NPTEL- Advanced Geotechnical Engineering

Module 6
PROBLEMS
1. An oil-storage tank that that is circular in plan is to be constructed over a layer of sand, as shown in
Figure P-1. Calculate the following settlements due to the uniformly distributed load q of the storage
tank:

(a) The elastic settlement below the center of the tank at z = 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 ft.
(b) The elastic settlement at (1) z = 5 ft, s = 0; (2) z = 5 ft, s = 5 ft; (3) z = 5 ft, s = 10 ft; (4) z = 5 ft, s
= 15 ft.
(c) The average surface elastic settlement.

Assume that = ∞, 𝑣 = 0.3, 𝐸 = 5200 𝑙𝑏/𝑖𝑛2 , 𝐵 = 20 𝑓𝑡, 𝑞 = 3000 𝑙𝑏/𝑓𝑡 2 , and 𝐷𝑓 = 0.

Figure P-1

2. The plan of a loaded flexible area is shown in Figure P-2. If load is applied on the ground surface of
a thick deposit of sand (v =0.25), calculate the surface elastic settlement at A and B.

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NPTEL- Advanced Geotechnical Engineering

Figure P-2

3. Assume that the circular foundation shown in Figure P-3 is flexible.

(a) Plot a diagram showing the variation of stress increase (due to the foundation load, 𝑞 =
130 𝑘𝑁/𝑚2 ) below the center of the foundation with depth from z = 0 to z = 6 m.
(b) Assume that 𝐸𝑠𝑎𝑛𝑑 = 25,200 𝑘𝑁/𝑚2 and 𝐸𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑦 = 3500 𝑘𝑁/𝑚2 . Calculate the elastic settlement
as the center of the foundation using equation (23).

Figure P-3

4. A rectangular foundation is shown in Figure P-4; 𝐵 = 2 𝑚, 𝐿 = 4 𝑚, 𝑞 = 240 𝑘𝑁/𝑚2 , 𝐻 =

6 𝑚, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐷𝑓 = 2 𝑚.

(a) Assuming 𝐸 = 3800 𝑘𝑁/𝑚2 calculate the average immediate settlement.

(b) If the clay s normally consolidated, calculate the consolidation settlement. Use equation (40).
𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 = 17.5 𝑘𝑁/𝑚2 , 𝐶𝑐 = 0.12 and 𝑒𝑜 = 1.1.

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NPTEL- Advanced Geotechnical Engineering

Figure P-4

5. A permanent surcharge of 2000 𝑙𝑏/𝑓𝑡 2 is to be applied on the ground surface of the soil profile
shown in Figure P-8. It is required to eliminate all of the primary consolidation in three months.
Estimate the total surcharge 𝑞 = 𝑞𝑧 + 𝑞𝑓 needed to achieve the goal.

Figure P-8

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