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ENCE 302Bachelor in Civil Engineering · Semester 52 Papers Available

Foundation Engineering

Past examination question papers and complete curriculum syllabus for Foundation Engineering (ENCE 302), Bachelor in Civil Engineering Semester 5 under Institute of Engineering (IOE), Tribhuvan University.

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Most Frequently Asked Questions

Top recurring IOE board exam questions for Foundation Engineering with verified mark schemes, formula notation, and recurrence frequency.

Showing 30 of 30 top repeated questions

Geotechnical Investigation

5 Questions
#1Repeated 5 Times[5 Marks]Geotechnical Investigation
What do you understand by site investigation? How would you decide the depth of exploration, spacing, and lateral extent of boreholes for building foundations?
Appeared in:2082 Bhadra2081 Bhadra2080 Bhadra2078 Bhadra2075 Chaitra
#2Repeated 5 Times[6 Marks]Geotechnical Investigation
A soil sampler has an inner diameter of 68 mm at the cutting edge and 70 mm at the sampling tube, while the outer diameter is 74 mm at the cutting edge and 72 mm at the sampling tube. Calculate the inside clearance, outside clearance, and area ratio. Based on the calculated values, classify the soil sample obtained as disturbed or undisturbed.
Appeared in:2082 Bhadra2080 Bhadra2078 Kartik2076 Ashwin2074 Chaitra
#3Repeated 5 Times[6 Marks]Geotechnical Investigation
Explain the Standard Penetration Test (SPT) procedure. What are the corrections applied to the observed SPT N-value (overburden pressure correction and dilatancy correction)?
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2081 Bhadra2079 Bhadra2078 Bhadra2075 Ashwin
#4Repeated 3 Times[6 Marks]Geotechnical Investigation
Describe Cone Penetration Testing (CPT and CPTu). Explain cone tip resistance ($q_c$), sleeve friction ($f_s$), and friction ratio ($R_f$). How are CPT data used for soil profiling and continuous determination of undrained shear strength ($s_u$)?
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2081 Bhadra2079 Chaitra
#5Repeated 3 Times[6 Marks]Geotechnical Investigation
Explain the pressuremeter test (PMT) and flat dilatometer test (DMT). What geotechnical parameters (in-situ horizontal stress, deformation modulus, undrained shear strength) are derived from these in-situ testing techniques?
Appeared in:2082 Bhadra2080 Chaitra2077 Magh

Slope Stability Analysis

3 Questions
#1Repeated 5 Times[8 Marks]Slope Stability Analysis
Differentiate between finite and infinite slopes. Describe the Swedish slip circle method (Method of Slices) and Bishop's simplified method for evaluating the factor of safety of finite slopes in c-φ soils.
Appeared in:2081 Bhadra2080 Baishakh2078 Bhadra2076 Chaitra2073
#2Repeated 4 Times[8 Marks]Slope Stability Analysis
Explain Bishop's Simplified Method of slices for stability analysis of circular slip surfaces. Derive the expression for the factor of safety: $F_s = \frac{\sum [c' b + (W - u b)\tan \phi'] \frac{1}{m_\alpha}}{\sum W \sin \alpha}$ where $m_\alpha = \cos \alpha (1 + \frac{\tan \alpha \tan \phi'}{F_s})$.
Appeared in:2081 Chaitra2079 Chaitra2077 Magh2075 Bhadra
#3Repeated 3 Times[6 Marks]Slope Stability Analysis
Explain Taylor's Stability Number ($S_n = \frac{c}{F_c \gamma H}$) method for homogeneous cohesive soil slopes. A cutting in clay has a slope angle of $30^\circ$ and depth $8\text{ m}$. Given $\gamma = 19\text{ kN/m}^3$, $c = 30\text{ kN/m}^2$, $\phi = 0^\circ$, and Taylor's stability number $S_n = 0.18$. Calculate the factor of safety against shear failure.
Appeared in:2082 Bhadra2080 Baishakh2078 Chaitra

Earth Pressure Theories

2 Questions
#1Repeated 5 Times[6 Marks]Earth Pressure Theories
State the fundamental assumptions and compare Rankine's and Coulomb's lateral earth pressure theories. Derive the expressions for active and passive earth pressure coefficients Ka and Kp for cohesionless backfill.
Appeared in:2082 Bhadra2080 Bhadra2078 Kartik2076 Ashwin2074 Chaitra
#2Repeated 5 Times[8 Marks]Earth Pressure Theories
A retaining wall of 6 m height supports a two-layered backfill. The upper layer is 3 m dry sand (γ = 17.5 kN/m^3, φ = 30°), overlying saturated sandy clay (γ_sat = 19 kN/m^3, φ = 20°, c = 10 kPa) with the water table at 3 m depth. Draw the lateral active earth pressure distribution diagram and calculate the total active thrust per meter length and its point of application.
Appeared in:2082 Bhadra2081 Bhadra2079 Bhadra2078 Bhadra2075 Ashwin

Bearing Capacity Theories

6 Questions
#1Repeated 5 Times[8 Marks]Bearing Capacity Theories
Critically differentiate between general shear failure, local shear failure, and punching shear failure modes. State Terzaghi's bearing capacity equation for strip, square, and circular footings and discuss the effect of water table elevation on bearing capacity.
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2082 Bhadra2081 Bhadra2078 Kartik2075 Chaitra
#2Repeated 5 Times[8 Marks]Bearing Capacity Theories
A circular footing of 2.5 m diameter carries a gross column load of 2000 kN. The supporting soil is clayey sand (φ = 30°, γ = 19 kN/m^3). Using Terzaghi's theory, determine the depth at which the footing must be placed to ensure a factor of safety of 3. (Take Nc = 37.2, Nq = 22.5, Nγ = 19.7).
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2081 Bhadra2080 Bhadra2078 Bhadra2074 Ashwin
#3Repeated 4 Times[6 Marks]Bearing Capacity Theories
Explain Meyerhof's and Hansen's general bearing capacity formulations and describe how they incorporate shape, depth, and load inclination factors for eccentric and inclined loads.
Appeared in:2081 Bhadra2078 Bhadra2076 Chaitra2074 Chaitra
#4Repeated 4 Times[8 Marks]Bearing Capacity Theories
Derive Terzaghi's ultimate bearing capacity equation for a continuous strip footing on cohesive-frictional soil: $q_{ult} = c N_c + q N_q + \frac{1}{2}\gamma B N_\gamma$. State all assumptions and explain the zone of elastic equilibrium, radial shear zone, and passive Rankine zone.
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2080 Baishakh2078 Bhadra2076 Chaitra
#5Repeated 4 Times[8 Marks]Bearing Capacity Theories
A square footing $2\text{ m} \times 2\text{ m}$ is located at a depth of $1.5\text{ m}$ in a sand deposit with $\gamma = 18\text{ kN/m}^3$, $\gamma_{sat} = 20\text{ kN/m}^3$, and $\phi' = 35^\circ$. For $\phi' = 35^\circ$, $N_q = 33.3$, $N_\gamma = 48.0$. Determine the safe bearing capacity with a factor of safety of 3.0 when: (i) the water table is well below the footing, (ii) the water table rises to the ground surface.
Appeared in:2082 Bhadra2081 Baishakh2078 Chaitra2075 Bhadra
#6Repeated 3 Times[6 Marks]Bearing Capacity Theories
Explain the effect of water table location on the bearing capacity of shallow foundations. Formulate the modified bearing capacity equation when the water table is: (a) at ground level, (b) at the base of the footing, and (c) at depth $d_w < B$ below the footing base.
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2081 Chaitra2079 Baishakh

Analysis of Shallow Foundation

4 Questions
#1Repeated 5 Times[6 Marks]Analysis of Shallow Foundation
Describe the Plate Load Test (PLT) procedure and how ultimate bearing capacity and settlement of the prototype foundation are computed. Discuss the limitations of the plate load test with respect to scale effect and depth of influence zone.
Appeared in:2082 Bhadra2080 Baishakh2078 Bhadra2076 Ashwin2072 Chaitra
#2Repeated 5 Times[8 Marks]Analysis of Shallow Foundation
What is a floating (fully compensated) raft foundation? A raft foundation of 20 m x 30 m is constructed over a soft clay stratum having cu = 30 kN/m^2 and γ = 19 kN/m^3. Calculate the required depth of the foundation for: (i) fully compensated foundation, and (ii) a factor of safety of 3 against bearing capacity failure under total working load.
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2081 Bhadra2080 Bhadra2078 Kartik2075 Ashwin
#3Repeated 3 Times[8 Marks]Analysis of Shallow Foundation
Explain the components of settlement of shallow foundations: immediate (elastic) settlement ($S_i$), primary consolidation settlement ($S_c$), and secondary compression ($S_s$). How is immediate settlement calculated using Janbu or Fox's depth influence factor?
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2080 Chaitra2076 Chaitra
#4Repeated 3 Times[6 Marks]Analysis of Shallow Foundation
Explain the permissible total settlement and differential settlement criteria for foundations in sand and clay according to IS / NBC codes. What are the structural consequences of excessive angular distortion ($\delta/L > 1/500$)?
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2081 Bhadra2077 Chaitra

Analysis of Deep Foundation

7 Questions
#1Repeated 5 Times[6 Marks]Analysis of Deep Foundation
Classify pile foundations based on material, installation method, and load transfer mechanism. Formulate the static equations for load carrying capacity of driven and bored piles in cohesive and cohesionless soils.
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2081 Bhadra2080 Baishakh2078 Bhadra2075 Chaitra
#2Repeated 5 Times[8 Marks]Analysis of Deep Foundation
A 30 cm square precast concrete pile of 15 m length is driven into a deposit of medium dense sand (φ = 36°, Nq = 42, γ = 18 kN/m^3). Determine the allowable load carrying capacity of the pile using a factor of safety of 3.
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2081 Bhadra2080 Bhadra2078 Bhadra2076 Ashwin
#3Repeated 5 Times[8 Marks]Analysis of Deep Foundation
What is negative skin friction in piles? What are its physical causes, adverse effects on pile capacity, and preventive measures? Explain pile group efficiency and calculate group settlement in soft clay deposits.
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2082 Bhadra2081 Bhadra2079 Bhadra2076 Chaitra
#4Repeated 5 Times[8 Marks]Analysis of Deep Foundation
Describe the components of a well foundation (caisson) with a neat cross-sectional diagram (cutting edge, well curb, steining, bottom plug, sand filling, and well cap). Discuss lateral stability analysis and remediation of tilts and shifts.
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2081 Bhadra2078 Bhadra2075 Ashwin2074 Chaitra
#5Repeated 3 Times[8 Marks]Analysis of Deep Foundation
Explain pile group action. Define group efficiency ($\eta_g$). How is the settlement of a pile group in saturated cohesive soil estimated using an equivalent raft foundation located at two-thirds depth ($2/3 D$) of the embedment?
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2082 Chaitra2080 Chaitra
#6Repeated 3 Times[6 Marks]Analysis of Deep Foundation
Describe the static pile load test procedure according to IS 2911 (cyclic and maintained load tests). How are the safe working load and ultimate bearing capacity determined from load-settlement curves?
Appeared in:2081 Bhadra2079 Baishakh2077 Magh
#7Repeated 3 Times[6 Marks]Analysis of Deep Foundation
Explain the lateral load capacity of vertical piles. Differentiate between short (rigid) piles and long (flexible) piles based on Broms' theory in cohesive and cohesionless soils.
Appeared in:2082 Bhadra2080 Baishakh2076 Bhadra

Retaining Structures: Rigid and Flexible

3 Questions
#1Repeated 5 Times[8 Marks]Retaining Structures: Rigid and Flexible
Explain the stability checks for a cantilever/gravity retaining wall against: (i) overturning about the toe, (ii) sliding along the base, and (iii) bearing capacity failure. Explain the middle-third rule to prevent base tensile stresses.
Appeared in:2082 Bhadra2081 Bhadra2080 Bhadra2078 Bhadra2075 Chaitra
#2Repeated 5 Times[8 Marks]Retaining Structures: Rigid and Flexible
Explain cantilever and anchored sheet pile walls in cohesionless soils. Determine the required depth of embedment for an anchored sheet pile supporting an excavation using the Free Earth Support method.
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2082 Bhadra2080 Baishakh2079 Bhadra2076 Ashwin
#3Repeated 3 Times[8 Marks]Retaining Structures: Rigid and Flexible
Explain the design and stability principles of Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) / Reinforced Earth retaining walls. Discuss internal stability (reinforcement tensile rupture and pullout) and external stability (sliding, overturning, bearing capacity).
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2081 Chaitra2078 Bhadra

Curriculum Syllabus & Course Topics

Sourced from TU curriculum portal
Full Syllabus (PDF)Micro Syllabus (PDF)
Chapter-wise Units & Micro-Syllabus Topics (8 Units)

  1. 1. Geotechnical Investigation

  2. 2. Slope Stability Analysis

  3. 3. Earth Pressure Theories

  4. 4. Bearing Capacity Theories

  5. 5. Analysis of Shallow Foundation

  6. 6. Analysis of Deep Foundation

  7. 7. Analysis of Foundation in Rock

  8. 8. Retaining Structures: Rigid and Flexible

Examination Scheme & Marks Distribution

Evaluation Structure

  • Final Board Theory Exam: 60 Marks (Pass mark: 24)
  • Internal Assessment: 40 Marks (Pass mark: 16)
  • Practical / Lab Exam: 25 or 50 Marks (Continuous lab evaluation + viva, where applicable)

* This is the general current IOE 60/40 scheme; verify course-specific details in the syllabus above.

Exam Preparation Guidelines

  • Review the 2 available past examination papers to identify recurring patterns, core problem types, and chapter weightage.
  • Cross-reference key answers with official syllabus units, standard textbooks, and lecture notes.
  • Structure answers with labeled diagrams, concise bullet points, and highlight final answers in numerical solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions (Foundation Engineering)

Q: How can I download Foundation Engineering past question papers?

You can preview or download the Foundation Engineering question papers (PDF) directly using the built-in viewer on this page with zero redirects or paywalls.

Q: What is the pass mark for Foundation Engineering?

The general current scheme is a 60-mark final theory exam and a 40-mark internal assessment, with pass marks of 24 and 16. Verify the course-specific syllabus above.

Q: Where can I find the complete syllabus for this subject?

The available chapter-wise syllabus and topic breakdown is indexed in the Syllabus section above, with links to the curriculum PDF source.

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