Pavement Materials and Design MCQs 2026

Optimum binder content in Marshall design balances

1. AOnly cheapest binder always✓
2. BZero binder always✓
3. COnly maximum flow always✓
4. DStability flow voids and VMA✓

Air voids in compacted HMA typically target about

1. A30 to 40 percent✓
2. BZero percent always impossible practically✓
3. C3 to 5 percent✓
4. D50 percent✓

VMA stands for

1. AVertical Mix Asphalt✓
2. BVoids in Mineral Aggregate✓
3. CVariable Marshall Analysis✓
4. DVehicle Mass Axle✓

Aggregate impact value test indicates

1. ABitumen penetration✓
2. BSoftening point✓
3. CWind erosion✓
4. DResistance to sudden impact loading✓

Los Angeles abrasion test measures

1. AResistance to degradation by impact and grinding✓
2. BLiquid limit of clay✓
3. CConcrete slump✓
4. DHarbour tide✓

Flakiness index measures

1. ARoundness of bitumen✓
2. BColour of tar✓
3. CSmell of diesel✓
4. DProportion of thin elongated particles✓

Polished stone value PSV relates to

1. AMarshall stability only✓
2. BSkid resistance of aggregate✓
3. CPenetration grade only✓
4. DWind load only✓

Modified bitumen with polymer improves

1. AElastic recovery and temperature susceptibility✓
2. BAlways reduces cost to zero✓
3. CMakes mix unusable always✓
4. DEliminates need for aggregate✓

RAP in pavement recycling is

1. ARandom Aggregate Powder✓
2. BRailway Axle Profile✓
3. CReclaimed Asphalt Pavement✓
4. DRiver Alluvial Plain✓

Maximum RAP percentage limited by

1. AStiffness aging and workability concerns✓
2. BUnlimited always without test✓
3. CZero always banned✓
4. DOnly colour of old pavement✓

Subgrade treatment with lime improves

1. ABitumen penetration always✓
2. BPlasticity and bearing capacity of clay✓
3. CWind speed always✓
4. DHarbour depth always✓

Cement stabilization of base course increases

1. AOnly colour to grey only without strength✓
2. BOnly permeability always increases harmful always✓
3. CStrength and durability of granular layer✓
4. DOnly organic content✓

Moisture susceptibility of HMA evaluated by

1. APenetration test on bitumen only✓
2. BWind tunnel on car✓
3. CSeismic shake table on building✓
4. DImmersion Marshall or TSR test✓

Anti-stripping agents are

1. AOnly water spray on road✓
2. BLime or amine additives improving adhesion✓
3. COnly sand without binder✓
4. DOnly diesel fuel✓

Bitumen emulsion used for

1. ACold mix surface dressing tack coat✓
2. BOnly structural RCC dam✓
3. COnly railway sleeper✓
4. DOnly airport ILS✓

Cutback bitumen uses

1. AWater only without chemical✓
2. BCement paste✓
3. CSolvent to reduce viscosity for cold application✓
4. DSteel powder✓

PG grading system classifies binder by

1. AOnly penetration at 25 always alone✓
2. BOnly colour✓
3. COnly smell✓
4. DPerformance at high and low pavement temperature✓

Nominal maximum aggregate size in mix affects

1. AOnly toll plaza design✓
2. BOnly building FAR✓
3. CLayer thickness minimum and gradation control✓
4. DOnly harbour berth✓

Aggregate crushing value ACV indicates

1. ADuctility of bitumen✓
2. BWind drift✓
3. CTidal range✓
4. DResistance to crushing under compressive load✓

Soundness test of aggregate uses

1. ASalt or water saturation cycles✓
2. BMarshall hammer only✓
3. CPenetration needle✓
4. DSoftening ring✓

Specific gravity of aggregate needed for

1. AOnly paint coverage✓
2. BMix design volumetric calculations✓
3. COnly staff scheduling✓
4. DOnly legal fees✓

Absorption of aggregate affects

1. AOnly wind load on sign✓
2. BOnly seismic zone✓
3. CEffective binder content and moisture sensitivity✓
4. DOnly runway length✓

HMA production temperature hot mix about

1. A25°C ambient only✓
2. B500°C always✓
3. C0°C frozen✓
4. D150 to 170°C at plant✓

Compaction of asphalt layer by

1. AAfter complete cooling to ambient always wrong✓
2. BRoller while mix above minimum temperature✓
3. COnly manual foot always for highway✓
4. DOnly water flooding✓

Segregation in asphalt mix causes

1. ANon-uniform gradation and early failure✓
2. BImproved skid always✓
3. CLower cost always beneficial always✓
4. DHigher CBR subgrade✓

Bleeding on pavement surface means

1. AInsufficient binder always opposite✓
2. BExcess binder flushed to surface✓
3. COnly aggregate visible always✓
4. DOnly water ponding only✓

Rutting in wheel paths related to

1. APermanent deformation of mix or subgrade✓
2. BOnly paint fade✓
3. COnly lane width error only✓
4. DOnly guardrail height✓

Fatigue cracking in flexible pavement from

1. ASingle static load once only always✓
2. BOnly wind pressure✓
3. COnly tidal action✓
4. DRepeated tensile strain in bound layers✓

Reflection cracking occurs when

1. ANew pavement on new subgrade only always✓
2. BOnly on railway track✓
3. CCracks in old pavement telegraph through overlay✓
4. DOnly on harbour wall✓

Open graded friction course OGFC provides

1. AImpermeable seal always opposite purpose✓
2. BOnly increase rut always purpose✓
3. COnly railway ballast function✓
4. DDrainage of surface water reducing spray✓

Stone matrix asphalt SMA has

1. AHigh coarse aggregate skeleton gap filled with mastic✓
2. BOnly sand without coarse✓
3. COnly clay without binder✓
4. DOnly water✓

Bitumen grade harder for Pakistan hot southern plains often means

1. AHigher penetration softer always for hot always wrong✓
2. BZero binder✓
3. CLower penetration or higher PG high temp✓
4. DOnly emulsion always✓

Aggregate gradation curves plotted on

1. AWind rose✓
2. BSemi-log sieve size versus percent passing✓
3. CMohr circle only soil✓
4. DHarbour tide chart✓

Fillers in asphalt mix such as cement or limestone dust

1. AImprove mastic stiffness and void filling✓
2. BReplace all coarse aggregate✓
3. CEliminate need for bitumen completely✓
4. DOnly decorative colour✓

Pre-coated chips used in

1. ARCC dam face always primary✓
2. BSurface dressing chip seal✓
3. CRailway track always✓
4. DBuilding column always✓

Cationic emulsion preferred for

1. AAlways dry stone only without exception opposite sometimes✓
2. BUnderwater concrete always✓
3. CDamp aggregate surfaces✓
4. DSteel welding always✓

JMF job mix formula approved after

1. ARandom guess without test✓
2. BOnly visual colour check✓
3. COnly contractor verbal promise✓
4. DTrial mix meets Marshall or Superpave criteria✓

NHA Pakistan specifies materials for

1. AOnly airport runway exclusively without road✓
2. BNational highway pavement layers✓
3. COnly harbour fender✓
4. DOnly dam spillway✓

Field density of asphalt checked by

1. AOnly penetration test✓
2. BOnly wind vane✓
3. COnly tide staff✓
4. DNuclear gauge or core extraction✓

Core sample from pavement evaluates

1. AThickness density and mix properties✓
2. BOnly subgrade CBR without asphalt✓
3. COnly building rebar✓
4. DOnly river flow✓

Geotextile under granular base may

1. AIncrease moisture pumping always harmful always purpose wrong✓
2. BReplace all structural layers always✓
3. CSeparate subgrade fines and provide filtration✓
4. DOnly paint protection✓

Prime coat on granular base rate about

1. A0.7 to 1.5 litres per square metre typical range✓
2. B100 litres always without limit✓
3. CZero always✓
4. DOnly kg per tonne aggregate confusing units✓

Tack coat application rate before overlay about

1. A10 litres always harmful✓
2. B0.2 to 0.5 litres per square metre residual✓
3. CZero bond intended wrong✓
4. DOnly cubic metres✓

Warm mix asphalt technology reduces

1. AAlways increases temperature 300°C✓
2. BEliminates all binder✓
3. COnly uses water freezing✓
4. DProduction and compaction temperature✓

Rejuvenator in high RAP mix restores

1. AAggregate crushing value✓
2. BSubgrade CBR✓
3. CAged binder properties✓
4. DWind load✓

Absorption capacity test on bitumen aggregate mix checks

1. AOnly colour fade✓
2. BPotential moisture damage susceptibility✓
3. COnly noise✓
4. DOnly toll revenue✓

Gradation within specification envelope ensures

1. ARandom voids always desired✓
2. BZero compaction possible✓
3. CWorkability and volumetric properties in mix✓
4. DOnly aesthetic appearance✓

Hydrostatic compression test on aggregate rare for roads; strength more commonly

1. ALos Angeles or crushing value✓
2. BWind tunnel✓
3. CPenetration bitumen confused as aggregate✓
4. DLiquid limit clay✓

Blending aggregates from different sources aims to

1. AIncrease cost only purpose✓
2. BAlways single size only without blend✓
3. CIgnore spec always✓
4. DMeet target gradation and properties economically✓

Stockpile moisture management prevents

1. AIncorrect binder content and segregation in plant✓
2. BImproved bitumen penetration grade change magically✓
3. CWind erosion of highway pavement placed✓
4. DHarbour silting✓

Calculated voids in mineral aggregate VMA formula uses

1. AOnly bitumen weight alone✓
2. BOnly wind speed✓
3. CBulk volume of aggregate including voids✓
4. DOnly axle load ESAL alone✓

Viscosity grade bitumen VG-30 suited for

1. AOnly pedestrian paths only always✓
2. BHot climates and heavy traffic routes✓
3. CUnderwater dam face always wrong✓
4. DRailway sleeper coating always wrong✓

Nominal maximum aggregate size in mix affects

1. AOnly toll plaza design✓
2. BOnly building FAR✓
3. CLayer thickness minimum and gradation control✓
4. DOnly harbour berth✓

PG grading system classifies binder by

1. AOnly penetration at 25 always alone✓
2. BOnly colour✓
3. COnly smell✓
4. DPerformance at high and low pavement temperature✓

Cutback bitumen uses

1. AWater only without chemical✓
2. BCement paste✓
3. CSolvent to reduce viscosity for cold application✓
4. DSteel powder✓

Bitumen emulsion used for

1. ACold mix surface dressing tack coat✓
2. BOnly structural RCC dam✓
3. COnly railway sleeper✓
4. DOnly airport ILS✓

Anti-stripping agents are

1. AOnly water spray on road✓
2. BLime or amine additives improving adhesion✓
3. COnly sand without binder✓
4. DOnly diesel fuel✓

Moisture susceptibility of HMA evaluated by

1. APenetration test on bitumen only✓
2. BWind tunnel on car✓
3. CSeismic shake table on building✓
4. DImmersion Marshall or TSR test✓

Cement stabilization of base course increases

1. AOnly colour to grey only without strength✓
2. BOnly permeability always increases harmful always✓
3. CStrength and durability of granular layer✓
4. DOnly organic content✓

Subgrade treatment with lime improves

1. ABitumen penetration always✓
2. BPlasticity and bearing capacity of clay✓
3. CWind speed always✓
4. DHarbour depth always✓

Maximum RAP percentage limited by

1. AStiffness aging and workability concerns✓
2. BUnlimited always without test✓
3. CZero always banned✓
4. DOnly colour of old pavement✓

RAP in pavement recycling is

1. ARandom Aggregate Powder✓
2. BRailway Axle Profile✓
3. CReclaimed Asphalt Pavement✓
4. DRiver Alluvial Plain✓

Modified bitumen with polymer improves

1. AElastic recovery and temperature susceptibility✓
2. BAlways reduces cost to zero✓
3. CMakes mix unusable always✓
4. DEliminates need for aggregate✓

Polished stone value PSV relates to

1. AMarshall stability only✓
2. BSkid resistance of aggregate✓
3. CPenetration grade only✓
4. DWind load only✓

Flakiness index measures

1. ARoundness of bitumen✓
2. BColour of tar✓
3. CSmell of diesel✓
4. DProportion of thin elongated particles✓

Los Angeles abrasion test measures

1. AResistance to degradation by impact and grinding✓
2. BLiquid limit of clay✓
3. CConcrete slump✓
4. DHarbour tide✓

Aggregate impact value test indicates

1. ABitumen penetration✓
2. BSoftening point✓
3. CWind erosion✓
4. DResistance to sudden impact loading✓

VMA stands for

1. AVertical Mix Asphalt✓
2. BVoids in Mineral Aggregate✓
3. CVariable Marshall Analysis✓
4. DVehicle Mass Axle✓

Air voids in compacted HMA typically target about

1. A30 to 40 percent✓
2. BZero percent always impossible practically✓
3. C3 to 5 percent✓
4. D50 percent✓

Optimum binder content in Marshall design balances

1. AOnly cheapest binder always✓
2. BZero binder always✓
3. COnly maximum flow always✓
4. DStability flow voids and VMA✓

Penetration grade bitumen 60/70 means

1. ASoftening point 60°C only✓
2. BPenetration 0.1 mm at 25°C between 60 and 70✓
3. CViscosity 70 poise only✓
4. DDensity 60 g/cm³✓

Ductility test measures

1. ADistance bitumen stretches before breaking at specified temperature✓
2. BCompressive strength of aggregate✓
3. CCBR of subgrade✓
4. DWind speed on runway✓

Softening point ring and ball test indicates

1. AFreezing point of water✓
2. BBoiling point of steel✓
3. CTemperature at which bitumen softens under load✓
4. DFlash point of diesel only✓

Aggregate gradation for asphalt affects

1. AOnly paint colour of road✓
2. BOnly toll rate✓
3. COnly lane marking font✓
4. DDensity voids stability and durability✓

Marshall stability test measures

1. AMaximum load resisted by compacted bituminous specimen✓
2. BRiver discharge✓
3. CWind drift✓
4. DSeismic PGA✓

Marshall flow value indicates

1. AAir void only✓
2. BDeformation at maximum load✓
3. CAggregate crushing only✓
4. DPenetration of needle only✓

Fatigue cracking in flexible pavement from

1. ASingle static load once only always✓
2. BOnly wind pressure✓
3. COnly tidal action✓
4. DRepeated tensile strain in bound layers✓

Reflection cracking occurs when

1. ANew pavement on new subgrade only always✓
2. BOnly on railway track✓
3. CCracks in old pavement telegraph through overlay✓
4. DOnly on harbour wall✓

Open graded friction course OGFC provides

1. AImpermeable seal always opposite purpose✓
2. BOnly increase rut always purpose✓
3. COnly railway ballast function✓
4. DDrainage of surface water reducing spray✓

Stone matrix asphalt SMA has

1. AHigh coarse aggregate skeleton gap filled with mastic✓
2. BOnly sand without coarse✓
3. COnly clay without binder✓
4. DOnly water✓

Bitumen grade harder for Pakistan hot southern plains often means

1. AHigher penetration softer always for hot always wrong✓
2. BZero binder✓
3. CLower penetration or higher PG high temp✓
4. DOnly emulsion always✓

Aggregate gradation curves plotted on

1. AWind rose✓
2. BSemi-log sieve size versus percent passing✓
3. CMohr circle only soil✓
4. DHarbour tide chart✓

Fillers in asphalt mix such as cement or limestone dust

1. AImprove mastic stiffness and void filling✓
2. BReplace all coarse aggregate✓
3. CEliminate need for bitumen completely✓
4. DOnly decorative colour✓

Pre-coated chips used in

1. ARCC dam face always primary✓
2. BSurface dressing chip seal✓
3. CRailway track always✓
4. DBuilding column always✓

Cationic emulsion preferred for

1. AAlways dry stone only without exception opposite sometimes✓
2. BUnderwater concrete always✓
3. CDamp aggregate surfaces✓
4. DSteel welding always✓

JMF job mix formula approved after

1. ARandom guess without test✓
2. BOnly visual colour check✓
3. COnly contractor verbal promise✓
4. DTrial mix meets Marshall or Superpave criteria✓

NHA Pakistan specifies materials for

1. AOnly airport runway exclusively without road✓
2. BNational highway pavement layers✓
3. COnly harbour fender✓
4. DOnly dam spillway✓

Field density of asphalt checked by

1. AOnly penetration test✓
2. BOnly wind vane✓
3. COnly tide staff✓
4. DNuclear gauge or core extraction✓

Core sample from pavement evaluates

1. AThickness density and mix properties✓
2. BOnly subgrade CBR without asphalt✓
3. COnly building rebar✓
4. DOnly river flow✓

Geotextile under granular base may

1. AIncrease moisture pumping always harmful always purpose wrong✓
2. BReplace all structural layers always✓
3. CSeparate subgrade fines and provide filtration✓
4. DOnly paint protection✓

Prime coat on granular base rate about

1. A0.7 to 1.5 litres per square metre typical range✓
2. B100 litres always without limit✓
3. CZero always✓
4. DOnly kg per tonne aggregate confusing units✓

Tack coat application rate before overlay about

1. A10 litres always harmful✓
2. B0.2 to 0.5 litres per square metre residual✓
3. CZero bond intended wrong✓
4. DOnly cubic metres✓

Warm mix asphalt technology reduces

1. AAlways increases temperature 300°C✓
2. BEliminates all binder✓
3. COnly uses water freezing✓
4. DProduction and compaction temperature✓

Rejuvenator in high RAP mix restores

1. AAggregate crushing value✓
2. BSubgrade CBR✓
3. CAged binder properties✓
4. DWind load✓

Absorption capacity test on bitumen aggregate mix checks

1. AOnly colour fade✓
2. BPotential moisture damage susceptibility✓
3. COnly noise✓
4. DOnly toll revenue✓

Gradation within specification envelope ensures

1. ARandom voids always desired✓
2. BZero compaction possible✓
3. CWorkability and volumetric properties in mix✓
4. DOnly aesthetic appearance✓

Hydrostatic compression test on aggregate rare for roads; strength more commonly

1. ALos Angeles or crushing value✓
2. BWind tunnel✓
3. CPenetration bitumen confused as aggregate✓
4. DLiquid limit clay✓

Blending aggregates from different sources aims to

1. AIncrease cost only purpose✓
2. BAlways single size only without blend✓
3. CIgnore spec always✓
4. DMeet target gradation and properties economically✓

Stockpile moisture management prevents

1. AIncorrect binder content and segregation in plant✓
2. BImproved bitumen penetration grade change magically✓
3. CWind erosion of highway pavement placed✓
4. DHarbour silting✓

Calculated voids in mineral aggregate VMA formula uses

1. AOnly bitumen weight alone✓
2. BOnly wind speed✓
3. CBulk volume of aggregate including voids✓
4. DOnly axle load ESAL alone✓

Viscosity grade bitumen VG-30 suited for

1. AOnly pedestrian paths only always✓
2. BHot climates and heavy traffic routes✓
3. CUnderwater dam face always wrong✓
4. DRailway sleeper coating always wrong✓