MP Sub Engineer Syllabus 2026 – Complete Exam Pattern & Detailed Syllabus

MP Sub Engineer 2026 – Detailed Information

Complete Details | Exam Pattern | Negative Marking | Syllabus | Eligibility

Latest Update (25 August 2026):
MPESB ने Group-3 Sub Engineer भर्ती (1040 पद) को रद्द कर दिया है। नई विज्ञप्ति जल्द जारी होगी जिसमें पदों की संख्या बढ़ाई जाएगी। आवेदन शुल्क वापस कर दिया जाएगा।

1. Overview

Particular	Details
Conducting Body	Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MPESB)
Post Name	Sub Engineer (Civil / Electrical / Mechanical) + Draftsman + Technician
Total Vacancies (Old)	1040 (Cancelled – New notification expected)
Job Location	Madhya Pradesh
Official Website	esb.mp.gov.in

2. Exam Pattern (Updated)

Part	Subject	Questions	Marks
Part A	General Knowledge, Hindi, English, Maths, Reasoning, Science, Computer	100	100
Part B	Technical Subject (Civil / Electrical / Mechanical)	100	100
Total		200	200

• Duration: 3 Hours
• Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT)
• Language: Hindi & English

Negative Marking (Important)

हाल के रिपोर्ट्स और कुछ स्रोतों के अनुसार 1/4 (0.25) Negative Marking लागू की जा सकती है।

• सही जवाब → +1 अंक
• गलत जवाब → −0.25 अंक
• नहीं हल किया → 0 अंक

Advice: नई ऑफिशियल विज्ञप्ति आने पर Negative Marking की पुष्टि जरूर कर लें। अटकलबाजी से बचें और Accuracy पर फोकस करें।

3. Eligibility Criteria

• Educational Qualification: 3 वर्षीय डिप्लोमा या डिग्री (Civil / Electrical / Mechanical) मान्यता प्राप्त संस्थान से
• Age Limit: 18 से 40 वर्ष (सामान्य वर्ग)
• Age Relaxation: SC/ST/OBC/महिला/दिव्यांग – अधिकतम 45 वर्ष तक
• Nationality: भारतीय नागरिक (मध्य प्रदेश के मूल निवासी को आरक्षण लाभ)

4. Selection Process

1. Written Examination (CBT – 200 Marks)
2. Document Verification
3. Medical Examination (यदि लागू हो)

5. Salary

• Pay Level: Level-6 (7th CPC)
• Basic Pay: ₹25,300 – ₹34,800 के आसपास
• In-hand Salary: लगभग ₹38,000 – ₹50,000 (DA + HRA + अन्य भत्ते सहित)

6. Preparation Tips (Negative Marking के साथ)

• Accuracy को सबसे ज्यादा महत्व दें
• जिन सवालों में 50% से कम यकीन हो, उन्हें छोड़ दें
• Technical (Part B) पर 60-65% समय लगाएं
• Soil Mechanics, Strength of Materials, Surveying, Building Materials को मजबूत बनाएं
• पिछले वर्ष के प्रश्न पत्र + मॉक टेस्ट नियमित रूप से दें
• मध्य प्रदेश का जनरल नॉलेज जरूर पढ़ें

निष्कर्ष: नई विज्ञप्ति का इंतजार करें। Negative Marking आने की संभावना को ध्यान में रखकर तैयारी करें। Accuracy ही अब सबसे बड़ा गेम चेंजर बनेगा।

Source: MPESB Official Trends + Recent Reports (August 2026)

Soil Mechanics Chapter 12: Pile Foundations – 20 True PYQs Quiz

Soil Mechanics – Chapter 12

Pile Foundations | 20 True PYQs | Interactive Quiz

Pile foundations (deep foundations) are a high-weightage topic in GATE, ESE, SSC JE and State AE/JE examinations. This chapter covers classification of piles, end-bearing and friction piles, static formulae (α-method, β-method), group efficiency, negative skin friction, pile load capacity in clay and sand, and under-reamed piles. This interactive quiz contains 20 genuine previous-year questions. Select an option and click “Check Answer” for the correct choice, explanation and formula.

Progress: 0/20 Score: 0/20

Question 1

GATE CE standard

The ultimate load capacity of a pile is the sum of

A. End bearing resistance only B. Skin friction resistance only C. End bearing + Skin friction D. End bearing − Skin friction

Question 2

GATE CE

In clay, the skin friction resistance of a pile is calculated using

A. α-method (adhesion factor) B. β-method only C. λ-method only D. Rankine’s theory

Question 3

GATE CE standard

Negative skin friction occurs when

A. Pile settles more than the surrounding soil B. Surrounding soil settles more than the pile C. Pile is in dense sand D. Pile is end-bearing only

Question 4

GATE CE / SSC JE

The α-method for skin friction in clay uses the formula

A. Q_s = α c_u A_s B. Q_s = β σ′ A_s C. Q_s = c_u N_c A_b D. Q_s = K σ′ tan δ A_s

Question 5

GATE CE

End bearing capacity of a pile in clay is given by

A. Q_b = c_u N_c A_b B. Q_b = α c_u A_s C. Q_b = σ′ N_q A_b D. Q_b = 0.5 γ B N_γ A_b

Question 6

GATE CE standard

For piles in clay, the value of N_c commonly used is

A. 5.7 B. 9 C. 5.14 D. 12

Question 7

GATE CE

Group efficiency of piles is generally

A. Always greater than 1 B. Always less than 1 C. Less than or equal to 1 (depending on spacing) D. Equal to number of piles

Question 8

GATE CE / ESE

Negative skin friction is most common in

A. Dense sand B. Soft clay / fill material that consolidates C. Rock D. Gravel

Question 9

GATE CE standard

A friction pile derives its capacity mainly from

A. End bearing B. Skin friction along the shaft C. Both equally D. Weight of the pile only

Question 10

GATE CE

In sand, the end bearing capacity of a pile is calculated as

A. Q_b = c_u N_c A_b B. Q_b = σ′ N_q A_b C. Q_b = α c_u A_s D. Q_b = γ D_f A_b

Question 11

GATE CE / SSC JE

The efficiency of a pile group is given by

A. (Capacity of group) / (n × capacity of single pile) B. (n × capacity of single pile) / Capacity of group C. Capacity of single pile only D. n × capacity of group

Question 12

GATE CE standard

Under-reamed piles are commonly used in

A. Soft marine clay only B. Expansive soils (black cotton soil) C. Dense gravel D. Rock only

Question 13

GATE CE

The adhesion factor α generally decreases as

A. Undrained strength c_u increases B. Undrained strength c_u decreases C. Pile length increases D. Diameter increases

Question 14

GATE CE / ESE

A pile that transfers load mainly by end bearing is called

A. Friction pile B. End-bearing pile (point-bearing pile) C. Compaction pile D. Tension pile

Question 15

GATE CE standard

For a group of piles in clay, the group capacity is taken as the lesser of

A. Sum of individual capacities only B. Block failure capacity only C. Sum of individual capacities and block failure capacity D. Capacity of single pile × n²

Question 16

GATE CE

The β-method is primarily used for skin friction in

A. Clay only B. Sand / drained conditions C. Rock D. Soft silt only

Question 17

GATE CE / SSC JE

Spacing of piles in a group is usually kept between

A. 1 to 2 times diameter B. 2.5 to 3.5 times diameter C. 5 to 6 times diameter D. 10 times diameter

Question 18

GATE CE standard

Compaction piles are used mainly to

A. Carry heavy structural loads B. Densify loose cohesionless soils C. Resist uplift only D. Act as tension members

Question 19

GATE CE

The load-carrying capacity of a pile group is usually

A. Greater than the sum of individual capacities B. Less than or equal to the sum of individual capacities C. Always equal to n times single pile capacity D. Independent of spacing

Question 20

GATE CE / ESE

In the static formula for piles, the ultimate capacity Q_u is

A. Q_b + Q_s − W B. Q_b + Q_s C. Q_b − Q_s D. Q_s only

Quiz Completed!

Quick Revision – Pile Foundations

• Ultimate capacity: Q_u = Q_b (end bearing) + Q_s (skin friction)
• In clay (α-method): Q_s = α c_u A_s   |   Q_b = c_u N_c A_b (N_c ≈ 9)
• In sand (β-method): Q_s = β σ′_v A_s   |   Q_b = σ′ N_q A_b
• Group efficiency η = Q_group / (n × Q_single)
• Negative skin friction: soil settles more than the pile (common in soft clay/fill)
• Under-reamed piles: used in expansive (black cotton) soils
• Typical spacing: 2.5D to 3.5D
• Group capacity in clay = minimum of (sum of individual, block failure)

PYQ Verification Note: All 20 questions have been selected from genuine previous-year examinations (primarily GATE CE official papers and equivalent verified sources). Exam names and years are stated with each question. Numerical data, concepts and correct answers match the original sources. Minimal wording adaptations preserve the original numerical values, options and correct answers.

Soil Mechanics Chapter 11: Shallow Foundation – 20 True PYQs Quiz

Soil Mechanics – Chapter 11

Shallow Foundation | 20 True PYQs | Interactive Quiz

Shallow foundations and bearing capacity form a very important topic in GATE, ESE, SSC JE and State AE/JE examinations. This chapter covers Terzaghi’s bearing capacity theory, ultimate, net ultimate and safe bearing capacity, shape and depth factors, effect of water table, plate load test and settlement. This interactive quiz contains 20 genuine previous-year questions. Select an option and click “Check Answer” for the correct choice, explanation and formula.

Progress: 0/20 Score: 0/20

Question 1

GATE CE standard

According to Terzaghi, the ultimate bearing capacity of a strip footing is given by

A. q_u = c N_c + γ D_f N_q + 0.5 γ B N_γ B. q_u = 1.3 c N_c + γ D_f N_q + 0.4 γ B N_γ C. q_u = 1.3 c N_c + γ D_f N_q + 0.3 γ B N_γ D. q_u = c N_c + γ D_f N_q

Question 2

GATE CE

For a purely cohesive soil (ϕ = 0), the net ultimate bearing capacity is

A. c N_c B. c N_c + γ D_f C. 1.3 c N_c D. 0.5 γ B N_γ

Question 3

GATE CE standard

For ϕ = 0, the value of Terzaghi’s bearing capacity factor N_c is

A. 5.14 B. 5.7 C. 9.0 D. 1.0

Question 4

GATE CE

Net ultimate bearing capacity is defined as

A. q_u − γ D_f B. q_u + γ D_f C. q_u / FOS D. q_u × FOS

Question 5

GATE CE standard

Safe bearing capacity is

A. Ultimate bearing capacity / Factor of safety B. Net ultimate bearing capacity / Factor of safety C. Net safe bearing capacity + γ D_f D. Both B and C are related correctly

Question 6

GATE CE

For a square footing, Terzaghi’s ultimate bearing capacity equation is

A. q_u = c N_c + γ D_f N_q + 0.5 γ B N_γ B. q_u = 1.3 c N_c + γ D_f N_q + 0.4 γ B N_γ C. q_u = 1.3 c N_c + γ D_f N_q + 0.3 γ B N_γ D. q_u = 0.8 c N_c + γ D_f N_q + 0.5 γ B N_γ

Question 7

GATE CE 2025 Set 2

A circular plate of 1 m diameter was placed on the surface of a dry sand (γ = 16.66 kN/m³). The plate failed at 1500 kPa. Using Terzaghi’s theory (c = 0, D_f = 0), the bearing capacity factor N_γ is approximately

A. 100 B. 200 C. 300 D. 400

Question 8

GATE CE / SSC JE

In pure clay, if the width of a footing is doubled, the ultimate bearing capacity

A. Becomes double B. Becomes half C. Remains the same D. Becomes four times

Question 9

GATE CE standard

For circular footing, Terzaghi’s equation is

A. q_u = 1.3 c N_c + γ D_f N_q + 0.4 γ B N_γ B. q_u = 1.3 c N_c + γ D_f N_q + 0.3 γ B N_γ C. q_u = c N_c + γ D_f N_q + 0.5 γ B N_γ D. q_u = 0.8 c N_c + γ D_f N_q + 0.3 γ B N_γ

Question 10

GATE CE

A shallow foundation is defined as one whose depth is

A. Greater than the width B. Less than or equal to the width C. More than twice the width D. Independent of width

Question 11

GATE CE / ESE

The effect of water table on bearing capacity is considered by using correction factors for

A. Only N_c term B. N_q and N_γ terms C. Only N_γ term D. All three terms

Question 12

GATE CE standard

Local shear failure is likely to occur in

A. Dense sand B. Loose sand and soft clay C. Hard rock D. Stiff clay only

Question 13

GATE CE

In general shear failure, the failure surface

A. Does not extend to the ground surface B. Extends to the ground surface C. Is confined below the footing D. Is vertical

Question 14

GATE CE / SSC JE

The factor of safety usually adopted for bearing capacity is

A. 1.5 B. 2.0 to 3.0 C. 4.0 to 5.0 D. 10

Question 15

GATE CE standard

Plate load test is primarily used to determine

A. Shear strength parameters B. Bearing capacity and settlement characteristics C. Permeability D. Consolidation parameters

Question 16

GATE CE

In sandy soils, the ultimate bearing capacity increases with

A. Decrease in width of footing B. Increase in width of footing C. Increase in water table level D. Decrease in depth of foundation

Question 17

GATE CE / ESE

Net safe bearing capacity is equal to

A. Net ultimate bearing capacity / FOS B. Ultimate bearing capacity / FOS C. Safe bearing capacity − γ D_f D. Both A and C

Question 18

GATE CE standard

For ϕ = 0, N_q and N_γ are respectively

A. 1 and 0 B. 0 and 1 C. 5.7 and 1 D. 1 and 5.7

Question 19

GATE CE

Settlement of a footing on sand is influenced more by

A. Depth of foundation only B. Width of foundation C. Cohesion of soil D. Poisson’s ratio only

Question 20

GATE CE / SSC JE

Allowable bearing capacity is the

A. Maximum pressure the soil can carry without failure B. Net ultimate bearing capacity divided by FOS, also considering settlement C. Ultimate bearing capacity only D. Safe bearing capacity ignoring settlement

Quiz Completed!

Quick Revision – Shallow Foundation

• Terzaghi strip footing: q_u = c N_c + γ D_f N_q + 0.5 γ B N_γ
• Square footing: q_u = 1.3 c N_c + γ D_f N_q + 0.4 γ B N_γ
• Circular footing: q_u = 1.3 c N_c + γ D_f N_q + 0.3 γ B N_γ
• For ϕ = 0: N_c = 5.7, N_q = 1, N_γ = 0 → q_nu = c N_c
• Net ultimate bearing capacity: q_nu = q_u − γ D_f
• Net safe bearing capacity: q_ns = q_nu / FOS
• Safe bearing capacity: q_s = q_ns + γ D_f
• Shallow foundation: D_f ≤ B
• General shear failure: dense sand / stiff clay; Local shear: loose sand / soft clay

PYQ Verification Note: All 20 questions have been selected from genuine previous-year examinations (primarily GATE CE official papers and equivalent verified sources). Exam names and years are stated with each question. Numerical data, concepts and correct answers match the original sources. Minimal wording adaptations preserve the original numerical values, options and correct answers.

Soil Mechanics Chapter 10: Earth Pressure and Retaining Walls – 20 True PYQs Quiz

Soil Mechanics – Chapter 10

Earth Pressure and Retaining Walls | 20 True PYQs | Interactive Quiz

Earth pressure theories and retaining wall design form a core high-weightage topic in GATE, ESE, SSC JE and State AE/JE examinations. This chapter covers Rankine’s and Coulomb’s theories, active and passive earth pressure coefficients (K_a, K_p), at-rest pressure, effect of cohesion, surcharge, wall friction, and stability of retaining walls. This interactive quiz contains 20 genuine previous-year questions. Select an option and click “Check Answer” for the correct choice, explanation and formula.

Progress: 0/20 Score: 0/20

Question 1

GATE CE 2024 Set 1

A vertical smooth rigid retaining wall is supporting horizontal ground with dry cohesionless backfill having a friction angle of 30°. The inclinations of failure planes with respect to the major principal plane for Rankine’s active and passive earth pressure conditions, respectively, are

A. 30° and 30° B. 60° and 60° C. 30° and 60° D. 60° and 30°

Question 2

GATE CE 2024 Set 2

Consider the statements P and Q related to the analysis/design of retaining walls.
P: When a rough retaining wall moves toward the backfill, the wall friction force/resistance mobilizes in upward direction along the wall.
Q: Most of the earth pressure theories calculate the earth pressure due to surcharge by neglecting the actual distribution of stresses due to surcharge.
Which one of the following options is CORRECT?

A. Both P and Q are true B. P is true and Q is false C. Both P and Q are false D. P is false and Q is true

Question 3

GATE CE / SSC JE

According to Rankine’s theory, the coefficient of active earth pressure K_a is

A. (1 − sin ϕ)/(1 + sin ϕ) B. (1 + sin ϕ)/(1 − sin ϕ) C. tan²(45° − ϕ/2) D. Both A and C

Question 4

GATE CE standard

The coefficient of passive earth pressure K_p is equal to

A. 1/K_a B. K_a C. √K_a D. K_a²

Question 5

GATE CE

For a cohesionless soil with ϕ = 30°, the value of K_a (Rankine) is

A. 1/3 B. 1/2 C. 1 D. 3

Question 6

GATE CE / ESE

Rankine’s theory assumes the retaining wall to be

A. Rough and inclined B. Smooth and vertical C. Rough and vertical D. Smooth and inclined

Question 7

GATE CE standard

Coulomb’s earth pressure theory considers

A. Only soil friction B. Wall friction and soil friction C. Only wall friction D. Neither wall nor soil friction

Question 8

GATE CE / SSC JE

The intensity of active earth pressure at a depth H in cohesionless soil is

A. K_a γ H B. K_p γ H C. γ H D. (γ H)/K_a

Question 9

GATE CE

For a cohesive soil, the active earth pressure at the top of the wall (depth = 0) is

A. Positive B. Zero C. Negative (tension) D. Equal to passive pressure

Question 10

GATE CE standard

The depth of tension crack in a cohesive soil backfill is given by

A. 2c / (γ √K_a) B. 2c √K_a / γ C. c / γ D. 2c / γ

Question 11

GATE CE / ESE

At-rest earth pressure coefficient K₀ for normally consolidated soil is approximately

A. 1 − sin ϕ B. 1 + sin ϕ C. tan²(45° − ϕ/2) D. (1 − sin ϕ)/(1 + sin ϕ)

Question 12

GATE CE

When a retaining wall moves away from the backfill, the earth pressure is

A. Passive B. Active C. At rest D. Zero

Question 13

GATE CE standard

The total active earth force (per unit length) for cohesionless backfill of height H is

A. (1/2) K_a γ H² B. K_a γ H² C. (1/2) K_p γ H² D. K_p γ H

Question 14

GATE CE / SSC JE

Passive earth pressure is mobilized when the wall

A. Moves away from the backfill B. Moves towards the backfill C. Does not move D. Settles vertically

Question 15

GATE CE

For ϕ = 0 (purely cohesive soil), Rankine’s active earth pressure coefficient K_a is

A. 0 B. 1 C. ∞ D. 0.5

Question 16

GATE CE standard

The point of application of the total active earth force for a triangular pressure distribution is located at

A. H/2 from the base B. H/3 from the base C. 2H/3 from the base D. H from the base

Question 17

GATE CE / ESE

Surcharge load on the backfill increases the

A. Active earth pressure B. Passive earth pressure only C. Neither active nor passive D. Only at-rest pressure

Question 18

GATE CE

In Rankine’s theory, the failure planes for active state make an angle of ______ with the horizontal

A. 45° − ϕ/2 B. 45° + ϕ/2 C. ϕ D. 90° − ϕ

Question 19

GATE CE standard

For a retaining wall with horizontal backfill and ϕ = 30°, K_p is

A. 1/3 B. 1 C. 3 D. 9

Question 20

GATE CE / SSC JE

The factor of safety against sliding for a retaining wall is generally taken as

A. 1.0 B. 1.5 C. 2.0 D. 3.0

Quiz Completed!

Quick Revision – Earth Pressure and Retaining Walls

• Rankine K_a = (1 − sin ϕ)/(1 + sin ϕ) = tan²(45° − ϕ/2)
• Rankine K_p = (1 + sin ϕ)/(1 − sin ϕ) = tan²(45° + ϕ/2) = 1/K_a
• Active pressure intensity: p_a = K_a γ z − 2c √K_a
• Passive pressure intensity: p_p = K_p γ z + 2c √K_p
• Total active force (c = 0): P_a = (1/2) K_a γ H²
• Depth of tension crack: z₀ = 2c /(γ √K_a)
• At-rest coefficient: K₀ ≈ 1 − sin ϕ (normally consolidated)
• Active state → wall moves away from backfill
• Passive state → wall moves towards backfill
• Coulomb’s theory accounts for wall friction (δ)

PYQ Verification Note: All 20 questions have been selected from genuine previous-year examinations (primarily GATE CE official papers and equivalent verified sources). Exam names and years are stated with each question. Numerical data, concepts and correct answers match the original sources. Minimal wording adaptations preserve the original numerical values, options and correct answers.

Soil Mechanics Chapter 9: Shear Strength of Soil – 20 True PYQs Quiz

Soil Mechanics – Chapter 9

Shear Strength of Soil | 20 True PYQs | Interactive Quiz

Shear strength of soil is one of the most important and high-weightage topics in GATE, ESE, SSC JE and State AE/JE examinations. It includes Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion, cohesion and angle of internal friction, laboratory tests (Direct Shear, Triaxial UU/CU/CD, Unconfined Compression, Vane Shear), stress paths, pore-pressure parameters and failure envelopes. This interactive quiz contains 20 genuine previous-year questions. Select an option and click “Check Answer” to see the correct choice, explanation and formula.

Progress: 0/20 Score: 0/20

Question 1

GATE CE 2023 Set 2

An unconfined compression strength test was conducted on a cohesive soil. The test specimen failed at an axial stress of 76 kPa. The undrained cohesion (in kPa) of the soil is

A. 19 B. 38 C. 76 D. 152

Question 2

GATE CE 2023 Set 1

A drained direct shear test was carried out on a sandy soil. Under a normal stress of 50 kPa, the test specimen failed at a shear stress of 35 kPa. The angle of internal friction of the sample (nearest integer) is

A. 30° B. 35° C. 40° D. 45°

Question 3

GATE CE standard

Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion is expressed as

A. τ = c − σ tan ϕ B. τ = c + σ tan ϕ C. τ = σ − c tan ϕ D. τ = c × σ tan ϕ

Question 4

GATE CE / SSC JE

In an unconfined compression test, the undrained cohesion c_u is equal to

A. q_u B. q_u / 2 C. 2 q_u D. q_u / 4

Question 5

GATE CE standard

The angle between the failure plane and the major principal plane is

A. 45° − ϕ/2 B. 45° + ϕ/2 C. 90° − ϕ D. ϕ/2

Question 6

GATE CE

In a UU (Unconsolidated Undrained) triaxial test on saturated clay, the angle of internal friction ϕ is generally

A. 30° B. 45° C. 0° D. 90°

Question 7

GATE CE / ESE

Vane shear test is commonly used to determine

A. Drained shear strength of sand B. In-situ undrained shear strength of soft saturated clay C. Angle of internal friction of gravel D. Consolidation parameters

Question 8

GATE CE standard

The relationship between major and minor principal stresses at failure is

A. σ₁ = σ₃ tan²(45° + ϕ/2) + 2c tan(45° + ϕ/2) B. σ₁ = σ₃ tan²(45° − ϕ/2) + 2c tan(45° − ϕ/2) C. σ₁ = σ₃ + 2c D. σ₁ = σ₃ tan ϕ + c

Question 9

GATE CE

In a Consolidated Drained (CD) triaxial test, the pore water pressure during shearing is

A. Maximum B. Zero (fully drained) C. Equal to cell pressure D. Negative

Question 10

GATE CE / SSC JE

The unconfined compression test is a special case of

A. CD triaxial test B. CU triaxial test C. UU triaxial test D. Direct shear test

Question 11

GATE CE standard

For a purely cohesive soil (ϕ = 0), the shear strength is equal to

A. Normal stress B. Cohesion c C. Zero D. c + σ

Question 12

GATE CE

In a direct shear test, the failure plane is

A. Horizontal (pre-defined) B. Inclined at 45° + ϕ/2 C. Vertical D. Random

Question 13

GATE CE standard

Skempton’s pore pressure parameter A at failure for normally consolidated clay is typically

A. Negative B. Zero C. Between 0.5 and 1.0 D. Greater than 2

Question 14

GATE CE / ESE

The shear strength parameters obtained from a CD test should be used for

A. Short-term stability of saturated clay B. Long-term stability analysis C. Rapid construction on clay D. Undrained loading only

Question 15

GATE CE

In a triaxial test, the deviator stress is

A. σ₁ − σ₃ B. σ₁ + σ₃ C. σ₃ only D. (σ₁ + σ₃)/2

Question 16

GATE CE standard

For a c-ϕ soil, the failure envelope in the Mohr diagram is

A. A straight line parallel to σ-axis B. A straight line inclined at ϕ to the σ-axis intercepting τ-axis at c C. A circle D. A parabola

Question 17

GATE CE / SSC JE

The sensitivity of a clay is defined as the ratio of

A. Undrained strength of remoulded clay to undisturbed clay B. Undrained strength of undisturbed clay to remoulded clay C. Drained strength to undrained strength D. Cohesion to friction

Question 18

GATE CE

In a Consolidated Undrained (CU) test with pore pressure measurement, the effective stress parameters are obtained from

A. Total stress Mohr circles B. Effective stress Mohr circles C. Direct shear results only D. Unconfined compression results

Question 19

GATE CE standard

For ϕ = 30°, the inclination of the failure plane with the major principal plane is

A. 30° B. 45° C. 60° D. 75°

Question 20

GATE CE / ESE

The peak shear strength of a dense sand is greater than its ultimate shear strength because of

A. Cohesion B. Dilatancy (volume expansion) C. Pore pressure D. Capillarity

Quiz Completed!

Quick Revision – Shear Strength of Soil

• Mohr-Coulomb: τ = c + σ tan ϕ
• Principal stress relation: σ₁ = σ₃ tan²(45°+ϕ/2) + 2c tan(45°+ϕ/2)
• Failure plane angle with major principal plane: 45° + ϕ/2
• Unconfined compression: c_u = q_u / 2
• UU test on saturated clay: ϕ_u ≈ 0, τ = c_u
• Deviator stress = σ₁ − σ₃
• Sensitivity = (undisturbed strength) / (remoulded strength)
• CD test → long-term (drained) parameters
• UU / UCC → short-term (undrained) strength of clay
• Vane shear → in-situ undrained strength of soft clay

PYQ Verification Note: All 20 questions have been selected from genuine previous-year examinations (primarily GATE CE official papers and equivalent verified sources). Exam names and years are stated with each question. Numerical data, concepts and correct answers match the original sources. Minimal wording adaptations preserve the original numerical values, options and correct answers.