Soil Mechanics – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. 37. What is 'triaxial test' used for?

   • A. To determine the shear strength parameters of a soil under different drainage conditions and stress states
   • B. To determine permeability
   • C. To determine compaction characteristics
   • D. To determine Atterberg limits

2. 38. What is 'unconfined compression test' (UCC)?

   • A. A shear strength test specifically for cohesive soils
   • B. where the specimen is not confined laterally
   • C. A test for granular soils
   • D. A test for permeability

3. 39. What is 'compaction' of soil?

   • A. The process of increasing the density of a soil by reducing the air voids
   • B. typically by mechanical means
   • C. The process of increasing water content
   • D. The process of liquefaction

4. 40. What is 'optimum moisture content' (OMC)?

   • A. The water content at which a given soil can achieve its maximum dry density under a specific compactive effort
   • B. The water content for maximum wet density
   • C. The water content for minimum dry density
   • D. The water content at liquid limit

5. 41. What is 'maximum dry density' (MDD)?

   • A. The maximum dry unit weight achieved at the optimum moisture content for a specific compactive effort
   • B. The maximum wet unit weight
   • C. The minimum dry unit weight
   • D. The dry unit weight at liquid limit

6. 42. What is 'Proctor compaction test' used for?

   • A. To determine the optimum moisture content and maximum dry density of a soil
   • B. To determine shear strength
   • C. To determine permeability
   • D. To determine consolidation

7. 43. What is 'California Bearing Ratio' (CBR)?

   • A. A measure of the strength of subgrade soils for pavement design
   • B. A measure of soil permeability
   • C. A measure of soil compressibility
   • D. A measure of soil density

8. 44. What is 'bearing capacity' of soil?

   • A. The maximum average contact pressure between the foundation and the soil that causes shear failure in the soil
   • B. The settlement of the soil
   • C. The strength of the foundation
   • D. The permeability of the soil

9. 45. What is 'net bearing capacity'?

   • A. The maximum net intensity of load that can be transmitted by the foundation to the soil without shear failure
   • B. The total bearing capacity
   • C. The allowable bearing capacity
   • D. The ultimate bearing capacity

10. 46. What is 'ultimate bearing capacity'?

    • A. The gross pressure at the base of the foundation at which the soil fails in shear
    • B. The allowable pressure
    • C. The net pressure
    • D. The safe pressure

11. 47. What is 'allowable bearing capacity'?

    • A. The maximum pressure that a foundation can apply to the soil without causing excessive settlement or shear failure
    • B. considering a factor of safety
    • C. The ultimate bearing capacity
    • D. The net bearing capacity

12. 48. What is 'settlement' of foundations?

    • A. The downward movement of a foundation due to the loads from the structure and the compressibility of the underlying soil
    • B. The upward movement
    • C. The horizontal movement
    • D. The rotation