250+ TOP MCQs on Foundations – Causes of Failure and Preventive Measures and Answers

Construction & Building Materials online quiz on “Foundations – Causes of Failure and Preventive Measures”.

1. _______ occurs due to various reasons such as unequal distribution of load on the foundations, varying bearing power of the sub soil, eccentricity of the load, etc.
a) Unequal settlement of the sub-soil
b) Unequal settlement of the masonry
c) Horizontal movement of the earth
d) Withdrawal of moisture from the sub-soil

Answer: a
Clarification: Due to unequal settlement of the sub-soil, the cracks are formed in the buildings, which in future, leads to serious defects. To prevent such failure, the foundations should rest on the rock or hard murum.

2. The motor used as the binding material in the masonry construction shrinks and gets compressed when loaded excessively before it has fully set which leads to the __________
a) Unequal settlement of the sub-soil
b) Lateral pressure on the superstructure
c) Unequal settlement of the masonry
d) Atmospheric action

Answer: c
Clarification: To avoid such Unequal settlement of the masonry, the mortar to be used in the masonry should be stiff and in line with the workability desired. The masonry work should be raised evenly.

3. _______ occurs at places where there is considerable variation in the height of water table.
a) Transpiration of trees and shrubs
b) Atmospheric action
c) Horizontal movement of earth
d) Withdrawal of moisture from the sub-soil

Answer: d
Clarification: When withdrawal of moisture from the sub-soil takes place i.e. water table falls, the soil particles loses Cohesion and hence, there is a shrinkage of soil, resulting in the cracks to the buildings.

4. Due to ______________ the thrust of a Pitched roof or arch action or wind action on the superstructure causes wall to overturn.
a) Horizontal movement of the earth
b) Lateral pressure on the superstructure
c) Unequal settlement of the sub-soil
d) Atmospheric action

Answer: b
Clarification: The remedial measures to prevent lateral pressure on the superstructure would be to provide a sufficient wide base and to design the foundations for the worst conditions.

5. Due to ______________ very soft soil is liable to give way under the action of load, especially at places such as sloping ground, riverbank, etc.
a) Horizontal movement of earth
b) Lateral pressure on the superstructure
c) Transpiration of the trees and shrubs
d) Atmospheric action

Answer: a
Clarification: In the case of horizontal movement of the earth, it is desirable to construct the retaining walls to drive sheet piles to prevent the escape of the earth.

6. Due to the ____________ the roots of trees planted near a building may extend upto the foundation level and may absorb the moisture.
a) Withdrawal of moisture from the sub-soil
b) Transpiration of the trees and shrubs
c) Atmospheric action
d) Unequal settlement of the soil

Answer: b
Clarification: The effect of transpiration of trees and shrubs is seen in the form of depression on the ground and it may lead to cracks in the buildings. The remedial measures such as the foundation should be taken sufficiently deep in case to avoid such effect.

7. To avoid __________ the foundations should be taken beyond the depth up to which rain water can not reach.
a) Unequal settlement of the soil
b) Horizontal movement of the earth
c) Atmospheric action
d) Withdrawal of moisture from the sub-soil

Answer: c
Clarification: Atmospheric action results in heavy rains or considerable variations in temperature or Frost action may damage the foundations. Hence the foundations are made at sufficient depth up to which rainwater cannot come in contact with it.

8. ________ results rain water carrying certain Chemicals and salt which reacts with the material used for the foundation work and turn them into powder.
a) Atmospheric action
b) Unequal settlement of the soil
c) Lateral pressure on the superstructure
d) Transpiration of trees and shrubs

Answer: a
Clarification: The rain and son are the main atmospheric agents to seriously affect the foundation of a building. The rain may carry certain Chemicals and salts obtained from sewage, animal dung, etc. which reacts with the foundation and leads to its destruction.

9. In case of ________ it is seen that the allowable bearing pressure on the soil is not exceeded, even under the worst conditions.
a) Withdrawal of moisture from the sub-soil
b) Transpiration of trees and shrubs
c) Unequal settlement of the sub-soil
d) Atmospheric action

Answer: c
Clarification: Such preventive measures are adopted in case of unequal settlement of the subsoil which leads to formation of cracks in the buildings, which in future, leads to serious defect.

10. The proper watering or curing for a period of at least 10 days should be done to the missionary work in case of ________
a) Horizontal movement of the earth
b) Unequal settlement of the masonry
c) Unequal settlement of the sub-soil
d) Lateral pressure on the superstructure

Answer: b
Clarification: Proper watering or curing is done to ensure the development of adequate strength of mortar joints. In this case, the masonry work should be raised evenly.