GPSC Civil Engineering (Combine Exam) Paper Solution (03-05-26) – Page 8

71) Which of the following statements about the ‘Labour Contract’ and ‘Construction Contract’ types in India is incorrect?

1. In an ‘Item Rate Contract’, the contractor quotes rates for individual items; final cost depends on actual quantities measured.
2. In a ‘Lump Sum Contract’, the contractor takes full risk for quantity variations; the employer pays a fixed sum.
3. In a ‘Cost Plus Fixed Fee Contract’, the contractor has maximum incentive to control costs.
4. The FIDIC ‘Red Book’ (Conditions of Contract for Construction) is used for employer-designed projects, while the ‘Yellow Book’ is for contractor-designed plant and design-build.

72) In construction quality control, the following statements are made about Statistical Process Control (SPC):

1. The control charts (X-bar and R charts) are used to monitor process mean and variability respectively.
2. A process is deemed ‘in statistical control’ when all points fall within 30 control limits and no non-random patterns are present.
3. Acceptance Sampling (per IS 2500) involves inspecting a sample from a lot and accepting/rejecting the entire lot based on sample results.
4. The Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) is the worst tolerable process average when a continuing series of lots is submitted for acceptance.

Which of the above statements are correct?

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

73) During deep excavation for basement construction, a ‘Diaphragm Wall’ (D-wall) is used. Which of the following statements is incorrect?

1. Diaphragm walls are precast concrete walls constructed using bentonite slurry to support the trench during excavation before concreting.
2. The bentonite slurry must have a specific gravity between 1.03 and 1.10 for adequate trench stability.
3. Diaphragm walls, once connected to the basement floors act as permanent retaining walls forming part of the structure.
4. The ‘Stop-End Pipes’ (precast joint formers) at panel ends create a water-tight joint between adjacent panels.

74) Which of the following statements is incorrect regarding the ‘Liquidated Damages’ (LD) clause in construction contracts of works?

1. LD represents a genuine pre-estimate of the employer’s likely loss due to delay, agreed at the time of contract.
2. LD is enforceable even if delay is not attribute to contractor.
3. If the contractor can prove ‘concurrent delay’ (both employer and contractor caused delay simultaneously), the employer cannot recover full LD for that period.
4. LD is typically subjected to a maximum of 10%

75) In preparing a detailed estimate for a residential building, the ‘Centre Line Method’ is used for calculating quantities of foundation and superstructure items. Consider the following statements:

1. For outside walls of different thicknesses at corners, the corner deduction = (thickness of wall x number of corners) to avoid double counting at corners.
2. For a rectangular building with one room, the total Centre-line length for 230 mm walls = 8(L + B), where L and B are outer dimensions.
3. Where internal walls meet external walls (T – junctions), the length of the internal wall is taken between the inner faces of the external walls.
4. The Centre-line method gives slightly overestimated quantities at internal corners and T-junctions requiring deductions.

Which of the above statements are correct?

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

76) Consider the following statements about the use of plastic waste in road construction as per MoRTH guidelines:

1. Plastic waste (LDPE, HDPE bags) shredded to 2-4 mm size can be blended with hot bitumen.
2. Plastic-modified bitumen shows improved softening point and reduced rutting tendency.
3. Use of plastic waste in roads is mandatory on all National Highways as per NHAI policy.

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

77) Which IS code provides specifications for the use of Recycled Aggregate (RA) from demolished concrete in new construction?

1. IS 2386:1963
2. IS 393:2016
3. IS 17452:2020
4. IS 456:2000
5. None of Above

78) Road safety engineering measures include ‘Black Spot’ identification and treatment. A location on a highway is classified as a Black Spot if:

1. It has poor visibility due to vegetation
2. It records 5 or more road accidents OR 10 or more casualties in the most recent 3-year period
3. It is located within 500 m of a school zone
4. It has CBR value less than 2%

79) In the ‘wet process’ of incorporating plastic waste in bituminous roads, plastic is

1. Directly mixed with aggregate before bitumen addition
2. Pre-blended with bitumen in modified form before laying
3. Burned alongside the aggregate
4. Used as a sub-base filler material

80) Consider the following road safety measures:

1. Rumble Strips – used to alert drivers by creating vibration
2. Chevron Signs – used to indicate sharp curves
3. Delineators – used to mark the roadway edge at night
4. Speed Tables – flat-topped speed humps used near pedestrian crossings

Which of the above are correct about IRC recommended road safety features?

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