0132368692-Ch12 Ism

CHAPTER 12
Soil Strength
QUESTIONS AND PRACTICE PROBLEMS
Section 12.1 Strength Analyses in Geotechnical Engineering
12.1 Explain why the shear strength, not the tensile or compressive strength, is used in failure
analyses of soils.
Solution
Empirical observations show that soils usually fail in shear, not in compression.
Furthermore, soils have virtually no tensile strength and are usually not subjected to
tensile stresses in situ.
Section 12.2 Shear Failure in Soils
12.2 Describe the difference between the frictional strength and cohesive strength.
Solution
The frictional strength is the part of the shear strength on a plane that depends on the
effective normal stress on the plane, whereas the cohesive strength is the part of the shear
strength when the effective normal stress is zero.
12.3 List the factors that affect the frictional strength.
Solution
• Mineralogy
• Particle shape
• Gradation
• Void ratio
• Organic material
12.4 Describe the difference between true cohesion and apparent cohesion.
Solution
True cohesion is shear strength that is truly the result of bonding between the soil
particles, and apparent cohesion is really a result of frictional strength mistakenly taken to
be cohesive strength.
12-1
© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved. This publication is protected by Copyright and written permission should be obtained
from the publisher prior to any prohibited reproduction, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or likewise. For information regarding permission(s), write to: Rights and Permissions Department, Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
12-2 Soil Strength Chap. 12
12.5 Describe two ways in which the measured cohesion of a sand can be nonzero.
Solution
Negative pore water pressures can result in apparent cohesion in a sand, due to capillary
action or surface tension. Apparent mechanical forces also can lead to the same due to
particle interlocking in soils where this interlocking is very difficult to overcome.
Section 12.3 The Drained and Undrained Conditions
12.6 Define the drained condition and the undrained condition.
Solution
We define the drained condition as a limiting condition under which there is no excess
pore water pressure in the soil. The undrained condition is a limiting condition under
which water is not allowed to flow into or out of the soil, leading to excess pore water
pressures in response to either contraction or dilation of the soil skeleton.
12.7 Describe a situation in which a sand can be assumed to be under the drained condition.
Solution
The dead load from a building is generated as the building is constructed, a process that
typically occurs over weeks or months. If the soil is a sand or gravel, the hydraulic
conductivity is sufficiently high that the pore water has enough time to move as needed,
creating a drained condition.
12.8 Describe a situation in which a sand can be assumed to be under the undrained condition.
Solution
The undrained condition can normally be assumed in sands when subjected to very rapid
loading, such as from machine vibrations or from an earthquake. In this case, the rate of
loading may be very high relative to the rate of drainage, thus producing the undrained
condition.
12.9 Describe a situation in which a clay can be assumed to be under the drained condition.
Solution
The only time clays can be considered under the drained condition is a long time after the
end of loading, any excess pore water pressures generated during loading will have
dissipated.
12.10 Describe a situation in which a clay can be assumed to be under the undrained condition.
Solution
Saturated clays are most often assumed to be under the undrained condition during the
loading or construction period in the short term because of its low hydraulic conductivity
to dissipate excess pore water pressures.
Chap. 12 Soil Strength 12-3
12.11 Describe how changes in the mean normal stress affects the sign and magnitude of the
excess pore water pressure in a soil.
Solution
When a soil is subjected to an increase or decrease in the hydrostatic mean normal stress,
the soil skeleton formed by the soil particles will contract or dilate, respectively. In the
Mohr-circle model, the mean normal stress corresponds to the distance between the
center of the circle and the origin. Because the stress state in this case is hydrostatic, no
shear stresses are induced in the soil, and the Mohr circle is represented by a point on the
σ-axis. As the mean normal stress increases, this point moves farther to the right and the
soil skeleton contracts, and under the undrained condition, this will generate positive
excess pore water pressures in the soil. Conversely, as the mean normal stress decreases,
this point moves to the left and the soil skeleton dilates, and under the undrained
condition, this will generate negative excess pore water pressures in the soil.
12.12 Describe how changes in the deviator stress affects the sign and magnitude of the excess
pore water pressure in a soil.
Solution
When a soil is subjected to an increase in the deviator stress, shear stresses are induced in
the soil. These induced shear stresses will cause the soil particles to rearrange and can
lead to volume change. In the Mohr-circle model, this corresponds to an increase in the
diameter of the circle without changing the location of the center of the circle. The
magnitude and sign of the volumetric change due to a deviator stress increase depends on
both the density of the soil and the magnitude of the mean normal stress. A loose soil
subjected to a high mean normal stress will contract during shear as individual particles
fall into niches located between other particles. This results in a decrease in the voids
volume, and under the undrained condition, this will generate positive excess pore water
pressures in the soil. Conversely, a dense soil subjected to a low mean normal stress will
dilate during shear as individual particles become dislodged and roll over each other. This
results in an increase in the voids volume, and under the undrained condition, this will
generate negative excess pore water pressures in the soil. An intermediate condition also
is possible, where the void ratio and mean normal stress are such that no changes in
volume occur during shear, leading to no excess pore water pressures.
12.13 Describe how the density of a sand is related to its volume change during shear.
Solution
A low density soil subjected to a high mean normal stress will contract during shear as
individual particles fall into niches located between other particles. This results in a
decrease in the voids volume. Conversely, a high density soil subjected to a low mean
normal stress will dilate during shear as individual particles become dislodged and roll
over each other. This results in an increase in the voids volume.
12.14 Describe the conditions under which a sand is susceptible to earthquake-induced

liquefaction.
Solution
A sand is susceptible to earthquake-induced liquefaction if it is loose and saturated.
Section 12.4 Mohr-Coulomb Failure Criterion
12.15 The effective normal stress on a certain plane at a given point in a soil is 120 kPa. The
effective cohesion and effective friction angle of the soil are 10 kPa and 31°, respectively.
A foundation to be built nearby will induce a shear stress of 50 kPa on this plane. Using
an effective stress analysis, compute the long-term factor of safety against shear failure
on this plane.
Solution
s = c'+σ ' tan φ '

= 10 kPa + (120 kPa ) tan 31°
= 82 kPa
s 82 kPa
F= = = 1.64
τ 50 kPa
12.16 A site is underlain by a soil that has a unit weight of 118 lb/ft3. From laboratory shear
strength tests that closely simulated the field conditions, the total stress parameters were
measured to be cT = 250 lb/ft2 and φT = 29°. Estimate the shear strength on a horizontal
plane at a depth of 12 ft below the ground surface at this site.
Solution
σ = γH
( )
= 118 lb/ft 3 (12 ft )
= 1416 lb/ft 2
s = cT + σ tan φT
(
= 250 lb/ft 2 + 1416 lb/ft 2 tan29°)
= 1035 lb/ft 2
Section 12.5 Shear Strength of Saturated Sands and Gravels
12.17 A certain well-graded sand deposit has an in situ relative density of about 50%. A
laboratory strength test on a specimen of this soil produced an effective friction angle of
31°. Does this test result seem reasonable? Explain the basis for your answer.
Solution
According to Figure 12.12, an SW soil with Dr=50% would probably have φ'≈33°. The
laboratory test value of 31° is very close to the estimated value, and thus seems to be
reasonable.
12.18 The vertical effective stress at a certain point in a loose sand is 1000 lb/ft2. If an
earthquake were to occur, how much excess pore water pressure would need to develop
at this point for liquefaction to occur? Show a numerical rationale for your answer.
Solution
Liquefaction occurs when σ z' approaches zero:
σ ′z ,initial = σ z − u h = 1000 lb/ft 2
σ ′z , final = σ z − u h − u e = 0
Therefore, the excess pore water pressure, ue, required to produce liquefaction at this
point would be 1000 lb/ft2.
12.19 A temporary excavation similar to the one shown in Figure 8.7 is to be built. The soil is a
clean sand with γ = 118 lb/ft3, c′ = 0, and φ′ = 34°. According to a flow net analysis, the
groundwater flow in the soil immediately below the excavation will be upward and have
a hydraulic gradient of 0.76. Compute the shear strength on a horizontal plane at a depth
of 3 ft below the bottom of the excavation. Discuss the significance of your answer.
Solution
( )
j = iγ w = (0.76 ) 62.4 lb/ft 3 = 47 lb/ft 3
σ ′z = ∑ [(γ − j )H ] − u
= [(118 − 47 )(3)] − (62.4)(3)
= 26 lb/ft 2
s = c'+σ ' tan φ ' = 0 + 26 tan 34° = 18 lb/ft 2
The computed shear strength is nearly zero, which means a quicksand condition beneath
the excavation would be imminent. This would have many adverse consequences,
including lack of lateral support for the sheet piles, which would probably cause them to
collapse. Therefore, the proposed excavation would be very dangerous.
Section 12.6 Shear Strength of Saturated Clays
12.20 A new building is to be built on a series of spread footing foundations that will be
underlain by a saturated clay. Undisturbed soil samples have been obtained from this site
and are ready to be tested. Should the laboratory test program focus on producing values
of c′ and φ′, or su? Explain.
Solution
The structural loads from the foundation will be applied faster than the excess pore water
will drain from the clay. Therefore, we should design for the undrained condition, and
need to conduct laboratory test that will produce a design value of su.
12.21 A steep excavation has been made in a saturated clay without the benefit of a slope
stability analysis. It was completed one week ago, and thus far has not shown any signs
of instability. Several people working on this project believe this is adequate
demonstration of its stability, and feel it is safe. Do you agree? Why or why not?
Solution
When excavations are made in saturated clays, negative excess pore water pressures
develop in the underlying soils. These negative excess pore water pressures maintain the
shear strength at the pre-construction value. However, following construction, the
negative excess pore water pressures slowly dissipate and the shear strength decreases.
Thus, the factor of safety decreases with time until the excess pore water pressures have
fully dissipated. This process may continue for weeks, months, or even years.
Since the excavation was made only one week ago, these excess pore water
pressures are probably still present, so the factor of safety is probably still decreasing.
Thus, the lack of any failure thus far does not necessarily assure the slope will not fail in
the future. As a result, I do not agree with those who feel it must be safe. Instead, I
recommend performing a slope stability analysis using the effective stresses that will be
present after the excess pore water pressures have fully dissipated.
12.22 A 5 m thick fill has recently been placed over clayey wetlands to support a new highway.
The groundwater table was at or near the natural ground surface. Soon after the fill was
completed, but before the paving began, a small landslide occurred in the fill and the
underlying soils. Unfortunately, a sudden budget crisis stopped all work on the project
and nothing has been done for ten years. At present, a new source of funding will permit
construction to resume. The fill slope, at the time of its failure, can be assumed to have a
factor of safety of 1.0. Is the factor of safety still equal to 1.0 at present? Will remedial
construction definitely be necessary to increase the factor of safety? What should be
done to evaluate this situation? Explain.
Solution
Placement of this fill produced positive excess pore water pressures in the underlying soil.
Since the landslide occurred immediately after construction, these excess pore water
pressures were still present, and the shear strength at the time of failure was
correspondingly low. However, ten years have since passed, and the excess pore water
pressures have certainly dissipated now. Therefore, the shear strength and the factor of
safety are both higher than they were at the time of failure. However, it is not clear if it is
high enough (most projects require F ≥ 1.5). I recommend obtaining soil samples from
this site, evaluating their shear strengths, and conducting a slope stability analysis.
12.23 Pile foundations consist of long poles driven into the ground. They transmit structural
loads into the ground through end bearing (compression between the bottom of the pile
and the soil below) and through skin friction (sliding friction along the sides of the pile).
Both of these depend on the shear strength of the surrounding soil.
When piles are driven into saturated clays, they push the soil aside, causing it to
compress and generating excess pore water pressures. After construction, these pressures
eventually dissipate.
(a) Would you expect these excess pore water pressures to be positive or negative?
Why?
(b) Would you expect the load carrying capacity of the pile to increase, decrease, or
remain constant with time? Why?
Solution
(a) The pile driving causes the surrounding soil to compress, thus producing positive
excess pore water pressures.
(b) The positive excess pore water pressures will cause a temporary decrease in
effective stress, which will temporarily decrease the shear strength. However,
during the days and weeks following pile driving, these excess pore water
pressures will gradually dissipate, thus causing an increase in shear strength. This
increase will cause the load capacity to increase with time.
12.24 Soil can stand in vertical cuts only if it has cohesive strength. Even so, anyone can build
a sand castle at the beach using clean fine-to-medium sand, and these castles can have
vertical cuts. This appears to be a contradiction.
(a) Explain why sand castles can be built in this way.

(b) If no waves, thieves, rain, or wind disturb the castle, will the vertical cuts stand
for a long time? Explain why or why not.
Solution
(a) Sand castles with vertical cuts can be built only if the sand is moist, but not
saturated. This moisture congregates near the particle contact points, and goes
into tension due to the presence of surface tension forces. This tension produces a
negative pore water pressure, which in turn increases the effective stress. Thus,
the sand can have a significant positive effective stress, even though the total
stress may be nearly zero, and thus has a corresponding shear strength. This
source of shear strength is called apparent cohesion, and is the reason we can
build vertical cuts in our sand castle.
(b) The vertical cuts will probably not stand for long, even if they are protected from
waves, thieves, rain, and wind. This is because exposure to the atmosphere will
cause some of the pore water to evaporate, thus decreasing the apparent cohesion.
Eventually, the sand will probably dry out enough that the vertical cuts will
collapse.
Section 12.9 Shear Strength Evaluation
12.25 The soils in Figure 10.26 have the following strength parameters:
Silty sand c′ = 0 φ′ = 31°
Soft clay cT = 20 kPa φT = 0°
Medium clay cT = 45 kPa φT = 0°
Glacial till c′ = 15 kPa φ′ = 40°
In addition, the glacial till has a unit weight of 22.0 kN/m3. Develop a plot of the
shear strength applicable to short-term analyses on a horizontal plane versus depth, for a
depth of 0-20 m. Keep in mind the shear strength at a point depends on the cohesion and
friction angle at that point, so it can suddenly change at strata interfaces.
Solution
Since the shear strength varies linearly with depth, and changes only when one of the
parameters changes, it is only necessary to compute it at the strata boundaries and at the
groundwater table.
Depth σ'z φT
(m) σz (kPa) u (kPa) (kPa) c' (kPa) φ' (deg) cT (kPa) (Deg) s (kPa)
0.0 0 0 0 0 31 0
3.0 42 0 42 0 31 25
5.1- 79 21 58 0 31 35
5.1+ 79 20 0 20
11.1- 160 20 0 20
11.1+ 160 45 0 45
14.2- 206 45 0 45
14.2+ 206 110 96 15 40 96
20.0 334 167 167 15 40 155
12.26 Pile foundations consist of prefabricated poles, usually made of steel, wood, or concrete,
that are driven into the ground with a pile hammer. The number of hammer blows per
0.1 m of pile penetration (known as the blow count) depends on the strength of the soil
around the pile tip (along with other factors).
A series of piles is to be driven at the site described in Problem 12.25. The

geotechnical engineer requires them to be driven until the tip is embedded 0.2 m into the
glacial till. Could the field engineer use the blow count to determine when this
penetration has been achieved? Explain.
Solution
The glacial till is much stronger than the overlying soils. Thus, when the pile tip reaches
this stratum, the blow count will noticeably increase. The field engineer should note the
depth at which this increase occurs, then drive the pile for an additional 0.2 m.
12.27 Which laboratory and in situ tests would be appropriate for measuring φ′ of a sand?
Solution
Laboratory tests
Drained direct shear test
Consolidated Drained (CD) triaxial compression test
In-situ tests
Standard penetration test (with empirical correlations)
Cone penetration test (with empirical correlations)
12.28 Which laboratory tests would be most appropriate for measuring c′ and φ′ of a clay?
Solution
• Consolidated undrained (CU) triaxial compression test with pore pressure
measurements
• Consolidated drained (CD) triaxial compression test
• Drained direct shear test
12.29 Which laboratory and in situ tests would be appropriate for measuring su of a clay?
Solution
Laboratory tests
Unconfined compression test
Unconsolidated undrained (UU) triaxial compression test
In-situ tests
Vane shear test
Standard penetration test (with empirical correlations)
Cone penetration test (with empirical correlations)
12.30 A series of direct shear tests has been performed on a dense well-graded sand. All tests
were performed on 3.00-in.-diameter, 1.25-in. tall cylindrical specimens, and were run
slowly enough to produce the drained condition. The results of these tests are
summarized in the following table:
Test Number Normal Load (lb) Shear Load at Failure (lb)

1 100 84
2 200 159
3 400 319
Assuming the shear area remains constant during the test, determine the effective
cohesion and effective friction angle from these test results. What values of these
parameters would you expect? Are the test results consistent with your expectations?
What values would you use for design?
Solution
π (3 / 12 )2
A= = 0.0491 ft 2
4
Test Number σ' (lb/ft2) Shear Strength (lb/ft2)

1 2037 1711
2 4074 3239
3 8149 6499
c´=0, φ´=38°
According to Figure 12.12, this soil typically has φ’=37°-40°. Therefore, the test
results seem reasonable and may be used for design.
12.31 An unconfined compression test has been performed on a 30 mm diameter, 75 mm long

specimen of clay. The axial load and axial strain at failure were 120 N and 8.1%,
respectively. Compute the undrained shear strength.
Solution
π (0.030 )2
A0 = = 7.07 × 10 − 4 m 2
4
A0 7.07 × 10 −4
Af = = = 7.69 × 10 − 4 m 2
1− ε f 1 − 0.081
Pf 120N
su = = = 78 kPa
2Af (
2 7.69 × 10 − 4 m 2 )
12.32 A series of UU triaxial compression tests have been performed on “identical” clay
specimens. The test results were as follows:
Test Number σ3f (kPa) σ1f (kPa)

1 50 152
2 100 196
3 200 305
Plot the total stress Mohr circles at failure and draw the total stress Mohr–
Coulomb failure envelope. Estimate the undrained shear strength.
Solution
From the plot of the horizontal failure envelope, cT = 50 kPa and φΤ = 0°.
12.33 A series of CU triaxial compression tests have been performed with pore pressure
measurements on “identical” 2.50-in. diameter specimens of a clay. All of the specimens
had an initial height of 6.00 in. The test results were as follows:
Test No. Conditions at Failure

Pf (lb) εf (%) σ3f (lb/in2) uf (lb/in2)
1 41.7 5.5 10.3 4.3
2 59.9 6.9 18.5 5.6
3 97.1 6.8 27.3 7.1
Plot the total stress and effective stress Mohr circles at failure and draw the total
stress and effective stress Mohr–Coulomb failure envelopes. Determine c′ and φ′, and cT
and φT. Express c′ and cT in lb/ft2.
Solution
Test Number Af (in2) σdf (lb/in2)

1 5.2 8.0
2 5.3 11.4
3 5.3 18.4
Total stress:
Test Number σ1f (lb/in2) σ3f (lb/in2)

1 18.3 10.3
2 29.9 18.5
3 45.7 27.3
From the plot of the total stress failure envelope, cT = 108 lb/ft2 and φT = 11°.
Effective stress:
Test Number σ'1f (lb/in2) σ'3f (lb/in2)

1 14.0 6.0
2 24.3 12.9
3 38.6 20.2
From the plot of the effective stress failure envelope, c’ = 250 lb/ft2 and φ’ = 13°.
12.34 Derive Equation 12.14 or 12.15.
Solution
φ’ c’
A 0 C
Derive Equation 12.14:
BC
sin φ ' =
A0 + 0C
σ 1' f − σ 3' f
sin φ ' = 2
c' σ 1' f + σ 3' f
+
tan φ ' 2
⎛ c' σ 1' f + σ 3' f ⎞ σ 1' f − σ 3' f
sin φ ' ⎜ + ⎟=
⎜ tan φ ' 2 ⎟ 2
⎝ ⎠
⎛ sin φ ' ⎞
2c' ⎜⎜
tan φ '
( )
⎟⎟ + sin φ ' σ 1' f + σ 3' f = σ 1' f − σ 3' f
⎝ ⎠
2c' (cos φ ') + σ 3' f sin φ '+σ 3' f = σ 1' f − σ 1' f sin φ '
2c' (cos φ ') + σ 3' f (1 + sin φ ') = σ 1' f (1 − sin φ ')
σ 3' f (1 + sin φ ') 2c' (cos φ ')

σ '
= +
1f
(1 − sin φ ') (1 − sin φ ')
⎛ φ' ⎞ ⎛ φ' ⎞
σ 1' f = σ 3' f tan 2 ⎜ 45° + ⎟ + 2c' tan ⎜ 45° + ⎟
⎝ 2⎠ ⎝ 2⎠
12.35 If an additional CU test with pore pressure measurement is to be performed using a σ3 of

22 lb/in.2 (typo in book) on a specimen identical to those in Problem 12.33, estimate the
Pf and uf for this additional test. What is theoretically the orientation of the failure plane
in the specimen?
Solution
σ 3 f = 22 lb/in 2
Using Equation 12.15,
⎛ 11° ⎞ ⎛ 108 ⎞ ⎛ 11° ⎞

σ 1 f = 22 tan 2 ⎜ 45° + ⎟ + 2⎜ ⎟ tan ⎜ 45° + ⎟ = 34.2 lb/in
2
⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝ 144 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠
Using Equation 12.14,
⎛ 13° ⎞ ⎛ 250 ⎞ ⎛ 13° ⎞

34.2 − u f = ( 22 − u f ) tan 2 ⎜ 45° + ⎟ + 2⎜ ⎟ tan ⎜ 45° + ⎟
⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝ 144 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠
u f = 8.5 lb/in 2
σ df = (34.2 − 8.5) lb/in 2 = 25.7 lb/in 2
Assuming Af = 5.3 in2,
Pf = (25.7)(5.3) = 136.2 lb
The theoretical inclination of the failure plane is
⎛ φ' ⎞ ⎛ 13° ⎞
⎜ 45° + ⎟ = ⎜ 45° + ⎟ or 51.5 ° with the horizontal .
⎝ 2⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠
12.36 A series of vane shear tests has been performed in a stratum of inorganic clay that has a
plasticity index of 50. The vane had a diameter of 50 mm and a height of 100 mm. The
test results were as follows:
Depth (m) Torque at Failure (N-m)

3.4 12.7
4.1 18.1
5.0 15.8
6.6 20.1
Compute the undrained shear strength, su , for each test, then combine this data to
determine a single su value for this stratum.
Note: Geotechnical engineers frequently perform multiple tests on a single

stratum, and then combine these results into one value for design. The process of doing
so is somewhat subjective, and requires the use of engineering judgement. Values
significantly larger than the mean are typically discarded, then a design value is typically
chosen somewhere between the mean and the minimum values.
Solution
λ = 0.80 (per Figure 12.39)
d = 0.050 m
6λT f
su =
7π d 3
Depth (m) Torque at Failure (N-m) su (kPa)

3.4 12.7 22
4.1 18.1 32
5.0 15.8 28
6.6 20.1 35
22 + 32 + 28 + 35
su = = 29 kPa
4
Some engineers would use su=29 kPa for design, while others would be more
conservative and use a slightly lower value, perhaps between 25 and 27.
Comprehensive
12.37 When subjected to typical rates of loading in the field, sands are usually considered to be
under the drained condition. Why?
Solution
Sands have a high hydraulic conductivity, k, which means water can flow through them
very easily. When sands are subjected to loads applied at typical rates of loading, there is
plenty of time for water to flow into or out of the voids, as necessary. Therefore, we can
usually assume the drained condition exists.
12.38 A certain soil has a unit weight of 121 lb/ft3 above the groundwater table and 128 lb/ft3
below. It has an effective cohesion of 200 lb/ft2, an effective friction angle of 31°, and
extends from the ground surface down to a great depth. The groundwater table is at a
depth of 18 ft below the ground surface, and K = 0.78. Compute the shear strength of this
soil on both vertical and horizontal planes at depths of 15 and 30 ft below the ground
surface.
Solution
At z = 15 ft
σ z' = ∑ γH − u = (121)(15) = 1815 lb/ft 2
σ x' = Kσ z' = (0.78 )(1815 ) = 1416 lb/ft 2
On a horizontal plane:
s = c'+σ ' tan φ ' = 200 + 1815 tan 31° = 1291lb/ft 2
On a vertical plane
s = c'+σ ' tan φ ' = 200 + 1416 tan 31° = 1051 lb/ft 2
At z = 30 ft
σ z' = ∑ γH − u = (121)(18) + (128)(12 ) − (62.4 )(12 ) = 2965 lb/ft 2
σ x' = Kσ z' = (0.78 )(2965 ) = 2313 lb/ft 2
On a horizontal plane:
s = c'+σ ' tan φ ' = 200 + 2965 tan 31° = 1982 lb/ft 2
On a vertical plane:
s = c'+σ ' tan φ ' = 200 + 2313 tan 31° = 1590 lb/ft 2
12.39 A certain soil has c′ = 12 kPa and φ′ = 32°. The major and minor total principal stresses
at a point in this soil are 348 and 160 kPa, respectively, and the pore water pressure at
this point is 96 kPa. Draw the failure envelope and the Mohr circle and determine if a
shear failure will occur at this point in the soil. If so, determine the angle between the
failure plane and the plane on which the major principal stress acts.
Solution
The Mohr circle touches the failure envelope, which indicates a shear failure will occur.
The failure plane is inclined at an angle of 122/2 = 61° with the horizontal.
12.40 The rock outcrop shown in Figure 12.42 contains an inclined fracture. The fracture is
inclined at an angle of 26° from the horizontal.
(a) Assuming the effective cohesion along the fracture is zero, compute the lowest
possible value of the effective friction angle along the fracture. Do this
computation by assuming the factor of safety against sliding is equal to 1.0.
Hint: Set the weight of the rock above the fracture equal to W and the area of the
fracture equal to A. Then compute the vector component of W that acts parallel to the
fracture, and determine what φ′ would be required to resist this force.
(b) If the effective cohesion and friction angle along the fracture are 0 and 38°,
respectively, compute the factor of safety against sliding.
Solution
a.
W cos 26°
σ' =
A
W cos 26°
s = c'+σ ' tan φ ' = 0 + tan φ '
A
W sin 26°
τ=
A
W sin 26° W cos 26°

s =τ → = tan φ ' → φ ' = 26°
A A
b.
W cos 26°
s= tan 38°
A
W sin 26°
τ=
A
s tan 38°
F= = = 1.60
τ tan 26°
12.41 A grain silo, which is a very heavy structure, was recently built on a saturated clay.
Because the harvest season was fairly short and intense, the silo was completely loaded
with grain fairly quickly (i.e., within a couple of weeks). This is the first time the silo has
been loaded. The grain weighs about twice as much as the empty silo. The combined
weight of this grain and the silo has induced both compressive and shear stresses in the
soil below.
Suddenly, someone has become concerned that the soil may be about to fail in
shear under the weight of the silo and the grain. This is a legitimate concern, because
such failures have occurred before. Discuss the soil mechanics aspects of this situation
and determine whether the risk of failure in the soil is increasing, decreasing, or
remaining constant with time.
Solution
The weight of the grain and silo are inducing large normal and shear stresses in the
saturated clay. Since the grain is being loaded fairly quickly compared to the potential
rate of drainage in the clay, the undrained condition exists. Thus, the increases in total
stress are not producing corresponding increases in effective stress, and the shear strength
is low. Thus, the factor of safety against a shear failure may be too low. However, so
long as no additional grain is placed in the silo, these excess pore water pressures will
eventually dissipate, and the shear strength will increase. Thus, the factor of safety will
increase with time, and the risk of failure will decrease with time.
12.42 Hollywood movies sometimes show people “drowning” in quicksand and sinking to the
bottom. Do such scenes accurately depict reality? What would happen in real life to a
person who accidently ventured into quicksand? Explain the reasoning behind your
answer.
Hint: Compare the unit weight of a human with the unit weight of the quicksand.
Solution
Quicksand behaves as a fluid that has a unit weight equal to that of soil (~18 kN/m3), but
the human body has a unit weight only slightly greater than that of water (~10 kN/m3).
Therefore, a person would sink only to a depth such that the submerged portion of the
body displaces a volume of quicksand equal to the body weight. So long as the person
doesn’t go in head-first, he or she shouldn’t drown. However, since quicksand has
essentially no shear strength, it could be very difficult to get out of such a predicament.

0132368692-Ch12 Ism

Diunggah oleh

Informasi Dokumen

Judul Asli

Hak Cipta

Format Tersedia

Bagikan dokumen Ini

Bagikan atau Tanam Dokumen

Opsi Berbagi

Apakah menurut Anda dokumen ini bermanfaat?

Apakah konten ini tidak pantas?

Hak Cipta:

Format Tersedia

0132368692-Ch12 Ism

Diunggah oleh

Hak Cipta:

Format Tersedia

CHAPTER 12

Section 12.1 Strength Analyses in Geotechnical Engineering

Section 12.2 Shear Failure in Soils

12.3 List the factors that affect the frictional strength.

Section 12.3 The Drained and Undrained Conditions

12.6 Define the drained condition and the undrained condition.

12.14 Describe the conditions under which a sand is susceptible to earthquake-induced

Section 12.4 Mohr-Coulomb Failure Criterion

s = c'+σ ' tan φ '

Section 12.5 Shear Strength of Saturated Sands and Gravels

σ ′z ,initial = σ z − u h = 1000 lb/ft 2

s = c'+σ ' tan φ ' = 0 + 26 tan 34° = 18 lb/ft 2

Section 12.6 Shear Strength of Saturated Clays

(a) Explain why sand castles can be built in this way.

Section 12.9 Shear Strength Evaluation

Silty sand c′ = 0 φ′ = 31°

Soft clay cT = 20 kPa φT = 0°

Medium clay cT = 45 kPa φT = 0°

Glacial till c′ = 15 kPa φ′ = 40°

A series of piles is to be driven at the site described in Problem 12.25. The

Test Number Normal Load (lb) Shear Load at Failure (lb)

Test Number σ' (lb/ft2) Shear Strength (lb/ft2)

12.31 An unconfined compression test has been performed on a 30 mm diameter, 75 mm long

Test Number σ3f (kPa) σ1f (kPa)

Test No. Conditions at Failure

Test Number Af (in2) σdf (lb/in2)

Test Number σ1f (lb/in2) σ3f (lb/in2)

Test Number σ'1f (lb/in2) σ'3f (lb/in2)

12.34 Derive Equation 12.14 or 12.15.

Derive Equation 12.14:

σ 3' f (1 + sin φ ') 2c' (cos φ ')

12.35 If an additional CU test with pore pressure measurement is to be performed using a σ3 of

Using Equation 12.15,

⎛ 11° ⎞ ⎛ 108 ⎞ ⎛ 11° ⎞

Using Equation 12.14,

⎛ 13° ⎞ ⎛ 250 ⎞ ⎛ 13° ⎞

σ df = (34.2 − 8.5) lb/in 2 = 25.7 lb/in 2

Assuming Af = 5.3 in2,

The theoretical inclination of the failure plane is

Depth (m) Torque at Failure (N-m)

Note: Geotechnical engineers frequently perform multiple tests on a single

λ = 0.80 (per Figure 12.39)

Depth (m) Torque at Failure (N-m) su (kPa)

σ z' = ∑ γH − u = (121)(15) = 1815 lb/ft 2

σ x' = Kσ z' = (0.78 )(1815 ) = 1416 lb/ft 2

s = c'+σ ' tan φ ' = 200 + 1815 tan 31° = 1291lb/ft 2

σ z' = ∑ γH − u = (121)(18) + (128)(12 ) − (62.4 )(12 ) = 2965 lb/ft 2

σ x' = Kσ z' = (0.78 )(2965 ) = 2313 lb/ft 2

W sin 26° W cos 26°

Anda mungkin juga menyukai