Geotechnical Engineering 466

(302811)

Page 1 of 4

End of Semester Examination

November, 2010

QUESTION ONE TOTAL 15 MARKS

A circular above ground water tank is to be built on a clay flood plain at existing ground level. It is
proposed that a circular steel tank of radius 10m be founded on a concrete slab footing. The depth
of water in the tank will be 10 m.
(a) Assuming that the clay which comprises the foundation has an undrained shear strength of
50 kPa, what is the factor of safety for the slab against overall bearing capacity failure?
(5 Marks)
(b) List three other geotechnical factors that you consider would control the performance of the
tank. (3 Marks)
(c) How would you limit the influence of the most important of these factors? (2 Marks)
(d) If it was required to support the wall of the tank on a ring beam (circular strip footing) of
width of 0.5m, what would be the ultimate bearing capacity of this footing for a depth of
embedment of 1 m? (5 Marks)

The following information can be used for your answer.

q u 1.3cN c zN q 0.3BN
(Circular Footing)

q u cN c zN q 0.5BN

(Strip Footing)

B = diameter, or breadth of footing

= unit weight of soil beneath tank ( bulk 18kN / m3 , sat 22kN / m3 )
c = undrained shear strength
z = depth of embedment

Geotechnical Engineering 466

(302811)

Page 2 of 4

End of Semester Examination

November, 2010

QUESTION TWO TOTAL 15 MARKS

Using Rankines method, compute the distribution of active pressure on the smooth wall AB.

Ka

1 sin
1 sin

a v K a 2c K a

Geotechnical Engineering 466

(302811)

Page 3 of 4

End of Semester Examination

November, 2010

QUESTION THREE TOTAL 15 MARKS

A mass concrete footing is to carry ultimate factored moments and loads as show in the figure
below.

(a) Calculate and sketch the soil bearing pressure distribution across the base of the footing.
(6 Marks)
(b) Use Meyerhoffs method to estimate a modified footing width and associated bearing
pressure. (4 Marks)
(c) Using the relationship, q u 1.3cN c zN q 0.4BN and soil parameters c = 20 kPa

= 32o ,

calculate whether these Meyerhoff pressures are acceptable using limit state design principles.
(3 Marks)

(d) What is the design bending moment at the critical section of this footing for the loads
given? (Assume loads transferred by square column). (2 Marks)

Geotechnical Engineering 466

(302811)

Page 4 of 4

End of Semester Examination

November, 2010

QUESTION FOUR TOTAL 15 MARKS

An expansive, deep soil profile has been shown to comprise three 2m thick horizontal layers as
shown below.

Layer 1 was observed to crack to the full depth of 2 m. Layers 2 and 3 did not show cracks. The
depth of desiccation of the winter-summer extremes extends to 5 m below ground level. Using the
Shrink-Swell Indices ( I ss ) shown below and the relationship - y s

1 n
n I ss n h n where
100 1

2.0 z / 5 , calculate the surface movement, y s at ground level (z = 0).