Soil Mechanics – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. 85. What is 'disturbed soil sample'?

   • A. A soil sample whose original structure has been altered
   • B. but its composition is preserved
   • C. An undisturbed sample
   • D. A remolded sample

2. 86. What is 'in-situ testing'?

   • A. Field tests conducted directly on the soil at the site
   • B. Laboratory tests
   • C. Material tests
   • D. Structural tests

3. 87. What is 'laboratory testing' in soil mechanics?

   • A. Tests performed on soil samples brought to a laboratory to determine their engineering properties
   • B. Field tests
   • C. In-situ tests
   • D. Structural tests

4. 88. What is 'relative density' (Dr)?

   • A. A measure of the density of a granular soil relative to its loosest and densest states
   • B. A measure of water content
   • C. A measure of cohesion
   • D. A measure of plasticity

5. 89. What is 'critical hydraulic gradient' (i_c)?

   • A. The hydraulic gradient at which seepage forces overcome the effective stress in a soil
   • B. leading to quicksand conditions or boiling
   • C. The hydraulic gradient for laminar flow
   • D. The hydraulic gradient for turbulent flow

6. 90. What is 'quicksand condition'?

   • A. A phenomenon in saturated granular soils where upward seepage pressure reduces the effective stress to zero
   • B. causing the soil to lose its shear strength and behave like a heavy fluid
   • C. The drying of sand
   • D. The compaction of sand

7. 91. What is 'flow net'?

   • A. A graphical representation of the flow of water through a soil mass
   • B. consisting of equipotential lines and flow lines
   • C. A diagram of soil particles
   • D. A diagram of stress distribution

8. 92. What is 'equipotential line' in a flow net?

   • A. A line connecting points of equal total head
   • B. A line showing flow direction
   • C. A line showing stress
   • D. A line showing density

9. 93. What is 'flow line' in a flow net?

   • A. A line representing the path that a particle of water would follow through the soil
   • B. A line connecting points of equal total head
   • C. A line showing stress
   • D. A line showing density

10. 94. What is 'filter design' in soil mechanics?

    • A. Designing granular filters or geotextile filters to allow water to pass through while preventing soil particles from being eroded
    • B. Designing concrete filters
    • C. Designing air filters
    • D. Designing chemical filters

11. 95. What is 'piping' failure in hydraulic structures?

    • A. Erosion of soil particles due to high seepage forces
    • B. leading to the formation of channels and eventual structural collapse
    • C. Consolidation
    • D. Settlement

12. 96. What is 'heave'?

    • A. The upward movement of soil
    • B. often due to swelling clays or frost action
    • C. Downward movement
    • D. Horizontal movement