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COURSE OUTLINE: Structural Geology and Rock Mechanics

Total questions: 75

Worksheet time: 25mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which course section focuses on Structural Geology and Rock Mechanics?

a)

Section I

b)

Section II

c)

Section III

d)

Section IV

2.

Which topic addresses the orientation of layered rock units?

a)

Outcrops

b)

Altitude of Beds

c)

Grouting

d)

Wave Theory

3.

Outcrops are first introduced under which numbered item?

a)

4.1

b)

4.2

c)

4.3

d)

4.7

4.

Geological maps appear as which subtopic number?

a)

4.3

b)

4.4

c)

4.6

d)

4.7

5.

Which subtopic explicitly includes folds, faults, and joints?

a)

4.4 Study of Structures

b)

4.5 Bearing on Engineering Construction

c)

4.6 Rock Mechanics

d)

4.7 Physical and Mechanical Properties

6.

The phrase 'Their Bearing on Engineering Construction' corresponds to which listing?

a)

4.3

b)

4.4

c)

4.5

d)

4.6

7.

Rock Mechanics is identified as which item in the outline?

a)

4.2

b)

4.4

c)

4.6

d)

4.8

8.

Physical and Mechanical Properties of Rocks are grouped under which number?

a)

4.5

b)

4.6

c)

4.7

d)

4.9

9.

Which property is included under 4.7?

a)

Porosity

b)

Grouting

c)

Geological Maps

d)

Outcrops

10.

Permeability is listed as which sub-subtopic?

a)

4.7.1

b)

4.7.2

c)

4.7.6

d)

4.12

11.

Density appears as which numbered item?

a)

4.7.1

b)

4.7.2

c)

4.7.3

d)

4.7.5

12.

Which of the following is directly labeled as a mechanical property?

a)

Hardness

b)

Geological Maps

c)

Outcrops

d)

Altitude of Beds

13.

Elasticity is identified by which number?

a)

4.7.4

b)

4.7.5

c)

4.7.6

d)

4.7.7

14.

Plasticity is categorized as which item?

a)

4.7.3

b)

4.7.4

c)

4.7.6

d)

4.7.7

15.

Dynamic property of rocks is listed under which number?

a)

4.8

b)

4.9

c)

4.10

d)

4.11

16.

Which item mentions 'Types of Wave Theory'?

a)

4.8

b)

4.9

c)

4.10

d)

4.12

17.

Which topic covers 'Factors Influencing Wave Velocity'?

a)

4.8

b)

4.9

c)

4.10

d)

4.11

18.

Static and dynamic moduli of elasticity correspond to which number?

a)

4.9

b)

4.10

c)

4.11

d)

4.12

19.

Grouting appears as which item?

a)

4.10

b)

4.11

c)

4.12

d)

4.7.2

20.

Which statement best defines rock mechanics as introduced here?

a)

The study of mineral chemistry in rocks under laboratory heating

b)

The science dealing with the behavior of rock materials under stress and strain

c)

A field focused solely on geological mapping of rock formations

d)

The analysis of fluid flow through porous soils only

21.

Which disciplines are explicitly applied in rock mechanics to analyze rock stability and strength?

a)

Mechanics, geology, and engineering

b)

Chemistry, biology, and mathematics

c)

Hydrology, meteorology, and seismology

d)

Architecture, finance, and law

22.

An engineer must design a tunnel through a rock mass that will remain safe and economical. Based on the stated objectives of rock mechanics, which sequence of considerations aligns best with this goal?

a)

Focus first on architectural aesthetics, then on construction speed, ignoring deformation.

b)

Evaluate the rock’s strength, elasticity, and stability; understand how it may deform and fail under load; then use this to design safe and economical structures.

c)

Begin with selecting the cheapest materials, then adjust the geology to match.

d)

Assume rocks are rigid and unchanging, so only calculate excavator power needs.

23.

Which statement best defines porosity in rocks?

a)

The mass of solids in a rock per unit volume

b)

The ratio of the volume of voids in a rock to its total volume, expressed as a percentage

c)

The ability of a rock to resist weathering

d)

The average grain size in a rock sample

24.

Which factor directly influences how much fluid a rock can store?

a)

Rock color

b)

Size, shape, and arrangement of mineral grains, plus cementation and compaction

c)

Latitude of the outcrop

d)

Chemical composition only

25.

Which rock type commonly exhibits high porosity according to the material?

a)

Granite

b)

Basalt

c)

Sandstone

d)

Gneiss

26.

Which statement about engineering significance is correct?

a)

Porosity has no effect on groundwater movement

b)

Highly porous rocks are stronger and resist compression

c)

Porosity affects groundwater movement, oil and gas storage, and foundation stability

d)

Porosity only matters for aesthetic rock selection

27.

Select the correct typical porosity range for sandstone listed in the material.

a)

0–5%

b)

5–30%

c)

0–20%

d)

0.5–1%

28.

Using n = (Vv/Vt) × 100, what is the porosity if a rock sample has 12 cm³ of voids and a total volume of 60 cm³?

a)

5%

b)

12%

c)

20%

d)

50%

29.

Which option correctly pairs rock type with its typical porosity range from the material?

a)

Limestone: 5–30%

b)

Granite: 0.5–1%

c)

Sandstone: 0–20%

d)

Basalt: 5–30%

30.

Which statement best defines permeability in rocks?

a)

Ability of a rock to resist deformation under load

b)

Ability of a rock to transmit fluids through interconnected pores and fractures

c)

Amount of water a rock can hold regardless of pore connectivity

d)

Mass of a rock per unit volume

31.

A rock has high porosity but very low permeability. Which explanation aligns with the material?

a)

Its pores are large and well connected

b)

Its pores are not connected

c)

It contains no fractures

d)

It must be sandstone

32.

Primary permeability refers to permeability that is

a)

formed during rock formation (intergranular)

b)

developed later due to fractures or weathering

c)

produced only in metamorphic rocks

d)

caused by mineral dissolution during tunneling

33.

Which pair correctly matches rock type with relative permeability as given?

a)

Sandstone—low; Shale—high

b)

Sandstone—high; Shale—low

c)

Both sandstone and shale—high

d)

Both sandstone and shale—low

34.

Why are impermeable rocks like shale suitable for dams and reservoirs?

a)

They increase porosity for storage

b)

They prevent leakage by limiting groundwater flow

c)

They reduce rock strength

d)

They allow rapid drainage through foundations

35.

In which engineering domains is understanding rock permeability described as crucial?

a)

Hydrogeology, petroleum engineering, and civil works

b)

Only civil works

c)

Only mining engineering

d)

Seismology and meteorology

36.

Which statement best defines density as used for rocks?

a)

Mass of a rock per unit volume, commonly in g/cm³ or kg/m³

b)

Weight of a rock per unit area, in Pa

c)

Mass of pore water per unit volume

d)

Volume of a rock per unit mass, in m³/kg

37.

Which typical density range is correctly matched?

a)

Sedimentary rocks: 2.8–3.3 g/cm³

b)

Igneous rocks: 2.6–3.0 g/cm³

c)

Metamorphic rocks: 2.0–2.4 g/cm³

d)

Sandstone: 3.0–3.5 g/cm³

38.

Which statement best defines compressive strength of a rock?

a)

The stress at which a rock begins to deform elastically

b)

The maximum compressive (crushing) stress a rock can withstand before it fails or fractures

c)

The amount of tensile stress a rock can resist without cracking

d)

The load a rock supports with zero deformation

39.

In the context of mechanical properties, what does “strength” of a rock refer to?

a)

Ability to conduct heat efficiently

b)

Ability to resist deformation or failure under applied forces

c)

Ability to dissolve in water under pressure

d)

Ability to expand when compressed

40.

Which engineering fields particularly rely on understanding how rocks behave under applied forces or loads?

a)

Civil, mining, and petroleum engineering

b)

Aerospace and biomedical engineering

c)

Software and electrical engineering

d)

Textile and food engineering

41.

Which test most directly measures a rock’s ability to resist being squashed under a load that shortens it?

a)

Uniaxial compression test

b)

Direct tension test

c)

Shear box test

d)

Tri-axial extension test

42.

A rock sample fails when the applied compressive stress reaches its limit. What property’s value has been reached at failure?

a)

Elastic modulus

b)

Poisson’s ratio

c)

Compressive strength

d)

Porosity

43.

According to the engineering significance statement, why do density measurements matter for foundations?

a)

They determine the color of the rock surface

b)

They help assess the load-bearing capacity and behavior under stress

c)

They indicate the magnetic properties of the rock

d)

They are only used to calculate porosity

44.

Based on the shown formula ρ = Mass/Volume, which change increases density if volume is fixed?

a)

Decreasing mass

b)

Increasing mass

c)

Keeping mass constant

d)

Halving both mass and volume

45.

Which statement aligns with the note that denser rocks are generally stronger and more stable?

a)

Lower density usually implies higher compressive strength

b)

Higher density often correlates with greater strength and stability

c)

Density has no relation to mechanical behavior

d)

Denser rocks always have lower load-bearing capacity

46.

Which equation defines compressive strength in a uniaxial compression test?

a)

σ_c = A/P

b)

σ_c = P/A

c)

σ_c = P×A

d)

σc=P2/Aσ_c = P^2/A

47.

In the formula for compressive strength, what does P represent?

a)

Cross-sectional area of the specimen (mm²)

b)

Compressive strain at failure

c)

Maximum load at failure (N)

d)

Elastic modulus

48.

Which rock typically has the highest range of uniaxial compressive strength among those listed?

a)

Granite

b)

Limestone

c)

Shale

d)

Sandstone

49.

Which of the following example ranges correctly matches the rock and its typical compressive strength?

a)

Granite: 30–100 MPa

b)

Limestone: 5–20 MPa

c)

Shale: 100–250 MPa

d)

Limestone: 30–100 MPa

50.

What primary engineering purpose does compressive strength serve in foundation design?

a)

Determines bearing capacity of bedrock

b)

Measures permeability of soils

c)

Estimates thermal expansion of concrete

d)

Predicts seismic wave velocity

51.

Which application relies on compressive strength to evaluate the surrounding rock mass during excavation?

a)

Agricultural drainage design

b)

Tunnel construction

c)

Coastal erosion control

d)

Irrigation canal lining

52.

Which statement best describes elastic deformation of a rock under compression?

a)

Strain is proportional to stress and the rock returns to its original shape when load is removed

b)

Permanent deformation occurs and micro-cracks form

c)

The rock breaks along weak planes or grain boundaries

d)

Strain becomes independent of applied stress

53.

During inelastic (plastic) deformation of rock, which process is expected?

a)

Full recovery after unloading

b)

Formation of micro-cracks and permanent deformation

c)

No change in grain boundaries

d)

Immediate catastrophic failure without prior changes

54.

Failure in rocks under compression is most accurately characterized as:

a)

A reversible increase in porosity

b)

Breaking along weak planes or grain boundaries

c)

A temperature-induced phase change

d)

A linear elastic response

55.

In engineering geology, why is compressive strength considered one of the most important mechanical properties?

a)

It governs rock color for mapping purposes

b)

It determines rock behavior under heavy loads such as those from structures, tunnels, slopes, and dams

c)

It directly measures chemical weathering rate

d)

It replaces the need for shear strength testing

56.

In a typical compression stress–strain curve for rock, which segment represents the linear elastic region?

a)

OA

b)

AB

c)

B (Peak)

d)

After B

57.

At point B on the stress–strain curve under compression, what is reached?

a)

Yield stress

b)

Ultimate compressive strength

c)

Residual strength

d)

Tensile strength

58.

Which statement best differentiates brittle from ductile rocks under compression?

a)

Brittle rocks flow under stress; ductile rocks fail suddenly.

b)

Brittle rocks fail suddenly after peak stress; ductile rocks show gradual failure and flow.

c)

Both brittle and ductile rocks fail gradually after peak stress.

d)

Ductile rocks have higher UCS than brittle rocks in all cases.

59.

Which rock type from the table is characterized as very strong with compressive strength approximately 200–350 MPa?

a)

Granite

b)

Basalt

c)

Limestone

d)

Shale

60.

According to the table, which rock typically has the lowest range of compressive strength?

a)

Shale

b)

Sandstone

c)

Marble

d)

Slate

61.

Which pair correctly matches a rock with its typical compressive strength range?

a)

Granite: 200–350 MPa

b)

Limestone: 30–100 MPa

c)

Sandstone: 5–40 MPa

d)

Basalt: 50–140 MPa

62.

Based on mineral composition effects, which minerals are associated with stronger rocks?

a)

Clay minerals or calcite

b)

Quartz, feldspar, or silicate minerals

c)

Micas and chlorite exclusively

d)

Carbonaceous minerals

63.

Which texture–strength relationship is stated?

a)

Coarse-grained rocks like granite have higher strength due to larger flaws.

b)

Fine-grained rocks like basalt tend to have higher strength.

c)

Grain size does not influence compressive strength.

d)

Fine-grained rocks always have lower strength than coarse-grained rocks.

64.

Given two rocks with similar composition, which would you expect to have lower compressive strength and why?

a)

Fine-grained rock, due to more grain boundaries strengthening the rock

b)

Coarse-grained rock, due to larger flaws

c)

Both equal, grain size has negligible effect

d)

Fine-grained rock, because it behaves more ductile

65.

Which stage of the stress–strain curve corresponds to non-linear plastic deformation before peak?

a)

OA

b)

AB

c)

B (Peak)

d)

After B

66.

Which statement best defines tensile strength in rocks?

a)

The stress at which a rock first begins to deform elastically

b)

The maximum tensile stress a rock can withstand before failure

c)

The average stress a rock sustains under compression

d)

The stress required to cause plastic flow in a rock

67.

Why is tensile strength particularly important for slope stability?

a)

Because slopes are always in pure compression

b)

Because tension at the crest and along discontinuities can initiate cracks and failures

c)

Because tensile strength controls rock viscosity

d)

Because slopes only fail when pore pressure is zero

68.

In tunnel excavations, low tensile strength primarily increases the risk of which outcome?

a)

Roof spalling and block fall-out around the excavation

b)

Elastic rebound without cracking

c)

Improved confinement leading to stability

d)

Increased bearing capacity of the tunnel face

69.

Which engineering application relies on adequate tensile strength to resist uplift and crack propagation under hydrostatic loading?

a)

Highway pavement overlays

b)

Dams and foundations

c)

Wind turbine blades

d)

Mobile scaffolding

70.

How do rocks generally behave under tension compared to compression?

a)

They are stronger in tension and fail ductilely

b)

They are weaker in tension and tend to fail by brittle cracking

c)

They show identical strength and mode of failure

d)

They flow plastically at lower tensile stresses

71.

Which mode of failure is most characteristic of rocks loaded in tension?

a)

Shear band formation at 45° to loading

b)

Axial splitting and opening-mode (Mode I) fracturing

c)

Creep buckling under sustained load

d)

Delamination by Mode II sliding alone

72.

For controlled fracturing and blasting, knowing tensile strength is crucial because it helps engineers primarily to:

a)

Select explosive types that maximize compressive stress waves

b)

Predict crack initiation and propagation thresholds for effective breakage

c)

Ensure complete elimination of reflected tensile waves

d)

Increase the ductility of the rock mass

73.

Which statement about porosity and density is consistent with rock tensile strength behavior?

a)

Tensile strength increases as porosity increases due to more voids

b)

Strength decreases as porosity increases because voids weaken the structure

c)

Porosity has no relation to tensile strength

d)

Denser rocks are generally weaker in tension

74.

Water content affects rock tensile strength by:

a)

Decreasing pore pressure and strengthening grain bonds

b)

Acting as a lubricant along grain boundaries and increasing pore pressure

c)

Drying the rock and preventing crack growth

d)

Converting tensile stress to compressive stress

75.

Which combination best describes the mechanisms by which moisture reduces tensile strength?

a)

Grain interlocking improvement; capillary suction increase; thermal expansion

b)

Lubrication at grain contacts; higher pore pressure; weaker bonding between grains

c)

Cementation enhancement; micro-welding; stress corrosion hardening

d)

Poisson’s ratio reduction; elastic modulus increase; closure of microcracks

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