🌱 Materials Engineer Accreditation Exam Reviewer – Part 3 Soil Mechanics, Embankment, and Field Testing


📘 Topic Focus: Soil Mechanics, Embankment, and Field Testing
✍️ Total Questions: 25
🔍 Based on: DPWH Blue Book 2024 Edition


👷 Instructions: Choose the correct answer for each question. Do not scroll to the answer key at the bottom until you’ve completed all questions.


🧠 Knowledge Check – Soil and Embankment Testing

  1. Which test determines the liquid limit of soil?
    A. Proctor test
    B. Atterberg limits test
    C. Plate load test
    D. CBR test
  2. What is the minimum required Relative Compaction for embankment materials in road projects?
    A. 85%
    B. 90%
    C. 95%
    D. 100%
  3. The Proctor Test is used to determine:
    A. Grain size
    B. Shear strength
    C. Optimum moisture content and max dry density
    D. Plasticity
  4. Which test determines soil bearing capacity in situ?
    A. Plate load test
    B. Hydrometer analysis
    C. Liquid limit test
    D. CBR test
  5. CBR stands for:
    A. California Bearing Ratio
    B. Concrete Bending Ratio
    C. Compaction Bearing Resistance
    D. Clay Bearing Response
  6. What is the recommended maximum lift thickness for soil layer compaction in embankments?
    A. 100 mm
    B. 150 mm
    C. 200 mm
    D. 300 mm
  7. Which soil type is best for embankment construction?
    A. Organic soil
    B. Sandy clay
    C. Peat
    D. Silty clay with roots
  8. The plasticity index (PI) is the difference between:
    A. Liquid and plastic limit
    B. Liquid and shrinkage limit
    C. Plastic and shrinkage limit
    D. Sand and silt content
  9. Standard Proctor test hammer weight is:
    A. 2.5 kg
    B. 3.0 kg
    C. 4.5 kg
    D. 5.5 kg
  10. What is the allowable CBR value for subgrade soil in national roads?
    A. 5%
    B. 10%
    C. 15%
    D. 20%
  11. What tool measures in-situ soil density without excavation?
    A. Core cutter
    B. Sand cone
    C. Nuclear density gauge
    D. Oven-drying kit
  12. The optimum moisture content (OMC) results in:
    A. Max permeability
    B. Max plasticity
    C. Max dry density
    D. Max liquid limit
  13. What is the typical mold volume in Standard Proctor test?
    A. 500 cc
    B. 750 cc
    C. 1000 cc
    D. 944 cc
  14. Which soil test is used to classify soil based on grain size?
    A. Hydrometer
    B. Sieve analysis
    C. Plate load
    D. Cone penetration
  15. Which test provides information on swell and shrink behavior of soils?
    A. Plate load
    B. Hydrometer
    C. Consolidation test
    D. Ductility test
  16. The degree of compaction is calculated by:
    A. Lab density / field density
    B. Max dry density / field dry density
    C. Field dry density / lab max dry density × 100
    D. None of the above
  17. Which soil is considered non-cohesive?
    A. Clay
    B. Sand
    C. Silty clay
    D. Loam
  18. Uncontrolled fill may result in:
    A. Differential settlement
    B. Improved bearing
    C. Faster drainage
    D. Lower construction cost
  19. Before conducting a Proctor test, the soil must be:
    A. Oven-dried
    B. Compacted
    C. Pulverized and sieved
    D. Mixed with cement
  20. The sand cone test measures:
    A. Moisture content
    B. Compaction effort
    C. In-situ density
    D. Shear strength
  21. Maximum dry density is influenced by:
    A. Grain size and shape
    B. Water content
    C. Compaction method
    D. All of the above
  22. Standard CBR test load plunger has a diameter of:
    A. 25 mm
    B. 30 mm
    C. 50 mm
    D. 75 mm
  23. Clay soil has:
    A. High permeability
    B. High plasticity
    C. Low cohesion
    D. None of the above
  24. Frost action in soil is dangerous because it causes:
    A. Expansion
    B. Shrinkage
    C. Cracking
    D. All of the above
  25. Soil classified as A-1 by AASHTO is:
    A. Good subgrade
    B. Plastic
    C. Silty
    D. Organic

📋 Answer Key

1. B   2. C   3. C   4. A   5. A   6. B   7. B   8. A   9. A   10. B
11. C   12. C   13. D   14. B   15. C   16. C   17. B   18. A   19. C   20. C
21. D   22. B   23. D   24. D   25. A


📎 References

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