1. Define the term subsurface exploration.

A) Study of rocks
B) Investigation below ground
C) Analysis of water
D) Surface-level inspection
Answer: B) Investigation below ground

2. Identify the most common tool used in borehole drilling.

A) Shovel
B) Drill rig
C) Hammer
D) Backhoe
Answer: B) Drill rig

3. Name the type of sample collected from boreholes.

A) Soil core
B) Water sample
C) Rock dust
D) Surface soil
Answer: A) Soil core

4. Recall the primary purpose of subsurface exploration.

A) Landscaping
B) Assessing soil and rock properties
C) Constructing dams
D) Studying plant growth
Answer: B) Assessing soil and rock properties

5. Recognize the equipment used for Standard Penetration Tests (SPT).

A) Cone penetrometer
B) Split spoon sampler
C) Dynamic cone
D) Auger drill
Answer: B) Split spoon sampler

6. State one reason for conducting a soil investigation.

A) To assess soil strength

B) To grow plants
C) To measure air quality
D) To install solar panels
Answer: A) To assess soil strength

7. Identify the most suitable test for determining soil compressibility.

A) Triaxial test
B) Compression test
C) Shear box test
D) Permeability test
Answer: A) Triaxial test

8. List a commonly used drilling method in subsurface exploration.

A) Auger boring
B) Laser cutting
C) Explosive blasting
D) Water jetting
Answer: A) Auger boring

9. Identify the primary tool used in rotary drilling.

A) Chisel
B) Drill bit
C) Backhoe
D) Jackhammer
Answer: B) Drill bit

10. Recognize the type of sampling that retains soil structure.

A) Disturbed sampling
B) Undisturbed sampling
C) Bulk sampling
D) Random sampling
Answer: B) Undisturbed sampling

11. State one advantage of performing test borings.

A) Reduces excavation time

B) Identifies subsurface layers
C) Eliminates construction delays
D) Measures groundwater temperature
Answer: B) Identifies subsurface layers

12. Calculate the hydrostatic pressure exerted by a drilling fluid with a density of
1.2 g/cm3 1000 m. (Assume g=9.8 m/s2)

A) 11,760 kPa
B) 12,000 kPa
C) 11,500 kPa
D) 10,000 kPa
Answer: A) 11,760 kPa

13. Name one in-situ test used for soil strength assessment.
A) Cone penetration test
B) Triaxial shear test
C) Direct shear test
D) Grain size analysis
Answer: A) Cone penetration test

14 Determine the time required to complete a falling head permeability test if the
initial head is 1.5 m, the final head is 0.5m, and the coefficient of permeability is
0.02 cm/s over a sample length of 1.0m.

A) 25 minutes
B) 30 minutes
C) 35 minutes
D) 40 minutes
Answer: B) 30 minutes

15. Recall the main principle of the plate load test.

A) Measures compressive strength of soil

B) Assesses shear strength of soil
C) Determines soil bearing capacity
D) Evaluates moisture content in soil
Answer: C) Determines soil bearing capacity

16. State the purpose of the vane shear test.

A) To measure soil moisture

B) To assess shear strength of clay
C) To calculate load capacity
D) To determine soil compaction
Answer: B) To assess shear strength of clay

17. Name one advantage of in-situ soil testing.

A) Reduces cost of construction

B) Provides real-time data
C) Avoids all risks of failure
D) Eliminates laboratory testing
Answer: B) Provides real-time data

18. Calculate the ultimate bearing capacity of a soil if the cohesion (c) is 25 kPa, the unit
weight (γ) is 18kN/m3, the depth of the foundation (D) is 1.5 m, and the bearing capacity
factor (Nc) is 5.

A) 375 kPa
B) 450 kPa
C) 500 kPa
D) 600 kPa
Answer: B) 450 kPa

19. Identify the formula for ultimate bearing capacity of a strip foundation on cohesive soil.

A) qu=cNc
B) qu=c+q
C) qu=γDfNq
D) qu=cNq
Answer: A) qu=cNc

20. Name the type of soil where cohesion is a key parameter for bearing capacity.

A) Sandy soil
B) Clayey soil
C) Gravelly soil
D) Silty soil
Answer: B) Clayey soil

21. Define the term "strip foundation."

A) Foundation with continuous footing along its length

B) Foundation supported by isolated columns
C) Foundation made of reinforced beams
D) Foundation used for sloped terrains
Answer: A) Foundation with continuous footing along its length

22. Recognize the effect of the water table on bearing capacity.

A) Increases bearing capacity

B) Decreases bearing capacity
C) No effect on bearing capacity
D) Changes soil color
Answer: B) Decreases bearing capacity

23. Identify the purpose of Terzaghi's bearing capacity equation.

A) To calculate settlement of soil

B) To determine ultimate bearing capacity
C) To measure soil compaction
D) To find soil permeability
Answer: B) To determine ultimate bearing capacity

24. Recall one key assumption in Terzaghi’s bearing capacity theory.

A) Soil is homogeneous and isotropic

B) Soil layers are highly irregular
C) Foundation is unsupported
D) Water table is always at surface
Answer: A) Soil is homogeneous and isotropic

25. Calculate the total settlement (St) of a footing if the immediate settlement (Si) is 10 mm,
the primary consolidation settlement (Sc) is 15 mm, and the secondary compression
settlement (Ss) is 5 mm.

A) 20mm
B) 25mm
C) 30mm
D) 35mm
Answer: C) 30mm

26. Recall the type of soil most prone to consolidation settlement.

A) Gravelly soil
B) Silty soil
C) Clayey soil
D) Sandy soil
Answer: C) Clayey soil

27. Recognize the factor that reduces settlement in footings.

A) Increasing footing size

B) Reducing concrete strength
C) Lowering water table
D) Using lightweight foundations
Answer: A) Increasing footing size

28. Identify the primary cause of immediate settlement.

A) Elastic deformation of soil

B) Long-term soil consolidation
C) Seepage of groundwater
D) Frost heaving in soil
Answer: A) Elastic deformation of soil

29. Identify the material commonly used for cast-in-situ piles.

A) Steel
B) Wood
C) Concrete
D) Plastic
Answer: C) Concrete

30. Recall the classification of piles based on material.

A) Timber, concrete, and steel piles
B) Sand, silt, and clay piles
C) Structural, geotechnical, and hydraulic piles
D) Circular, square, and triangular piles
Answer: A) Timber, concrete, and steel piles

31. Calculate the uplift capacity of a single pile embedded 10 m in sandy soil with
an average unit skin friction (fs) of 30 kPa, and a pile perimeter (P) of 1.2m.

A) 250 kN
B) 300 kN
C) 360 kN
D) 400 kN

Answer: C) 360 kN

32. Define an end-bearing pile.

A) A pile that transfers load through skin friction

B) A pile resting on a strong soil or rock layer
C) A pile made of precast concrete
D) A pile used for temporary support
Answer: B) A pile resting on a strong soil or rock layer

33. Recognize the method used to install driven piles.

A) Manual excavation
B) Hydraulic hammering or driving
C) Chemical reinforcement
D) Casting in-situ
Answer: B) Hydraulic hammering or driving

34. State the purpose of friction piles.

A) To transfer loads to rock layers

B) To transfer loads through skin friction with soil
C) To act as temporary supports
D) To prevent soil erosion
Answer: B) To transfer loads through skin friction with soil

35. Identify the type of pile used to retain soil in excavation work.

A) Bored pile
B) Sheet pile
C) Composite pile
D) Helical pile
Answer: B) Sheet pile
36. Apply a mitigation measure by using a coating on the pile surface to reduce
negative skin friction by 50%. If the original Qnsf is 300kN, calculate the
reduced Qnsf.

A) 100 kN
B) 150 kN
C) 200 kN
D) 250 kN
Answer: B) 150 kN

37. Examine how soil settlement affects negative skin friction.

A) Settlement reduces negative skin friction.

B) Settlement induces negative skin friction.
C) Settlement neutralizes skin friction entirely.
D) Settlement has no impact on skin friction.
Answer: B) Settlement induces negative skin friction.

38. Name one factor that influences negative skin friction.

A) Soil permeability
B) Groundwater table lowering
C) Wind load on structures
D) Soil compaction techniques
Answer: B) Groundwater table lowering

39. Identify the soil type where negative skin friction is most likely to occur.

A) Sandy soil
B) Clayey soil
C) Gravelly soil
D) Rocky soil
Answer: B) Clayey soil

40. Calculate the load transferred from the superstructure to a pile cap
through a column if the column cross-sectional area is 0.25 m2 and the average
stress in the column is 20 MPa.

A) 2500 kN
B) 3000 kN
C) 4000 kN
D) 5000 kN
Answer: A) 2500 kN