Q4
(a) A machine was purchased for ₹4,50,000 on 1st January 2001 and erection and installation work costed ₹80,000. The same machine is replaced by a new one on 31st December 2020. If the scrap value was estimated at ₹1,50,000 (i) What should be the rate of depreciation fund on 15th June 2010 ? (ii) If after 12 years of running, some assemblies are replaced and the replacement cost is ₹1,50,000, what will be the new rate of depreciation ? (20 marks) (b) What is dampness in a building ? What are the main causes of dampness and what are the remedies being suggested for making a building damp-proof ? (15 marks) (c) A flexible pavement has been designed for two lane single carriageway of width 7 m with the following data : (i) Commercial vehicle per day in each direction = 750 (as on 31.03.2018) (ii) Date of completion of construction = 31.03.2020 (iii) Rate of traffic growth = 10% per annum (iv) Design life = 10 years (v) Vehicle damage factor = 2·0 (vi) Lane distribution factor (LDF) for 2-lane single carriageway road = 0·75 (vii) LDF of 4-lane dual carriageway road = 0·75 in each direction Due to some issues, starting of construction got delayed and work started on 01.04.2023. In the meantime government has decided to develop the road as four lane dual carriageway. Considering the same design data as planned earlier, calculate the new design life of the project. Assume any additional data required for the design suitably. (15 marks)
हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें
(a) एक मशीन को 01 जनवरी, 2001 में ₹4,50,000 में खरीदा गया एवं उसके उत्थापन एवं संस्थापन में ₹80,000 खर्च हुआ । 31 दिसम्बर, 2020 को इस मशीन को एक नई मशीन से बदला गया । यदि इसका शेष मूल्य ₹1,50,000 आकलित किया गया तो (i) 15 जून 2010 को मूल्य ह्रास निधि की दर क्या होनी चाहिए ? (ii) यदि 12 साल काम करने के बाद, इसके कुछ कलपुर्जे बदले गए और बदलने की कीमत ₹1,50,000 हो तो नया मूल्य ह्रास दर क्या होगा ? (20 अंक) (b) एक भवन में सीलन क्या होती है ? सीलन होने के मुख्य कारण क्या हैं, एवं एक भवन को सीलनरोधी बनाने के लिए क्या उपचार सुझाए जाते हैं ? (15 अंक) (c) 7 m चौड़े द्वि-मार्गी एकल यानमार्ग के लिए एक नम्य कुंटिटम की अभिकल्पना निम्नलिखित आंकड़ों के लिए की गई है । (i) वाणिज्यिक वाहन प्रतिदिन, प्रत्येक दिशा में = 750 (as on 31.03.2018) को (ii) निर्माण के पूर्ण होने की तिथि = 31.03.2020 (iii) ट्रैफिक वृद्धि की दर = 10% प्रति वर्ष (iv) अभिकल्प काल = 10 वर्ष (v) वाहन क्षति गुणक = 2·0 (vi) द्वि-मार्गी एकल यानमार्ग सड़क के लिए मार्ग वितरण गुणक (एल डी एफ) = 0·75 (vii) चतुर्मार्गी यानमार्ग सड़क के लिए एल डी एफ = 0·75 प्रत्येक दिशा में कुछ कारणों से निर्माण कार्य के शुरू होने में देर हुई और कार्य 01.04.2023 को आरम्भ हुआ । इसी बीच में सरकार सड़क को चतुर्मार्गी दोहरा यानमार्ग के रूप में विकसित करने का निर्णय लेती है । पूर्व में आयोजित आंकड़ों को ध्यान में रखते हुए, परियोजना के नए अभिकल्प काल की गणना कीजिए । अभिकल्पना के लिए आवश्यक अतिरिक्त आंकड़े उपयुक्त रूप से मान लीजिए । (15 अंक)
Directive word: Calculate
This question asks you to calculate. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.
See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.
How this answer will be evaluated
Approach
This is a multi-part calculation-based question requiring precise numerical work across depreciation accounting, building science, and pavement engineering. Allocate approximately 40% time/effort to part (a) given its 20 marks weightage, 30% to part (b) for 15 marks, and 30% to part (c) for 15 marks. Begin with clear identification of given data, show all formulas with standard notations (IRC:37 for pavement, IS 1893/standard depreciation methods), present step-by-step calculations with proper units, and conclude with practical interpretations of results.
Key points expected
- Part (a)(i): Calculate depreciation rate using sinking fund method or straight line method for period 1.1.2001 to 15.6.2010 (9.5 years), considering total first cost ₹5,30,000 and scrap value ₹1,50,000
- Part (a)(ii): Recalculate depreciation rate after capital addition of ₹1,50,000 at year 12, adjusting book value and remaining useful life till 31.12.2020
- Part (b): Define dampness as unwanted moisture intrusion; enumerate causes (capillary action, rain penetration, condensation, ground water); describe remedies (DPC at plinth, waterproof plaster, surface treatments, proper drainage)
- Part (c): Calculate cumulative standard axles (MSA) for original 2-lane design using N = 365×A×[(1+r)^n-1]/r × VDF × LDF with A=750, r=0.10, n=10
- Part (c) continued: Recalculate design life for 4-lane dual carriageway using same total MSA but revised LDF=0.75 each direction (effectively 0.375 per lane), solving for new n when traffic starts 1.4.2023 with updated base year CVPD
Evaluation rubric
| Dimension | Weight | Max marks | Excellent | Average | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concept correctness | 20% | 10 | Correctly identifies sinking fund/straight line depreciation for (a); precisely defines dampness mechanisms and DPC specifications per IS 2878 for (b); applies IRC:37-2018 methodology correctly for (c) including proper handling of LDF changes from 0.75 (2-lane) to 0.375 effective (4-lane dual) | Uses correct broad concepts but confuses depreciation methods or misapplies LDF values; dampness causes listed without technical depth; pavement design formula correct but traffic growth handling approximate | Fundamental conceptual errors: uses simple interest instead of compound growth, treats LDF as 0.75 for 4-lane (not per direction), or describes dampness vaguely without technical terms |
| Numerical accuracy | 25% | 12.5 | All calculations precise to 2 decimal places: (a)(i) depreciation rate ~8.5-9.5% depending on method; (a)(ii) adjusted rate ~10-11%; (c) original MSA ≈ 67-70 million, new design life ≈ 6-7 years with exact interpolation | Correct methodology but arithmetic errors in exponent calculations or date adjustments; final answers within 10-15% of correct value; partial credit for correct formula setup | Major calculation errors: wrong time periods, ignores erection cost in depreciable amount, or completely wrong MSA magnitude (off by factor of 2+); no unit consistency |
| Diagram quality | 10% | 5 | Clear sketch for (b) showing dampness paths (capillary rise, rain penetration, condensation zones) with DPC placement at plinth level; for (c) traffic distribution diagram showing lane-wise CV distribution for 2-lane vs 4-lane configuration | Basic diagram present but lacks labels or shows generic building section without specific dampness mechanisms; or no diagram for pavement part | No diagrams despite (b) clearly warranting illustrative support; or irrelevant sketches that don't address dampness paths or traffic lane distribution |
| Step-by-step derivation | 25% | 12.5 | Explicit statement of all formulas: P = (C-S)×i/[(1+i)^n-1] for sinking fund; N = 365×A×VDF×[(1+r)^n-1]/(r×10^6) × LDF for pavement; clear substitution with intermediate values shown; logical flow from given data to final answer | Formulas stated but substitution steps condensed; some intermediate calculations skipped; final answer correct but derivation hard to follow | No formulas stated; jumps directly to answers; or incorrect formula used throughout without justification; working illegible or disorganized |
| Practical interpretation | 20% | 10 | For (a): interprets why depreciation rate increases after capital addition (remaining life shortened); for (b): links dampness remedies to Indian climatic conditions (monsoon, high water table regions like Kerala, coastal areas); for (c): explains why 4-lane conversion reduces design life (same traffic concentrated on more lanes, lower LDF per lane), discusses need for stronger pavement or staged construction | Brief concluding remarks without specific context; generic statements about importance of depreciation or damp-proofing; no discussion of IRC implications for delayed projects | No interpretation provided; or irrelevant commentary unrelated to calculated results; fails to recognize that delayed start with traffic growth means higher initial CVPD |
Practice this exact question
Write your answer, then get a detailed evaluation from our AI trained on UPSC's answer-writing standards. Free first evaluation — no signup needed to start.
Evaluate my answer →More from Civil Engineering 2023 Paper II
- Q1 (a) What are the approximate limits of chemical (oxide) composition in hydraulic cement ? Also state the function of oxides in brief. (10 m…
- Q2 (a) For a project consisting of several activities, the allotted time and the dependencies of the activities are presented below: | Activit…
- Q3 (a) (i) Explain any two traffic surveys carried out to decide the geometric design features of a road. (5 marks) (ii) The relationship betw…
- Q4 (a) A machine was purchased for ₹4,50,000 on 1st January 2001 and erection and installation work costed ₹80,000. The same machine is replac…
- Q5 (a) A 6-hour unit hydrograph has the following ordinates : If φ index is 0·3 cm/hr and base flow is 25 m³/s, determine the ordinates of res…
- Q6 (a) (i) A 50 cm well in an unconfined aquifer of saturated thickness 45 m yields 600 lpm under a drawdown of 3 m at the pumping well. What…
- Q7 (a) Discuss the following operational difficulties encountered in the operation of Activated Sludge process : (i) Rising Sludge or Floating…
- Q8 (a) (i) Design a trapezoidal concrete lined channel to carry a discharge of 300 m³/s at a slope of 1 in 4000. The side slope of the channel…