Foundation Engineering past question analysis 2014 - 2025

QUESTION 1: Soil Exploration & Earth Pressure

Question 1(a) — Most Repeated Topics

Topic	Times Asked	Years
⭐⭐⭐ SPT (Standard Penetration Test) — method, corrections, applications	8	2023S, 2019S, 2018S, 2017F, 2012F, 2012S, 2013S, 2014S
⭐⭐ Site investigation report — contents, bore hole log, planning	6	2017F, 2016F, 2015S, 2014F, 2013S, 2012S
⭐⭐ Soil sampling — disturbed/undisturbed, requirements of samplers	5	2019S, 2017S, 2015F, 2014F, 2011F
Geophysical methods of soil exploration	2	2014F, 2012F
Factors influencing choice of foundation	2	2020F, 2016S

Question 1(b) — Most Repeated Topics

Topic	Times Asked	Years
⭐⭐⭐ Stability analysis of retaining wall — sliding, overturning, base pressure	8	2017S, 2017F, 2016S, 2015F, 2014S, 2013F, 2012F, 2011F
⭐⭐ Tilts and shifts in well foundation — causes and remedial measures	5	2018S, 2016F, 2015F, 2013S, 2012S
SPT corrections — overburden, dilatancy calculations	4	2019S, 2018S, 2012F, 2011F
Area ratio and recovery ratio of soil sampler	3	2014S, 2013S, 2012F

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QUESTION 2: Active & Passive Earth Pressure

Question 2(a) — Most Repeated Topics

Topic	Times Asked	Years
⭐⭐⭐ Rankine vs Coulomb earth pressure theory — assumptions, differences	7	2019S, 2018F, 2017S, 2016S, 2015F, 2013F, 2012S
⭐⭐ Culmann's graphical method for earth pressure	5	2020F, 2019F, 2018F, 2014S, 2012F
Theory of arching and practical applications	4	2015F, 2015S, 2014F, 2013F
Depth of tension crack and critical depth of vertical cut	3	2018S, 2014F, 2013S

Question 2(b) — Most Repeated Topics

Topic	Times Asked	Years
⭐⭐⭐ Active earth pressure calculations — with water table, surcharge, layered soil	12	2020F, 2019S, 2019F, 2018S, 2017S, 2016S, 2015S, 2015F, 2014S, 2013S, 2012S, 2012F
⭐⭐ Passive earth pressure calculations	4	2016F, 2014F, 2012F, 2011F
Mat/Raft foundation — design, conventional analysis	3	2018F, 2017S, 2012S

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QUESTION 3: Sheet Pile Walls & Braced Cuts

Question 3(a) — Most Repeated Topics

Topic	Times Asked	Years
⭐⭐⭐ Types of sheet pile walls — cantilever, anchored, cofferdam with sketches	7	2018F, 2016S, 2015S, 2014S, 2013S, 2012S, 2011F
⭐⭐ Braced excavation — earth pressure envelope, strut loads	6	2020F, 2019F, 2018S, 2017S, 2016F, 2012F
Types of foundation failure with sketches	3	2019S, 2018S, 2014F

Question 3(b) — Most Repeated Topics

Topic	Times Asked	Years
⭐⭐⭐ Sheet pile depth of embedment — free earth support/equivalent beam method	10	2020F, 2019F, 2018S, 2017S, 2016F, 2015S, 2015F, 2014F, 2013F, 2012S
⭐⭐ Anchored bulkhead — depth of embedment and anchor force	5	2018S, 2017S, 2015S, 2014S, 2012F
Stability of retaining wall — base pressure, factors of safety	3	2018F, 2014S, 2011F

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QUESTION 4: Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundations

Question 4(a) — Most Repeated Topics

Topic	Times Asked	Years
⭐⭐⭐ Terzaghi's bearing capacity theory — derivation, assumptions, equation	9	2017F, 2015S, 2014F, 2013S, 2013F, 2012S, 2012F, 2011F, 2011S
⭐⭐ Effect of water table on bearing capacity	6	2019F, 2017F, 2016S, 2014S, 2012F, 2011F
⭐⭐ Plate load test — procedure, application to sand and clay	5	2019S, 2017S, 2016F, 2015F, 2012S
Factors influencing bearing capacity in cohesionless and cohesive soil	3	2017S, 2015S, 2013S

Question 4(b) — Most Repeated Topics

Topic	Times Asked	Years
⭐⭐⭐ Square/Strip footing design — size determination using Terzaghi's theory	13	2020F, 2019S, 2019F, 2018S, 2017S, 2017F, 2016F, 2015S, 2015F, 2014F, 2013S, 2012F, 2011F
⭐⭐ Effect of water table location on bearing capacity — multiple cases	6	2019F, 2018S, 2017F, 2016S, 2015S, 2012S
Load factor of safety calculation	3	2018F, 2017F, 2012F

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QUESTION 5: Deep Foundations — Pile & Mat Foundations

Question 5(a) — Most Repeated Topics

Topic	Times Asked	Years
⭐⭐⭐ Mat/Raft foundation — floating foundation, conventional analysis method	8	2020F, 2019S, 2017S, 2015S, 2015F, 2014S, 2013S, 2012F
⭐⭐ Pile load carrying capacity — static analysis, dynamic formulas	7	2018S, 2017F, 2017S, 2015F, 2015S, 2014F, 2012S
⭐⭐ Negative skin friction — development, calculation for single pile and group	6	2019F, 2018F, 2017S, 2015F, 2014S, 2012S
Types of pile foundation	3	2017F, 2014F, 2013S

Question 5(b) — Most Repeated Topics

Topic	Times Asked	Years
⭐⭐⭐ Pile group design — load capacity, spacing, efficiency in clay	11	2020F, 2019S, 2018S, 2017S, 2015F, 2015S, 2014S, 2014F, 2013S, 2012S, 2012F
⭐⭐ Pile load test — procedure, load-settlement curve, allowable load	4	2019S, 2015F, 2015S, 2012S
Pile driving formula — Hiley's formula, allowable load	3	2019F, 2017F, 2011F
Negative friction on pile group	2	2019F, 2014S

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QUESTION 6: Well Foundation & Soil Improvement

Question 6(a) — Most Repeated Topics

Topic	Times Asked	Years
⭐⭐⭐ Well foundation — components, sinking procedure, grip length	9	2019F, 2017S, 2016F, 2015F, 2015S, 2014F, 2013S, 2012S, 2011F
⭐⭐ Depth of well foundation — factors governing determination	5	2019S, 2018F, 2017S, 2015S, 2011F
⭐⭐ Forces acting on well foundation	5	2017S, 2016S, 2014S, 2013S, 2011F
Soil improvement/stabilization techniques — grouting, admixtures	4	2019F, 2017F, 2016S, 2015S

Question 6(b) — Most Repeated Topics

Topic	Times Asked	Years
⭐⭐⭐ Machine foundation — types, block vibration test, design parameters	8	2019F, 2018F, 2014F, 2013S, 2013F, 2012S, 2012F, 2011F
⭐⭐ Sinking of well foundation — problems, tilting, remedial measures	6	2019F, 2018F, 2016S, 2014S, 2013S, 2012S
Footing with eccentricity — eccentric loading calculations	3	2016S, 2015S, 2013S
Soil stabilization by grouting	3	2018F, 2016S, 2015S

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QUESTION 7: Short Notes (Any Two)

Question 7 consistently asks students to write short notes on ANY TWO topics from 3–4 given options. Each topic carries 2.5 marks (total 5 marks). Format: "Write short notes on: (Any two) a) Topic 1 b) Topic 2 c) Topic 3"

Most Frequently Asked Topics

Topic	Times Asked	Years
⭐⭐⭐ Machine foundation and its types	8	2019F, 2018S, 2017S, 2017F, 2015S, 2014S, 2011S, 2011F
⭐⭐⭐ Arching effect/action of soil	7	2017S, 2017F, 2016S, 2015F, 2015S, 2014S, 2014F
⭐⭐ Negative skin friction	6	2020F, 2015F, 2014S, 2014F, 2012S, 2012F
⭐⭐ Soil stabilization/improvement techniques — grouting, admixtures	5	2018S, 2015S, 2014S, 2013S, 2012F
⭐⭐ Types/Importance of foundation	5	2019F, 2018F, 2017S, 2016F, 2011F
Floating foundation/Compensated foundation	4	2019F, 2018F, 2013S, 2011F
Pile group efficiency and settlement	4	2016F, 2015F, 2013S, 2012F
Factors affecting choice of foundation	3	2018S, 2017S, 2015S
Standard Penetration Test (SPT)	3	2012F, 2011S, 2011F
Cofferdam	2	2020F, 2018F
Dynamic Cone Penetration Test (DCPT)	2	2019F, 2017S
Cyclic/Block vibration test	2	2013S, 2011F
Plate load test	1	2013S
Settlement of foundation	1	2011F
Effect of water table on bearing capacity	1	2014S
Sinking operation of well foundation	1	2011F
Sand compaction pile and stone column	1	2018F
Preloading	1	2019S

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Legend: ⭐⭐⭐ = Highly repeated (must prepare) | ⭐⭐ = Frequently repeated | No star = Occasionally asked