Geotechnical Engineering Questions and answers – Consistency of Soils

Geotechnical Engineering Objective Questions

This set of Geotechnical Engineering Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Consistency of soils”.

1. The property of a soil which allows it to be deformed rapidly, without rupture is _________

A) Elasticity
B) Plasticity
C) Tenacity
D) None of the mentioned

Answer is B)
Explanation: Plasticity is the property of a soil which allows it to be deformed rapidly, without rupture, without elastic rebound and without volume change.

2. The ratio of liquid limit, minus the natural water content to the plasticity index of the soil is __________

A) Consistency index
B) Plasticity index
C) All of the mentioned
D) None of the mentioned

Answer is A)
Explanation: consistency index or relative consistency is defined as the ratio of liquid limit, minus the natural water content to the plasticity index of the soil.

3. The consistency (or) relative consistency (Ice) is given by the formula __________

A) IC = WL-W/IP
B) IC = W-WL/IP
C) IC = W-WL/IP
D) IC = W-WP/IP

Answer is A)
Explanation: The consistency or relative density is defined as ratio of liquid limit, minus the natural water content to the plasticity index of the soil IC = WL-W/IP.

4. The shrinkage limit is represented by the term ___________

A) IP
B) WS
C) IC
D) WP

Answer is B)
Explanation: Shrinkage limit is represented as WS.

5. The Swedish agriculturist who divided the entire range of consistency from liquid to solid states is __________

A) Dupuit’s
B) Laplace
C) Boussinesq
D) Atterberg

Answer is D)
Explanation: In 1911, Atterberg who was a Swedish Agriculturist divided the entire range of liquid to solid state in to four stages.

6. Which of the following is not useful for engineer purpose, as proposed by Atterberg?

A) Plastic limit
B) Liquid limit
C) Solid limit
D) Shrinkage limit

Answer is C)
Explanation: Liquid limit, plastic limit, shrinkage limit are useful for engineering purpose.

7. According to Goldschmidt theory, the plasticity in soil is due to __________

A) Electro-magnetic charges
B) Smooth surface
C) All of the mentioned
D) None of the mentioned

Answer is A)
Explanation: The plasticity in soil is due to the presence of thin scale like particles which carry on to their surfaces, electro-magnetic charges.

8. Clay does not become plastic, when mixed with ___________

A) Soap solution
B) Kerosene
C) Oil
D) None of the mentioned

Answer is B)
Explanation: According to Goldschmidt theory, the clay does not become plastic when mixed with liquids of non-polarizing agents like kerosene.

9. In consistency of soil, the limits are expressed in terms of__________

A) Per cent water content
B) Area
C) Volume
D) All of the mentioned

Answer is A)
Explanation: According to Atterberg, the consistency limits are expressed as percent water content.

10. Which of the following is not considered as one of the state, as divided by Atterberg?

A) Solid state
B) Gaseous state
C) Semi-solid state
D) Liquid state

... Answer is B)
Explanation: The four stages as divided by Atterberg are solid state, liquid state, plastic state, semi-solid state.