30 Geotechnical Engineering questions from the Civil Core bank, written for Indian campus drives and tech interviews. Every question has a verified answer and an AI-tutor explanation on placd.
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A.loss of strength in loose saturated sand during earthquake shaking as pore pressure rises to total stress, assessed from SPT N-value and cyclic stress ratio
B.upward seepage gradient (G−1)/(1+e), about 1.0, at which seepage force equals submerged weight and sand loses all strength as quicksand
C.split-spoon sampler driven 300 mm by a 63.5 kg hammer falling 750 mm; the blow count N indicates relative density of sand or consistency of clay
D.water contents at which fine soil passes between solid, semi-solid, plastic and liquid states; plasticity index is liquid limit minus plastic limit
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2. Which term means: "water contents at which fine soil passes between solid, semi-solid, plastic and liquid states; plasticity index is liquid limit minus plastic limit"?
Junior
A.Effective stress principle
B.Liquefaction
C.Atterberg limits
D.Mohr–Coulomb strength
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
3. Which statement is correct?
Junior
A.Atterberg limits — laboratory test giving optimum moisture content and maximum dry density, standard version using a 2.6 kg rammer, 310 mm drop and three layers
B.Atterberg limits — Ka = (1−sinφ)/(1+sinφ) for cohesionless soil when the wall yields away from the backfill, the minimum lateral pressure
C.Atterberg limits — water contents at which fine soil passes between solid, semi-solid, plastic and liquid states; plasticity index is liquid limit minus plastic limit
D.Atterberg limits — upward seepage gradient (G−1)/(1+e), about 1.0, at which seepage force equals submerged weight and sand loses all strength as quicksand
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
4. What is Void ratio vs porosity?
Junior
A.Ka = (1−sinφ)/(1+sinφ) for cohesionless soil when the wall yields away from the backfill, the minimum lateral pressure
B.void ratio compares void volume to solid volume, porosity compares void volume to total volume, and e = n/(1−n)
C.upward seepage gradient (G−1)/(1+e), about 1.0, at which seepage force equals submerged weight and sand loses all strength as quicksand
D.split-spoon sampler driven 300 mm by a 63.5 kg hammer falling 750 mm; the blow count N indicates relative density of sand or consistency of clay
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5. Which term means: "void ratio compares void volume to solid volume, porosity compares void volume to total volume, and e = n/(1−n)"?
Junior
A.Effective stress principle
B.Liquefaction
C.Void ratio vs porosity
D.Mohr–Coulomb strength
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
6. Which statement is correct?
Junior
A.Void ratio vs porosity — Ka = (1−sinφ)/(1+sinφ) for cohesionless soil when the wall yields away from the backfill, the minimum lateral pressure
B.Void ratio vs porosity — void ratio compares void volume to solid volume, porosity compares void volume to total volume, and e = n/(1−n)
C.Void ratio vs porosity — time-dependent squeezing of pore water out of saturated clay under load, producing settlement whose rate is set by the coefficient Cv from the oedometer
D.Void ratio vs porosity — laboratory test giving optimum moisture content and maximum dry density, standard version using a 2.6 kg rammer, 310 mm drop and three layers
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
7. What is Effective stress principle?
Junior
A.loss of strength in loose saturated sand during earthquake shaking as pore pressure rises to total stress, assessed from SPT N-value and cyclic stress ratio
B.time-dependent squeezing of pore water out of saturated clay under load, producing settlement whose rate is set by the coefficient Cv from the oedometer
C.split-spoon sampler driven 300 mm by a 63.5 kg hammer falling 750 mm; the blow count N indicates relative density of sand or consistency of clay
D.total stress minus pore water pressure is the stress carried by the soil skeleton, and it alone controls strength and compression
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
8. Which term means: "total stress minus pore water pressure is the stress carried by the soil skeleton, and it alone controls strength and compression"?
Junior
A.Standard Penetration Test
B.Consolidation
C.Mohr–Coulomb strength
D.Effective stress principle
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
9. Which statement is correct?
Junior
A.Effective stress principle — loss of strength in loose saturated sand during earthquake shaking as pore pressure rises to total stress, assessed from SPT N-value and cyclic stress ratio
B.Effective stress principle — total stress minus pore water pressure is the stress carried by the soil skeleton, and it alone controls strength and compression
C.Effective stress principle — shear strength on a plane equals cohesion plus effective normal stress multiplied by the tangent of the friction angle
D.Effective stress principle — water contents at which fine soil passes between solid, semi-solid, plastic and liquid states; plasticity index is liquid limit minus plastic limit
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
10. What is Rankine active earth pressure?
Junior
A.void ratio compares void volume to solid volume, porosity compares void volume to total volume, and e = n/(1−n)
B.shear strength on a plane equals cohesion plus effective normal stress multiplied by the tangent of the friction angle
C.upward seepage gradient (G−1)/(1+e), about 1.0, at which seepage force equals submerged weight and sand loses all strength as quicksand
D.Ka = (1−sinφ)/(1+sinφ) for cohesionless soil when the wall yields away from the backfill, the minimum lateral pressure
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
11. Which term means: "Ka = (1−sinφ)/(1+sinφ) for cohesionless soil when the wall yields away from the backfill, the minimum lateral pressure"?
Junior
A.Mohr–Coulomb strength
B.Rankine active earth pressure
C.Liquefaction
D.Effective stress principle
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
12. Which statement is correct?
Junior
A.Rankine active earth pressure — upward seepage gradient (G−1)/(1+e), about 1.0, at which seepage force equals submerged weight and sand loses all strength as quicksand
B.Rankine active earth pressure — shear strength on a plane equals cohesion plus effective normal stress multiplied by the tangent of the friction angle
C.Rankine active earth pressure — Ka = (1−sinφ)/(1+sinφ) for cohesionless soil when the wall yields away from the backfill, the minimum lateral pressure
D.Rankine active earth pressure — void ratio compares void volume to solid volume, porosity compares void volume to total volume, and e = n/(1−n)
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
13. What is Mohr–Coulomb strength?
Mid
A.shear strength on a plane equals cohesion plus effective normal stress multiplied by the tangent of the friction angle
B.upward seepage gradient (G−1)/(1+e), about 1.0, at which seepage force equals submerged weight and sand loses all strength as quicksand
C.split-spoon sampler driven 300 mm by a 63.5 kg hammer falling 750 mm; the blow count N indicates relative density of sand or consistency of clay
D.total stress minus pore water pressure is the stress carried by the soil skeleton, and it alone controls strength and compression
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
14. Which term means: "shear strength on a plane equals cohesion plus effective normal stress multiplied by the tangent of the friction angle"?
Mid
A.Rankine active earth pressure
B.Critical hydraulic gradient
C.Mohr–Coulomb strength
D.Proctor compaction test
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
15. Which statement is correct?
Mid
A.Mohr–Coulomb strength — shear strength on a plane equals cohesion plus effective normal stress multiplied by the tangent of the friction angle
B.Mohr–Coulomb strength — void ratio compares void volume to solid volume, porosity compares void volume to total volume, and e = n/(1−n)
C.Mohr–Coulomb strength — laboratory test giving optimum moisture content and maximum dry density, standard version using a 2.6 kg rammer, 310 mm drop and three layers
D.Mohr–Coulomb strength — split-spoon sampler driven 300 mm by a 63.5 kg hammer falling 750 mm; the blow count N indicates relative density of sand or consistency of clay
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
16. What is Consolidation?
Mid
A.water contents at which fine soil passes between solid, semi-solid, plastic and liquid states; plasticity index is liquid limit minus plastic limit
B.time-dependent squeezing of pore water out of saturated clay under load, producing settlement whose rate is set by the coefficient Cv from the oedometer
C.total stress minus pore water pressure is the stress carried by the soil skeleton, and it alone controls strength and compression
D.split-spoon sampler driven 300 mm by a 63.5 kg hammer falling 750 mm; the blow count N indicates relative density of sand or consistency of clay
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
17. Which term means: "time-dependent squeezing of pore water out of saturated clay under load, producing settlement whose rate is set by the coefficient Cv from the oedometer"?
Mid
A.Atterberg limits
B.Mohr–Coulomb strength
C.Consolidation
D.Void ratio vs porosity
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
18. Which statement is correct?
Mid
A.Consolidation — water contents at which fine soil passes between solid, semi-solid, plastic and liquid states; plasticity index is liquid limit minus plastic limit
B.Consolidation — split-spoon sampler driven 300 mm by a 63.5 kg hammer falling 750 mm; the blow count N indicates relative density of sand or consistency of clay
C.Consolidation — upward seepage gradient (G−1)/(1+e), about 1.0, at which seepage force equals submerged weight and sand loses all strength as quicksand
D.Consolidation — time-dependent squeezing of pore water out of saturated clay under load, producing settlement whose rate is set by the coefficient Cv from the oedometer
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
19. What is Standard Penetration Test?
Mid
A.total stress minus pore water pressure is the stress carried by the soil skeleton, and it alone controls strength and compression
B.split-spoon sampler driven 300 mm by a 63.5 kg hammer falling 750 mm; the blow count N indicates relative density of sand or consistency of clay
C.laboratory test giving optimum moisture content and maximum dry density, standard version using a 2.6 kg rammer, 310 mm drop and three layers
D.shear strength on a plane equals cohesion plus effective normal stress multiplied by the tangent of the friction angle
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
20. Which term means: "split-spoon sampler driven 300 mm by a 63.5 kg hammer falling 750 mm; the blow count N indicates relative density of sand or consistency of clay"?
Mid
A.Atterberg limits
B.Consolidation
C.Proctor compaction test
D.Standard Penetration Test
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
21. Which statement is correct?
Mid
A.Standard Penetration Test — split-spoon sampler driven 300 mm by a 63.5 kg hammer falling 750 mm; the blow count N indicates relative density of sand or consistency of clay
B.Standard Penetration Test — water contents at which fine soil passes between solid, semi-solid, plastic and liquid states; plasticity index is liquid limit minus plastic limit
C.Standard Penetration Test — laboratory test giving optimum moisture content and maximum dry density, standard version using a 2.6 kg rammer, 310 mm drop and three layers
D.Standard Penetration Test — time-dependent squeezing of pore water out of saturated clay under load, producing settlement whose rate is set by the coefficient Cv from the oedometer
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
22. What is Proctor compaction test?
Mid
A.laboratory test giving optimum moisture content and maximum dry density, standard version using a 2.6 kg rammer, 310 mm drop and three layers
B.split-spoon sampler driven 300 mm by a 63.5 kg hammer falling 750 mm; the blow count N indicates relative density of sand or consistency of clay
C.water contents at which fine soil passes between solid, semi-solid, plastic and liquid states; plasticity index is liquid limit minus plastic limit
D.void ratio compares void volume to solid volume, porosity compares void volume to total volume, and e = n/(1−n)
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
23. Which term means: "laboratory test giving optimum moisture content and maximum dry density, standard version using a 2.6 kg rammer, 310 mm drop and three layers"?
Mid
A.Mohr–Coulomb strength
B.Proctor compaction test
C.Liquefaction
D.Atterberg limits
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
24. Which statement is correct?
Mid
A.Proctor compaction test — upward seepage gradient (G−1)/(1+e), about 1.0, at which seepage force equals submerged weight and sand loses all strength as quicksand
B.Proctor compaction test — loss of strength in loose saturated sand during earthquake shaking as pore pressure rises to total stress, assessed from SPT N-value and cyclic stress ratio
C.Proctor compaction test — laboratory test giving optimum moisture content and maximum dry density, standard version using a 2.6 kg rammer, 310 mm drop and three layers
D.Proctor compaction test — split-spoon sampler driven 300 mm by a 63.5 kg hammer falling 750 mm; the blow count N indicates relative density of sand or consistency of clay
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
25. What is Critical hydraulic gradient?
Senior
A.water contents at which fine soil passes between solid, semi-solid, plastic and liquid states; plasticity index is liquid limit minus plastic limit
B.time-dependent squeezing of pore water out of saturated clay under load, producing settlement whose rate is set by the coefficient Cv from the oedometer
C.upward seepage gradient (G−1)/(1+e), about 1.0, at which seepage force equals submerged weight and sand loses all strength as quicksand
D.loss of strength in loose saturated sand during earthquake shaking as pore pressure rises to total stress, assessed from SPT N-value and cyclic stress ratio
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
26. Which term means: "upward seepage gradient (G−1)/(1+e), about 1.0, at which seepage force equals submerged weight and sand loses all strength as quicksand"?
Senior
A.Void ratio vs porosity
B.Atterberg limits
C.Critical hydraulic gradient
D.Consolidation
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
27. Which statement is correct?
Senior
A.Critical hydraulic gradient — water contents at which fine soil passes between solid, semi-solid, plastic and liquid states; plasticity index is liquid limit minus plastic limit
B.Critical hydraulic gradient — time-dependent squeezing of pore water out of saturated clay under load, producing settlement whose rate is set by the coefficient Cv from the oedometer
C.Critical hydraulic gradient — shear strength on a plane equals cohesion plus effective normal stress multiplied by the tangent of the friction angle
D.Critical hydraulic gradient — upward seepage gradient (G−1)/(1+e), about 1.0, at which seepage force equals submerged weight and sand loses all strength as quicksand
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
28. What is Liquefaction?
Senior
A.time-dependent squeezing of pore water out of saturated clay under load, producing settlement whose rate is set by the coefficient Cv from the oedometer
B.Ka = (1−sinφ)/(1+sinφ) for cohesionless soil when the wall yields away from the backfill, the minimum lateral pressure
C.loss of strength in loose saturated sand during earthquake shaking as pore pressure rises to total stress, assessed from SPT N-value and cyclic stress ratio
D.split-spoon sampler driven 300 mm by a 63.5 kg hammer falling 750 mm; the blow count N indicates relative density of sand or consistency of clay
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
29. Which term means: "loss of strength in loose saturated sand during earthquake shaking as pore pressure rises to total stress, assessed from SPT N-value and cyclic stress ratio"?
Senior
A.Consolidation
B.Mohr–Coulomb strength
C.Proctor compaction test
D.Liquefaction
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
30. Which statement is correct?
Senior
A.Liquefaction — Ka = (1−sinφ)/(1+sinφ) for cohesionless soil when the wall yields away from the backfill, the minimum lateral pressure
B.Liquefaction — total stress minus pore water pressure is the stress carried by the soil skeleton, and it alone controls strength and compression
C.Liquefaction — loss of strength in loose saturated sand during earthquake shaking as pore pressure rises to total stress, assessed from SPT N-value and cyclic stress ratio
D.Liquefaction — split-spoon sampler driven 300 mm by a 63.5 kg hammer falling 750 mm; the blow count N indicates relative density of sand or consistency of clay
Answer + AI explanation with Pro
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