SE Civil Geotechnical Engineering

Objective Question on Unit No.2

Permeability & Seepage
1. Consider the following factors pertaining to flow through soil:
(1) Hydraulic gradient
(2) Grain size
(3) Void Ratio
(4) Cross- Sectional area of the sample,
Of these, the factors affecting permeability
include [a] (1) & (4)
[b] (2) & (3)
[c] (1),(2) & (3)
[d](2) ,(3) & (4).

2. Consider the following statement:

(1) Hydraulic gradient required to initiate “quick” condition is independent of the ratio of volume
of solids in a soil mass.
(2) Initiation of piping under hydraulic structures can be prevented by increasing the length of
flow path of water.
(3) Seepage pressure is independent of the coefficient of permeability.

[a] (1), (2) & (3) are correct

[b] (1) & (2) are correct
[c] (1) & (3) are correct
[d] (2) & (3) are correct

3. The upstream slope of an earth dam under steady seepage condition is

[a] Equipotential line
[b] Phreatic line
[c] Flow line
[d] Seepage line

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4. For practically impervious type of soil, the coefficient of permeability is determined using
[a] Variable head test [b] Constant head test [c]
Consolidation test [d] Pumping test

5. A bed of sand consists of three horizontal layers of equal thickness. The value of Darcy’s k for

the lower layers is 1x 10-2 cm/sec and that for the middle layer is 1x 10-2 cm/sec. The ratio of
the permeability of the horizontal direction to that in the vertical direction is
[a] 10 to 1 [b] 2.8 to 1 [c] 2 to 1 [d] 1 to 10

6. Due to rise in temperature, the viscosity and unit weight of percolating fluid are reduced to 70% &
90% respectively. Other things being constant, the change in coefficient of permeability will be,
[a] 20 % [b] 28.6% [c] 63% [d] 77.8%

7. An upward hydraulic gradient I of a certain magnitude will initiate the phenomenon of boiling
in granular soils. The magnitude of this gradient is …..
[a] 0≤ i ≤ 0.5 [b] 0.5≤ i ≤ 1 [c] i= 1 [d] 1< i ≤ 2

8. A deposit of fine sand has a porosity ‘n’ & specific gravity of soil solids is G. The hydraulic
gradient of the deposits to develop boiling condition of sand is given by…….
[a] ic = [G-1]x[1- n] [b] ic = [G-1]x[1+n]
[c] ic = [G-1] / [1-n] [d] ic = [G-1] / [1+n]

9. A soil mass has coefficients of horizontal & vertical permeability as 9x 10-7 cm/s & 4x 10-7
cm/s, respectively. The transformed coefficient of permeability of an equivalent isotropic soil mass
is………

[a] 9x 10-7 cm/s [b] 4x 10-7 cm/s [c] 13x 10-7 cm/s [d] 6 x 10-7 cm/s

10. For an anisotropic soil, permeability’s in x & y direction are kx & ky respectively in a two
dimensional flow. The effective permeability keq for the soil is given by

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[a] kx + ky [b] kx / ky [c] (kx2 + ky2)1/2 [d] (kx x ky)1/2

11. The upward movement of a soil is called…..

[a] heaving [b] swelling [c] creep [d] none of these

12. Piping in soil occurs when………

[a] The soil is highly porous [b] Sudden change in permeability occurs
[c] Effective pressure becomes zero [d] The soil is highly stratified

13. According to Darcy’s law for flow through porous media , the velocity is proportional
to………
[a] Effective stress[b] Hydraulic gradient
[c] Cohesion [d] Stability number

14. Seepage force per unit volume can be expressed as……….

[a] i‫ﻻ‬w L [b] iL [c] ‫ﻻ‬w h [d] i‫ﻻ‬w

15. For practically impervious type of soil, the coefficient of permeability is determining using
[a] variable head test [b] constant head test
[c] Consolidation test [d] pumping test

16. With the rise of temperature, the permeability

[a] increases [b]decreases [c] remains constant [d] none

17. A flow is taking place in a soil for which porosity is “n”, if the discharge velocity is “v” then
the seepage velocity will be
[a] n.v [b] n/v [c] v/n [d] v/n2

18. Flow can be assumed laminar in the following soils

[a] clay only [b] clay, silt [c] clay,silt,sand [d] all types

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19. In the case of soil Mechanics, the following head is neglected

[a] pressure head [b] velocity head [c] elevation head [d] total head

20. For large engineering projects, the permeability is determined accurately by

[a] constants head test [b] variable head test [c] pumping in test [d] pumping out test

21. For stiff clays (when permeability <1x10-6 cm/sec), the permeability is determined by
[a] variable head test [b] capillary-permeability test
[c] Constant head test [d] consolidation test

22. Flow between any two points in a soil depends only on the difference in
[a] pressure head [b] velocity head [c] datum head [d] total head

23. The soil is said to be impermeable when coefficient of permeability is

[a] <10-7 cm/sec [b] <10-10 cm/sec [c] >10-10 cm/sec [d] <10-15 cm/sec

24. The soil is said to be highly permeable when coefficient of permeability is

[a] >10-2 cm/sec [b] >10-1 cm/sec [c] <10-1 cm/sec [d] <10-2 cm/sec

25. In granular soil, K varies …….with the specific surface. Choose the correct statement
[a] directly [b] inversely [c] logarithmically [d] not in order

26. Darcy’s law is valid and flow will be long as Reynolds number is less than
[a] 2000 [b] 100 [c] 10 [d] 1

27. An increase in the thickness of diffuse soluble layer ……… the permeability
[a] increases [b] decreases [c] makes no change [d] increase appreciably

28. Due to rise in temperature, the viscosity and the unit weight of the percolating fluid are reduced
to 75% and 90%, respectively if other things remain constants, the coefficients of permeability

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[a] increases by 50% [b] increases by 20% [c] decreases by 20% [d] decreases by 50%

29. in a falling head permeameter if the time intervals for drop in level from h1 to h2 & h2 to h3
equal then
[a] h1 = ( h1+ h2) /2 [b] h3 = h1+ h2 [c] h2 = ( h1+ h3) 1/2 [d] h1 = ( h1x h2) 1/2

30. In falling head permeability test the initial head of 1.0 m dropped to .35 m in 3 hours, the
diameter of the stand pipe being 5mm. the soil specimen was 200mm long and of 100mm
diameter. The coefficient of permeability of the soil is

[a] 4.86 x 10-5 cm/s [a] 4.86 x 10-6 cm/s [a] 4.86 x 10-7 cm/s [a] 4.86 x 10-8 cm/s

31. In constant head permeameter with cross section area of 10 cm2, when the flow was taking
place under a hydraulic gradient of 0.5, the amount of water collected in 60 seconds is 600cc.
The permeability of the soil is
[a] 0.002 cm/s [b] 0.02cm/s [c] 0.2 cm/s [d] 2.0 cm/s

32. Effective stress is the stress

[a] Transmitted by flowing water
[b] Transmitted from particle to particle through the points of contact
[c] That can be measured
[d] None of the above

33. The pressure that affects shear strength and permeability of soil is
[a] total pressure [b] Neutral pressure [c] Effective pressure [d] None of the above

34. The depth of water in a swimming pool is 6m. The effective and total pressures at a depth of
3m below top surface of water in KN/m are
[a] ‘0’ and ‘0’ [b] ‘30’ and ‘0’ [c] ‘0’ and ‘30’ [d] ‘0’ and ‘3’
35. The effective stress at depth of 10 M below ground level, when W.T. is 3m below ground
level, saturated density is 20 KN/m3 and bulk density is 18 KN/m3 is
[b] 124 KN/m2
[a] 194 KN/m 2 [c] 100 KN/m 2 [d] None of the above

36. Which of the following is an effective pressure?

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[a] pore water pressure [b] capillary pressure [c] water load [d] none of the above

37. For water table below ground surface, a rise in the water table causes
[a] An increase in pore pressure and decrease in effective pressure
[a] decrease in pore pressure and increase in effective pressure
[c] No change in effective pressure
[d] Equal change in pore pressure and total pressures

38. The effect of capillary saturation will cause the effective stress
[a] to increase [b] to decrease [c] either to increase or decrease [d] not to change

39. When the water level in lake rises, the effective stresses in the soil below are
[a] increased [b] decreased [c] un changed [d] none of the above

40. If the soil above water table is completely saturated due to rain water, the effective pressure in
this saturated soil at any depth, ‘h’ below Ground Level is
[a] ‫ﻻ‬sub. h [b] ‫ﻻ‬sat h [c] ‫ﻻ‬w h [d] None

41. In the capillary saturated zone (capillary fringe)

[a] effective stress is lesser than total stress [b] Effective stress is equal to total stress
[c] Effective stress is greater than total stress [d] None of the above

42. Neutral pressure (pore pressure) is

[a] always compressive [b] always tensile
[c] Compressive below water table and tensile above water table
[d] Compressive above water table and tensile below water table

43. The stress which controls the strength and deformation behavior of soil is
[a] total pressure [b] pore pressure [c] effective pressure [d] none

44. The relation between total pressure σ and effective pressure σ1 and pore pressure u is
[a] σ1= σ + u [b] σ1= σ - u [c] σ = σ1 - u [d] none of the above

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45. Contact stress between soil grains is called

[a] neutral stress [b] effective stress [c] total stress [d] pore pressure

46. In the capillary zone pore pressure is

[a] Tensile [b] Compressive [c] Either Tensile or Compressive [d] zero

47. A 2m thick sand layer of density 1.7 t/m3 overlies 4 m thick saturated clay of density 2 t/m3.
The effective pressure at the centre of clay layer if the water table is at the inter face of the layers
is

[a] 7.4 t/m2 [b] 5.4 t/m2 [c] 2 t/m2 [d] 7.0 t/m2

48. When ground water table is lowered

[a] total stress decreases, neutral stress decreases, but effective stress increase.
[b] Total neutral and effect stresses decreases
[c] Total stress remains constant while the neutral & effective stress decreases
[d] Total stress & neutral stress decreases while effective stress remains constant

49. Increase in level of water table above Ground level causes

[a] Increase in effective stress [b] No change in effective stress
[c] Decrease in effective stress [d] Nothing can be said

50. Water table was found 1m, below ground surface. Above the water table the soil was found

saturated with capillary water. If saturated density is 20 KN /m3, the effective stress at the water
table level in KN /m2 is
[a] 5 [b] 10 [c] 15 [d] 20

51. An excavation is to be performed in a stratum of clay, 9 m thick, underlain by a bed of sand.

In a trail bore hole, the ground – water is observation to rise up to an elevation 3m below ground
surface. The unit weight of the bottom becoming unstable under uplift pressure of ground –
water is

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[a] 3m [b] 4.5m [c] 6m [d] zero

52. Foundation soil at the toe of a dam has a void ratio of .62, G= 2.62. Assuming a factor of
safety of 5, the permissible exit gradient is
[a] 0.2 [b]1 [c] 2 [d] none

53. The hydraulic head that would produce a quick condition in sand stratum of thickness of 2m,
if G= 2.7 and e=0.7 is
[a] 0.5 [b] 1 [c] 2 [d] none

54. Quick sand is occurring when its

[a] effective pressure is reduced to zero
[b] Effective pressure is equal to atmospheric pressure
[c] Effective pressure equal to seepage pressure
[d] Effective pressure becomes equal to the pressure becomes equal to pressure due to
submerged weight of the soil

55. Critical hydraulic gradient is given by:

[a] ‫ﻻ‬/ ‫ﻻ‬w [b] (G+1)/(1+e) [c] (G-1)/(1-e) [d] ‫ﻻ‬w/ ‫ﻻ‬

56. The value of hydraulic gradient corresponding to zero result body force is called the
[a] critical hydraulic gradient [b] effective hydraulic gradient [c]
Total hydraulic gradient [d] zero hydraulic gradient

57. Under a quick condition the density of the sand –water mixture will be roughly……. that of
water. Choose the correct statement.
[a] four times than [b] thrice than [c] twice than [d] equal to

58. Due to erosion, formation of an underground flow channel (or pipe) is formed which moves
[a] downstream side [b] horizontally [c] upstream side [d] in all direction

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59. Soils that are most susceptible to piping failure are

[a] gravels [b] coarse sands [c] inorganic fine clays [d] fine sand silts

60. Piping occurs when

[a] effective stress is [b] flow is down wards
zero [c] Flow is upwards [d] flow is horizontal

61. Space between two adjacent flow lines is called

[a] Flow potential [b] Flow path [c] Flow field [d] Flow length

62. Quantity of seepage in each flow channel of a flow net is

[a] Dependent of size of field [b] Dependent of potential drop
[c] Same [d] Dependent on the number of flow channel

63. The quantity of seepage dependent on

1) The coefficient of permeability 2) the differential head across the flow path
3) The length of flow path, of these statements
[a] 1,2 are correct [b] 2,3 are correct [c] 3,1 are correct [d] 1,2,3 are correct

64. Drop in head between adjacent equipotential lines is

[a] Dependent of up- stream head [b] Dependent of down- stream head
[c] Dependent of number of equipotential lines [d] same

65. For an increase in the length of flow path, the exit gradient will
[a] Increase [b] Remain constant [c] Decrease [d] Be unity
66. Providing cut-off walls beneath a hydraulic structure.
[a] Reduces the exit gradient [b] increase the flow
[c] Decreases the flow path [d] none

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67. Identify the incorrect flow net property

[a] Flow lines and equipotential lines intersect or meet orthogonality
[b] Quantity of water flowing through each channel is the same
[c] Potential drop between any two successive equipotential lines is different
[d] Flow lines and equipotential lines are smooth curves.

68. In the flow net there are 4 flow channel and 15 equpotential drops, estimate the quantity of
seepage if the head loss is 3m and k= 2x 10-5 m/s
-5 3
[a] 3.8 x 10-4 m3/s [b] 1.6 x 10 m /s [c] 22.5 x 10-5 m3/s [d] 4.8 x 10-5 m3/s

69. It has been mathematically shown that the basic shapes of the top flow line in a dam is that of
[a] an ellipse [b] a parabola [c] a circle [d] a log- spiral

70. The shape factor of a flow net is given as

[a] Nd/Nf [b] (Nd-1)/Nf [c] Nf/Nd [d] (Nf-1)/Nd

71. The head existing on top flow line is

[a] Total head [b] Velocity head [c] Pressure head [d] Elevation head

72. The shape factor for a given flow domain

[a] Depends on number of flow lines [b] Depends on number of equpotential
[c] Depends on number of flow channels lines [d] Is relatively unchanged

73. The pressure head at the intersection of phreatic line and any equipotential line is
[a] Unity [b] Zero [c] >0 [d] < 0
74. The effective permeability used in a transformed section is
[a] Kh / Kv [b] (Kh / Kv )2 [c] √ (Kh. Kv) [d] √Kh / Kv

DEPT. OF CIVIL ENGINEERING.

JSPM’s ICOER, WAGHOLI

DIST-PUNE (MAHARASHTRA).

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