Other PEC EPE Exam Past Paper Questions
What is the primary purpose of a geotechnical investigation?
a) To determine the aesthetics of a site
b) To calculate construction costs
c) To assess the environmental impact
d) To evaluate subsurface soil and rock conditions
Answer: d) To evaluate subsurface soil and rock conditions
Which soil particle size is the largest?
a) Silt
b) Clay
c) Sand
d) Gravel
Answer: d) Gravel
The phenomenon of soil volume decreasing due to an increase in applied stress is known as:
a) Swelling
b) Compression
c) Shearing
d) Liquefaction
Answer: b) Compression
The angle of internal friction is a property that influences:
a) Soil cohesion
b) Soil permeability
c) Soil strength
d) Soil plasticity
Answer: c) Soil strength
The Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) classifies soils based on:
a) Grain size only
b) Plasticity only
c) Grain size and plasticity
d) Color and texture
Answer: c) Grain size and plasticity
What is the water content of a soil if its dry weight is 1200 kg and saturated weight is 1500 kg?
a) 20%
b) 25%
c) 30%
d) 35%
Answer: b) 25%
The capillary rise of water in a fine-grained soil is mainly due to:
a) Cohesion
b) Permeability
c) Compaction
d) Swelling
Answer: a) Cohesion
The angle of repose is the angle between:
a) Soil grains and the horizontal plane
b) Soil grains and the vertical plane
c) Shear plane and the horizontal plane
d) Shear plane and the vertical plane
Answer: b) Soil grains and the vertical plane
Which type of foundation is suitable for areas with expansive soils?
a) Shallow foundation
b) Deep foundation
c) Floating foundation
d) Pile foundation
Answer: b) Deep foundation
The consolidation of soil involves:
a) Increase in void ratio
b) Decrease in water content
c) Decrease in pore water pressure
d) Increase in soil density
Answer: c) Decrease in pore water pressure
What type of soil is characterized by being a mixture of sand, silt, and clay?
a) Loam
b) Gravel
c) Clay
d) Silt
Answer: a) Loam
The load-carrying capacity of a pile primarily depends on:
a) Pile material
b) Pile length
c) Pile diameter
d) Pile shape
Answer: b) Pile length
The consistency index (Ip) is used to determine the:
a) Plastic limit
b) Liquid limit
c) Shrinkage limit
d) Plasticity index
Answer: d) Plasticity index
Which soil type exhibits the highest cohesion?
a) Sandy soil
b) Silty soil
c) Clayey soil
d) Gravelly soil
Answer: c) Clayey soil
The phenomenon of quicksand formation is related to:
a) Silt
b) Clay
c) Sand
d) Gravel
Answer: c) Sand
The OMC (Optimum Moisture Content) and MDD (Maximum Dry Density) are properties used in the testing of:
a) Cohesion
b) Permeability
c) Compaction
d) Consolidation
Answer: c) Compaction
The process of reducing the air voids in soil by mechanical means is called:
a) Compaction
b) Consolidation
c) Swelling
d) Permeability
Answer: a) Compaction
The bearing capacity of a soil depends on its:
a) Cohesion and moisture content
b) Permeability and plasticity
c) Shear strength and void ratio
d) Weight and porosity
Answer: c) Shear strength and void ratio
The process of soil mass disintegration due to freezing and thawing is known as:
a) Erosion
b) Swelling
c) Frost action
d) Permeability
Answer: c) Frost action
A soil sample has a liquid limit of 40% and a plastic limit of 25%. What is the plasticity index?
a) 15
b) 25
c) 40
d) 65
Answer: a) 15