Part A: Conceptual MCQs (1–25)
1. The void ratio of a soil sample cannot be
A) Zero
B) 0.5
C) 1.0
D) Negative
Answer: D
Explanation: Void ratio = Vv/Vs, it can never be negative.
2. The unit weight of water is taken as
A) 9.81 kN/m³
B) 10 kN/m³
C) 1 kN/m³
D) 1000 kN/m³
Answer: A
3. Which soil has highest permeability?
A) Clay
B) Silt
C) Sand
D) Peat
Answer: C
4. At liquid limit, soil changes from
A) Solid to semi-solid
B) Semi-solid to plastic
C) Plastic to liquid
D) Liquid to gas
Answer: C
5. Effective stress is given by
A) σ + u
B) σ − u
C) u − σ
D) σ/u
Answer: B
(σ' = σ − u)
6. Which test is used to determine shear strength?
A) SPT
B) Triaxial test
C) Proctor test
D) Consolidation test
Answer: B
7. The plasticity index is
A) LL − SL
B) LL − PL
C) PL − SL
D) LL + PL
Answer: B
8. For normally consolidated clay, cohesion is
A) Maximum
B) Minimum
C) Zero
D) Infinite
Answer: C
9. Darcy’s law is valid for
A) Turbulent flow
B) Laminar flow
C) Both
D) Only gases
Answer: B
10. Which soil is most compressible?
A) Gravel
B) Sand
C) Silt
D) Clay
Answer: D
Part B: Numerical MCQs (26–50)
26.
A soil sample has:
Volume of voids = 0.4 m³
Volume of solids = 0.6 m³
Void ratio is:
A) 0.4
B) 0.6
C) 0.67
D) 1.5
Answer: C
e = Vv/Vs = 0.4/0.6 = 0.67
27.
Dry unit weight = 16 kN/m³
Water content = 20%
Bulk unit weight = ?
A) 17
B) 18
C) 19.2
D) 20
Answer: C
γ = γd(1 + w) = 16(1.2) = 19.2
28.
A soil has G = 2.7 and e = 0.8.
Find dry unit weight.
A) 14.7
B) 15.0
C) 16.2
D) 18.0
Answer: C
γd = (Gγw)/(1+e) = (2.7×9.81)/1.8 = 16.2 kN/m³
29.
If LL = 60% and PL = 30%, PI = ?
A) 20
B) 25
C) 30
D) 35
Answer: C
PI = 60 − 30 = 30
30.
SPT N-value is corrected for:
A) Overburden pressure
B) Dilatancy
C) Energy
D) All of these
Answer: D
31.
A soil sample has permeability 10⁻⁴ cm/s. Convert to m/s.
A) 10⁻⁶
B) 10⁻⁵
C) 10⁻⁴
D) 10⁻³
Answer: A
10⁻⁴ cm/s = 10⁻⁶ m/s
32.
If porosity = 0.4, void ratio is:
A) 0.4
B) 0.67
C) 1.0
D) 1.5
Answer: B
e = n/(1−n) = 0.4/0.6 = 0.67
33.
Shear strength equation (Mohr–Coulomb):
A) τ = σ + c
B) τ = c + σ tanφ
C) τ = σ tanφ
D) τ = c tanφ
Answer: B
34.
For saturated soil, degree of saturation is:
A) 0%
B) 50%
C) 100%
D) 150%
Answer: C
35.
If water table rises, effective stress will:
A) Increase
B) Decrease
C) Remain same
D) Become zero
Answer: B
36.
A sample has:
Total stress = 120 kPa
Pore pressure = 40 kPa
Effective stress = ?
A) 80
B) 100
C) 160
D) 60
Answer: A
σ' = 120 − 40 = 80 kPa
37.
Compression index is obtained from:
A) Direct shear test
B) Triaxial test
C) Consolidation test
D) SPT
Answer: C
38.
Which soil shows capillary rise maximum?
A) Gravel
B) Sand
C) Silt
D) Clay
Answer: D
39.
For clay soil, permeability depends mainly on:
A) Void ratio
B) Particle size
C) Shape
D) Density
Answer: A
40.
A soil has:
G = 2.65
e = 0.65
γw = 10 kN/m³
Find saturated unit weight.
A) 18
B) 19
C) 20
D) 21
Answer: B
γsat = [(G+e)/(1+e)]γw
= (2.65+0.65)/1.65 ×10
= 19 kN/m³
41.
Hydraulic gradient is defined as:
A) h/L
B) L/h
C) A/h
D) Q/A
Answer: A
42.
If coefficient of permeability is high, soil is:
A) Impervious
B) Semi-pervious
C) Pervious
D) Cohesive
Answer: C
43.
Unconfined compressive strength test is suitable for:
A) Sand
B) Gravel
C) Clay
D) Silt
Answer: C
44.
In triaxial test, cell pressure is:
A) Axial stress
B) Deviator stress
C) Confining stress
D) Pore pressure
Answer: C
45.
Relative density is used for:
A) Clay
B) Silt
C) Sand
D) Peat
Answer: C
46.
Which soil is best for foundation?
A) Clay
B) Silt
C) Dense sand
D) Organic soil
Answer: C
47.
Consolidation settlement occurs due to:
A) Air expulsion
B) Water expulsion
C) Particle breakage
D) Elastic rebound
Answer: B
48.
Primary consolidation is time dependent in:
A) Sand
B) Gravel
C) Clay
D) Rock
Answer: C
49.
If cohesion c = 0, soil is:
A) Clay
B) Silt
C) Pure sand
D) Organic
Answer: C
50.
The slope of flow net equipotential lines gives:
A) Velocity
B) Pressure head
C) Hydraulic gradient
D) Discharge
Answer: C
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MCQ Practice