Basic Civil Engineering Interview Questions and Answers on “Geotechnical Investigation and Geosynthetics”.
1. __________ gives general guidance for geotechnical investigation.
a) IS
b) GIS
c) BIS
d) IGS
Answer: d
Clarification: IGS is Indian Geotechnical Society. This body gives the general guidelines to be followed while conducting a geotechnical investigation. The head office is in Delhi.
2. Geosynthetics includes __________ main product categories.
a) 6
b) 8
c) 9
d) 10
Answer: b
Clarification: Geosynthetics are synthetic products (polymeric). The eight categories are geotextiles, geogrids, geonets, geomembranes, geosynthetic clay liners, geofoam, geocells and geocomposites.
3. ___________ is useful in determining gradient of water underground.
a) Pressure meter
b) Penetrometer
c) Piezometer
d) Hydrometer
Answer: c
Clarification: Piezometer is used for long term investigation of ground water tables in cut and fill areas. They are also used to determine if there is upward or downward gradient of water.
4. How many types of primary functions of geosynthetics are there?
a) 5
b) 4
c) 6
d) 3
Answer: a
Clarification: The main functions are separation, reinforcement, filtration, drainage and containment.
5. CPT is a more popular method compared to SPT as a method of geotechnical soil investigation.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: CPT is cone penetration test and SPT is standard penetration test. CPT is more popular than SPT because of higher accuracy, speed, more continuous soil profile and less cost.
6. How many steps are involved in a soil investigation?
a) 3
b) 6
c) 5
d) 2
Answer: a
Clarification: The first step is reconnaissance (visual inspection, maps, photos, etc.). The next step is exploration (geophysical, electrical, pits, etc.). The last step is field tests (vane shear, pumping, penetration, etc.).
7. The structure of a geocell is:
a) 2D honeycombed
b) 2D floccular
c) 3D floccular
d) 3D honeycombed
Answer: d
Clarification: Geocell is also called a cellular confinement system. It has a 3D honeycombed structure, which is filled with compacted soil to make it a confinement system.
8. NDT is not employed in geotechnical investigations.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Clarification: NDT is non-destructive technique and is a modern tool for geotechnical investigation. A ground penetrating radar which utilizes radar pulses for subsurface imaging is used.
9. ___________ is the largest group of geosynthetics.
a) Geonets
b) Geomembranes
c) Geotextiles
d) Geogrids
Answer: b
Clarification: Geomembranes are thin sheets of polymeric material and are impermeable. They are widely used for linings and coverings of liquid or solid storage facilities.
10. Which of the below is not a test on geosynthetics?
a) Grab test
b) Dry sieve test
c) Pumping in test
d) Tear test
Answer: c
Clarification: Pumping in the test is a field test to determine permeability of soil. All the others are used to test geosynthetics.
11. Indirect method of geotechnical investigation is also termed as _____________
a) Geo-chemical methods
b) Geo-physical methods
c) Borehole method
d) Soil mechanics
Answer: b
Clarification: Geo-physical methods use the principle that physical properties of soil vary for different types of soils. It is an indirect method of geotechnical investigation.
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