Questions and Answers for Preparation to UPDA exam

Question 1 : Consider the following characteristics regarding timber :

1 - Stronger Variety
2 - Ability to take very smooth finish
3 - Toughness
4 - Difficult to season

Which of the above characteristics is/are essential for timber to be used as beams?
a. 1 only

b. 2 and 3

c. 3 and 4

d. 1 and 3

Answer 1 : Option D is correct. True characteristics of timeber are strong variety and toughness. Difficult
seasoning is not the true characteristics of the timber.

Question 2 : Consider the following Statements:

Entertainment of air in concrete is done so as to
1.Increase the Workability

2.Increase the Strength

3.Increase the resistance to freezing and Thawing

Which of the above statement is/are correct?

a. 1,2 and 3

b. 1 only

c. 1 and 3 only

d. 3 only

Answer 2 : Option c is correct . The effect of air entrainment in concrete is to increase resistance to
freezing and thawing and improve workability and decrease strength.

Question 3 : Structures are most sensitive to:

a. Uniform settlement

b. Differential settlement
c. Rate of settlement

d. None of the above

Answer 3 : the correct option is (b) , Uniform settlement does not induce any stress in the structural
members. At the same time rate of settlement affects the functionality of the structure without inducing
any additional stresses in the structure, It is the differential settlement that generates stresses.

Question 4 : The bearing capacity of soil is a function of :

(a) Soil shear strength parameters
(b) Unit weight of soil
(c) Foundation dimensions
(d) All of the above

Answer 4 : Terzaghi's bearing capacity equation for square and circular foundations respectively are:

qu = cNc +  DfNq + 0.4 BN   and qu = cNc +  DfNq + 0.3 BN

Where c - cohesion of soil, Nc, Nq and N  are bearing capacity factors that depend on c and  , and B is
the side of square / diameter of circular foundation. Thus the correct answer is (d) all of the above.

Question 5 : The resultant of the active earth pressures on a 5 meter-high wall retaining and with unit
weight and friction angle of 19 kN/m3 and 30 degrees is
(a) 102 kN/m2 
(b) 55 kN/m2 
(c) 79 kN/m2 
(d) None of the above

Answer 5 : KA= (1-sin ) / (1+sin ) = (1-sin 30)/(1+sin30) = 0.5/1.5 = 0.333

PA = (1/2) KAH2 =(1/2)*0.333*19*5*5 = 79.087  kN/m2 or  79 kN/m2

The correct answer is (c)

Question 6 : Consolidation is a term used to describe the volume reduction of

(a) Saturated clay
(b) Dry clay
(c) Saturated sand
(d) Fissured rock

Answer 6 : Consolidation happens in fine grained soils in their saturated state, hence the correct answer
is  (a)
Question 7 : Cohesionless backfill is usually compacted in layers with thickness of
(a) 100 cm
(b) 30 cm
(c) 50 cm
(d) 150 cm

Answer 7 : The correct answer is (b) 30 cm

Question 8 : Soil samples extracted from the Standard Penetration Test (SPT) can be used in:
(a) Liquid limit test
(b) Sieve analysis
(c) Hydrometer test
(d) All of the above

Answer 8 : The soil samples obtained from SPT are disturbed samples but can be used for determination
of index properties and grain size (sieve analysis and hydrometer tests). Hence the correct response is
(d).

Question 9 : ROD value of 100% indicates

(a) Fully fissured rock
(b) Intact rock
(c) Very soft clay
(d) Very dense sand

Answer 9 : Rock-quality designation (RQD) is a indicative measure of the degree of jointing / fracture in
rock mass and is measured as a percentage of the drill core in lengths of 10 cm or more. If RQD = 100%,
it indicates that the rock mass is intact and the correct answer is (b)

Question 10 : If an isolated footing with an area of 2.25 m 2 needed to carry a 0.25 mx 0.8 m column the
best footing shape would be
(a) Square with 15 m width
(b) Rectangular with dimensions of 1.25m x 1.8m
(c) Rectangular with dimensions of 10 mx 2.25 m
(d) Circular with a diameter of 1.7 m

Answer 10 : The best option is a rectangular footing with dimensions of 1.25 x 1.8 m.This will result in a
overhang of 0.5 m on each side and the thickness of footing and reinforcement required in both
directions will be same. The correct option is (b).

Question 11 : The models of elasticity for rock mass is usually

(a) Less than that of the rock substance
(b) higher than that of the rock substance
(c) Equal to that of the rock substance
(d) Not cerclated to that of the rock substance

Answer 11 : At best it can be equal to that of rock mass for intact rock but generally due to fractures and
infillings it is much less than that of rock substance. Hence the correct option is (a).

Question 12 : Sand draines are used to

(a) Help in compacting sand layers
() increase bearing capacity of dry backfills
1) Enhance the permeability of rock masses
(d) Accelerate the consolidation process

Answer 12 : Sand drains are used to accelerate the consolidation process in soils with low permeability
or where the underlying strata is impermeable, so that the surface of draining area is increased. The
correct response is (d)

Question 13 :
For a soil with liquid limit (LL) of 50 and a plasticity limit (PL) of 20. the plasticity index (PI) is :
(a) 30
(b) 2.5
(c) 0.2
(d) 70

Answer 13 : Ip = LL - PL = 50 - 20 = 30, the correct option is (a)

Question 14 : For construction of a building on well that predominantly consists of sand and gravel, the
best in-situs test is :
(a) Standard Penetration test
(b) Vane shear test
(c) Shear box test
d) Triaxial test

Answer 14 : The best test for gravel and sandy strata is standard penetration test as all other tests will
not reflect the composite behaviour of presence of gravel in the strata. The correct option is (a).

Question 15 : Soil compaction is usually achieved through

(a) crushing of soil particles
b) reduction of water content
(c) reduction of air content
(d) all of the above
Answer 15 : While consolidation happens by migration of water in soil matrix (in fine grained saturated
soils), compaction is predominantly removal of air voids by partial replacement with moisture and
compaction energy. The correct option is (c).

Question 16 : The compaction equipment used in the field depends on the soil type.it is correct to say
that :
(a) dynamic rollers are suitable for both sand and clays
(b) sheep-foot rollers are suitable for both sand and clays
(c) sheep-foot rollers are suitable for sand
(d) dynamic rollers are suitable for sand

Answer 16 : Dynamic rollers (vibratory) are suitable for cohesionless soils and sheep foot rollers are
suitable for cohesive soils as they provide point loads along with the kneading action.Hence the correct
option is (d).

Question 17 : Geosynthetics are used for different application in Geotechnical Engineering. Geotextiles
are types of these materials that can be used for
(a) only soil reinforcement
(b) soil reinforcement and as a soil filter
(c) soil reinforcement and to prevent movement of water in soil
(d) only to prevent movement of water in soil

Answer 17 : Geosynthetic fibers / Geotextiles are used for soil reinforcement as well as drains by
preventing hydrodynamic migration of soil particles. Hence the correct option is (b).

Question 18 : Considering an extended layer of sand with a saturated unit weight of 20 KN/m3 and a
water table the is located at the ground surface, the effective vertical stress at a depth of 5 meters is
approximately:
(a) 100 kN/m2
(b) 20 kN/m2
(c) 4 kN/m2
(d) 50 kN/m2

Answer 18 : The effective stress = (20-9.81)*5 = 50.95 kN/m 2 hence, the correct option is (d)

Question 19 : Shear strength of soil can be estimated using the following equation : ꚍ = ϭ * tanφ + c .The
typical values of φ and c for sands are:
(a) 20 to 50° for φ and 20 to 90 kN/m2 for c
(b) 20 to 50° for φ and 0 kN/m2 for c
(c) 20 to 50 kN/m2 for φ md 20 to 100° for c
(d) 20 to 90 kN/m2 for φ and 0° for c
Answer 19 : Sands have negligible value of c and generally it's due to presence of silt or clay impurities.
Hence, the correct option is (b)

Question 20 : Very dense sand has a SPT-N value:

(a) between 0 to 20
(b) between 20 and 40
(c) >50
(d) >100

Answer 20 : SPT values for dense sands is 31-50 and for very dense sands is >50 hence the correct option
is (c)

Question 21 : For extracting rock samples of good quality we use:

(a) double-tube core barrel
(b) single-tube core barrel
(c) standard split spoon sampler
(d) thin-wall tube (Shelby tube)

Answer 21 : To minimize breakages, the best option is double tube core barrel, in which the inner barrel
protects the extracted core from shear forces from rotating outer tube. The correct option is (a).

Question 22 : The undrained shear strength of clay equals:

(a) twice the unconfined compressive strength
(b) the unconfined compressive strength
(c) half the unconfined compressive strength
(d) not related to the unconfined compressive strength

Answer 22 : The undrained shear strength is equal to half of the unconfined compressive strength (=
(1/2) *( ) where  . Hence the correct option is (c).

Question 23 : The safe design load for a long concrete pile drilled in rock is generally controlled by
(a) the strength of the rock
(b) the crushing stress of the concrete
(c) the buckling capacity of the pile
(d) the tensile strength of the concrete

Answer 23 : The long concrete pile in rock is confined and hence buckling is not possible. Since the
crushing strength of intact rock is much higher than the crushing strength of concrete, concrete strength
is the goiverning criterion. The correct option is (b)
Question 24 : The earth pressure that is developed behind retaining structure depends on the
movement of the structure relative to the soil. The active earth pressure is developed when
(a) The structure moves toward the soil
(b) The structure does not move
(c) The structure move away from the soil
(d) The structure and the soil move away from each other

Answer 24 : When the wall moves away from the retaine soil mass is the active state and hence the
correct option is (c).

Question 25 : Consider the construction of a shallow foundation for light structure. The soil at the site
consists of expansive soil. It was decided to excavate portion of the expansive soil and replace it with a
selected fill. The selected fill must be
(a) a dense well graded sand that will provide high strength soil under the footing and also it will provide
good drainage of water
(b) A dense sand with sufficient amount of fines (i.e. more than 30%. fines) that will provide high
strength soil under the footing and also it will prevent the flow of water
(c) The same expansive soil, but compacted, because it is cheaper than hauling soils from other areas
(d) None of the above

Answer 25 : The purpose of replacing the soil is to prevent volumetric change and also distribute the
water ingress over a larger area, hence the correct option is (a). In option (b), the soil will not drain
effectively hence result in waterlogging.

Question 26 : What Is The Yield Strength For Most Reinforcing Bar:

A. 400 MPa
B. 300 MPa
C. 600 MPa
D. 100 MPa

Answer 26 : 400 MPa. Most of the cases we use 400-550 Mpa yield strength bars. most of the beams
behave like under-reinforced beams and that behavior is controlled by tensile strength of bars. 

Question 27 : In the activity-on-arrow network with duration shown, based on end-of-day calculations
for starts and finishes, the early start of Activity N is most nearly:
(a) 16
(b) 21
(c) 23
(d) 24

Answer 27 :

Question 28 : A 200-ft x 100-ft room has been prepared for painting. The walls are 7 ft high and will
require two coats of paint on the previously painted surface for proper coverage. If 1 gal of paint covers
300 ft", the number of gallons of paint needed to paint the walls is most nearly
(a) 14
(b) 18
(c) 67
(d) 81

Answer 28 : Given details & Solution Length = 200 ft Width = 100 ft Height = 7 ft Area of side walls = 2 x
(100 ft x 7 ft) = 1400 ft^2 Area of back & front wall = 2 x (200 ft x 7 ft) = 2800 ft^2 Total paint area = 1400
+ 2800 = 4200 ft^2 1 Gallon of paint will cover 300 ft^2 area , then to cover 4200 ft^2 of area Paint
required = 4200/300 = 14 Gallon of paint Answer Option A,Paint required = 14 Gallon of paint

Question 29 : Construction work should begin:

(a) One week before the official permission from the local authority
(b) After the official permission from the local authority
(c) One day before the official permission from the local authority
(d) None of the Above

Answer 29 : Given details & Solution For any building to get constructed, the builder will need to have a
set of approvals as well as sanctions from all the authorities concerned. Any building that comes up
without these approvals will invite penalty in the form of fines and even prosecution. Intimation of
Disapproval *) Intimation of Disapproval or IOD basically states conditions that needs to be complied
with during different phases of Under Construction Project. Intimation of Disapproval in some places is
also i known as Building Permit. These conditions are normally divided into 3 parts: (i) Immediately
before commencement of construction work (ii) During the construction period (iii) After the
construction is completed *) Commencement Certificate in layman terms, is the permission to start
construction from local development authority. Please note that the builder cannot lay the “Foundation
Stone” & “Build Boundaries” in the absence of these 2 critical documents. Answer Option B, After the
official permission from the local authority

Question 30 :