All Free Civil Engineering MCQs with Answers

• A. Stopping sight distance
• B. Intersection sight distance
• C. Headlight sight distance
• D. Decision sight distance

Explanation: Intersection sight distance allows a driver to see enough of the major road to accept a gap and complete the intended manoeuvre safely.

• A. Pavement colour and aggregate shape
• B. Traffic signal timing and lane markings
• C. Horizontal curves, sight distance and superelevation
• D. Bridge bearings and drainage outlet size

Explanation: Design speed provides the basis for selecting geometric elements such as curve radius, sight distance and superelevation.

• A. 500 vehicles per hour
• B. 1,000 vehicles per hour
• C. 2,400 vehicles per hour
• D. 1,800 vehicles per hour

Explanation: Traffic flow equals density multiplied by average speed, so q = 30 × 60 = 1,800 vehicles per hour.

• A. Express mixed traffic as an equivalent passenger-car flow
• B. Estimate pavement layer thickness directly
• C. Determine the legal speed limit on a road
• D. Calculate the axle load of a heavy vehicle

Explanation: Passenger car units provide a common measure for traffic streams containing cars, buses, trucks and other vehicles.

• A. A uniform pavement colour
• B. A high proportion of slow heavy vehicles
• C. A wider road shoulder beyond the carriageway
• D. A lower number of roadside advertisements

Explanation: Slow heavy vehicles occupy road space and reduce passing opportunities, especially on two-lane roads.

• A. The intersection is closed to all traffic
• B. The pedestrian phase has permanently ended
• C. The signal is changing from green to red
• D. The road is changing from two-way to one-way operation

Explanation: The yellow interval provides a transition between the green and red indications and warns approaching drivers to stop if it is safe to do…

• A. A fog spray
• B. A prime coat
• C. A seal coat
• D. A tack coat

Explanation: A tack coat is a light application of bituminous material used to bond successive bituminous layers.

• A. Transfer wheel loads across the joint
• B. Increase surface friction during rain
• C. Prevent all thermal expansion of concrete
• D. Replace the need for longitudinal drainage

Explanation: Dowel bars transfer load from one slab to the adjoining slab while permitting the joint to open and close.

• A. Upward movement of bitumen through asphalt pores
• B. Ejection of water and soil through joints under wheel loads
• C. Expansion of concrete caused by high temperature
• D. Loss of aggregate caused by wind erosion

Explanation: Pumping occurs when repeated wheel loads force water and fine subgrade material through joints or cracks.

• A. Fish plate
• B. Check rail
• C. Sleeper
• D. Rail flange

Explanation: Sleepers maintain the rail spacing and transmit rail loads to the ballast or supporting formation.

• A. Steel rail before fixing it to sleepers
• B. Finished asphalt surface to restore skid resistance
• C. Concrete joint to transfer wheel loads
• D. Clean granular base before placing a bituminous layer

Explanation: A prime coat penetrates and binds the surface of an absorbent granular base before the bituminous pavement layer is placed.

• A. Overtake safely without conflicting with opposing traffic
• B. Stop before reaching a roadside hazard
• C. Enter a highway from an adjoining property
• D. Pass through a signalized intersection safely

Explanation: Overtaking sight distance allows a vehicle to pass a slower vehicle and return to its lane without interfering with an approaching…

• A. Steepest gradient permitted for emergency use
• B. Maximum desirable gradient under normal conditions
• C. Average gradient measured along the entire route
• D. Gradient provided only at a horizontal curve

Explanation: The ruling gradient is the maximum desirable slope used in ordinary highway design, considering vehicle performance and operating…

• A. Design speed
• B. Free-flow speed
• C. Critical speed
• D. Spot speed

Explanation: Flow equals speed multiplied by density, and its maximum value occurs at the critical speed.

• A. Seal an unpaved subgrade before base placement
• B. Reduce evaporation from fresh concrete
• C. Improve the bearing capacity of weak soil
• D. Bond an existing bituminous surface to a new layer

Explanation: A tack coat is a thin bituminous application used to bond two bituminous layers.

• A. Permanent deformation under applied load
• B. Water absorption by the aggregate
• C. Abrasion of railway ballast particles
• D. Shrinkage cracking in cement concrete

Explanation: Marshall stability is the maximum load carried by a compacted bituminous specimen at the specified test temperature and loading rate.

• A. The chemical reaction between bitumen and aggregate
• B. A difference in temperature between the top and bottom surfaces
• C. The impact of vehicles at expansion joints
• D. The unequal spacing of railway sleepers

Explanation: Temperature differences through the slab depth cause the concrete pavement to curl or warp, producing warping stresses.

• A. Join two rail ends with a fishplate
• B. Provide electrical power to signalling equipment
• C. Distribute sleeper loads and provide drainage
• D. Maintain the exact length of each rail

Explanation: Ballast distributes loads from sleepers to the formation, provides drainage, and helps maintain track alignment.

• A. Passenger lounge and baggage hall
• B. Control tower and weather station
• C. Fuel farm and airport boundary
• D. Runway and apron or terminal area

Explanation: Taxiways allow aircraft to move between runways and operational areas such as aprons, hangars, and terminals.

• A. Stripping caused by loss of adhesion from water
• B. Ravelling caused only by surface oxidation
• C. Bleeding caused only by excessive road camber
• D. Corrugation caused only by rail traffic

Explanation: Water can destroy the bond between bitumen and aggregate, producing stripping and weakening the pavement structure.