Category: Highway Engineering Objective Questions

250+ TOP MCQs on Flexible Pavement-Components and their Functions and Answers

Highway Engineering Multiple Choice Questions on “Flexible Pavement-Components and their Functions”.

1. The most superior material is used in _____________
a) base
b) sub base
c) surface
d) soil
Answer: c
Clarification: The most superior material is used in the surface layer of pavement as it is the layer that is exposed to more number of stresses.

2. The soil sub grade suitable for pavement is _____________
a) Gravel
b) Sand
c) Black cotton soil
d) Red soil
Answer: a
Clarification: The soil sub grade most suitable for pavement layer is gravel as it is very strong rock, black cotton is not suitable for pavement but suitable for crops, sand has a danger of liquefaction and red soil is not so advisable.

3. The drainage layer is _____________
a) Sub grade
b) Sub base
c) Base
d) Surface
Answer: b
Clarification: The drainage layer of the pavement is granular sub base course which collects water from pavement surfaces.

5. What is the minimum thickness of compacted sub grade?
a) 300 mm
b) 500 mm
c) 700 mm
d) 900 mm
Answer: a
Clarification: The minimum thickness of sub grade required is 300mm and in highways it is 500 mm as they are provided with the maximum best facilities.

5. What is the most common test used in evaluating soil strength?
a) CBR
b) DCP
c) Triaxial
d) Plate bearing test
Answer: a
Clarification: All the tests are performed but the most commonly used one is CBR, which is called as California bearing test, performed in India.

6. The CBR standard penetration is __________
a) 2.5 mm
b) 5.0 mm
c) 7.5 mm
d) 25mm
Answer: a
Clarification: The standard penetration value of the CBR value is 2.5mm if 5 mm value is greater then the penetration test is repeated again.

7. What is the minimum thickness of seal coat?
a) 20mm
b) 25mm
c) 30.m
d) 35mm
Answer: a
Clarification: The minimum thickness of the seal coat required is 20mm for bitumen pavement, seal coat is a layer above the flexible pavement surface.

8. The impact value of aggregate used in the pavement is __________
a) 30
b) 40
c) 50
d) 60
Answer: a
Clarification: The aggregate impact value should not be more than 30% for aggregate used in bitumen if it is less than 30 the aggregate may be replaced.

9. The abrasion value of the aggregate in pavement should be less than __________
a) 30
b) 40
c) 50
d) 60
Answer: b
Clarification: The abrasion value of aggregate should not be more than 40% for the aggregate tested by Los Angeles abrasion test, if it is more than 40, then it may be rejected.

10. The specifications for highway are prepared by __________
a) IRC
b) MORTH
c) BIS
d) NHAI
Answer: b
Clarification: The specifications for the highway are prepared by MORTH, which is the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway.

250+ TOP MCQs on Mechanical Soil Stabilization and Answers

Highway Engineering Multiple Choice Questions on “Mechanical Soil Stabilization”.

1. What is the first principle of mechanical soil stabilisation?
a) Proportioning
b) Compaction
c) Consolidation
d) Shear
Answer: a
Clarification: The first principle of mechanical stabilised soil is proportioning and then compaction.

2. The non desirable property of soil is __________
a) Shear
b) Swelling
c) Incompressibility
d) Stability
Answer: b
Clarification: Swelling is not such a desirable property in soil because change in volume may cause great loss to soil.

3. The maximum dry density of the soil can be achievement by __________
a) Compaction
b) Consolidation
c) Removal of voids
d) Removal of rocks
Answer: a
Clarification: The best method to achieve maximum dry density is by compaction of soil, as it is the easy, best and fast method.

4. The compaction of granular material is __________
a) Very easy
b) Easy
c) Difficult
d) Very difficult
Answer: d
Clarification: The compaction of granular material is a very difficult task as it needs a lot of effort.

5. If the grains in the aggregate lose contact, they __________
a) Melt
b) Float
c) Freeze
d) Sieze
Answer: b
Clarification: When granular material is separated, then the grains in the soil mostly float and in cold region they freeze.

6. The n in the gradation formula is called __________
a) Gradation value
b) Gradation index
c) Gradation factor
d) Gradation distribution
Answer: b
Clarification: The n in gradation formula is called as the gradation index of the soil, which is used to denote the property of a particular soil.

7. The value of the maximum gradation index lies between?
a) 0.5
b) 0.3
c) 0.2
d) 0.1
Answer: a
Clarification: The maximum gradation index is 0.5 it depends on the coarseness of aggregate, for less coarse aggregate it may be 0.1 to 0.2.

8. The mechanical stabilised soil does not depend on __________
a) Gradation
b) Salts
c) Compaction
d) Consolidation
Answer: d
Clarification: The mechanical stabilisation of soil doesn’t depend on consolidation as it is a long process.

9. The proportioning method not in use is __________
a) Rothfutch
b) Triangular
c) Lab tests
d) CBR method
Answer: d
Clarification: The CBR method is a method of designing of flexible pavement, the remaining are proportioning methods.

10. The percentage of chemical added in soil by weight is?
a) 1
b) 1.5
c) 0.5
d) 0.2
Answer: c
Clarification: The usual volume of chemical added in the soil is 0.5% of the weight of soil if it is added more then the soil may lose it’s strength.

250+ TOP MCQs on Requirements and importance of Highway Drainage and Answers

Highway Engineering Multiple Choice Questions on “Requirements and importance of Highway Drainage”.

1. The highway drainage requirement don’t include ______________
a) Effective drainage
b) Water entering the roadway
c) Sufficient longitudinal slope
d) Erosion free
Answer: b
Clarification: The water should not enter the roadway as it will cause severe damage to the pavements.

2. The preferable height of the water table should be __________
a) 0.75 m
b) 1.0 m
c) 1.2 m
d) 0.5 m
Answer: c
Clarification: The preferred height for the ground water should be 1.2 m below the sub grade. If it is less than 1.2 m it may raise upward.

3. The precautions should be mostly taken for drainage in __________
a) Dry areas
b) Semi dry areas
c) Water logged areas
d) Desert areas
Answer: c
Clarification: Special precautions need to be taken especially in the areas where there is water logging.

4. The increase in moisture causes the strength to __________
a) Increase
b) Decrease
c) Remains same
d) Can’t determine
Answer: b
Clarification: An increase in the moisture content will reduce the strength of the soil, so it should be very carefully calculated.

5. The excess water on shoulder in a dry region with a good drainage system causes __________
a) Water stagnation
b) Floods
c) Damage to pavement
d) Increase of initial cost
Answer: c
Clarification: The damage of pavement is caused due to the excessive amount of water on the pavement shoulders.

6. The sustained contact with water cause failure due to __________
a) Swelling
b) Stripping
c) Ravelling
d) Sloping
Answer: b
Clarification: The sustained contact with water in flexible pavement causes stripping of bitumen from aggregate.

7. The damage in cold region is caused due to __________
a) Heat
b) Rain
c) Frost action
d) All of the mentioned
Answer: c
Clarification: In cold regions when freezing temperatures are prevalent then there is considerable damage due to frost action.

8. The path of wheels cause damage in the form of __________
a) Undulations
b) Shear
c) Deflection
d) Ruts and corrugation
Answer: d
Clarification: The ruts and corrugation are formed due to the heavy vehicles, and they give impressions on the pavement.

9. The swelling and shrinkage is mostly seen in __________
a) Sand
b) Gravel
c) Black cotton soil
d) Kankar
Answer: c
Clarification: The black cotton soil is a soil in which mostly alternative shrinkage and drying occurs, in construction of pavement the black cotton soil is not preferred.

10. In India for storm sewage and domestic sewage we use?
a) Individual sewers
b) Combined sewers
c) Iron pipes
d) Closed sewers
Answer: b
Clarification: In India we mostly use combined sewers and they are mostly open and made with concrete.

250+ TOP MCQs on Drawings and Report and Answers

Highway Engineering Multiple Choice Questions on “Drawings and Report”.

1. The index map shows __________
a) Topography
b) Soil
c) Area of the site
d) Plan
Answer: a
Clarification: Index map is used for general topography. They are usually prepared in 32*20 cm map.

2. Detailed size drawings are prepared in which sheet?
a) A1
b) A2
c) A3
d) A4
Answer: b
Clarification: The detailed plans of drawings are prepared in A2 sheets. They are usually 60*42cm in size.

3. The cross sections should be drawn for every __________
a) 10m
b) 20m
c) 50m
d) 100m
Answer: d
Clarification: The cross section should be drawn for every 100m or wherever there is an abrupt change in the level.

4. The approximate cost of construction evaluated for the project is called __________
a) Project report
b) Project feasibility
c) Estimate
d) Detailed project report
Answer: c
Clarification: The approximate cost of a project before the construction is called an estimate.

5. The report that includes all the works including soil, bridges, topography, material studies and drainage studies is called as __________
a) Feasibility report
b) Detailed project report
c) Survey report
d) Primary report
Answer: b
Clarification: Detailed project report or DPR is the report that is created after all the surveys and estimates have been prepared for a final review.

6. The planning, design and construction of either a network of new roads or road link is called __________
a) Highway project
b) Highway estimate
c) Highway interlinking
d) Highway design
Answer: a
Clarification: The highway project includes planning, designing and execution of new roads or providing links between existing roads, the design is for geometry and interlinking word is not so appropriate and estimate is prepared for every highway.

7. Highway should be planned for __________
a) Present requirements
b) Traffic developments
c) Traffic studies
d) Present requirements and future requirements
Answer: d
Clarification: A highway should be planned such that the present and future requirements of the highway are satisfied.

8. The New highway project is divided into how many stages?
a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Four
Answer: c
Clarification: The new highway project is divided into (i) Selection of route, alignment and geometric design. (ii) Collection of materials (iii) Construction stages including quality control.

250+ TOP MCQs on Traffic Regulation and Control and Answers

Highway Engineering test on “Traffic Regulation and Control”.

1. To reduce the conflict points which method is preferable?
a) Restricting the entry in one side
b) Widening of the roads
c) Use of traffic signals
d) Diverting the traffic

Answer: c
Clarification: In this case, use of traffic signals is advisable as it will be useful to control the traffic up to a certain extent; if it becomes heavy, then diverting may be another option which is not convenient.

2. One of the disadvantages of traffic signals is?
a) Provide orderly moment at intersection
b) The quality of the traffic flow improves
c) Traffic handling capacity increases
d) The rear end collision increases

Answer: d
Clarification: The rear end collisions are common in very highly populated cities, if there is a sudden stoppage of vehicles there is a chance of rear end collision.

3. The traffic signals that are installed for pedestrians are called __________
a) Traffic control signals
b) Pedestrian signals
c) Special traffic signals
d) Automatic signals

Answer: b
Clarification: The signals that are installed for pedestrians are called as pedestrian signals; they are useful when there is no person to control the traffic.

4. The clearance time for amber is usually __________
a) 0.5sec
b) 1sec
c) 1.5sec
d) 3sec

Answer: d
Clarification: The clearance time for amber may be assumed as 2sec to 4 sec, in most of the cities it is assumed as 3 seconds.

5. In trial cycle method, the average time headway is assumed as __________
a) 2sec
b) 2.5sec
c) 3sec
d) 3.5sec

Answer: b
Clarification: The average headway in the trial cycle method is assumed as 2.5sec for 15 minutes of trial cycle.

6. The number of cycles for a trial period of 45 sec is?
a) 20
b) 22
c) 25
d) 30

Answer: a
Clarification: Number of cycles=900/45
=20.

7. If the number of cycles in trial cycle method is 20, for traffic of 170 on one road and 160 on other road, then calculate the total green time in sec.
a) 38
b) 39
c) 40
d) 41

Answer: d
Clarification: Green time on 1st road=170*2.5/20
=21.25
Green time on 2nd road=160*2.5/20
=20
Total green time=41 sec.

8. In approximate method of signals, the average time taken to cross by the pedestrian is?
a) 4sec
b) 5sec
c) 6sec
d) 7sec

Answer: d
Clarification: In approximate method, the time taken is assumed as the crossing time and initial time taken to cross, which should not be less than 7sec.

9. There is a traffic flow of 250 vehicles on road A and 200 vehicles on road B, if the green signal time on road A is 15 sec, then the green signal time of road B is?
a) 10sec
b) 11sec
c) 12sec
d) 13sec

Answer: b
Clarification: From the relationship,
Ga/Gb=na/nb
Ga/Gb=250/200
Gb=12sec.

10. If the amber time at a signal is 3 sec and the green signal time is 25sec, find the red signal time?
a) 22sec
b) 21sec
c) 28sec
d) 29sec

Answer: c
Clarification: The total red time is the sum of green time and amber time, so total red time=25+3=28sec.

11. Which of the traffic signal method is based on saturation flow?
a) Trial cycle method
b) Webster method
c) IRC method
d) Approximate method

Answer: b
Clarification: The saturation flow is the maximum flow which occurs on the peak hours and it is the maximum flow, in absence of data it is assumed as 1600PCU.

12. On a 2 phase road, the saturation flow on road A is 1000 and normal flow is 250,whereas on road B the saturation flow is 1500 and normal flow is 500,the total red time is 10 sec, find optimum cycle length.
a) 35sec
b) 36sec
c) 37sec
d) 38sec

Answer: c
Clarification: Ya=250/1000=0.4
Yb=500/1500=0.3
Y=Ya+Yb=0.7
C0=1.5*L+5/ (1-Y)
C0=1.5*14+5/ (1-0.7)
C0=87sec.

13. Which type of traffic island can be used for reduction of conflict point?
a) Divisional Island
b) Channelized Island
c) Pedestrian Loading Island
d) Rotary Island

Answer: d
Clarification: The major conflicting points can be mostly reduced by rotary islands, which are mostly used near major traffic intersections.

14. The indicators that may be marked for visible outline of the road is called __________
a) Roadway indicator
b) Roadway delineator
c) Roadway line
d) Roadway markings

Answer: b
Clarification: The indicators that are marked for the visible outline are called as roadway indicators, they are of 3 types they are roadway indicator, hazard makers and object markers.

15. The guide posts are usually of height?
a) 0.6m
b) 0.7m
c) 0.8m
d) 2.0m

Answer: c
Clarification: The guide posts are usually of height 0.8-1.2m and they are placed at 45 degree angle for clear visibility.

250+ TOP MCQs on Factors Affecting Design and Performance of Flexible Pavements and Answers

Highway Engineering Multiple Choice Questions & Answers on “Factors Affecting Design and Performance of Flexible Pavements”.

1. The number of factors considered for flexible pavement is ______________
a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Five
Answer: d
Clarification: The design factors that are considered are wheel load, soil, climate, pavement layer, drainage.

2. The contact pressure is given by _____________
a) Pa
b) a/P
c) P/A
d) PA
Answer: c
Clarification: The contact pressure is given by P/A, where P is wheel load and A is area of contact.

3. The distribution of circular load was obtained by _____________
a) Wester guard
b) Boussinesq
c) McAdam
d) Taylor
Answer: b
Clarification: The stress distribution for the circular load was obtained by Boussinesq, in which he assumed homegenous and elastic material.

4. What is the last step in the design of flexible pavement?
a) Design of sub grade
b) Design of base
c) Design of mix
d) Design of the pavement thickness
Answer: d
Clarification: The last step in the design of the pavement is design of pavement thickness, after design of mix, design of sub grade, sub base and base.

5. If one or more wheels act as a single load then it is called as _____________
a) EASEL
b) EQWL
c) EQML
d) EQVL
Answer: a
Clarification: If one or more wheels act as a single load then it is called as an equivalent single wheel load.

6. The pressure in pneumatic tyres should not exceed _____________
a) 10Kg/cm2
b) 9.5Kg/cm2
c) 9Kg/cm2
d) 8Kg/cm2
Answer: b
Clarification: The maximum tyre pressure in pneumatic tyre is 9.5kg/cm2.

7. The revised legal load of HCV in India in tonnes is _____________
a) 8.17
b) 9.17
c) 10.2
d) 11.2
Answer: c
Clarification: The maximum legal load in India is considered after revision as 10.2 tonnes, before it was 8.17 tonnes only.

8. The legal load considered in the benklemen beam method is _____________
a) 8.17
b) 9.17
c) 10.2
d) 11.2
Answer: a
Clarification: The maximum legal load in benklemen beam method is considered as 8.17 tonnes or 8170 kg.

9.The load dispersion is assumed at an angle of _____________
a) 45°
b) 60°
c) 75°
d) 90°
Answer: a
Clarification: The angle of the dispersion is assumed as 45° in the ESWL for the ease of construction and calculation.

10. The equivalent wheel load factors are calculated by using _____________
a) First power law
b) Second power law
c) Third power law
d) Fourth power law
Answer: d
Clarification: The load factor follows the fourth power law for the calculation of VDF and load factor.

11. What is the standard wheel load in Ewl factor?
a) 4080 kg
b) 9160 kg
c) 8170 kg
d) 5100 kg
Answer: a
Clarification: The load is considered for only one wheel which is 4080kg, it is considered as the half of the legal load.

12. The rate of growth in traffic in urban areas is assumed as _____________
a) 7.5%
b) 8.0%
c) 8.5%
d) 9.0%
Answer: a
Clarification: The rate of growth in traffic for urban areas is assumed as 7.5%, it may also vary depending on the requirement.

13. The constant value used in the calculation of CSA is _____________
a) 365
b) VDF
c) LDF
d) N
Answer: a
Clarification: Except the value of 365, all the other constant vary depending on the lane, vehicle and traffic.

14. The presence of moisture content causes _____________
a) Swelling
b) Shrinkage
c) Alternate swelling and shrinkage
d) Frost
Answer: a
Clarification: The presence of moisture content in any water absorbed soil causes the swelling of soil and ultimately gives rise to cracks.

15. Which frost heave is dangerous?
a) Unlike frost heave
b) Like frost heave
c) Uneven frost heave
d) Even frost heave
Answer: c
Clarification: The frost heave which is caused in cold temperatures raises the edges of the pavement, if they are uneven then it is very dangerous.

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