SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING MODULE-43B

Module - 1
MODULE-43B
Origin of soils, soil classification, three-phase system, fundamental
definitions, relationship and interrelationships
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1. The void ratio and specific gravity of a 33 percent respectively. The group symbol
soil are 0.65 and 2.72 respectively. The of the given soil as per IS: 1498-1970 is
degree of saturation (in percent)
corresponding to water content of 20% is (A) SC (B) MI

(A) 65.3 (B) 20.9 (C) CH (D) MH

(C) 83.7 (D) 54.4 5. The undrained cohesion of a remoulded

clay soil is 10 kN/m2. If the sensitivity of
2. The avoid ratios at the densest, loosest and the clay is 20, the corresponding
the natural states of a sand deposit are 0.2, remoulded compressive strength is
0.6 and 0.4, respectively. The relative
density of the deposit is (a) 5 kN/m2 (b) 10 kN/m2
(c) 20 kN/m2 (d) 200 kN/m2
(A) 100% (B) 75% (C) 50% (D) 25%
6. The ratio of saturated unit weight to dry
3. The following data were obtained from a unit weight of dry unit weight is 1.25. If
liquid limit lest conducted on a soil the specific gravity of solids (Gs) is 2.5,
sample. the void ratio of the soil is
Numbe 17 22 25 28 34
r of (a) 0.625 (b) 0.663
blows (c) 0.944 (d) 1.325

Water 68. 63. 61. 60. 60. 7. A soil mass contains 40% gravel, 50%
content 3 1 9 6 5 sand and 10% silt. This soil can be
(%) classified as
(a) Silty sandy gravel having coefficient
The liquid limit of the soil is of uniformity less than 60.
(b) Silty gravelly sand having coefficient
(A) 63.1 % (B) 62.8 % of uniformity equal to 10.
(c) Gravelly silty sand having coefficient
(C) 61.9 % (D) 60.6 % of uniformity greater than 60.
(d) Gravelly silty sand and its coefficient
4. Data from a sieve analysis conducted on a of uniformity cannot be determined.
given sample of soil showed that 67% of
8. A saturated soil mass has a total density
the particles passed through 75 micron IS
22kN/m3 and a water content of 10%. The
sieve. The liquid limit and plastic limit of
bulk density and dry density of this soil
the finer fraction was found to be 45 and
are

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SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
(a) 12 kN/m3 and 20 kN/m3 respectively.
(b) 22 kN/m3 and 20 kN/m3 respectively.
(c) 19.8kN/m3 and19.8 N/m3 respectively.
(d) 23.2kN/m3 and19.8kN/m3respectively.
9. Sieve analysis on a dry soil sample of
mass 1000 g showed that 980 g and 270 g
of soil pass through 4.75 mm and 0.075
mm sieve, respectively. The liquid limit
and plastic limits of the soil fraction
passing through 425 sieves are 40% and
18% respectively. The soil may be
classified as
(a) SC (b) MI (c) CI (d) SM
10. The water content of a saturated soil and
the specific gravity of soil solids were
found to be 30% and 2.70, respectively.
Assuming the unit weight of water to be
10 kN/m3, the saturated unit weight
(kN/m3) and the void ratio of the soil are
(a) 19.4, 0.81 (b) 18.5, 0.30
(c) 19.4, 0.45 (d) 18.5, 0.45
11. Group symbols assigned to silty sand and
clayey sand are respectively
(A) SS and CS (B) SM and CS
(C) SM and SC (D) MS and CS
12. The liquid limit (LL), plastic limit (PL)
and shrinkage limit (SL) of a cohesive soil
satisfy the relation
(A) LL>PL<SL (B) LL>PL>SL
(C) LL<PL<SL (D) LL<PL>SL
13. Deposit with flocculated structure is
formed when
(A) Clay particles settle on sea bed
(B) Clay particles settle on fresh water
lake bed
(C) Sand particles settle on river bed
(D) Sand particles settle on sea bed
14. The laboratory test results of a soil sample
are given below:
Percentage finer than 4.75 mm = 60
Percentage finer than 0.075 mm = 30
Liquid Limit = 35%
Plastic Limit = 27%
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MODULE-43B
The soil classification is
(A) GM (B) SM (C) GC (D) ML-MI
15. In a compaction test, G, w, S and e
represent the specific gravity, water
content, degree of saturation and void ratio
of the soil sample, respectively. If
represents the unit weight of water and
represents the dry unit weight of the soil.
the equation for zero air voids line is
(A) (B)
(C) (D)
16. A fine grained soil has liquid limit of 60
and plastic limit of 20. As per the
plasticity chart. according to IS
classification, the soil is represented by the
letter symbols
(A) CL (B) CI (C) CH (D) CL-ML
17. The results for sieve analysis carried out
for three types of sand, P, Q and R, are
given in the adjoining figure. If the
fineness modulus values of the three sands
are given as , it can
be stated that
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
18. As per the Indian Standard soil
classification system, a sample of silty
clay with liquid limit of 40% and plasticity
index of 28% is classified as
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SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING MODULE-43B

(A) CH (B) CI (C) CL (D) CL-ML 23. In a wet soil mass, air occupies one-sixth
of its volume and water occupies one-third
19. In its natural condition, a soil sample has a of its volume. The void ratio of the soil is
mass of 1.980 and a volume of 0.001
. After being completely dried in an (a) 0.25 (b) 0.5 (c) 1.00 (d) 1.50
oven, the mass of the sample is 1.800 .
Specific gravity is 2.7. Unit weight of 24. Lacustrine soils are soils
water is 10 . The degree of
saturation of the soil is: (a) Transported by rivers and streams

(A) 0.65 (B) 0.70 (C) 0.54 (D) 0.61 (b) Transported by glaciers

20. Match list-I (type of soil) with list-II (c) Deposited in sea beds
(mode of transportation and deposition)
(d) Deposited in lake beds
and select the correct answer using the
codes given below the lists: 25. The standard plasticity chart to classify
List I fine grained soils is shown in the given
A. Lacustrine soils figure
B. Alluvial soils
C. Aeolian soils
D. Marine soils
List-II
1. Transportation by wind
2. Transportation by running water
3. Deposited at the bottom of lakes
4. Deposited in sea water
Codes:
A B C D

a. 1 2 3 4
The area marked X represents
b. 3 2 1 4
a) Silt of low plasticity
c. 3 2 4 1 b) Clay of high plasticity
d. 1 3 2 4 c) Organic soil of medium plasticity
d) Clay of intermediate plasticity
21. The liquid limit and plastic limit of
samples are 65% and 29% respectively. 26. A soil sample is having a specific gravity
The percentage of soil fraction with grain of 2.60 and a void ratio of 0.78. The
size finer than 0.002 mm is 24. The water content in percentage required to
activity ratio of the soil sample is fully saturate the soil at that void ratio
would be
(a) 0.05 (b) 1.00 (c) 1.50 (d) 2.00
(a) 10 (b) 30 (c) 50 (d) 70
22. A soil sample as shrinkage limit of 10%
and specific gravity soils as 2.7. The 27. A dry soil has mass specific gravity of
porosity of the soil at shrinkage limit is 1.35. If the specific gravity of solids is 2.7,
Then the void ratio will be
(a) 21.2% (b) 27% (c) 73% (d) 78.8%
(a) 0.5 (b) 1.0 (c) 1.5 (d) 2.0

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SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING MODULE-43B

28. A clay sample has a void ratio of 0.50 in
dry state and specific gravity of solids =
2.70. Its shrinkage limit will be
(a) 12% (b) 13.5% (c) 18.5% (d) 22%
29. A soil has liquid limit of 60% plastic limit
of 35% and shrinkage limit of 20% and it
has a natural moisture content of 50%. The
liquidity index of soil is
33. A fill having a volume of 1,50,000 cum is
(a) 1.5 (b) 1.25 (c) 0.60 (d) 0.40
30. Consider the following statement in
relation to the given sketch
saturated density and submerged density
would, respectively, be
(a) 1.5 g/cc and 1.0 g/cc
(b) 2.0 g/cc and 1.0 g/cc
(c) 2.25 g/cc and 1.25 g/cc
(d) 2.50 g/cc and 1.50 g/cc
to be constructed at a void ratio of 0.8. The
borrow pit soil has a void ratio of 1.4. The
volume of soil required (in cubic meters)
to be excavated from the borrow pit will
be

(a) 1,87,500 (b) 2,00,000

(c) 2,10,000 (d) 2,50,000

34. The moisture content of a clayey soil is

gradually decreased from a large value.
What will be the correct sequence of the
occurrence of the following limits?

1. Shrinkage limit

2 .Plastic limit
1. Soil is partially saturated at degree of
3. Liquid limit
saturation = 60%
2. Void ratio = 40% Select the correct answer using the
3. Water content = 30% codes given below:
4. Saturated unit weight=1.5 g/cc
(a) 1,2,3 (c) 1,3,2
Which of these statements is are correct? (b) 3,2,1 (d) 3,1,2
a) 1, 2 and 3 b) 1, 3 and 4
35. Given the Plasticity Index (PI) of a local
c) 2, 3 and 4 d) 1, 2 and 4 soil =15 and PI of sand=Zero, for a
described PI of 6, the percentage of sand
31. A soil has a liquid limit of 45% and lies in the mix should be
above the A-line when plotted on a
plasticity chart. The group symbol of the (a) 70 (b) 60 (c) 40 (d) 30
soil as per IS soil classification is
36. Consider the following statements:
(a) CH (b) CI (c) CL (d) MI
A Well-graded sand should have
32. The dry density of a soil is 1.5 g/cc. If the
1. Uniformity coefficient greater than 6
saturation water content were 50% then its
2. Coefficient curvature between 1 and 3
3. Effective size greater than 1mm

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SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING MODULE-43B

Which of the statements are correct? List-I List-II

(a) 1,2 and 3 (c) 1 and 2 Void ratio 1.

(b) 1 and 3 (d) 2 and 3
B. Porosity 2.
37. A Clayey soil has Liquid limit = , C. Degree of saturation 3.
Plastic limit = and natural moisture
content = . The consistency index of the D. Water content 4.
soil is given by
5.
(a) (b)
Codes

(c) (d) A B C D

(a) 4 3 5 1
38. A soil has mass unit weight , water
(b) 5 4 3 1
of soil soilds = G, unit weight of
(c) 4 1 5 2
water=
of the soil is given by (d) 5 1 3 2

(a) S = 42. If an unconfined compressive strength of 4

kg/cm² in the natural state of clay reduces
by four times in the remoulded state, then
(b) S = its sensitivity will be

(a ) 1 (b) 2 (c) 4 (d) 8

(c) S =
43. If the proportion of soil passing 75 micron
sieve is 50% and the liquid limit and
(d) S =
plastic limit are 40% and 20%
respectively, then the group index of the
39. The saturated and dry densities of a soil soil is
are respectively 2000kg/m³ and 1500
kg/m³. The water content (in percentage) (a) 3.8 (b) 6.5 (c) 38 (d) 65
of the soil in the saturated state would be
44. Match List-I with List-II and select the
(a) 25 (b) 33.33 (c) 50 (d) 66.66 correct answer using the codes given
below the list List-I
40. If a soil of sample weight 0.18kg having a A) Loess
volume of 10 m³ and dry unit weight of B) Peat
1600 kg/m³ is mixed with 0.02 kg of water C) Alluvial soil
then the water content will be D) Marl
List-II
(a) 30% (b) 25% (c) 20% (d) 15%
1. Deposited from suspension in
41. Match List-I (terms) with List-II running water
(formulae) and select the correct answer 2. deposits of marine origin
using the codes given below this list 3. deposits of wind
4. organic soil

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CODES: 48. A sample of saturated sand has a dry unit

weight of 18 KN/m3 and a specific gravity
A B C D of 2.7. If density of water 10KN/m3, the
a) 3 4 2 1 void ratio of the soil sample will be

b) 4 3 1 2 a) 0.5 b) 0.6 c) 0.4 d) 0.9

c) 4 3 2 1 49. A dry soil sample has equal amounts of

soils and voids of volume. Its void ratio
d) 3 4 1 2 and porosity will be

45. Match List-I (soils) with List-II (group Void ratio porosity (%)
symbols) and select the correct answer
a) 1.0 100%
using codes given below the lists

List-I b) 0.5 50%

c) 0.5 100%
A. Clayey gravel
B. Clayey sand d)1.0 50%
C. Organic clay
D. Silty sand 50. Based on grain distribution analysis, The
D10, D30 and D60 values of a given soil are
List-II 0.23mm, 0.3mm and 0.41mm respectively.
1. SM As per IS code, the soil classification will
be
2. OH
3. SC a) SW b) SP c) SM d) SC
4. GC
51. The plasticity index and the percentage of
CODES: grain size finer than 2 microns of a clay
sample of 25 and 15 respectively. Its
A B C D
activity ratio is
a) 3 4 2 1
a) 2.5 b) 1.67 c) 1.0 d) 0.6
b) 4 3 1 2
52. A soil sample having a void ratio of 1.3,
c) 4 3 2 1 water content of 50% and a specific
gravity 2.60 is in a state of
d) 3 4 1 2
a) Partial saturation b) Full saturation
46. The value of porosity of a soil sample in
which the total volume of soil grains is c) Over saturation d) Under saturation
equal to twice the total volume of voids
would be 53. The natural void ratio of sand sample is
0.6 and its density index is 0.6. If its void
a) 75% b) 66.66% c) 50% d) 33.33% ratio in the loosest state is 0.9, then the
void ratio in the densest state will be
47. A soil has a liquid limit of 40% and
plasticity index of 20% the plastic limit of a) 0.2 b) 0.3 c) 0.4 d) 0.5
the soil will be

a) 20% b) 30% c) 40% d) 60%

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SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING MODULE-43B

54. Which one of the following phase this information of particle size
diagrams represents a clay at its distribution for use as a sub grade, this soil
shrinkage limit? will be taken to be

a) Uniformly graded sand

b) Well-graded sand

c) Very fine sand

d) Poorly-graded sand

57. Which one of the following represents

relative density of saturated sand deposit
having moisture content of 25% if
maximum and minimum void ratio of sand
are 0.95 and 0.45 respectively and specific
gravity of sand particles is 2.6?

a) 40% b) 50% c) 60% d) 70%

58. In a soil specimen, 70% particles are

passing through 4.75mm IS sieve and 40%
sieve.
Its uniformity coefficient is 8 and
coefficient of curvature is 2. As per IS
classification, this soil is classified as

a) SP b) GP c ) SW d) GW

59. The correct sequence of plasticity of

minerals in soil in an increasing order is

a) Silica, Kaolinite, Illite, Montmorillonite

b) Silica, Kaolinite, Montmorillonite, Illite

c) Kaolinite, Silica, Illite, Montmorillonite

55. Which one of the following correctly
represents the dry unit weight of a soil d) Kaolinite, Silica, Montmorillonite, Illite
sample which has a bulk unit weight of
60. The predominant mineral responsible for
at a moisture content of w%?
shrinkage and swelling in black cotton
soils is
a) c)
a) Illite b) Kaolinite

b) ] d) c) Mica d) Montmorillonite

61. Consistency as applied to cohesive soils in

56. Given that the coefficient of curvature =
an indicator of its
1.4 D30 = 3mm, D10 = 0.6nm, based on

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SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING MODULE-43B

a) Density b) Moisture content A B C D

a) 2 1 4 3
c) Shear strength d) Porosity
b) 2 3 4 1
62. While computing the values of limits of
consistency and consistency indices , it is c) 4 1 2 3
found that liquidity index, has a negative d) 4 3 2 1
value
65. What are the respective values of void
Consider the following comments on this ratio , porosity ratio and saturated density
value (in KN/m³) for a soil sample which has
1. Liquidity index cannot have a negative saturation moisture content of 20% and
value and should be taken as zero specific gravity of grains has 2.6? (
2. Liquid index can have a negative taken density of water has 10KN/ m³).
value a) 0.52, 1.08, 18.07
3. The soil tested is in semi solid state
and stiff b) 0.52, 0.34, 18.07
4. The soil tested in medium soft state.
c) 0.77, 1.08, 16.64
Which of these statements are correct?
d) 0.52, 0.34, 20.16
a) 1 and 4 b)1 and 3
b) 2 and 4 d) 2 and 3 66. Embankment fill is to be compacted at
density of 18 KN/ m³. The soil of the
63. Two soil sample A and B have porosities barrow area is at a density of 15 KN/ m³.
=40% and =60% respectively. What What is the estimated number of trips of 6
is the ratio of void ratios eA :eB? m³ capacity truck for hauling the soil
required for compacting 100 m³ fill of the
a) 2:3 b) 3:2 c) 4:9 d) 9:4 Embankment? (Assume that the soil in the
barrow area and that in the embankment
64. Match List-I (densities) with List-II are at the same moisture content)
(expressions) and select the correct answer
using the codes given below the lists: a) 14 b)18 c) 20 d) 23
(Symbols G w and S stand for specific
gravity of a soil grains , void ratio, unit 67. A clay sample has a void ratio 0.54 in dry
weight of water and degree of saturation state. the specific gravity of soil solids is
respectively) 2.7. what is the shrinkage limit of soil?

List-I List-II a) 8.5% b) 10.0%c) 17.0% d) 20.0%

a) Dry density 1) 68. Consider the following statements:

w (G+Se)/(1+e)
1. Mica is a clay mineral
b) Moist density wG/(1+e) 2. Rock dust particles, even of clay size
are non-plastic.
c) Submerged density w(G+e)/(1+e)
3. A particle of kaolinte is electrically
d) Saturated density changed.
w(G-1)/(1+e)
Which of these statements are correct?

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a) 1, 2 and 3 b) only 1and 2

c) Only 2 and 3 d) Only 1 and 3

69. Which of the following relation gives the

value of degree of saturation S, in terms of
unit Weight , water content w (as ratio)
and specific gravity of soil solids Gs, is
unit weight of the water?

a)

b)

c)

d)

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