1. Soil and rock consist
essentially of the same matter.
a. True
b. False
2. In the commonly used soil classification system, sand and silt are
classified as
a. coarse-grained soils. b. fine-grained
soils.
c. organic soils. d. inorganic
soils.
e. none of the above.
3. The four commonly used
classifications of soils arranged in order of
decreasing particle size are
a. gravel, sand, silt, and clay.
b. gravel, silt, sand, and clay.
c. gravel, silt, clay, and sand.
d. gravel, sand, clay, and silt.
e. none of the above.
4. Which of the following
statements is correct?
a. Gravel particles have a platelike shape.
b. Sand particles have a platelike shape.
c. Silt particles have a platelike shape.
d. Clay particles have a platelike shape.
5. Cohesive soils are those
in which the dry soil particles tend to
separate from each other when mixed
with a small amount
of water.
a. True b. False
6. To obtain soil-sampling
tubes from below ground, which soil-testing
method is commonly used?
a. Test pit method
b. Test boring method
c. Test pressure method
d. Any one of the above
e. None of the above
7. During soil testing, soil
samples are obtained from
a. one central location on the site but from
different depths below
ground.
b. several locations on the site but from the
same depth below
ground.
c. several locations on the site and from several depths
below
ground.
d. none of the above.
8. All testing of soil
samples is generally done at the site
a. because modern soil sampling equipment is
fully equipped with
soil testing facility.
b. because the delay in bringing soil samples
to the laboratory
falsifies test results.
c. because the vibration of soil samples
caused by transportation
falsifies test results.
d. all of the above.
e. none of the above.
9. In terms of soil behavior
in earthquakes, building codes classify a
construction site based on soil
conditions. The primary property of
soil that is used in this
classification is
a. the stiffness/density of soil.
b. the size of soil particles.
c. the swelling and shrinkage characteristics
of soil.
d. whether the soil is native to the site.
e. none of the above.
10. The bearing capacity of a
soil refers to
a. the density of soil.
b. the modulus of elasticity of soil.
c. the compressive strength of soil.
d. whether the soil is native to the site.
e. none of the above.
11. The bearing capacity of a
soil is generally expressed in terms of
a. pounds or kips per square foot.
b. pounds or kips per square inch.
c. pounds or kips per cubic inch.
d. pounds or kips per inch.
e. pounds or kips.
12. If the bearing capacity of the soil is high, the
footing area required is
large.
a. True b. False
13. The maximum presumptive
bearing capacity value of bedrock
provided by the International
Building Code is
a. 18.0 ksf. b. 16.5
ksf.
c. 15.0 ksf. d. 12.0 ksf.
e. None of the above.
14. The building codes do not
mandate geotechnical investigations for
all building construction sites.
a. True
b. False
15. Grading at a site refers
to
a. evaluating the existing subsurface
conditions of a site.
b. evaluating the groundwater conditions at a
site.
c. compacting the soil to required density.
d. all of the above.
e. none of the above.
16. Engineered fill refers to the soil that is
a. specially formulated to provide the
required properties.
b. placed per the geotechnical engineer’s
specifications.
c. compacted per the geotechnical engineer’s
specifications and
inspection.
d. all of the above.
e. none of the above.
17. A benched excavation is
generally used
a. on open suburban sites.
b. on tight downtown sites.
c. where the excavation depth is less than 5
ft.
d. where dewatering of the site is not
required.
18. Sheet piles are used
a. as shallow foundations in buildings.
b. as deep foundations in buildings.
c. as formwork for concrete walls.
d. as excavation supports.
e. none of the above.
19. Which of the following is
not used for excavation supports?
a. Sheet piles
b. Soldier piles
c. Soil nailing
d. Precast concrete piles
e. Contiguous bored concrete piles
20. In the excavation support
system using soldier piles, the soldier piles
consist of
a. sheet steel. b. sheet
aluminum.
c. structural steel sections. d. reinforced
concrete.
e. precast concrete.