GATE 2015 SET-2 CIVIL - CE

Q. 1 – Q. 25 carry one mark each.

Q.1 While minimizing the function f(x), necessary and sufficient conditions for a point, x0 to be a
minima are:

(A) f ' ( x0 )  0 and f " ( x0 )  0 (B) f ' ( x0 )  0 and f " ( x0 )  0

NPTEL
(C) f ' ( x0 )  0 and f " ( x0 )  0 (D) f ' ( x0 )  0 and f " ( x0 )  0 Video Link
Q.2 In Newton-Raphson iterative method, the initial guess value (xini) is considered as zero while
finding the roots of the equation: f ( x)  2  6 x  4 x 2  0.5 x3 . The correction, x, to be added to
xini in the first iteration is ________________.
NPTEL Video Link

Q.3  2
cos x  i sin x
Given, i   1 , the value of the definite integral, I =  dx is:
0
cos x  i sin x NPTEL Video Link
(A) 1 (B) 1 (C) i (D) i

Q.4 2x
 1
lim 1   is equal to
NPTEL Video Link
x 
 x

(A) e 2 (B) e (C) 1 (D) e 2

Q.5 Let A  [ aij ] , 1  i, j  n with n  3 and aij  i. j . The rank of A is:

NPTEL Video Link
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) n1 (D) n

Q.6 A horizontal beam ABC is loaded as shown in the figure below. The distance of the point of
contraflexure from end A (in m) is ____________________.

10 kN NPTEL Video Link

0.75 m
A
B C

1m

Q.7 For the plane stress situation shown in the figure, the maximum shear stress and the plane on which
it acts are: y = 50 MPa
NPTEL Video Link 1
y
NPTEL Video Link 2
x = 50 MPa x x = 50 MPa

y = 50 MPa
(A) –50 MPa, on a plane 450 clockwise w.r.t. x-axis
(B) –50 MPa, on a plane 450 anti-clockwise w.r.t. x-axis
(C) 50 MPa, at all orientations
(D) Zero, at all orientations

CE 1/8
GATE 2015 SET-2 CIVIL - CE

Q.8 A guided support as shown in the figure below is represented by three springs (horizontal, vertical
and rotational) with stiffness kx, ky and k respectively. The limiting values of kx, ky and k are:

NPTEL Video Link

(A) ∞, 0, ∞ (B) ∞, ∞, ∞ (C) 0, ∞, ∞ (D) ∞, ∞, 0

Q.9 A column of size 450 mm × 600 mm has unsupported length of 3.0 m and is braced against side NPTEL Video
sway in both directions. According to IS 456: 2000, the minimum eccentricities (in mm) with Link 1
respect to major and minor principal axes are:
NPTEL Video
(A) 20.0 and 20.0 (B) 26.0 and 21.0 (C) 26.0 and 20.0 (D) 21.0 and 15.0 Link2
Q.10 Prying forces are:
(A) shearing forces on the bolts because of the joints
(B) tensile forces due to the flexibility of connected parts NPTEL Video Link
(C) bending forces on the bolts because of the joints
(D) forces due the friction between connected parts

Q.11 A steel member ‘M’ has reversal of stress due to live loads, whereas another member ‘N’ has
reversal of stress due to wind load. As per IS 800: 2007, the maximum slenderness ratio permitted
is:
NPTEL Video Link
(A) less for member ‘M’ than that of member ‘N’
(B) more for member ‘M’ than for member ‘N’
(C) same for both the members
(D) not specified in the Code

Q.12 If the water content of a fully saturated soil mass is 100%, the void ratio of the sample is: NPTEL Video Link 1
(A) less than specific gravity of soil
(B) equal to specific gravity of soil NPTEL Video Link 2
(C) greater than specific gravity of soil
(D) independent of specific gravity of soil

Q.13 In friction circle method of slope stability analysis, if r defines the radius of the slip circle, the
radius of friction circle is:
(A) r sin (B) r (C) r cos  (D) r tan NPTEL Video Link

Q.14 Net ultimate bearing capacity of a footing embedded in a clay stratum

(A) increases with depth of footing only NPTEL Video Link
(B) increases with size of footing only
(C) increases with depth and size of footing
(D) is independent of depth and size of footing

Q.15 Surcharge loading required to be placed on the horizontal backfill of a smooth retaining vertical
wall so as to completely eliminate tensile crack is:
NPTEL Video Link 1
(A) 2 c (B) 2 c ka (C) 2c ka (D) 2c ka NPTEL Video Link 2

Q.16 The relationship between the length scale ratio ( ) and the velocity scale ratio ( ) in hydraulic
models, in which Froude dynamic similarity is maintained, is:
NPTEL Video Link
= .
(A) (B) = (C) = (D) =

CE 2/8
GATE 2015 SET-2 CIVIL - CE

Q.17 A nozzle is so shaped that the average flow velocity changes linearly from 1.5 m/s at the beginning
to 15 m/s at its end in a distance of 0.375 m. The magnitude of the convective acceleration (in
m/s2) at the end of the nozzle is ___________. NPTEL Video Link

Q.18 A hydraulic jump takes place in a frictionless rectangular channel. The pre-jump depth is . The
alternate and sequent depths corresponding to are and respectively. The correct
relationship among , and is:
NPTEL Video Link 1
(A) < < (B) < <
(C) < = (D) = = NPTEL Video Link 2
Q.19 The relationship between porosity (), specific yield (Sy) and specific retention (Sr) of an
unconfined aquifer is:
NPTEL Video Link 1
(A) Sy + Sr =  (B) Sy +  = Sr
(C) Sr +  = Sy (D) Sy + Sr +  = 1 NPTEL Video Link 2

Q.20 A groundwater sample was found to contain 500 mg/L total dissolved solids (TDS). TDS (in %)
present in the sample is ____________.
NPTEL Video Link
Q.21 SO2 and CO adversely affect
(A) oxygen carrying capacity of blood and functioning of lungs respectively
NPTEL Video Link
(B) functioning of the respiratory system and brain respectively
(C) functioning of the respiratory system and oxygen carrying capacity of blood respectively
(D) functioning of air passages and chest respectively

Q.22 A superspeedway in New Delhi has among the highest super-elevation rates of any track on the
Indian Grand Prix circuit. The track requires drivers to negotiate turns with a radius of 335 m and
33 banking. Given this information, the coefficient of side friction required in order to allow a
vehicle to travel at 320 km/h along the curve is: NPTEL Video Link 1
(A) 1.761 (B) 0.176 (C) 0.253 (D) 2.530
NPTEL Video Link 2
Q.23 The following statements are made related to the lengths of turning lanes at signalised intersections:
(i) 1.5 times the average number of vehicles (by vehicle type) that would store in turning lane per
cycle during the peak hour
(ii) 2 times the average number of vehicles (by vehicle type) that would store in turning lane per
cycle during the peak hour
(iii) Average number of vehicles (by vehicle type) that would store in the adjacent through lane per
cycle during the peak hour
(iv) Average number of vehicles (by vehicle type) that would store in all lanes per cycle during the
peak hour
NPTEL Video Link
As per the IRC recommendations, the correct choice for design length of storage lanes is:
(A) Maximum of (ii and iii) (B) Maximum of (i and iii)
(C) Average of (i and iii) (D) Only (iv)

Q.24 In a leveling work, sum of the Back Sight (B.S.) and Fore Sight (F.S.) have been found to be 3.085 NPTEL Video
m and 5.645 m respectively. If the Reduced Level (R.L.) of the starting station is 100.000 m, the Link 1
R.L. (in m) of the last station is ___________.
NPTEL Video Link 2
Q.25 The combined correction due to curvature and refraction (in m) for a distance of 1 km on the
surface of Earth is:
(A) 0.0673 (B) 0.673 (C) 7.63 (D) 0.763
NPTEL Video Link 1
NPTEL Video Link 2
CE 3/8
GATE 2015 SET-2 CIVIL - CE

Q. 26 – Q. 55 carry two marks each.

Q.26 The probability density function of a random variable, x is

NPTEL Video Link
x
f ( x) 
4
 
4  x 2 for 0  x  2

 0 otherwise
The mean, x of the random variable is _______________.

Q.27 Consider the following second order linear differential equation

NPTEL Video Link
d2y
 12 x 2  24 x  20
dx2
The boundary conditions are: at x = 0, y = 5 and at x = 2, y = 21
The value of y at x = 1 is ____________.

2 1
Q.28 The two Eigen values of the matrix have a ratio of 3:1 for p = 2. What is another value of p
1
for which the Eigen values have the same ratio of 3:1?
NPTEL Video Link
(A) −2 (B) 1 (C) 7/3 (D) 14/3

Q.29 For step-size, x =0.4, the value of following integral using Simpson’s 1/3 rule is _____________.
0 .8

 0.2  25 x  200x
2

 675 x3  900 x 4  400 x5 dx NPTEL Video Link
0

Q.30 In a system, two connected rigid bars AC and BC are of identical length, L with pin supports at A
and B. The bars are interconnected at C by a frictionless hinge. The rotation of the hinge is
restrained by a rotational spring of stiffness, k. The system initially assumes a straight line
configuration, ACB. Assuming both the bars as weightless, the rotation at supports, A and B, due to
a transverse load, P applied at C is:
NPTEL Video Link
PL PL P Pk
(A) (B) (C) (D)
4k 2k 4k 4L

Q.31 A simply supported reinforced concrete beam of length 10 m sags while undergoing shrinkage.
Assuming a uniform curvature of 0.004 m1 along the span, the maximum deflection (in m) of the
beam at mid-span is ______________.
NPTEL Video Link

CE 4/8
GATE 2015 SET-2 CIVIL - CE

Q.32 A steel strip of length, L = 200 mm is fixed at end A and rests at B on a vertical spring of stiffness,
k = 2 N/mm. The steel strip is 5 mm wide and 10 mm thick. A vertical load, P = 50 N is applied at
B, as shown in the figure. Considering E = 200 GPa, the force (in N) developed in the spring is
__________.

P NPTEL Video Link

A B
k

Q.33 A simply supported beam AB of span, L = 24 m is subjected to two wheel loads acting at a
distance, d = 5 m apart as shown in the figure below. Each wheel transmits a load, P = 3 kN and
may occupy any position along the beam. If the beam is an I-section having section modulus, S =
16.2 cm3, the maximum bending stress (in GPa) due to the wheel loads is
_______________________.
P P
NPTEL Video Link

A B
d
L

Q.34 According to the concept of Limit State Design as per IS 456: 2000, the probability of failure of a
structure is _____________.
NPTEL Video Link
Q.35 In a pre-stressed concrete beam section shown in the figure, the net loss is 10% and the final pre-
stressing force applied at X is 750 kN. The initial fiber stresses (in N/mm2) at the top and bottom of
the beam were:

b
NPTEL Video Link 1
b = 250 mm NPTEL Video Link 2
d1 d1 = 200 mm
d2 = 100 mm
d1 X
d2
(A) 4.166 and 20.833 (B) 4.166 and 20.833
(C) 4.166 and 20.833 (D) 4.166 and 20.833

Q.36 A fixed end beam is subjected to a load, W at 1/3rd span from the left support as shown in the
figure. The collapse load of the beam is:
W NPTEL Video Link
L/3
X Z
Y
2MP MP

L/2 L/2

(A) 16.5 MP/L (B) 15.5 MP/L (C) 15.0 MP/L (D) 16.0 MP/L
GATE 2015 SET-2 CIVIL - CE

Q.37 A 588 cm3 volume of moist sand weighs 1010 gm. Its dry weight is 918 gm and specific gravity of
solids, G is 2.67. Assuming density of water as 1 gm/cm3, the void ratio is ___________.
NPTEL Video Link1
NPTEL Video Link 2
Q.38 A 4 m thick layer of normally consolidated clay has an average void ratio of 1.30. Its compression
index is 0.6 and coefficient of consolidation is 1 m2/yr. If the increase in vertical pressure due to
foundation load on the clay layer is equal to the existing effective overburden pressure, the change
in the thickness of the clay layer is _______________ mm NPTEL Video Link

Q.39 A pile of diameter 0.4 m is fully embedded in a clay stratum having 5 layers, each 5 m thick as
shown in the figure below. Assume a constant unit weight of soil as 18 kN/m3 for all the layers.
Using -method ( = 0.15 for 25 m embedment length) and neglecting the end bearing component,
the ultimate pile capacity (in kN) is ________________. NPTEL Video Link

Q.40 Stress path equation for tri-axial test upon application of deviatoric stress is, q  10 3  0.5 p .
The respective values of cohesion, c (in kPa) and angle of internal friction,  are:
NPTEL Video Link
(A) 20 and 20 (B) 20 and 30
(C) 30 and 30 (D) 30 and 20

Q.41 A 6 m high retaining wall having a smooth vertical back face retains a layered horizontal backfill.
Top 3 m thick layer of the backfill is sand having an angle of internal friction,  = 30 while the
bottom layer is 3 m thick clay with cohesion, c = 20 kPa. Assume unit weight for both sand and
clay as 18 kN/m3. The total active earth pressure per unit length of the wall (in kN/m) is:
(A) 150 (B) 216 (C) 156 (D) 196 NPTEL Video Link

Q.42 A field channel has cultivable commanded area of 2000 hectares. The intensities of irrigation for
gram and wheat are 30% and 50% respectively. Gram has a kor period of 18 days, kor depth of 12
cm, while wheat has a kor period of 18 days and a kor depth of 15 cm. The discharge (in m3/s)
required in the field channel to supply water to the commanded area during the kor period is
_______________. NPTEL Video Link

Q.43 A triangular gate with a base width of 2 m and a height of 1.5 m lies in a vertical plane. The top
vertex of the gate is 1.5 m below the surface of a tank which contains oil of specific gravity 0.8.
Considering the density of water and acceleration due to gravity to be 1000 kg/m3 and 9.81 m/s2
respectively, the hydrostatic force (in kN) exerted by the oil on the gate is _________________.
NPTEL Video Link

CE 6/8
GATE 2015 SET-2 CIVIL - CE

Q.44 The velocity components of a two dimensional plane motion of a fluid are: = + 2 − and
= − 2 − .
The correct statement is: NPTEL Video Link
(A) Fluid is incompressible and flow is irrotational
(B) Fluid is incompressible and flow is rotational
(C) Fluid is compressible and flow is irrotational
(D) Fluid is compressible and flow is rotational

Q.45 The average surface area of a reservoir in the month of June is 20 km2. In the same month, the
average rate of inflow is 10 m3/s, outflow rate is 15 m3/s, monthly rainfall is 10 cm, monthly
seepage loss is 1.8 cm and the storage change is 16 million m3. The evaporation (in cm) in that
month is:
NPTEL Video Link
(A) 46.8 (B) 136.0 (C) 13.6 (D) 23.4

Q.46 A pipe of 0.7 m diameter has a length of 6 km and connects two reservoirs A and B. The water
level in reservoir A is at an elevation 30 m above the water level in reservoir B. Halfway along the
pipe line, there is a branch through which water can be supplied to a third reservoir C. The friction
factor of the pipe is 0.024. The quantity of water discharged into reservoir C is 0.15 m3/s.
Considering the acceleration due to gravity as 9.81 m/s2 and neglecting minor losses, the discharge
(in m3/s) into the reservoir B is ______________.
NPTEL Video Link
Q.47 A landfill is to be designed to serve a population of 200000 for a period of 25 years. The solid
waste (SW) generation is 2 kg/person/day. The density of the un-compacted SW is 100 kg/m3 and a
compaction ratio of 4 is suggested. The ratio of compacted fill (i.e., SW + cover) to compacted SW
is 1.5. The landfill volume (in million m3) required is ____________. NPTEL Video Link

Q.48 A water treatment plant of capacity, 1 m3/s has filter boxes of dimensions 6 m × 10 m. Loading rate
to the filters is 120 m3 /day/m2. When two of the filters are out of service for back washing, the
loading rate (in m3/day/m2 ) is ______________. NPTEL Video Link

Q.49 Ultimate BOD of a river water sample is 20 mg/L. BOD rate constant (natural log) is 0.15 day1.
The respective values of BOD (in %) exerted and remaining after 7 days are:
NPTEL Video Link
(A) 45 and 55 (B) 55 and 45
(C) 65 and 35 (D) 75 and 25

Q.50 In a wastewater treatment plant, primary sedimentation tank (PST) designed at an overflow rate of
32.5 m3/day/m2 is 32.5 m long , 8.0 m wide and liquid depth of 2.25 m. If the length of the weir is
75 m, the weir loading rate (in m3/day/m) is ______________. NPTEL Video Link

Q.51 The relation between speed u (in km/h) and density k (number of vehicles / km) for a traffic stream
on a road is u = 70 – 0.7k. The capacity on this road is _______________ vph (vehicles/hour).

NPTEL Video Link

CE 7/8
GATE 2015 SET-2 CIVIL - CE

Q.52 Match the information related to tests on aggregates given in Group-I with that in Group-II.
Group-I Group-II
NPTEL Video Link
P. Resistance to impact 1. Hardness
Q. Resistance to wear 2. Strength NPTEL Video Link
R. Resistance to weathering action 3. Toughness
S. Resistance to crushing 4. Soundness
NPTEL Video Link
(A) P-1, Q-3, R-4, S-2 (B) P-3, Q-1, R-4, S-2
(C) P-4, Q-1, R-3, S-2 (D) P-3, Q-4, R-2, S-1

Q.53 In Marshall method of mix design, the coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, fines and bitumen having
respective values of specific gravity 2.60, 2.70, 2.65 and 1.01, are mixed in the relative proportions
(% by weight) of 55.0, 35.8, 3.7 and 5.5 respectively. The theoretical specific gravity of the mix
and the effective specific gravity of the aggregates in the mix respectively are:
(A) 2.42 and 2.63 (B) 2.42 and 2.78 (C) 2.42 and 2.93 (D) 2.64 and 2.78

Q.54 The bearings of two inaccessible stations, S1 (Easting 500 m, Northing 500 m) and S2 (Easting 600
m, Northing 450 m) from a station S3 were observed as 2250 and 1530 26 respectively. The
independent Easting (in m) of station S3 is:
(A) 450.000 (B) 570.710 (C) 550.000 (D) 650.000
NPTEL Video Link

Q.55 Two Pegs A and B were fixed on opposite banks of a 50 m wide river. The level was set up at A
and the staff readings on Pegs A and B were observed as 1.350 m and 1.550 m, respectively.
Thereafter the instrument was shifted and set up at B. The staff readings on Pegs B and A were
observed as 0.750 m and 0.550 m, respectively. If the R.L. of Peg A is 100.200 m, the R.L. (in m)
of Peg B is ___________________.
NPTEL Video Link

END OF THE QUESTION PAPER

Links created by: Rahul Kumar Patel, IIT Roorkee

Links reviewed by: Omender Singh, IIT Madras

CE 8/8