Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)with answers for JKSSB Civil Engineering | part 1

Below are **60 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)** with answers for **JKSSB Civil Engineering** exams, covering key topics like Building Materials, Surveying, Soil Mechanics, Structural Engineering, Transportation, Hydrology, and more. These align with the JKSSB syllabus and previous patterns.

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### **Building Materials & Construction**
1. **Which cement is suitable for mass concreting?**
A. Rapid Hardening Cement
B. Low Heat Cement
C. Quick Setting Cement
D. Sulphate Resistant Cement
**Answer: B**
*Explanation:* Low Heat Cement minimizes heat generation during hydration, ideal for dams/large structures.

2. **The standard size of a modular brick is:**
A. 19 cm × 9 cm × 9 cm
B. 19 cm × 9 cm × 4 cm
C. 20 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm
D. 20 cm × 10 cm × 5 cm
**Answer: A**
*Explanation:* Modular bricks are 190 × 90 × 90 mm (nominal size with mortar).

3. **Slump test measures:**
A. Compressive strength of concrete
B. Tensile strength of concrete
C. Workability of concrete
D. Durability of concrete
**Answer: C**
*Explanation:* Slump test assesses workability (consistency) of fresh concrete.

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### **Surveying**
4. **The principle of surveying “working from whole to part” is adopted to:**
A. Minimize errors
B. Speed up work
C. Improve accuracy
D. Reduce fieldwork
**Answer: A**
*Explanation:* Establishing control points first minimizes error accumulation.

5. **Curvature correction in leveling is:**
A. Always additive
B. Always subtractive
C. Zero at sea level
D. Positive for sights > 100 m
**Answer: B**
*Explanation:* Earth’s curvature lowers the line of sight; correction is subtracted.

6. **Theodolite is used to measure:**
A. Horizontal angles
B. Vertical angles
C. Both (A) and (B)
D. Distances
**Answer: C**
*Explanation:* Theodolites measure horizontal and vertical angles.

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### **Soil Mechanics**
7. **Liquid limit is the water content at which soil:**
A. Flows like liquid
B. Changes from plastic to liquid state
C. Has zero shear strength
D. Becomes saturated
**Answer: B**
*Explanation:* Liquid limit (LL) is the boundary between plastic and liquid states.

8. **Effective stress in soil is:**
A. Total stress + pore water pressure
B. Total stress – pore water pressure
C. Pore water pressure only
D. Independent of saturation
**Answer: B**
*Explanation:* Effective stress governs soil strength; σ’ = σ – u.

9. **Density index for loose sand is:**
A. 0%
B. 15–35%
C. 35–65%
D. 85–100%
**Answer: B**
*Explanation:* Density index (relative density) <35% indicates loose sand.

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### **Hydraulics & Fluid Mechanics**
10. **Bernoulli’s equation assumes:**
A. Steady flow
B. Incompressible fluid
C. Non-viscous fluid
D. All of these
**Answer: D**
*Explanation:* Bernoulli’s theorem requires steady, incompressible, and inviscid flow.

11. **Reynolds number determines:**
A. Pressure drop in pipes
B. Flow type (laminar/turbulent)
C. Friction factor
D. Velocity distribution
**Answer: B**
*Explanation:* Re < 2000 → laminar; Re > 4000 → turbulent.

12. **The center of pressure for a submerged plane surface is:**
A. Above the centroid
B. At the centroid
C. Below the centroid
D. On the top edge
**Answer: C**
*Explanation:* For inclined planes, center of pressure is below the centroid.

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### **Environmental Engineering**
13. **Most suitable coagulant for turbid water is:**
A. Chlorine
B. Alum
C. Lime
D. Soda ash
**Answer: B**
*Explanation:* Alum (Al₂(SO₄)₃) is commonly used to remove turbidity.

14. **Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) measures:**
A. Organic matter in water
B. Inorganic salts
C. Dissolved oxygen
D. Heavy metals
**Answer: A**
*Explanation:* BOD quantifies organic pollutants decomposed by microbes.

15. **The settling tank in wastewater treatment is called:**
A. Clarifier
B. Aerator
C. Digester
D. Screen
**Answer: A**
*Explanation:* Clarifiers remove suspended solids via sedimentation.

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### **Structural Engineering**
16. **Modular ratio (m) in RCC design is:**
A. \( \frac{E_s}{E_c} \)
B. \( \frac{E_c}{E_s} \)
C. \( \frac{f_y}{f_{ck}} \)
D. \( \frac{f_{ck}}{f_y} \)
**Answer: A**
*Explanation:* \( m = \frac{\text{Modulus of steel } (E_s)}{\text{Modulus of concrete } (E_c)} \).

17. **Shape factor for a rectangular section is:**
A. 1.0
B. 1.5
C. 2.0
D. 2.5
**Answer: B**
*Explanation:* Shape factor = \( \frac{Z_p}{Z_e} = 1.5 \) for rectangles.

18. **Maximum slenderness ratio for a tension member is:**
A. 180
B. 250
C. 350
D. 400
**Answer: D**
*Explanation:* IS 800:2007 limits slenderness ratio to 400 for tension members.

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**Transportation Engineering**
19. **Superelevation on highways depends on:**
A. Radius of curve
B. Design speed
C. Both (A) and (B)
D. Pavement type
**Answer: C**
*Explanation:* \( e = \frac{V^2}{127R} \) (where V = speed, R = radius).

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20. **IRC recommends camber for cement concrete roads as:**
A. 1 in 60
B. 1 in 50
C. 1 in 33
D. 1 in 25
**Answer: B**
*Explanation:* Typical camber for CC roads is 1.7–2.5% (≈1 in 50).

21. **Marshall stability test is used for:**
A. Soil compaction
B. Bituminous mix design
C. Concrete strength
D. Aggregate impact
**Answer: B**
*Explanation:* Marshall test optimizes asphalt mix for stability and flow.

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### **Irrigation Engineering**
22. **Kor watering refers to:**
A. First watering after sowing
B. Watering during germination
C. Last watering before harvesting
D. Irrigation during floods
**Answer: A**
*Explanation:* “Kor” is the critical initial watering for seedlings.

23. **Most common type of canal fall is:**
A. Ogee fall
B. Rapid fall
C. Stepped fall
D. Vertical fall
**Answer: D**
*Explanation:* Vertical falls (e.g., Sarda fall) are widely used.

24. **Water logging occurs when:**
A. Water table rises close to root zone
B. Rainfall exceeds evaporation
C. Soil permeability is low
D. All of these
**Answer: D**
*Explanation:* Water logging arises from high water table, poor drainage, or impermeable soil.

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### **Construction Management & Estimation**
25. **PERT stands for:**
A. Program Evaluation and Review Technique
B. Project Efficiency Rating Test
C. Performance Evaluation Report Tool
D. Program Execution and Review Technique
**Answer: A**
*Explanation:* PERT is a project scheduling method.

26. **Dead men are used in:**
A. Trenches
B. Excavation
C. Timbering
D. Earthwork
**Answer: C**
*Explanation:* “Dead men” are anchors for shoring/timbering in trenches.

27. **Lead in earthwork is the:**
A. Horizontal distance of soil transport
B. Vertical lift of soil
C. Depth of excavation
D. Angle of repose
**Answer: A**
*Explanation:* Lead = average horizontal distance from borrow pit to dump site.

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### **Geotechnical & Foundation Engineering**
28. **Bearing capacity of soil is governed by:**
A. Cohesion only
B. Friction only
C. Both cohesion and friction
D. Density
**Answer: C**
*Explanation:* \( q_u = cN_c + qN_q + 0.5\gamma BN_\gamma \) (Terzaghi’s equation).

29. **Pile foundation is used when:**
A. Soil is loose/weak
B. Water table is high
C. Load is heavy
D. All of these
**Answer: D**
*Explanation:* Piles transfer loads to deeper, competent strata.

30. **The minimum depth of shallow foundation is:**
A. 0.5 m
B. 1.0 m
C. 1.5 m
D. 2.0 m
**Answer: A**
*Explanation:* To avoid erosion/vegetation, min depth = 0.5 m (IS code).

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### **Concrete Technology**
31. **Gel-space ratio in concrete affects:**
A. Workability
B. Compressive strength
C. Setting time
D. Bleeding
**Answer: B**
*Explanation:* Strength ∝ gel-space ratio (Abrams’ law).

32. **Entrained air in concrete improves:**
A. Strength
B. Workability
C. Freeze-thaw resistance
D. Both (B) and (C)
**Answer: D**
*Explanation:* Air-entrainment enhances workability and durability in cold climates.

33. **Vicat apparatus tests:**
A. Aggregate crushing value
B. Cement setting time
C. Slump of concrete
D. Compressive strength
**Answer: B**
*Explanation:* Vicat needle determines initial and final setting times of cement.

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### **Highway Engineering**
34. **Group index value of soil for highways ranges from:**
A. 0 to 10
B. 0 to 20
C. 0 to 50
D. 0 to 100
**Answer: B**
*Explanation:* Group index (GI) = 0 (best) to 20 (worst).

35. **WBM stands for:**
A. Water Bound Macadam
B. Wet Bituminous Mix
C. Wire Bound Mesh
D. Well-Balanced Material
**Answer: A**
*Explanation:* WBM is a base course layer with compacted aggregates.

36. **Mandatory sign in traffic is:**
A. Circular with red border
B. Triangular with red border
C. Rectangular with blue background
D. Octagonal
**Answer: A**
*Explanation:* Mandatory signs (e.g., speed limit) are circular with red borders.

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### **Hydrology & Water Resources**
37. **The peak flood discharge is estimated by:**
A. Rational method
B. Unit hydrograph
C. Dicken’s formula
D. All of these
**Answer: D**
*Explanation:* Multiple methods (e.g., Rational, Unit Hydrograph, Empirical) are used.

38. **Infiltration capacity:**
A. Decreases with rainfall duration
B. Increases with rainfall duration
C. Is constant
D. Depends on evaporation
**Answer: A**
*Explanation:* Infiltration rate reduces as soil saturates over time.

39. **The pH value of drinking water should be:**
A. 6.5–8.5
B. 4.5–6.5
C. 8.5–10.5
D. < 6.5
**Answer: A**
*Explanation:* WHO/ISI recommend pH 6.5–8.5 for potable water.

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### **Steel Structures**
40. **Lug angle is used to:**
A. Reduce connection length
B. Increase shear strength
C. Debolt members
D. Attach bracings
**Answer: A**
*Explanation:* Lug angles shorten gusset plate connections.

41. **As per IS 800, the partial safety factor for dead load is:**
A. 1.5
B. 1.2
C. 1.7
D. 2.0
**Answer: A**
*Explanation:* γ for dead load = 1.5; live load = 1.5 (limit state design).

42. **Minimum pitch for bolted connections is:**
A. 1.5 × bolt diameter
B. 2.0 × bolt diameter
C. 2.5 × bolt diameter
D. 3.0 × bolt diameter
**Answer: C**
*Explanation:* Min pitch = 2.5d to prevent bolt interference.

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### **Irrigation Structures**
43. **Crest level of a canal head regulator is kept:**
A. Below the bed level of the main canal
B. Above the FSL of the main canal
C. At the FSL of the main canal
D. Below the FSL of the main canal
**Answer: B**
*Explanation:* To draw water without silt, crest is above FSL.

44. **Lacey’s silt factor (f) depends on:**
A. Mean particle size
B. Discharge
C. Velocity
D. Canal slope
**Answer: A**
*Explanation:* \( f = 1.76\sqrt{d} \) (d = avg. particle size in mm).

45. **Trap efficiency of a reservoir decreases with:**
A. Increase in reservoir size
B. Decrease in inflow
C. Increase in sediment load
D. Decrease in sediment size
**Answer: B**
*Explanation:* Trap efficiency ∝ reservoir capacity/inflow ratio.

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### **Estimation & Costing**
46. **Contingencies in construction cost estimation are:**
A. 3–5% of total cost
B. 10–15% of total cost
C. 1–2% of total cost
D. 5–10% of total cost
**Answer: A**
*Explanation:* Contingencies cover unforeseen expenses (typically 3–5%).

47. **Plinth area estimate includes:**
A. Basement area
B. Porch area
C. Area of walls
D. All of these
**Answer: C**
*Explanation:* Plinth area = covered area at floor level (excluding basement/porch).

48. **Unit of measurement for steel reinforcement is:**
A. Cubic meter
B. Square meter
C. Quintal
D. Meter
**Answer: C**
*Explanation:* Steel is measured in quintals (1 quintal = 100 kg).

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### **Soil Mechanics**
49. **Coefficient of permeability for clay is:**
A. \( 10^{-2} \) cm/sec
B. \( 10^{-4} \) cm/sec
C. \( 10^{-6} \) cm/sec
D. \( 10^{-8} \) cm/sec
**Answer: D**
*Explanation:* Clay has low permeability (k ≈ \( 10^{-6} \) to \( 10^{-9} \) cm/sec).

50. **Direct shear test is suitable for:**
A. Cohesive soils
B. Cohesionless soils
C. Both (A) and (B)
D. Organic soils
**Answer: B**
*Explanation:* Direct shear is ideal for sands; triaxial for clays.

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### **Advanced Topics**
51. **Modulus of subgrade reaction is used in:**
A. Pavement design
B. Foundation design
C. Retaining walls
D. Slope stability
**Answer: A**
*Explanation:* Used in Westergaard’s theory for rigid pavements.

52. **Lime stabilization improves:**
A. Plasticity of clay
B. Compressive strength
C. Both (A) and (B)
D. Permeability
**Answer: C**
*Explanation:* Lime reduces plasticity and increases strength.

53. **Poisson’s ratio for concrete is approximately:**
A. 0.10
B. 0.20
C. 0.30
D. 0.40
**Answer: B**
*Explanation:* Typically 0.15–0.25 for concrete.

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### **Environmental Engineering**
54. **The detention period for grit chambers is:**
A. 1 minute
B. 30–60 seconds
C. 2 hours
D. 24 hours
**Answer: B**
*Explanation:* Grit chambers remove sand with high flow velocity (detention < 1 min).

55. **MPN test estimates:**
A. Total dissolved solids
B. Coliform bacteria
C. BOD
D. Chlorine demand
**Answer: B**
*Explanation:* Most Probable Number quantifies coliforms in water.

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### **Surveying (Advanced)**
56. **A contour line crosses a valley at:**
A. Right angles
B. Acute angles
C. Obtuse angles
D. Parallel
**Answer: A**
*Explanation:* Contours form V-shapes pointing upstream in valleys.

57. **Height of instrument in leveling is:**
A. RL of BM + BS
B. RL of BM – FS
C. RL of BM + FS
D. RL of BM – BS
**Answer: A**
*Explanation:* HI = RL of BM + backsight reading.

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### **Miscellaneous**
58. **Soundness test of cement detects excess:**
A. Lime
B. Silica
C. Alumina
D. Magnesia
**Answer: D**
*Explanation:* Unsoundness is caused by free MgO or CaO.

59. **Minimum grade of concrete for RCC work as per IS 456 is:**
A. M10
B. M15
C. M20
D. M25
**Answer: C**
*Explanation:* M20 is the minimum for RCC (exposure conditions may require higher).

60. **The most economical section for a beam is:**
A. Rectangular
B. Square
C. Circular
D. I-section
**Answer: D**
*Explanation:* I-sections concentrate material away from the neutral axis for efficiency.

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**End of Questions**
Total: **60 MCQs** with answers and explanations. These cover core topics for JKSSB Civil Engineering exams. For practice, focus on units, formulas, and IS code standards. Good luck! 🌟