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CE-701 RGPV B.Tech

Geotechnical Engg (GE)

Previous year papers and the official syllabus are free to read, no account needed.

Previous Year Papers

4 papers, latest Dec 2025

Free
See all 4 papers

Syllabus, notes and important questions for CE-701

Syllabus units

Topics as the official RGPV syllabus lists them.

Unit 1 INTRODUCTION, INDEX PROPERTIES AND CLASSIFICATION OF SOILS 25 topics
  • Definition and scope of soil mechanics
  • Origin of soil
  • Formation of soil
  • Clay minerals
  • Soil structure
  • Three‑phase soil system
  • Basic terminology and their relations
  • Water content (index property)
  • Field density (index property)
  • Specific gravity (index property)
  • Grain size distribution by sieve analysis
  • Grain size distribution by hydrometer analysis
  • Relative density
  • Atterberg limits and their determination
  • Flow Index (index property)
  • Plasticity Index (index property)
  • Toughness Index (index property)
  • Liquidity Index (index property)
  • Activity Ratio (index property)
  • Particle‑size based soil classification systems
  • Textural classification systems
  • Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)
  • HRB classification system
  • IS classification system
  • Field identification of soils
Unit 1 notes
Unit 2 PERMEABILITY, EFFECTIVE STRESS AND SEEPAGE THROUGH SOILS 23 topics
  • Types of soil water
  • Capillarity in soils
  • Flow of water through soils
  • Darcy’s law
  • Permeability of soils
  • Factors affecting permeability
  • Laboratory tests for coefficient of permeability
  • Field tests for coefficient of permeability
  • Permeability of layered soils
  • Seepage pressure
  • Total stress
  • Neutral stress
  • Effective stress
  • Upward seepage through soils
  • Downward seepage through soils
  • Characteristics of flow nets
  • Construction methods for flow nets
  • Application of flow nets
  • Quick condition in seepage
  • Laplace equation for two‑dimensional flow
  • Seepage through anisotropic soils
  • Seepage through non‑homogeneous soils
  • Seepage through earth dams
Unit 2 notes
Unit 3 STRESS DISTRIBUTION IN SOILS AND COMPACTION 17 topics
  • Boussinesq’s theory for point load
  • Westergaard’s theory for point load
  • Uniformly loaded circular areas
  • Uniformly loaded rectangular areas
  • Pressure bulb concept
  • Variation of vertical stress under point load (vertical plane)
  • Variation of vertical stress under point load (horizontal plane)
  • Newmark’s influence chart for irregular areas
  • Contact pressure distribution in sands
  • Contact pressure distribution in clays
  • Importance of compaction mechanisms
  • Standard Proctor compaction test
  • Modified compaction test
  • Factors affecting compaction
  • Effects of compaction on soil properties
  • Field compaction equipment
  • Compaction quality control
Unit 3 notes
Unit 4 CONSOLIDATION 18 topics
  • Types of compressibility
  • Spring analogy for consolidation
  • Immediate settlement
  • Primary consolidation
  • Secondary consolidation
  • Stress history of clays
  • e‑p curves
  • e‑log p curves
  • Normally consolidated soils
  • Over‑consolidated soils
  • Under‑consolidated soils
  • Pre‑consolidation pressure and its determination
  • Consolidation test procedures
  • Terzaghi’s one‑dimensional consolidation theory
  • Coefficient of consolidation
  • Square‑root of time method for settlement analysis
  • Logarithm of time method for settlement analysis
  • Computation of total settlement
Unit 4 notes
Unit 5 SHEAR STRENGTH & STABILIZATION OF SOILS 30 topics
  • Definition and importance of shear strength
  • Mohr’s failure theory
  • Coulomb’s failure theory
  • Mohr’s stress circles
  • Direct shear test
  • Unconfined compression test
  • Triaxial compression test
  • Vane shear test
  • Shear tests under drained conditions
  • Shear tests under undrained conditions
  • Measurement of pore water pressure
  • Pore pressure parameters
  • Strength envelopes for soils
  • Shear strength of sands
  • Critical void ratio
  • Liquefaction potential
  • Shear strength of clays
  • Factors affecting shear strength of granular soils
  • Factors affecting shear strength of cohesive soils
  • Mechanical stabilization of soils
  • Cement stabilization
  • Lime stabilization
  • Bituminous stabilization
  • Chemical stabilization
  • Thermal stabilization
  • Electrical stabilization
  • Stabilization by grouting
  • Use of geo‑synthetic materials
  • Types, functions and applications of geo‑synthetics
  • Reinforced earth structures – components and construction
Unit 5 notes
Read the full syllabus

Exam insights

Counted from 4 past CE-701 papers.

Marks asked per paper, by unit

  • Unit 1 INTRODUCTION, INDEX PROPERTIES AND CLASSIFICATION OF SOILS 20 marks
  • Unit 2 PERMEABILITY, EFFECTIVE STRESS AND SEEPAGE THROUGH SOILS 27 marks
  • Unit 3 STRESS DISTRIBUTION IN SOILS AND COMPACTION 20 marks
  • Unit 4 CONSOLIDATION 18 marks
  • Unit 5 SHEAR STRENGTH & STABILIZATION OF SOILS 22 marks

Average marks of the questions from each unit in one paper. You answer only some of them, so the total is more than the paper’s maximum.

Asked again and again

  1. Given bulk/moist density, water content and $G$, calculate void ratio, degree of saturation (and porosity/dry unit weight/water required for full saturation).

    Asked 3 times: 2025, 2020

  2. Explain the types of shear tests based on drainage conditions (UU, CU, CD) and the significance of each drainage condition.

    Asked 3 times: 2025

  3. Methods of soil stabilization and functions and applications of geosynthetics in detail

    Asked 3 times: 2025, 2024, 2020

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