Geotechnical Engineering Questions and Answers – Direct Shear Test

Geotechnical Engineering Objective Questions

Civil Engineering MCQs

This set of Geotechnical Engineering Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Direct Shear Test”.

1. Shearing resistance can be determined in the laboratory by _________ methods.

A) 2
B) 6
C) 4
D) 8

Answer is C)
Explanation: Shearing resistance can be determined in the laboratory by following four methods i) Direct shear test ii) Tri axial shear test iii) Unconfined shear test iv) Vane shear test.

2. Which of the following shear test is developed based on drainage conditions?

A) Quick test and Consolidated un drained test
B) Direct shear test
C) None of the mentioned
D) All of the mentioned

Answer is A)
Explanation: Depending upon drainage conditions, three types of shear tests have been developed: i) Un-drained test or quick test ii) Consolidated un-drained test iii) Drained test.

3. The direct shear test can also be called as ___________

A) Simple shear test
B) Stress test
C) Strain controlled shear box test
D) All of the mentioned

Answer is B)
Explanation: Since the shearing strain is made to increase at a constant rate in a direct shear test, and hence the test is called the Strain controlled shear box test.

4. The commonly used apparatus used for performing shear box test is __________

A) Shear-box apparatus
B) Bishop’s pore pressure apparatus
C) Tri axial shear test apparatus
D) None of the mentioned

Answer is A)
Explanation: Shear-box test is the most commonly used apparatus for the direct shear test.

5. To conduct un-drained test, which of the following is used?

A) Slope grids
B) Perforated grids
C) Plain grids
D) All of the mentioned

Answer is C)
Explanation: To conduct un-drained test, plane grids are used and for the drained test, perforated grids are used.

6. The drained test is also known as ___________

A) Direct shear test
B) Slow test
C) Vane shear test
D) Quick test

Answer is B)
Explanation: In drained test, perforated grids are sheared sufficiently slowly so that complete dissipation of pore pressure takes place.

7. Which of the following is a disadvantage of the shear box test?

A) Stress condition of soil is complex
B) The test cannot be used for coarse grained soil
C) No control on the drainage of soil
D) The shear box test is more complex test

Answer is A)
Explanation: The stress condition across the soil sample is very complex. The distribution of normal stresses and shearing stresses over the potential surface of sliding is not uniform. The entire strength of the soil is not mobilized simultaneously.

8. The shearing of cohesive soil in drained test requires ___________ days.

A) 2
B) 1 to 2
C) 2 to 5
D) 1

Answer is C)
Explanation: As the soil in drained test is sheared sufficiently slowly so that complete dissipation of pore pressure takes place, it takes 2 to 5 days long for shearing cohesive type of soil.

9. A major difference between the direct shear test and tri axial shear test is _____________

A) Control on the drainage level
B) Stress condition
C) None of the mentioned
D) All of the mentioned

Answer is A)
Explanation: As compared to the tri axial system, there is a little control on the drainage of soil in the direct shear test.

10. In direct shear test, the soil load is subjected to more stress at _____________

A) Centre
B) Edges
C) Top and bottom
D) All of the mentioned

... Answer is B)
Explanation: In a direct shear test, the stress condition across the soil sample are very complex, the stress is more at the edges and less in the Centre. Due to this, there is a progressive failure of the specimen.