is 24 m and the average length is 8m, find the theoretical maximum capacity (vehicle/hour) of a traffic lane at a speed of 12m/sec?

1350

1750

1930

2275 

Answer: a

Explanation:

Given;

Stopping distance of a vechile = 24 m

Average length = 8m

Speed (V) = 12m/sec = 12 × 3.6 = 43.2 km/hr

We know that,

Space headway (S) = sight distance + average length of the vechile (L) = 24 + 8 = 32m

So, when we apply the Theoretical maximum capacity formula we get, 

42) The detailed plotting in a plane table surveying is usually done by

Dumpy level

Radiation

Traversing

Both option a and c 

Answer: b

Explanation: The detailed plotting in a plane table surveying is usually done by the radiation method. In the radiation method, the instrument is set up at a particular station, and the rays are drawn to multiple stations, which are to be plotted.

43) If an ascending gradient of 1 in 60 meets another ascending gradient of 1 in 20, find the deviation angle?

 

Answer: c

Explanation: 

44) The absolute minimum radius of the horizontal curve for a design speed 40 kmph

65.88 m

63.66 m

44.59 m

57.26 m 

Answer: d

Explanation:

According to IRC, the maximum super elevation for plain and rolling terrain

e = 0.07 and f = 0.15

Given;

V = 40 kmph

We know that,

Absolute minimum radius 

45) As per the classification of ordinary portland cement by the Indian Standard Bureau, which of the given cement is a grade of cement?

Grade 95

Grade 53

Grade 63

Grade 15 

Answer: c

Explanation: The classification of ordinary portland cement by Indian Standard Bureau grade 63 cement is a grade of cement. 

46) If a transition curve is applied between a straight and a curve such that a superelevation of 18 cm is applied over a curve and if the rate of superelevation is 1 IN 600, find the length in a meter of the transition curve?

75 meter

118 meter

108 meter

125 meter 

Answer: c

Explanation:

Given;

Super elevation(e) = 18 cm

Rate of super elevation = 1 IN 600

So the length in transition curve = 600 × 0.18

= 108 meter

47) Find the strainer length required for a deep tube well, giving a discharge of 12 liters per second? Assume permissible entrance velocity of 3 cm/second. It is desired to have the strainer of slot sizes 25mm × 0.4 mm with a number of slots per cm length of the strainer as 120.

2.7 m

4.9 m

6.7 m

9.2 m 

Answer: a

Explanation:

Let us suppose the length of the strainer is 'p' meter

= 25 × 0.4 × 10 -6 m2 × 3 × 10 -2 m/s x p × 120 × 120 = 12 × 10 -3 m3/sec

= 2.7 m

48) A soil sample is having a specific gravity of 3.4 and a void ratio of 0.54. If the water content in percentage required to fully saturate the soil, find the void ratio?

16 %

26 %

36 %

46 % 

Answer: a

Explanation:

Given

Specific gravity (g) =3.4

Void ratio (e) = 0.54

We know that,

eS = wg

0.54 × 1 = w × 3.4 (For fully saturated soil s is considered as 1) 

49) The permissible stress in steel is 160 MPa in the water tank of diameter 1.8 m which is designed to resist direct tensile force (T) of 240 N per meter width. Find the required area of tension steel in mm2/m.

2500 mm2

1500 mm2

3500 mm2

4500 mm2 

Answer: b

Explanation:

Given;

σst = 160 MPa

Diameter of tank =1.8 m

Tensile force (T) = 240 N/meter = 240 × 10 3N 

50) If the actual thickness of a brick masonry wall is 25 cm, its effective length is 3.45m. Its effective height is 3.25 m, and its code-specified stiffening coefficient is 1.6. find the tenderness ratio(For design) of the wall?

7.627

3.129

2.189

8.125 

Answer: d

Explanation:

Given;

Actual thickness = 25 cm

Effective length = 3.45m

Effective height = 3.25 m

Stiffening coefficent = 1.6

We know that,

Effective thickness = Actual thickness ×stiffening coefficient

Effective thickness = 25 ×1.6 = 40 cm

Stenderness ratio = Minimum of (effective length/effective thickness) or (effective height/effective thickness)

Slenderness ratio = Minimum of (3.45×100/40) or (3.25 ×100/40)

Hence standerness ratio is 8.125

51) Construction equipment has a useful life of 4 years after which it is to be replaced by a new one. If the interest rate is 6 %, find the nearest value of the sinking fund factor?

2.30

3.30

4.30

5.30 

Answer: a

Explanation:

Given;

Life(n) = 4 years

Interest rate(i) = 6 % = 0.06

Sinking fund factor = ?

We know that, 

52) A compression member is having gross effective cross-sectional areas of 1800 mm2 and 1400 mm2, respectively. If the compressive stress is 160 MPa, find the compressive design strength of the column?

433 kN

288 kN

127 kN

632 kN 

Answer: b

Explanation:

For compression members, design strength is determined based on gross cross-sectional area.

Hence design compressive strength

= 160 MPa 1800 mm2

= 288 kN

53) For the relationship , u = 33 - 0.44k, find the maximum flow in vechile/hour?

445

666

939

396 

Answer: d

Explanation:

We know that,

q = k u

or q = k (33 - 0.44k)

For maximum flow dq/dk = 33 - 0.44 ×2k = 0

So, k = 60 vechiles/km

Therefore, qmax = 60 (33 - 0.44 ×60 ) = 396

54) A layer of soil with G = 2.70 and e = 0.70 is subjected to an upward head of 1.8 m due to water seepage. Find the depth of the soil layer required to provide a factor of safety 2 against piping?

9.6 m

12.6 m

3.6 m

1.6 m 

Answer: c

Explanation:

Given

G = 2.70

e = 0.70

We know that critical hydraulic gradient 

55) While designing a hydraulic structure, the piezometric head at the bottom of the floor is computed as 15m. The datum is 4 m below the bottom floor. The assured standing water depth above the floor is 3 m. if the specific gravity of the floor material is 3, find the thickness of the floor.

1 m

2 m

3 m

4 m 

Answer: d

Explanation: 

56) The depth of flow in an alluvial channel is 2 m. If the critical velocity ratio is 1.5 and manning's n is 0.025, find the critical velocity of the channel as per Kennedy's method

1.28 m/sec

2.98 m/sec

7.26 m/sec

9.85 m/sec 

Answer: a

Explanation:

The depth of flow in a alluvial channel (y) = 2 m

Critical velocity ratio (m) = 1.5

manning's n = 0.025

We know that, the velocity as per kennedy method

Vo = 0.55 × m × (y) 0.64

Vo = 0.55 × 1.5 × (2) 0.64

= 1.28 m/sec

57) If a soil has a liquid of 50 % and a plasticity index of 25 %, find the plastic limit of the soil?

20 %

25%

40 %

50% 

Answer: b

Explanation:

Given;

Liquid WL = 50 %

Plasticity index Ip = 25 %

Plastic limit Wp = ?

We know that,

Ip = WL - Wp

25 % = 50 % - Wp

Wp = 25 %

58) In an experiment, it found that the bulk modulus of a material is equal to its shear modulus. Find the Poisson's ratio?

 

Answer: b

Explanation: 

59) A 40 m metric chain is found to be 0.2 m too short throughout the measurement. If the distance measured is recorded as 400 m, find the actual distance measured?

523

669

398

989 

Answer: c

Explanation:

Given;

Correct length of the chain (l) = 40 m

Wrong length of the chain (l') = 40 - 0.2 = 39.8 m.

Wrong length og measured line (L') = 400m

Correct length of the measured line (L) = ?

= L × l = l^'×L'

= L ×40 = 39.8 × 400 

L = 398

60) If the ultimate load is 12.0 tons, find the tensile stress of a mild steel rod of 24 mm diameter?

0.0004 ton/mm2

0.0548 ton/mm2

0.7859 ton/mm2

0.0058 ton/mm2 

Answer: a

Explanation:

Given;

Diameter = 24 mm

Ultimate load = 12.0 ton

We know that,