Geotechnical Engineering is a core and high-weightage subject in civil engineering competitive examinations. A strong understanding of soil mechanics and foundation engineering concepts is essential to score well. Below are 25 carefully selected MCQs covering index properties, soil classification, permeability, consolidation, shear strength, earth pressure, and foundations.
1. The ratio of void volume to total volume of soil is called:
A. Void ratio
B. Porosity
C. Degree of saturation
D. Water content
2. The liquid limit of soil is determined using:
A. Casagrande apparatus
B. Hydrometer
C. Pycnometer
D. Proctor mold
3. Plasticity Index (PI) is defined as:
A. SL – PL
B. LL – PL
C. LL – SL
D. PL – LL
4. Degree of saturation (S) is the ratio of:
A. Volume of voids to total volume
B. Volume of water to volume of solids
C. Volume of water to volume of voids
D. Weight of water to weight of solids
5. According to IS classification, soil with PI = 4 and LL = 30 is classified as:
A. CL
B. ML
C. CH
D. MH
6. The objective of soil compaction is to:
A. Increase permeability
B. Reduce shear strength
C. Increase dry density
D. Increase void ratio
7. Maximum dry density is obtained at:
A. Liquid limit
B. Plastic limit
C. Optimum moisture content
D. Shrinkage limit
8. Darcy’s law is valid for:
A. Turbulent flow
B. Laminar flow
C. Steady turbulent flow
D. Unsteady flow
9. Coefficient of permeability mainly depends on:
A. Soil structure
B. Particle size
C. Void ratio
D. All of the above
10. Quick sand condition occurs when:
A. Downward seepage increases
B. Hydraulic gradient equals critical gradient
C. Soil becomes dry
D. Void ratio decreases
11. Primary consolidation is due to:
A. Expulsion of air
B. Expulsion of water
C. Compression of solids
D. Increase in void ratio
12. Coefficient of consolidation depends on:
A. Soil permeability
B. Compressibility
C. Unit weight of water
D. All of the above
13. Shear strength of soil is given by:
A. τ = σ tanφ
B. τ = c + σ tanφ
C. τ = c + φ
D. τ = σ + φ
14. Undrained shear strength of clay is obtained from:
A. Direct shear test
B. Unconfined compression test
C. Vane shear test
D. Both B and C
15. Rankine’s theory of earth pressure assumes:
A. Cohesive soil
B. Frictionless wall
C. Rough wall
D. Sloping wall
16. At-rest earth pressure coefficient (K₀) for normally consolidated soil is:
A. sinφ
B. 1 – sinφ
C. tan²(45° – φ/2)
D. 1 + sinφ
17. Terzaghi’s bearing capacity equation is applicable for:
A. Deep foundations
B. Shallow foundations
C. Pile foundations
D. Raft foundations
18. Net ultimate bearing capacity is:
A. Ultimate bearing capacity
B. Gross bearing capacity
C. Ultimate minus overburden pressure
D. Safe bearing capacity
19. Pile foundations are generally used when:
A. Soil has good bearing capacity
B. Loads are very light
C. Hard strata is deep
D. Foundation depth is small
20. Negative skin friction occurs when:
A. Pile moves upward
B. Soil settles more than pile
C. Water table rises
D. Soil becomes dry
21. Factor of safety of a slope is defined as:
A. Resisting forces / Driving forces
B. Driving forces / Resisting forces
C. Weight / Area
D. Shear stress / Normal stress
22. Liquefaction generally occurs in:
A. Clay soil
B. Silt
C. Loose saturated sand
D. Dense gravel
23. SPT stands for:
A. Soil Penetration Test
B. Standard Penetration Test
C. Subsurface Pressure Test
D. Static Plate Test
24. The correction applied to the SPT N-value for overburden pressure is:
A. Dilatancy correction
B. Energy correction
C. Overburden correction
D. Rod length correction
25. Lime stabilisation is most effective for:
A. Sandy soils
B. Gravelly soils
C. Clayey soils
D. Organic soils
✅ Answer Key
1. B
2. A
3. B
4. C
5. B
6. C
7. C
8. B
9. D
10. B
11. B
12. D
13. B
14. D
15. B
16. B
17. B
18. C
19. C
20. B
21. A
22. C
23. B
24. C
25. C
