All Free Civil Engineering MCQs with Answers

• A. Very close to a single occupied station
• B. Located only on a straight chain line
• C. Difficult to approach directly
• D. Required only for elevation measurement

Explanation: In the intersection method, rays are drawn from two known table stations and their intersection fixes the detail point.

• A. Geodetic surveying does not require a reference datum
• B. Plane surveying uses only angular observations for control
• C. Geodetic surveying is limited to small construction sites
• D. Plane surveying neglects earth curvature over the surveyed area

Explanation: Plane surveying treats the earth's surface as approximately flat because the area is relatively small.

• A. Absolute latitude of the corresponding side
• B. Length of the corresponding traverse side
• C. Absolute departure of the corresponding side
• D. Square of the corresponding traverse length

Explanation: The transit rule distributes latitude corrections according to the absolute latitudes and departure corrections according to the absolute…

• A. 13.5 m
• B. 100.0 m
• C. 135.0 m
• D. 101.35 m

Explanation: For a horizontal sight, the distance is D = ks + c. Thus, D = 100 × 1.35 + 0 = 135 m, not 101.35 m, which would incorrectly add the staff…

• A. Bubble tube is correctly graduated
• B. Staff is held exactly vertical
• C. Line of collimation is truly horizontal
• D. Tripod legs have equal lengths

Explanation: The two-peg test checks whether the line of collimation is horizontal when the bubble is centred.

• A. Measure the vertical angle of a line
• B. Locate a point by double intersection
• C. Measure the length of an offset
• D. Determine the approximate magnetic meridian

Explanation: A trough compass indicates the magnetic north direction and helps orient the plane table approximately.

• A. Upstream direction
• B. Downstream direction
• C. Nearest hilltop
• D. Steepest contour slope

Explanation: Contour lines form V-shaped bends pointing upstream when they cross a valley or stream.

• A. Show the direction of magnetic north
• B. Define the reference system for photograph measurements
• C. Indicate the height of the aircraft above sea level
• D. Identify the highest point visible in the image

Explanation: Fiducial marks provide fixed reference points for establishing the photograph coordinate system.

• A. To eliminate the need for a benchmark
• B. To make every staff reading numerically identical
• C. To reduce the effects of collimation, curvature and refraction
• D. To ensure that the instrument remains permanently adjusted

Explanation: Equal sight lengths cause several systematic effects to be nearly equal for the two readings and therefore largely cancel in their…

• A. 180°
• B. 270°
• C. (n − 2) × 180°
• D. 360°

Explanation: A complete circuit turns through one full angle, so the algebraic sum of consistently measured exterior angles is 360 degrees.

• A. Plumbing fork
• B. Alidade
• C. Trough compass
• D. Drawing sheet clamp

Explanation: A plumbing fork, used with a plumb bob, transfers the ground station point to or from the corresponding point on the drawing sheet.

• A. Perception-reaction distance and braking distance
• B. Overtaking distance and passing distance
• C. Acceleration distance and merging distance
• D. Turning distance and clearance distance

Explanation: Stopping sight distance includes the distance travelled during the driver's perception and reaction time plus the braking distance after…

• A. e + f = gR/v²
• B. e + f = v²/(gR)
• C. e - f = v²/(gR)
• D. eR + f = v²g

Explanation: The basic equilibrium relationship is e + f = v²/(gR), when speed is expressed in metres per second.

• A. It requires reinforcement in every pavement layer
• B. It distributes loads mainly through slab flexural action
• C. It distributes loads mainly through layered granular action
• D. It transfers wheel loads directly to the subgrade

Explanation: Flexible pavement spreads wheel loads progressively through its bituminous and granular layers by grain-to-grain contact.

• A. The setting time of cement
• B. The viscosity of bitumen
• C. The abrasion resistance of aggregate
• D. The bearing strength of the soil

Explanation: The CBR test measures the penetration resistance of soil relative to a standard crushed-rock material and is used to assess subgrade…

• A. At or near the facility's capacity
• B. Free flowing with very low interaction
• C. Stable with considerable operating freedom
• D. Forced flow with frequent breakdowns

Explanation: Level of Service E indicates operation at or close to capacity, where small disturbances can produce congestion.

• A. To provide a constant radius throughout the route
• B. To introduce curvature and superelevation gradually
• C. To eliminate the need for stopping sight distance
• D. To increase the pavement thickness at intersections

Explanation: A transition curve changes curvature gradually from zero on the tangent to the full curvature of the circular curve.

• A. Lowering both rails below the formation level
• B. Raising the inner rail above the outer rail
• C. Raising the outer rail above the inner rail
• D. Increasing the spacing between the two rails

Explanation: Cant, also called superelevation, raises the outer rail on a curve to help balance the centrifugal effect of a moving train.

• A. Average temperature of the pavement
• B. Annual rainfall pattern at the airport site
• C. Distance from the nearest railway station
• D. Prevailing wind direction at the airport site

Explanation: Runways are oriented mainly to allow aircraft to take off and land into the prevailing wind, which improves lift and operational safety.

• A. Alligator or fatigue cracking
• B. Hydraulic uplift at the runway threshold
• C. Rail corrugation on the shoulder
• D. Expansion joints in a concrete slab

Explanation: Alligator cracking is a network of interconnected cracks caused mainly by repeated traffic loading and inadequate structural support.