Geotechnical Engineering Questions and Answers – Shrinkage Limit

Geotechnical Engineering Objective Questions

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

1. Which of the following apparatus does not include, in a determination of shrinkage limit?

A) Porcelain evaporating dish
B) Two glass plates
C) Brass cup
D) Stainless steel shrinking dish

Answer is C)
Explanation: The equipment for determination of shrinkage limit consist of Porcelain evaporating dish, two glass plates, stainless steel shrinking dish.

2. The density of the mercury, used in shrinkage limit apparatus is _________

A) 13.6 g/cm3
B) 13.2 kg/cm2
C) 13.0 g/cm3
D) 13.6 g/cm3

Answer is A)
Explanation: The density of mercury =13.6 g/cm3.

3. The inside of the shrinkage dish is coated with a thin layer of _________

A) Oil
B) Vaseline
C) Acid
D) None of the mentioned

Answer is B)
Explanation: Vaseline prevents the formation of air-bubbles. Hence it is used as for inner coating in a shrinking dish.

4. The volume of the wet soil, present in shrinkage dish_________ of volume of dish.

A) One –fourth
B) Two-third
C) One-third
D) Same

Answer is C)
Explanation: One –third of shrinkage dish is filled with wet soil to prevent overflow.

5. What are the ways of preventing of inclusion of air bubbles in shrinkage dish?

A) Mixing the soil with sufficient distilled water and Making the soil pasty enough
B) Coating the surface with a thin layer of oil
C) All of the mentioned
D) None of the mentioned

Answer is A)
Explanation: Mixing the soil with sufficient distilled water and making it pasty enough prevents forming air bubbles in shrinking dish.

6. The Density of water, used in shrinkage limit test is _________

A) 1 g/cm3
B) 1000 g/cm3
C) 2 g/cm3
D) 1/1000 g/cm3

Answer is A)
Explanation: The density of water = 1g/ cm3.

7. The volume shrinkage (VS) is defined by the formula _________

A) VS = (VL-VD/VD)×100
B) VS = (VD-VL/VD)×100
C) VS = (WL-WS)SR
D) None of the mentioned

Answer is C)
Explanation: When concrete is to be laid under water, quick setting cement is to used. This cement is manufactured by adding small percentage of aluminum sulphate (Al2SO4) which accelerates the setting action.

8. The shrinkage ratio of soil is equal__________ the soil in its dry state.

A) Mass specific gravity
B) Mass density
C) Water content
D) Specific gravity

Answer is A)
Explanation: The shrinkage ratio is equal to mass specific gravity in a dry state.

9. Shrinking limit can be found out using alternate method, if __________

A) The specific gravity of soil is known
B) Dry volume of soil is known
C) Water content in the soil is known
D) Dry density of soil is known

Answer is A)
Explanation: Alternatively, shrinking limit can be found out if the specific gravity G of the soil grains is known.