You are on page 1of 4

MODEL QUESTION PAPER - 2

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
ETCE 210
1. Answer the following questions
a. Explain ZAV line and how this is plotted on compaction curve.
2
b. Plot failure envelop for a c- soil on the basis of Mohr-Coulomb failure hypothesis
1
c. What are the assumptions involved in Terzaghis one dimensional consolidation
theory
5
d. Plot the phase diagram for partially saturated, saturated and dry soil
3
e. Derive expression for obtaining the specific gravity of soil particles using pycnometer
method
5
f. List down the factors affecting the permeability of soil
3
g. Draw Plasticity chart as per BIS soil classification system
2
h. Differentiate dry unit weight of soil and unit weight of soil solids
2
i. What are the factors that affect the compaction characteristics of soil
2
UNIT 1
2. A sandy soil in its loosest state has a void ratio of 0.92 and a void ratio of 0.53 in the
densest state. At its natural state, its relative density is 65%. The specific gravity of solid
particles is 2.65. Calculate the void ratio in its natural state as well as dry unit weight in
the densest, loosest and natural state.
10
OR
a. The bulk unit weight of a soil is 18.5 kN/m 3 and the specific gravity of soil particles
is 2.67. At the moisture content of 18%, calculate the void ratio and degree of
saturation of the soil.
5
b. 500 m3 of embankment is to be constructed at a bulk density of 18 kN/m 3 and
moisture content of 16%. How many cubic meters of earth is to be excavated from a
borrow are where the in situ density is 16 kN/m3 and water content is 20%.
5
3. A sample of inorganic soil has the following grain size characteristics.
Size (mm)
2.0 mm
0.075 mm

% passing
95%
78%

The liquid limit and plastic limit of the soil is 65% and 32%, respectively. Classify the
soil as per BIS soil classification system.
7.5
OR

A pycnometer test was used to obtain the moisture content of the wet soil. The specific
gravity of the soil solids was obtained as 2.67. Following observations were made in the
pycnometer test:
Weight of the moist soil =
240.63 gm
Weight of pycnometer + soil + water =
3162.80 gm
Weight of pycnometer + water =
2980 gm
Calculate the moisture content of the soil.
7.5
4. A field density test was conducted using core cutter method and the following data were
obtained.
Weight of empty core cutter =
23.67 N
Weight of soil + core cutter =
45.33 N
Inside diameter of core cutter =
90 mm
Height of core cutter =
180 mm
For moisture content determination
Weight of wet soil sample =
0.48 gm
Weight of oven dried soil sample = 0.37 gm
Specific gravity of soil solids =
2.68
Determine the dry density, void ratio and degree of saturation of the soil.

7.5

OR
An embankment is to be constructed with the following specification: Volume = 750 m 3,
bulk density = 17.4 kN/m3, water content = 18%. The soil is to be borrowed from a
nearby area. The in situ field density test was conducted at the borrow site and the bulk
density and moisture content were obtained as 16.5 kN/m3 and 16%, respectively.
Calculate the amount of soil to be excavated from the borrow area and the amount of
water to be added in the borrowed soil to complete the construction of embankment as
per specifications. Assume specific gravity of soil particles Gs = 2.65 and unit weight of
water = 9.81 kN/m3.
7.5
UNIT - II
5. In a flownet for a sheet pile wall, the number of flow paths is 7 and the number of
equipotential drops is 15. Determine the seepage under the wall (in l/day) given the
coefficient of permeability k = 2.54 10-3 mm/sec and head causing flow is 5.0 m.
5
OR

A soil sample 95 mm high and 6000 mm 2 in cross section was subjected to a falling head
permeability test. The head fall from 500 mm to 300 mm occurred in 1500 seconds. The
diameter of the stand pipe was 25 mm. Estimate the coefficient of permeability of the
soil.
5
6. The effective size of the soil is 0.06 mm. assuming the average void ratio of the soil to be
0.2 times the effective size of the soil. Determine the capillary rise in the soil.
5
OR
A foundation trench is to be excavated in a stratum of stiff clay, 10 m thick, underlain by
a bed of coarse sand. In a trial borehole, the ground water was observed to rise to an
elevation 3.5 m below ground surface. Determine the depth up to which an excavation
can be safely carried out without the danger of the bottom becoming unstable under the
artesian pressure in the sand stratum. The specific gravity of clay particle is 2.75 and void
ratio is 0.8. Unit weight of water (w) = 9.81 KN/m3
5
7. A soil deposit consists of 4 layers of thickness 1.0m, 1.5m, 0.5m and 2.0 m with
coefficient of permeability values k1 = 4 10-3 mm/sec, k2 = 1.0 10-3 mm/sec, k3 = 0.05
10-3 mm/sec and k4 = 45 10-3 mm/sec, respectively. Determine the ratio kH/kV. Also
obtain the discharge in each layer when the flow is taking place in the horizontal direction
under the hydraulic gradient value of 0.85.
What will be the head loss in each layer if the flow takes place in vertical direction under
the same hydraulic gradient value?
15
OR
A stratum of clay 5 m deep has liquid limit value of 55%. The surface of the clay is at 7.5
m below the ground level. The natural moisture content of clay and specific gravity of
soil particles are 35% and 2.65, respectively. The ground water level is 2 m below the
ground surface. The clay layer is sandwiched between the sand layers. The sand layer
above the ground water table is dry. The void ratio and Gs value of sand layer is 0.60 and
2.75, respectively. The sand below the GWT is saturated and the clay is normally
consolidated. The weight of superstructure coming on the coming on the top of the sand
increases the overburden pressure on clay by 75 kPa. Estimate the consolidation
settlement of the clay.
15
UNIT III
8. A proposed highway embankment will contain 8,50,000 m3 of earth. It is to be compacted
as a void ratio of 0.63. The void ratio of the soil at the borrow pit is 0.85. the cost of
excavating, hauling and compacting the soil is Rs 1500/- per 100 m3. What is the cost of
construction?
10
OR

Following results were obtained from compaction test:


Weight of mould + wet soil (N)
Water content (%)

28.6
10

32.4
12

31.2
14

30.7
16

28.54
18

Volume of the mould = 1000 cm3, weight of the mould = 10N and specific gravity of the
soil = 2.65. (a) Plot the compaction curve showing OMC and MDD. (b) Plot ZAV line.
(c) Determine the degree of saturation at MDD.
10
9. A specimen of sand tested in a direct shear test apparatus failed under a shear stress of
180 kPa, when the normal stress was 312 kPa. A triaxial test was conducted on the same
sand at the same void ratio at a confining pressure of 100 kPa. What will be the deviator
stress at failure? Use Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion
10
OR
In an in situ vane shear test on saturated clay, a torque of 35 Nm was required to shear the
soil. The diameter of the vane was 55 mm and length 105 mm. calculate the undrained
shear strength of the clay. The vane was then rotated rapidly to cause re-moulding of the
soil. The torque required to shear the soil in the remoulded state was 5 Nm. Determine
the sensitivity of the clay.
10
10. Discuss the typical results obtained from UU, CU and CD tests performed on saturated
clay soil sample. Use Mohr-Circle of stress and Mohr-Coulomb failure concept for
explanation.
5
UNIT IV
11. The field N value in a deposit of fully submerged fine sand was 45 at a depth of 5.5 m.
The average saturated unit weight of the soil is 19 kN/m 3. Calculate the corrected N value
as per BIS specifications.
5
12. Discuss BOREHOLE LOGS
5
13. Determine the area ratio for the following soil samplers and comment on the nature of
soil sample expected in each sampler
(a) Core Cutter
165 mm OD
150 mm ID
(b) Split barrel
51 mm OD
35 mm ID
5
14. Discuss in brief the various methods used to improve the expansive soils.
5
15. Discuss various methods of grouting in brief.
5

You might also like