Interview with highways

SOILS
1. Q- How will you prepare sample for proctor if there are soft particles in the sample?
A- By preparing 5 individual samples having different moisture content. Discard sample
every each test.
. Q- !hat is the minimum surcharge weight place in doing a ".B.#. test ?
A- 1$ l%s. &'.5' (g).
*. Q- How do you calculate actual surcharge weight for ".B.# ?
A- By e+uation , ! - d . v . A
!here , A - A#/A 01 203D.
! - Actual surcharge weight
d - Density of material4
5 - 6hic(ness of 3ayers.
'. Q- !hat is the difference %etween a standard proctor test 7 a modified proctor test ?
A- Aside from the compactive energy which is 5 times greater than in the standard test4 the
ma.imum density and optimum water content o%tained from the two compaction test is
greater in fine-grained that for a coarse-grained soils.
5. Q- !hat is 8.9.6. ? Descri%e the procedure of this test in detail.
A- 8.9.6. or 8tandard 9enetration 6est,
6he standard split-tu%e sampler4 1: inches in length and inches in diameter is driven
into the soil4 with a drive weight of ;*.5 (g. At *$ inches free falling. 6he %low count
for the first ; inches is not used4 as this is to seat the sampler %elow the distur%ed soil in
the %ottom of the %orehole. 6he num%er of %lows to drive the final 1 inches is the
penetration resistance. <f it is not practical to drive the sampler the full 1 inches
%ecause of very dense4 cemented hardpan4 roc(4 etc.4 the %oring log dense4 cemented
hardpan4 roc(4 etc.4 the %oring log will indicate the %low count and penetration as ratio
i.e. =$,' for =$ %lows and ' inches in penetration.
;. Q- Define li+uid limit and plastic limit. How do you calculate plasticity inde. ? How many
stro(es are specified for rolling the thread of soil when determining plastic limit ? and
How many revolution per second when determining li+uid limit ?
A- 3i+uid limit is the > water content in which the soil mass has a capacity to flow as a
li+uid. <t is in %etween the li+uid and plastic state. 6he rate is revolution per second.
9lastic limit is the > water content in which the soil mass can %e molded without
crum%ling. <t is in %etween the plastic and semi-solid state. 6he rate is :$ to ?$ stro(es
per minute.
=. Q- "ould we used sand for em%an(ment material ?
A- @es4 &%y plating) it is a method of covering or confining of unsta%le fills with a suita%le4
sta%le material.
:. Q- !hy is wadi sand prefera%le to wind %lown sand as a construction material ?
A- Because wadi sand are free from clay and other organic matters and also meet grading
re+uirements for fineness modulus.
?. Q- !hat are the test you run to determine the suita%ility of a su% grade material ?
A- a) 8ieve analysis
%) Atter%erg test
c) 9roctor test
d) ".B.#. test
e) 1ield Density test.
1$. Q- !hat are the %asic test normally carried out to determine soil characteristics and
conditions ?
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A- a) ".B.#. test
%) 8ieve analysis
c) Atter%erg test.
11. Q- How do you determine the shear strength of a soil ?
A- By tri-A.ial test, 6he %asic principle is that a cylindrical soil specimen is first encased
in a thin ru%%er mem%rane and su%Aected to fluid pressure around the cylindrical
surface. 6he lateral pressure is held constant while an a.ial load is applied and
increased until failure occurs.
1. Q- !hy and when ".B.#. value needs adAustment ? !hat is the rate of loading ?
A- !hen the curve is concave upward shape %ecause of swell4 adAustment is made %y
adAusting the point of origin %y e.tending the line of stress-strain curve downward until
it intersect the a%scissa. #ate of loading is $.$5 inch per minute.
1*. Q- How do you ta(e a sand sample from a sand stoc(pile ?
A- 6a(e sample at inner middle of stoc(pile at random.
1'. Q- How would you carry-out in-situ density test on prepared su% grade ?
A- By sand cone method.
15. Q- How do you reduce the siBe of field samples ?
A- By splitting or +uartering of samples.
1;. Q- How will you distinguished A-1 and A-= soil visually ?
A- A-1 materials is a well-graded gravel or sand or a mi.ture of sand and gravel with or
without non-plastic soil %inder. !hereas4 A-= material is a clayey soil.
1=. Q- !hat is ".B.#. ?
A- ".B4#4 or "alifornia Bearing #atio , <t is a ratio of a force re+uired to penetrate a
sample to a certain depth &with a 5 cm. piston) to a force re+uired to penetrate the
sample of high +uality crushed stone with the same depth and piston.
1:. Q- !here will you fi. the penetration gauge in ".B.#. test ?
A- <n a plunger4 to determine the accurate relationship %etween the load and penetration.
1?. Q- How do you classify soils ?
A- 8oils are classified as coarse-grained and fine-grained soils. 2aterials passing the *
inches sieve and retained C' sieve are considered coarse-grained while material passing
C' sieve and retained C$$ sieve are fine-grained soils.
$. Q- !hat is the pressure in pneumatic rollers ?
A- :$ psi.
1. Q- How much thic(ness is allowed for roc(fill ?
A- 2a.imum thic(ness 2a.imum unit of weight for
0f 1ree 3ayer &cm.) 5i%rating &(g.Dunit of width4m.)
'$ 4*$$ E 4?$$
;$ 4?$$ E *4;$$
:$ *4;$$ E '4*$$
1$$ '4*$$ E 54$$$
F 1or multi vi%rating4 unit of weighing shall %e limited in accordance with unit of a.ial
weight.
. Q- !hat is the construction procedure for preparing natural ground to receive the
em%an(ment layers ?
A- #emoval of undesira%le materials such as logs4 tress4 stumps4 weeds4 heavy grass4 etc.
*. Q- !hat is the allowa%le tolerance of the top of su% grade layer and how it can %e
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measured ?
A- #efer to 6olerance 6a%le.
'. Q- !hat is A-* soil ? can we used sand in su%grade and em%an(ment ?
A- A-* soil is a fine-%each or desert %lown sand without fines or with a small amount of
non-plastic silt. 6his (ind of material cannot %e used for su%grade %ecause of the
following reasonsG
a) 9oor load sustaining +ualities
%) Highly permea%le
c) "ompressi%le under sustained loads
d) 8u%Aect to changes in strength and volume du to variation in water content4 1or
em%an(ment yes4 %y method of plating.
5. Q- <f water is not availa%le for this (ind of Ao%4 what will you do ?
A- /ither %y spraying sand sta%iliBer or %y using vi%ratory roller with high fre+uency low
amplitude.
;. Q- How will you compact roc(-fill ?
A- As mentioned a%ove &Q-1) E #efer to 2.0.". circular.
=. Q- !hat do you understand %y the material of aggregate %ase coarse ?
A- 6his materials consist of clean4 tough4 dura%le4 sharp angle fragments free of soft4
disintegrated or decomposed stone and free from any deleterious matter. 2a.. siBe of
agg. <s HI4 33 - 5 ma..4 9.< - ; ma.. &3oo( Q-55).
:. Q- !hat types of soil are well suita%le for su% grade ?
A- A-1-a4 A-1-%4 A--'.
?. Q- !hat do you mean my type A4 AA4 AAA in the compaction of soil ?
A- 6ype JAI , "ompacted density of a soil shall %e e+ual or greater that
?$> of 2a.imum Density or =$> of #elative density.
6ype JAAI , "ompacted density of a soil shall %e e+ual or greater than
?5> of ma.imum density or ='> of relative density.
6ype JAAAI , "ompacted density of a soil shall %e e+ual or greater than
1$$> of ma.imum density or =:> of relative density.
*$. Q- !hat do you mean %y relative density ? !hat is the formula ?
A- <t is the state of compactness of a soil with respect to the loosest and densest state at
which it can %e placed.
> #.D. -
1$$ .
field r . min.) r ma.. &r
ma.. r . min.) r field &r

*1. Q- !hat is the ma.imum allowa%le percentage of fria%le particles for aggregate %ase
coarse mi. ?
A- $.5>
*. Q- !hat is the proportion of natural sand to dunes sand to minimiBe the phenomena of
rutting ?
A- 6he proportion of natural sand should not e.ceed 155 of the percentage passing a C'
sieve. 6he natural sand should not contain more than 5$> of the dunes sand4 for
instance , if per the design mi.4 the percentage passing a C' sieve is 5$> of all the
+uantity of aggregates4 the allowa%le percentage of dune sand will %e =.5>4 it could
also reach 1. of this proportion or '>.
**. Q- !hen you are esta%lishing gradation4 what is your target ?
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A- 6o meet the gradation re+uirements of the specification and yield a mi. design to the
criteria of the design method. 6he gradation should %e made up to the most economical
proper aggregates to %e found.
*'. Q- !hat is fineness modulus and how to determine it ?
A- <t is a numerical num%er4 which outlines the grain siBe of the material %y fineness point
of view. <t is determined through sieve analysis %y adding total percentage retained on
sieve K4 *D:4 C'4 C:4 C1;4 C*$4 C5$4 C1$$ and dividing the sum %y 1$$.
1.2. - *.5: is coarser than 1.2 - 1.;* 3imit &.* E *.1)
*5. Q- <n sand e+uivalent why the heavy particles goes down4 what is the reason ?
A- 6hose particles whose specific gravity is heavier than water will go down and those
particles whose specific gravity is lighter than water will %e in the upper portion due to
sedimentation process.
*;. Q- !hat is uniformity coefficient and effective grain siBe ?
A- Lniformity "oefficient4 is the ratio of the diameter corresponding to percent finer &9 -
;$>) and the effective grain siBe.
/ffective Mrain siBe4 is the diameter of particles corresponding to percent finer & 9 -
1$>) on the grain siBe curve.
L." -
1$> at 8ieve
;$> at 8ieve
*=. Q- !hat are the factors affecting density of soil ?
A- a) #elative volume of solid and void spaces , 6he greater the volume of solids or the
less the volume of voids4 the greater is the density.
%) 8pecific gravity of soil particles , 6he greater the specific gravity of solids4 the
greater is the density4 all other factors %eing e+ual.
c) Amount of water is void spaces, 6his factor affect only the wet density. <t is o%vious
that the amount of water the greater is the wet density.
*:. Q- !hat is permea%ility and its significance ?
A- <s that hydraulic property of a soil which indicates the case with which water will flow
through the soil mass. <t is significant on numerous engineering pro%lems such as
seepage through dams and irrigation canals4 lowering the water ta%le to improve
sta%ility of foundations4 selecting capacity of pumps for lowering the ground-water
level during e.cavations4 and settlement of structures resting on compressi%le soils.
*?. Q- !hat is a shrin(age limit ?
A- A- highest water content at which a soil mass attained a minimum volume %ut continue
to loose weight.
'$. Q- !hat is consolidation in soil ?
A- <t is the escape of water and a gradual transfer of stress from the water to solid in a soil
mass.
F <t is not synonymous with compaction which is artificial compression of a soil %y re-
arrangement of its particles aided %y lu%ricating effect of water.
'1. Q- !hat is a proctor test ?
A- <t is the determination of the amount of mi.ing water that a soil mass can %e compacted
to higher density.
'. Q- !hat is scalping ?
A- <t is the removal of deleterious fines.
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'*. Q- !hat is the significance of ".B.#. test ?
A- <t is useful in evaluating su%grade soils and su%-%ase 7 %ase coarses material containing
a small amount of material retained on *D'N sieve.
F 6he higher the ".B.#. value4 the greater the %earing capacity of the soil and there%y
lesser the thic(ness of the pavement.
''. Q- How many truc(s we can allow for griBBly ?
A- 0nly 0ne &1) truc(.
'5. Q- !hat are the type of test to determine the strength of su%grade?
A- 1. <n in-situ,
a) 3oading test
%) 9late %earing test.
. <n la%oratory,
a) "alifornia Bearing #atio &".B.#)
%) 6ri-a.ial test
c) Hveem 8ta%ilometer test
*. /stimation %ased on classification of soil.
';. Q- !hat do you mean %y group inde. and how to it is determine?
A- <t is an emperical value used to evaluate the (indDtype of soil to %e use for su%grade
material. <t could %e determine %y e+uation,
M.<. - &1-*5) &$. E $.$$5 &33-'$)) E $.$$1 &1-15) &9< E 1$)
!here ,
M.<. E Mroup <nde.
1 - > passing $.$='mm &C$$) sieve.
33 E 3i+uid 3imit
9< E 9lasticity <nde..
'=. Q- !hat are the engineering properties of soils ?
A- 1. Mranular 8oils,
a) Mood load %earing +ualities
%) 9ermea%le
c) "omparatively incompressi%le when su%Aected to static loads.
d) Oot su%Aect to changes in strength or volume due to vi%ration and water
content4 However loose granular materials will undergo considera%le reaction
in volume when su%Aected to vi%ratory loads.
. 1ine-Mrain 8oils,
a) 9oor load sustaining +uality
%) Highly impermea%le
c) "ompressi%le under sustained loads
d) 8u%Aect to changes in strength and in volume due to variation in water content.
*. 0rganic 8oils E <nferior than fine-grained soils with respect to the
properties stated under the latter group.
':. Q- !hat are the methods for sampling ?
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A- 1. Distur%ed sampling
. Lndistur%ed sampling.
'?. Q- !hat is 8oil 8ta%iliBation ?
A- <t is the process which improve the properties of materials %y additives to improve
strength4 plasticity4 wor(a%ility and shrin(age.
5$. Q- !hat do you (now a%out 3ime 8ta%iliBation ?
A- 3ime sta%iliBation is the most economic and effective with clay soils4 where pH - 1.*$
added to soil %y a%out *> to => %y weight of dry material.
51. Q- !hat do you (now a%out compaction of sand ?
A- "ompaction is performed on sand in cases ofG
1. !ater content are %etween dry and saturated state.
. "ompletely watered &saturated)
*. "ompletely dry &Lnsaturated)
F "ompaction in completely dry state give the highest dry density and layer thic(ness
can %e increase %y using of dry compaction.
"ompaction should %e made %y roller Jvi%ratoryI with 3ow Amplitude and High
1re+uency.
5. Q- !hat is the relation %etween modified and standard proctor ?
A- 6he standard and modified proctor test give result nearly closed together for granular
soil4 %ut for plastic clay soil modified gives higher results than standard.
5*. Q- !hat is the energy for compacted test ?
A- /nergy is e+ual to the num%er of layer multiplied %y the num%er of %lows4 !eight of
Hammer and height divided %y the volume of the mold.
5'. Q- !hat are the causes of su%-surface soil ?
A- 1. Paw Hammer
. 1an Hammer
*. "onical Hammer.
55. Q- Descri%e the Aggregate Base "ourse material.
A- 2aterials, &"rushed 8tone or "rushed Mravel)
1. Hard
. Dura%le
*. 1ree from dirt
'. 8hall o%tain not more than :5 of flat elongated4 soft4 disintegrated pieces.
5. ?$> %y weight of particles with at least two fractured faces and 1$$> %y weight
of particles at least one fractured face.
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;. 2inimum A%rasion loss is '5>.
=. 8oundness loss %y sodium sulphate not more than 1> su%Aected to 5 cycles.
:. 3i+uid 3imit not more than 5 and 9lasticity <nde. not more than ; for material
passing sieve C'$.
?. 6he amount of material passing sieve C$$ not more than one half of the material
passing sieve no. '$.
1$. 6he ma.imum siBe of aggregate not more than D* of the thic(ness of the
layer.
9lant 2i.,
1. "entral proportioning and mi.ing plant.
. 6raveling plant.
9lacing4 8preading and "ompaction,
1. 6he %ase aggregate shall %e spread %y spreader %o.es.
. 6he layer should not %e less than = cm. Oor more than 15 cm. 0f compacted
thic(ness.
*. 6he aggregate shall not %e spread more than 4$$$ s+.m. in advance of the rolling.
'. After the course has %een completely compacted the surface shall %e tested for
smoothness and accuracy of grade and crown.
5. 6he finished surface shall not vary more than ? mm from a 5 m straightedge when
applied to the surface parallel with and at right angles to the centerline.
6hic(ness,
1. 6hic(ness shall represent not more than *$$ m

getting %y cores.
. !hen the difference is more than 1 mm4 the contractor shall correct such areas
%y scarifying4 adding %ase mi.ture4 rolling4 reshaping and finishing.
5;. Q- Did we can use A;4 A= in em%an(ment ? <f yes4 How. <f Oo4 !hy ?
A- @es4 we can use A;4 A= in em%an(ment after sta%iliBation %y lime and run the tests
re+uired to (now the actual re+uired classification.
5=. Q- <n 8a%(h area did we can use roc( fill? And if roc( fill not availa%le what type of soil
we use ?
A- @es4 we can use roc( fill or soil type A-1a4 A-1%4 A--' for the first 1.5 m from the
natural ground.
5:. Q- !hat is the min re+uired Oo of 9asses for rollers in roc( fill.
A- 2in. 5 times.
5?. Q- !hat is the purpose of compaction?
A- - <ncrease the shear strength of soil.
- Decrease permea%ility and water a%sorption.
- Decrease settlement of em%an(ment under repeated loads.
;$. Q- !hat are the factors affect degree of compaction?
A- - 0ptimum moisture content.
- 6ype of soil.
- "ompacted effort.
;1. Q- 8tate five reasons %ehind compaction of soil?
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A- 1ive reasons %ehind compaction of soil are,
a) Decrease settlement
%) <ncrease resistance to shear stresses and erosion.
c) Decrease swelling and shrin(age of soil when e.posed to water.
d) <ncrease soil resistance against seepage of water and a%sorption of water %y
capillarity rise.
e) <ncrease density of soil.
;. Q- 8tate four factors affecting density of soil?
A- 6he factors affecting density of soil are,
a) !ater content
%) #ate of compaction
c) #ate of compaction
d) Mranular siBe.
;*. Q- "an pure clay %e used as an em%an(ment material? <f not4 why not? <f yes4 under what
conditions?
A- "lay soils are poor soils having higher plasticity inde. 11 minimum. 8hrin(age is li(ely
to ta(e place in such soils. 2aterials which e.pands and contracts a great deal such as
clay offers an undesira%le %ase for supporting surfaces.
8oils may %e fully compacted4 %ut as water penetrates4 the materials e.pand and as the
water evaporates4 the materials contract4 attain the fle.i%ility and damage to the surface
area. 6his is e.tremely critical on rigid surfaces such as concrete highways or %uildings.
8uch clayey soils are compacted at their 02" which happens to %e higher than
shrin(age limit. 8o clayey soils should %e avoided to use in the em%an(ment.
<f any %etter material is not availa%le than clayey soils can %e used provided it is
compacted with sheep foot roller.
6he typical sheep foot roller can %e self-propelled or towed4 and compacts with a
(neading action on the soil. 6hese units generally range in weight from tons to $ tons
and vary in coverage width normally %etween *$ and 1$$ inches. 6he feet or pads can
%e of various shapes and are normally less than 1$ inches in length.
6he sheep foot compactor is operated on the theory that the feet will compact the lower
layers of the soil first and wor( towards the surface in successive passes.
;'. Q- <f you find loss material on top of su% grade a%out 1 cm4 what your action?
A- "lean the surface %y approved e+uipments.
;5. Q- !hen you stop the contractor?
A- 1) <f he did not correct unsafe condition for wor(men or general pu%lic.
) 1or failure to carry out provisions of the contract.
*) 1or failure to carry out orders and directives.
') Due to unsuita%le weathers.
;;. Q- How to (now during compaction of the materials if the water is more or less %y eyes4
and %y hands?
A- 1) #ollers will ma(e shoving in layer.
) 6ires truc(s will ma(e holls in layer.
8heep roller in case of clay will pic( up the materials from layer.
By hands,
!e ta(e mass of soil and press in hand.
1) <f water goes out indicate more water.
) <f it is plastic mass indicate proper water.
*) <f it is loss in hand indicate less water.
;=. Q- !hat is the J#I #elative 9lasticity <nde.I of soil?
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A-
# -
9.<
93 !c
or &3i+uidity <nde.).
6o (now degree of softening of soil and consistency.
2a. # - 1 at li+uid limit
<f near to Bero this mean stiff soil.
# - Qero at plastic limit.
# - &-) solid or semisolid state.
;:. Q- <f you have different materials ready to use in em%an(ment. How to use it?
A- !hen we have materials such as clay4 chal( or sand shall %e spread in alternate layers
over the full width of em%an(ment.
;?. Q- !hat is the meaning of reinforcement layer and what are itRs uses ?
A- <t is a layer %etween compacted sand or compacted #oc( fill provided every 1$ m
height appro.. 6o decrease settlement of layers.
=$. Q- !hat are the advantages of plating?
A- 1- "onfining A-* material.
- 9rotect A-* against erosion and scouring.
=1. Q- How we can say soil is non plastic?
A- 1- !hen li+uid limit can not %e determined.
- !hen plastic limit is higher than li+uid limit.
*- !hen a soil can not %e rolled into threads.
=. Q- !hat is the time elapse %et. 6wo em%an(ment layers to get proper compaction?
A- Oot more than * days prior to the application of su%se+uent layers or prime coat4 should
%e retested.
=*. Q- Define those terms, compression4 consolidation4 shrin(age4 compaction4 re%ound4
e.pansion4 swelling4 loosening or scarifying.
A- 1- "ompression,
6he loss in e.ternal volume under sustained load.
- "onsolidation,
6he loss in volume with time.
*- 8hrin(age,
6he loss in volume resulting from capillary stresses during drying soil.
'- "ompaction,
6he loss in volume due to artificial temporary loads as rolling4 tamping4 vi%ration.
5- #e%ound,
6he increase in volume due to remove sustained load.
;- /.pansion,
6he increase in volume with time.
=- 8welling,
6he increase in volume resulting from increasing of water content.
:- 3oosening or scarifying,
6he increase in volume due to artificial operations.
='. Q- !hat are the ideal soils for road?
A- <t should %e dense4 free from e.cessive moisture4 high in internal friction and cohesion
and possess low compressi%ility and capillarity.
=5. Q- !hat are the types of soil sta%iliBation?
A- 1- 2echanical sta%iliBation.
- 8oil cements sta%iliBation.
*- 3ime sta%iliBation.
'- "hemical sta%iliBation.
Soil 9