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Chapter 11
Ground Improvement
1. The process of altering the engineering properties of in situ or borrowed soil is called
(a) soil stabilization.
(b) ground improvement.
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) soil compaction.

2. Chemical stabilization of soils can be done by use of

(a) lime and cement.
(b) lime and fly ash.
(c) cement and fly ash.
(d) all of the above

3. The chemical formula for quicklime is

(a) CaO.
(b) Ca(OH)2.
(c) Ca(OH)2.MgO.
(d) none of the above

4. The quantity of lime used to stabilize most soils on the dry-weight basis is usually in the
range from
(a) 1 to 2%.
(b) 2 to 5%.
(c) 5 to 10%.
(d) 10 to 20%.

5. When a clayey soil is stabilized using lime, its

(a) liquid limit decreases.
(b) plastic limit increases.
(c) plasticity index decreases.
(d) all of the above

6. Use of lime for stabilizing a clayey soil

(a) increases its workability.
(b) improves its strength and deformation properties.
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) does not affect compaction characteristics.

7. The reaction between lime and the silica and alumina of the soil to form cementing
material is called
(a) chemical reaction.
(b) pozzolanic reaction.
(c) hydraulic action.
(d) binding action.

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8. The quantity of cement used to stabilize most soils on the volume basis is usually in the
range from
(a) 1 to 2%.
(b) 2 to 6%.
(c) 6 to 10%.
(d) 6 to 14%.

9. The cement stabilization is effective for

(a) clayey soils when their liquid limit is less than 45 to 50, and the plasticity index is less
than about 25.
(b) for all types of sandy soils.
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) highly plastic clays.

10. The poor soils under foundations of existing buildings and other structures can be
strengthened effectively by
(a) lime injection.
(b) cement grouting.
(c) roller compaction.
(d) both (a) and (b)

11. Select the incorrect statement.

(a) Fly ash is a by-product of the pulverised coal combustion process usually associated
with electric power-generating plants.
(b) Fly ash is pozzolanic in nature and can react with hydrated lime to produce
cementitious products. For that reason, lime-fly ash mixtures can be used to stabilize
highway bases and subbases.
(c) Effective lime-fly ash mixes can be prepared with 2 to 10% lime and 10 to 35% fly
ash.
(d) none of the above

12. A soil may be unsuitable as a backfill material for vibroflotation project when its
suitability number
(a) is less than 10.
(b) lies between 10 and 20.
(c) lies between 20 and 50.
(d) is greater than 50.

13. Dynamic compaction that consists primarily of dropping a heavy weight repeatedly on the
ground at regular intervals is most suitable for densifying
(a) granular soil deposits.
(b) silty soil deposits.
(c) clayey soil deposits.
(d) silty-clayey soil deposits.

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14. For a dynamic compaction test, weight of hammer = 10 metric ton, and height of
drop = 10 m. The significant depth of influence for compaction will be
(a) 5 m.
(b) 10 m.
(c) 50 m.
(d) 100 m.

15. Usually, for the compaction by blasting technique, the explosive charges are placed at a
depth of about two-thirds of the thickness of the soil layer desired to be compacted, and
their lateral spacing varies from about
(a) 1 m to 2 m.
(b) 3 m to 10 m.
(c) 30 m to 100 m.
(d) none of the above

16. The postconstruction settlement of the highly compressible, normally consolidated clayey
soil lying at a limited depth can be achieved by
(a) vibroflotation.
(b) blasting.
(c) dynamic compaction.
(d) precompression by placement of temporary surcharge.

17. In order to accelerate the consolidation settlement of the clay layer during
precompression, sand drains are constructed by drilling holes through the clay layer and
filling them with
(a) silts.
(b) clays.
(c) highly permeable sands.
(d) all of the above

18. If the average degree of consolidation due to vertical drainage only is 50% and the
average degree of consolidation due to radial drainage only is 60%, the average degree of
consolidation due to the drainage in the vertical and radial directions will be
(a) 10%.
(b) 20%.
(c) 80%.
(d) 110%.

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Answers, Hints and Discussion

1. (c)

2. (d)

3. (a)
Discussion: (b) is correct for hydrated high-calcium lime; and (c) for monohydrated dolomitic
lime.

4. (c)

5. (d)
Discussion: (d) is also correct when the clayey soil is stabilized using cement.

6. (c)
Discussion: (c) is also correct when the clayey soil is stabilized using cement.

7. (b)

8. (d)
Hint: See Table 11.2.

9. (c)

10. (b)

11. (d)

12. (d)
Hint: See Eq. (11.3) and the range of suitability number on page 273.

13. (a)
Discussion: (a) is also correct for blasting technique of densifying the soils.

14. (c)
Discussion: Eq. (11.4): 10 10 50 .

15. (b)

16. (d)

17. (c)

18. (c)
Discussion: From Eq. (11.20): , 1 1 0.6 1 0.5 0.8 80%.

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