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CIVIL ENGINEERING

IRRIGATION

2001 - 2024
GATE Previous Year Questions

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 Contents

IRRIGATION
GATE Solved Questions

Sr. No. Topic Pages

1. Water Requirement Of Crops .................................................................... 1 - 14

2. Gravity Dams & Spill Ways ......................................................................... 15 - 19

3. Diversion Head Works ............................................................................... 20 - 23

4. Design Of Unlined Canals .......................................................................... 24 - 28

IRRIGATION Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engg.
1

1
WATER REQUIREMENT OF CROPS
1. A field was supplied water from an irrigation tank at a rate of 120 lit/sec to irrigate an area of 2.5
hectares. The duration of irrigation is 8 hours. It was found that the actual delivery at the field, which
is about 4 km from the tank, was 100 lit/sec. The runoff loss in the field was estimated as 800 m3. The
application efficiency in this situation is
(a) 62% (b) 72% (c) 76% (d) 80%
[2 Marks : GATE-2001]
2. A canal was designed to supply the irrigation needs of 1200 hectares of land growing rice of 140 days
base period having a Delta of 134 cms. If this canal water is used to irrigate wheat of base period 120
days having a Delta of 52 cm, the area (in Hectares) that can be irrigated is
(a) 2650 (b) 3608 (c) 543 (d) None of the above
[2 Marks : GATE-2002]
3. The total irrigation depth of water, required by a certain crop in its entire growing period (150 days), is
25.92 cm. The culturable command area for a distributary channel is 100,000 hectares. The distributary
channel shall be designed for a discharge
(a) less than 2 cumecs (b) 2 cumecs
(c) 20 cumecs (d) more than 20 cumecs
[1 Mark : GATE-2003]
4. The moisture content of soil in the root zone of an agricultural crop at certain stage is found to be 0.05,
the field capacity of the soil is 0.15. The root zone depth is 1.1 m. The consumptive use of crop at this
stage is 2.5 mm/day and there is no precipitation during this period. Irrigation efficiency is 65%. It is
intended to raise the moisture content to the field capacity in 8 days through irrigation. The necessary
depth of irrigation is
(a) 115 mm (b) 169 mm (c) 200 mm (d) 285 mm
[1 Mark : GATE-2003]
5. A sprinkler suitable when irrigation system is
(a) the land gradient is steep and the soil is easily erodible
(b) the soil is having low permeability
(c) the water table is low
(d) the crops to be grown have deep roots
[1 Mark : GATE-2004]
6. A canal irrigates a portion of a culturable command area to grow sugarcane and wheat. The average
discharges required to grow sugarcane and wheat are, respectively, 0.36 and 0.27 cumecs. The time
factor is 0.9. The required design capacity of the canal is
(a) 0.36 cumecs (b) 0.40 cumecs (c) 0.63 cumecs (d) 0.70 cumecs
[2 Marks : GATE-2004]
8 2
7. The culturable commanded area for a distributary is 2 × 10 m . The intensity of irrigation for a crop is
40%. If kor water depth and kor period for the crop are 14 cm and 4 weeks, respectively, the peak
demand discharge is
(a) 2.63 m3/s (b) 4.63 m3/s (c) 8.58 m3/s (d) 11.58 m3/s
[2 Marks : GATE-2005]
 2 GATE Previous Solved Questions
8. In a cultivated area, the soil has porosity of 45% and field capacity of 38%. For a particular crop, the
root zone depth is 1.0m, the permanent wilting point is 10% and the consumptive use is 15 mm/d. If the
irrigation efficiency is 60%, what should be the frequency of irrigation such that the moisture content does
not fall below 50% of the maximum available moisture?
(a) 5d (b) 6d (c) 9d (d) 11d
[2 Marks : GATE-2006]
9. The consumptive use of water for a crop during a particular stage of growth is 2.0 mm/day. The maximum
depth of available water is the root zone is 60mm. Irrigation is required when the amount of available
water is 50% of the maximum available water in the root zone. Frequency of irrigation should be
(a) 10 days (b) 15 days (c) 20 days (d) 25 days
[1 Mark : GATE-2007]
10. The culturable command area for a distributary channel is 20,000 hectares. Wheat grown in the entire
and the intensity of irrigation is 50%. The kor period for wheat is 30 days and the kor water depth is
120mm. The outlet discharge for the distributary should be
(a) 2.85 m3/s (b) 3.21 m3/s (c) 4.63 m3/s (d) 5.23 m3/s
[2 Marks : GATE-2007]
11. An outlet irrigates an area of 20 ha. The discharge (I/s) required at this outlet to meet the evapotranspiration
requirement of 20 mm occurring uniformly in 20 days neglecting other field losses is
(a) 2.52 (b) 2.31 (c) 2.01 (d) 1.52
[1 Mark : GATE-2008]
12. An agricultural land of 437 ha is to be irrigated for a particular crop. The base period of the crop is 90
days and the total depth of water required by the crop is 105 cm. If a rainfall of 15 cm occurs during
the base period, the duty of irrigation water is
(a) 437 ha/cumec (b) 486 ha/cumec
(c) 741 ha/cumec (d) 864 ha/cumec
[2 Marks : GATE-2009]
Common Data for Questions : 13 & 14
The moisture holding capacity of the soil in a 100 hectare farm is 18cm/m. The field is to be irrigated
when 50 percent of the available moisture in the root zone is depleted. The irrigation water is to be
supplied by a pump working for 10 hours a day, and water application efficiency is 75%. Details of crops
planned for cultivation are as follows.
Peak rate of
Root zone
Crop moisture use
depth (m) (mm/day)
X 1.0 5.0
Y 0.8 4.0
13. The capacity of irrigation system required to irrigate crop X in 36 hectares is
(a) 83 liters/sec (b) 67 liters/sec (c) 57 liters/sec (d) 53 liters/sec
[2 Marks : GATE-2010]
14. The area of crop Y that can be irrigated when the available capacity of irrigation system is 40 liters/sec
is
(a) 40 hectares (b) 36 hectares (c) 30 hectares (d) 27 hectares
[2 Marks : GATE-2010]
15. Wheat crop requires 55 cm of water during 120 days of base period. The total rainfall during this period
is 100mm. Assume the irrigation efficiency to be 60%. The area in ha) of the land which can be irrigated
IRRIGATION Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engg.
3
with a canal flow of 0.01 m3/s is
(a) 13.82 (b) 18.85 (c) 23.04 (d) 230.40
[2 Marks : GATE-2013]
16. The transplantation of rice requires 10 days and total depth of water required during transplantation is 48
cm. During transplantation, there is an effective rainfall (useful for irrigation) of 8 cm. The duty of
irrigation water (in hectares/cumec) is:
(a) 612 (b) 216 (c) 300 (d) 108
[2 Marks : GATE-2013]
17. Irrigation water is to be provided to a crop in a field to bring the moisture content of the soil from the
existing 18% to the field capacity of the soil at 28%. The effective root zone of the crop is 70 cm. If
the densities of the soil and water are 1.3 g/cm3 and 1.0 g/cm3 respectively, the depth of irrigation water
(in mm) required for irrigating the crop is ________
[2 Marks : GATE-2014]
18. The two columns below show some parameters and their possible values.
List-I (Parameter) List-II (Value)
A. Gross Command Area 1. 100 hectares/cumec
B. Permanent Wilting Point 2. 6o C
C. Duty of canal water 3. 1000 hectares
D. Delta of wheat 4. 0.12
5. 40 cm
Codes: A B C D A B C D
(a) 1 2 3 4 (b) 3 4 1 5
(c) 1 5 4 2 (d) 3 2 5 4
[1 Mark : GATE-2015]
19. A field channel has cultivable commanded area of 2000 hectares. The intensities of irrigation for gram
and wheat are 30% and 50% respectively. Gram has a kor period of 18 days, kor depth of 12 cm, while
wheat has a kor period of 18 days and a kor depth of 15 cm The discharge (in m3/s) required in the field
channel to supply water to the commanded area during the kor period is ...........
[2 Marks : GATE-2015]
20. The culturable command area of a canal is 10000 ha. The area grows only two crops-rice in the
Kharif season and wheat in the Rabi season. The design discharge of the canal is based on the rice
requirements , which has an irrigated area of 2500 ha, base period of 150 days and delta of 130 cm.
The maximum permissible irrigated area (in ha) for wheat, with a base period of 120 days and delta
of 50 cm, is _________.
21. The intensity of irrigation for the Kharif season is 50% for an irrigation project with culturable command
area of 50,000 hectares. The duty for the Kharif season is 1000 hectare/cumec. Assuming transmission loss
of 10%, the required discharge (in cumec, up to two decimal places) at the head of the canal is_______
[1 Mark : GATE-2018]

22. The command area of a canal grows only one crop, i.e., wheat. The base period of wheat is 120 days and its
total water requirement,  is 40 cm. If the canal discharge is 2m3/s, the area, in hectares, rounded off to the
nearest integer, which could be irrigated (neglecting all losses ) is________
[1 Mark : GATE-2019]
 4 GATE Previous Solved Questions
23. The command area of a canal grows only one crop. i.e., wheat. The base period of wheat is 120 days
and its total water requirement,  , is 40 cm. If the canal discharge is 2 m3/s, the area, in hectares,
rounded off to the nearest integer, which could be irrigated (neglecting all losses) is ________
[2019: 1 Marks]
24. The data for an agricultural field for a specific month are given below:
Pan Evaporation = 100 mm
Effective Rainfall = 20 mm (after deducting losses due to runoff and deep percolation)
Crop Coefficient = 0.4
Irrigation Efficiency = 0.5
The amount of irrigation water (in mm) to be applied to the field in that month, is
(a) 80 (b) 40
(c) 20 (d) 0
[2020 : 1 Marks]
25. Crops are grown in a field having soil, which has field capacity of 30% and permanent wilting point of
13%. The effective depth of root zone is 80 cm. Irrigation water is supplied when the average soil
moisture drops to 20%. Consider density of the soil as 1500 kg/m3 and density of water as 1000 kg/m3.
If the daily consumptive use of water for the crops is 2 mm, the frequency of irrigating the crops (in
days), is
(a) 7 (b) 13
(c) 10 (d) 11
[2020: 2 Marks]
26. A reservoir with a live storage of 300 million cubic metre irrigates 40000 hectares (1 hectare = 104 m2)
of a crop with two fillings of the reservoir. If the base period of the crop is 120 days, the duty for his
crop (in hectares per cumec, round off to integer) will then be ________.
[2021: 2 Marks]
27. During a particular stage of the growth of a crop, the consumptive use of water is 2.8 mm/day. The
amount of water available in the soil is 50 % of the maximum depth of available water in the root zone.
Consider the maximum root zone depth of the crop as 80 mm and the irrigation efficiency as 70 %. The
interval between irrigation (in days) will be_________. (round off to the nearest integer)
[2022: 1 Marks]
28. A pump with an efficiency of 80% is used to draw groundwater from a well for irrigating a flat field
of area 108 hectares. The base period and delta for paddy crop on this field are 120 days and 144 cm,
respectively. Water application efficiency in the field is 80%. The lowest level of water in the well is 10
m below the ground. The minimum required horse power (h.p.) of the pump is _______. (round off to
two decimal places) (Consider 1 h.p. = 746 W; unit weight of water = 9810 N/m3)
[2022: 2 Marks]
29. In a certain month, the reference crop evapotranspiration at a location is 6 mm day, If the crop coefficient
and soil coefficient are 1.2 and 0.8, respectively, the actual evapotranspiration in mm/day is
(a) 8.00 (b) 7.20 (c) 6.80 (d) 5.76
[2022: 2 Marks]
 IRRIGATION Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engg. 5
30. A canal supplies water to an area growing wheat over 100 hectares. The duration between the first and
last watering is 120 days, and the total depth of water required by the crop is 35 cm. The most intense
watering is required over a period of 30 days and requires a total depth of water equal to 12 cm.
Assuming precipitation to be negligible and neglecting all losses, the minimum discharge (in m3/s, rounded
off to three decimal places) in the canal to satisfy the crop requirement is ________
[2023: 1 Marks]
31. A standard round bottom triangular canal section as shown in the figure has a bed slope of 1 in 200.
Consider the Chezy’s coefficient as 1501/2/s.

The normal depth of flow, y (in meters) for carrying a discharge of 20 m3/s is _____ (rounded off to
2 decimal places).\
[2024: 1 Marks]


 SOLUTIONS
SOLUTIONSSOLUTIONS
6 GATE Previous Solved Questions

SOLUTIONS
SOLUTIONS
1. Ans. (b) Area of wheat, AW = 2650 hect.
Water conveyance efficiency, 3. Ans. (d)
Water delivered to the field Delta, = 25.92cm = 0.2592m,
c = Water supplied into the canal at the reservoir  100 Base period, B = 150 days
100 8.64.B 8.64  150
=  100  83.33% Duty, D = =
120  0.2592
Water application efficiency, 0.2592 = 5000 ha/cumec
Water stored in root zone A 100, 000
 100 Discharge, Q =  = 20 cumecs
a = D 5000
Water delivered to the field
However, canal is designed for more than 20
Water supplied to the field in 8 hrs @ 100 lit/sec
cumecs to account for capacity factor and time
= 100 × 8 × 60 × 60 factor.
= 2880 × 103 Lit
4. Ans. (d)
= 2880 m3
Field Capacity,
Run off losses in the field Fc = 0.15
= 800 m3 Present moisture content,
 Water stored in the root zone w = 0.05 Root/one depth,
= 2880 – 800 d = 1.10m
= 2080 m3 Mass specific gravity of soil as 1.50.
 Water application efficiency, Depth of water required in rootzone to raise the
moisture content to Fc is;
2080
a =  100 dw = S.d [Fc – w]
2880
= 1.5 × 1.10 [0.15 – 0.05]
= 72.22%
= 0.165m =165 mm
2. Ans. (a)
Total consumptive use of water for 8 days
B
Duty, D = 8.64 = 8 × cu = 8 × 2.5 = 20 mm

Total depth of water to be stored in root zone
A A
Discharge, Q = = = 165 + 20 = 185 mm
D 8.64B
Irrigation efficiency,  = 65%
A R  R
Discharge for Rice, QR = 8.64B Total depth of water to be supplied on the field
R
185 185
Aw  W =  = 284.35 mm
Discharge for wheat, Qw = 8.64B  0.65
W Nearest answer is 285 mm
Given condition is
5. Ans. (a)
QR = Q W
The conditions favouring the use of sprinkler
A R  R A W  W irrigation method are:
 BR = BW  When the land topography is irregular.
 When the land gradient is steeper and soil is
1200  1.34 A W  0.52 easily erodible.
=
140 120  When the soil is excessively permeable.
 When water table is high.
IRRIGATION Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engg.
7
 When water availability is difficult and scare.
Water stored in root zone
6. Ans. (d) =
Water required ot bring water
sugarcane and wheat crops will over lap. content of soil to field capacity
Hence the total discharge,
depth of water stored
Q = 0.36 + 0.27 0.60 =
0.182
= 0.63 m3/ s  depth of water irrigation,
Time factor, T.F = 0.9 depth of water stored
The design discharge f=
consumptive use
Q 0.63  frequency of irrigation
= = = 0.7 m3/sec
TF 0.9 109
=
7. Ans. (b) 15
= 7.28 days
CCA = 2 × 108 m2
Nearest answer is 6d.
Area under the crop = 40% of CCA
Another Method:
= 0.8 × 108m2 = 0.8 × l04 ha
Since the required mass specific gravity
B
Duty, D = 8.64  d 
  S    is not given, it is assumed that the soil
B = 4 × 7 = 28days,  w 
is fully saturated at its field capacity. From this
 = 14 cm = 0.14 m
assumption, the mass specific gravity is estimated
4  7 as follows.
 D = 8.64 
0.14
= 1728 ha/cumec weight of water retained in
soil against gravity
FC =
A 0.8  104 weight of soil mass
Discharge, Q = = = 4.63 m3/sec
D 1728
Vv   w
8. Ans. (b) = V
d
To estimate the equivalent depth of water, the
n V 
 d  =  since porosity, n = v 
dry mass specific gravity  S    is required. s V
 w 
0.45
Since it is not given, assume mass specific gravity 0.38 =
S
of soil S = 1.3
S = 1.18
Max. available depth of water, y
Max. available depth of water,
y = s.d[F.C – PWP]
y = s.d [FC–PWP]
= 1.3 × 1 [0.38 – 0.10]
= 1.18 × 1 [0.38 – 0.10]
y = 0.364m
= 0.33 m
As the water content should not fall below 50%,
the depth of water required to be supplied during Depth of water to be supplied during irrigation =
irrigation, 50% of y = 0.165 m
dw = 50% of y = 0.182m water stored in root zone
 = water required to bring w.c. to FC
Since irrigation efficiency is given it is accounted
as follows. Irrigation efficiency, water stored
0.6 =
0.165
Water stored = 0.099m = 99 mm
 8 GATE Previous Solved Questions
Frequency of irrigation, f.
A 20
[Note: Actually, the soil is partially saturated at Discharge, Q = =
D 8640
its field capacity. However, in the above case it
is assumed to be saturated] = 2.315 × 10–3 m3/sec
= 2.315 Lit/sec
9. Ans. (b)
13. Ans. (d)
Cu = 2 mm/day
Area, A = 437 ha
 Depth of water allowed for consumption
Base period, B = 90days
= (100 – 50%) of max. available water depth, dw
Total depth of water required,
 dw = (100 – 50%) of 60 mm
 = 105 cm
= 30 mm
Rain fall = 15 cm
Frequency of irrigation
 Irrigation depth (delta),
dw
= C  = 105 – 15
u
= 90 cm = 0.90 m
10. Ans. (c)
Area to be irrigated B 90
Duty, D = 8.64 = 8.64 
= C.C.A × intensity of irrigation  0.90

= 20,000 × 0.50 = 864 ha/cumec

= 10,000 ha. 13. Ans. (b)

Period, B = 30 days Area, A = 100 ha

Water depth, A = 120 mm Moisture holding capacity

= 18 cm/m
= 0.12 m
Crop: X
8.64.B
 Duty, D = Root zone depth,

d = 1m
8.64  30
= Moisture holding capacity,
0.120
= 18 × 1 = 18 cm
= 2160 hac/cumec
Irrigation depth,
 10, 000 dw = 50% of 18 cm
Discharge, Q = 
D 2160 = 9 cm (in root zone)
3
= 4.63 m /s (Readily available depth of water)
11. Ans. (b) Consumptive use rate,
A = 20 ha Cu = 5 mm/day
Depth of water, Frequency of irrigation, f
 = 20 mm = 0.02 m d w 9  10mm
Irrigation period, = C  5 mm day = 18 days
u
B = 20 days
Area of crop X is : 36 ha = 36 × 10 4 m2
B 20 Discharge capacity of irrigation system for crop
 Duty, D = 8.64 = 8.64  X is:
 0.02
volume of water to be supplied
= 8640 ha/cumec
time
IRRIGATION Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engg.
9

A  dw Duty at head of canal = Duty at field × 

36  104  0.09
Q =   time = = 2304 × 0.6 = 1382.4 ha/cumec
a 0.75  18  10  60  60
Area of land that can be irrigated,
= 0.0666 m3sec
A=Q × D
= 66.67 Lit/sec
= 0.01 × 1382.4
= say 67 Lit/sec
= 13.82 ha
14. Ans. (d)
Available capacity of irrigation for crop Y : 16. Ans. (b)
Q = 40 Lit/sec Irrigation water depth
3 = Total water depth required
= 0.04 m /secs
Root zone depth, – effective rainfall
d = 0.8 m  = 48 – 8
Moisture holding capacity = 40 cm = 0.4 m
= 18 × 0.8 Irrigation period,
= 14.4 cm B = 10 days
Irrigation depth [Readily available depth),
B
dw = 50% of 14.4 = 7.2 cm Duty, D = 8.64

Consumptive use,
Cu = 4 mm/day 10
= 8.64 
Frequency of irrigation, 0.4

d w d w 7.2  10mm = 216 hec/cumec

f = C C  4 mm days 17. Solution: 91 to 91 mm
u u
= 18 days Depth of irrigation water
A  dw d
Discharge, Q =   time d =   d  (F.C.  W.P.)
a w

A   7.2  102  1.3

 70  (0.28  0.18)
0.04 = d=
0.75  18  10  60  60 1
A = 27 × 104 m2 d = 9.1 cm
 Area of crop, Y is 27 ha. d = 91 mm
18. Ans. (b)
15. Ans. (a)
P = Gross command area = 1000 ha
Irrigation depth, 
Q = permanent wilting point = 0.12
 = (depth of water required
– Rainfall depth) R = Duty of canal water = 100 ha/cumec
= 550 – 100 S = Delta of wheat = 40 cm
= 450 mm = 0.45m 19. Solution:
8.64.B 18
Duty, D = Duty for gram = 8.64 
 0.2
8.64  120 18
= Duty for wheat = 8.64 
0.45 0.15
= 2304 hac / cumec Total discharge required
(Duty at field) = 0.964 + 0.463 = 1.427 m3/sec.
 10 GATE Previous Solved Questions

A1 A
Q1 = D Dr 
1 Q
0.3  2000 2500
 = 0.463 m3/sec Q m3 / s  2.5077 m3 / s
8.64  18 / 0.12 996.923
0.5  2000 For wheat also, discharge is 2.5077 m3/s
Q2 =
3.64  18 / 0.15 Bw = 120 days
3
= 0.964 m /sec D = 50 cm
2 Aw = Q × Dw
Avg surface area = 20km
3
inflow = 10m /sec 8.64  B w
monthly rainfall = 10 cm Dw 
W
outflow = 15 m3/sec
seepage loss = 1.8 cm 8.64 120
3   2073.6
Change in storage = 16 Mm 0.5
Aw = 2.5077 × 2073.6
10 m3/s 10 cm A = 20 km2
= 5199.966 ha  5200 ha
inflow
21. Ans. (27.78)

Reservoir Culturable command area = 50000 ha

Intensity of irrigation for kharif season = 50%
outflow
 Area under kharif = 25000ha
15m3/sec 1.8 cm Duty for Kharif season = 1000ha/cumec

Area
5  30  24  60  60 Duty=
= 0.648 m = 64.8 cm Dicharge
20  106
16  106 25000 ha
S=  0.8m  80cm
20  106  Q= =25cumec
1000 ha/cumec
Hence evaporation loss
Transmission loss = 10% (Given)
= 80 – 64.8 + 10 – 1.8
 transmission = 90%
= 23.4 cm
20. Discharge at the head of canal = 25/0.9 cumec
CCA = 10000 ha = 27.78cumec
For rice, Dr = 130 cm = 1.3 m
Ar = 2500 ha 22. Ans. (8164)
Br = 150 days
8.64B  A  8.64  B
  =   
8.64 Br 8.64 150 D Q 
Dr 
r 1.30
Dr = 996.923 ha/cumecs
IRRIGATION Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engg.
11

8.64×B
A= ×Q
Δ

8.64×1200×2
=
0.4
=8.64  600 = 5184 hectare
23. Ans. (5184)
Given data:
Base period,
B = 120 days
Delta of crop,
 = 40 cm
Discharge, Q = 2 m3/s
Area to be irrigated,
A= ?
Duty of water,

864  B
 ha / cumec and Area to be irrigated;

A= Q ´D

3 864  120 ha
Þ A  2 m /s 
40 cumec
A = 5184 ha
24. Ans. (b)
Water required by crop = 100 ´ 0.4 mm = 40 mm
Effective rainfall = 20 mm
Additional water required = 20 mm

20
Amount of water required after accounting irrigation efficiency   40 mm
0.5
25. Ans. (*)
Field capacity, FC = 30%
Permanent wilting point,
PWP = 13%

d .
Depth of water, d w   d  (FC  OMC)
w
 12 GATE Previous Solved Questions
(d = Effective depth of root zone)

1500
  80(0.3  0.2)
1000
= 12 cm or 120 mm
Consumptive use = 2 mm/day
120
So, frequency of irrigation  = 60days
2
26. Ans. (691.2)
Live storage = 300 Mm3
Area = 40000 hectare
Since 2 filling so volume of water needed
= 600 Mm3
B = 120 days

8.64B
Duty 


600  10 6
  1.5m
40000  10 4

8.64  120
Duty  = 691.2 ha/cumec
1.5
27. Ans. (14)

Depth of water needed

Frequency, f
Consumptive use

40
f  14.28days
2.8
f = 14 days
(Considering depletion amount)
28. Ans. (30.82)
Duty of the crop in the field,

A B
D  8.64
Q 
where, Q = discharge required by crop
IRRIGATION Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engg.
13
Irrigated , A = 108 a
Delta for crop,
  1.44 m
Base period of crop,
B = 120 days

A
Q
8.64B

108  1.44

8.64  120
= 0.15 m3/s
Water required to be pumped

0.15
  0.1875m3 / s
0.8

QH
Power required by pump 
0.8

9810N / m3  0.1875m 3 / s  10

0.8  746
= 30.82 h.p.
29. Ans. (d)
Given: Et0 = 6 mm/day
KC = 1.2
KS = 0.8
We know that based on Basal’s equation of reference evaportanspiration,
EtC = KC. KS Et0
EtC = 1.2 ´ 0.8 ´ 6
EtC = 5.76 mm/day
30. Ans. (0.046)
Given: Area: 100 ha
Total depth of water,  2  35cm
Total time period, B2 = 120 days
Kor depth, 1  12cm
Kor period, B1 30 days

8.65  B1 8.64  30
(i) Kor duty, 1    2160 ha / m 3 / sec
1 0.12
Corresponding discharge
 14 GATE Previous Solved Questions

Area 100
   0.046m 3 / sec
Duty 2160
(ii) Overall duty,
8.64  B2 8.64  120
2  
2 0.35
= 2962.28 ha/m3/sec
Corresponding discharge

Area 100
   0.034 m3 / sec
Duty 2962.28
Minimum discharge required will be maximum of the above two.
Qreq = 0.046 m3/sec
31. Ans. (1.10) (1.09 - 1.12)
Discharge, Q = A  V
Now, Cross-section area, A = y2 ( radian + cot ) = y2 (0.588 + 1.5)
= 2.088 y2
Perimeter, P = 2y ( radian
+ cot)
A
Hydraulic radius, R 
P
y 2 ( radian  cot  ) y
 
2 y ( radian  cot  ) 2

 y 1 150 1 2
Now, Velocity, V  C R.S  150     y
 2  200 20
Now, Q =A V
150 1 2
20  2.088 y 2  .y
20
 y = 1.10 m


IRRIGATION Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engg.
15

2
DESIGN OF UNLINED CANALS
1. An area of 40000 ha. has to be irrigated by a canal for growing banana in 15000 ha. and 25000 ha, for
growing paddy. The peak water requirements of banana and paddy 12 cm/month and 16 cm/month
respectively and these peak demands occur at the same month. Design a suitable canal section using
Lacey’s method. Adopt a side slope of 0.5 H : IV.
[5 Marks : GATE-2001]

2. A culturable command area for a distributory is 12,000 hectares. The intensity of irrigation is 90-percent
for Rabi and 80-percentage Kharif crop. The outlet factors for Rabi and Kharif crops are 720 ha/cumec
and 775 ha/cumec, respectively. Design a lined canal having hydraulically efficient trapezoidal shape with
2H : IV side slopes and a bed slope of 1/5000. Assume Manning’s to be 0.014.
[5 Marks : GATE-2002]

3. On which of the canal systems, R.G. Kennedy, executive engineer in the Punjab Irrigation Department
made his observations for proposing his theory on stable channels?
(a) Krishna Western Delta canals (b) Lower Bari Doab canals
(c) Lower Chenab canals (d) Upper Bari Doab canals
[1 Mark : GATE-2005]

1
4. A triangular irrigation lined canal carries a discharge of 25 m3/s at bed slope  . If the side slopes
6000
of the canal are 1 : 1 and Manning’s coefficient is 0.018, the central depth of flow is equal to
(a) 2.98 m (b) 3.62 m
(c) 4.91 m (d) 5.61 m
[2005 : 2M]

5. As per the Lacey’s method for design of alluvial channels, identity the true statement from the following
(a) Wetted perimeter increases with an increase in design discharge
(b) Hydraulic radius increases with an increase in silt factor.
(c) Wetted perimeter decreases with an increase in design discharge.
(d) Wetted perimeter increases with an increase in silt factor.

[1 Mark : GATE-2007]
 16 GATE Previous Solved Questions
3
6. A stable channel is to be designed for a discharge of Qm /s with silt factor f as per Lacey’s method.
The mean flow velocity (m/s) in the channel is obtained by
(a) (Qf2/140)1/6 (b) (Qf/140)1/3 (c) (Q2f2/140)1/6 (d) 0.48 (Q/f)1/3
[1 Mark : GATE-2008]

7. The depth of flow in an alluvial channel is 1.5m. If critical velocity ratio is 1.1 and Manning’s n is 0.018,
the critical velocity of the channel as per Kennedy’s method is
(a) 0.713 m/s (b) 0.784 m/s (c) 0.879 m/s (d) 1.108 m/s
8. An unlined canal under regime conditions along with a silt factor of 1 has a width of flow 71.25 m.
Assuming the unlined canal as a wide channel, the corresponding average depth of flow (in m, round off
totwo decimal places) in the canal will be ________.
[2021 : 2 Marks]
9. A standard round bottom triangular canal section as shown in the figure has a bed slope of 1 in 200.
Consider the Chezy’s coefficient as 1501/2/s.

The normal depth of flow, y (in meters) for carrying a discharge of 20 m3/s is _____ (rounded off to
2 decimal places).
[2024 : 2 Marks]


IRRIGATION Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engg.
17

SOLUTIONS
SOLUTIONS
1. Solution: wetted perimeter,
Area under banana crop = 15000 ha
p = B  2D 1.052
Peak demand of water = 12 cm/month
Area × depth of water  B  2D 1  0.52 = 22.47
 Peak discharge =
time
B = 22.47 – 2.236D ...(ii)
15000  10 4  0.2m 3
= Substituting equation (ii) into equation (i) and
1  30  24  60  60 sec
simplifying;
= 6.94 m3/sec
[22.47 – 2.236D + 0.5D]D
Area under paddy = 2500 ha
=30.35 D2 – 12.94D + 17.48
Peak demand of water =16 cm/month
=0
Peak discharge
Solving
25000  104  0.16
=
1  30  24  60  60 12.94  12.942  4  17.48
D =
= 15.43 m3/sec 2
As the peak demands occurs in the same month, 2.94  9.875
=
the total peak discharge rate, 2
Q = 6.94 + 15.43  D =11.4 m (for +ve sign)
= 22.37 m3/sec = 1.53m (for –ve sign)
Design of canal: If D = 11.40m
Design discharge, B= –3.02 m
Q = 22.37 m3/sec If D = 1.53m
Assume silt factor, B= 19.05 m
f=1  adopt D = 1.53m
Lacey ‘s theory for design of canal: and B = 19.05m
1/6 f 5/3
 Qf 2  Bed slope, S=
Velocity, V =    0.737 m s 3340Q1/6
 140 
Area of cross section, 15/3 1
= 1/3 =
Q 22.37 3340  22.37  5605
A= 
V 0.737
= 30.35 m2 2. Solution:
CCA = 12000 hect

D 0.5 Area under Rabi,

A = 90% of CCA
B
= 10,800 hect
 [B + 0.5D]D = 30.35 ....(i)
Outlet factor for Rabi
wetted perimeter,
(Duty), D = 720 ha/cumec
p = 4.75 Q
 Discharge required for Rabi,
= 4.75 22.37 = 22.47m
18 GATE Previous Solved Questions
A 10800 Solving, y =2.33m
Q1 = =  15 m3 sec
D 720 Width, b =0.472 × y = 1.1m
Area under kharif; 3. Ans. (d)
A =80% of CCA A=y2 (+cot ) [ = 450]
= 9600 ha P=2y ( + cot )
Out let factor for kharif,  
A  y 2   1
D =775 ha/cumec 4 
 Discharge required for kharif,  
P  2y 2   1
9600 4 
Q2 = = 12.39 m3/sec
775 A Y
R 
The canal is designed for higher of the Q1 and P 2
Q2 From Manning’s equation
 Design discharge, 1
3 Q AR 2 / 3S1/ 2
Q = 15 m /sec. n
Design of canal 2/ 3 1/ 2
1    y   1 
For hydraulically efficient trapezoidenal channel, 25   y 2   1   
0.018  4  2   6000 
conditions to be satisfied are:
Hence option (b) is correct.
(i) bottom width, b ;
b = 2y  1  m 2  m  4. Ans. (a)
y 1. Wetted perimeter, P = 4.75 Q
(ii) hydraulic radius, R =
2
 P Q
Hence, P increases with increase in discharge in
y
1 root zone.
m
1/ 3

Given m=2
b 2. Hydraulic radius, R  0.48 Q
f  
 R  11/ 3
b = 2y  1  2 2  2  f
= 0.472y (where f is Lacey’s silt factor)

Area of flow, 5. Ans. (a)

A= [b + my]y Mean flow velocity
=[ 0.472y + 2y] y 1/ 6
Qf 2 
v  
= 2,472 y2  140 
Using the relation as per Mannings formula, 6. Ans. (b)
1 2/3 1/2 depth, D = 1 .5 m,
Q =A  R S
n CVR = m
2/3 1/2
1 y  1  m = 1.1
15 = 2.472y 2     
0.014  2   5000  n = 0.018
Critical velocity
V = 0.5 m D0.64
IRRIGATION Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engg.
19
= 0.55 × 1.1 × 1.50.64
= 0.784 m/sec
7. Ans. (2.94)
f=1



R = D (for wide rectangular channel)

5/ 2
2 
Af 2  140  fR 
5 
5/ 2
2 2 
(BD)f  140  f  D 
5 
5/ 2
2 
(71.25  D)  1  140   1  D 
5 
5/ 2
2
D  0.5089     (D)5 / 2
5
D3/2 = 5.029 or D = 2.94 m
8. Ans. (1.10) (1.09 - 1.12)
Discharge, Q = A  V
Now, Cross-section area, A = y2 ( radian + cot ) = y2 (0.588 + 1.5)
= 2.088 y2
Perimeter, P = 2y ( radian
+ cot)
A
Hydraulic radius, R 
P
y 2 ( radian  cot  ) y
 
2 y ( radian  cot  ) 2

 y 1 150 1 2
Now, Velocity, V  C R.S  150     y
 2  200 20
Now, Q =A V
150 1 2
20  2.088 y 2  .y
20
 y = 1.10 m
 20 GATE Previous Solved Questions

3
GRAVITY DAMS & SPILL WAYS
1. Which one of the following equations represents the downstream profile of Ogee spillway with vertical
upstream face? {(x, y) are the co-ordinates of the point on the downstream profile with origin at the crest
of the spillway and Ha is the design head}.

1.85 1/1.85
y  x  y  x 
(a)  0.5   (b)  0.5  
Hd  Hd  Hd  Hd 

1.85 1/1.85
y  x  y  x 
(c)  2.0   (d)  2.0  
Hd  Hd  Hd  Hd 

[1 Mark : GATE-2005]
2. The base width of an elementary profile of a gravity dam of height H is b. The specific gravity of the
material of the dam is G and uplift pressure coefficient is K. The correct relationship for no tension at
the heel is given by

b 1 b 1
(a)  (b) 
H GK H G 1 K

b 1 b 1
(c)  (d) 
H GK H K GK

[1 Mark : GATE-2008]
3. A concrete gravity dam section is shown in the figure. Assuming unit weight of water as 10 kN/m3 and
unit weight of concrete as 24 kN/m3, the uplift force per unit length of the dam (expressed in kN/m) at
PQ is____

65M
Drain
holes

5M
P Q
40M
10M

[2 Marks : GATE-2016]
IRRIGATION Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engg.
21

4. A concrete dam holds 10 m of static water as shown in the figure (not drawn to the scale). The uplift
assumed to vary linearly from full hydrostatic head at the heel, to zero at the toe of dam. The coefficient
of friction between the dam and foundation soil is 0.45. Specific weights of concrete and water are 24
kN/m3 and 9.81 kN/m3, respectively.

For NO sliding condition, the required minimum base width B (in m, round off to two decimal places)
is ________.
[2020: 2 Marks]


 22 GATE Previous Solved Questions

SOLUTIONS
SOLUTIONS
1. Ans. (a)
The downstream curve of the ogee has the
following equation
0.85
x1.85 = 2H d  y
65M
H
2H 0.85 y d
x1.85 = d
Hd
5M
H1.85
d 40M
= 2 y
x1.85 Hd
10M

2 5 10 = 50 kPa
1.85
y  x  1
0.5 
 Hd = 
 Hd  (65 - 5)
γw  5  γw
γ wΗ 3
Since y is shown downwards, negative sign is    
given on the right side in the options.  kPa

Hd
x
= 10 × 5 + 10 × 20 = 250 kPa
Total uplift force on base
y
= Area 1 + Area 2

1 1
2. Ans. (a) =  650 + 250  × 10 +  250 + 50 × 40
2 2
For no tension at the heel,
= 10500 kN/m
b 1
H GK

b 1
Note: For no sliding H  (G  K)
4. Ans. (15.873)
where, µ = coefficient of friction
3. Ans. (10500kN/m)
IRRIGATION Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engg.
23

 = 0.45
conc. = 24 kN/m3
Gconc.= 2.4

H
Bmin .sliding 
(G  1)

10
Bmin .sliding 
0.45(2.4  1)
= 15.873 m


 24 GATE Previous Solved Questions

THEORIES OF SEEPAGE AND

4
MISCELLANEOUS
1. While designing a hydraulic structure, the piezometric head at bottom of the floor is computed as 10m.
The datum is 3m below floor bottom. The assured standing water depth above the floor is 2 m. The
specific gravity of the floor material is 2.5. The floor thickness should be
(a) 2.00 m (b) 3.33 m (c) 4.40 m (d) 6.00 m
[2 Marks : GATE-2003]
2. Uplift pressures at points E and D (Figure A) of a straight horizontal floor of negligible thickness with
a sheet pile at downstream end are 28% and 20%, respectively. If the sheet pile is at upstream end of
the floor (Figure B), the uplift pressures at points D1 and C1 are

E C C1
b d d b

D D1
Figure A Figure B

(a) 68% and 60% respectively (b) 80% and 72% respectively
(c) 88% and 70% respectively (d) 100% and zero respectively
[2 Marks : GATE-2005]
3. A launching apron is to be designed at downsteam of a weir for discharge intensity of 6.5m3/s/m. For
the design of launching aprons the sour depth is taken two times of Lacy’s scour depth. The silt factor
of the bed material is unity. If the tailwater depth is 4.4 m, the length of launching apron in the launched
position is
(a) 5m (b) 4.7 m (c) 5 m (d) 5 5 m
[2 Marks : GATE-2005]
4. A weir on a permeable foundation with down-stream sheet pile is shown in the figure below. The exit
gradient as per Khosla’s method is
Weir

Floor
5m

10m
4m
Downstream
sheet pile
IRRIGATION Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engg.
25
(a) 1 in 6.0 (b) 1 in 5.0 (c) 1 in 3.4 (d) 1 in 2.5
[2 Marks : GATE-2008]
4. Water emerages from an ogee spillway with velocity = 13.72 m/s and depth = 0.3 m at its toe. The
tail water depth required to form a hydraulic jump at the toe is
(a) 6.48 m (b) 5.24 m
(c) 3.24 m (d) 2.24 m
[2008 :2M]
5. A conventional flow duration curve is a plot between
(a) Flow and percentage time flow is exceeded
(b) Duration of flooding and ground level elevation
(c) Duration of water supply in a city and proportion of area receiving supply exceeding this duration
(d) Flow rate and duration of time taken to emppty a reservoir at that flow rate
[2014 :1 M, set]
6. Profile of a weir on permeable foundation is shown in figure I and an elementary profile of upstream
pile only case accoring to khosla’s theory is shown in figure II. The uplift pressure heads at key
points Q. R and S are 3.14 m, 2.75 m and 0 m, respectively (refer figure II)

What is the uplift pressure head at point P downstream of the weir (junction of floor and pile as
shown in the figure-I)?
 26 GATE Previous Solved Questions
(a) 2.75 m (b) 1.25
(c) 0.8 m (d) Data not sufficient
[2016 1 M. set-II]
5. Group-I contains three broad classes of irrigation supply canal outlets. Group-II presents hydraulic
performance attributes.

Group-I Group-II
P. Non-modular 1. Outlet discharge depends on the water levels in both the supply canal
outlet as well as the receiving water course
Q. Semi- 2. Outlet discharge is fixed and is independent of the water levels in
modular outlet both the supply canal as well as the receiving water course
R. Modular 3. Outlet discharge depends only on the water level in the supply canal.
outlet

The correct match of the items in Group-I with the items in Group-II is
(a) P-1; Q-2; R-3 (b) P-3; Q-1; R-2
(c) P-2; Q-3; R-1 (d) P-1; Q-3; R-2
[2 Marks : GATE-2017]
6. If the path of irrigation canal is below the bed level of a natural stream, the type of cross-drainage
structure provided is
(a) Level crossing (b) Super passage
(c) Aqueduct (d) Sluice gate
[2019: 1 Marks]
5. If the path of an irrigation canal is below the bed level of a natural stream, the type of cross-drainage
structure provided is
(a) Aqueduct (b) Level crossing (c) Sluice gate (d) Super passage
[1 Mark : GATE-2019]

7. Superpassage is a canal cross-drainage structure in which

(a) canal water flows under pressure below a natural stream
(b) natural stream water flows under pressure below a canal
(c) canal water flows with free surface below a natural steam
(d) natural stream water flows with free surface below a canal
[2020: 1 Marks]
8. In the context of cross-drainage structures, the correct statement (s) regarding the relative positions of
a natural drain (stream/river) and an irrigation canal, is/are
(a) In an aqueduct, natural drain water goes under the irrigation canal, whereas in a super-passage,
naturaldrain water goes over the irrigation canal.

(b) In a level crossing, natural drain water goes through the irrigation canal
(c) In an aqueduct, natural drain water goes over the irrigation canal, whereas in a super-passage, natural
drain water goes under the irrigation canal.
(d) In a canal siphon, natural drain water goes through the irrigation canal.
[2022: 2 Marks]
9. Idensity the cross-drainage work in the figure.
IRRIGATION Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engg.
27

SOLUTIONS
SOLUTIONS
1. Ans. (a)  9.40 = 4.4 + d
d = 5m
 Length of launching apron
h = 1 × d to 1.5 × d
2m
10m = 5 to 7.5 m

Z=3
Take minimum length = 5m
Datum line 4. Ans. (c)

Piezometric head H 1
GE = 
d  
= Pressure head (h) + elevation
head (z)
b 10
10 = h + z  =   2.5
d 4
 h = 10 – 3 = 7m
1  1  2
h2 72  =
Thickness, t = G  2.5  2m 2
c

 t = 2m 1  1  2.52
 =  1.85
2. Ans. (b) 2
Uplift pressure at
5 1 1
D1 = 100 – 20% = 80% GE =  
4  1.85 3.4
Uplift pressure at
4. Water depth required to from a hydraulic jump
C1 = 100 – 28 = 72%
may be give as,
3. Ans. (c)
q = 6.5 m3/sec/m y1  8V12 
y 2   1  1  
Normal scour depth, RL 2  gy1 
/3
 q2 
RL = 1.35  
 f  0.3  8  (13.72)2 
   1  1    3.24m
1/3 2  9.81 0.3 
 6.52 
= 1.35  
 1  5. (a)
= 4.70m 5. (b)
HFL
HFL Pr essure head at that po int
  100
4.4 Total head

2×RL 2.75
d R   100  68.75%
4

Maximum Scour depth from

H.F.L. = 2 × RL = 9.40m
 28 GATE Previous Solved Questions

P  100  R  31.25%

Pr essure head at po int P

Now, p   100
Total head

h
31.25   100
4
h = 1.25m
5. Ans. (d)
Non-Modulus outlets are those through which the discharge depends upon the difference of head between
the distributary and the water course. The discharge changes with either a change in the water level of
a distributary or that of the water course.
Semi-Modular outlets or flexible outlets are those through which the discharge is independent of the
distributary so long as a minimum head is available. The discharge through such an outlet will increase
with a rise in the distributary water surface level and vice-versa.
Modular outlets or Rigid Modules are those through which the discharge is constant & fixed within limits,
irrespective of the fluctuations of the water level of either the distributary or of the water course or of
both.
P-1, Q-3, R-2
6. Ans. (b)

Where, HFL: High Flood Level of Drain

SBL: Stream Bed level
FSL: Full Supply Level of Canal
CBL: Canal Bed Level
Superpassage, as the given elevation condition suits CDW (as shown in diagram).
5. Ans. (d)
When irrigation canal is below the dran, the structure is called super passage
7. Ans. (c)
8. Ans. (a, b)
9. Ans. (a)

