Soil Mechanics Questions and Answers - Shrinkage Limit

1.The shear strength of the soil, at the liquid limit is ________
a) 1.75 kN/m2
b) 1.89 kN/m2
c) 17.9 kN/m2
d) 17.6 g/cm2

Answer: d
Explanation: The shear strength of the soil is about 17.6 g/cm2 which the penetrometer gives for a depth of 25 mm under a total sliding mass of 148 g

2. The apparatus used for finding, WL value by static cone penetrometer method is _________
a) Liquid limit apparatus
b) Pycnometer
c) Cone penetration
d) Rubber balloon cylinder

Answer: c
Explanation: Cone penetration apparatus is used for finding WL value, according to IS: 2720 (part 5) -1965.

3. Which of the following apparatus does not include, in a determination of shrinkage limit?
a) Porcelain evaporating dish
b) Two glass plates
c) Brass cup
d) Stainless steel shrinking dish

Answer: c
Explanation: The equipment for determination of shrinkage limit consist of Porcelain evaporating dish, two glass plates, stainless steel shrinking dish.

4. The density of the mercury, used in shrinkage limit apparatus is _________
a) 13.6 g/cm3
b) 13.2 kg/cm2
c) 13.0 g/cm3
d) 13.9 g/cm3

Answer: a
Explanation: The density of mercury = 13.6 g/cm3.

5. The inside of the shrinkage dish is coated with a thin layer of _________
a) Oil
b) Vaseline
c) Acid
d) None of the mentioned

Answer: b
Explanation: Vaseline prevents the formation of air-bubbles. Hence it is used as for inner coating in a shrinking dish.

6. The volume of the wet soil, present in shrinkage dish_________ of volume of dish.
a) One –fourth
b) Two-third
c) One-third
d) Same

Answer: c
Explanation: One –third of shrinkage dish is filled with wet soil to prevent overflow.

7. What are the ways of preventing of inclusion of air bubbles in shrinkage dish?
a) Mixing the soil with sufficient distilled water and Making the soil pasty enough
b) Coating the surface with a thin layer of oil
c) All of the mentioned
d) None of the mentioned

Answer: a
Explanation: Mixing the soil with sufficient distilled water and making it pasty enough prevents forming air bubbles in shrinking dish.

8. The Density of water, used in shrinkage limit test is _________
a) 1 g/cm3
b) 1000 g/cm3
c) 2 g/cm3
d) 1/1000 g/cm3

Answer: a
Explanation: The density of water = 1g/ cm3.

9. The volume shrinkage (VS) is defined by the formula _________
a) VS = (VL-VD/VD)×100
b) VS = (VD-VL/VD)×100
c) VS = (WL-WS)SR
d) None of the mentioned

Answer: c
Explanation: Since VS = (VL-Vd) × 100/Vd
But, (VL-Vd)×100/Vd = (WL-WS) SR
Therefore, VS = (WL-WS) SR.

10. The shrinkage ratio of soil is equal__________ the soil in its dry state.
a) Mass specific gravity
b) Mass density
c) Water content
d) Specific gravity

Answer: a
Explanation: The shrinkage ratio is equal to mass specific gravity in a dry state.