Civil Engineering - UPSC Civil Service Exam Questions MCQs Part 15

1. Tensile strength of concrete is measured by

A.
direct tension test in the universal testing machine

B.
applying compressive load along the diameter of the cylinder

C.
applying third point loading on a prism

D.
applying tensile load along the diameter of the cylinder

 Answer Option A

2. What is the moment (approximate) of the force acting on a railway sign post shown in the figure about the point ?

A.
1135 Nm

B.
1205 Nm

C.
980 Nm

D.
1300 Nm

 Answer Option A

3. A flash mixer of 2.0 m3, with a velocity gradient of mixing mechanisms equal to 660/s, and fluid absolute viscosity of 1.0 x 10-3 Ns/m2 is continuously operated. What is the power input per unit volume ?

A.
360 W

B.
720 W

C.
1440 W

D.
300 W

 Answer Option B

4. What is the discharge corresponding to a critical depth of 1.20 m in a 3.0 m wide rectangular channel:

A.
4.12 m3/s

B.
4.94 m3/s

C.
8.24 m3/s

D.
12.35 m3/s

 Answer Option D

5. A lemniscate curve between the tangents is transitional throughout, if the polar deflection angle of its apex is equal to (φ in the deflection angle between the initial and final tangents)

A.
φ/2

B.
φ/4

C.
φ/6

D.
φ

 Answer Option C

6. Consider the following statements :Total flat is :1. the time span by which the starting (or finishing) of an activity can be delayed without delaying the completion of the project.2. difference between maximum time available and the actual time required to perform the activity.3. difference between its earliest finish time and the earliest start time of its successor activity.Which among the following is/are correct ?

A. 2 and 3

B. 1, 2 and 3

C. 1 only

D. 1 and 2

 Answer Option B

7. In a linear reservoir, the

A. volume varies linearly with elevation

B. outflow rate varies linearly with storage

C. storage varies linearly with time

D. storage varies linearly with inflow rate

 Answer Option B

8. The given figure shows the relation between void ratio and shear strain for a sand under two density conditions. The void ratio corresponding to the dashed line is called

A. optimum void ratio

B. critical void ratio

C. residual void ratio

D. undisturbed void ratio

 Answer Option B

9. The separation of boundary layer takes place when the pressure gradient is

A. negative

B. positive

C. zero

D. constant

 Answer Option B

10. A free vortex formed from originally still water, say, as when draining still water in a flat-bottomed basin by suddenly pulling the stopper at the bottom on the drain hole, will be

A. clockwise in the northern as well as the southern hemispheres

B. anticlockwise in the northern as well as the sourthern hemispheres

C. anticlockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere

D. clockwise in the northern hemisphere and anticlockwise in the southern hemisphere

 Answer Option B

11. Which of the following are the fundamental lines of a theodolite ?1. The vertical and horizontal axes2. The diagonally opposite screw lines3. The line of collimation and axes of the plate levels4. The bubble line of the altitude level.Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

A. 1, 2 and 3

B. 1, 2 and 4

C. 2 and 3

D. 1, 3 and 4

 Answer Option D

12. Heliograph is a type of

A. instrument used for recording the movement of sun

B. instrument used for contouring an area

C. electronic distance measuring device

D. sun signal used in triangulation work

 Answer Option D

13. The amount of gradient is required to be reduced, whenever a horizontal curve and gradient have to be provided together. What is this process known as ?

A. Momentum gradient

B. Pusher gradient

C. Grade compensation

D. Grade resistance

 Answer Option C

14. As per Terzaghi's equation, the bearing capacity of strip footing resting on cohesive coil (c = 10 kN/m2) for unit depth and unit width (assume Nc as 5.7 ) is

A. 47 kN/m2

B. 57 kN/m2

C. 67 kN/m2

D. 77 kN/m2

 Answer Option B

15. A and B are Skempton's pore pressure coefficients. Forsaturated normally consolidated soils,

A. A > 1 and B > 1

B. A > 1 and B < 1

C. A < 1 and B > 1

D. A < 1 and B = 1

 Answer Option D

16. If the mean temperature of Sun's surface 6000 K and λm of its radiation is 0.5 what is the mean temperature of earth surface for which λm is 10.0 μm, according to Wien's Displacement Law in Remote Seniror Concept ?

A. 25 °C

B. 28 °C

C. 27 °C

D. 30 °C

 Answer Option C

17. The deflection at the free end of a cantilever subjected to a couple M at its free end and having a uniform flexural rigidity EI throughout its length 'L' is equal to

A.

B.

C.

D.

 Answer Option A

18. A compression member has a centre to centre length of 4.0 m. It is fixed at one end and hinged at the other end. The effective length of the column is

A. 4.0 m

B. 3.2 m

C. 2.8 m

D. 2.6 m

 Answer Option C

19. An image of the top of the hill is 96 mm from the principal point of the photograph. The elevation of the top of the hill is 500 m and flying height is 4000 m above the detum. The relief displacement will be

A. 768 mm

B. 88 mm

C. 12 M

D. 8 mm

 Answer Option C

20. If the curve lead of a broad gauge railway turnout is 16.76 metres, the angle of crossing of the turnout will be given by

A. tan-1 10

B. tan-1 5

C. tan-1 1/10

D. tan-1 1/5

 Answer Option C

21. Which one of the following is tne correct statement? In beam to column connections in steel construction, if torsion is permitted at the ends of simply supported beams by not providing the cleats, the

A. effective length'of the beam increases by 20 %

B. effective length remains same as the actual length

C. Permissible bending stresses are increased by around 10 %

D. joint has to be designed for torsion

 Answer Option A

22. Consider the following statements :In the bar chart planning1. Interdependence of the operations cannot be portrayed2. Progress of work can be measured3. Spare time of the activities can be determined4. Schedule cannot be updated Of these statements :

A. 1, 2 and 3 are correct

B. 1 and 4 are correct

C. 2, 3 and 4 are correct

D. 1, 2 and 4 are correct

 Answer Option B

23. Which one of the following flood routing methods involves the concepts of wedge and prism storages ?

A. Coefficient method

B. Muskingum method

C. Pul's method

D. Lag method

 Answer Option B

24. Groynes are adopted for river bank protection works. When it is placed inclined downstream in the direction of flow in the river, it is designated as which one of the following ?

A. Repelling groyne

B. Attracting groyne

C. Neither repelling nor attracting groyne

D. Fixed groyne

 Answer Option B

25. If the magnetic bearing of a line is 48°24' and magnetic declination is 5°38' East, then the true bearing is

A. 42° 02'

B. 42° 46'

C. 54° 02'

D. 54° 46'

 Answer Option C

26. The ture bearing of a line is 34° 20' 40"and the magnetic declination at the place of observation is 2° 00' 20" W on the date of observation. The magnetic bearing of the line is

A. 36° 21' 00"

B. 34° 20' 20"

C. 32° 20' 20"

D. 32° 00' 20"

 Answer Option A

27. What is the inclination of resultant reactions at A with the vertical for the frame shown in the given figure ?

A. 60°

B. 40°

C. 30°

D. 50°

 Answer Option C

28. Which one of the following, measures the stiffness of a track ?

A. Tractive effort

B. Tractive resistance

C. Track modulus

D. Load capacity

 Answer Option C

29. Consider the following statements :1. About 25% of alumina is brick earth imparts the plasticity necessary for moulding bricks into required shape.2. Iron pyrite present in brick earth preserves the form of the bricks at high temperatures.3. Presence of weeds in brick earth makes the bricks unsound.Which of these statements are correct ?

A. 1 and 2

B. 1 and 3

C. 2 and 3

D. 1, 2 and 3

 Answer Option B

30. In the cross-section of a rectangular beam, what is the ratio of the average shear stress to the maximum shear stress ?

A. 3/2

B. 2/3

C. 4/3

D. 3/4

 Answer Option B

31. Which type of plume may occur during winter nights ?

A. Looping

B. Inversion

C. Coning

D. Lofting

 Answer Option D

32. In a compaction test on a soil sample, if the compaction energy is decreased (γd = maximum dry density, OMC = optimum moisture content)

A. γd will increase with increase in OMC

B. γd will decrease with increase in OMC

C. γd will decrease with decrease in OMC

D. γd will increase with decrease in OMC.

 Answer Option B

33. A three-hinged symmetric parabolic arch is hinged at the springing and at the crown. The span and rise are 40 m and 10 m respectively. The left half of the arch is loaded with U.D.L. of 3 t/m. The horizontal thrust at the springings will be

A. 15 t

B. 20 t

C. 30 t

D. 40 t

 Answer Option C

34. At a hydraulic jump, the depths at the two sides are 0.4 m and 1.4 m. The head loss in the jump is nearly

A. 1.0 m

B. 0.9 m

C. 0.7 m

D. 0.45 m

 Answer Option D

35. A 12 kg mass rests on a surface for which the coefficient of friction is μ= 0.15. What is the smallest force that can give the mass acceleration of 3 m/s2 ? (Take g = 10 m/s2).

A. 120 N

B. 100 N

C. 65 N

D. 54 N

 Answer Option B

36. Which one of the following expresses the degree of disturbance of undisturbed clay sample due to remoulding ?

A. Thixotropy

B. Dilatancy

C. Sensivity

D. Plasticity

 Answer Option C

37. For strengthening a 50 m long and 5 m high straight compound wall built in brick work, which one of the following would be most suitable ?

A. Providing buttresses at certain intervals

B. Providing a deeper foundation

C. Using a richer mortar

D. Using stronger bricks

 Answer Option A

38. Why are tie plates provided is laced columns ?

A. To check the buckling of column as whole

B. To check the buckling of the lacing flats

C. To check the buckling of the component columns

D. To check the distortion of the end cross sections

 Answer Option C

39. Which of the following treatments reduce salinity of water ?1. Flocculation and sedimentation 2. Filtration3. Reverse osomasis 4. ElectrodialysisSelect the correct answer using the codes given below :

A. 1 and 2

B. 3 and 4

C. 2 and 3

D. 1 and 4

 Answer Option B

40. A deposit of fine sand has a porosity 'n' and specific gravity of soil solids is G. The hydraulic gradient of the deposit to develop boiling condition of sand is given by

A. ic = (G - 1)(1 - n)

B. ic = (G - 1)(1 + n)

C.

D.

 Answer Option A

41. A vertical photograph of a chimney was taken from an elevation of 500 m above M.S.L, The elevation of the base of the chimney was 250 m. If the relief displacement of the chimney was 51.4 mm and the radial distance of the image of the top of the chimney was 110 mm, the height of the chimney is

A. 233.64 m

B. 133.2 m

C. 116.82 m

D. 58.41m

 Answer Option C

42. A beam of rectangular cross-section (b x d) is subjected to a torque T. What is the maximum torsional stress induced in the beam ?(Where b < d, and α is a constant)

A.

B.

C.

D.

 Answer Option A

43. A simply supported beam is subjected to an eccentric concentrated load. Where does the maximum deflection of the beam due to the applied load occur ?

A. Directly under the load

B. At the centre of the beam

C. Between the load point and the nearest end support

D. Between the load point and centre of the beam.

 Answer Option D

44. Which of the following factors are taken into account for estimating the runway length required for aircraft landing1. Normal maximum temperature.2. Air port elevation.3. Maximum lending weight.4. Effective runway gradient.Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

A. 1, 2, 3 and 4

B. 1, 3 and 4

C. 2 and 3

D. 1, 2 and 4

 Answer Option D

45. Two geometrically similar pumps are running at the same speed of 1000 r.p.m. and lifting water against the heads of 25 m and 16 m respectively. First pump is having an impeller diameter of 300 mm. The impeller diameter of second pump shall be

A. 192 mm

B. 240 mm

C. 300 mm

D. 469 mm

 Answer Option B

46. If the flange angle is β, coefficient of friction between flange and rail is μ, the derailment coefficient according to Nadal's formula should not exceed

A.

B.

C.

D.

 Answer Option C

47. Consider the following field tests :1. Vertical pile load test2. Cyclic pile load test3. Lateral pile load test4. Instrumented test pileWhile estimating the load carrying capacity of a pile, the tests that can be used for separating the skin resistance from point resistance, would include

A. 1 and 3

B. 1 and 4

C. 2 and 3

D. 2 and 4

 Answer Option C

48. Consider the following statements :In water supply distribution network, 1. the grid-iron system requires more length of pipe lines and larger number of cut-off valves.2. the design of the grid-iron system is difficult but economical.3. employing a grid-iron system, the dead ends are completely eliminated.4. employing a grid-iron system permits more water to be diverted towards the affected point from various directions.Which of the statements given above are correct ?

A. 1, 2 and 4

B. 1, 3 and 4

C. 2, 3 and 4

D. 1, 2 and 3

 Answer Option B

49. The entry of foul smelling gases into the house coming from the sewers can be prevented by

A. providing water seals for all the fixtures

B. providing water seals for all the fixtures and a vent pipe in the plumbing system

C. providing sufficient vent pipes in the plumbing system

D. exhaust fans

 Answer Option B

50. In the alignment of an irrigation channel wherefrom offtakes have to be provided at regular intervals, changes in the given channel parameters are made use of. The correct sequence of the decreasing order of preference of these parameters is

A. Width, slope, depth

B. Width, depth, slope

C. Depth, slope, width

D. Depth, width, slope

 Answer Option B