Minimum Depth of Foundation: Rankine’s Analysis

1. The gross pressure intensity (q) of a structure is ___________

a) Total pressure at base of the footing b) Excess pressure after the construction of the structure

c) Minimum pressure intensity at the base d) None of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: The gross pressure intensity q is the total pressure at the base of the footing due to the
weight of the superstructure.

2. The ultimate bearing capacity and the net ultimate capacity are connected by the relation
____________

a) qf = qnf +/- σ̅ and qf = qf – σ̅ b) qf = qnf – σ̅

c) None of the mentioned d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: The ultimate bearing capacity qf and the net ultimate capacity are connected by the
following relation:

qf = qnf + σ̅ (or) qf = qf – σ̅

where σ̅ is the effective surcharge at the base level of the foundation.

3. The net safe bearing capacity is defined by which of the following equation?

a) qns=qnf / F b) qns = qnf + σ̅ c) qns = qf – σ̅ d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: The net safe bearing capacity is the net ultimate bearing capacity divided by a factor of
safety F i.e., qns = qnf/F.

4. The safe bearing capacity can also be referred as _________

a) Net safe bearing capacity b) Ultimate bearing capacity

c) Safe bearing pressure d) Net soil pressure

Answer: b

Explanation: Sometimes, the safe bearing capacity is also referred to as the ultimate bearing capacity
qf divided by a factor of safety F.

5. Rankine considered the first soil element (element 1) at ___________

a) Base of the structure b) Below the foundation c) Edge of the footing d) All of the mentioned

Answer: b

Explanation: Rankine considered the equilibrium of two soil elements, The first one immediately
below the foundation (element 1).
6. The bearing capacity of cohesion-less soil at the ground surface is __________

a) Unity b) Less than one c) Zero d) Greater than one

Answer: c

Explanation: According to Rankine’s equation bearing capacity of cohesion less soil is zero at the
ground surface.

7. When a state of equilibrium is reached under the footing?

a) Load on footing increase b) Load on footing decreases

c) Safe bearing capacity of the soil is reached d) None of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: When the load on footing increases, and approaches a value qf, a state of plastic
equilibrium is reached under the footing.

8. Rankine considered the equilibrium of second soil element at __________

a) Base of the structure b) Below the foundation c) Edge of the footing d) Top of the foundation

Answer: c

Explanation: Rankine considered the equilibrium of the other soil element (element 2) beyond the
edge of the footing, but adjacent to element 1.

9. During the state of shear failure, which of the following principal stress relationship exist?

a) σ1 = σ tan α + 2c tan α b) σ1 = σ3 tan2 α + 2c tan α c) σ1 = 2c tan α d) σ1 = σ3 tan α

Answer: b

Explanation: During the state of shear failure (plastic equilibrium), the following principal stress
relationship exists σ1 = σ3 tan2 α + 2c tan α

for cohesion-less soil,σ1 = σ3 tan2 α.

10. The symbol σ̅, represent which of the following term?

a) Ultimate bearing capacity b) Effective surcharge c) Gross pressure intensity d) Bearing

Answer: b

Explanation: σ̅ represents the effective surcharge at the base level of the foundation, assuming total
unit weight for the portion of the soil above the water table and submerged unit weight for the
portion below the water table.
 Types of Bearing Capacity Failures
1. When a footing fails due to insufficient bearing capacity, distinct failure patterns are developed
depending upon _________

a) Failure mechanism b) Plastic equilibrium c) Shear strength d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: Experimental investigations have indicated that when a footing fails due to insufficient
bearing capacity, distinct failure patterns are developed, depending upon the type of failure
mechanism.

2. Vesic observed _____________ types of bearing capacity failures.

a) 2 b) 4 c) 3 d) 5

Answer: c

Explanation: In 1963, Vesic observed three types of bearing capacity failures:

i) General shear failure ii) Local shear failure iii) Punching shear failure.

3. In general shear failure, continuous failure is developed between ______________

a) Ground surface and footing b) Edge of the footing and ground surface

c) Foundation and the ground surface d) None of the mentioned

Answer: b

Explanation: In the case of general shear failure, continuous failure surface develops between the
edges of the footing and the ground surface.

4. Which of the following is a characteristic of general shear failure?

a) Failure is accompanied by compressibility of soil b) Failure is sudden

c) Bulging of shearing mass of soil d) All of the mentioned

Answer: c

Explanation: A typical characteristic of general shear failure is

a) Failure is sudden with pronounced peak resistance

b) There is considerable bulging of sheared mass of soil adjacent to the footing.

5. In local shear failure, the development of plastic equilibrium is ______________

a) Full b) Partial c) Zero d) None of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: In local shear failure there is only partial development of state of plastic equilibrium
and there is a significant compression of the soil under the footing.

6. Punching shear may occur in loose sand with density less than ___________

a) 45 % b) 50 % c) 35 % d) 20 % Answer: c
Explanation: Punching shear may occur in relatively loose sand with relative density less than 35 %.

7. Local shear failure is associated with soils having _________

a) High compressibility b) High pore pressure c) Low porosity d) Low compressibility

Answer: a

Explanation: Local shear failure occurs in soil having high compressibility and in sands having relative
density lying between 35 and 70 percent.

8. Which of the following is not one of the characteristics of a local shear failure?

a) Failure is defined by large settlements b) Failure surface do not reach the ground surface

c) Failure is sudden d) Ultimate bearing capacity is not well defined

Answer: c

Explanation: In local shear stress there is no tilting of footing and therefore the failure is not sudden.

9. In local shear failure, the failure surface do not reach the ground surface because ____________

a) Compression of soil under the footing b) Ultimate bearing capacity is not well defined

c) Failure is defined by large settlements d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: In local shear failure there is a significant compression of the soil under the footing and
only partial development of state of plastic equilibrium. Due to this reason, the failure surface does
not reach the ground.

10. State of equilibrium is fully developed in which of the following bearing capacity failures?

a) Local shear failure b) General shear failure c) Punching shear failure d) All of the mentioned

Answer: b

Explanation: In general shear failure, when the pressure approaches the value of qf, the state of
equilibrium is reached initially in the soil around the soil and gradually spreads, ultimately the state
of plastic equilibrium is fully developed throughout the soil above the failure surfaces.

Terzaghi’s Analysis
1. An analysis of the condition of complete bearing capacity failure is usually termed as ___________

a) General shear failure b) Terzaghi’s analysis c) Bearing failure d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: An analysis of the condition of complete bearing capacity failure is termed as a general
shear failure, can be made by assuming that the soil behaves like an ideally plastic failure.
2. The concept of analysis of bearing capacity failure was first developed by ___________

a) Terzaghi b) Meyerhof c) Prandtl d) Darcy

Answer: c

Explanation: The concept of failure analysis was first developed by Prandtl, and later extended by
Terzaghi, Meyerhof and others.

3. For purely cohesive soil, the bearing capacity is given by which of the following equation?

a) qf = 5.7 c + σ̅ b) qf = c + σ̅ c) qf = 5.7 c d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: For purely cohesive soil the bearing capacity is

qf = c Nc + σ̅ Nq = 5.7 c + σ̅

Where σ̅ = γ D if the water table is below the base of the footing.

4. The parameters Nc, Nq, Nγ in the equations of bearing capacity failure are known as _________

a) Constant head b) Bearing capacity factors c) Effective pressure d) Load intensity

Answer: b

Explanation: The parameters Nc, Nq, Nγ are the dimensionless numbers, known as bearing capacity
factors depending only on the angle of shearing resistance of the soil.

5. For purely cohesive soil, local shear failure may be assumed to occur when the soil is ___________

a) Medium to soft b) Soft to medium c) Hard d) All of the mentioned

Answer: b

Explanation: For purely cohesive soil, local shear failure may be assumed to occur when the soil is
soft to medium, with an unconfined compressive strength qu ≤ 100 kN/m2.

6. Which of the following is a limitation, of assumption in Terzaghi’s analysis?

a) φ changes when the soil is compressed and strip footing has a rough base

b) Soil is homogeneous

c) None of the mentioned

d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: As the soil compress, φ changes; slight downward movement of footing may not
develop fully the plastic planes.

7. Which of the following are original Terzaghi values for Nγ?

a) 34° and 48° b) 60° c) None of the mentioned d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a
Explanation: The values of Nγ for φ of 34° and 48° are the original Terzaghi values which were used
by Bowles to back compute Kpγ.

8. According to the assumptions in Terzaghi’s analysis, the soil is _______________

a) Homogeneous and Isotropic b) Non Homogeneous

c) None of the mentioned d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: In Terzaghi’s analysis the soil is homogeneous and isotropic and its shear strength is
represented by Coulomb’s equation.

9. The Terzaghi’s general bearing capacity equation is represented as ___________

a) qf = 5.7 c + σ̅ b) qf = c Nc + σ̅. Nq + 0.5γBNγ

c) qf = c Nc + σ̅. Nq d) qf = c Nc

Answer: b

Explanation: “qf = c Nc + σ̅. Nq + 0.5γBNγ” is known as Terzaghi’s general bearing capacity equation
for a continuous footing.

10. Local shear failure generally occurs in ___________

a) Dense sand b) Non-cohesive soil c) Loose sand d) All of the mentioned

Answer: c

Explanation: Local shear failure generally occurs in loose sand while general shear failure occurs in
dense sand.

11. The curve for Nq and Nγ for the transition state from φ = 28° and φ = 38° was given by
__________

a) Peck b) Hanson c) Thorn burn d) All of the mentioned

Answer: d

Explanation: Peck, Hansen, and Thorn burn gave curves for Nq and Nγ for the transition state from φ
= 28° and φ = 38°, in which they assumed general shear failure when φ > 28°.

12. Terzaghi’s bearing capacity equation is not applicable for ____________

a) Depth effect and Inclination factor b) Narrow slope

c) None of the mentioned d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: Terzaghi assumed the value of angle ψ = φ, which is not true. Since footings are
normally rough, ψ has been found close to 45° + φ/2 than to φ, thus Terzaghi’s bearing capacity
equations do not have provision for including depth effects, inclination factors, etc.
 Effect of Water Table on Bearing Capacity
1. When the water table is above the base of the footing, the submerged weight ‘γ’ can be used to
compute __________

a) Effective pressure and Surcharge b) Pore pressure

c) None of the mentioned d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: When the water table is above the base of the footing, the submerged weight ‘γ’ should
be used for the soil below the water table for computing the effective pressure or the surcharge.

2. Which of the following is an essential difference between Vesic’s and Hansen’s procedure?

a) Different values of Nγ and Variation on some of Hansen inclination

b) Different value of Nq and Nc

c) None of the mentioned

d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: The essential difference in Vesic’s and Hansen’s procedure are i) use of slightly different
values of Ny and ii) a variation on some of Hansen’s inclination, base and ground factors.

3. The equation Nc = (Nq – 1) cot φ, have been adopted by ___________

a) Terzaghi and Peck b) Hansen c) Vesic d) All of the mentioned

Answer: d

Explanation: The two equations Nc = (Nq – 1) cot φ and Nq = tan2 (45 + φ/2) ex tan φ have been
adopted by i) Terzaghi and Peck ii) Hansen iii) Vesic iv) Meyerhof and Bureau of Indian standards.

4. Which of the following N factors has the widest range of values?

a) Nc b) Nq c) Nγ d) All of the mentioned

View

Answer: b

Explanation: The Nγ term does not contribute significantly to qf so that almost any reasonable value
can be used. Bureau of Indian standards (BIS) recommends using the value of Nγ, given by Vesic.

Check this: Civil Engineering MCQs | Geotechnical Engineering II Books

6. Meyerhof’s extended the analysis of plastic equilibrium of a surface footing to __________

a) Shallow foundation and Deep foundation

b) Inclined foundation

c) None of the mentioned

d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: M Meyerhof’s extended the analysis of plastic equilibrium of a surface footing to

7. In the Bowl’s method for finding the effect of water table, which of the following factor is used for
soil in the wedge zone?

a) Water reduction factor b) Effective unit weight c) Overburden pressure ) Average unit weight

Answer: b

Explanation: In the third method (Bowles, 1988), no water reduction factor is used, but effective unit
weight (γe) is used for the soil in the wedge zone.

8. Which of the following equation has been recommended by Indian standard for finding reduction
factor in water table?

a) R w = 0.5 (1 + z w2/B) b) R w = (1 + z w2/B)

c) R w = c Nc + σ̅. Nq + 0.5γBNγ d) R w = z w2 / B

Answer: a

Explanation: Rw =Rw2 = 5 (1 + z w2 / B) has been recommended by Indian standard at a depth D1

9. The value of Nc and Nq are same for, which of the following methods?

a) Meyerhof b) Hansen c) Vesic d) All of the mentioned

Answer: d

Explanation: The value of Nc and Nq are same for Meyerhof, Hansen and Vesic method, while
subscripts for Nγ identify the author, i.e. N γ(H) = valued by Hansen etc.

10. The factor N γ(M) identifies which of the following author?

a) Vesic b) Meyerhof c) Hansen d) Terzaghi

Answer: b

Explanation: The factor N γ(M) gives values by Meyerhof, as it has the subscript (M) in it.
 IS Code Method for Computing Bearing Capacity
1. IS code recommends a bearing capacity equation, which is similar to __________

a) Vesic b) Meyerhof and Brinch Hansen c) None of the mentioned d) All of the mentioned

Answer: b

Explanation: IS code (IS : 6403-1981) recommends a bearing capacity equation which is similar in
nature to those given by Meyerhof and Brinch Hasen.

2. According to IS code, there are __________ types of failures of soil support beneath the
foundation.

a) 2 b) 4 c) 3 d) 5

Answer: c

Explanation: The code recognizes, depending upon the deformation associated with the load and the
extent of development of failure surface, three types of failures of soil support beneath the
foundations which are general, local and punching shear failure.

3. The bearing capacity equation for strip footing as given IS standard, can be modified on the basis
of ___________

a) Shape of the footing b) Type of soil c) Bearing capacity d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: The bearing equations applicable for strip footing shall be modified to take into
account, the shape of the footings, and inclination of loading, depth of embankment and effect of
water table.

4. The value of shape factor S c, S q and S γ for circular base is _________

a) 1.3, 1.2, 0.8 b) 1.3, 1.2, 0.6 c) 1.0, 1.0, 1.0 d) 1.2, 1.0 and 1.3

Answer: b

Explanation: According to IS (6403 -1981) standards, the shape factor for circle base is 1.3, 1.2 and
0.6 for S c, S q and S γ respectively.

5. The depth factor can be applied to footing only when ___________

a) Back filling is compacted b) Shape factors are not used

c) The base of the footing is circular d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: The depth factor can be applied only the back filling is done with proper compaction.

6. The effect of the water table is taken into account for bearing capacity in the form of
___________

a) Depth factor b) Inclination factor c) Correction factor d) Shape factor

Answer: c
Explanation: The effect of the water table is taken into account in the form of correction factor W’
applied to the wedge term.

7. If the water table is located at the depth D, then the value of W’ is taken as ___________

a) 1 b) 0.5 c) 2 d) 0

Answer: b

Explanation: If the water table is located at the depth D or likely to rise at the base of the footing or
above, then the value of W’ shall be taken as 0.5.

8. For cohesion less soils, having c=0 Indian standard code recommends that the bearing capacity
can be calculated based on __________

a) Relative density b) Standard penetration resistance value

c) Static cone penetration d) All of the mentioned

View Answer

Answer: d

Explanation: For cohesionless soils (c=0), Indian standard code recommends that the bearing
capacity can be calculated i) based on relative density or ii) based on standard penetration resistance
value, and iii) based on static cone penetration test.

9. The standard penetration resistance is determined at a number of selected points at intervals of

a) 80 cm b) 75 cm c) 100 cm d) 10 cm

Answer: b

Explanation: Indian standard recommends that the standard penetration resistance is determined at
a number of selected points at intervals of 75 cm in the vertical direction or change of strata if it
takes place earlier.

10. The ultimate bearing capacity for cohesive soil can be calculated using the equation __________

a) q nf = c Nc.sc b) q nf = c Nc.sc.dc.ic c) q nf = Nc.sc.dc d) q nf = sc.dc.ic

Answer: b

Explanation: The net ultimate bearing capacity after construction on fairly saturated homogeneous
cohesive soils can be calculated from the expression:

q nf = c Nc.sc.dc.ic

where, Nc = 5.14.
11. The value of c in the equation, q nf = c Nc.sc.dc.ic used for finding bearing capacity of cohesive
soil can be calculated by ___________

a) Unconfined compression strength test b) Static cone penetration test

c) Relative density test d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: The value of cohesion c can be obtained from unconfined compression strength test.
Alternatively, cohesion c may be determined by static cone resistance q c using the empirical
relation between q c and c.

Bearing Capacity – Plate Load Test

a) Laboratory test b) Field test c) Graphical method analysis d) None of the mentioned

Answer: b

Explanation: Plate load test is a field test to determine the ultimate bearing capacity of the soil, and
the probable settlement under a given loading.

2. The plate load test consists in loading a rigid plate at the _________

a) Base of the footing b) Bottom of the construction

c) Foundation level d) All of the mentioned

Answer: c

Explanation: The plate load test essentially consists in loading a rigid plate at the foundation level,
and determining the corresponding to each load increment.

3. The bearing plate used in plate load test is in the shape of __________

a) Square b) Rectangular and Circular c) None of the mentioned d) All of the mentioned

Answer: b

Explanation: The bearing plate is either circular or square, made of mild steel of not less than 25 mm
in thickness.

4. The size of bearing plate, which used in plate load test varies from ___________

a) 300 to 750 mm b) 25 to 100 mm c) 100 to 300 mm d) 25 to 300 mm

Answer: a

Explanation: The bearing plate used varies in size from 300 to 750 mm with a chequered or grooved
bottom.
5. The loading to the test plate is applied with __________

a) Fluid tube b) Hydraulic jack c) Sand bags d) Cross-joists

Answer: b

Explanation: The loading to the test plate may be applied with the help of a hydraulic jack. The
reaction of the hydraulic jack may be borne by either any of gravity loading methodor reaction truss
method.

6. For clayey and silty soils, which of the following bearing plate can be used?

a) Square plate and Concrete block b) Circular plate

c) None of the mentioned d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: For clayey and silty soils and for loose medium dense sandy soils with N < 15, a 450 mm
square plate or concrete block shall be used.

7. The settlement of the plate in a load test is measured with the help of _________

a) Sensitive dial gauges b) Test plate c) Measuring unit d) Datum bar

Answer: a

Explanation: The settlement of the plate is measured with the help of sensitive dial gauges. For
square plate, two dial gauges are used. The dial gauges are mounted on independently supported
datum bar.

8. According to Indian standard method, the loading of the plate should be borne with either by
___________

a) Gravity loading platform and Reaction truss b) Concrete blocks

c) None of the mentioned d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: Indian standards (IS: 1888: 1982) recommend that the loading of the plate should
invariably be borne either by gravity loading platform or by the reaction truss.

9. A seating pressure of ___________ is applied on the plate before starting the load test.

a) 70 g/cm2 b) 30 g/cm2 c) 50 g/cm2 d) 100 g/cm2

Answer: a

Explanation: A minimum seating pressure of 70 g/cm2 (0.7 t/m2), shall be applied and removed
before starting the load test.

10. Which of the following type of loading method is popular now-a-days?

a) Gravity loading platform b) Reaction truss c) Concrete blocks d) All of the mentioned

Answer: b Explanation: The use of reaction truss is more popular now-a-days since this is
simple, quick and less clumsy.
11. The value of factor of safety used, for finding safe bearing capacity is __________

a) 2.5 b) 2 c) 4 d) 3

Answer: b

Explanation: In order to determine the safe bearing capacity, it would be normally sufficient to use a
factor of safety of 2 or 2.5 on the ultimate bearing capacity.

12. Which of the following pose a limitation to plate load test?

a) Effect of size of foundation and Test on cohesive soil b) Load increment

c) None of the mentioned d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: A limitation of plate load test is

i) Effect of the size of foundation. For clayey soils the ultimate pressure for a large foundation is the
same as that of the test plate. But in dense sandy soils, the bearing capacity increases, with the size
of the foundation

ii) Plate load test is essentially a short duration test, and hence the test does not give the ultimate
settlement, particularly in the case of cohesive soil.

13. For a c-φ soil, Housel suggested which of the following expression?

a) Q = A .q + P .s b) Q = A .q c) q f = M + N( BF/B p ) d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: In 1929, Housel suggested the following expression for a c-φ soil:

Q = A .q + P .s

Where, Q = total load on bearing area;

P = perimeter of footing;

S = perimeter shear;

A = contact area of footing or plate.

14. For clay soil the value of n can be taken as _____________ in the absence of test data.

a) 0. 4 to 0.5 b) 0.20 to 0.25 c) 0.003 to 0.05 d) 0.08 to 0.10

Answer: c

Explanation: The value of index n can be determined by carrying out two or more plate load tests on
different size plate. In absence of test data, the following values of n can be adopted:

Dense sand : 0.4 to 0.5

Loose sand : 0.20 to 0.25

Clay : 0.003 to 0.05

Sand clay : 0.08 to 0.10.

a) Standard penetration test b) Cone penetration test

c) All of the mentioned d) None of the mentioned

Answer: c

Explanation: According to Indian standard, the two commonly used penetration tests are static cone
penetration test and standard penetration test.

2. The values derived from penetration tests can be used for finding ____________

a) Depth of hard stratum and Strength of soil b) Soil saturation

c) None of the mentioned d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: The penetration test are useful for general exploration of erratic soil profiles, for finding
depth to bed rock or hard stratum, and to have an approximation indication of the strength and
other properties of soils.

3. The observed value of N in static cone penetration test is corrected by _________

a) Overburden and Dilatancy /submergence b) Effective pressure

c) None of the mentioned d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: The N-value for cohesion less soil shall be corrected for overburden and the values N0
obtained after overburden correction is corrected further for dilatancy.

4. Correction for increasing effective overburden pressure have been proposed by ___________

a) Gibbs and Holtz b) Peck c) Thornburn d) All of the mentioned

Answer: d

Explanation: For a constant density index, the N value increase with increasing effective overburden
pressure for which correction have been proposed by Gibbs and Holtz, peck, Thornburn, Whitman
and others.

5. The split tube used in static cone penetration test, is commonly known as ______________

a) Split spoon sampler b) Split tube sampler c) Tube sampler d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: The split tube sampler, used in a test for standard penetration is commonly known as
split spoon sampler resting on the bottom of the bore hole which is allowed to sink under its own
weight.
6. The total blow required for the second and third 15 cm of penetration in standard penetration
test is taken as ____________

a) Seating drive b) Penetration resistance c) Overburden pressure d) Dilatancy/submergence

Answer: a

Explanation: In standard penetration test, the first 15 cm of drive may be considered to be a seating
drive. The total blows required for the second and third 15 cm of penetration is termed as the
penetration resistance N.

7. The expression for C n as given by Lio and Whitman is _____________

a) C n = √(σ’) b) C n = √(100/σ’) c) C n = 0.77log10(2000/σ’) d) None of the mentioned

Answer: b

Explanation: In 1986, Lio and Whitman gave the following expression for

Normalizing factor C n:

C n = √ (100/σ’).

8. The cone test is useful in determining the bearing capacity of ___________

a) Cohesion less soil and Fine sand b) Clay soil c) None of the mentioned d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: The cone test is considered very useful in determining the bearing capacity of pits in
cohesion less soils, particularly in fine sands of varying density.

9. The cone resistance qc, for sandy silt type of soil is __________

a) 3.5 b) 6 c) 2 d) 5

Answer: c

Explanation: For silts, sandy silts, slightly cohesive silt sand mixture type of soil, the cone resistance q
c is 2.

Permissible Total and Differential Settlements

a) Shear failure b) Effective pressure c) Overburden pressure d) Size of the footing

Answer: a

Explanation: The analytical methods for the determination of bearing capacity of footings are based
essentially on shear failure.

2. The effect of settlement on structure depends upon its ________

a) Magnitude and Uniformity b) Size c) None of the mentioned d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a
Explanation: The effect of settlement upon the structure depends on its magnitude, the length of
the time over which it takes place, its magnitude and the nature of the structure itself.

3. The vertical downward movement of the base of the structure is called __________

a) Penetration resistance b) Settlement c) Effective pressure d) Shear failure

Answer: b

Explanation: The vertical downward movement of the base of the structure is called settlement and
its effect depends upon its magnitude and uniformity etc.

4. The allowable pressure, that should be selected for a maximum settlement is ____________

a) 40 mm b) 25 mm c) 30 mm d) 10 mm

Answer: b

Explanation: It is suggested that allowable pressure should be selected such that maximum
settlement of any individual foundation is 25 mm.

5. The maximum allowable settlement for warehouses are _________

a) 25 b) 38 c) 50 d) Less than 0.5

Answer: c

Explanation: The allowable maximum settlement for warehouse type of structure is 50 mm.

6. According to National building code of India, the differential settlement can be kept within limits
by __________

a) Suitably designing the foundation b) Decreasing the total settlements

c) Increasing the allowable pressure. d) None of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: According to National Building Code of India (SP: 7-1970) the differential settlement
shall be kept within limits to which the super-structure can accommodate itself without the
distortion, by suitably designing the foundation.

7. For simple spread footing on clayey soil, the differential settlement should not exceed
__________

a) 1/ 400 b) 1/300 c) 1/100 d) 1/3

Answer: b

Explanation: For simple spread footing on clayey soils, the allowable pressure should be such that
the differential settlement does not exceed 1/300.

8. According to Polish and Tokar brick masonry will crack, when the unit elongation amounts to
___________

a) 0.5 b) 0.005 c) 1.0 d) 0.05

Answer: b
Explanation: According to Polishin and Tokar (1957), brick masonry will crack due to differential
settlement when the unit elongation amount to 0.005.

9. The recommendation of American code, for a differential settlement depends upon __________

a) Type of structure and Pattern of loading b) Settlement depth

c) None of the mentioned d) All of the mentioned

Answer: a

Explanation: The recommendation of American code are based upon that if the maximum total
settlement is kept within a reasonable limit, the differential settlement will only be a fraction
depending upon the type of structure and pattern of loading.

10. The rate of differential settlement is defined by which of the following equation?

a) H/L b) L/H c) H/H c d) None of the mentioned

Answer: b

Explanation: The rate of settlement is defined as the slope or the relative settlement between two
points divided by the horizontal distance.

Rate of differential settlement = L/H.