Examination questions for Top-up course for TCP T3 on GIFW and Building

Works with Significant Geotechnical Content 3

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Section A: - Multiple Choice Questions. – Please answer all the multiple choice questions.

Q1. Which one of the following non-destructive pile integrity tests is suitable for Pakt-in-Place
piles:
(a) cross-hole sonic logging;
(b) dynamic load test;
(c) ultrasonic echo sounder test;
(d) single-hole sonic logging.

Q2. Which of the following methods is suitable for cleaning the bottom of a large diameter bored
pile founded on rock before concreting:
(a) excavation by hammer grab;
(b) air-lifting;
(c) water flushing;
(d) excavation by bomb chisel.

Q3. In a static pile loading test, a loading (or unloading) stage has to be maintained until one of the
following criteria has been reached: the pile head settle at a rate of less than
(a) 0.1mm/10 minutes;
(b) 0.05mm/10 minutes;
(c) 0.01mm/10 minutes;
(d) 0.005mm/10 minutes.

Q4. In a plate load test, the dial gauges for monitoring the settlement of the plate should be mounted
on the:
(a) reference beam;
(b) reaction girder;
(c) loading column;
(d) ground around the plate directly.

Q5. The presumed allowable vertical bearing pressure of grade IV or better decomposed granite
with a total core recovery of more than 50% of the grade is:
(a) 1,000 kPa;
(b) 2,000 kPa;
(c) 3,000 kPa;
(d) 4,000 kPa.
Q6. What is/are the typical design considerations of embedded types of retaining structures for an
deep excavation?
i. Structural capacity of the wall
ii. Toe and overall stability of the system
iii. Hydraulic cut-off performance
iv. Induced stress changes and movements to the surroundings
(a). (i) and (ii)
(b). (iii) and (iv)
(c). (i), (ii) and (iii)
(d). all of the above

Q7. What is/are the typical lateral forces to be carried by an ELS system?
i. Lateral soil pressure
ii. Groundwater pressure
iii. Construction surcharge
iv. Loads from existing adjacent structures
(a). (i) and (ii)
(b). (iii) and (iv)
(c). (i), (ii) and (iii)
(d). all of the above

Q8. What is/are the main purpose(s) of pre-loading to a strut during a deep excavation?
i. Increase strut load
ii. Limit wall deflection and hence ground movements
iii. Reduce bending moment for a flexible wall
iv. Reduce the required embedment depth of the wall
(a). (i) only
(b). (ii) and (iii)
(c). (ii), (iii) and (iv)
(d). all of the above

Q9. What is sequence of steps usually taken by the designer for an ELS design?
i. Verification of assumptions on site
ii. Desktop study, site investigation and geological modeling
iii. Design analyses
iv. Produce drawing and specifications
(a). (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
(b). (ii), (iii), (i), (iv)
(c). (ii), (iii), (iv), (i)
(d). (ii), (i), (iii), (iv)
Q10. What is/are the typical instrumentation used for projects involving deep excavation?
i. Ground settlement points
ii. Ground, building and/or utility settlement points
iii. Standpipes and/or piezometers
iv. Inclinometers
(a). (i) and (ii)
(b). (i) and (iii)
(c). (i), (ii) and (iii)
(d). all of the above

Q11. If a non-conformity is discovered and considered to pose an imminent danger, who should
report the non-conformity to the Building Authority?
(a). The RSE – The Registered Structural Engineer
(b). The RGE – The Registered Geotechnical Engineer
(c). The AP – The Authorized Person
(d). The RC – The Registered Contractor
(e). All of them

Q12. According to the Code of Practice for Site Supervision Plan, pre-drilling, interface
core-drilling, post-installation drilling and proof test core drilling must be carried out by the
following contractor.
(a). RGBC – Registered General Building Contractor
(b). RSC (Foundation) – Registered Specialist Contractor (Foundation)
(c). RSC (Site Formation) – Registered Specialist Contractor (Site Formation)
(d). RSC (GIFW) – Registered Specialist Contractor (Ground Investigation Field Work)
(e). All of them.

Q13. The major difference between the Code of Practice for Site Supervision 2005 and the Code of
Practice for Site Supervision 2009 is the inclusion of the following item in the 2009 Code
(a). Site Safety Supervision
(b). Quality Supervision
(c). Supervision of Building Works with Significant Geotechnical Content
(d). The supervision of Minor Works.

Q14. Quality Supervision of Soil Nailing Works should be provided by

(a). The AP and his T5 and T3
(b). The RSE and his T5 and T3
(c). The RGE, his T5, T3 and the AS of the RSC (Site Formation) and the RSC (Site Formation)’s
T4 and T1.
(d). The RGE, his T5, T3 and the AS of the RSC (GIFW) and RSC (GIFW)’s T4 and T1.
Q15. A Directorate Site Supervisor (DSS) must be
(a). A Director/Partner of a Geotechnical Engineering firm who has a PhD in civil engineering.
(b) A Director/Partner of a consulting firm who has a PhD in Geotechnical Engineering.
(c). A Director/Partner of the consulting firm, who has a PhD in Geotechnical Engineering with at
least 20 years of experience.
(d). Registered Professional Engineer in geotechnical discipline who had the position of a
Director/Partner of the firm, which prepared the geotechnical content of the submission.

Q16. Which of the following feature cannot be delineated by serial photograph interpretation?
(a). Location of boulders
(b). Drainage lines
(c). Rockhead
(d). Site development history
(e). Site contamination

Q17. Which of the following laboratory test(s) is/are used for determination of strength of rock
materials?
(i) Uniaxial Compressive Strength Test
(ii) Point Load Test
(iii) Direct Shear Test
(a). (i) only
(b). (i) & (ii) only
(c). (i) & (iii) only
(d). (ii) & (iii) only
(e). none of the above

Q18. Which of the following is the correct size range for medium-grained rocks?
(a). 0.002 – 0.02mm
(b). 0.02 – 6mm
(c). 2 – 6mm
(d). 6 – 20mm
(e). 20 – 60mm

Q19. Which of the following is the correct definition of ‘Solid Core’?

(a). Core with full circumference
(b). Core with full recovery
(c). Core with full length
(d). Core with full diameter
(e). Core with full width
Q20. Which of the following document provides updated source of information to Geoguide 2?
(a). GEO Publication No. 1/2007
(b). GEO Report No. 36
(c). GEO Technical Guidance Note No. 5
(d). Geospec 3
(e). GEO Information Note No. 1/2006

Q21. For soil nailing work, what supervision personnel are required to be full time on site during
(a). every stage of works of each soil nail?
(b). RGE’s TCP T3 and RSC’s TCP T4
(c). RGE’s TCP T3 and RSC’s TCP T1
(d). RGE’s TCP T5 and RSC’s TCP T4
(e). RGE’s TCP T5 and RSC’s TCP T1

Q22. What tests are required to be carried out on the cement grout for soil nails?
(a). Bleeding test
(b). Flow-cone test
(c). Test for compressive strength of grout cubes
(d). (a) and (b) above
(e). (a), (b) and (c) above

Q23. What is the required minimum relative compaction of fill material in fill slopes?
(a). 85%
(b). 90%
(c). 95%
(d). 98%
(e). 100%

Q24. What is the minimum degree of compaction of an existing fill slope for which improvement
by soil nailing is permitted?
(a). 70%
(b). 75%
(c). 80%
(d). 85%
(e). 90%

Q25. Which of the following is not a compulsory component of a soil nail?

(a). Soil nail reinforcement
(b). Cement grout
(c). Nail head
(d). Corrugated plastic sheathing
(e). Centralizer
Q26. What tests shall be carried out on every layer of backfill behind a retaining wall?
(a). Determination of particle size distribution of the fill material
(b). Determination of maximum dry density and optimum moisture content of the fill material
(c). Determination of moisture content and relative compaction achieved
(d). Determination of strength parameters

Q27. Containing which of the following would not readily make a material unsuitable as backfill
material for a retaining wall?
(a). peat, vegetation, timber, organic or other degradable materials
(b). dangerous or toxic material
(c). material susceptible to combustion
(d). crushed rock
(e). soluble material

Q28. What are the external failure modes of a cantilevered retaining wall?
(a). Overturning failure and end bearing failure
(b). Overturning failure and sliding failure
(c). Loss of overall stability and overturning failure
(d). Loss of overall stability and sliding failure
(e). Loss of overall stability, overturning failure and sliding failure

Q29. What routine tests shall be carried out on concrete delivered to site?
(a). Determination of slump
(b). Determination of compressive strength of concrete cubes
(c). Determination of density of hardened concrete
(d). (a) and (b) above
(e). (a), (b) and (c) above

Q30. Which of the following publication provides guidance on remedial works to an existing
retaining wall?
(a). Geoguide 1 – Guide to Retaining Wall Design
(b). Geoguide 5 – Guide to Slope Maintenance
(c). Geotechnical Manual for Slopes

Q31. Tuffs are the dominant volcanic rocks in Hong Kong. They
(a). are poor in quartz, except in the Tuen Mun Formation.
(b). are classified according to particle size and the relative amount of pumice / glass, crystal
fragments and rock fragments that made up the rocks.
(c). are generally less resistant to weathering and form low ground in Hong Kong.
(d). are Palaeozoic in age.
(e). All of the above statements are incorrect.
Q32. The main areas of concealed marble and marble-bearing rocks in Hong Kong DO NOT
include:
(a). Mid-levels (Scheduled Area No. 1)
(b). Tin Shui Wai and Yuen Long (Scheduled Area No. 2)
(c). Ma On Shan (Scheduled Area No. 4)
(d). Tung Chung (Designated Area of Northshore Lantau)
(e). All of the above areas are underlain by marble and marble-bearing rocks.

Q33. Granitic rocks in Hong Kong are classified according to:

(a). colour and grain size
(b). mineral (chemical) composition and number of joint sets
(c). number of joint sets and grain size
(d). mineral (chemical) composition and grain size
(e). colour, mineral (chemical) composition and grain size

Q34. Which of the following statement regarding the sedimentary rocks in Hong Kong is
CORRECT?
(a). The Devonian Bluff Head Formation comprises mainly conglomerate, sandstone and siltstone.
(b). The Carboniferous Yuen Long Formation comprises mainly pure and impure marble.
(c). The Cretaceous Pat Sin Leng, Port Island and Kat O Formations comprise mainly
reddish-coloured sandstone, conglomerate and breccia.
(d). The Eocene Ping Chau Formation comprises mainly siltstone.
(e). All of the above statements are correct.

Q35. Which of the following statement regarding the superficial deposits in Hong Kong is
INCORRECT?
(a). They cover about 15% of the land area of Hong Kong.
(b). They can be subdivided into terrestrial, marine and intertidal deposits.
(c). They are all Holocene in age.
(d). The colluvium is commonly unsorted, whereas the alluvium is moderately sorted.
(e). All of the above statements are correct.
Q36. Which of the following statement regarding the geological maps of Hong Kong is
INCORRECT?
(a). The published Hong Kong Geological Survey 1:20,000-scale geological maps provide
information on solid and superficial geology.
(b). The published Hong Kong Geological Survey 1:20,000-scale geological maps are intended for
site-specific purpose.
(c). Dykes are generally under-represented on the published 1:20,000-scale geological maps of
Hong Kong.
(d). The published Hong Kong Geological Survey 1:5,000-scale geological maps cover Scheduled
and Designated Areas containing marble and marble-bearing rocks.
(e). All of the above statements are correct.

Section B: - Short Question – Please answer any 2 short questions from the following

Q1: Name 7 BD’s recognized types of foundation? Briefly discuss the pros and cons of 5
foundation types from the list.

Q2: A site has a footprint of about 40mx40m and located in Mid-levels abutting a natural slope and
has a level difference of around 5m. The groundwater level is about 10m below ground during the
dry season but may rise to about 5m below ground during the wet season. Since there are slopes
features in the vicinity, damming up of the groundwater is a concern.

There are old buildings in the vicinity that are sensitive to vibration. Large diameter end-bearing
bored piles have been adopted as the foundation. The corewall is located closer to the lower side of
the site. A two-level basement, 10m deep as measured at higher side, is going to be built. Please
propose possible embedded retaining walls and shoring systems together with the expected
construction sequence to facilitate the basement construction.

Typical Cross section

Q3: Please discuss the differences between the Buildings Ordinance, the Technical Memorandum
2009, the Code of Practice for Site Supervision 2009, and the Practice Notes for Authorized Person,
Registered Structural Engineer and Registered Geotechnical Engineer. How do the documents affect
the work of a T3? Is it fair to say that the Code of Practice and the Technical memorandum contain
exactly the same information?
Q4: (a) Please list different decomposition grades in material weathering of rocks;
(b) Please list the differences between saporlites and residual soils.

Q5: List out five factors that will affect the stability of a slope.

Q6: List out the major supervision/inspection items for construction of an R.C. retaining wall.

Q7: (a) Describe various types of geological structures found in Hong Kong; (b) What are the
engineering implications of geological structures?