61 questions from the UPSC 2016 examination.
61 questions
Discuss the principle of recuperation test of an open-well and derive equation for the specific capacity K_s per unit Well area. Design the bottom diameter of a dug Well in fine sand region, to obtain 10 litres/second of yield, under depression head of 2.5 m. The value of K_s = specific capacity per unit area may be taken as 0.6/hour.
A proposed model of a river stretch of 10 km is to have a horizontal scale of 1/200 and a vertical scale of 1/50. If the normal discharge, width and depth of the river are 120 m^3/s, 80 m and 1.8 m respectively, estimate the corresponding model quantities.
Three wells A, B and C, tap the same horizontal aquifer. The distances AB = 1200 m and BC = 1000 m. The Well B is exactly south of Well A and Well C lies to the west of Well B. Following are the ground surface elevation and depth of water below the ground surface in the three wells : | Well | Surface Elevation (metres above datum) | Depth of water table (m) | | --- | --- | --- | | A | 200.00 | 11.00 | | B | 197.00 | 7.00 | | C | 202.00 | 14.00 | Determine the direction of ground water flow in the aquifer in the area ABC of the wells.
When do we prefer deep foundation ? Explain the method to determine the vertical load carrying capacity of single pile in sand and clay.
Determine the static indeterminacies of the following structure. Answers must be supported by calculations or brief explanations. Structure (ii): A multi-storey rigid frame consisting of two 3-storey single-bay towers connected at the bottom storey level with a horizontal beam, with 4 fixed column bases at the ground level.
A square footing with side 1.5 m is to be constructed at 1.2 m below the ground surface. The subsoil consists of uniform deposit of dense soil having angle of internal friction, phi = 25 deg and cohesion, c = 50 kN/m^2. The ground water is at a great depth and its effect can be ignored. Determine the safe bearing capacity of the footing with a factor of safety = 3.0. If the water table rises to the base of the footing, what will be the safe bearing capacity of the footing ? Given for phi = 25 deg, N_c = 21, N_q = 10 and N_gamma = 6, and dry and saturated unit weight of soil, gamma_d = 16 kN/m^3 and gamma_sat = 18 kN/m^3, respectively.
For the soil profile given below, determine the total and effective stresses at point 'A'. What will be the total, neutral and effective stresses at point 'A', if the ground water table rises to the ground surface ? Will there be any change in effective stress at point 'A', if the water table rises 2 m above the ground surface ? Answer with justification. Soil profile: Top layer (0 to 2 m): Sand, w = 0.25, e = 1.0, G = 2.7 Water Table at depth 2 m. Middle layer (2 m to 4 m): Saturated sand (same soil properties) Bottom layer (4 m to 8 m): Clay, thickness = 4 m, gamma_sat = 19.62 kN/m^3. Point A is located at depth 8 m at the base of the clay layer.
The details of two schemes related to cost and benefit is presented. Taking rate of interest as 10% suggest the most economical proposal. | Scheme | Initial cost (Rs.) | Running cost per year (Rs.) | Annual benefit (Rs.) | Life in years | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | A | 10 lacs | 1.0 lac | 2 lac after 2 years | 10 | | B | 14 lacs | 1.2 lac | 2.4 lac after 3 years | 15 |
Draw the bending moment and shear force diagrams of the following beam as shown in the figure. The beam has an internal hinge at D.
Design an axially loaded tied column of size 400 mm x 400 mm with an unsupported length of 3 m. The compressive load on the column due to dead load is 800 kN and imposed load is 500 kN. The effective length of the column is 2.5 m. Diameters of longitudinal and transverse reinforcements are 20 mm and 10 mm respectively. Use Fe 415 for longitudinal reinforcement and Fe 250 for transverse reinforcement. Grade of concrete is M 25.
Two pipes each of length 'L' and diameters 'd_1' and 'd_2' are arranged in parallel, the loss of head when a total quantity of water Q flows through them is h_LP. If the pipes are arranged in series and the same quantity of water Q flows through them, the loss of head is h_LS. If d_1 = 3 d_2 and f_1 = 2 f_2, find the ratio of h_LP to h_LS. Neglect minor losses.
A circular aluminium shaft of dimensions shown in the figure is subjected to two torques, T_1 = 1500 N-m and T_2 = 200 N-m as shown. The left end of the shaft is completely fixed. Determine (i) the angle of twist of the shaft at the right end, (ii) the percentage change in the angle of twist if a concentric hole of diameter 40 mm and length 400 mm is drilled through the shaft, starting from the fixed end (indicated by dotted lines into the figure). The shear modulus of aluminium can be taken as 70 x 10^9 N/m^2.
A tie member of a roof truss of ISA 90 x 90 x 10 is connected to a 12 mm thick gusset plate by 6 mm size fillet weld. If the weld is to be done in three sides as shown in the figure below, find the length of the weld in upper (x) and lower (y) sides. Assume Fe 410 grade steel is used. Partial safety factors, gamma_mo = 1.1 and gamma_mw = 1.25. For ISA 90 x 90 x 10, assume C/S area = 1703 mm^2 and C_z = 25.9 mm.
What are various methods used for disposal of municipal solid wastes ? Explain any two widely adopted methods for municipal solid waste disposal in India.
A simply supported steel joist of 5 m effective length is laterally supported throughout. It carries a uniformly distributed load. The cross-section of the joist is given below. Determine the factored distributed load the joist can carry. Assume steel of grade Fe 410. Assume factored design shear force will not exceed 0.6 times the design shear strength of the cross-section. Shear buckling check is not required. gamma_mo = 1.1, beta_b = 1.0. Neglect self-weight of the beam. Cross-section dimensions (Built-up I-section, all dimensions in mm): Flange width b_f = 165 mm, Flange thickness t_f = 11.4 mm, Web thickness t_w = 7.4 mm, Overall depth D = 350 mm.
(i) Briefly explain how contour maps can be used to determine reservoir capacity. (5 marks) (ii) What are the important points to be considered in the design of marshalling yard ? (5 marks)
Compute the average discharge requirement and peak demand for the following : | Crop | Area (hectare) | Total depth (cm) | Base period (days) | Average duty (ha/cumec) | Kor period (weeks) | Kor depth (cm) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Wheat | 4000 | 37.5 | 140 | 3200 | 4 | 13.5 | | Rice | 2000 | 120.0 | 120 | 864 | 2.5 | 19.0 |
What are the 'canal falls' ? Where are they located ? List different types of falls.
(i) Differentiate between 'Reciprocal levelling' and 'Profile levelling'. (5 marks) (ii) Differentiate between 'outer signal' and 'home signal'. (5 marks)
Describe 'furrow irrigation' and 'sprinkler irrigation'. Which one is preferred in India and why ?
What is a Composite Masonry ? List out various types of composite masonry and state their application.
What is hardness of water ? How it is measured in the laboratory ? Discuss Lime-soda process for removing hardness.
The soil fill for a road embankment is to be compacted in place to a void ratio of 0.7. If the void ratio of the borrow pit soil is 1.2, how many cubic metres of compacted fill can be placed in the embankment per 1000 cubic metres of borrow material ? If no water is either added or lost during the placement of the fill, what would be the change in degree of saturation of the soil ?
(i) Determine the radius of relative stiffness of a rigid concrete pavement using the following data : Modulus of elasticity of concrete = 3.0 x 10^5 kg/cm^2 Thickness of pavement slab = 20 cm Poisson's ratio = 0.15 Wheel load = 4100 kg Pressure applied to the plate load test at 1.25 mm displacement = 0.375 kg/cm^2 (5 marks) (ii) What are the requirements for good drainage while designing and constructing the roads ? (5 marks)
(i) What are the obligatory points to be considered for selecting the road alignments ? (5 marks) (ii) Briefly explain the functions of base course and surface course in flexible pavements. (5 marks)
Compute the correct interior angles of a closed compass traverse PQRSTP using the following data : | Line | F.B. | B.B. | | --- | --- | --- | | PQ | 65 deg 45' | 245 deg 00' | | QR | 105 deg 15' | 285 deg 45' | | RS | 155 deg 45' | 335 deg 45' | | ST | 215 deg 30' | 36 deg 15' | | TP | 295 deg 00' | 115 deg 45' | Assume that the observed bearing of line RS to be correct, determine the correct bearing of all other lines. Also correct the interior angles for observational errors.
An aluminium square bar having the cross-section 50 mm x 50 mm and length 3 metres is fixed between two rigid supports as shown in the figure. Two loads, 15 kN and 30 kN are applied concentrically to the rod through collars as shown. Determine the stress developed at the right end of the bar. Young's modulus of aluminium is 70 x 10^9 N/m^2.
What is meant by 'water logging' ? What are the principal causes and effects of water logging in a canal irrigated farm ?
A right-angled rigid pipe is fixed to the wall at A and is additionally supported through the cable CD as shown in the figure. Determine the magnitudes of the moments about the x, y and z axes, if the tensile force applied to the cable is 3 kN.
Find the support reactions of the beam shown in the figure. The beam has an internal hinge at C.
What is workability of concrete ? What is the effect of the following on the workability of fresh concrete ? (i) Size of aggregate (ii) Cement content (iii) Water to cement ratio (iv) Entrained air
(i) What are the purposes of evaluation of pavements ? (5 marks) (ii) What are the objectives of economic evaluation of highway projects ? (5 marks)
The following data is provided for a 2-phase traffic signal to be installed at a right angled intersection of two roads PQ and RS. The turning traffic is not substantial at the intersection. | Parameter | Road approach P | Road approach Q | Road approach R | Road approach S | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Width of road | 3.50 m | 3.50 m | 7.0 m | 7.0 m | | Saturation flow (PCU/hr) | 1875 | 1875 | 3675 | 3675 | | Traffic volume (PCU/hr) | 550 | 450 | 1150 | 1450 | Determine (i) optimum cycle length (ii) distribute green time on two roads PQ and RS. Assume total time lost during total cycle as 12 seconds. Assume any other data suitably, if found missing.
Differentiate between the primary and secondary air pollutants. Describe the harmful effects of important air pollutants on materials as well as on aquatic life.
A steel beam having cross-section of an 'I' with overall depth 300 mm and flange width 150 mm is simply supported at both ends. The thickness of the flange, as well as the web is 20 mm for each. The beam needs to carry a concentrated load of 50 kN at its mid span. If the permissible bending stress is to be limited to 120 N/mm^2, determine (i) the maximum possible length of the beam, (ii) the depth of an equivalent rectangular section, with the width fixed to be 100 mm. Also, determine the percentage increase in weight of the beam as compared to the beam with 'I' section.
In the context of functional planning of buildings, explain (i) Aspect (ii) Privacy (iii) Circulation (iv) Prospect (v) Roominess
List out different quality tests to be done for (i) Cement (ii) Fine aggregate (iii) Coarse aggregate (iv) Fresh concrete (v) Hardened concrete
The loss of head from the entrance to the throat of a 250 mm x 125 mm venturimeter is 1/8 times the velocity head at throat. Take the deflection of water mercury manometer as 101.6 mm. Compute the discharge.
Explain the various sources of radioactivity in the environment. How are radioactive wastes generated in the production of nuclear power ? How are these wastes disposed off ?
(i) Describe any three methods of estimating the future population of a town with their relative advantages and disadvantages. (5 marks) (ii) Discuss variation in water demand and their effects on the design of various components of water supply schemes. (5 marks)
For a major construction 1.50 million tons of stone aggregate is required. The temporary road costs Rs. 60 lacs. Hauling charge of stone is Rs. 10 per tonne of truck. Cost of belt conveyor is Rs. 70 lacs. Its salvage value is 20% of the original cost of belt conveyor. Maintenance cost is 30% depreciated value and electric power cost is 60% original cost. Suggest the best alternative for trucks or belt conveyor.
What is a Dragline ? Give a typical sketch of it. Mention the factors that influence output of the Dragline.
Explain briefly the tracer method of flow measurement. A 25 g/litre of a fluorescent tracer, was discharged into a stream at a constant rate of 10 cm^3/second. The background concentration of the dye in the stream water was found to be zero. At a downstream section sufficiently far away, the dye was found to reach an equilibrium concentration of 5 parts per Billion. Estimate the stream discharge.
A new B.G. Railway track is to be constructed as per the following details : Degree of curve = 5 deg Ruling gradient at curve section = 1 in 180 Average speed of train at curve section = 50 kmph Determine (i) actual ruling gradient for the section (5 marks) (ii) equilibrium cant (5 marks) Assume data suitably, if found missing.
Describe the basic types of dams, on the basis of the type and materials of construction and principle of function.
A hydraulic jump occurs in a horizontal right-angled triangular channel. If the sequent depths in this channel are 0.5 m and 1.5 m respectively, estimate : (i) The flow rate (ii) Froude numbers at the starting and end of the jump (iii) Energy loss in the hydraulic jump
A 3d flow field is given by vec{V} = (2x^2 + 3y) i + (- 2xy + 3y^2 + 3zy) j + (- (3/2) z^2 + 2xz - 9y^2 z) k. Determine the acceleration at (1, 1, 1).
A three-hinged parabolic arch of total span 30 m has its two end supports at 4 m and 16 m below the crown respectively. The arch carries two concentrated loads, each of 60 kN in the middle of each portion of the arch on both sides of the crown as shown in the figure. Determine the horizontal thrust and vertical components of the reactions at supports. Also determine the bending moments acting under the concentrated loads.
A simply supported beam of 5 m length is carrying a uniformly distributed factored load of 100 N/mm. The width and effective depth of the beam are 300 mm and 400 mm respectively. The steels at the tension and compression sides of the section consist of 3 - 16 phi and 2 - 12 phi respectively which are continued all throughout. Design vertical stirrups for the section near support, if Fe 415 grade of steel and M 20 grade of concrete are used. Use 10 mm diameter two-legged stirrups. Use the following table for design purpose : Percentage of tensile steel (p_t) versus Permissible shear stress (tau_c) in N/mm^2 for M 20 concrete: | p_t | 0.4 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 2.8 | 3.0 | | tau_c | 0.44 | 0.57 | 0.66 | 0.73 | 0.79 | 0.82 | 0.82 | 0.82 |
A construction project consists of 8 major activities. Their interdependency is given below. Draw the network and determine the time for completion of the project. Also mention duration for each path. (i) Activities A, B and E can start concurrently. (Starting of the project) (ii) Activities C and D are concurrent and depend on the completion of A and B. (iii) Activities F and G are concurrent and can start after completion of C. (iv) Activity H depends on the completion of C, E and F. (v) Project ends with the completion of G and H. Time needed for each activity is: A - 4 weeks, B - 3 weeks, C - 5 weeks, D - 2 weeks, E - 4 weeks, F - 3 weeks, G - 4 weeks, H - 2 weeks
300 litres/second of water is flowing in a pipe having a diameter of 250 mm. If the pipe is bent by 135 deg as shown in the figure below, find the magnitude and direction of the resultant force on the bend. Pressure acting at sections (1) and (2) is 500 kN/m^2 (P_1 = P_2 = 500 kN/m^2). Assume steady flow. rho = 1000 kg/m^3, neglect self-weight of water in the bend.
An unsupported cut is shown in the figure below : Height of cut = 4 m, Soil properties: gamma = 18.0 kN/m^3, c = 25 kN/m^2, phi = 10 deg. Determine (i) the lateral stress at top and bottom of the cut, (ii) the maximum depth of potential tension crack, and (iii) the maximum unsupported excavation.
(i) Define boundary layer thickness, displacement thickness, momentum thickness. (ii) For the velocity profile u / U_inf = (y / delta)^(1/7), calculate the ratio of displacement thickness and momentum thickness.
Explain the importance of BOD test in waste water treatment. Differentiate BOD and COD. Also explain the use of population equivalent in municipal sewage treatment.
(i) Explain self cleansing velocity and non-scouring velocity and their importance in the design of sewers. (5 marks) (ii) Define and explain hydraulically equivalent section connected to sewer designs. (5 marks)
Determine the static indeterminacies of the following structure. Answers must be supported by calculations or brief explanations. Structure (i): A 3-bay symmetrical plane bridge truss supported on a hinge at left and a roller at right. The bottom chord has 3 equal panels. Top chord has 3 equal panels. Cross-diagonals are present in the panels.
A 12.0 m thick clay layer with coefficient of consolidation, c_v = 8.0 x 10^-8 m^2/s exists at a site as shown in the figure below. If the average vertical stress increase in the clay layer due to the structural load is 100 kPa, determine the time required to settle the clay layer by 250 mm. Assume the clay layer is normally consolidated and the total unit weight of sand above the water table is same as it is below the water table. Soil profile: Ground Level to depth 2 m: Sand Water Table at depth 2 m Depth 2 m to 5 m: Sand, gamma_sand = 17.6 kN/m^3 (total sand thickness = 5 m) Depth 5 m to 17 m: Clay layer, thickness = 12 m, e_0 = 0.62, w_l = 40%, gamma_sat = 22.0 kN/m^3 Underlain by Sand layer at bottom.
What is activated sludge ? Explain the working of the activated sludge plant. Discuss its advantages and disadvantages.
A prestressed concrete pile of 300 mm square, contains 50 pretensioned wires, each of 3 mm diameter, uniformly distributed over the section. The wires are initially tensioned on the prestressing bed with a total force of 400 kN. Calculate the final stress in concrete and the percentage loss of stress in steel after all losses, given the following data : E_s = 210 kN/mm^2 E_c = 32 kN/mm^2 Shortening due to creep = 35 x 10^-6 mm/mm per N/mm^2 of stress Total shrinkage = 250 x 10^-6 per unit length Relaxation of steel stress = 6% of initial stress.
A dam turbine has runner diameter of 5.0 m. The turbine is rated at 11 MW under the head of 100 m at 120 rpm. The power efficiency is 88%. (i) Give the definition for specific speed of the turbine. (ii) Compute the specific speed. (iii) Compute the discharge required to run the turbine. (iv) Determine the torque developed by the turbine runner. Specific weight of water = 9810 N/m^3.
Two ISMC 350 channel sections are placed back-to-back to form a built-up section for the column as shown in the figure below. What will be the value of minimum spacing 'S' so that it will carry maximum compressive load ? Assume properties of ISMC 350 as follows : C/S area (A) = 5366 mm^2 C_yy = 24.4 mm I_zz = 10008 cm^4 I_yy = 430.6 cm^4