List of top Geotechnical Engineering Questions asked in GATE CE

In the given figure, Point O indicates the stress point of a soil element at initial non-hydrostatic stress condition. For the stress path (OP), which of the following loading conditions is correct? \includegraphics[width=0.5\linewidth]{image11.png}
An unconfined compression strength test was conducted on a cohesive soil. The test specimen failed at an axial stress of 76 kPa. The undrained cohesion (in kPa, in integer) of the soil is \underline{\hspace{2cm}.}
The reason(s) of the nonuniform elastic settlement profile below a flexible footing, resting on a cohesionless soil while subjected to uniform loading, is/are:
A vertical sheet pile wall is installed in an anisotropic soil having coefficient of horizontal permeability, $k_H$, and coefficient of vertical permeability, $k_V$. In order to draw the flow net for the isotropic condition, the embedment depth of the wall should be scaled by a factor of \underline{\hspace{1cm}, without changing the horizontal scale.}
A soil having the average properties, bulk unit weight $=19\ \text{kN/m^3$, angle of internal friction $=25^\circ$ and cohesion $=15\ \text{kPa}$, is being formed on a rock slope at an inclination of $35^\circ$ with the horizontal. The critical height (in m) of the soil formation up to which it would be stable without failure is \underline{\hspace{2cm}} (round off to one decimal place). [Assume the soil is formed parallel to the rock bedding plane and there is no ground water effect.]}
A smooth vertical retaining wall supporting layered soils is shown in the figure. According to Rankine's earth pressure theory, the lateral active earth pressure acting at the base of the wall is \underline{\hspace{2cm} kPa (rounded off to one decimal place).} \includegraphics[width=0.5\linewidth]{image125.png}
With reference to the compaction test conducted on soils, which of the following is INCORRECT?
A drained direct shear test was carried out on a sandy soil. Under a normal stress of 50 kPa, the test specimen failed at a shear stress of 35 kPa. The angle of internal friction of the sample is \underline{\hspace{3cm} degree (round off to the nearest integer).}
The specific gravity of a soil is 2.60. The soil is at 50% degree of saturation with a water content of 15%. The void ratio of the soil is \underline{\hspace{1cm}.}
A possible slope failure is shown in the figure. Three soil samples are taken from different locations (I, II and III) of the potential failure plane. Which is the most appropriate shear strength test for each sample to identify the failure mechanism? P: Triaxial compression test
Q: Triaxial extension test
R: Direct shear (shear box) test
S: Vane shear test
\includegraphics[width=0.5\linewidth]{image36.png}
A group of 9 friction piles are arranged in a square grid maintaining equal spacing in all directions. Each pile is of diameter 300 mm and length 7 m. Assume that the soil is cohesionless with effective friction angle \(\phi' = 32^\circ\). What is the center-to-center spacing of the piles (in m) for the pile group efficiency of 60%?
Soil = 0.75
G = 2.68
Water content = 17% 
γw = 10 kg n /m3 
γd = ?