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NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

SEMESTER 1 EXAMINATION 2004-2005

CV2301/CL332 – Soil Mechanics

November 2004 Time Allowed: 2½ hours

INSTRUCTIONS

1. This paper contains FOUR (4) questions and comprises SIX (6) pages.

2. Answer ALL questions.

3. An Appendix of TWO (2) pages is attached to the Question Paper.

4. All questions carry equal marks.

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1. (a) A soil specimen has a total mass of 176 g, a volume of 84 cm and a void
ratio of 0.4. If the specific gravity of the soil solids Gs = 2.7 and the density
3
of water is 1 g/cm , determine the porosity, water content and degree of
saturation of the soil.
(9 marks)

(b) Figure Q1 shows a 2 m thick layer of sand underlain by a very deep deposit
of clay. The ground water table is 2 m below the ground surface.
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Assuming the unit weight of water γw is 9.81 kN/m , determine the dry unit
weight of the sand and the saturated unit weight of the clay (in units of
3
kN/m ). Plot the total stress, pore water pressure and effective stress
distribution from the ground surface to a depth of 6 m. At what depth from
the ground surface is the effective vertical stress = 100 kPa?
(8 marks)

ground surface
sand Gs = 2.7 e = 0.5
2m
WT

clay Gs = 2.65 e = 1.2

Figure Q1

Note: Question No. 1 continues on page 2.

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CV2301/CL332

(c) Briefly describe how residual soils are formed. (3 marks)

(d) Explain the purpose of classifying soil for engineering purposes. State the
physical properties and factors that are considered in classifying soils using
the Unified Soil Classification System. What are the laboratory tests
required to determine these physical properties?
(5 marks)

2. (a) Figure Q2(a) shows the plan view of an L-shaped foundation on the ground
surface. At a depth of 2 m below point A, estimate the magnitude of the
vertical stress increase when a uniform stress of 100 kPa is applied to the
foundation.
(8 marks)

5m 3m

2m

2m
A

Figure Q2(a)

(b) Briefly describe the Standard Proctor compaction test. How are the results
of such a test used in practice?
(5 marks)

(c) Figure Q2(b) shows the steady horizontal 1-D flow occurring in the three-
layered artesian aquifer. Standpipes have been inserted at points A, B and
C in the middle of each soil layer. With respect to the datum shown,
determine the total head, pressure head and elevation head at A and C.
How high will the water rise in standpipe B? What is the pore pressure at B
and the rate of seepage per unit width in each soil layer? State clearly the
assumptions used in your analysis.
(12 marks)

Note: Question No. 2 continues on page 3.

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CV2301/CL332

25 m 75 m

12 m

hB = ?
8m

Impermeable rock
Datum
soil 1 k = 10-4 m/s
A 6m
flow
B soil 2 k = 0.5x10-4 m/s 4m

soil 3 k = 2x10-4 m/s C 2m

Impermeable rock

Not to scale

Figure Q2(b)

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CV2301/CL332

3. (a) An oedometer test was conducted on a 19 mm thick clay specimen using

double drainage. The void ratio versus vertical pressure curve (in semi-log
scale) obtained from this test is given in Figure Q3(a). During the loading
stage from 160 to 320 kPa, the time taken to achieve 90% degree of
consolidation was 25 min.

Vertical Pressure (kPa)

1 10 100 1000 10000
1

0.95

0.9

0.85
Void Ratio

0.8

0.75

0.7

0.65

0.6

Figure Q3(a)

(i) Determine the preconsolidation stress σp′, the compression index Cc,
the recompression index Cr and the coefficient of consolidation cv.

(ii) If the above oedometer test were conducted using single drainage
from the top, what would be the time taken to achieve 90% degree of
consolidation?

(iii) Would the choice of single or double drainage in the oedometer test
affect considerably the determination of σp′, Cc and Cr? Explain
briefly your answer.

(10 marks)

Note: Question No. 3 continues on page 5.

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CV2301/CL332

(b) The soil profile of a site is shown in Figure Q3(b). It consists of 10 m of

sand and 5 m of clay overlying a pervious rock layer. The ground water
table is at the ground surface. A sand fill of 5 m is to be placed on the
ground surface over a large extent. The unit weights of the sand fill, the
3 3 3
silty sand and the clay are 17 kN/m , 18 kN/m and 16 kN/m , respectively.
The parameters obtained from the oedometer test conducted on a sample
taken from point A are: σp′ = 95 kPa, Cc = 0.8 and Cr = 0.1. The initial void
ratio of the soil was 1.7.

(i) Compute the ultimate consolidation settlement of the clay layer due to
the application of the sand fill.

(ii) The ground has settled 287 mm, 2 years after the application of the
sand fill. Calculate the coefficient of consolidation of the soil cv.

(iii) What is the pore water pressure at point A, 2 years after the
application of the sand fill?

(iv) What is the pore water pressure at point A when the consolidation
settlement is completed?

(15 marks)

Water Table

Silty sand layer

10 m 3
(Unit weight = 18 kN/m )

Saturated clay layer 2.5 m

5m 3
(Unit weight = 16 kN/m ) A

Pervious rock layer

Figure Q3(b)

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CV2301/CL332

4. (a) Using the Mohr-Coulomb failure equation, explain what are the strength
parameters required for a saturated clay for total stress analysis and
effective stress analysis, respectively. List the types of laboratory tests that
can be used to determine these parameters.
(6 marks)

(b) A direct shear test was conducted on a dry loose sand specimen under a
normal stress of 100 kPa. A consolidated drained (CD) triaxial test was
also conducted on a saturated specimen of this sand at the same void ratio
under a consolidation stress of 100 kPa. Assuming the friction angle of the
sand is 30°, what are the failure shear stress obtained from the direct shear
test and the failure shear stress obtained from the triaxial CD test,
respectively?
(7 marks)

(c) A saturated, normally consolidated (NC) clay was subjected to a

consolidated undrained (CU) triaxial test under a consolidation stress of
100 kPa without the use of back pressure. From this test, the effective
friction angle and the undrained shear strength were determined to be 28°
and 25 kPa, respectively.

(i) What was the pore water pressure at failure obtained from this CU
test?

(ii) Plot the total and effective stress Mohr circles for the failure state.

(iii) Sketch schematically the deviator-stress versus axial strain and

change in pore water pressure versus axial strain curves.

(12 marks)

END OF PAPER

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ATTENTION: The Singapore Copyright Act applies to the use of this document. Nanyang Technological University Library.