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Most Frequently Asked Questions
Top recurring IOE board exam questions for Engineering Geology with verified mark schemes, formula notation, and recurrence frequency.
Showing 30 of 30 top repeated questions
Introduction to Engineering Geology
3 Questions
#1Repeated 4 Times[6 Marks]Introduction to Engineering Geology
Define Engineering Geology in the context of IAEG statutes. Describe its scope, objectives, and importance in civil engineering practice (foundation design, dams, tunnels, slope stabilization).
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2081 Baishakh2080 Baishakh2078 Bhadra
#2Repeated 4 Times[8 Marks]Introduction to Engineering Geology
Write short notes on: (a) Mohs Scale of Hardness, (b) Rock Quality Designation (RQD), (c) Types of Volcanoes and volcanic materials, (d) Uses of Topographic Maps, Aerial Photographs, and Geological Maps.
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2081 Baishakh2080 Baishakh2078 Bhadra
#3Repeated 3 Times[6 Marks]Introduction to Engineering Geology
What are core recovery and Rock Quality Designation (RQD)? A 1.5 m core run yielded drilled rock core pieces of lengths: 12 cm, 7 cm, 15 cm, 22 cm, 5 cm (weathered), 18 cm, 9 cm, 25 cm, 11 cm. Calculate Total Core Recovery (TCR) and RQD. Classify the rock mass quality.
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2080 Chaitra2079 Chaitra
Structure of the Earth
2 Questions
#1Repeated 3 Times[8 Marks]Structure of the Earth
Describe the internal structure and composition of the earth with a neat cross-sectional diagram (Crust, Mantle, Outer Core, Inner Core; Moho and Gutenberg discontinuities). Explain the Theory of Plate Tectonics and types of plate margins.
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2081 Baishakh2080 Baishakh
#2Repeated 3 Times[8 Marks]Structure of the Earth
Explain Continental Drift Theory and Sea Floor Spreading. Describe the three types of plate boundaries (convergent, divergent, transform) with illustrative cross-sections and examples of associated geological landforms.
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2081 Bhadra2079 Chaitra
Mineralogy and Petrology
5 Questions
#1Repeated 4 Times[8 Marks]Mineralogy and Petrology
Define minerals and describe their physical and optical diagnostic properties: Color, Streak, Luster, Hardness (Mohs Scale of Hardness), Cleavage, Fracture, and Specific Gravity.
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2081 Baishakh2080 Baishakh2078 Bhadra
#2Repeated 4 Times[8 Marks]Mineralogy and Petrology
Define rock and explain the Geological Rock Cycle with a neat diagram. Describe the origin, classification, textures, and structures of Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic rocks.
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2081 Baishakh2080 Baishakh2078 Bhadra
#3Repeated 3 Times[8 Marks]Mineralogy and Petrology
Explain the silicate crystal structures (nesosilicates, inosilicates, phyllosilicates, and tectosilicates). Describe the physical and optical diagnostic features of quartz, feldspar, biotite, muscovite, and calcite.
Appeared in:2082 Bhadra2080 Chaitra2077 Magh
#4Repeated 3 Times[8 Marks]Mineralogy and Petrology
Describe Bowen's Reaction Series with continuous and discontinuous reaction branches. Explain how magma differentiation produces various igneous rock suites from basaltic magma.
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2080 Baishakh2078 Chaitra
#5Repeated 3 Times[8 Marks]Mineralogy and Petrology
Describe the classification, texture, and engineering significance of sedimentary rocks (sandstone, limestone, shale, conglomerate) and metamorphic rocks (slate, phyllite, schist, gneiss, quartzite, marble) in civil engineering works.
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2081 Chaitra2079 Baishakh
Structural Geology
9 Questions
#1Repeated 4 Times[8 Marks]Structural Geology
Define attitude of bedrock: Strike, True Dip, and Apparent Dip. Three boreholes A, B, and C are drilled with known relative positions and surface elevations to intersect a bedding plane. Calculate the strike direction and true dip amount of the bed.
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2081 Baishakh2080 Baishakh2078 Bhadra
#2Repeated 4 Times[8 Marks]Structural Geology
Define fold and illustrate its parts (hinge, limb, axial plane, crest, trough). Classify folds (anticline, syncline, symmetrical, asymmetrical, overturned, recumbent, isoclinal) and explain their civil engineering significance in dam and tunnel projects.
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2081 Baishakh2080 Baishakh2078 Bhadra
#3Repeated 4 Times[8 Marks]Structural Geology
What is a geological fault? Illustrate hanging wall, footwall, strike, dip, throw, and heave. Classify faults (normal, reverse, strike-slip, thrust) and explain field criteria for recognizing faults and their engineering implications.
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2081 Baishakh2080 Baishakh2078 Bhadra
#4Repeated 3 Times[6 Marks]Structural Geology
Define rock joints. Classify joints geometrically (strike, dip, oblique) and genetically (tension, shear). Explain the influence of joint orientation and joint spacing on rock mass strength and permeability.
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2081 Baishakh2080 Baishakh
#5Repeated 3 Times[6 Marks]Structural Geology
What is an unconformity? Describe the various stages in the formation of an unconformity. Explain Disconformity, Non-conformity, Angular Unconformity, and Paraconformity with neat sketches.
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2081 Baishakh2078 Bhadra
#6Repeated 3 Times[6 Marks]Structural Geology
A planar coal seam has strike N$30^\circ$E and dips $40^\circ$ towards SE. Calculate its apparent dip in the direction N$60^\circ$E and S$80^\circ$E using both trigonometric relations ($\tan \beta = \tan \theta \cos \alpha$) and stereographic projection / graphical methods.
Appeared in:2082 Bhadra2081 Baishakh2078 Bhadra
#7Repeated 3 Times[6 Marks]Structural Geology
Explain the mechanism of folding in rock strata: buckling, bending, and shear folding. How do symmetrical, asymmetrical, overturned, recumbent, and isoclinal folds affect tunnel alignment and dam foundations?
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2080 Chaitra2076 Chaitra
#8Repeated 3 Times[6 Marks]Structural Geology
Describe the geological and engineering classification of faults: normal, reverse, thrust, strike-slip, and oblique faults. What are the key field criteria used by engineering geologists to identify inactive and active faults?
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2081 Bhadra2077 Chaitra
#9Repeated 3 Times[6 Marks]Structural Geology
State the fundamental laws of stratigraphy: Law of Superposition, Law of Original Horizontality, Law of Lateral Continuity, and Law of Cross-Cutting Relationships. Explain index fossils and geological correlation methods.
Appeared in:2081 Chaitra2079 Chaitra2075 Bhadra
Physical Geology
9 Questions
#1Repeated 4 Times[8 Marks]Physical Geology
Describe river channel morphology and the geological work of rivers (erosion, transportation, deposition). Explain landforms created by rivers (meanders, oxbow lakes, flood plains, alluvial fans, river terraces) and their civil engineering significance.
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2081 Baishakh2080 Baishakh2078 Bhadra
#2Repeated 3 Times[6 Marks]Physical Geology
Differentiate between weathering and erosion. Describe mechanical, chemical, and biological weathering processes. Explain how weathering alters engineering properties of building stones and rock masses.
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2081 Baishakh2080 Baishakh
#3Repeated 3 Times[8 Marks]Physical Geology
Explain fundamental earthquake terminologies: Focus (Hypocenter), Epicenter, Focal Depth, Intensity (MMI scale), and Magnitude (Richter scale). Describe the characteristics of body waves (P, S) and surface waves (Rayleigh, Love).
Appeared in:2081 Baishakh2080 Baishakh2078 Bhadra
#4Repeated 3 Times[8 Marks]Physical Geology
Define landslide and mass movement. Explain Varnes' classification of mass movements (falls, topples, slides, spreads, flows). Discuss geological and anthropogenic causes of slope failure and engineering mitigation techniques.
Appeared in:2081 Baishakh2080 Baishakh2078 Bhadra
#5Repeated 3 Times[8 Marks]Physical Geology
State Darcy's Law of groundwater flow ($Q = K i A$) and discuss its validity and limitations. Differentiate between Confined and Unconfined Aquifers, Aquitards, and Aquicludes.
Appeared in:2081 Baishakh2080 Baishakh2078 Bhadra
#6Repeated 3 Times[6 Marks]Physical Geology
Describe chemical weathering processes in detail: dissolution, carbonation, hydration, oxidation, and hydrolysis. How does chemical weathering alter granite into saprolite and residual soil, and what are its geotechnical implications?
Appeared in:2082 Bhadra2080 Baishakh2078 Chaitra
#7Repeated 3 Times[6 Marks]Physical Geology
Explain seismic waves (P-waves, S-waves, Rayleigh waves, and Love waves), their velocity relationships ($v_p = \sqrt{(\lambda + 2\mu)/\rho}$, $v_s = \sqrt{\mu/\rho}$), and how arrival time difference ($T_s - T_p$) is used to determine earthquake epicenter location.
Appeared in:2081 Bhadra2079 Baishakh2077 Magh
#8Repeated 3 Times[8 Marks]Physical Geology
Describe the geological factors contributing to slope instability in mountainous terrains (rock structure, joint orientation, pore water pressure, weathering, toe undercut). Outline engineering mitigation measures including retaining walls, drainage, soil nailing, and bio-engineering.
Appeared in:2082 Bhadra2080 Baishakh2076 Bhadra
#9Repeated 3 Times[8 Marks]Physical Geology
Differentiate between unconfined, confined, perched, and leaky aquifers. Define transmissivity ($T = K \cdot D$) and storativity ($S$). Derive the Thiem formula for steady-state radial flow to a well in a confined aquifer: $Q = \frac{2\pi T (h_2 - h_1)}{\ln(r_2/r_1)}$.
Appeared in:2083 Baishakh2081 Chaitra2078 Bhadra
Geology of the Himalaya
2 Questions
#1Repeated 4 Times[10 Marks]Geology of the Himalaya
Describe the morpho-tectonic divisions of Nepal Himalaya from South to North (Terai, Siwalik/Sub-Himalaya, Lesser Himalaya, Higher Himalaya, Tibetan-Tethys) with a neat sketch, indicating major tectonic boundaries (MFT, MBT, MCT, STDS).
Appeared in:2082 Chaitra2081 Baishakh2080 Baishakh2078 Bhadra
#2Repeated 3 Times[8 Marks]Geology of the Himalaya
Draw a schematic cross-section across the Nepal Himalaya showing the Main Frontal Thrust (MFT), Main Boundary Thrust (MBT), Main Central Thrust (MCT), and South Tibetan Detachment System (STDS). Discuss their regional tectonic and engineering significance.