Table of Contents

Chapter 1
Origin and Properties of Soil ………………..………………………..……………….…………. 1
Chapter 2
Classification of Soil .…………..………………..………………………..……………….………… 11
Chapter 3
Permeability & Effective Stress …………………………….……….…………………………. 15
Chapter 4
Seepage Analysis ……...…………………………………...……………………….………………. 19
Chapter 5
Compressibility and consolidation …………………………………..………………………. 21
Chapter 6
Compaction of Soil ………………….……….……….…………………………………………….. 24
Chapter 7
Shear Strength of Soil & Stress Distribution ………………….…….……….……….…. 26
Chapter 8
Lateral Earth Pressure Theories …………………………….……….……………………….. 29
Chapter 9
Stability Analysis of Slopes ……...…………………………………...……………………….… 32
Chapter 10
Shallow Foundation & Bearing Capacity …………………..………………………………. 33
Chapter 11
Pile foundation ………………….……….……….…………………………………………………… 37
Chapter 12
Soil Exploration ……………………………….…….……….……….………………………………. 39
Chapter 1
Origin and Properties of Soil
SSC - JE PYQ Questions Q.7 The moisture content of soil below which
the soil volume become constant is called
Q.1 If the soil sample is having porosity 50 % the
and degrees of saturation at 90 % then its (A) Liquid limit (B) Plastic limit
percentage air voids is (C) Shrinkage limit (D) All of these
(A) 5 % (B) 50 % [SSC - JE : 2008]
(C) 45 % (D) 4.5 % Q.8 When the plastic limit of a soil is greater
[SSC - JE : 2004] than the liquid limit, then the plasticity
Q.2 According to atterberg, the soil is said to be index is reported as
of medium plasticity if the plasticity index (A) Negative
(PI) is (B) Zero
(A) 0 < PI < 7 (B) 7 ≤ PI ≤ 17 (C) Non-plastic (NP)
(C) 17 < PI < 27 (D) PI ≥ 27 (D) None of the above
[SSC - JE : 2004] [SSC - JE : 2009]
Q.3 A soil has liquid 65 % plastic limit of 30 % Q.9 A soil has a bulk density of 22 kN/m 3 and
and shrinkage limit of 25 %, and it has water content 10 %, the dry density of soil
natural moisture content of 45 %. The in kN/m3 is
liquidity index of soil is (A) 18.6 (B) 20.0
(A) 1.5 (B) 1.25 (C) 22.0 (D) 23.2
(C) 0.6 (D) None of these [SSC - JE : 2009]
[SSC - JE : 2004] Q.10 Relative density of compacted dense sand
Q.4 Void ratio of a soil is 0.9, its porosity shall is approximately equal to
be (A) 0.4 (B) 0.6
(C) 0.95 (D) 1.20
(A) 0.45 (B) 0.47
[SSC - JE : 2009]
(C) 0.57 (D) 0.53
Q.11 Sand particles are made of
[SSC - JE : 2005]
(A) Kaolinite (B) lllite
Q.5 A soil has percentage air voids of the order
(C) Montmorillonite (D) Quartz
of 30 %. It has a porosity of 0.4. The air
[SSC - JE : 2013]
content of that soil shall be
Q.12 Gravel and sand belongs to the following
(A) 0.75 (B) 0.12 category of soils
(C) 1.33 (D) 0.70 (A) Alluvial (B) Cohesive
[SSC - JE : 2005] (C) Expansive (D) Marine
Q.6 If voidratio is 0.67, water content = 0.188 [SSC - JE : 2014]
and sp. Gr = 2.68, the degree of saturation Q.13 When the plasticity index of a soil is zero,
of soil is the soil is
(A) 25 % (B) 40 % (B) Clay (B) Silt
(C) 75 % (D) 60 % (C) Sand (D) Silty sand
[SSC - JE : 2007] [SSC - JE : 2015]

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Geotechnical Enggineering [SSC-JE] 2 GATE ACADEMY®
Q.14 Which of the following statements is true? Q.21 Which of the following is responsible for
(A) In a dry soil all the voids are filled with the formation of residual soil?
air (A) Glaciers (B) Water
(B) In a saturated soil all the voids are (C) Wind (D) None of these
filled with water [SSC - JE : 2017]
(C) In a partially saturated soil voids are
Q.22 If the degree of saturation of soil is given by
occupied by both air and water
67.89 %, which is the percentage of air
(D) All options are correct
content of the soil?
[SSC - JE : 2016]
(A) 10.5 (B) 20.25
Q.15 Specific gravity of soil is
(C) 32.11 (D) 40.43
(A) Same for clays and sands
(B) Determined by hydrometer [SSC - JE : 2017]
(C) Less than 2 for most soils Q.23 The ______ soil transported by the
(D) More than 2.5 for most soils gravitational forces.
[SSC - JE : 2016] (A) Alluvial soil (B) Colluvial soil
Q.16 Most of the stones possess the specific (C) Loess (D) Till
gravity in the range of ______. [SSC - JE : 2017]
(A) 1 to 1.5 (B) 1.5 to 2.0 Q.24 For which of the following soil, plasticity
(C) 2.4 to 2.8 (D) 3 to 4 index is maximum?
[SSC - JE : 2016] (A) Clay (B) Cobble
Q.17 Sand generally contains salt if it is obtained
(C) Gravel (D) Silt
from
[SSC - JE : 2017]
(A) Nala beds
(B) River beds Q.25 Which of the following represents the
(C) Sea beds percentage limit of porosity of the
compacted sand?
(D) All options are correct
[SSC - JE : 2016] (A) 5 % to 15 % (B) 15 % to 30 %
Q.18 Which of the following soil has the (C) 30 % to 40 % (D) 40 % to 50 %
uniformity coefficient more than 10? [SSC - JE : 2017]
(A) Well graded soil (B) Coarse soil Q.26 Which of the following bonding is
(C) Uniform soil (D) Poor soil responsible to combine the silica-gibbsite
[SSC - JE : 2016] sheet in kaolinite clay mineral?
Q.19 Soil transported by wind is called (A) Covalent bond
(A) Aeolian soil (B) Alluvial soil (B) Hydrogen bond
(C) Marine soil (D) Lacustrine soil (C) Polar covalent bond
[SSC - JE : 2016]
[SSC - JE : 2017]
Q.20 pick up the correct statement from the
following Assignment Questions
(A) In partially saturated soil the void
Q.1 The relationship between water content
space between the soil grains, is filled
(W%) and number of blows (N) in soils, as
partly with air and partly with water
obtained from Casagrande’s liquid limit
(B) In perfectly saturated soil, the voids are
device, is given by
completely filled with water
W= 20 – log10 N
(C) In dry soil, the voids are completely
filled with air The liquid limit of the soil is
(D) Air options are correct (A) 15.6% (B) 16.6%
[SSC - JE : 2016] (C) 17.6% (D) 18.6%
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GATE ACADEMY® 3 Origin and Properties of Soil
Q.2 The height of capillary rise is maximum in Q.9 Clay whose activity coefficient is more than
(A) fine gravel (B) colloids 1.2 is termed as
(C) Silt (D) fine sand (A) Fine clay (B) Inactive clay
[Punjab JE – 2014] (C) Active clay (D) Normal clay
Q.3 If the soil sample has water content = 20% [PEB-SUB-ER-2017]
specific gravity = 2.70 and void ration = Q.10 Which of the following is a property of
0.75 then degree of saturation of the given black cotton sail?
sample (A) It does not retain moisture
(A) 68% (B) 13.8% (B) It swells excessively when wet and
(C) 54% (D) None of these shrinks excessively when dry
[RPSC – VPITI – 2016] (C) It becomes soft when dry
Q.4 If the void ratio (e) of a given soil sample is (D) It is very rock
0.77 then is porosity (n) is
[KPSC-JE, GESCOM - AE]
(A) 0.435%
Q.11 The ratio of the weight of given volume of
(B) 43.50% soil solids to the weight of an equal volume
(C) 23.3% of distilled water at the given temperature,
(D) Data given are insufficient to calculate is called
porosity (A) Porosity (B) Specific gravity
[RPSC – VPITI – 2016] (C) Void ratio (D) Water content
Q.5 Which of the following statements is [KPSC-JE]
incorrect in respect to capillarity in soils
Q.12 Which of the soil is transported through
(A) Gravitational water maybe removed
wind
from soils by drainage.
(A) Loess (B) Talus
(B) At the water table, the pore water
(C) Drift (D) Sand dunes
pressure is greater than zero
(C) Capillary watch is hold above the [PHED-RAJ]
water table by ‘surface tension’ Q.13 If the degree of saturation of a partially
(D) Capillary rise is controlled by pore size saturated soil is 60% then air content of the
and soil is
[RPSC – VPITI – 2016] (A) 40% (B) 60%
Q.6 Number of phases in soil mass is (C) 80% (D) 100%
(A) 1 (B) 2 [PHED-RAJ.]
(C) 3 (D) 4 Q.14 Find the quantity of soil, if dry density of
[RPSC] given soil is 1.75 gm/cm2, for an
embankment of volume of 5 × 104 m3
Q.7 The collapsible soil is associated with
(A) 875 tonne (B) 8750 tonne
(A) loess (B) laterite soils
(C) Black cotton soil (D) Dune sands (C) 87500 tonne (D) 8.75 tonne
[RPSC] [DMRC - 2018]
Q.8 The smallest water content below which Q.15 To find the shrinkage ratio of a soil sample,
soil sample will not reduce its volume any which of the following liquids is used in the
further is known testing procedure?
(A) Plasticity limit (B) Plasticity index (A) Petrol (B) Mercury
(C) Drying limit (D) Shrinkage limit (C) Water (D) Kerosene
[PEB-SUB ER. - 2017] [DMRC - 2018]
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Geotechnical Enggineering [SSC-JE] 4 GATE ACADEMY®
Q.16 The dry density of soil specimen is 1.818 (C) Oven drying method
g/cm3 find its shrinkage ratio (D) Calcium carbide method
(A) 1 (B) 0.55 [DMRC - 2018]
(C) 1.82 (D) 0.82 Q.23 Lacustrine soils are transported by
[DMRC - 2018] (A) Rivers (B) Seas
Q.17 The relation between dry unit weight () (C) Lakes (D) Wind
specific gravity (G) and voids ratio (e) is [DMRC - 2018]
given by Q.24 The mass specific gravity of a fully
Gγ d Gγ d saturated specimen of clay having a water
(A) γ w = (B) γ w = content of 40% is 1.88 On oven drying if
1+ e 1− e
mass specific gravity drops to 1.74 then the
Gγ w Gγ w
(C) γ d = (D) γ d = specific gravity of clay will be
1+ e 1− e
(A) 1.95 (B) 2.90
[DMRC - 2018]
(C) 2.67 (D) 2.85
Q.18 A soil has a bulk density of 22 kN/mm3 [DMRC - 2018]
water content 10% The dry density of soil
Q.25 The mass specific gravity of a fully
is
saturated specimen of clay having a water
(A) 18.6 kN/mm3 (B) 20 kN/mm3 content of 36% is 1.86 On oven drying the
(C) 22 kN/mm3 (D) 23.2 kN/mm3 mass specific gravity drops to 1.72
[RPSC ACF - 2011] Calculate the specific gravity of clay and its
Q.19 A cohesive soil yields a maximum dry shrinkage limit.
density of 18 kN/mm3 during a standard (A) G = 2.69, Ws = 21%
proctor compaction test, If the specific (B) G = 2.69, Ws = 25%
gravity is 2.65, what would be its void (C) G = 2.89, Ws = 21%
ratio? (Adopt unit weight of water as 10 (D) G = 2.97, Ws = 27%
kN/m3) [HPSC - 2014]
(A) 0.5523 (B) 0.4722 Q.26 If the sensitivity of a clay is four and I
(C) 0.7121 (D) 0.5835 undisturbed strength is 300 units, the
[ISRO - 2013] disturbed strength of the clay will be
Q.20 A soil has liquid limit of 35% plastic limit (A) 750 units (B) 250 units
of 20% and moisture content 25% what will (C) 75 units (D) 1000 units
be its liquidity and plasticity index [DDA JE - 2018]
(A) 0.67,15 (B) 0.33,15 Q.27 If he liquid limit of a soil is 40% and the
(C) 0.67, 25 (D) 0.33, 20 plasticity index is 12% then the soil will be
[ISRO - 2013] classified as
(A) MI (B) CL
Q.21 The Shrinkage index is equal to
(C) CH (D) MH
(A) Shrinkage limit – Plastic limit
[DDA JE - 2018]
(B) Liquid limit – Shrinkage limit
Q.28 Which of the following soils is essentially
(C) Plastic limit – Shrinkage limit
plastic in behavior?
(D) Liquid limit – plastic limit (A) Boulders (B) Sand
[DMRC - 2018] (C) Clay (D) Silt
Q.22 The quickest method for determination of [DDA JE - 2018]
water content is Q.29 The liquid limit of a soil is 40% and
(A) Torsion bath method plasticity index is 20% plasticity is 20%.
(B) Sand bath method This soil will be
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GATE ACADEMY® 5 Origin and Properties of Soil
(A) ML (B) CH (i) the soil is 50% saturated
(C) CH (D) CI (ii) the soil is 100% saturated
[DDA JE - 2018] [15 Marks, SSC JE-2009]
Q.30 A clay is called as quick, if its sensitivity is Q.4 An embankment was compacted at a
(A) > 16 (B) 1 to 4 moisture content of 15%, Its density was
(C) 4 to 8 (D) 8 to 16 determined with the help of a core cutter
[DDA JE - 2018] and the following data was collected :
Q.31 If D60 = 3 mm, D30 = 1.5 mm and D10 = Empty weight of the cutter = 1200 gms
0.75 mm then what will be the coefficient Weight of cutter when it is full of soil =
of uniformity of this soil? 3200 gm
(A) 1.0 (B) 0.5 Volume sf the cutter = 1000 cc
(C) 2.0 (D) 4.0
Calculate bulk density and saturation
[DDA JE - 2018] percentage of the embankment. If the
Q.32 A soil has a liquid limit of 40% & plasticity embankment becomes fully saturated due
index of 20% The plastic limit of the soil to rains, then, determine its moisture
will be content and saturated density. Take G =
(A) 20% (B) 30% 2.70.
(C) 40% (D) 40% [20 Marks, SS€ JE-2009]
[RPSC]
Q.5 The following properties of the soil were
Conventional Questions determined by performing test on clay
sample:
Q.1 A cube of dried clay having sides 4 cm long
Natural moisture content = 25%
has a mass of 110 g. The same cube of soil
Liquid limit = 32%
when saturated at unchanged volume has a
mass of 135 g. Draw the soil elements, Plastic limit = 24%
showing the volumes and weight of the Diameter of 60% size = 0.006 mm
constituents, and then determine the Diameter of 10% size = 0.006 mm
specific gravity of soil solids and the void Calculate the liquidity coefficient,
ratio. uniformity coefficient and relative
Soil Sample consistency.
[15 Marks, SSC JE-2010]
Q.6 An earthen embankment is compacted to a
4 cm dry density of 1.82 gm/cc at moisture
content of 12%. The bulk density and
moisture content are 1.72 gm/cc and 6% at
4 cm the site from where the soil is borrowed and
4 cm
[5+4+6 = 15 Marks, SSC JE-2004] transported at the site of construction. How
Q.2 An earth embankment is compacted at much excavation should be carried out in
water content of 17% to a bulk density of the pit of borrowed area for each cu-m of
1.9 g/cc. If the specific gravity of soil grain the embankment?
is 2.65, calculate the void ratio of the [18 Marks, SSC JE-2010]
compacted embankment. Q.7 Write a short note on the significant
[10 Marks, SSC JE-2007] properties of soil.
Q.3 A sample of soil has a porosity of 35% and [10 Marks, SSC JE-2011]
specific gravity of solid is 2.67. Calculate Q.8 A soil sample in its natural state has, when
void ratio, dry density and unit weight if fully saturated, a water content of 32.5%.
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Geotechnical Enggineering [SSC-JE] 6 GATE ACADEMY®
Determine the void ratio, dry and total unit Q.6 If the voids of a soil mass are full of air
weight. Calculate the total weight of water only, the soil is termed as
required to saturate a soil mass of volume (A) Air entrained soil
10m3. Assume Gs = 2.69. (B) Partially saturated soil
[15 Marks, SSC JE-2014] (C) Dry soil
Q.9 The soil from a borrow area having an (D) None of the above
average in-situ unit weight of 15.5 kN/m3 Q.7 The ratio of volume of voids to the total
and water content of 10% was used for the volume of the soil mass is called
construction of an embankment (total (A) Air content (B) Porosity
finished volume 6000 m3). In half of the (C) Voids ratio (D) All the above
embankment due to improper rolling, the Q.8 Pycnometer is used to determine
dry unit weight achieved was slightly (A) Water content and void ratio
lower. If the dry unit weights in the two (B) Specific gravity and dry density
parts are 16.5 kN/m3 and 16.0 kN/m3 find (C) Water content and specific gravity
the volume of borrow areal soil used in each (D) None of the above
part and the amount of soil used. Q.9 Valid range for S, the degree of saturation
[15 Marks, SSC JE-2015] of soil, in percentage is
Practice Questions (A) S > 0 (B) S ≤ 0
(C) 0 < S < 100 (D) 0 ≤ S ≤ 100
Q.1 The commonly used method for quick Q.10 A pycnometer is used to determine
determination of water contents at filed (A) Water content and void ratio
embankments is (B) Specific gravity and dry density
(A) Oven drying method (C) Water content and specific gravity
(B) Sand bath method (D) Void ratio and dry density
(C) Alcohol method Q.11 Toughness index is defined as the radio of
(D) Calcium carbide method (A) Plasticity index to consistency index.
Q.2 The toughness index is defined as the ratio (B) Plasticity index to flow index.
of (C) Liquidity index to flow index.
(A) Plasticity index to consistency index (D) Consistency index to liquidity index.
(B) Plasticity index to flow index Q.12 The unity weight of completely saturated
(C) Liquid index to flow index soil is given by
(D) Consistency index to liquid index (G + e) γ w (1 + e) γ w
(A) (B)
Q.3 The ratio of plasticity index and flow index 1+ e G+e
of soil is called (G − 1) γ w (1 − e) γ w
(C) (D)
(A) Strength index 1+ e G+e
(B) Liquidity index Q.13 Relationship between dry density v
(C) Toughness index percentage air voids water content w and
(D) Consistency index specific gravity G of any soil is
Q.4 A soil with a plasticity index equal to zero (1 + na ) Gγ w
(A) γ d =
may be called as 1 + wG
(A) Non- plastic (B) Low plastic (1 + na ) Gγ w
(B) γ d =
(C) Medium plastic (D) High plastic 1 − wG
Q.5 A sample of saturated clay has a porosity of (1 − na ) G γ w
(C) γ d =
0.562, the void ratio of the clay is 1 + wG
(A) 1.283 (B) 0.438 (1 − na ) G γ w
(C) 1.779 (D) 0.360 (D) γ d =
1 − wG
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GATE ACADEMY® 7 Origin and Properties of Soil
Q.14 If the plasticity index of a soil mass is zero (B) Sum (B) Product
the soil is (C) Difference (D) Ratio
(A) Clay (B) Clayey silt Q.22 Density index for a natural soil is used to
(C) Sand (D) Silt express
Q.15 Water content of soil can (A) Percentage voids
(A) Be less than 0 % (B) Relative compactness
(B) Be greater than 100 % (C) Shear strength of clays
(C) Never be greater than 100 % (D) Specific gravity
(D) Take values only from 0 % to 100 % Q.23 A soil has liquid limit of 60 % plastic limit
of 35 %, shrinkage limit of 20 % and it has
Q.16 The relationship between void ratio ‘e’ and
a natural moisture content of 50 %. What is
porosity ‘n’ is
the liquidity index of the soil?
1+ e
(A) n = (B) e = n (1 + e) (A) 0.4 (B) 0.6
1− e
(C) 1.5 (D) 1.3
e 1+ n Q.24 If the pores of a soil are completely full of
(C) n = (D) e =
1− e 1− e air only, the soil is said to be
Q.17 When the plastic limit of a soil is greater (A) Wet soil
than the liquid limit, then the plasticity (B) Fully saturated soil
index is reported as
(C) Dry soil
(A) One (D) Partly saturated oil
(B) Negative Q.25 A soil sample has void radio of 0.5 and its
(C) Zero porosity will be close to
(D) Non-plastic (NP) (A) 50 % (B) 66 %
Liquid limit-water contant (C) 100 % (D) 33 %
Q.18 The ratio for a
Plasiticity index Q.26 Geologic cycle for the formation of soil, is
soil mass is called (A) Upheaval- transportation-deposition-
(A) Liquidity index weathering
(B) Shrinkage ratio (B) Weathering-upheaval-transportation-
(C) Consistency index deposition
(D) Toughness index (C) Transportation-upheaval-weathering-
deposition
Q.19 The volume of voids to the total volume of
soil is known as (D) Weathering-transportation-deposition-
upheaval
(A) Porosity (B) Void ratio
Q.27 The void ratio of a soil sample having a
(C) Air ratio (D) Air content
porosity of 0.32 and a moisture content of
Q.20 A fundamental equation of void ratio (e),
25 % will be
specific gravity (G), water content (w) and
(A) 0.33 (B) 0.47
the degree of saturation (S p ) is
(C) 0.78 (D) 1.28
wG eG Q.28 Water content of a soil sample is the
(A) e = (B) w =
Sp Sp difference of the weight of the given sample
eG eW at the given temperature and the weight
(C) G = (D) S p = determined after drying it for 24 hours at
Sp G
temperature ranging from
Q.21 The void ratio for saturated soil is equal to
(A) 800 to 900 C (B) 900 to 950 C
______ of water content and specific
gravity of solids. (C) 950 to1000 C (D) 1050 to1100 C
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Geotechnical Enggineering [SSC-JE] 8 GATE ACADEMY®
Q.29 Fundamental relationship between dry (A) 0.157 (B) 0.291
density ( γ d ) bulk density ( γ ) and water (C) 0.482 (D) 0.634
content (w) is Q.36 Which of the following expression
(A) γ = γ d (1 + W ) (B) γ d = γ / (1 − W ) represent the relative compaction of soil,
where variables have their standard
(C) W = γ / (1 + γ d ) (D) W = γ / (1 − γ d )
meanings?
Q.30 Pick up the correct statement from the
γ d (field)
following (A) R = ×100
γ d (max −lab)
(A) The void ratio in soils is defined as the
ratio of the volume of voids to the γ d (max −lab)
volume of solids (B) R = ×100
γ d (field)
(B) The porosity of a soil is defined as the
ratio of the volume of voids to the 1 − γ d (field)
(C) R =
gross volume of the soil γ d (max −lab)
(C) The bulk density of a soil is defined as (D) None of these
the unit weight of the soil
Q.37 Which of the following is determined with
(D) All options are correct the help of pycnometer?
Q.31 The liquid limit of a soil mass is 20 % and
(A) Dry density and specific gravity
its plastic limit is 25 %, then the plasticity
(B) Void ratio and dry density
index of this soil is
(C) Water content and specific gravity
(A) 5 (B) –5
(C) 0 (D) None of these (D) Water content and void ratio
Q.32 The ratio of the difference between the void Q.38 The plasticity index and plastic limit of a
ratio of the soil in its loosest state and its soil is given by 25 % and 20 % respectively.
natural void ratio (e) to the difference What will be the liquid limit of the soil?
between the void ratios in the loosest and (A) 0.15 (B) 0.25
fully dense state, is generally termed as (C) 0.35 (D) 0.45
(A) Degree of density Q.39 Which of the following apparatus is used to
(B) Relative density measure the liquid limit of soil?
(C) Density index (A) Casagrande apparatus
(D) All options are correct (B) Pycnometer
Q.33 If voids ratio is 0.67, water content is 0.188 (C) Ring and Ball apparatus
and specific gravity is 2.68, the degree of (D) None of these
saturation of the soil, is Q.40 If the voids of a soil are completely filled
(A) 25 % (B) 40 % with air, then it is called
(C) 60 % (D) 75 % (A) Dry soil
Q.34 Which of the following represents the void (B) Partially saturated soil
ratio of soil sample whose porosity is
(C) Submerged soil
0.452?
(D) Saturated soil
(A) 0.264 (B) 0.561
Q.41 Which one of the following represents the
(C) 0.729 (D) 0.825
measure of particle size range?
Q.35 The moisture content in a soil sample is
(A) Slope of gradation curve of soil
18.2 % and specific gravity of the soil
particles is given by 2.65. What is the void (B) Coefficient of uniformity
ratio for sample, if the soil is fully (C) Fineness of the soil
saturated? (D) Relative index
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GATE ACADEMY® 9 Origin and Properties of Soil
Q.42 The void ratio of a soil sample is given by (A) 0.2 (B) 0.23
0.58. What is the porosity of soil sample? (C) 0.5 (D) 0.67
(A) 0.157 (B) 0.367 Q.46 Which of the soil possesses zero plasticity
(C) 0.524 (D) 0.602 index?
Q.43 Cassagrande’s apparatus is used to (A) Clay (B) Clayey silt
determine (C) Sand (D) Silty
(A) Liquid limit (B) Plastic limit Q.47 The grain size (mm) of medium grained
(C) Shear strength (D) Shrinkage limit sand lies between
Q.44 What would be the void ratio of the soil (A) 0.425 to 0.075 (B) 2.0 to 0.425
mass, if the porosity of a soil mass is 0.35? (C) 4.75 to 2.0 (D) 20 to 4.75
(A) 0.26 (B) 0.35
(C) 0.54 (D) 0.6
Q.45 The liquid limit and plastic limit of the soil
is given as 45% and 22 % respectively. The
plasticity index of the soil would be

Answers :

SSC – JE PYQ Questions

1. A 2. B 3. D 4. B 5. A

6. C 7. C 8. B 9. B 10. C

11. D 12. A 13. C 14. D 15. D

16. C 17. C 18. A 19. A 20 D

21. D 22. C 23. B 24. A 25. C

26. B

Assignment Questions
1. D 2. B 3. D 4. B 5. B
6. C 7. A 8. D 9. C 10. B
11. B 12. B 13. A 14. A 15. C
16. D 17. C 18. C 19. D 20 D
21. B 22. C 23. A 24. C 25. A
26. C 27. A 28. C 29. D 30 A
31. D 32. A
Conventional Questions
0.5385,
17.025, 20.46%, 0.125,
1. 2.82 , 0.64 2. 0.632 3. 4. 5.
18.74, 2.095 1, 0.875
20.46
45.754
6. 1.122 8. 9. 6915 m3
kN

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Geotechnical Enggineering [SSC-JE] 10 GATE ACADEMY®

Practice Questions
1. D 2. B 3. C 4. A 5. A
6. C 7. B 8. C 9. D 10. C
11. B 12. A 13. C 14. C 15. B
16. B 17. C 18. C 19. A 20 A
21. B 22. B 23. B 24. C 25. D
26. D 27. B 28. D 29. A 30. D
31. C 32. D 33. C 34 D 35. C
36. A 37. C 38. D 39. A 40. A
41. B 42. B 43. A 44. C 45. B
46. C 47. B



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Chapter 2
Classification of Soils
SSC - JE PYQ Questions (A) 1.25 (B) 1.5
(C) 1.75 (D) 2
Q.1 A negative value of the group index of a soil
[SSC - JE : 2017]
is reported as
Q.7 Which of the following shows the correct
(A) A positive value of the same magnitude
order of increasing surface areas of the
droping the negative sign.
given soil?
(B) Zero
(A) Clay < silt < sand < colloids
(C) Negative value, as GI may be negative
(B) Gravel < silt < colloids < clay
(D) GI is reported as no-existent.
(C) Sand < silt < clay < colloids
[SSC - JE : 2005]
(D) Silt < gravel < colloids < clay
Q.2 An inorganic clay of high compressibility is
represented by the symbol [SSC - JE : 2017]
(A) SM (B) CH Q.8 On a grading curve, the gap grading is
(C) MI (D) MH represented by

[SSC - JE : 2007] (A) Horizontal line

Q.3 Uniformity coefficient of a soil is (B) A vertical line
(A) Always less than 1 (C) North west inclined line
(B) Always equal to 1 (D) None of these
(C) Equal to or less than 1 [SSC - JE : 2017]
(D) Equal to or greater than 1 Assignment Questions
[SSC - JE : 2010]
Q.1 The description of ‘sandy silty clay’
Q.4 The effective size of particles of soil is
signifies that
denoted by
(A) The soil contains unequal proportions
(A) D10 (B) D20
of the three constituents in the order
(C) D30 (D) D60 Sand > Silt > Clay
[SSC - JE : 2015] (B) The soil contains equal proportions of
Q.5 Uniformity coefficient of filter sand is sand silt and clay
represented by (C) The soil contains a unequal
(A) D50 / D5 (B) D50 / D10 proportions of sand silt and clay
(C) D60 / D5 (D) D60 / D10 (D) The soil contains unequal proportions
of the three constituents such that
[SSC - JE : 2016]
Clay > Silt > Sand
Q.6 The coefficient of gradation and the
Q.2 The effective size of a soil is
coefficient of uniformity of a given soil
sample is 1.0 and 4.0 respectively. The ratio (A) D10 (B) D20
of effective size to the diameter through (C) D30 (D) D40
which 30 % of the total mass is passed is [Punjab JE - 2014]
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Geotechnical Enggineering [SSC-JE] 12 GATE ACADEMY®
Q.3 The particle size distribution curve with (C) A-d, B-a, C-c, D-b
steep slope indicates that the type of soil is (D) A-c, B-a, C-b, D-d
(A) Well graded soil [LMRC - JE]
(B) Gap graded soil Q.8 As per IS soil classification, clays, organic
(C) Uniform size soil soils are represented by
(D) None of the above (A) MH (B) SL
[RPSC – VPITI - 2016] (C) ML (D) OH
Q.4 Silt particle size as per unified soil [TSPSC – AE-2015]
classification system is Q.9 In sedimentation analysis the principle used
(A) > 4.75 mm (B) 0.075 to 4.75 is
(C) 0.002 to 0.075 (D) < 0.002 mm (A) Newton’s law (B) Darcy’s law
[RPSC – VPITI - 2016] (C) Rebhan’s law (D) Stoke’s law
Q.5 In comparison to Atterberg limit of normal [LBS -ASST. PROF.2017]
soils, the expansions soil has which of the Q.10 A soil was tested for classification purpose
following? and it was observed that the liquid limit is
A. More liquid limit 20% while the plastic limit is 14%. The
group symbol for this soil would be
B. Less plastic limit
(A) MI & OI (B) CI
C. Less shrinkage limit
(C) CL (D) CL-ML
D. More volumetric shrinkage
[LMRC- 2018]
(A) A, B, C and D
Q.11 As per IS classifications a fine grained soil
(B) Only A, C and D
is highly compressible if its liquid is more
(C) Only B and C
than
(D) Only A, B and D
(A) 0.2 (B) 0.5
[LMRC - JE] (C) 0.35 (D) 0.65
Q.6 Which of the following lists of soils is in [GETCL- 2015]
increasing order of specified surface areas? Q.12 A soil was tested in a National Research
(A) Silt, sand colloids clay Center and its liquid limit was found to be
(B) Sand silt colloids clay 15% and plasticity index was found to be 3%
(C) Sand silt, clay, colloids According to Casagrande’s plasticity chart,
(D) Clay, silt, sand, colloids which soil type is this?
[LMRC - JE] (A) ML (B) CI
Q.7 Match List-I with List-II and choose the (C) CL (D) MH
correct answer from the options given [DDA JE - 2018]
below.
List-I (soil) Conventional Questions
A. Clay Q.1 A particular sand sample of 250 grams,
B. Coarse sand when sieved successively through the
C. Fine sand following sieves, left retentions on the
D. Silt sieves as follows :
List-II (Grain size) IS Sieve 10 480 240 120 60 30 15
a. 2.00 to 4.75 mm mm
b. 0.002 to 0.075 mm Retention NIL 10 15 50 50 75 50
c. 0.075 to 0.425 mm Grams
d. 4 μ to 0.002 mm What is its fineness modulus? What sand is
(A) A-a, B-c, C-d, D-b it-fine, medium or coarse?
(B) A-b, B-a, C-c, D-d [10 Marks, SSC JE-2008]
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GATE ACADEMY® 13 Classification of Soils

Practice Questions Q.7The meniscus and dispersing agent

corrections, in the hydrometer analysis,
Q.1 Plasticity chart gives a relation between respectively are
(A) Plastic limit and liquidity (A) Positive and negative
(B) Plastic limit and liquidity index (B) Negative and positive
(C) Plastic index and liquidity limit (C) Positive and positive
(D) Plastic index and liquidity index (D) Negative and negative
Q.2 Uniformity coefficient of well graded soil Q.8 A soil has an average particle size of 0.2 mm
is it is predominantly
(A) Less than 2 (B) Greater than 2 (A) Gravel (B) Sand
(C) Greater than 6 (D) None of these (C) Silt (D) Clay
Q.3 The coefficient of curvature for a well Q.9 A hydrometer is used to measure
graded soil must be in the range
(A) Velocity of fluids.
(A) 0.5 − 1.0
(B) Velocity of gases.
(B) 3.0 − 4.0
(C) Flow of fluids
(C) 4.0 − 5.0 (D) Specific gravity of liquids.
(D) None of the above Q.10 The grain size (mm) of medium grained
Q.4 Which of the following expression sand lies between
represents the correct value of coefficient of (A) 0.425 to 0.075 (B) 2.0 to 0.425
curvature?
(C) 4.75 to 2.0 (D) 20 to 4.75
(D30 )2 (D60 )2 Q.11 If a grading curve is horizontal between the
(A) Cc = (B) Cc =
D60 × D10 D30 × D10 portion of 20 mm I.S. sieve and 4.75 mm
(D10 )2 D30 I.S. sieve, the graded aggregate do not
(C) Cc = (D) Cc =
D60 × D30 D60 × D10 contain.
Q.5 The coefficient of curvature for well graded (A) 20 mm particles
soil lies between (B) 10 mm particles
(A) 1 to 2 (B) 1 to 3 (C) 4.75 mm particles
(C) 1 to 5 (D) 5 to 7 (D) All option are correct
Q.6 The coefficient of uniformity for well
graded sand must be greater than
(A) 4 (B) 5
(C) 6 (D) 10

Answers :

SSC – JE PYQ Questions

1. B 2. B 3. D 4. A 5. D
6. D 7. C 8. A
Assignment Questions
1. D 2. A 3. C 4. C 5. A
6. C 7. C 8. D 9. D 10. D
11. B 12. A

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Geotechnical Enggineering [SSC-JE] 14 GATE ACADEMY®

Conventional Questions
1. 2.74
Practice Questions
1. C 2. C 3. D 4. A 5. B
6. C 7. A 8. B 9. D 10. B
11. D



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Chapter 3
Permeability & Effective Stress
diameter of the stand pipe is 0.5 cm . The
SSC - JE PYQ Questions
length and diameter of the soil specimen are
Q.1 The total and effective stresses at depth of 20 cm and 10 cm respectively. What is the
5 m below the top level of water in a pond coefficient of permeability (mm/s) of the
respectively are: soil?
(A) 0.0 and 0.0 (A) 4.86 × 10 −8 (B) 4.86 × 10 −5
2
(B) 0.5 kg/cm and 0.0 (C) 4.86 × 10 −3 (D) 5.23 × 10−5
(C) 0.5 kg/cm 2 and 0.5 kg/cm 2 [SSC - JE : 2017]
(D) None of these Q.6 10 m thick confined aquifer gives the steady
[SSC - JE : 2004] state discharge of 0.03m3 /s through the
Q.2 The viscosity and unit-weight of the well of 50 cm radius. Due to pumping, the
percolating fluid are reduced to 5 % and 5%
height of water in the well is dropped from
respectively due to rise in temperature. If
15 m to 10 m and the radius of influence is
other thing remains constant, the coefficient
of permeability will be: obtained as 500 m . What is the coefficient
(A) Increased by 26 % of permeability (mm/sec)?
(B) Increased by 53 % (A) 0.66 (B) 0.99
(C) 34.3 % (C) 1.25 (D) 6.89
(D) None of these [SSC - JE : 2017]
[SSC - JE : 2004] Q.7 During the flow over length of 30 m , the
Q.3 An overall value of the coefficient of head loss of 5 m is occurred during the
permeability of a soil deposit for a large seepage. What is the value of hydraulic
area may be determined by: gradient?
(A) Constant head permeability test (A) 0.005 (B) 0.045
(B) Variable head permeability test
(C) 0.167 (D) 0.192
(C) Pumping out tests.
[SSC - JE : 2017]
(D) Pumping in tests.
[SSC - JE : 2005] Assignment Questions
Q.4 A loose uniform sand with rounded grains Q.1 A sand sample of 25 cm length was
has effective grain size of 0.05 cm . subjected to a constant head permeability in
Coefficient of permeability of the sand is? a permeameter having an area of 30cm2. A
(A) 0.25 cm/ sec (B) 0.5 cm/ sec discharge of 120 cm3 was obtained in a
(C) 1cm/ sec (D) 1.25 cm/ sec period of I minute under a head of 40 cm.
The coefficient of permeability is equal to:
[SSC - JE : 2016]
Q.5 In the failing head permeability test, in (A) (1/20) cm/sec (B) 2.4 cm/sec
duration of 3 hours the initial head of (C) (1/24) cm/sec (D) 24 cm/sec
1000 mm is dropped to 350 mm . The [RPSC - VPITI - 2016]
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Geotechnical Enggineering [SSC-JE] 16 GATE ACADEMY®
Q.2 Which of the following is practically Other things being constant, the change in
impermeable? coefficient of permeability will be:
(A) Gravel (B) Sand mixture (A) 33.33% (B) 66.67%
(C) Coarse sand (D) Clay (C) 27.7% (D) 21.17%
[RPSC] [DMRC - 2018]
Q.3 Which of the following statement is NOT Q.9 The ratio of specific yield to specific
true in the context of capillary pressure in retention of an porosity 50% is 1.5, the
soils? specific yield form it is
(A) Pore water pressure in negative in (A) 20% (B) 30%
capillary zone (C) 37.5% (D) 25%
(B) Water is under tension in capillary [HPSC - 2014]
zone Q.10 An aquiclude is
(C) Capillary pressure is more in coarse (A) A non-artesian aquifer
grained soils (B) An artesian aquifer
(D) Effective stress increases due to (C) A solid impermeable layer underlying
capillary zone or overlying an aquifer
[PEB - SUB ER - 2017] (D) A large underground water body
Q.4 Which of the following methods is best [ISRO - 2015]
suited for finding permeability of coarse –
Conventional Questions
grained soils?
(A) Constant head method Q.1 A stratified soil layer consists of four layers
(B) Falling head method of equal thickness. The coefficient of
(C) Both (A) and (B) permeability of second, third and fourth
(D) Neither of the methods layers are respectively 1/3, 1/2 and twice of
[MPSC - 2012] the coefficient of permeabilities of the top
Q.5 The law used in permeability test is layer. Compute the average permeabilities
of the deposit parallel and perpendicular to
(A) Stoke’s law (B) Pascal’s law
the direction of the stratification in terms of
(C) Darcy’s law (D) Newton’s law
the permeability of the top layer.
[NBCC - 2017]
[3+6+6 = 15 Marks, SSC JE-2004]
Q.6 In constant head permeameter with the
Q.2 A horizontal stratified soil deposit consists
cross-section area of 10 sq. cm, when the
of three layers each uniform in itself. The
flow takes place under hydraulic gradient of
permeability of the layers are 8 ×10−4 ,
0.5, the discharge is measured as cm3 /s.
The permeability of the soil in cm/s is 50 ×10−4 and 15 ×10−4 cm/s and their
thickness are 6, 3, 12 metres respectively.
(A) 0.002 (B) 0.02
Find the effective average permeability of
(C) 0.2 (D) 2
the deposit in horizontal and vertical
[GETCL - 2015]
directions.
Q.7 The relation between coefficient of
[15 Marks, SSC JE-2005]
permeability (K) and coefficient of
Q.3 A 10 m thick bed of sand is underlain by a
transmissibility (T) is :
layer of clay 6m thick. The water table that
(A) T = K + d (B) T = K/d was originally at ground level is lowered by
(C) T = K – d (D) T = K × d drainage to a depth 4m, where upon the
[DMRC - 2018] degree of saturation above lowered water
Q.8 Due to temperature change, the unit weight table reduced to 20%. Determine the
and viscosity of percolating fluid are increase in the effective pressure at mid of
reduced to 80% and 60% respectively. clay layer due to water table lowering.
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GATE ACADEMY® 17 Permeability & Effective Stress
Given saturated densities of sand and clay Practice Questions
as 2.1 g/cc and 1.8 g/cc and the dry density
of sand = 1.7 g/cm3 . Note : [g/cm3 = 103 kg Q.1 Due to rise in water table, the effective
stress in soil
/m3 × 9.81m/s 2 = 9.81kN/m 2 ]
(A) Increase
[20 Marks, SSC JE-2007]
(B) Decrease
Q.4 A sample of soil is 5 cm high and 8 cm 'm
(C) Does not change
diameter, it was tested in a constant head
(D) May increase or decrease depend on the
permeameter. Water percolates through the
position of W.T.
soil under a constant head of 45 cm for 8
Q.2 Between the seepage velocity and the
min. The water was collected and weighed;
discharge velocity in a soil:
its weight was recorded as 500 gm. On oven
(A) The former is always higher.
drying the sample of soil, the weight was
(B) The latter is always higher.
recorded as 459 gm. If G is 2.65 calculate;
(C) Any one may be higher
(i) Coefficient of permeability
(D) Both are equal
(ii) Seepage velocity of water when the
water was under operation, Q.3 Coefficient of permeability of soil varies
approximately as
[15 marks, SSC JE-2009]
Q.5 A sample of soil 10 cm diameter, 15 cm (A) D102 (B) D10
length was tested in a variable head (C) D103 (D) D103/ 2
permeameter. The initial head of water in
Q.4 Physical properties which influence
the burette was found to be 45 cm and it was
permeability are:
observed to drop to 30 cm in 195 seconds.
(A) Viscosity only
The diameter of the burette was 1.9 cm.
(B) Unit weight only
calculate the coefficient of permeability in
(C) Both viscosity and unit weight
meter/day.
(D) None of the above
[15 marks, SSC JE-2010]
Q.5 Quick sand is a:
Q.6 A sand deposit is 10 m thick and overlies a
(A) Type of sand
bed of soft clay. The ground water table is
(B) Flow condition occurring in cohesive
3 m below the surface. If the sand above the
soil
ground water table has a degree of
saturation of 45% plot the diagram showing (C) Flow condition occurring in cohesion
less soil
the variation of the total stress, pore water
pressure and the effective stress. The void (D) All the above
of the sand is 0.7. Take G = 2.65. Q.6 Falling head permeability test is carried out
[20 Marks, SSC JE-2012] on a soil specimen having cross-sectional
Q.7 A layer of sand 6.0 m thick lies above a area of 60 [Link] and height of 15 cm .The
layer of slay soil. The wafer table is at a water level in the stand pipe of diameter of
depth of 2.0 m below the ground surface. 0.5 cm drops from 100 cm to 40 cm in half
The void ratio of the sand layer is 0.6 and an hour. What is the coefficient of
the degree of saturation of the sand layer permeability (cm/s)?
above the water table is 40%. The void ratio (A) 2.49 × 10 −5 (B) 2.50 × 10 −3
of the clay layer is 0.7. Determine the total (C) 3.38 × 10 −4 (D) 5.09 × 10−5
stress, neutral stress and effective stress at a
point 10 m below the ground surface.
Assume specific gravity of the sand and
clay soil respectively as 2.65 and 2.7
[20 Marks, SSC JE-2016]
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Geotechnical Enggineering [SSC-JE] 18 GATE ACADEMY®

Answers :

SSC – JE PYQ Questions

1. B 2. D 3. C 4. A 5. B
6. A 7. C
Assignment Questions
1. C 2. D 3. C 4. A 5. C
6. D 7. D 8. A 9. B 10. C
Conventional Questions

0.96, 18×10−4 , 0.138,

1. 2. 3. 26.696 4. 5. 0.97
0.615 13.04×10−4 3.83

186.64, 193.64,
6. 68.67, 7. 78.48,
117.97 115.16
Practice Questions
1. B, C 2. A 3. A 4. C 5. C
6. A

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Chapter 4
Seepage Analysis

SSC - JE PYQ Questions (A) 12 ×10−8 (B) 3 ×10−6

(C) 10 ×10−8 (D) 20 ×10−8
Q.1 For a granular soil, with increasing void
ratio, the critical hydraulic gradient: [LMRC - 2018]
Q.3 A deposit of fine sand has porosity in and
(A) Decrease (B) Increases
specific gravity G. The hydraulic gradient
(C) Remains constant (D) Zero
i.e. to develop boiling condition of sand is
Q.2 In the flow over length of 50 m , the head given by
loss of 6 m occurred due to seepage. The (A) ic = (G-1) (1 – n)
hydraulic gradient is given by_____ (B) ic = (G-1) (1 + n)
(A) 0.01 (B) 0.12 (C) ic = (G-1) (1 – n)
(C) 0.29 (D) 0.32 (D) ic = (G-1) (1 + n)
Q.3 If the void ratio and discharge velocity for [PMB JE - 2018]
soil is 0.5 and 6 ×10−7 m/s respectively, Q.4 A soil has a discharge velocity of 6 ×10−7
what is the value of seepage velocity (m/s)? m/s and a void ratio of 0.5 Its seepage
(A) 3 ×10−7 (B) 6 ×10−7 velocity is
(C) 12 ×10−7 (D) 18 ×10−7 (A) 18 ×10−7 m / s (B) 12 ×10−7 m / s

Assignment Questions (C) 6 ×10−7 m / s (D) 3 ×10−7 m / s

[HPSC - 2014, PMC - JE - 2018]
Q.1 Which of the following represents the
Q.5 The most suitable material for the central
upstream slope of an earth dam under
impervious core of a zoned embankment
steady seepage condition?
type dam is
(A) Flow line (A) Clay
(B) Seepage line (B) Coarse sand
(C) Equipotential lines (C) Silty clay
(D) None of these (D) Clay mixed with fine sand
[KPSC - AE] [Chandigarh JE – 2016]
Q.2 The quantity of seepage in a 25 m high dam Q.6 If there is flow from a soil of permeability
laid on an impermeable foundation is K1 to K 2 the angles θ1 and θ 2 which the
storing water up to 20 m height. If the
flow line makes with the normal to the
construction soil is assumed to behave in a
interface are related as:
homogeneous and isotropic manner and if
(A) tan θ1 / tan θ2 = K1 / K 2
the coefficient of permeability is
3.00 ×10−8 m/s and if a square flow-net (B) sin θ1 / sin θ2 = K1 / K 2
diagram has 4 flow channels and 20 (C) cot θ1 / cot θ2 = K1 / K 2
equipotential drops, then the estimated
seepage (m3/s) per unit length through the (D) cos θ1 / cos θ2 = K1 / K 2
dam is [DMRC - 2018]
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Geotechnical Enggineering [SSC-JE] 20 GATE ACADEMY®
Q.7 Dupit’s theory is used to find: Practice Questions
(A) Liquid limit of soil
(B) The coefficient of permeability of soil Q.1 If the sp. Gr. of the soil is represented by G
and the void ratio is e, the hydraulic
(C) Shear strength of soil
gradient is expressed as
(D) Settlement of soil
[NBCC - 2017] G −1 G +1
(A) (B)
1+ e 1− e
Conventional Questions
1− G 1+ G
(C) (D)
Q.1 60 cm diameter well is being pumped at a 1+ e 1+ e
rate of 1360 litres/minute. Measurements in Q.2 The expression for the discharge (Q)
a nearby test well were made at the same through a flow net for isotropic soil is given
time as follows. At a distance of 6 m from by:
the well being pumped the drawdown was
NF
6m, and at 15 m the drawdown was 1.5 m. (A) Q = KH ×
The bottom of the well is 90 m below the ND
ground water table. (B) Q = KH N F / N D
(i) Find out the coefficient of 2
permeability. N 
(C) Q = KH  F 
(ii) If all the observed points were on the  ND 
Dupuit curve, what was the drawdown N 
3

in the well during pumping? (D) Q = KH  F 

 ND 
(iii) What is the specific capacity of the
well?
(iv) What is the rate at which water can be
drawn from this well?
[15 Marks, SSC JE - 2008]

Answers :

SSC – JE PYQ Questions

1. A 2. B 3. D
Assignment Questions
1. C 2. A 3. A 4. A 5. D
6. A 7. B
Conventional Questions

8.52×10−6 ,
1. 67.22, 67.84,
3060
Practice Questions
1. A 2. A



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Chapter 5
Compressibility and Consolidation
SSC - JE PYQ Questions Assignment Questions
Q.1 The unit of the coefficient of consolidation Q.1 Consider the following
is:
A. Initial consolidation
(A) cm2 /gm (B) cm 2 /sec B. Primary consolidation
(C) gm/cm2 / sec (D) gm-cm / sec C. Secondary consolidation
[SSC - JE : 2004] D. Final consolidation
Q.2 The consolidation time for soils. The three stages that would be relevant to
(A) Increases with increasing consolidation of a soil deposit are:
compressibility (A) A, B and C (B) B, C and D
(B) Decreases with increasing permeability (C) A, C and D (D) A, B and D
(C) is independent of the stress change [LMRC - JE]
(D) All of the above Q.2 Coefficient of consolidation for clays
[SSC - JE : 2007] normally
Q.3 For routine consolidation test in laboratory, (A) Decreases with increase in liquid limit
the thickness of the specimen is: (B) Increase with increase in liquid limit
(A) 10 mm (B) 20 mm (C) First increases and then decrease with
(C) 40 mm (D) 60 mm increase in liquid limit
[SSC - JE : 2008] (D) Remains constant at all liquid limits
Q.4 The rate of consolidation [LMRC - JE]
(A) Increase with decrease in temperature Q.3 Coefficient of consolidation of a soil is
(B) Increases with increase in temperature affected by:
(C) is independent of temperature (A) Compressibility (B) Permeability
(D) All the above (C) Both (A) and (B) (D) Neither of these
[SSC - JE : 2009] [MPSC - 2012]
Q.5 Which one of the following shows time Q.4 Deviator stress is
factor (approximate), for 50 % degree of (A) σ 1 + σ 3 (B) σ 1 − σ 3
consolidation?
(C) σ 3 + σ 2 (D) σ 2 − σ 3
(A) 0.2 (B) 0.5
[LBS - ASST. PROF. 2017]
(C) 1 (D) 2
[SSC - JE : 2017] Q.5 Clay layer A with single drainage and
coefficient of consolidation Cv takes 6
Q.6 The clay deposit of thickness 10 cm and
months to achieve 50% consolidation. The
void ratio 0.5 undergoes settlement and nor
time to layer B of the same thickness with
its final void ratio is 0.2. The thickness (cm)
double drainage and coefficient of
of the settlement layer.
Cv
(A) 1 (B) 1.5 consolidation to achieve the same
2
(C) 2 (D) 2.5
degree of consolidation
[SSC - JE : 2017]
(A) 3 months (B) 6 months
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Geotechnical Enggineering [SSC-JE] 22 GATE ACADEMY®
(C) 12 months (D) 24 months efficient of permeability of the soil during
[ISRO - 2015] this pressure increment is 8.5 ×10−3 cm/sec.
Q.6 The ratio of decrease in void ratio of soil [15 Marks, SSC JE-2011]
due to increase in effective stress is called Q.2 Find out the time required for 50%
(A) Coefficient of permeability consolidation in a soil having thickness of
(B) Coefficient of curvature 800 cm and previous data at top and bottom.
(C) Coefficient of Volume compressibility What will be the value of coefficient of
(D) Coefficient of compressibility consolidation if coefficient of permeability
[ISRO - 2017] = 0.0000001 cm/sec?
Q.7 The liquid limit of remoulded clay is found Void ratio = 1.8, mv 0.0008 cm2/gm
to be 30% what be the estimated value of Time factor (Tv ) = 0.3, γ w = 1 gm/cc.
compression index of this soils?
[15 Marks, SSC JE-2013]
(A) 0.14 (B) 0.18
Q.3 A clay stratum has 2.5 m thickness and has
(C) 0.15 (D) 0.12
initial overburden pressure of 45 kN/m2.
[DMRC - 2018] The clay is over consolidated with a pre
Q.8 A 5 m thick compressible soil undergoes consolidation pressure of 65 kN/m2. Find
90% consolidation four times faster under the final settlement due to increment of
two way drainage when compered to one- pressure of 55 kN/m2 at the middle of clay
way drainage. In an identical soil layer of layer. Use the following data :
10 m thickens, two way drainage will be Initial void ratio = 1.2
faster as compared to one way drainage by
Compression index = 0.27
(A) 800% (B) 400%
Swelling index = 0.06
(C) 250% (D) 200%
[15 Marks, SSC JE-2017]
[DMRC - 2018]
Q.9 Soil that has never been subjected to an Practice Questions
effective pressure greater then the existing
Q.1 The relation between coefficient of
overburden pressure is called;
consolidation Cv , time factor Tv , drainage
(A) Normally consolidated
(B) Pre- consolidated path d and time, t, is given by:
(C) Under – consolidated d 2Tv d 2t
(A) Cv = (B) Cv =
(D) Over-consolidated t Tv
[DMRC - 2018] tTv T
(C) Cv = 2
(D) Cv = v2
Q.10 The process involving decrease in the water d td
content of a saturated soil without Q.2 The unit of the coefficient of consolidation
replacement of water by air is called as: is
(A) Vibration (B) Consolidation (A) gm/cm2 / sec (B) gm-cm / sec
(C) Stabilisation (D) Compaction 2
(C) cm / sec (D) cm 3 / sec
[DMRC - 2018]
Q.3 The coefficient of compressibility of soil, is
Conventional Questions the ratio of:
(A) Stress to strain
Q.1 In a consolidation test on a soil, the void
(B) Strain to stress
ratio of the sample decreases from, 1.24 to
(C) Stress to settlement
1.12 when the pressure is Increased from 20
(D) Rate of loading to that of settlement
to 40 tonnes/sq.m. Calculate the coefficient
of consolidation in m2/year, given that co- Q.4 The pore water pressure in the soil sample
of consolidometer test is_____

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GATE ACADEMY® 23 Compressibility and Consolidation
(A) Maximum at bottom
(B) Maximum at centre
(C) Maximum at top
(D) Minimum at center

Answers :

SSC – JE PYQ Questions

1. B 2. D 3. B 4. B 5. A
6. C
Assignment Questions
1. A 2. A 3. C 4. B 5. A
6. D 7. A 8. B 9. A 10. B
Conventional Questions
1. 1000952.64 2. 1.25×10−4 3. 68.29
Practice Questions
1. A 2. C 3. B 4. B

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Chapter 6
Compaction of Soil
SSC - JE PYQ Questions Q.2 For compaction of soil in laboratory using
Indian standard light compaction test, the
Q.1 Pick up the incorrect statement from the weight of hammer used for giving blows to
following soils is
(A) Well-graded coarse-grained soil can be (A) 6.5 kg (B) 4.9 kg
compacted to a very high density as
(C) 3.5 kg (D) 2.6 kg
compared to fine-graded soil.
[PHED - RAJ, LBD - ASST. PROF. - 2017,
(B) The dry density decreases after
Haryana - JE - 2018, DDA - JE - 2018]
attaining optimal moisture content.
Q.3 In standard penetration test height of fall of
(C) By compacting at a high enough water
hammer is
content, we can produce soil at 100 %
saturation. (A) 56 cm (B) 66 cm
(D) None of the above (C) 76 cm (D) 86 cm
[SSC - JE : 2007] [PHED - RAJ]
Q.2 If the depth of moist sand in a cylinder is 15 Q.4 Compaction by vibratory roller is the best
cm and the depth of the sand when fully method of compaction in case of
inundated with water is 12 cm, then what is (A) moist silty sand
the bulking of the moist sand? (B) clay of medium compressibility
(A) 0.1 (B) 0.2 (C) well graded dry sand
(C) 0.15 (D) 0.25 (D) silt of high compressibility
[SSC - JE : 2017] [GETCL - 2015]
Q.3 Which of the following type of roller is Q.5 To comp active energy (KJ/cum) used for
most suitable for proof rolling subgrades modified proctor test is approximately
and for finishing operation of fills with equal to
clayey or sandy soils? (A) 1856 (B) 1250
(A) Pneumatic rubber tired roller (C) 595 (D) 2675
(B) Sheeps foot roller [DDA JE - 2018]
(C) Smooth wheel roller Q.6 For a given type of compaction, higher the
(D) Vibratory roller compaction effort:
[SSC - JE : 2017] (A) higher is the dry density and higher is
the optimum moisture content.
Assignment Questions
(B) higher is the dry density and lower is
Q.1 For a given sandy whose soil grains are the optimum moisture content.
splenial and or uniform size the theoretical (C) lower is the dry density and lower is
void ratio is the optimum moisture content.
(A) 0.61 (B) 0.71 (D) lower is the dry density and higher is
(C) 0.91 (D) 0.81 the optimum moisture content.
[LMRC - JE] [DDA JE - 2018]
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GATE ACADEMY® 25 Compaction of Soil

Conventional Questions Q.2 Optimum moisture content is obtained from

(A) Triaxial test
Q.1 What is compaction? Why is it needed? List (B) Standard proctor test
the different methods of compaction. (C) Consolidation test
[10 Marks, SSC JE - 2005] (D) Hydrometer test
Q.2 What is the main difference between Q.3 Which of the following roller is used to
compaction and consolidation? compact coarse-grained soil?
[10 Marks, SSC JE - 2005]
(A) Drum roller
Q.3 State and discuss different factors
(B) Pneumatic tyred roller
influencing compaction of soil in the field.
(C) Tamping roller
[20 Marks, SSC JE - 2016]
(D) Vibratory roller
Practice Questions

Q.1 For cohesive soil, with increasing

compactive effort, the optimum moisture
content:
(A) Increase
(B) Decrease
(C) Remains constant
(D) Zero

Answers :

SSC – JE PYQ Questions

1. C 2. D 3. A
Assignment Questions
1. C 2. D 3. C 4. C 5. D
6. B
Practice Questions
1. B 2. B 3. A



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Chapter 7
Shear Strength of Soil & Stress Distribution
SSC - JE PYQ Questions Q.6 The Mohr’s straight theory is based on the
following fact.
Q.1 Which of the following statements is false?
(A) Material fails essentially by shear
(A) Clay deposits are more porous than
(B) Ultimate strength of the material is
sand beds
determined by the stress in the plane of
(B) Presence of organic matter in soil
slip
decreases the bearing capacity of the
soil (C) Failure criterion is independent of the
(C) The change of moisture content intermediate principal stress
changes the value of angle of repose (D) All options are correct
(D) None of the above [SSC - JE : 2016]
[SSC - JE : 2007] Q.7 The cell pressure and pore water pressure is
Q.2 The direct shear test suffers from which increased from 0.1 N/sq.m to 0.26 N/sq.m
disadvantage: and 0.07 N/sq.m to 0.15 N/sq.m
(A) Drainage conditions cannot be respectively in the triaxial test. The
controlled skempton’s pore pressure is given
(B) Pore water pressure cannot be measured by________.
(C) Shear stress on the failure plain is not (A) –3 (B) –0.5
uniform (C) 0.5 (D) 2
(D) All of the above [SSC - JE : 2017]
[SSC - JE : 2007]
Q.8 The angle of repose of a soil is the
Q.3 A footing is resting on fully saturated
maximum angle which the outer face of the
clayey strata for checking the initial
soil mass makes.
stability, shear parameter are used from:
(A) With the horizontal
(A) Consolidated undrained test
(B) Unconsolidated drained test (B) With the vertical
(C) Unconsolidated undrained test (C) With the perpendicular to the inclined
(D) Unconsolidated undrained test with plane of the soil
pore pressure measurement (D) None of these
[SSC - JE : 2008] [SSC - JE : 2017]
Q.4 The equation τ = C + S tan φ is given by:
Assignment Questions
(A) Rankine (B) Coulomb
(C) Newton (D) Mohr Q.1 For a sandy soil the angle of internal
[SSC - JE : 2009] friction is 30°. If the major principal stress
Q.5 Unconfined compressive strength test is: is 50 kN/m2 at failure, then the
(A) Undrained test corresponding minor principal stress will
(B) Drained test be
(C) Consolidated undrained test (A) 12.2 (B) 16.66
(D) None of the above (C) 20.8 (D) 27.2
[SSC - JE : 2009] [LMRC - JE]
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GATE ACADEMY® 27 Shear Strength of Soil & Stress Distribution
Q.2 Vane shear test is applicable for Q.2 A direct shear box test performed on a
(A) dense sand (B) Loose sand Remoulded sand sample yielded the
(C) soft clay (D) stiff clay following observation at the time of failure:
Q.3 If the unconfined compressive strength of a Normal load = 0.36 Kn
saturated clay is 360 kpa, then its estimated Shear load = 0.18 kN
shear strength (kpa) would be: The sample area was 36 cm2
(A) 360 (B) 120 Determine :
(C) 240 (D) 180 (i) the angle of internal friction
[DDA JE - 2018] (ii) the magnitude and direction of the
Q.4 For a saturated cohesive soil, a triaxial test principal stresses in the zone of failure,
yields the angle of internal friction as zero. and
The conducted test is (iii) the magnitude of maximum deviator
(A) Consolidated Drained (CD) test stress if a sample of the same sand with
(B) Consolidated Undrained (CU) test the same void ratio were tested in a
(C) Unconsolidated compression (UC) test triaxial test with an all-round pressure
(D) Unconsolidated Undrained (UU) test of 60 kN/m . Assume C = 0.
[GETCL - 2015] [18 Marks, SSC JE - 2008]
Q.5 A dry sand sample is used in triaxial test. Q.3 A sample of normally consolidated clay
The cell pressure is 50 Kpa and the deviator was subjected to a consolidated undrained
stress at failure is 100 kPa. The angle of triaxial compression test that was carried
internal friction of the sample is out until the specimen failed at a deviator
(A) 15° (B) 30° stress of 50 kN/ m2. The pore water pressure
(C) 35° (D) 40° at failure was recorded to be 20 kN/m2 and
[PMB JE - 2018] confining pressure of 50 kN/m2 was used in
Q.6 Newmark’s chart is used in foundation the test Determine the consolidated
Engineering to determine undrained friction angle.
(A) Earth pressure [15 Marks, SSC JE - 2016]
(B) Seepage loss Q.4 A direct shear test was conducted on a silty
(C) Stress in soil due to surface loading sand. At failure the normal and shear
(D) Permeability of Soils stresses were found to be 66 kPa and 40 kPa
[GETCL - 2015] respectively. Draw Mohr's circle and
Q.7 A footing 2 m × 1 m exerts a uniform determine,
pressure of 150 kN/m2 on the soil. (i) Angle of shearing resistance
Assuming a load dispersion of 2 vertical to (ii) Principal stresses at failure
1 horizontal the average vertical stress in (iii) Locate the pole and find orientation of
(kN/m2) at 1.1 m below the footing is failure plane
(A) 50 (B) 75 [20 Marks, SSC JE - 2017]
(C) 80 (D) 10
[ISRO - 2013] Practice Questions

Conventional Questions Q.1 In triaxial compression test on a soil

specimen, the intermediate principle stress
Q.1 In a consolidated drained triaxial test a is equal to
specimen of clay fails at a cell pressure of (A) Major Principal stress
60 kN/m2. The effective shear strength (B) Minor principal stress
parameters are C' = 15 kN/m2 and φ ' = 20°. (C) Difference between major and minor
Determine the compressive strength. principal stress
[15 Marks, SSC JE - 2005] (D) None of these
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Geotechnical Enggineering [SSC-JE] 28 GATE ACADEMY®
Q.2 In triaxial test, the intermediate principal Q.5 Vane shear test is used to find out shear
stress is: strength of:
(A) Equal to zero (A) Sandy soil
(B) Equal to confining pressure (B) Gravelly soil
(C) Equal to deviator stress (C) Clayey soil
(D) Equal to deviator stress minus the (D) All options are correct
confining stress Q.6 The shear strength in plastic undrained
Q.3 The triaxial test is usually carried out as clay, is due to
(A) Unconsolidated undrained test (A) Inter-granular friction
(B) Consolidated undrained test (B) Internal friction
(C) Drained test (C) Cohesion
(D) All of the above (D) None of these
Q.4 The shearing strength of a cohesion less soil Q.7 Which of the following parameter is
depends on: determined by triaxial test?
(A) Dry density (A) Hydraulic gradient
(B) Rate of loading (B) Permeability
(C) Confining pressure (C) Shear strength parameters
(D) All the above (D) Grain size

Answers :

SSC – JE PYQ Questions

1. B 2. D 3. C 4. B 5. A
6. D 7. C 8. A
Assignment Questions
1. B 2. C 3. D 4. D 5. B
6. C 7. A
Conventional Questions
26.56°,
31.22°,
58.28°,
137.0163,
1. 105.22 2. 180.93, 3. 27.036° 4.
43.469,
69.07,
137.0163
97.05
Practice Questions
1. B 2. B 3. D 4. D 5. C
6. C 7. C



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Chapter 8
Lateral Earth Pressure Theories
SSC - JE PYQ Questions Assignment Questions
Q.1 In a cantilever retaining wall, the stem Q.1 If the coefficient of passive earth pressure
design moment is: is then what will be the value of active eat
1 pressure?
(A) K a γh 2 (B) K a γh
2 (A) 1/4 (B) 1/16
1 1 (C) 16 (D) 1
(C) K a γh 3 (D) K a γh3
6 12 [RPSC]
[SSC - JE : 2010] Q.2 The coefficient of active earth pressure for
Q.2 Total pressure on the vertical face of a loose sand having an angle of internal
retaining wall of height h, per unit run friction of 30° is:
exerted by the retained earth weighting w 1
per unit volume and angle of repose φ is (A) (B) 3
3
given by: 1
(C) 1 (D)
 1 − sin θ  2
(A) wh  
 1 + sin θ  [MPSC - 2012]
 1 − sin θ  Q.3 The intensity of passive earth pressure
(B) wh 2  
 1 + sin θ  (N/sqm) at a depth of 10 m in dry
wh 2  1 − sin θ  cohesionless sand with an angle of internal
(C)   friction of 30 degree and saturated unit
2  1 + sin θ 
weight of 21.81 kN/m3 if the water table is
wh 2  1 − sin θ  at ground level, will be (assume the unit
(D)  
3  1 + sin θ  weight of water as 10 kN/m3)
[SSC - JE : 2011] (A) 39.6 (B) 654.3
Q.3 What is the value of active earth pressure (C) 460.0 (D) 153.3
coefficient for soil having an internal angle [LMRC - 2018]
of friction of 30 degree. Q.4 Which of the following assumptions is
(A) 1/ 3 (B) 1/ 2.5 wrongly stated in regard to the Rankine’s
(C) 1 (D) 3 theory of earth pressure?
[SSC - JE : 2017] (A) The soil mass is semi-infinite and
Q.4 For bulk heads, which of the following homogenous
earth pressure theory is applied directly? (B) The back of the wall is not smooth
(A) Coulomb’s theory (C) The ground surface is plane
(B) Rankin’s theory (D) The retaining wall yields about the
(C) Coulomb’s theory and Rankine’s base.
theory [Coal India - 2017, LMRC - 2018]
(D) None of these Q.5 The total passive earth pressure per meter
[SSC - JE : 2017] length against a retaining wall of height 3 m
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Geotechnical Enggineering [SSC-JE] 30 GATE ACADEMY®
with backfill of unit weight 1.8t/m3 and Q.4 A 6 m high vertical wall supports a
angle of intimal friction 30° will be saturated cohesive soil with horizontal
(A) 21.2 t/m (B) 22.8 t/m surface. The top 3.5 m of the backfill has
(C) 24.3 t/m (D) 26.5 t/m bulk density 18 kN/m3 and apparent
[HPSC - 2014] cohesion of 16 kN/m2. The bulk density and
Q.6 The critical height of an unsupported apparent cohesion of the bottom 2.5 m is
vertical cut in a cohesive soil is given by 19.5 kN/m3 and 18 kN/m2 respectively.
2C  φ What will be total active earth pressure on
(A) tan  45 + 
γ  2 the wall? Draw the pressure distribution
φ diagram. Assume that tension cracks will
4C 
(B) tan  45 +  develop. Locate the point of application of
γ  2
the resultant pressure.
4C  φ
(C) cot  45 +  [20 Marks, SSC JE - 2017]
γ  2
2C  φ Practice Questions
(D) cot  45 + 
γ  2 Q.1 Coefficient of active earth pressure for
[MPSC - 2012 AEC- 2017] cohesion less soil is given by
Conventional Questions 1 + sin θ 1 − sin θ
(A) (B)
1 − sin θ 1 + sin θ
Q.1 Behind the wall of a 5m high retaining wail 1 + tan θ 1 + cos θ
soil is filled upto its top. On this filling a (C) (D)
1 − tan θ 1 − cos θ
surcharge weight of 1.5 t/m2 is acting. This
Q.2 Coefficient of earth pressure at rest is given
wail is pushed toward the soil. In this
by
condition find passive earth pressure on
wall by the soil. Soil properties are as μ2 μ
(A) (B)
follows : C = 0.2 kg/cm2, φ = 30°, γ = 2000 1 − μ2 1− μ
kg/m3. 1− μ 1− μ 2
(C) (D)
[SSC JE - 2005] μ μ2
Q.2 A 6.0 m high retaining wall is to support a
1 + tan θ 1 + cos θ
soil with unit weight 17.4 kN/m3, φ = 26° (E) (F)
1 − tan θ 1 − cos θ
and C = 14.36 kN/m2. Determine the
Q.3 The coefficient of active earth pressure for
Rankine active force per unit length of the
loose sand having an angle of internal
wall before the tensile crack occurs. Find
friction ' φ ' is
the critical depth.
[15 Marks, SSC JE - 2015] φ φ
1 − sin 1 + sin
Q.3 A retaining wall with a smooth vertical (A) 2 (B) 2
φ φ
back is 9 m high and retains a two-layer 1 + sin 1 − sin
2 2
sand backfill with the following properties:
0 - 3 m depth : C' = 0.0, φ = 30°, γ = 18 1 − sin φ 1 + sin φ
(C) (D)
kg/m3 1 + sin φ 1 − sin φ
3 - 9 m depth : C' = 0.0, φ = 35°, γ = 20 Q.4 The Rankin’s theory for active earth
kg/m3 pressure is based on the assumption that
Show the active earth pressure distribution (A) The retained material is homogeneous
and determine the total active thrust on the and cohesion-less
wall. Assume that the water table is well (B) The frictional resistance between the
below the base of the wall. retaining wall and the retained material
[20 Marks, SSC JE - 2016] is neglected.
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GATE ACADEMY® 31 Lateral Earth Pressure Theories
(C) The failure of the retained material Q.7 Which of the following represents
takes place along a plane called rupture expression for the passive earth pressure?
plane  φ μ
(A) tan 2  450 +  (B)
(D) All options are correct  2 1− μ
Q.5 The coefficient of passive earth pressure for φ μ

cohesion less granular soil is represented by (C) tan 2  450 −  (D)
 2 1+ μ
(A) (1 + sin θ) / (1 − sin θ)
Q.8 The internal angle of friction of a soil is
(B) (1 + cos θ) / (1 − cos θ)
300. What is the active earth pressure
(C) (1 − sin θ) / (1 + sin θ) coefficient for the soil mass?
(D) None of these (A) 0.005 (B) 0.025
Q.6 What is the assumption made above back of (C) 0.333 (D) 0.555
wall, in the Rankine’s theory of earth Q.9 Total pressure on the vertical face of a
pressure? retaining wall of height h acts parallel to
(A) Plane and rough free surface and from the base at a distance
(B) Plane and smooth of
(C) Vertical and rough (A) h / 4 (B) h / 3
(D) Vertical and smooth (C) h / 2 (D) 2h / 3

Answers :

SSC – JE PYQ Questions

1. C 2. C 3. A 4. D
Assignment Questions
1. C 2. A 3. C 4. B 5. C
6. B
Conventional Questions
11.43,
14.659,
1. 41.43, 2. 3. 212.364 4. 1.3972
5.28
132.15
Practice Questions
1. B 2. B 3. C 4. D 5. A
6. D 7. A 8. C 9. B



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Chapter 9
Stability Analysis of Slopes
Q.4 Taylors stability number is given by
Assignment Questions
C H Fc
(A) γ (B)
Q.1 A slope is to be constructed at an angle of Fc Cγ H
30° to the horizontal from a soil having the
C H
properties, c = 15 kN/m 2 , φ = 22.5°, γ = (C) (D)
Fcγ H CFcγ
19 kN/m 2 Taylor’s stability number is
[AEC - 2017]
0.046. If a factor of safety (with respect to Q.5 Failure of slopes occurs only when total
cohesion) of 1.5 is required, then the safe shear force is
height of the slope will be
(A) Equal to total shear strength
(A) 25.8 m (B) 19.1 m (B) Greater than total shear strength
(C) 17.2 m (D) 11.5 m (C) Less than total shear strength
Q.2 The factor of safety of an infinite slope in a (D) None of these
sand deposit is found to be 1.732. The angle [ISRO - 2018]
of shearing resistance of the sand is 30° The
average slope of the sand deposit is given
by
(A) Sin −1 (0.333) (B) cos −1 (0.252)
(C) tan −1 (0.333) (D) cot −1 (0.621)
Q.3 If C, y and Hc are cohesion, unit weight of
soil and critical height of slope, the stability
number is given by
c Hc
(A) (B)
γ Hc cγ
γ Hc cγ
(C) (D)
c Hc

Answers :

Assignment Questions
1. D 2. C 3. A 4. C 5. D

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Chapter 10
Shallow Foundation & Bearing Capacity
SSC - JE PYQ Questions Q.6 Which of the following factor can affect the
bearing capacity of the soil?
Q.1 Standard penetration resistance in very stiff (A) Grain size of the soil
clays lies between:
(B) Shape of footing
(A) 2 and 4 (B) 4 and 8
(C) Size of the footing
(C) 8 and 15 (D) 15 and 30 (D) All options are correct
[SSC - JE : 2010] [SSC - JE : 2016]
Q.2 For determining the ultimate bearing Q.7 The two criteria for the determination of
capacity of soil the recommended size of allowable bearing capacity of a foundation
square bearing plate used in plate load test are
is 30 − 75cm with a minimum thickness of: (A) Tensile failure and compression failure
(A) 20 mm (B) Tensile failure and settlement
(B) 25 mm (C) Bond failure and shear failure
(C) 50 mm (D) Shear failure and settlement
[SSC - JE : 2016]
(D) None of the above
Q.8 A foundation is called shallow if its depth
[SSC - JE : 2010]
is
Q.3 A 300 mm square bearing plate settles by
(A) One-fourth of its width
15mm in a plate load test on a cohesive soil
(B) Half of its width
when the intensity of loading is 0.2 N/mm2 . (C) Three-fourth of its width
The settlement of a prototype shallow (D) Equal to its width
footing ‘1 m’ square under the same [SSC - JE : 2017]
intensity of loading is: Q.9 Which of the following statement is true?
(A) 15 mm (B) 30 mm (A) On an absolutely rigid foundation base
(C) 50 mm (D) 167 mm the pressure will at the edges of the
[SSC - JE : 2013] foundation
Q.4 Which one of the following has least (B) On an absolutely rigid foundation base
bearing capacity? the pressure will be uniform
(A) Loose gravel (B) Hard rocks (C) On an absolutely rigid foundation the
pressure will not be uniform
(C) Soft rocks (D) Compact gravel
(D) On an absolutely rigid foundation base
[SSC - JE : 2014]
the pressure will be zero at the centre
Q.5 Black cotton soil is not suitable for
of the foundation
foundation because of its
[SSC - JE : 2017]
(A) Low bearing capacity
Q.10 For a number of columns constructed in a
(B) Cohesive particles row, the type of foundation provided is
(C) Swelling and shrinkage (A) Footing (B) Raft
(D) Black colour (C) Strap (D) Strip
[SSC - JE : 2015] [SSC - JE : 2017]
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Geotechnical Enggineering [SSC-JE] 34 GATE ACADEMY®

Assignment Questions (C) 40% of total area

(D) 50% of total area
Q.1 The gross bearing capacity of a footing is [GETCL 2015]
450 kN/m2. If the footing is 1.5 m wide at a Q.7 For plate load test, the width of the test pit
depth of 1 m in clayey soil with unit weight should be at least
of 20 kN/m3, then the net bearing capacity (A) 2 times the width of plate
(in kN/m2) will be (B) 4 times the width of plate
(A) 400 (B) 430 (C) 5 times the width of plate
(C) 435 (D) 440 (D) 10 times the width of plate
Q.2 According to Terzaghi, the net ultimate [GETCL 2015]
bearing capacity of clay is given by where: Q.8 When the water table is close to the ground
N q ,N Y & N c are bearing capacity factors, C surface, the bearing capacity of a soil is
– cohesion reduced to:
(A) C.N q (B) C.N y (A) one – fourth (B) one – half
(C) two – third (D) three – fourth
(C) C.N c (D) 1.2 C.N c [GETCL 2015]
Q.3 Why are the foundations placed below Q.9 In the plate load test for determining the
ground level? bearing capacity of soil, the size of square
(A) To increase the strength bearing plate should be:
(B) To increase the workability (A) less than 300 mm
(C) To increase the stability of structure (B) between 300 mm and 750 mm
(C) between 750 mm and 1 m
(D) All of the above
(D) greater than 1 m
[KPSC JE]
[PMB JE 2018]
Q.4 According to Terzaghi’s theory, the
Q.10 Bearing capacity of soil strata supporting a
ultimate bearing capacity at ground surface
footing of size 3m × 3m will not be affected
fort a purely cohesive soil and for a smooth
by the presence of ground water table at a
base of a strip footing is (Here, C = Unit
depth which is _______ below the base of
cohesion of soil):
footing.
(A) 2.57 C (B) 5.14 C (A) 1.5 m (B) 2.5 m
(C) 5.7 C (D) 6.2 C (C) 3 m (D) 9 m
[MPPSC 2012] [PMB JE 2018]
Q.5 If the independence spread footings of two Q.11 A 5 ft 6 ft footing is designed with water
columns are connected by a beam, the table at the base of the footing. As per the
foundation is called general bearing capacity equation what
(A) Combined footing would be the correction for water table?
(B) Connected footing (A) 0.7 (B) 1
(C) Strip footing (C) 0.75 (D) 0.25
(D) Strap footing [DDA JE 2018]
Q.12 General shear failure occurs when the angle
[KPSC – AE, LBS – ASST. PROF. 2017,
of shearing resistance is
ISRO 2018]
Q.6 A raft foundation is generally preferred (A) Greater than 360
when the area required individual footing is (B) Smaller than 250
more than: (C) Greater than 300
(A) 25% of total area (D) Greater than 150
(B) 30% of total area [LBS ASST. PROF. 2017]
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GATE ACADEMY® 35 Shallow Foundation & Bearing Capacity

Conventional Questions cone penetration test is 8 MPa and the N

value is 20. The soil met with at that depth
Q.1 Write short note on standard penetration is
test. (A) Sandy silt
[SSC JE - 2005] (B) Clay silt mixture
Q.2 A 2.2 m square footing is located at a depth (C) Sand and gravel mixture
of 4.4 m, in a stiff clay of saturated unit (D) Medium dense sand
weight 21 kN/m3. The undrained strength Q.2 A plate load test is used to determine
of clay at a depth of 4.4 m is given by
(A) Bearing capacity of foundations
parameter C = 120 kN/m2 and φu = 0. For a
(B) Settlement of foundations
factor of safety 3, with respect to shear (C) Both (A) and (B)
failure. Compute. (D) None of the above
(i) The net value of bearing capacity and Q.3 A shallow foundation is defined as a
(ii) The value of maximum load that could foundation which
be carried by the footing.
(A) Has low bearing capacity
[12 Marks, SSC JE - 2008]
(B) Has a depth of embedment less than its
Q.3 In a plate bearing test on pure clayey soil
width
failure occurred at a load of 12.2 tonnes.
(C) Is resting on the ground surface
The size of the plate was 45 cm × 45 cm and
(D) Cause less settlement
the test was done at the depth of 1.0 m
Q.4 A plate load test is useful to estimate
below ground level. Find out the ultimate
bearing capacity for a 1.5 m wide (A) Both bearing capacity and settlement
continuous wall footing with its base at of foundation
depth of 2 m below the ground level. The (B) Consolidation of soil
unit weight of clay may be taken as 1.9 (C) Bearing capacity of foundation
gm/cc and N c = 5.7 and N q = 1 and N γ = 0. (D) Settlement of foundation
Q.5 A shallow foundation is defined as a
[20 Marks, SSC JE - 2011]
foundation which:
Q.4 Calculate the ultimate bearing capacity per
(A) Has low baring capacity
unit area of
(B) Has a depth of embedment less than its
(i) A strip footing 1m wide
width
(ii) A square footing 3m × 3m
(C) Is resting on the ground surface
(iii) A circular footing of diameter 3m
(D) Causes less settlement
Given : Unit weight of the soil 1.8 t/m3,
Q.6 The depth of foundation is usually
cohesion = 2 t/m2 and φ = 20°, N c = 17.5,
calculated from
N q = 7.5, N γ = 5.
(A) Rankine’s formula
[15 Marks, SSC JE - 2013] (B) Newton’s formula
Q.5 Describe plate load test as per IS 1888. (C) De Almbert’s formula
Discuss the limitations. What are the effects (D) Gutter’s formula
of size of plate on bearing capacity and
settlement?
[20 Marks, SSC JE - 2017]

Practice Questions

Q.1 The static cone penetration test and a

standard penetration test are performed on
a soil at a certain depth. The value of static
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Geotechnical Enggineering [SSC-JE] 36 GATE ACADEMY®

Answers :

SSC – JE PYQ Questions

1. D 2. B 3. C 4. A 5. C
6. D 7. D 8. D 9. C 10. D
Assignment Questions
1. B 2. C 3. C 4. B 5. D
6. D 7. C 8. B 9. B 10. C
11. A 12. A
Conventional Questions
29.58,
296.4,
2. 3. 4868.24 4. 81.56,
1881.792
78.858
Practice Questions
1. A 2. C 3. B 4. A 5. B
6. A

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Chapter 11
Pile Foundation
SSC - JE PYQ Questions (D) A pile is a cylindrical body of concrete
which transfers the load at a depth
Q.1 The advantage of a concrete pile over a greater than its width.
timber piles is
[SSC - JE : 2017]
(A) No decay due to termites
(B) No restriction on length Assignment Questions
(C) Higher bearing capacity
Q.1 The settlement of a group of friction piles
(D) All option are correct as compared to that of a single pile is:
[SSC - JE : 2017] (A) Same (B) Less
Q.2 A raft foundation is provided if its area
(C) More (D) None of these
exceeds the plan area of the building by.
[MPSC 2012]
(A) 10 % (B) 20 %
(C) 30 % (D) 50 % Q.2 Minimum centre to centre spacing of
friction piles of diameter (D) as per BIS
[SSC - JE : 2017]
code is
Q.3 If the damping ratio is given by 0.10 and
damping coefficient is 225 kN-s/m .The (A) 1.5 D (B) 2.5 D
value of critical damping ratio (kN-s/m) ? (C) 2.0 D (D) 3 D
(A) 22.5 (B) 225 Q.3 In Engineering News formula the value of
(C) 2250 (D) 2500 constant C for a drop hammer is
[SSC - JE : 2017] (A) 1.5 (B) 2.5
Q.4 A friction pile of diameter 50 cm is (C) 0.25 (D) 2.25
embedded 15 m into the homogeneous [LBS ASST. PROF. 2017]
consolidated clay deposit. If the adhesion Q.4 The pile provided with one or more bulbs in
factor is 0.7 and adhesion develops between its vertical shaft, is generally known as
the clay and pile shaft is 4 t/m 2 .What is the (A) Under reamed pile
safe load (t) for factor of safety 3.0? (B) Friction – pile
(A) 15 (B) 22
(C) Bearing – pile
(C) 26 (D) 30
(D) Sheet – pile
[SSC - JE : 2017]
[ISRO 2015]
Q.5 Which of the following statement is true?
(A) A pile is a slender member which Q.5 The load carrying capacity of a friction pile
transfers the load through its lower end in a clayey stratum is 180 kN. If a group of
on a strong strata. 7 piles are designed with an efficiency
factor of 0.75, then the group total load
(B) A pile is a slender member which
carrying capacity (kN) of the group will be:
transfers its load to the surrounding
soil. (A) 1260 (B) 945
(C) A pile is a slender member which (C) 1680 (D) 1200
transfer its load by friction. [LMRC 2018]
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Geotechnical Enggineering [SSC-JE] 38 GATE ACADEMY®
Q.6 Negative skin friction in pile occurs when (A) Fill material
(A) the surrounding soil settles more than (B) Dense coarse sand
the pile (C) Black cotton soil
(B) the pile passes continuously through (D) Dense fine sand
the firm soil [Coal India 2017]
(C) an upward drag exists in the pile Q.10 What will be the load carrying capacity
(D) the driving operation begins (kN) of a group of 6 piles, if the individual
[GETCL 2015] load carrying capacity is 150 kN and group
Q.7 Which type of foundation is pile efficiency is 75%?
foundation? (A) 675 (B) 500
(A) Deep Foundation (C) 621 (D) 542
(B) Shallow Foundation [Coal India 2017]
(C) Wide Foundation
Practice Questions
(D) Narrow Foundation
[Haryana JE 2017] Q.1 Which of the statement is /are true?
Q.8 Which of the following is a reason for using A. The proportioning of a footing is more
pile caps over a group of piles? often governed by its bearing capacity
(A) For spreading vertical and horizontal B. Friction piles are called ‘Floating
loads to all piles piles’
(B) For protecting pile form rising up (A) Only A (B) Only B
(C) For enhancing the load bearing (C) Both A and B (D) Neither A nor B
capacity of each pile Q.2 Piles are usually driven by:
(D) For protecting pile form displacing (A) Diesel operated hammer
laterally (B) Drop hammer
[Coal India 2017] (C) Single acting steam hammer
Q.9 While designing a pile negative skin (D) All options are correct
friction is considered when the pile is
constructed in:

Answers :

SSC – JE PYQ Questions

1. D 2. D 3. C 4. B 5. B
Assignment Questions
1. B 2. D 3. B 4. A 5. B
6. A 7. A 8. A 9. A 10. A
Practice Questions
1. C 2. D

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Chapter 12
Soil Exploration
SSC - JE PYQ Questions 2. Large diameter boreholes over 150
mm in size
Q.1 Undisturbed samples are obtained by 3. Explorations for shallow foundations
(A) Direct excavations and highways
(B) Thin walled samplers 4. Boulder and gravelly strata
(C) Thick walled samplers (A) A-1, B-2, C-4 and 3
(D) None of the above (B) A-3 and 1, B-2, C-4
[SSC - JE : 2008] (C) A-2, B-3, C-4 and 1
(D) A-3, B-1, C-4 and 2
Assignment Questions
[PEB - SUB ER. 2017]
Q.1 Which is the most commonly used Q.5 The relationship for minimum depth of
sampling for obtaining a disturbed sample foundation is given by:
of the soil? 2
q 1 − sin φ 
(A) Open pit sampler (A) D min =  
sin φ 1 + sin φ 
(B) Thin wall sampler
2
(C) Piston sampler 1 + sin φ 
(B) D min = q 
(D) Split spoon sampler 1 − sin φ 
2
[PEB - SUB ER - 2017] q 1 − sin φ 
(C) D =  
Q.2 For collecting undisturbed samples, the min
γ 1 + sin φ 
area ration of sampler is to be 2

(A) 0 (B) <10% q 1 + sin φ 

(D) D min =  
γ 1 − sin φ 
(C) > 10% (D) 100%
Q.3 The free fall of hammer in a standard [PEB - SUB ER. 2017]
penetration test is equal to Q.6 For clays of moderate to high plasticity,
(A) 65 cm (B) 70 cm which of the following agent is the best for
improving soil properties?
(C) 75 cm (D) 85 cm
(A) Cement (B) Fly ash
[LBS - [Link].2017]
(C) Lime (D) Slag
Q.4 Match the list – I (boring methods) with
[LMRC - 2018]
List – II (field conditions) and select the
correct answer using the codes given below Q.7 In standard penetration test, the split spoon
the list: sampler is penetrated into the soil stratum
by giving blows from a drop whose high
List – I
and free fall, respectively are
A. Auger boring
(A) 30 kg and 60 cm (B) 60 kg and 30 cm
B. Wash boring
C. Percussion drilling (C) 65 kg and 75 cm (D) 75 kg and 65 cm
List – II [GETCL - 2015]
1. Below water table in all soil types
except hard rocks
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Geotechnical Enggineering [SSC-JE] 40 GATE ACADEMY®

Answers :

SSC – JE PYQ Questions

1. B
Assignment Questions
1. D 2. B 3. C 4. D 5. C
6. C 7. C

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