POKHARA UNIVERSITY

Semester Fall
Level: Bachelor
Year:2015
Programme: BE
Full marks:100
Course: Soil Mechanics
Time : 3hrs
Candidates are required to give their answer in their own words as far as practicable.
The figure in the margin indicates full marks.
Attempt all questions

1. a. Prove that the water content (w) of a partially saturated soil can be expressed as:

1w=

Gm
G

Gm
1
Sr
Where the symbols have their usual
meanings. (7)
(Unit 2)
b. The soil fill of a road embankment is to be compacted in place of a void ratio 0.7. If
the void ratio of a borrowed pit soil is 1.2, how many cubic meters of compacted fill
is obtained per 1000m3 of borrowed material? If no water is either added or lost
during the placement of the fill, what would be the percentage change in degree of
saturation of the soil?
(8)
(Unit 2)
2. a. In a consistency limit test, the following data are obtained:
Weight of crumbled thread of 3mm diameter = 23.2 gms
Weight of oven dried thread = 18.2 gms
Liquid limit of the soil = 64.5 %
Determine:
a. Plastic limit and plasticity index
b. Soil classification as per USCS

(8)
(Unit 3)

b. Show that the ratio of compactive energy in modified proctor test and standard proctor
test is 4.5.
(7)
(Unit
5)
3. a. Two samples of soil are tested in a triaxial machine. The all-round pressure maintained
for the first sample is 200 kN/m 2 and failure occurred at an additional axial stress of 770

kN/m2. For second sample, these values are 500kN/m2 and 1370 kN/m2 respectively. Find
the shear strength parameters of soil.
(8)
(Unit 10)
b. Describe direct shear test with its merits and demerits.
4. a. What are soil classification systems? Describe USCS system.

(7)
(Unit 10)
(7)
(Unit 3)

b. An overhead water tank is supported at a depth of 3m by four isolated square footing of

sides 2m each placed in a square pattern with a center to center spacing of 8m. Compute
the vertical stress at the foundation level. i) At the center of the four footings. ii) At the
center of one footing using Boussinesqs equation. The load on each footing is 700kN.
(Unit 8)

(8)

5. a. An undisturbed sample of clay 24 mm thick consolidated 50% in 20 minutes when

tested in laboratory with drainage allowed at top and bottom. The clay layer from which
the sample was obtained is 4 m thick in the field. How much time will it take to
consolidate 70% with double drainage?
(8)\
(Unit 9)
b. What do you understand by normally consolidated and over consolidated soil?
Describe the method for the determination of Preconsolidation pressure by Cassagrande
method.
(7)
(Unit 9)
6. a. How would you determine the average permeability of a soil deposit consisting of
number of layers?
(7)
(Unit 6)
b. A glass container with a pervious bottom containing fine sand in loose state (void
ratio = 0.8) is subjected to hydrostatic pressure underneath until quick condition occurs in
the sand. If the sp. Gravity of sand particles is 2.65, area of cross section of sand sample
is 10 cm2 and sample height is 10 cm. Compute the head of water required to cause quick
sand condition and also seepage force acting from below.
(8)
(Unit 7)
7. Write short notes on :

(10)

a. Infinite slope

(Unit 11)

b. Types of clay minerals

(Unit 4)

Unit

Credit hour

Question no

Marks
Question

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

1
6
4
2
5
7
6
5
8
9
7

1(a), 1(b)
2(a), 4(a)
7(b)
2(b)
6(a)
6(b)
4(b)
5(a), 5(b)
3(a), 3(b)
7(a)

7+8
8+7
5
7
7
8
8
8+7
8+7
5

of Total

15
15
5
7
7
8
8
15
15
5

This question is not issued in internal assessment and will not provide. Also I, commit to
maintain the secrecy according to rule and regulations of Pokhara University concern about this
question.
Name of the question setter: Er. Shankar Khanal
Date:.

Signature:..
Mobile:9867148426