1. In the case of a cohesive soil under a large static load, which type of consolidation
will primarily occur?
A. Immediate consolidation
B. Primary consolidation
C. Secondary consolidation
D. Pore water dissipation
Answer: b) Primary consolidation
Rationale: Primary consolidation occurs when a cohesive soil is subjected to a load,
causing the soil to compress and pore water to dissipate. This process can take a long
time, especially in low permeability soils like clay.
2. Which of the following soils typically exhibits the highest shear strength?
A. Sandy soil
B. Clayey soil
C. Silty soil
D. Peaty soil
Answer: a) Sandy soil
,Rationale: Sandy soils generally have the highest shear strength due to their granular
nature, which provides greater inter-particle friction.
3. Which of the following is a typical method for preventing soil erosion around a
foundation?
A. Installing a pile foundation
B. Adding a drainage layer
C. Increasing the foundation depth
D. Installing a retaining wall
Answer: b) Adding a drainage layer
Rationale: A drainage layer helps control the movement of water around the
foundation, preventing the erosion of soil around it.
4. In a consolidation test, the rate of settlement of a soil sample is governed by:
A. The depth of the sample
B. The initial pore water pressure
C. The permeability of the soil
D. The initial total stress
Answer: c) The permeability of the soil
, Rationale: The rate of settlement in a consolidation test is influenced by the
permeability of the soil, as this dictates the rate at which pore water can escape,
leading to consolidation.
5. The critical depth of a shallow foundation is defined as:
A. The depth below which the soil does not contribute to bearing capacity
B. The maximum depth to which soil compaction is effective
C. The depth at which the soil experiences maximum consolidation
D. The depth at which the foundation experiences failure
Answer: a) The depth below which the soil does not contribute to bearing capacity
Rationale: The critical depth is where the bearing capacity of the soil ceases to
increase and becomes ineffective in supporting the foundation.
6. Which of the following is the correct relationship for calculating the ultimate
bearing capacity of a strip foundation according to Terzaghi’s bearing capacity
theory?
A. q_u = cN_c + qN_q
B. q_u = cN_c + qN_q + 0.5γBN_γ
C. q_u = cN_c + 2qN_q + γBN_γ
will primarily occur?
A. Immediate consolidation
B. Primary consolidation
C. Secondary consolidation
D. Pore water dissipation
Answer: b) Primary consolidation
Rationale: Primary consolidation occurs when a cohesive soil is subjected to a load,
causing the soil to compress and pore water to dissipate. This process can take a long
time, especially in low permeability soils like clay.
2. Which of the following soils typically exhibits the highest shear strength?
A. Sandy soil
B. Clayey soil
C. Silty soil
D. Peaty soil
Answer: a) Sandy soil
,Rationale: Sandy soils generally have the highest shear strength due to their granular
nature, which provides greater inter-particle friction.
3. Which of the following is a typical method for preventing soil erosion around a
foundation?
A. Installing a pile foundation
B. Adding a drainage layer
C. Increasing the foundation depth
D. Installing a retaining wall
Answer: b) Adding a drainage layer
Rationale: A drainage layer helps control the movement of water around the
foundation, preventing the erosion of soil around it.
4. In a consolidation test, the rate of settlement of a soil sample is governed by:
A. The depth of the sample
B. The initial pore water pressure
C. The permeability of the soil
D. The initial total stress
Answer: c) The permeability of the soil
, Rationale: The rate of settlement in a consolidation test is influenced by the
permeability of the soil, as this dictates the rate at which pore water can escape,
leading to consolidation.
5. The critical depth of a shallow foundation is defined as:
A. The depth below which the soil does not contribute to bearing capacity
B. The maximum depth to which soil compaction is effective
C. The depth at which the soil experiences maximum consolidation
D. The depth at which the foundation experiences failure
Answer: a) The depth below which the soil does not contribute to bearing capacity
Rationale: The critical depth is where the bearing capacity of the soil ceases to
increase and becomes ineffective in supporting the foundation.
6. Which of the following is the correct relationship for calculating the ultimate
bearing capacity of a strip foundation according to Terzaghi’s bearing capacity
theory?
A. q_u = cN_c + qN_q
B. q_u = cN_c + qN_q + 0.5γBN_γ
C. q_u = cN_c + 2qN_q + γBN_γ
