1. Shrinkage is prominent in ____________ soil.
a) Clay
b) Coarse-grained
c) Fine-grained
d) Silt
Explanation: As the degree of shrinkage increase with an increase in clay content. Shrinkage is more in clay soil.
2. When will meniscus in saturated soil attain a minimum value?
a) Compressive force is maximum and Shrinkage is maximum
b) Soil is fully saturated
c) None of the mentioned
d) All of the mentioned
Explanation: Compressive and shrinkage forces are maximum when meniscus has its minimum value.
3. Presence of sand and silt-size particles in a clay deposit reduces_____________
a) Swelling of soil
b) Volume
c) Water content
d) Total shrinkage
Explanation: Since the degree of shrinkage depends on geological deposition, presence of sand and silt reduces the total shrinkage.
4. Decrease in water content causes _______
a) shrinkage
b) swelling
c) frost heave
d) frost boil
Explanation: Decrease in water content of soil results in decrease in the volume of the soil thus causing the shrinkage of the soil.
5. Increase in water content causes _______
a) shrinkage
b) swelling
c) frost heave
d) frost boil
Explanation: Increase in water content of soil results in increase in the volume of the soil thus causing the swelling of the soil
6. Arrange the following to explain the shrinkage of the soils.
I. Compression in soil
II. Formation of meniscus
III. Reduction in volume
a) (II), (I), (III)
b) (I), (II), (III)
c) (III), (I), (II)
d) (III), (II), (I)
Explanation: When saturated soil is dried, a meniscus develops in the voids at the solid surface. Formation of meniscus leads to tension in the soil water that leads to the compression of the soil structure and consequent reduction in the volume.
7. When the meniscus attains a minimum value, shrinkage is ________
a) maximum
b) minimum
c) no effect
d) zero
Explanation: When the meniscus attains a minimum value, compressive forces which are developed are maximum causing the shrinkage to also be maximum.
8.The degree of shrinkage does not depend upon _________
a) initial water content
b) type of clay
c) cation exchange capacity
d) amount of clay
Explanation: Cation exchange capacity is factor influencing the swelling of soil. The degree of shrinkage depends upon type and amount of clay minerals, mode and environment of deposition.
9. Arrange the following to explain the swelling of the soils.
I. Increase in tension in the pore water
II. Reduction in compressive stress in the soil
III. Menisci are destroyed
a) (II), (I), (III)
b) (I), (II), (III)
c) (III), (I), (II)
d) (III), (II), (I)
Explanation: When water is added to a soil menisci are destroyed resulting in tension in the pore water and the consequent reduction in the compressive stress in the soil.
10. Free swell ceases when the water content reaches ________
a) liquid limit
b) plastic limit
c) shrinkage limit
d) plasticity index
Explanation: Free swell of a soil is the increase in the volume of soil without any constrains on submergence in water and it ceases when the water content reaches the plastic limit.