All Free Civil Engineering MCQs with Answers
Every Civil Engineering question in the bank, across all chapters, each with the correct answer and a written explanation. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
631 questions · page 26 of 32
- A. H plus f
- B. H divided by f
- C. f divided by H
- D. f multiplied by H
Explanation: For a vertical photograph over level ground, the representative scale is approximately focal length divided by flying height above the…
Correct answer: f divided by H- A. Ignoring small differences between readings
- B. Applying the same fixed correction once
- C. Using a longer station name
- D. Repeating the measurement and taking the mean
Explanation: Random errors vary in magnitude and sign, so repeated independent observations can partly cancel when their mean is used.
Correct answer: Repeating the measurement and taking the mean- A. Shoelace formula
- B. Bowditch method
- C. Double meridian distance method
- D. Rise and fall method
Explanation: The shoelace formula computes polygonal area from the ordered eastings and northings by taking cross-products of successive coordinates.
Correct answer: Shoelace formula- A. 15 degrees
- B. 30 degrees
- C. 45 degrees
- D. 60 degrees
Explanation: A well-conditioned triangle has angles that allow accurate plotting and checking, with no angle less than about 30 degrees or greater than…
Correct answer: 30 degrees- A. Exactly 90 degrees
- B. Exactly 180 degrees
- C. More or less than 180 degrees
- D. More or less than 360 degrees
Explanation: In the absence of local attraction, fore and back bearings differ by 180 degrees.
Correct answer: More or less than 180 degrees- A. Sum of BS plus sum of FS equals last RL
- B. Sum of BS minus sum of FS equals last RL
- C. Sum of BS plus sum of FS equals first RL minus last RL
- D. Sum of BS minus sum of FS equals last RL minus first RL
Explanation: The arithmetic check is ΣBS minus ΣFS = last reduced level minus first reduced level.
Correct answer: Sum of BS minus sum of FS equals last RL minus first RL507. In a plane table survey, the orientation of the table by backsighting is carried out mainly to:
- A. Make the table parallel to its former position
- B. Measure the length of a ray
- C. Determine the reduced level of a point
- D. Locate the magnetic meridian directly
Explanation: Backsighting rotates the table until a previously plotted line aligns with the corresponding ground line.
Correct answer: Make the table parallel to its former position- A. A horizontal axis by 90 degrees
- B. A horizontal axis by 180 degrees
- C. A vertical axis by 180 degrees
- D. A vertical axis by 360 degrees
Explanation: Transiting, or plunging, turns the telescope about its horizontal axis through 180 degrees.
Correct answer: A horizontal axis by 180 degrees- A. A staff intercept only
- B. A contour interval
- C. An electronically measured distance
- D. A magnetic declination
Explanation: A total station combines electronic angle measurements with an electronically measured slope distance.
Correct answer: An electronically measured distance- A. Systematic error
- B. Cumulative error
- C. Instrumental constant error
- D. Random error
Explanation: Random errors vary in sign and magnitude, so repeated observations may partly cancel through averaging.
Correct answer: Random error- A. Planimeter
- B. Pantograph
- C. Clinometer
- D. Reflecting prism
Explanation: A planimeter measures the area enclosed by an irregular boundary on a map or plan.
Correct answer: Planimeter- A. Ground nadir is always marked
- B. Camera optical axis meets the photograph
- C. Horizon line crosses the photograph
- D. Aircraft flight path meets the ground
Explanation: The principal point is the intersection of the camera's optical axis with the photograph.
Correct answer: Camera optical axis meets the photograph- A. n × 180°
- B. (n + 2) × 180°
- C. (n − 2) × 180°
- D. (2n − 1) × 180°
Explanation: For a closed polygonal traverse, the interior angle sum is (n − 2) × 180°.
Correct answer: (n − 2) × 180°- A. D = kc ÷ s
- B. D = k + cs
- C. D = s ÷ (k + c)
- D. D = ks + c
Explanation: The stadia distance equation is D = ks + c, where k is the multiplying constant, s is the staff intercept and c is the additive constant.
Correct answer: D = ks + c515. Which surveying instrument is specifically designed to set out a right angle from a chain line?
- A. Optical square
- B. Planimeter
- C. Plumb bob
- D. Clinometer
Explanation: An optical square uses reflecting surfaces to establish a line at 90 degrees to the survey line.
Correct answer: Optical square- A. 68°
- B. 76°
- C. 72°
- D. 80°
Explanation: Using the usual convention, true bearing equals magnetic bearing plus east declination. Therefore, 72° + 4° gives a true bearing of 76°.
Correct answer: 76°- A. The sum of all backsights
- B. The sum of all foresights
- C. The sum of rises minus the sum of falls
- D. The sum of rises plus the sum of falls
Explanation: The change in reduced level equals total rises minus total falls. This provides the arithmetic basis for checking a levelling calculation…
Correct answer: The sum of rises minus the sum of falls- A. 160.00 m²
- B. 166.67 m²
- C. 176.67 m²
- D. 186.67 m²
Explanation: The area is (10/3)[2 + 3 + 4(4 + 5) + 2(6)] = 176.67 m². Simpson's one third rule requires an even number of equal intervals, which is…
Correct answer: 176.67 m²- A. A personal blunder
- B. A random error
- C. A systematic error
- D. A compensating error
Explanation: A wrong entry caused by carelessness or misreading is a personal blunder.
Correct answer: A personal blunder- A. Using reciprocal ranging only
- B. Measuring a suitable auxiliary line around the obstacle
- C. Taking a magnetic bearing of the obstacle
- D. Replacing the chain with a levelling staff
Explanation: An auxiliary line can be measured around the obstacle, with offsets or constructed triangles used to determine the required distance.
Correct answer: Measuring a suitable auxiliary line around the obstacle