Sub: Geotechnical Engineering Topic: Earth Pressure

MODULE- 50C
Earth pressure theories, effect of water table, layered soils.
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1. An unsupported excavation is made to the
maximum possible depth in a clay soil 3. A 3 m high retaining wall is supporting a
having 𝛾𝑡 = 18 kN/m3, c = 100 kN/m3, saturated sand (saturated due to capillary
∅ =30 ° . The active earth pressure, action) of bulk density 18 kN/m3 and
according to Rankine's theory, at the base angle of shearing resistance 30 ° . The
level of the excavation is change in magnitude of active earth
(a) 115.47 kN/m2 (b) 54.36 kN/m2 pressure at the base due to rise in ground
(c) 27.18 kN/m2 (d) 13.kN/m2 water table from the base of the footing to
Ans: the ground surface shall ( 𝛾𝑤 =10 kN/m3)
Maximum possible depth of unsupported
4𝐶 (a) increase by 20 kN/m2
excavation = 𝑟
√𝑘𝑎 (b) decrease by 20 kN/m2
1−sin 300 1
Ka =
1+sin 300
=
3
(c) increase by 30 kN/m2
P = 18 𝑘𝑁⁄𝑚3 (d) decrease by 30 kN/m2
Ans :
C = 100 𝑘𝑁⁄𝑚3
4𝐶 4×100
Initial 𝑘𝑎 = 1⁄3
Z= 𝑟 = = 38.49
√𝑘𝑎 18 ×√1⁄3 𝑃𝑎 𝑎𝑡 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 = 𝐾𝑎 . 𝑟𝑠𝑎𝑡 × 𝐻 = 1⁄3 × 18 ×
𝑃𝑎 = karH- 2C√𝑘𝑎 3=18kN/m2
1
= × 18 38.49 × −2 × 100 × √1⁄3 Final :
3
𝑃𝑎 𝑎𝑡 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 = 𝑘𝑎 𝑟𝐻 + 𝑢 = 1⁄3 × 8 × 3 +
= 115.47 𝑘𝑁⁄𝑚2
10 × 3=38 kN/m2
2. A retaining wall of height 8 m retains dry
sand. In the initial state, the soil is loose ∴ 𝐻 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 20𝐾𝑃𝑎
and has a void ratio of 0.5, 𝛾𝑑 = 17.8 4. Figure given below shows a smooth
kN/m3 and ∅ = 30 ° . Subsequently, the vertical gravity retaining wall with
backfill is compacted to a state where void cohesionless soil backfill having an angle
ratio is 0.4, 𝛾𝑑 =18.8 kN/m3 and ∅ = 35°. of internal friction ∅ In the graphical
The ratio of initial passive thrust to the representation of Rankine's active earth
final passive thrust, according to pressure for the retaining wall shown in
Rankine's earth pressure theory, is figure, length OP represents
(a) 0.38 (b) 0.64
(c) 0.77 (d) 1.55
Ans:
1+sin 300
Initial: 𝑘𝑝 = =3
1−sin 300
1
Passive thrust = × 𝐾𝑝 . 𝑟𝐻 × 𝐻
2
1
== × 3 × 17.8 × 82 = 1708.8 (a) vertical stress at the base
2
1+sin 350 (b) vertical stress at a height H/3 from the
Final 𝑘𝑝 = = 3.69
1−sin 350 base
Passive thrust = 12 × 3.69 × 18.8 × 82 = 2219.9 (c) lateral earth pressure at the
base (d) lateral earth pressure at a
1708.8
Ratio = = 0.77 height H/3 from the base
2219.9

JH ACADEMY 1
Sub: Geotechnical Engineering Topic: Earth Pressure

Ans: ( A )

5. When a retaining wall moves away from

the back-fill, the pressure exerted on the
wall is termed as
(A) Passive earth pressure
(B) Swelling pressure
(C) Pore pressure
(D) Active earth pressure
Ans: ( D )

6. If 𝜎ℎ , 𝜎𝑣 , 𝜎ℎ′ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜎′𝑣 . represents total

horizontal stress, total vertical stress, (A) 31.7 (B) 35.2 (C) 51.8 (D) 57.0
effective horizontal stress and effective
Ans: ( A )
vertical stress on a soil element
𝑘𝑎 = 1⁄3 𝑎𝑡 𝐵𝑖 𝑘𝑎 𝑟𝐻 = 1⁄3 × 15 × 2=10
respectively, the coefficient of earth
pressure atrest is given by 𝑘𝑎 = 0.2174 𝑎𝑡𝐵𝑖 𝑘𝑎 𝑟𝐻 = 0.2174 × 15 × 2=6.522
𝜎ℎ 𝜎ℎ′ 𝜎𝑣 𝜎𝑣′
(A) (B) (C) (D) 𝐶𝑖 0.2174[15 × 2 + 20 × 2] = 15.19
𝜎𝑣 𝜎′𝑣 𝜎ℎ 𝜎′ℎ
Ans: ( B ) Total area of pressure distribution is total force :
1 6.522+15.19
7. A smooth rigid retaining wall moves as F = [10×2] + ( ) × 2 = 31.7 kN
2 2
shown in the sketch causing the backfill
9. A retaining wall retains a sand strata with
material to fail. The backfill material is
homogeneous and isotropic, and obeys the 𝜙 = 300 up to its top. If a uniform
Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion. The surcharge of 12 t/m2 is subsequently put
major principal stress is on the sand strata, then the increase in the
lateral earth pressure intensity on the
retaining wall will be (a)1 t/m2 (b)2t/m2
(c)4 t/m2(d)8t/m2
Ans:
𝑘𝑎 = 1/3
𝑞 = 12 𝑡⁄𝑚2
Increase in lateral earth pressure due to
surcharge
= 𝑘𝑎 .q = 1/3 × 12 = 4 𝑡⁄𝑚2

10. Assertion (A): The safe height (2Z0) to

which an unsupported vertical cut in clay
(A) parallel to the wall face and acting can be mad is 4c/ 𝛾 .
downwards Reason (R): Active earth pressure of
(B) normal to the wall face
cohesive backfill shows that the negative
(C) oblique to the wall face acting
downwards pressure (tension) is developed at top
(D) oblique to the wall face acting level. This tension decrease to zero at
upwards depth Z0 and total net pressure up to a
Ans: ( B ) depth 2Z0 is zero.

8. Two different soil types (Soil 1 and Soil 2) Codes:

are used as backfill behind a retaining wall
(a)Both A and R are true and R is the
as shown in the figure, where 𝛾𝑡 is total
unit weight, and c' and ∅′ are effective correct explanation of A
cohesion and effective angle of shearing (b) Both A and R are true but R in not a
resistance. The resultant active earth correct explanation of A
forceper unit length (in kN/m) acting on (c) A is true nut r is false
the wall is: (d)A is false but R is true

JH ACADEMY 2
Sub: Geotechnical Engineering Topic: Earth Pressure

Ans: (A) 6. Angle of wall friction 𝛿 is equal to

∅which of these statements is/ are correct?
11. A retaining wall with vertical back retains (a)1, 2, 3 and 5 (b)1, 2, 4 and 5
a cohesionless dry backfill at an
(c)2, 3 and 6 (d)1, 4 and 6
inclination of 𝛽 with the horizontal. The
backfill has an angle of internal friction 𝜙, Ans : ( B )
unit weight 𝛾 and height of the wall is H. 15. Consider the following statements: 1.
The passive earth pressure on the wall is Coulomb’s earth pressure theory does not
given by (where Pp = Total passive earth take the roughness of wall into
pressure) (a) Pp = consideration. 2. In case of non-cohesive
1 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽−√𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽−𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 ∅
𝛾𝐻2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽 [ ] soils, the coefficients of active earth
2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽+√𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽−𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 ∅
pressure and earth pressure at rest are
1 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽−√𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽+𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 ∅ equal. 3. Any movement of retaining wall
(b)Pp= 𝛾𝐻2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽 [ ]
2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽+√𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽+𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 ∅ away from the fill corresponds to active
1 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽+√𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽−𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 ∅ earth pressure condition. Which of these
(c)Pp= 𝛾𝐻2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽 [ ]
2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽−√𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽−𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 ∅ statements is/are correct? (a)1 alone (b)1
and 2
1 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽+√𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽+𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 ∅
(d)Pp= 𝛾𝐻2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽 [ ]
2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽−√𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽+𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 ∅ (c)2 alone (d)3 alone
Ans: (C) Ans : ( D )
12. In a cohesionless soil deposit having a unit
weight of 1.5 t/m2 and an angle of internal
friction of 300, the active and passive 16. Match List-I(Type of structure) with List-
lateral earth pressure intensities (in t/m2) II(Type of pressure exerted by sandy back
at a depth of 10 m will, respectively, be fill) and select the correct answer using
(a)15 and 5(b)5 and 15 the codes given below the lists: List-IA.
A masonry retaining wall founded on
(c)10 and 20 (d)20 and 10 compressible clay B. Pressure on the back
Ans: of a cantilever sheet pile wall near the
embedded end C. A masonry retaining
𝑝𝑎 = 𝑘𝑎 𝛾H = = 1/3 × 1.5×10 = 5𝑡⁄𝑚2 wall founded on rockList-II
1. Active pressure
𝑝𝑝 = 𝑘𝑝 𝛾H = 3 × 1.5×10 = 45 𝑡⁄𝑚2
2. Earth pressure at rest
13. Given that for a soil deposit, 3. Passive earth pressure
K0 = earth pressure coefficient at rest Codes:
Ka = active earth pressure coefficient A B C(a)1
Kp = passive earth pressure coefficient 3 2
𝜇= Poisson’s ratio. The value of (1- 𝜇)/𝜇 (b)3 2 1
is given by (c)3 1 2
(a)Ka/Kp(b)K0/Ka (d)2 3 1
Ans : ( A )
(c)Kp/Ka(d)1/K0
Ans:K0 = 𝜇/(1- 𝜇) ∴(1- 𝜇)/𝜇=1/K0 17. Given that c= 2 t/m2, ∅= 00 and 𝛾 = 2
t/m2 , the depth of tension crack
14. Consider the following statements:
developing in a cohesive soil backfill
Rankine’s theory and Coulomb’s theory
would be
give same values of coefficients of active
(a)1 m (b)2 m
and passive earth pressures when 1. The
(c)3 m (d)4 m
retaining wall has a vertical back 2. The
backfill is cohesionless 3. Angle of slope Ans : ( B )
of backfill is equal to the angle of internal 2𝑐 2×2
friction 4. Angle of slope of backfill is 𝑧𝑐 = ∴ =2𝑚
𝛾√𝑘𝑎 2√1
005. Angle of wall friction 𝛿 is 00

JH ACADEMY 3
Sub: Geotechnical Engineering Topic: Earth Pressure

18. The correct sequence of the given coefficient of passive and active earth
parameters in descending order of earth pressure of the backfill is (a)1/3 (b)3
pressure intensity is (c)1/9 (d)9
(a)active, passive, at rest (b)passive, Ans :
active, at rest (c)passive, at 1-sin ∅ = 0.5
rest, active (d)at rest, passive, active sin ∅ = 0.5
Ans : ( C )
Kp
∅ = 3𝑖 =a
19. Depth of foundation depends upon (a) Ka
scour depth, minimum grip length and 24. Codes:
Rankine depth (b)scour depth, minimum (a) Both A and R are true and R is the
grip length and depth of bearing stratum correct explanation of A
(c)scour depth, Rankine depth and depth (b) Both A and R are true but R in not a
of bearing stratum (d)minimum grip correct explanation of A
length, Rankine depth and depth of (c) A is true nut r is false
bearing stratum (d) A is false but R is true
Ans : ( C ) Assertion (A): Passive earth pressure is
always greater than the earth pressure at
rest and active earth pressure
20. The nature of earth pressure above dredge Reason (R): In passive state the structure
line behind a cantilever sheet pile wall is becomes the actuating element and soil
(a)active (b)passive becomes the resisting element to maintain
the stability.
(c)at rest (d)active and passive
Ans : ( A )
Ans : ( A )
25. The wall friction of the retaining wall
(a)decreases active earth pressure but
21. An earth-retaining structure may be increases passive earth pressure
subjected to the following lateral earth (b)decreases passive earth pressure but
pressures: increases active earth pressure
1. Earth pressure at rest (c)decreases both active and passive earth
2. Passive earth pressure pressure
3. Active earth pressure (d)increases both active and passive earth
The correct sequence of the increasing pressure
order of the magnitudes of these pressures
is 26. Codes:
(a)3, 2, 1 (b)1, 3, 2 (a) Both A and R are true and R is the
correct explanation of A
(c)1, 2, 3 (d)3, 1, 2
(b) Both A and R are true but R in not a
Ans : ( D ) correct explanation of A
(c) A is true nut r is false
(d) A is false but R is true
22. For a sand having an interval friction of Assertion (A): Basement walls and bridge
30°, the ratio of passive to active lateral abutments are usually designed for earth
earth pressure will be pressure at rest. Reason (R): These are
(a)1 (b)3 c)6 (d)9 usually not restrained by the floor slab and
Ans : ( D ) by the deck structure at their bases.
Ans : ( C )

23. When movement of a wall under the earth 27. Codes:

pressure from the backfill was prevented (a) Both A and R are true and R is the
the coefficient of earth pressure was correct explanation of A
recorded as 0.5. The ratio of the (b) Both A and R are true but R in not a

JH ACADEMY 4
Sub: Geotechnical Engineering Topic: Earth Pressure

correct explanation of A (c)70kN/m2 (d)80 kN/m2

(c) A is true nut r is false Ans : ( B )
1
(d) A is false but R is true × 18 × 10=60kN/m2
3
Assertion (A): The earth pressure at rest
is greater than active pressure but less than
32. When a vertical face excavation was made
passive earth pressure.
in a clayey silt, having density of 20
Reason (R): When the wall moves away
kN/m3, it failed at a depth of excavation of
from backfill from the rest condition, the
4 m. What is the cohesive strength (in
mobilization of the internal resistance of
kN/m2) of the soil, if its angle of internal
soil occurs; on the other hand, if the wall
friction was 300?
moves toward the fill, the shearing
(a)23.1 (b)20.0 (c)11.6 (d)10.2
resistance build up.
Ans :
Ans : ( A )
4𝑐 1
4= ∴ 𝐶 = 20√ = 11.6 𝐾𝑃𝑎
1 3
20√
28. Consider the following statements: 3

Assertion (A): The state of earth pressure 33. Consider the following statements: 1. The
at rest is the state of equilibrium with zero yield of a retaining required to reach
strain condition. plastic equilibrium in active case is more
Reason (R): In rest condition neither the than that in positive case. 2. Culman’s
wall nor the soil moves. Of these graphical method is simplified version of
statements the more general trial wedge method.
(a)both A and R are true and R is the 3. For a masonry gravity retaining wall
correct explanation of A coulomb’s theory of earth pressure is
(b)both A and R are true but R is not a preferred for designing.
correct explanation of A Which of these statements is/are correct?
(c)A is true but R is false (a)1, 2 and 3 (b)1 and 2 only
(d)A is false but R is true (c)2 and 3 only (d)3 only
Ans : ( A )
34. The lateral earth pressure coefficient of a
29. If the coefficient of active earth pressure is soil, ka for active state, kp for passive state
1/3, then what is the value of the and k0 for at-rest condition, compare as
coefficient of passive earth pressure? (a)k0<ka<kp(b)ka<k0<kp
(a)1/9 (b)1/3 (c)ka<kp<k0(d)kp<k0<ka
(c)3(d)1 Ans : ( B )
Ans : ( A )

35. Consider the following statements

30. Why are weep holes provided at the back regarding Coulomb’s theory of earth
of retaining walls? pressure: 1. It is based on wedge theory of
(a)To reduce the active earth pressure on earth pressure 2. It assumes the wall
the walls. surface to be rough 3. It may or may not
(b)To reduce the build-up of hydrostatic satisfy the static equilibrium condition
pressure. occurring in nature. Which of these
(c)To provide better compaction. statements are correct? (a)1, 2 and 3(b)1
(d)To increase the passive earth pressure and 2 only
Ans : ( A ) (c)2 and 3 only (d)1 and 3 only

31. What is the intensity of active earth

pressure ata depth of 10.0 m in dry sand
with an angle of shearing resistance of 300 36. A wall with smooth vertical back and 10
and unit weight of 18 kN/m3? meters height retains cohesionless material
(a)50 kN/m2(b)60 kN/m2 with a horizontal surface. The

JH ACADEMY 5
Sub: Geotechnical Engineering Topic: Earth Pressure

cohesionless material weighs 4.91 kN/m3

and has an angle of internal friction of 30 0.
The total active earth pressure is
a). 81.585 kN/m length of wall
b). 91.585 kN/m length of wall
c). 40.743 kN/m2
d). 8.158 kN/m2
Ans :
1 1 1
× 𝑘𝑎 𝑟H.H = × × 4.91 × 10 × 10
2 2 3
= 81.83kN/m2

JH ACADEMY 6