Highway Materials - IES Previous Year Questions

1. The plasticity index of the fraction passing 425 micron IS sieve in case of sub-base / base course should be _____ .

[IES 1996]

  1. Greater than 6
  2. Greater than 9
  3. Between 15 and 30
  4. Less than 6
Answer: Option D
Explanation:
As per IRC 19:1977 Clause 3.4.1, Binding material to be used for WBM shall consist of a fine grained material passing through 425 micron sieve and possessing Plasticity Index value of
  • 4-9 when the WBM is used as a surfacing course.
  • upto 6 when the WBM is adopted as a sub-base/base course with bituminous surfacing.

2. For an aggregate-soil mixture with maximum size of aggregate as 60 mm, the percentage of material between 6mm and 75 micron sizes for obtaining Fuller’s maximum density criterion shall be nearly _____ .

[IES 1997]

  1. 35
  2. 28
  3. 15
  4. 37
Answer: Option B
Explanation:
Maximum density gradation for maximum aggregate size as given by Fuller and Thompson is,
p = (d/D)n x 100%
Where,
p - Percentage of aggregates finer than the considered aggregate size d mm
D - Maximum size of aggregate in the mixture, mm
n - Gradation index that depends on the shape of the particles. For perfectly rounded particles, n = 0.5
Thus, percentage of material passing through 6 mm,
⇒ p1 = (d/D)n x 100% = (6/60)0.5 x 100% = 31.62%
percentage of material passing through 75 micron,
⇒ p2 = (d/D)n x 100% = (0.075/60)0.5 x 100% = 3.54%
Thus, percentage of material between 6 mm and 75 micron,
⇒p1 - p2 = 31.62 - 3.54 = 28.08%

3.  Which one of the following binders is recommended for a wet and cold climate ?

[IES 1998]

  1. Tar
  2. Cutback 
  3. Emulsion
  4. 80/100 penetration asphalt
Answer: Option C
Explanation:
The suspension of finely divided bitumen in an aqueous medium and stabilised by means of one or more materials is called bituminous emulsion, It is used in bituminous road maintenance works like patching. A bituminous emulsion can also be used in wet weather even when it is raining.

4.  Which one of the following pairs is NOT correctly matched ?

[IES 1999]

  1. Horizontal curves – Superelevation
  2. O and D studies – Desire lines
  3. Soundness test – Purity of bitumen
  4. Los Angeles test – Hardness of aggregates
Answer: Option C
Explanation:
  • Super elevation is provided in a horizontal curve.
  • Desire lines are drawn when carrying out origin and destination studies.
  • Purity of bitumen is determined using Solubility test. Soundness test is done to determine the resistance against weathering actions.
  • Los Angeles abrasion test is carried out to determine the hardness of the aggregates.

5.  For carrying out bituminous patch work during the rainy season, the most suitable binder is _____ . 

[IES 1999]

  1. Road tar
  2. Hot bitumen
  3. Bituminous emulsion
  4. Cutback bitumen
Answer: Option C
Explanation:
The suspension of finely divided bitumen in an aqueous medium and stabilised by means of one or more materials is called bituminous emulsion, It is used in bituminous road maintenance works like patching. A bituminous emulsion can also be used in wet weather even when it is raining.

6.  Bitumen grade 80/100 indicates that under the standard test conditions, penetration value of bitumen would vary from _____ .

[IES 2000]

  1. 8 mm to 10 mm
  2. 8 cm to 10 cm
  3. 0.08 mm to 0.1 mm
  4. 0.8 mm to 1 mm
Answer: Option D
Explanation:
The penetration value of bitumen is determined by measuring the depth of penetration (in tenths of a millimeter) of a standard needle when loaded vertically for five seconds. Hence the penetration depth =
1 / 10
x 80 to 100 mm = 8 to 10 mm

7.  Match List-I (Tests) with List-II (Properties) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

List-I

  1. CBR test
  2. Plate bearing test
  3. Triaxial test
  4. Stabilometer and Cohesion-meter test

List-II

  1. Modulus of subgrade reaction
  2. Arbitrary soil strength 
  3. Exudation and expansion pressure
  4. Shear parameters

[IES 2003]

Codes: A B C D
  1.  2  1  3  4
  2.  1  2  4  3
  3.  2  1  4  3
  4.  1  2  3  4
Answer: Option C
Explanation:
  • Plate bearing test is carried out to determine the Modulus of subgrade reaction.
  • Triaxial test is done to find out the shear parameters.
  • CBR test determines the strength of soil.
  • Stabilometer and Cohesion-meter test is used to determine the R value of subgrade material, exudation pressure and expansion pressure.

8.  Match List-I (Tests) with List-II (Purpose) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

List-I

  1. Impact test
  2. Los-Angeles abrasion test
  3. Crushing test
  4. Stripping test

List-II

  1. Bitumen adhesion
  2. Toughness
  3. Hardness
  4. Strength

[IES 2004]

Codes: A B C D
  1.  4  1  2  3
  2.  4 3  2  1
  3.  2  1  4  3
  4.  2 3  4  1
Answer: Option D
Explanation:
  • Impact test is carried out to evaluate the toughness of the aggregates.
  • Los-Angeles abrasion test is used to determine the hardness of the aggregates.
  • Crushing strength is carried to determine the strength of aggregates.
  • Stripping test is done to evaluate the adhesion of bitumen to an aggregate in the presence of water.

9.  Match List-I (Type of binder) with List-II (Uses) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

List-I

  1. 80/100 penetration grade bitumen
  2. 85/25 blown-bitumen
  3. MC-70 cutback
  4. RT-5 road tar

List-II

  1. mastic -asphalt
  2. Bituminous roads
  3. Grouting works
  4. Prime-coat

[IES 2006]

Codes: A B C D

  1.  2  1  4  3
  2.  3  1  4  2
  3.  2  4  1  3
  4.  3  4  1  2
Answer: Option C
Explanation:
  • Bitumen 80/100 is used for the construction of bituminous roads.
  • Cutback bitumen MC-70 is commonly used as a prime coating.
  • RT-5 road tar is generally used for grouting works.

10.  What are the standards for testing of road macadam in Aggregate impact test ?

[IES 2006]

  1. 14 kg wt, 38 cm drop, 15 blows
  2. 14 kg wt, 35 cm drop, 20 blows
  3. 18 kg wt, 35 cm drop, 15 blows
  4. 18 kg wt, 30 cm drop, 20 blows
Answer: Option A
Explanation:
In aggregate impact test,
  • Weight of hammer = 13.5 - 14 kg
  • Height of fall of hammer = 38 cm
  • Number of blows = 15 blows
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