250+ TOP MCQs on Design of Flexible Pavements – 2 and Answers

Foundation Engineering Multiple Choice Questions on “Design of Flexible Pavements – 2”.

1. The rigid pavement tends to distribute the load by ______
a) slab mechanism
b) grain to grain transfer
c) column mechanism
d) footing mechanism
Answer: a
Clarification: The rigid pavement are usually made of RCC. Thus, the rigid pavements have more tensile strength. Therefore the rigid pavement tend to distribute the load by slab mechanism.

2. The uniform sub grade support is most important in ___________
a) flexible pavement
b) semi-flexible pavement
c) rigid pavement
d) tar pavement
Answer: c
Clarification: The rigid pavements can be constructed over a relatively poor sub-grade like black cotton or plastic soils or peat, etc. The load is taken by the bending action of the slab and thus the uniform sub-grade support is the most essential condition for the satisfactory performance.

3. The weaving course is also known as _________
a) base course
b) surfacing
c) sub-base
d) subgrade
Answer: b
Clarification: The weaving course is the top most layer in the cross-section of the pavements. The weaving course is also known as surfacing and is the component of the pavement with which the wheels of the vehicles are in contact.

4. In flexible pavement, _______ sub grade is more essential.
a) well – compacted
b) poorly-compacted
c) low quality
d) uniform
Answer: b
Clarification: The design of flexible pavement is influenced by the strength of subgrade as the load transfer is based on grain-to-grain mechanism and due to this, the sub-grade must be well compacted in order to transfer the loads efficiently.

5. The wearing course of flexible pavement is made of __________
a) bituminous materials
b) R.C.C
c) P.C.C
d) OPC
Answer: a
Clarification: The wearing course of flexible pavement is made of bitumen. Bitumen on being sticky and ductile, provides smooth surface for riding vehicles and on having tensile strength it is resilient to major deformations.

6. The wearing course is flexible.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: The wearing course of flexible pavement is made of bitumen which is flexible. This also ensures safety by warning when the failure of the pavement occurs due to consolidation of the base, or sub-base, or the sub-grade takes place.

7. The base course contains __________
a) granular material
b) bituminous material
c) silt
d) clay
Answer: a
Clarification: The base course contains granular material that is at least given a relative compaction of 95%.The base course is approximately 10 to 15 cm thick. The base course also contains a dry mix of cement and aggregates.

8. The sub-base is __________
a) below the base course
b) above the base course
c) below the sub-grade
d) above the wearing course
Answer: a
Clarification: The sub-base is below the base course and above the sub-grade. Sub-base is often the main load-bearing layer of the pavement. The sub-base spreads the load evenly over the subgrade. The materials used may be either unbound granular, or cement-bound.

9. The strength of sub-grade is increased by _________
a) compaction
b) swelling
c) bulking
d) addition of excess of water
Answer: a
Clarification: Compaction is a process by which the soil particles are compacted by loads into a closer state. This reduces the voids ratio which in turn increases the dry density of the soil sample. This increases the strength of the sub-grade.

10. The base course must possess low resistance to deformation.
a) False
b) True
Answer: a
Clarification: The base course must possess high resistance to deformation. This is because of the fact that the chances of the failure of the surface will be less for the base course having high resistance to deformation.

11. The maximum legal axle wheel load is _________ kg as specified by IRC.
a) 3473
b) 5466
c) 8170
d) 4085
Answer: c
Clarification: According to the Indian Roads Congress IRC:37-2001, it has specified the maximum legal axle wheel load as 8170 kg with a maximum equivalent single wheel load of 4085 kg.