Multiple Choice Questions on Civil Engineering.

CIVIL ENGINEERING OBJECTIVE.

MCQ 1. The purpose of an anallactic lens in a tacheometer is to

(A) increase magnification
(B) reduce effective length of the telescope
(C) eliminate multiplying constant
(D) make staff intercept proportional to its distance from the tacheometer

MCQ 2. The percentage chance of a flood with 100 year frequency of not occurring
in coming 100 years is

(A) 36.6% 
(B) 63.4%
(C) 100.0% 
(D) None of the above

MCQ 3. An open traverse can be checked by

(A) included angles 
(B) deflection angles
(C) astronomical observations 
(D) linear measurements

MCQ 4. In theodolite, the plate bubble in the plate level will move considerably from
its central position if the tripod leg is moved

(A) radially inwards
(B) radially outwards
(C) in the same direction of the bubble moved
(D) in the opposite direction of the bubble moved

MCQ 5. Preliminary project report for a road project must contain

(A) the detailed estimated cost based on detailed design
(B) the several alternatives of the project that have been considered
(C) the soil survey, traffic survey, concept design and approximate cost
(D) the contract documents for inviting tenders

MCQ 6. The process/phase of project management in which difference between the
plan and actual performance are reviewed after the project is started is called

(A) Planning 
(B) Scheduling
(C) Controlling 
(D) All of the above

MCQ 7. The out turn of one painter for distempering one coat per day considering 8
hour is

(A) 20 sqm 
(B) 35 sqm
(C) 60 sqm 
(D) 80 sqm

MCQ 8. In measurement of Masonry activity, No deduction is made for ends of beams,
posts, rafters, purlins etc. upto ______ in section.

(A) 0.0005 sqm 
(B) 0.005 sqm
(C) 0.05 sqm 
(D) 0.5 sqm

MCQ 9. In measurement of Plastering activity, No deduction is made for small
opening up to ______ and at the same time, no additions are made for jambs,
soffits and of the sills of these opening.

(A) 0.0005 sqm 
(B) 0.005 sqm
(C) 0.05 sqm 
(D) 0.5 sqm

MCQ 10. The unit of measurement of Railing (Height and type specified) is

(A) Meter 
(B) Sq m
(C) cum 
(D) Kg

MCQ 11. The cement consumption per 100 sqm area for 12 mm thick plastering with
cement mortar proportion of (1:4) is

(A) 18 bags 
(B) 15 bags
(C) 12 bags 
(D) 9 bags

MCQ 12. As per IS 456:2000, the permissible limit for sulphates in water is

(A) 200 mg/l 
(B) 3000 mg/l
(C) 400 mg/l 
(D) 2000 mg/l

MCQ 13. The vertical deflection limits may generally be assumed to be satisfied
provided that the span to depth ratios are not greater than ______ for simply
supported beam for span upto 10 m.

(A) 7 
(B) 10
(C) 20 
(D) 26

MCQ 14. The unsupported length between end restraints shall not exceed ______ times
the least lateral dimension of a column

(A) 45 
(B) 60
(C) 75 
(D) 90

MCQ 15. Spacing of longitudinal bars measured along the periphery of the column
shall not exceed

(A) 200 mm 
(B) 250 mm
(C) 300 mm 
(D) 350 mm

MCQ 16. The standard clearance in diameter and width of slots for 20 mm nominal
size of fastener is

(A) 1 mm 
(B) 2 mm
(C) 3 mm 
(D) 4 mm

MCQ 17. Bolts are most suitable to carry

(A) shear 
(B) bending
(C) axial tension 
(D) shear and bending

MCQ 18. The type of float which give an idea about the excess time that exists if the
preceding activity ends as late as possible and the succeeding activity starts
as early as possible

(A) Total float 
(B) Free float
(C) Independent float 
(D) Slack

MCQ 19. A type of estimate required if there is change amounting to more than 5% of
the original value due to price hiking or change in specification, but does not
include any major change in structural design is called

(A) Detailed estimate 
(B) Revised estimate
(C) Supplementary estimate 
(D) Rough cost estimate

MCQ 20. A soil having particles of nearly the same size is known as
(A) well graded 
(B) poorly graded
(C) uniformly graded 
(D) gap graded

civil engineering exam questions and answers

MCQ 1. The time factor corresponding to 25% degree of consolidation is given by

(A) π/8 
(B) π/16
(C) π/32 
(D) π/64

MCQ 2. The strength of a soil is usually identified by

(A) direct tensile stress 
(B) direct compressive stress
(C) ultimate shear stress 
(D) effective stress

MCQ 3. Which of the following is practically impermeable ?

(A) Gravel 
(B) Sand mixture
(C) Coarse sand 
(D) Clay

MCQ 4. The soil transported by running water is called

(A) aeolian soil 
(B) marine soil
(C) alluvial soil 
(D) lacustrine soil

MCQ 5. Which band of the electromagnetic spectrum has ability to penetrate in
ground

(A) Visual 
(B) Infrared
(C) Reflected infrared 
(D) Microwave

MCQ 6. The ratio of talweg length to the valley length is called

(A) Tortuosity 
(B) Meander Ratio
(C) Sinuosity 
(D) Khadirs

MCQ 7. The soil having electrical conductivity less than 4000 micro-ohms/cm at
25˚C and exchangeable sodium percentage greater than 15 and pH between
8.5 -10.0 is called

(A) Saline soil 
(B) Alkali soil
(C) Saline-alkali soil 
(D) Normal soil

MCQ 8. Uplift on the base is not an important design factor in case of

(A) Arch dams 
(B) Gravity dams
(C) Earthen dams
(D) Buttress dams


MCQ 9. Sand drains are used to

(A) Reduce settlement 
(B) Accelerate consolidation
(C) Increase permeability 
(D) Transfer load

MCQ 10. Spalling hammer is used for

(A) driving wooden headed chiesel
(B) carving of stones
(C) rough dressing of stones
(D) breaking small projection of stones

MCQ 11. The process of mixing clay, water and other ingredients to make brick is
known as

(A) pugging 
(B) moulding
(C) drying 
(D) kneading

MCQ 12. Vanadium steel is normally used in the manufacture of

(A) axle and springs 
(B) ball bearings
(C) magnets 
(D) railway switches and crossings

MCQ 13. The expansion and shrinkage of plywoods are comparatively very low as

(A) they are held in position by adhesives
(B) they are glued under pressure
(C) plies are placed at right angles to each other
(D) they are prepared from veneers

MCQ 14. Before testing setting time of cement one should test for

(A) soundness 
(B) strength
(C) fineness
(D) consistency

MCQ 15. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a

(A) thermosetting material 
(B) thermoplastic material
(C) elastoplastic material 
(D) rigid - plastic material

MCQ 16. The reduction in project time normally results in

(A) decreasing the direct cost and indirect cost
(B) increasing the direct cost and decreasing the indirect cost
(C) increasing the direct cost and indirect cost both
(D) decreasing the direct cost and increasing indirect cost

MCQ 17. Geotronics union in total station is

(A) visible light device 
(B) communication device
(C) special reflector 
(D) battery system

MCQ 18. The angle of intersection of a curve is the angle between the

(A) back tangent and forward tangent
(B) prolongation of back tangent and forward tangent
(C) forward tangent and long chord
(D) back tangent and long chord

MCQ 19. The long chord and tangent length of a circular curve of radius R will be
equal if the angle of deflection is

(A) 30˚ 
(B) 60˚
(C) 120˚ 
(D) 150˚

civil engineering questions and answers

MCQ 1. The double mass curve is used to

(A) check the consistency of rain gauge records
(B) determine the reservoir capacity
(C) determine the number of rain gauges required
(D) determine the maximum probable precipitation

MCQ 2. For the design of lined canal, the formula commonly used is

(A) Kennedy’s formula 
(B) Lacey’s formula
(C) Manning’s formula 
(D) Lindley’s formula

MCQ 3. A filter is provided at the d/s toe of an earth dam

(A) to prevent the piping action in the dam section
(B) to reduce the seepage through the dam
(C) to reduce the uplift pressure on the dam
(D) to collect and drain out the seepage water

MCQ 4. The smallest sieve size according to Indian standards is

(A) 0.0045 mm 
(B) 0.045 mm
(C) 0.45 mm 
(D) 0.154 mm

MCQ 6. When the plastic limit is equal to or greater than the liquid limit, then plasticity
index is

(A) negative 
(B) zero
(C) one 
(D) more than one

MCQ 7. The neutral stress is

(A) transmitted through the points of contact of the interconnected particles
of soil.
(B) transmitted to the soil base through the pore water.
(C) independent of the depth of water above the soil mass.
(D) due to weight of soil particles.

MCQ 8. In case of coarse grained sand having high permeability and low plasticity,95%
of consolidation occurs within ______ after application of load.

(A) 1 minute
(B) 30 minute
(C) 1 hour 
(D) 2 hour

MCQ 9. In case of footings in sand, if the soil pressure distribution is triangular , the
maximum soil pressure is ______ the average soil pressure.

(A) equal to
(B) double
(C) three times 
(D) four times

MCQ 10. The contact pressure of flexible footing on non-cohesive soils is

(A) more in the centre than at the edges
(B) less in the centre than at the edges
(C) uniform throughout
(D) none of these

MCQ 11. Negative skin friction in soil is considered when the pile is constructed
through a

(A) filled material 
(B) dense coarse sand
(C) over consolidated stiff clay 
(D) dense fine sand

MCQ 12. The angle of internal friction of round-grained loose sand is about

(A) 5˚ to 25˚ 
(B) 25˚ to 30˚
(C) 30˚ to 35˚ 
(D) 32˚ to 37˚

MCQ 13. The coefficient of active earth pressure for a loose sand having an angle
internal friction of 30˚,is

(A) 0.5 
(B) 0.333
(C) 1 
(D) 3

MCQ 14. The property of the soil mass which permits the seepage of water through its
interconnecting voids, is called

(A) capillarity 
(B) permeability
(C) porosity 
(D) none of these

MCQ 15. The submerged or buoyant unit weight of soil is equal to the ______ of the
unit weight of saturated soil and unit weight of water.

(A) sum 
(B) difference
(C) product 
(D) ratio

MCQ 16. The bearing capacity factors Nc, Nq and Nr are functions of

(A) Width and depth of footing 
(B) Cohesion of soil
(C) Density of soil 
(D) Angle of internal friction of soil

MCQ 17. CBR test on soil is type of

(A) Bearing test 
(B) Shear test
(C) Penetration test 
(D) None of above

MCQ 18. What is the angle between two plane mirrors of an optical square?

(A) 30˚ 
(B) 60˚
(C) 45˚ 
(D) 90˚

MCQ 19. The plastic limit exists in

(A) sandy soils 
(B) gravel soil
(C) silty soil 
(D) clay

civil engineering question with answers

civil engineering questions and answers

MCQ 1. A forebay is an enlarged body of water provided just in

(A) Power house 
(B) Draft tube
(C) Penstocks 
(D) Turbines

MCQ 2. Aluminum is obtained from the ore called as

(A) Bauxite 
(B) Ferrite
(C) Magnetite 
(D) Calcite

MCQ 3. Deflection in a truss depends upon

(A) axial rigidity 
(B) flexural rigidity
(C) torsional rigidity 
(D) axial and flexural rigidity

MCQ 4. An orifice is called a large orifice if water head, is

(A) twice the diameter of the orifice
(B) thrice the diameter of the orifice
(C) four times the diameter of the orifice
(D) five times the diameter of the orifice

MCQ 5. A stagnation point is a point

(A) Where the pressure is zero
(B) Where the total energy is zero
(C) Where the velocity of flow reduces to zero
(D) Where the total energy is maximum

MCQ 6. According to the direction of flow through runner, Pelton turbine is

(A) Tangential flow impulse turbine 
(B) Radial flow impulse turbine
(C) Axial flow impulse turbine 
(D) Mixed flow impulse turbine

MCQ 7. Type of Jump occurs for froude number F1 = 4.5 to 9.0

(A) Steady 
(B) Strong
(C) Undular 
(D) Oscillating

MCQ 8. For cereal crops the most commonly adopted method of irrigation, is

(A) free flooding
(B) check method
(C) furrow method 
(D) sprinkler method

MCQ 9. For standing crops in undulating sandy fields, the best method of irrigation,is

(A) sprinkler method 
(B) free flooding
(C) check method 
(D) furrow method

MCQ 10. In a canal syphon, flow is

(A) under atmospheric pressure 
(B) pipe flow only
(C) with critical velocity 
(D) under negative pressure

MCQ 11. The friction drag is primarily due to

(A) Pressure distribution over the body surface
(B) Separation of boundary layer
(C) Shear stresses generated due to viscous action
(D) Weight component in the direction of the flow

MCQ 12. Infiltration capacity

(A) is constant factor 
(B) changes with time
(C) changes with location 
(D) changes with time and location


MCQ 13. According to khosla theory, the exit gradient in the absence of down stream cut-off is

(A) zero 
(B) unity
(C) infinity 
(D) very large

MCQ 14. The length of the hydraulic jump is found to be

(A) 10 to 15 times depth of jump
(B) 1 to 2 times depth of jump
(C) 5 to 7 times depth of jump
(D) Has no relation to the depth of jump

MCQ 15. Kaplan turbine is

(A) an impulse turbine 
(B) a radial flow impulse turbine
(C) an axial flow reaction turbine 
(D) a radial flow reaction turbine

MCQ 16. How many additional rain gauges are required in a 
catchment, if the error allowed in estimation of mean rainfall is to be reduced by half than the present one?

(A) Equal to the present number 
(B) Twice the present number
(C) Thrice the present number 
(D) Four times the present number

MCQ 17. The rate of rainfall above which the rainfall volume equals the runoff volume is called

(A) W index 
(B) φ Index
(C) Runoff coefficient 
(D) Basin recharge

MCQ 18. The base period of particular crop is 120 days. If the duty is 1500 ha per cumecs, the delta is about

(A) 69cm 
(B) 138cm
(C) 35cm 
(D) 54cm

MCQ 19. Which of the following is not the mode of failure of a gravity dam

(A) Overturning failure 
(B) Sliding failure
(C) Tension failure 
(D) Seepage failure

sub engineer civil mcqs

civil engineering objective type questions

MCQ 1. The depth of the centre of pressure on a vertical rectangular gate (4 m wide and 3 m high) with water up to top surface is

(A) 1.0 m 
(B) 1.5 m
(C) 2.0 m 
(D) 2.5 m

MCQ 2. The first reading of level station is

(A) foresight 
(B) intermediate sight
(C) back-sight 
(D) any sight

MCQ 3. If the whole circle bearing of line is 270° its reduce bearing

(A) N 90° W 
(B) S 90° W
(C) W 90° 
(D) 90° W

MCQ 4. Magnetic bearing of a line AB was N 59° 30' W in the year 1967, when the declination was 4° 10' E. If the present declination is 3° W. the whole circle bearing of the line is

(A) 299° 20' 
(B) 307° 40'
(C) 293° 20' 
(D) 301° 40'

MCQ 5. Which of the following is not a mode of securing the risk, generally adopted by the bank before giving loans to a construction firm

(A) Hypothecation 
(B) Pledge
(C) Lease 
(D) Mortgage

MCQ 6. The type of surveying in which the curvature of the earth is taken into account is called

(A) Geodetic surveying 
(B) Plane surveying
(C) Preliminary surveying
(D) Topographical surveying

MCQ 7. Dynamic viscosity has the dimensions as

(A) MLT-1 
(B) ML^-1T^-1
(C) ML-1T-2 
(D) M-1L-1T-1

MCQ 8. The gases are considered incompressible when Mach number is

(A) equal to 1.0 
(B) equal to 0.5
(C) equal to 0.3 
(D) equal to 0.2

MCQ 9. The act which defines the amount of compensation to be given to a construction workers in case of permanent total disablement is called

(A) Minimum wage act
(B) Workmen’s compensation act
(C) Contract labour(regulation and Abolition) act
(D) The industrial dispute act

MCQ 10. The condition of stable equilibrium for a floating body is

(A) The metacentre M coincides with the centre of gravity G
(B) The metacentre M is below centre of gravity G
(C) The metacentre M is above centre of gravity G
(D) The centre of buoyancy B is above centre of gravity G

MCQ 11. Hydraulic gradient line (H.G.L.) represents the sum of

(A) Pressure head and kinetic head
(B) kinetic head and datum head
(C) Pressure head, kinetic head and datum head
(D) Pressure head and datum head

MCQ 12. Kinematic similarity between model and prototype means

(A) The similarity of forces 
(B) The similarity of shape
(C) The similarity of motion 
(D) The similarity of discharge

MCQ 13. If the velocity, pressure, density, etc., change at a point with respect to time, the flow is called

(A) uniform 
(B) compressible
(C) unsteady 
(D) incompressible

MCQ 14. Venturi-meter is used to measure

(A) discharge 
(B) average velocity
(C) velocity at a point 
(D) pressure at a point

MCQ 15. The earthen embankments constructed parallel to the river at some suitable distance for protection from flooding, are called

(A) Groynes 
(B) Guide banks
(C) Levees 
(D) Terraces

MCQ 16. The salinity in water

(A) does not affect evaporation 
(B) reduces the evaporation
(C) increases the evaporation 
(D) none of the above

MCQ 17. Atmometer is used to measure

(A) evaporation 
(B) transpiration
(C) evapotranspiration 
(D) all of the above

MCQ 18. Loss of strength of cement stored in bags in godowns for 3 months is about

(A) 30% 
(B) 50%
(C) 15% 
(D) 0%

MCQ 19. Which of the following formations has poor permeability, but seepage is possible?

(A) Aquifer 
(B) Aquiclude
(C) Aquifuge 
(D) Aquitard

MCQ 20. Beaver dam is type of

(A) Earth dam 
(B) Buttress dam
(C) Timber dam 
(D) Steel dam