Tunnel Engineering MCQ Questions and Answers in Civil Engineering

Question. For transferring the tunnel alignment through shafts, we adopt the following steps:
1.Hanging two or more plumb lines in the shaft
2.Determining the bearing of the plumb lines i.e. plumb plane
3.Suspending a 35 kg weight by each plumb line
4.Immersing the weights of both the plumb lines in the buckets containing water
The correct sequence of steps is:
(a) 1, 2, 3, 4
(b) 4, 3, 2, 1
(b) 1, 3, 2, 4
(d) 2, 1, 4, 3

Answer : A

Question. Which one of the following statements is not correct with regard to heading and henching method of tunnelling?
(a) Driving of tunnel is done in two portions of its section
(b) Driving the top portion is done in advance of the bottom portion
(b) The holes in head and bench are loaded together with explosive for blasting
(d) Firing of head holes is done just before the bench holes are fired

Answer : D

Question. The most suitable soil for compressed air tunnelling is
(a) Silt
(b) Sand
(b) Clay
(d) Gravel

Answer : C

Question. In compressed air tunnelling, the volume of free air provided is
(a) 6 m³ per second per m² of face area
(b) 6 m³ per minute per m² of face area
(b) 20 m³ per minute per m² of face area
(d) 6 m³ per hour per m² of face area

Answer : B

Question. Which one of the following methods is generally used for the layout of the muck-car tracks?
(a) The grass hopper method
(b) Passing track method
(b) The cherry picker
(d) All the above

Answer : D

Question. The length of the needle beam used in needle beam method of tunnelling is usually
(a) 2 m to 4 m
(b) 2.5 m to 6 m
(b) 4 m to 7 m
(d) 5 m to 6 m

Answer : D

Question. If ‘D’ is the diameter of tunnel in meters, then the thickness of lining in mm, as per the empirical formula is given by
(a) 42 D
(b) 82 D
(b) 104 D
(d) 124 D

Answer : B

Question. Pick up the correct statement from the following during tunnel excavation,
(a) Oxygen should not be less than 19.5%
(b) Carbondioxide should not be more than 0.5%
(b) Hydrogen sulphide should not be more than 0.001%
(d) All of the above

Answer : D

Question. Which one of the following is a component of a shield for tunneling?
(a) Liner plate
(b) Trench jack
(b) Stiffener
(d) Cutting edge

Answer : D

Question. For highways, tunnelling is preferred to if the open cut exceeds:
(a) 10 meters depth
(b) 15 meters depth
(b) 20 meters depth
(d) 25 meters depth

Answer : B

Question. In “full face” method of constructing tunnels, the first operation relates to
(a) Removal of bottom portion
(b) Excavation of one drift in the centre
(b) Removal of top portion
(d) Excavation being done along the periphery

Answer : D

Question. Which one of the following is considered to be an advantage of the heading and benching method of tunnel construction?
(a) It is suitable for construction in unstable rocks
(b) In this method, it is easy to install timber support
(b) Tunneling can be continuous and the work can be expedited
(d) In case of excessive water, it is easy to take correct steps

Answer : C

Question. What is the correct sequence of the following events in rock tunnelling?
1. Marking tunnel profile
2. Loading explosives and blasting
3. Checking misfire
4. Mucking
5. Removing foul gas
6. Setting up and drilling
7. Guniting
Select the correct answer
(a) 1, 6, 5, 3, 4, 2, 7
(b) 1, 2, 6, 3, 5, 4, 7
(b) 1, 6, 2, 5, 4, 3, 7
(d) 1, 6, 2, 5, 3, 4, 7

Answer : D

Question. Which one of the following linings is suitable for shield driven tunnels particularly in the sub-aqueous regions?
(a) Brick lining
(b) Stone lining
(b) Timber line
(d) Cast iron lining

Answer : D

Question. Which of the following methods of tunneling is used for long tunnels at great depths?
(a) Army method
(b) Needle beam method
(b) Austrian method
(d) English method

Answer : C

Question. The most commonly adopted pattern of cut holes is:
(a) Horizontal wedge cut
(b) Pyramid cut
(b) Fan cut
(d) All the above

Answer : D

Question. In the wooded bulk-head, used for mucking in steep grade tunnels,
(a) One opening is provided
(b) Two openings are provided
(b) Three openings are provided
(d) No opening is provided

Answer : B

Question. As compared to a single free face, if a charge of explosive is placed equidistant from two faces, then the yield
(a) Remain same
(b) Decreases
(b) Increases by 2.25 times
(d) Increases by 3.5 times

Answer : C

Question. The following tunnels were constructed in different countries for different purposes:
1.Emperor Claudius built the first Roman tunnel
2.The first highway tunnel was constructed in Hungary
3.The first underground railway tunnel was constructed in Great Britain
4.The first navigational tunnel was constructed in France.
The correct chronological development of these tunnels is:
(a) 4, 1, 3, 2
(b) 1, 4, 2, 3
(b) 2, 3, 1, 4
(d) 3, 2, 4, 1

Answer : B

Question. What is the correct sequence of the following events of construction of a shaft in rock?
1) Drilling and blasting
ii) Timbering
iii) Pumping
iv) Mucking
Select the correct answer
(a) i, ii, iii, iv
(b) i, iv, ii, iii
(b) ii, i, iv, iii
(d) ii, iv, i, iii

Answer : B

Question. Pick up the correct statement from the following:
(a) Thtopographical maps of the Survey of India are useful in the mountainous region for tunnelling
(b) The height point on the ridge is fixed with the help of reciprocal ranging
(b) The accuracy of 1 in 10,000 is required for planimetric control
(d) All the above

Answer : D

Question. Concrete lining is provided concurrently with the driving operation in case of
(a) Rock terrain
(b) Soft rock
(b) Running soil
(d) None of these

Answer : A

Question. Which one of the following methods is generally adopted for tunnelling in firm ground
(a) Full face method
(b) Top heading and benching method
(b) Drift method
(d) All the above

Answer : D

Question. Pick up the mechanical ventilation method used for tunnels from the following:
(a) Blowing fresh air by ducts to the face of tunnel
(b) Exhausting foul air by ducts from the face of the tunnel and permitting fresh air through the tunnel
(b) Blowing fresh air and exhausting foul air by ducts
(d) All the above

Answer : D

Question. For tunnels exceeding 300 m in length, the grade should be provided below
(a) 50% of the ruling gradient
(b) 60% of the ruling gradient
(b) 75% of the ruling gradient
(d) 80% of the ruling gradient

Answer : C

Question. The tunnels, the artificial underground passages are constructed for:
(a) Highways
(b) Railways
(b) Sewerage
(d) All the above

Answer : D

Question. The following operations are required for tunnelling in rocky terrain:
1.Removing the foul gases
2.Marking the tunnel profile
3.Setting up and drilling
4.Checking misfire
5.Mucking
The correct sequence is:
(a) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
(b) 2, 3, 5, 4, 1
(b) 4, 2, 1, 3, 5
(d) 2, 3, 1, 4, 5

Answer : D

Question. American method of tunnelling
(i) Is suitable for large sized tunnels
(ii) Is not suitable for railway or highway tunnels
(iii) Requires heavy timbers
(a) Only (i) is correct
(b) (i) and (iii) are correct
(b) (ii) and (iii) are correct
(d) (i) and (ii) are correct

Answer : A

Question. In case of drift method of tunnelling, the drift may be excavated at
(a) The centre
(b) The top or bottom
(b) The side
(d) All of the above

Answer : D

Question. The difference of heights of the tunnels above rail tops of BG and MG tracks is kept
(a) 0.30 m
(b) 0.45 m
(b) 0.60 m
(d) 0.75 m

Answer : C

Question. Forepoling method is generally adopted for tunnelling in:
(a) Soft ground
(b) Firm ground
(b) Running ground
(d) None of these

Answer : A

Question. The following operations are generally employed for tunnelling in hard rock.
1.Removing ground water,
2.Loading holes and firing the explosive
3.Setting up and drilling
4.Grouting and lining
5.Removing muck
6.Ventilation and removing explosion dust
The correct sequence is:
(a) 3, 2, 6, 5, 1, 4
(b) 3, 4, 6, 1, 5, 2
(b) 4, 1, 2, 3, 6, 5
(d) 5, 4, 2, 1, 3, 6

Answer : A

Question. Which of the following is not a component of the shield?
(a) Propelling jacks
(b) Liner plate
(b) Hood
(d) Tail

Answer : B

Question. For full face method, the excavation to be done is generally divided into
(a) Two sections
(b) Three sections
(b) Four sections
(d) Five sections

Answer : B

Question. Drifters can be used to drill
(a) Only up holes
(b) Only down holes
(b) Horizontal or up holes
(d) Horizontal down or up holes

Answer : D

Question. Railway tunnels are generally
(a) Polycentric
(b) Rectangular
(b) Parabolic
(d) Circular

Answer : A

Question. Assertion A: English method of tunnelling requires more time as compared to other methods of tunnelling.
Reason R: In English method of tunnelling, the masons and excavators have to work alternately
Select your answer
(a) Both A and R is true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R is true and R is not the correct explanation of A
(b) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true

Answer : A

Question. The advantages of providing a pair of tunnels as compared to only one large highway tunnel is:
(a) Economy in cost of construction
(b) Avoidance of head on collisions
(b) Provision of separate exit and entrance of two traffic streams
(d) All the above

Answer : D

Question. Pick up the correct statement regarding drilling a tunnel from the following:
(a) Holes are drilled by pneumatically operated rock drills
(b) One drill is required for each 4 to 5 m2 force area
(b) The diameter of the bore hole at the deepest point should be 6 mm more than the diameter of the cartridge
(d) All of the above

Answer : D

Question. The needle beam method of tunnelling
(i) Is suitable for soils in which roof can stand for few minutes without support
(ii) Is suitable for brick lining
(iii) Is suitable for concrete lining
(iv) Requires large number of trench jacks
(a) Only (i) is correct
(b) (i), (ii) and (iv) are correct
(b) (i), (iii) and (iv) are correct
(d) (i) and (ii) are correct

Answer : B

Question. An overhead track on a large truss frame is required in case of car changer by
(a) The grass hopper method
(b) The passing track method
(b) California crossing method
(d) Dixon conveyor method

Answer : A

Question. "Consider the following situations.
1.Soil is soft.
2.Volume of existing surface traffic on the alignment is heavy.
3.Track is at a deeper level.
4.Water table is high.
In the construction of Metro Railways, “Cut and Cover” method of construction is suitable in situations listed at "
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1 and 3
(b) 1 and 4
(d) 2 and 3

Answer : C

Question. The concentration of the dust particles of the size 0.5 to 5 microns adjacent to the working face should not be more than
(a) 200 particles/cm³
(b) 250 particles/cm³
(b) 300 particles/cm³
(d) 450 particles/cm³

Answer : D

Question. The method of draining in the tunnels, is generally known as
(a) Foredrainage
(b) Dewatering
(b) Permanent drainage
(d) All of the above

Answer : D

Question. Assertion A: When rock conditions are favorable, it will not be necessary to take up concrete lining concurrently with the driving operations till the full length of the tunnel has been driven through rock.
Reason R: A tunnel through rock, hard or soft, does not need any concrete lining
Select your answer
(a) Both A and R is true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R is true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(b) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true

Answer : C

Question. In Belgium method of tunnelling
(a) Construction of side walls is completed before invert and roof arch are built
(b) Construction of roof arch is completed before side walls and inverts are built
(b) Construction of invert is completed before side walls and roof arch are built
(d) Construction of invert and side walls is completed before roof arch is built

Answer : B

Question. For hauling muck from the tunnel, the following type of muck-car is used:
(a) Muck box
(b) Side dump car
(b) U-bottom
(d) All of these

Answer : D

Question. A tunnel is found more advantageous as compared to the alternate routes because it:
(a) Remains free from snow
(b) Reduces the cost by reducing the route distance
(b) Reduces the maintenance cost
(d) All the above

Answer : D

Question. Which one of the following statements is not correct for heading and benching method of tunnelling?
(a) Drilling and mucking can be done simultaneously
(b) Benching provides a platform for working on heading
(b) Removal of muck from the heading is very easy
(d) None of these

Answer : C

Question. To attain the required shape of the tunnel section, we use:
(a) Easers
(b) Trimmers
(b) Cut holes
(d) Chisels

Answer : B

Question. Which of the following lining material is useful for shield driven tunnels in sub aqueous regions?
(a) Stone masonry
(b) Timber
(b) Cast iron
(d) Cement concrete

Answer : C

Question. For B.G. single track railway, the height of the tunnel above top of rails should be
(a) 5.5 m to 5.8 m
(b) 5.8 m to 6.2 m
(b) 6.7 m to 7.3 m
(d) 7.3 m to 7.5 m

Answer : C

Question. Which one of the following methods is adopted for permanent drainage of tunnels?
(a) Provision of longitudinal drains
(b) Continuous open drains
(b) Concrete lining
(d) All the above

Answer : D

Question. Which one of the following tunneling methods is used for laying underground sewers?
(a) Needle beam method
(b) Army method
(b) German method
(d) Italian method

Answer : B

Question. Pick up the explosive used for tunnelling in soft rocks from the following:
(a) Blasting gelatine
(b) Special gelatine
(b) Ammonia dynamite
(d) Semi-gelatine

Answer : C

Question. Which one of the following statements is not correct in respect of setting of an inclined tunnel?
(a) Reference points are constructed at every 300 m
(b) The alignment is fixed from upper/lower apex point
(b) The level of the invert at the heading is marked by a tape
(d) None the above

Answer : D

Question. Ribs are used for strengthening and stiffening the liner plate for tunnels of diameter greater than
(a) 2 m
(b) 3 m
(b) 4 m
(d) 5 m

Answer : B

Question. If ‘N’ is the number of shafts used, then the total number of faces available for attacking the excavation and construction in tunnels are
(a) 2N
(b) N + 2
(b) 2N + 1
(d) 2N + 2

Answer : D

Question. For initial surveys of tunnels, the following activities are involved:
1.Marking portal point with concrete pillars on the ground
2.Marking tunnel obligatory points on the topographical maps
3.Preliminary setting of the tunnel on the topographical Survey of India maps
4.Driving lines between the fixed obligatory points
The correct sequence of the activities is:
(a) 3, 2, 4, 1
(b) 1, 2, 3, 4
(b) 4, 3, 1, 2
(d) 2, 4, 3, 1

Answer : A

Question. Which one of the following methods of tunnelling does not require the use of time bearing?
(a) Linear plate method
(b) Shield method
(b) Compressed air method
(d) All of these

Answer : D

Question. In case of railways,
(a) A detour round the hill is preferred
(b) A open cut is preferred
(b) Tunnelling is preferred
(d) All the above

Answer : C

Question. Which of the following are percussion drills?
(i) Shot drill
(ii) Diamond drill
(iii) Wagon drill
(iv) Churn drill
(a) (i) and (ii) are correct
(b) (iii) and (iv) are correct
(b) (i) and (iv) are correct
(d) (ii) and (iii) are correct

Answer : B

Question. Circular section of tunnels is not suitable for
(a) Carrying water
(b) Non-cohesive soils
(b) Tunnels driven by shield method
(d) Placement of concrete lining

Answer : D

Question. The correct sequence of drilling equipment for increasing size of holes in tunnels is
(a) Wagon drill, churn drill, shot drill
(b) Wagon drill, shot drill, churn drill
(b) Shot drill, churn drill, wagon drill
(d) Churn drill, wagon drill, shot drill

Answer : A

Question. High pressure grouting is generally restored for concreting in the lining if the rock strata is:
(a) Highly fissured
(b) Poor
(b) Likely to get seepage of water
(d) All of the above

Answer : D

Question. A good blast with a good yield is obtained if the cut hole is
(a) Normal to face
(b) Inclined at 45° to the face
(b) Inclined at 15° to the face
(d) Inclined at 30° to the face

Answer : B

Question. Drift method of tunneling is used to construct tunnels in
(a) Soft grounds
(b) Rock
(b) Self supporting grounds
(d) Broken grounds

Answer : B

Question. For B.G. single track, the section of the tunnel must have a width
(a) 4.2 m to 4.5 m
(b) 4.5 m to 4.8 m
(b) 4.9 m to 5.5 m
(d) 5.5 m to 5.8 m

Answer : C