GPSC Civil Engineering (Combine Exam) Paper Solution (03-05-26) – Page 11

101) Consider the following statements regarding the Water-Cement (W/C) ratio in concrete:

1. A lower W/C ratio generally leads to higher strength but lower workability.
2. IS 456:2000 specifies a minimum W/C ratio of 0.45 for moderate exposure conditions.
3. For a given cement content, increasing W/C ratio beyond 0.6 dramatically reduces durability.

Which of the above statements are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

102) A and B are two traverse stations free from local attraction errors. If the true bearing of a line AB is 89° and the magnetic declination at point A is 1º West, then the magnetic bearing of the line BA would be

1. 88°
2. 90°
3. 268°
4. 270°

103) Consider the following statements about Fly Ash as a building material:

1. Class F fly ash is produced from burning anthracite or bituminous coal and has pozzolanic properties only.
2. Class C fly ash has both cementitious and pozzolanic properties.
3. Addition of fly ash invariably reduces the initial setting time of concrete.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

104) Consider the following statements about aggregates used in concrete:

1. The Fineness Modulus (FM) of fine aggregate for concrete typically ranges from 2.0 to 3.5.
2. Deleterious materials like clay lumps, soft fragments, and coal reduce the strength and durability of concrete.
3. Elongated and flaky aggregates are preferred over cubical ones for higher workability.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 2 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

105) Which of the following statements about initial and final setting times of cement is INCORREСТ?

1. IS 269 specifies that the initial setting time of OPC should be not less than 30 minutes.
2. Final setting time of OPC should not exceed 600 minutes as per IS 269.
3. Gypsum is added to cement clinker to accelerate the setting process.
4. The Vicat apparatus is used to determine the setting time of cement.

106) Consider the following statements about steel as a structural material:

1. Fe 415 grade steel has a characteristic yield strength of 415 N/mm².
2. The modulus of elasticity of steel is approximately 200 GPa and this value is nearly constant for all grades.
3. High-Strength Deformed (HSD) bars have better bond strength with concrete than mild steel bars due to surface deformations.

Which of the above statements are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

107) Which of the following correctly pairs the type of glass with its primary characteristic?

1. Borosilicate glass – High thermal expansion; used for windows
2. Tempered glass – Pre-stressed by heating and rapid cooling; 4-5 × stronger than annealed glass
3. Laminated glass – Contains wire mesh to prevent shattering; electrically conductive
4. Lead crystal glass – Used primarily for structural glazing due to high strength

108) Consider the following statements regarding Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRP) used as construction materials:

1. Carbon FRP (CFRP) has a higher tensile strength but lower stiffness than Glass FRP (GFRP).
2. FRP materials are non-corrosive and have high strength-to-weight ratios.
3. FRP bars cannot be used as internal reinforcement in concrete due to thermal incompatibility.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

• 1 only
• 2 only
• 1 and 2 only
• 2 and 3 only

109) Consider the following statements about Aluminium as a structural/construction material:

1. Aluminium has a modulus of elasticity approximately one-third that of steel.
2. Aluminium alloys have a higher strength-to-weight ratio than structural steel.
3. Aluminium is not susceptible to stress corrosion cracking under any circumstances.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1 and 2 only

110) Which of the following statements is correct with respect to the ‘soundness’ test?

1. Excess free lime (CaO) and magnesium oxide (MgO) causing unsoundness
2. Only excess magnesium oxide (MgO) causing unsoundness
3. Presence of excess C₂S causing rapid strength gain
4. Both alkali-silica reactivity and free lime simultaneously