General Civil Engineering Questions and Answers

Question 1:

What is the most common construction material used in civil engineering?

• a) Steel
• b) Concrete
• c) Wood
• d) Glass

Answer: b) Concrete

Question 2:

What is the purpose of a soil investigation?

• a) To determine the strength of the soil
• b) To determine the type of soil
• c) To determine the depth of the soil
• d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Question 3:

What is the purpose of a retaining wall?

• a) To prevent erosion
• b) To hold back soil
• c) To create a barrier
• d) To provide support for a building

Answer: b) To hold back soil

Question 4:

What is the difference between a bridge and a culvert?

• a) A bridge is longer than a culvert
• b) A culvert is wider than a bridge
• c) A bridge spans over a waterway, while a culvert goes under it
• d) A culvert is made of concrete, while a bridge is made of steel

Answer: c) A bridge spans over a waterway, while a culvert goes under it

Question 5:

What is the purpose of a geotechnical report?

• a) To provide information about the soil conditions of a site
• b) To provide information about the climate of a site
• c) To provide information about the groundwater of a site
• d) To provide information about the topography of a site

Answer: a) To provide information about the soil conditions of a site

Question 6:

What is the purpose of a steel beam?

• a) To provide support for a building
• b) To prevent soil erosion
• c) To create a barrier
• d) To hold back water

Answer: a) To provide support for a building

Question 7:

What is the purpose of a soil stabilization technique?

• a) To prevent soil erosion
• b) To improve the load-bearing capacity of soil
• c) To increase the porosity of soil
• d) To decrease the water content of soil

Answer: b) To improve the load-bearing capacity of soil

Question 8:

What is the purpose of a stormwater management system?

• a) To collect and store stormwater runoff
• b) To prevent flooding
• c) To treat stormwater runoff before it is discharged
• d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Question 9:

What is the purpose of a concrete mix design?

• a) To determine the strength of the concrete
• b) To determine the workability of the concrete
• c) To determine the durability of the concrete
• d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Question 10:

What is the purpose of a culvert?

• a) To prevent soil erosion
• b) To hold back water
• c) To provide a way for water to flow under a road or other obstruction
• d) To provide support for a building

Answer: c) To provide a way for water to flow under a road or other obstruction

Question 11:

What is the purpose of a foundation?

• a) To provide support for a building
• b) To prevent soil erosion
• c) To hold back water
• d) To provide a barrier

Answer: a) To provide support for a building

Question 12:

What is the purpose of an environmental impact assessment?

• a) To determine the impact of a project on the environment
• b) To determine the impact of a project on the economy
• c) To determine the impact of a project on the community
• d) All of the above

Answer: a) To determine the impact of a project on the environment

Question 13:

What is the purpose of a traffic impact study?

• a) To determine the impact of a project on traffic
• b) To determine the impact of a project on the environment
• c) To determine the impact of a project on the economy
• d) All of the above

Answer: a) To determine the impact of a project on traffic

Question 14:

What is the purpose of a slope stability analysis?

• a) To determine the strength of a slope
• b) To determine the stability of a slope
• c) To determine the type of soil in a slope
• d) To determine the water content of a slope

Answer: b) To determine the stability of a slope

Question 15:

What is the purpose of a landfill liner?

• a) To prevent contamination of groundwater
• b) To prevent erosion of the landfill
• c) To prevent the release of gases from the landfill
• d) To increase the porosity of the landfill

Answer: a) To prevent contamination of groundwater

Question 16:

What is the purpose of a load test?

• a) To determine the strength of a material
• b) To determine the load capacity of a structure
• c) To determine the workability of a material
• d) All of the above

Answer: b) To determine the load capacity of a structure

Question 17:

What is the purpose of a water treatment plant?

• a) To treat drinking water
• b) To treat wastewater
• c) To treat stormwater
• d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Question 18:

What is the purpose of a retaining wall drainage system?

• a) To prevent erosion of the retaining wall
• b) To prevent water from building up behind the retaining wall
• c) To prevent soil from pushing the retaining wall over
• d) To provide support for a building

Answer: b) To prevent water from building up behind the retaining wall

Question 19:

What is the purpose of a traffic signal?

• a) To control the flow of traffic
• b) To provide information to drivers
• c) To warn drivers of upcoming hazards
• d) All of the above

Answer: a) To control the flow of traffic

Question 20:

What is the purpose of an asphalt mix design?

• a) To determine the strength of the asphalt
• b) To determine the workability of the asphalt
• c) To determine the durability of the asphalt
• d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Question 21:

What is the purpose of a slope stabilization technique?

• a) To prevent soil erosion on a slope
• b) To increase the stability of a slope
• c) To decrease the water content of a slope
• d) To improve the load-bearing capacity of a slope

Answer: b) To increase the stability of a slope

Question 22:

What is the purpose of a traffic impact mitigation plan?

• a) To reduce the impact of a project on traffic
• b) To reduce the impact of a project on the environment
• c) To reduce the impact of a project on the economy
• d) All of the above

Answer: a) To reduce the impact of a project on traffic

Question 23:

What is the purpose of a septic system?

• a) To treat wastewater from a single building
• b) To treat stormwater runoff
• c) To provide drinking water
• d) To prevent soil erosion

Answer: a) To treat wastewater from a single building

Question 24:

What is the purpose of a construction schedule?

• a) To plan the construction activities
• b) To determine the cost of the project
• c) To provide a timeline for the project
• d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Question 25:

What is the purpose of a geosynthetic material?

• a) To prevent erosion
• b) To increase the stability of soil
• c) To provide support for a building
• d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Question 26:

What is the purpose of a survey?

• a) To determine the boundaries of a property
• b) To determine the topography of a site
• c) To provide information for the design of a project
• d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Question 27:

What is the purpose of a geotechnical instrumentation?

• a) To monitor the performance of a structure
• b) To measure the strength of soil
• c) To measure the water content of soil
• d) All of the above

Answer: a) To monitor the performance of a structure

Question 28:

What is the purpose of a bridge deck?

• • a) To provide support for the bridge
  • b) To provide a roadway for vehicles and pedestrians
  • c) To prevent erosion of the bridge piers
  • d) To provide a barrier for vehicles and pedestrians

Answer: b) To provide a roadway for vehicles and pedestrians

Question 29:

What is the purpose of a slope stability map?

• • • a) To show the location of slopes
    • b) To show the stability of slopes
    • c) To show the type of soil in slopes
    • d) To show the water content of slopes

Answer: b) To show the stability of slopes

Question 30:

What is the purpose of a retaining wall geogrid?

• • • a) To prevent soil erosion
    • b) To provide support for the retaining wall
    • c) To increase the stability of the retaining wall
    • d) To prevent water from building up behind the retaining wall

Answer: c) To increase the stability of the retaining wall

Question 31:

What is the purpose of a pump station?

• • • a) To collect and store stormwater runoff
    • b) To pump wastewater to a treatment plant
    • c) To pump drinking water to a distribution system
    • d) All of the above

Answer: b) To pump wastewater to a treatment plant

Question 32:

What is the purpose of a road base?

• • • a) To provide support for the roadway
    • b) To prevent erosion of the roadway
    • c) To provide a barrier for the roadway
    • d) To provide a drainage system for the roadway

Answer: a) To provide support for the roadway

Question 33:

What is the purpose of a stormwater detention basin?

• • • a) To collect and store stormwater runoff
    • b) To treat stormwater runoff before it is discharged
    • c) To prevent flooding downstream
    • d) All of the above

Answer: c) To prevent flooding downstream

Question 34:

What is the purpose of a bridge abutment?

• • • a) To provide support for the bridge deck
    • b) To provide a roadway for vehicles and pedestrians
    • c) To prevent erosion of the bridge piers
    • d) To provide a barrier for vehicles and pedestrians

Answer: a) To provide support for the bridge deck

Question 35:

What is the purpose of a construction specification?

• • • a) To describe the work to be performed
    • b) To describe the materials to be used
    • c) To provide quality control requirements
    • d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Question 36:

What is the purpose of a gabion?

• • • a) To prevent erosion
    • b) To provide support for a building
    • c) To increase the stability of soil
    • d) To provide a roadway for vehicles and pedestrians

Answer: a) To prevent erosion

Question 37:

What is the purpose of a water distribution system?

• • • a) To distribute drinking water to customers
    • b) To distribute wastewater to a treatment plant
    • c) To distribute stormwater to a detention basin
    • d) All of the above

Answer: a) To distribute drinking water to customers

Question 38:

What is the purpose of a storm sewer system?

• • • a) To collect and store stormwater runoff
    • b) To treat stormwater runoff before it is discharged
    • c) To prevent flooding
    • d) To provide a way for water to flow under a road or other obstruction

Answer: d) To provide a way for water to flow under a road or other obstruction

Question 39:

What is the purpose of a water retention basin?

• • • a) To collect and store stormwater runoff
    • b) To treat stormwater runoff before it is discharged
    • c) To provide a source of water for irrigation
    • d) To prevent flooding

Answer: a) To collect and store stormwater runoff

Question 40:

What is the purpose of a fire hydrant?

• • • a) To provide drinking water to customers
    • b) To provide water for irrigation
    • c) To provide water for fire fighting
    • d) To collect and store stormwater runoff

Answer: c) To provide water for fire fighting

Question 41:

What is the purpose of a soil test?

• • • a) To determine the type of soil
    • b) To determine the strength of soil
    • c) To determine the water content of soil
    • d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Question 42:

What is the purpose of a load and resistance factor design?

• • • a) To ensure the safety of structures
    • b) To optimize the cost of structures
    • c) To improve the aesthetic appeal of structures
    • d) To improve the environmental performance of structures

Answer: a) To ensure the safety of structures

Question 43:

What is the purpose of a traffic calming measure?

• • • a) To increase the speed of traffic
    • b) To reduce the speed of traffic
    • c) To prevent accidents
    • d) To improve the aesthetics of the area

Answer: b) To reduce the speed of traffic

Question 44:

What is the purpose of a green roof?

• • • a) To provide a recreational area for building occupants
    • b) To provide insulation for the building
    • c) To improve the aesthetics of the building
    • d) To improve the energy efficiency of the building

Answer: d) To improve the energy efficiency of the building

Question 45:

What is the purpose of a traffic impact study?

• • • a) To determine the environmental impact of a project
    • b) To determine the economic impact of a project
    • c) To determine the impact of a project on traffic
    • d) To determine the social impact of a project

Answer: c) To determine the impact of a project on traffic

Question 46:

What is the purpose of a culvert?

• • • a) To collect and store stormwater runoff
    • b) To treat wastewater
    • c) To provide a way for water to flow under a road or other obstruction
    • d) To prevent soil erosion

Answer: c) To provide a way for water to flow under a road or other obstruction

Question 47:

What is the purpose of a pavement design?

• • • a) To determine the strength of the pavement
    • b) To determine the thickness of the pavement
    • c) To determine the type of pavement
    • d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Question 48:

What is the purpose of a ground improvement technique?

• • • • a) To increase the strength of soil
      • b) To increase the stability of soil
      • c) To reduce settlement of soil
      • d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Question 49:

What is the purpose of a stormwater management plan?

• • • • a) To collect and store stormwater runoff
      • b) To treat stormwater runoff before it is discharged
      • c) To prevent flooding
      • d) To manage the quantity and quality of stormwater runoff

Answer: d) To manage the quantity and quality of stormwater runoff

Question 50:

What is the purpose of a retaining wall?

• • • • a) To prevent erosion
      • b) To provide support for a building
      • c) To increase the stability of soil
      • d) To provide a barrier for vehicles and pedestrians

Answer: c) To increase the stability of soil