Earthquake Engineering MCQ

Multichoice Question
GPSC, GATE

When there is a reduction in amplitude over every cycle of vibration, then the body is said to have
free vibration
forced vibration
damped vibration
none of the mentioned

When there is a constant amplitude over every cycle of vibration, then the body is said to have
free vibration
forced vibration
undamped vibration
none of the mentioned

In under damped vibrating system, if x1 and x2 are the successive values of the amplitude on the same side of the
mean position, then the logarithmic decrement is equal to
x1/x2
ln (x1/x2)
loge (x1/x2)
log (x1.x2)

The ratio of the maximum displacement of the forced vibration to the deflection due to the static force, is known as
damping factor
damping coefficient
logarithmic decrement
magnification factor

Two springs have spring stiffness of 1500 N/m and 2000 N/m respectively. If they are connected in series, what is
the spring stiffness of an equivalent system.
3500 N/m
1166 N/m
857.63 N/m
None of the above

Two springs have spring stiffness of 1000 N/m and 2000 N/m respectively. If they are connected in parallel, what is
the spring stiffness of an equivalent system.
3000 N/m
1166 N/m
857.63 N/m
None of the above
Which of the following relations is true when springs are connected parallelly? where K = spring stiffness
Ke = K1 + K2
(1 / Ke) = (1/K1) + (1/ K2)
Ke = (1/K1) + (1/ K2)
None of the above

Which of the following relations is true when springs are connected parallelly? where K = spring stiffness
Ke = K1 + K2
(1 / Ke) = (1/K1) + (1/ K2)
Ke = (1/K1) + (1/ K2)
None of the above

What are deterministic vibrations?

Vibrations caused due to known exciting force
Vibrations caused due to unknown exciting force
Vibrations which are aperiodic in nature
None of the above

In which type of vibrations, amplitude of vibration goes on decreasing every cycle?

Damped vibrations
Undamped vibrations
Both a. and b.
None of the above

Which among the following is the fundamental equation of S.H.M.?

x + (k / m) x =0
x + ω2x =0
x + (k/m)2 x =0
x2 + ωx2 =0

A stretched string of a guitar when operated is subjected to

A. Free vibrations B. Forced torsional vibrations
C. Forced vibrations D. Damped vibrations

Determine natural frequency of a system, which has equivalent spring stiffness of 30000 N/m and mass of 20 kg?
12.32 Hz
4.10 Hz
6.16 Hz
None of the above

Calculate natural frequency of damped vibration, if damping factor is 0.52 and natural frequency of the system is 30
rad/sec which consists of machine supported on springs and dashpots.
25.62 rad/sec
20.78 rad/sec
14.4 rad/sec
15.33 rad/sec
Calculate logarithmic decrement if damping factor is 0.33.
1.36
3.23
5.16
2.19

In damped free vibrations, which parameters indicate vibrations?

Natural frequency
Rate of decay of amplitude
Both a. and b.
None of the above

Which of the following statements is/are true for coulomb damping?

Coulomb damping occurs due to friction between two lubricated surfaces
Damping force is opposite to the direction of motion of vibrating body
For smooth surfaces, coefficient of friction depends upon velocity
Damping force depends upon the rubbing velocity between two rubbing surfaces
Only statement 1
Statement 2, 3 and statement 4
Only statement 2
All the above statements are true

What is meant by critical damping coefficient?

Frequency of damped free vibrations is less than zero
The motion is aperiodic in nature
Both a. and b.
None of the above

Calculate coefficient of viscous damper, if the system is critically damped. Consider the following data:
Mass of spring mass damper system = 350 kg
Static deflection = 2 x 10–3 m
Natural frequency of the system = 60 rad/sec
100.5 x 103 N-s/m
80 x 103 N-s/m
42 x 103 N-s/m
None of the above
Determine logarithmic decrement, if the amplitude of a vibrating body reduces to 1/6th in two cycles.
0.223
0.8958
0.3890
None of the above
The ratio of the actual damping coefficient (c) to the critical damping coefficient (cc ) is known as _________
Damping factor
Damping coefficient
Resistive factor
Resistive coefficient

Calculate critical damping coefficient in Ns/m from the following data.

mass = 200Kg
ω = 20rad/s
25,132
26,132
27,132
Not possible

Calculate critical damping coefficient in N/m/s from the following data:

mass = 100Kg
ω = 10rad/s
5,132
6,283
7,132
8,132

Magnification factor is the ratio of the maximum displacement due to forced vibrations to the deflection due to
_______
Static force
Dynamic force
Torsion
Compression

In which of the cases the factor c = 0?

When there is damping
No damping
Resonance
c is never 0

A body of mass 20 kg is suspended from a spring which deflects 20mm under this load. Calculate the frequency of
free vibrations in Hz.
3.5
5
6
7
In which of the following cases, overdamping occurs?
Roots are real
Roots are complex conjugate
Roots are equal
Independent of the equation

In which of the following cases, underdamping occurs?

Roots are real
Roots are complex conjugate
Roots are equal
Independent of the equation

The load whose magnitude, direction and position vary with respect to time known as
Static load Dynamic load Axial load None of the above

Structural response of dynamic loading is expressed in terms of _______

Deflection Rotation Drift All of the above

Force required to produce unit deformation is known as

Flexibility Strength Stiffness Ductility

Time required to complete one cycle of free vibration is known as

Natural Time Period Frequency Angular Frequency None of the Above

Nos of cycle per unit time is known as

Time Period Natural Frequency Angular Frequency None of the Above

Maximum displacement or deformation of a vibrating system from its mean position is called as
Natural Frequency Resonance Amplitude None of the above

The fundamental mode of vibrating of a structure is the mode having the ___________ Natural Frequency.
Highest Average Lowest None of the above

Frequency of external force is match with one the natural frequency of vibrating system. This phenomenon is known
as.
Critical Damping Resonance Amplitude None of the above
A harmonic motion has a time period of 0.2 sec. what will be the natural angular frequency?
31.4 rad/s 20 rad/s 35.4 rad/s None of the above

A harmonic motion has frequency of 12 cycle/se c. What will be the angular frequency?
76.5 rad/s 80 rad/s 75.4 rad/s None of the above

Which is most importance element of SDOF system to determine dynamic behavior of system?
Inertia force Spring Force Damping Force All of the Above
Which is the equation of free undamped vibration of SDOF system?
m𝑥̈ + k𝑥̇ + cx = 0 m𝑥̇ + k𝑥̈ = 0 m𝒙̈ + kx = 0 None of the above

Which is the equation of free damped vibration of SDOF system?

m𝒙̈ + c𝒙̇ + kx = 0 m𝑥̇ + k𝑥̈ = 0 m𝑥̈ + c 𝑥̇ = 0 m𝑥̈ + c𝑥̇ + kx = F(t)

Which is the equation of Force damped vibration of SDOF system?

m𝑥̈ + c𝑥̇ + kx = 0 m𝑥̇ + k𝑥̈ = F(t) m𝑥̈ + c 𝑥̇ = F(t) m𝒙̈ + c𝒙̇ + kx = F(t)

Which is the equation of Force undamped vibration of SDOF system?

m𝒙̈ + kx = F(t) m𝑥̇ + k𝑥̈ = F(t) m𝑥̈ + c 𝑥̇ = F(t) m𝑥̈ + c𝑥̇ + kx = F(t)

A mass of 1 kg is suspended by spring having stiffness of 600 N/m. Which is the equation of motion for the given
system.
1 𝑥̈ + 600 = 0 𝑥̈ + 600x = 1 𝒙̈ + 600x = 0 None of the above

A vertical cable 3m long has cross sectional area of 4cm2 supports some weight. What will be the stiffness
of the cable?
7000 kg/cm 7200 kg/cm 7500 kg/cm None of the above

A cantilever beam AB of length L is attached to a spring k and mass M at free end. What will be the stiffness
of cantilever beam?
3EI/L2 3EI/L3 4EI/L 12EI/L3

A simply supported rectangular beam has weight at center of beam. What will be the stiffness of the
beam?
48EI/L3 3EI/L3 12EI/L3 None of the Above

A vibrating system consist of a mass 5kg spring stiffness 120 N/m and a damper. What will be damping co-
efficient of a system?
45 49 55 60

If logarithmic decrement is 1.896 than determine number of cycles after which initial amplitude is reduced
by 25%.
2.166 2.899 3 3.166

Which is the equation of spring force?

k𝑥̇ k𝑥̈ kx None of the Above

Which is the equation of inertia force?

𝑚𝑥̇ m𝒙̈ mx None of the Above
Which is the equation of damping force?
𝒄𝒙̇ c𝑥̈ cx None of the Above

In which types of vibration f(t) = o in equation of SODF system?

Free Damped Vibration Force Damped Vibration

Free Undamped Vibration Force Undamped Vibration

In which types of vibration f(t) = C = o in equation of SODF system?

Free Damped Vibration Force Damped Vibration

Free Undamped Vibration Force Undamped Vibration

Lateral Loads on Buildings Lateral Load Distribution:

The load which is applied parallel to ground on a building is known as ________.
Longitudinal Load Lateral Load Vertical Load None

Which lateral loads are acting on a structure?

Earthquake Load Wind Load Water & Earth Pressure All of the above

Building should have subjected following Lateral Loads 1) Seismic load due to earthquake 2) Earth pressure
due to soil, 3) Gravity loading due to self-weight of building.
1&2 1, 2, 3 1,3 1

Structure should have subjected following Lateral Loads 1) Seismic load due to earthquake 2) Wind load
on structure 3) Blast loading due to Blast nearby Structure.
1&2 1, 2, 3 1,3 1
Which lateral loads are acting on building?
Earthquake Load Wind Load Blast Load All of the above
Rigid diaphragm effect

_________ diaphragm distributes the horizontal forces to the vertical resisting elements in direct proportion
to the relative rigidities.
Rigid Semi-Rigid Flexible None
A diaphragm is considered _________ when the midpoint displacement more than displacement of the end
supports under seismic loading.
Rigid Semi-Rigid Flexible None

A diaphragm is considered _________ when the midpoint displacement less than a displacement of the end
supports under seismic loading.
Rigid Semi-Rigid Flexible None

What is the main function of the diaphragm in a building during an earthquake?

Transfer Self Weight of Building to soil
Transfer Live load from Terrace to Ground
Transfer Lateral Load into Vertical Element
None of the Above

Which is the structural element used as a diaphragm in a building?

Shear Wall Column Slab-Beam None
Centers of mass and Stiffness

For simple rigid objects with uniform density, the center of mass is located at the _______.
Centre At Boundary On any one Axis None

______________ is the point through which resultant of masses of system acts.

Centre of Mass Centre of stiffness Centre of Strength None of the above
______________ is the point in building through which resultant of inertia force is consider to act during
earthquake shaking.
Centre of Mass Centre of stiffness Centre of Strength None of the above

Earthquake induces lateral force on the floor is proportion to _____.

Stiffness Strength Mass Flexibility

Resultant of earthquake force passes through the ___________ of the floor.

Centre of Mass Centre of stiffness Centre of Strength None of the above
Which is not geometrical center point of the structure?
Centre of Mass Centre of stiffness Centre of Rigidity All of the above

Center of Stiffness is also known as __________.

Centre of Strength Centre of Flexibility Centre of Rigidity None of the above

______________ is the point through which the resultant of the restoring forces of system acts.
Centre of Mass Centre of stiffness Centre of Strength None of the above

_____________ is the required force on system to produce unit displacement.

Strength Stiffness Flexibility Rigidity

Restoring force of lateral force passes through ______.

Centre of Mass Centre of stiffness Centre of Strength None of the above

Which is the earthquake resisting elements of building directly affect to center of stiffness?
Column Shear Wall Couple Shear Wall All of the above

Center of mass and center of stiffness required for _____ dimensional analysis of structure.
One Two Three None

Center of mass and center of stiffness is not affected in _____ dimensional analysis.
One Two Three None

Calculation of center of mass and center of stiffness are required to find the effect of _______ in building.
Shear Torsion Bending Deflection

Point where force causes system to move without rotation is

center of mass midpoint of body edge of the body none of above
The point of a system where an applied force causes the system to move without rotation is termed as
Friction center of gravity center of a mass intersection point

If the force is applied at the center of mass then twist is

Maximum Zero 1 Infinity

In which type of structural system center of mass and center of stiffness is coincide with each other.
Torsionally Coupled System Torsionally Un-Coupled System
Torsionally Braced System None of the above

In which type of structural system center of mass and center of stiffness is not coincide with each other.
Torsionally Coupled System Torsionally Un-Coupled System
Torsionally Braced System None of the above

If restoring force of lateral load passes through center of mass than the building is known as ________
Torsionally Coupled building Torsionally Un-Coupled Building
Torsionally Braced Building None of the above
If restoring force of lateral load does not passes through center of mass than the building is known as
________
Torsionally Coupled building Torsionally Un-Coupled Building
Torsionally Braced Building None of the above

In torsionally coupled system building will twist about __________ during earthquake.
Centre of Mass Centre of stiffness At Center of building None of the above

When center of rigidity is subjected to lateral loading, the floor diaphragm will experience only
____________.
Translation Rotation Translation Displacement Twisting of Building None

In ____________ system building will twist due to seismic loading.

Torsionally Coupled System Torsionally Un-Coupled System
Torsionally Braced System None of the above
In ____________ system building will not twist due to seismic loading.
Torsionally Coupled System Torsionally Un-Coupled System
Torsionally Braced System None of the above

Which is the reason for twisting of building?

Uneven distribution of Mass Asymmetric plan of building
Asymmetric arrangement of EQ resisting Element All of the above
Lateral Load Analysis

Which methods are known as approximate methods of lateral load analysis?

Portal Method Cantilever Methods Factor Method All of the above

In portal method of approximate analysis of frame, Hinges are developed at _______ in column.
Center Upper Junction Lower Junction None of the Above

In portal method of approximate analysis of frame, Hinges are developed at _______ in beam.
Support Mid Span 1/3 or 2/3 of Span None of the Above

In portal method, bending moment is assumed to be zero at ________ point in beam.

Support Mid Span 1/3 or 2/3 of Span None of the Above

In portal method, bending moment is assumed to be zero at ________ point in column.

Support 1/3 or 2/3 of Height Mid Height None of the above

In portal method, it is assumed that shear in exterior column is ______ than interior column.
1/2 1/3 2 3

In portal method, it is assumed that shear in interior column is ______ times shear in interior column.
1/2 1/3 2 3

Portal method of analysis is applicable to ______ stories.

2 to 3 4 to 5 6 to 9 More than 9
Stiffness of which elements is not considered during the portal method of analysis.
Column Beam Beam & Column None of the Above

In which methods of analysis stiffness of element is consider to draw shear force and bending moment
diagram.
Moment Distribution Method Stiffness Matrix Method Cantilever Method All of the Above

In cantilever method, bending moment is assumed to be zero at ________ point in beam.

Support Mid Span 1/3 or 2/3 of Span None of the Above

In cantilever method, bending moment is assumed to be zero at ________ point in column.

Support 1/3 or 2/3 of Height Mid Height None of the above

Axial force in column is directly proportional to distance of column from the centroid is assumed in which
methods of analysis of frame.
Moment Distribution Method Stiffness Matrix Method Cantilever Method All of the Above
During an earthquake, soil and water can combine to form a semi-solid material in a process called _____.
Liquification liquefying liquefaction quick sanding

Which is a good example of how the ground acts during liquefaction?

The ground acts like pure water.
The ground acts like sand.
The ground acts like molasses or honey.
The ground acts like quicksand.

Which combination will most likely lead to liquefaction during a high-magnitude earthquake?
ground made up of solid rock; little groundwater
ground made up of sand; no groundwater
ground made up of multiple soil layers; little groundwater
ground made of multiple soil layers; a large amount of groundwater

Which seismic code states the Indian standard guidelines for repairs and seismic strengthening of buildings?
1893-2016, 1897-2000, 1390-1998, 13935-1993

Which seismic code states the Indian standard guidelines for ductile detailing of RC structure subjected to
Earthquake Forces?
13920-1993 13920-1995 13920-1998 13920-1999
Which seismic code states the Indian standard guidelines for ductile detailing of RC structure subjected to
Earthquake Forces?
13920-1993 13925-1993 13910-1993 13930-1993

Why seismic strengthening is required?

To resist a minor level of earthquake ground motion without damage;
To resist a moderate level of earthquake ground motion without structural damage, but possibly experience some
non-structural damage
To resist a major level of earthquake ground motion having an intensity equal to the strongest either experienced
or forecast for the building site, without collapse, but possibly with some structural as well as non-structural
damage.
All of the Above.

In Which earthquake zone Ductile Detailing required?

IV V III with Importance factor more than 1 All of the above

For Ductile Detailing required in structure is located in seismic zone III and is more than _____ Storey High.
3 4 5 6

_______ Failure is occurred in the beam due to less steel provided on tension face.
Ductile Brittle Compression Shear

Minimum numbers of bars are provided throughout in beam top and bottom as per Indian standard.
2 3 4 5

Stirrups in RC beam provided to resist

Vertical Shear Protect Concrete from Bulging Prevent Buckling of Longitudinal Bar All of Above

The minimum diameter of the stirrups bar is provided in the beam more than 5m long.
6mm 8mm 10mm 12mm

The minimum diameter of stirrups bar is provided in the beam.

6mm 8mm 10mm 12mm

In stirrups both ends bent into____hook as per IS.

45o 75o 90o 135o

At the near face of a column in a beam, the spacing of stirrups not more than ____and ____times beam bar
diameter.
d/4, 8 d/4, 6 d/2,8 d/2,6

A center of the beam, the spacing of stirrups not more than ____.
d 2d d/2 3d
_________ is an essential attribute of an earthquake-resistant design of a structure that serves as a shock absorber
in a structure and reduces the transmitted force to one that is sustainable.
Elasticity Ductility Plasticity All of above

For all buildings which are more than 3 stories in height, the minimum grade of concrete shall be ___
M15 M20 M25 None of Above

The factored axial stress on the flexural member under earthquake loading shall not exceed ______
0.1Fck 0.2Fck 0.15Fck 0.25Fck

The Flexural member shall preferably have a width to depth ratio_______

More than 0.3 Less than 0.3 Equal to 0.3 None of the above

The width of the flexural member shall not be less than _____ mm.
150 200 250 300

The depth D of the flexural member shall preferably be not more than ______ of the clear span.
1/2 1/3 1/4 None of above

In an external joint, both the top and the bottom bars of the beam shall be provided with anchorage length, beyond
the inner face of the column, equal to the Ld +___ times the bar diameter minus the allowance for 90 degrees
bend(s)
8 10 12 16

Minimum dimension of column shall not be less than _____ mm.

150 200 250 300

In Column, Lap splices shall be provided only in the _______of the member.
½ length at both End at 2/3 length at 1/3 length

In column, Hoops shall be provided over the entire splice length at a spacing not exceeding ____ mm from center-
to-center.
150 200 250 300

In Column, not more than _____ percent of the bars shall be spliced at one section.
25 50 75 100
Which types of hoops are provided as transverse reinforcement for circular columns?
Spiral Circular a and b none of above

In lateral ties in column both ends bent into ____ hook as per IS.
45o 75o 90o 135o

The parallel legs of a rectangular hoop in column shall be spaced not more than _____ mm centre-to-centre.
150 200 250 300
When a column terminates into a footing or mat, special confining reinforcement shall extend at least _____ mm
into the footing or mat.
150 200 250 300

The spacing of hoops used as special confining reinforcement not more than ____ mm in any case.
75 100 125 150

The spacing of hoops used as special confining reinforcement not less than ____ mm in any case.
75 100 125 150

Minimum numbers of bars are provided in the rectangular column as per Indian standard.
2 4 6 8

Minimum numbers of bars are provided in a circular column as per Indian standard.
2 4 6 8

Liquefaction is a phenomenon in which the strength and stiffness of a soil is _________by earthquake shaking or
rapid loading.
Increase Reduce Not change None of the Above

Which is the effect of liquefaction?

Loss of Bearing Strength Lateral Spreading Ground Oscillation All of the Above

Shear failure in a column can be avoided by providing.

Lateral Ties Longitudinal Bar Shear Reinforcement All of the Above

Closely spaced horizontal ties can resist.

Horizontal shear by EQ Diagonal Shear Crack Buckling of Vertical Bars All of the Above

Shear damage occurred in a beam when area of stirrups is provided _______

Less More As per required None of the above

At which location tension cracks are developed due to eq in a beam.

Top Centre Top End Bottom Centre Bottom End

At the ends of beams, the amount of steel provided at the bottom is at least _____ that at top.
Double Half Equal One Third

How much length of steel bars are available market usually?

8to10m 12to14m 16to18m Any Length

The stress developed between concrete and steel in the joint region is known as
Tensile Stress Compressive Stress Bond Stress Shear Stress
Which is the preventive measure to overcome liquefaction effect?
Increase liquefaction resistance of soil
Reduce Earthquake demand in soil
Remove Soil Layer All of the above.

To upgrade earthquake resistance up to the level of present days codes by appropriate techniques as per Indian
Standard is known as.
Repairing Retrofitting Strengthening Restoration

To make Existing structure safer for future earthquake as per IS 13935:1993 is known as.
Repairing Retrofitting Strengthening Restoration

To upgrade the seismic resistance of a damage building as per IS 13935:1993 is known as.
Repairing Retrofitting Strengthening Restoration

The anchorage length of beam bars in exterior column is about _____ times diameter of bars as per IS.
25 50 75 100