GATE (Architecture/ Planning) 2016 Practice Question

Question : Damage of foundations due to ‘Soil Liquefaction’ is related to   

       

(A) Cyclones          (B) Landslides         (C) Floods               (D) Earthquakes

Answer: (D) Earthquakes

Soil liquefaction describes a phenomenon whereby a saturated or partially saturated soil substantially loses strength and stiffness in response to an applied stress, usually earthquake shaking or other sudden change in stress condition, causing it to behave like a liquid. 

With respect to Earthquake India is divided into FOUR zones, Zone II, Zone III, Zone IV and Zone V. Earlier there were five zones, now Zone I is merged with Zone II, thereby reducing it to four. There are two types of waves generated during an Earthquake ‘P’ and ‘S’ wave. ‘P’ wave (Primary wave) is compressional wave, longitudinal in nature and travel fastest. Secondary waves (S-waves) are shear waves that are transverse in nature.