earth pressure theories bearing capacity plate load test standard penetration test - One Line Questions

1. In Rankine's theory of earth pressure, for a vertical wall retaining a horizontal backfill, the active earth pressure coefficient (Ka) is given by: tan²(45° - φ/2)
2. The standard bearing capacity of a soil is usually determined by dividing the ultimate bearing capacity by a factor of safety, typically: 2.0 to 3.0
3. The standard drop height for the SPT hammer is: 30 inches (76 cm)
4. The N-value in SPT is defined as the number of blows required to drive the sampler for a total penetration of: 24 inches (60 cm)
5. In a Plate Load Test, the plate size is typically: 300 mm to 750 mm diameter
6. In the SPT, the split-spoon sampler is driven into the soil by a hammer of weight: 35 lb (15.9 kg)
7. The energy ratio (ER) used in SPT is typically: 60%
8. In a Plate Load Test, the load is applied in stages and the settlement is recorded after: All of the above
9. The passive earth pressure is developed when the retaining wall moves: Towards the backfill
10. The N-value obtained from SPT for a cohesive soil is correlated with its: Undrained shear strength
11. Rankine's theory is applicable to: Cohesionless soils only
12. For a strip footing on a cohesive soil (φ = 0), the ultimate bearing capacity (qu) according to Terzaghi is: c Nc + q
13. The bearing capacity factor Nq in Terzaghi's theory represents the contribution of: Surcharge
14. The bearing capacity factor Nγ in Terzaghi's theory represents the contribution of: Soil weight
15. In Terzaghi's general bearing capacity equation, the term Nc relates to: Cohesion of the soil
16. Terzaghi's bearing capacity equation includes factors for: Cohesion, surcharge, and soil weight
17. The SPT is generally not suitable for: Soft clays
18. The angle of wall friction (δ) in Coulomb's theory is generally taken as: Less than the angle of internal friction (φ)
19. The active earth pressure is generally: Less than the passive earth pressure
20. The N-value obtained from SPT needs correction for: Hammer energy, overburden pressure, and rod length
21. For a given N-value, the relative density of sand is: Higher for finer sands
22. Which of the following statements is INCORRECT regarding Coulomb's theory? The back of the wall is assumed to be smooth.
23. Which of the following statements is INCORRECT regarding the Standard Penetration Test? The sampler is driven by a weight of 15.9 kg dropped from 76 cm.
24. Which of the following statements is INCORRECT regarding the Plate Load Test? It is primarily used for cohesive soils.
25. Which of the following statements is INCORRECT regarding Terzaghi's bearing capacity theory? It considers the shear strength of the soil along the entire failure surface.
26. The earth pressure at rest (K0) is generally: Greater than Ka and less than Kp
27. The load-settlement curve obtained from a Plate Load Test is plotted between: Applied pressure and settlement
28. The N-value obtained from SPT is often corrected for overburden pressure. This corrected value is denoted as: N(corr)
29. The Standard Penetration Test (SPT) is a field test used to assess the: In-situ density and strength of granular soils
30. For cohesive soils, the ultimate bearing capacity determined by a Plate Load Test can be extrapolated to a prototype footing of width B using the relation: qu(prototype) = qu(plate) * (B_prototype / B_plate)
31. For granular soils, the ultimate bearing capacity determined by a Plate Load Test can be extrapolated to a prototype footing of width B using the relation: qu(prototype) = qu(plate) * (B_prototype / B_plate)²
32. Which theory assumes that the soil mass behind the retaining wall is a smooth, homogeneous, and semi-infinite elastic medium? Rankine's Theory
33. Terzaghi's bearing capacity theory is an extension of: Prandtl's theory
34. The assumption of a planar failure surface is made in: Both Rankine's and Coulomb's theories
35. The Plate Load Test is not recommended for: Gravelly soils
36. Terzaghi's bearing capacity equation is valid for: Shallow foundations only
37. The Plate Load Test is a large-scale test to determine: Compressibility and bearing capacity of soil
38. The Plate Load Test (PLT) is primarily used to determine: Compressibility and bearing capacity of the soil
39. In Coulomb's theory, the back of the wall is assumed to be: Rough
40. Coulomb's theory of earth pressure considers: Rough backfill and rough wall
41. The bearing capacity factors (Nc, Nq, Nγ) in Terzaghi's theory are functions of: Angle of internal friction only
42. The SPT is a dynamic test, while the Plate Load Test is a static test. This means: SPT measures soil response to impact, PLT measures response to steady load
43. Coulomb's theory is more general than Rankine's theory because it accounts for: The wall friction and batter of the wall
44. The resultant active earth pressure in Coulomb's theory acts at an angle to the normal of the back of the wall equal to: The angle of wall friction (δ)
45. Which of the following statements is INCORRECT regarding Rankine's theory? Failure occurs along a curved surface.
46. The surcharge term (q) in Terzaghi's equation is equal to the weight of the soil above the foundation level up to: The ground surface
47. For a circular footing in Terzaghi's theory, the bearing capacity factors are: Different from a strip footing
48. When extrapolating results from a Plate Load Test to a prototype footing, it is assumed that: The soil behaves as a linear elastic material
49. In Rankine's theory, for a wall with a tension crack at the top, the active earth pressure is: Zero in the tension crack zone
50. An N-value of 30-50 in SPT for a sand typically indicates: Dense sand