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Nanyang Technological University Library

NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

SEMESTER 2 EXAMINATION 2004-2005

CV2301/CL332 – Soil Mechanics

April/May 2005 Time Allowed: 2½ hours

INSTRUCTIONS

1. This paper contains FOUR (4) questions and comprises FIVE (5) pages.

2. Answer ALL questions.

3. An Appendix of ONE (1) page is attached to the Question Paper.

4. All questions carry equal marks.

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1. (a) A soil specimen has a total volume of 160 cm . It has a mass of 284 g
when partially saturated and 250 g when dry. If the specific gravity of the
soil solids Gs = 2.62 and the density of water = 1 g/cm3, determine the
porosity, void ratio, water content and degree of saturation of the soil.

(9 marks)

(b) Sketch the particle size distribution curves for uniformly graded, well graded
and gap graded soils and discuss their main characteristics.
(5 marks)

(c) Describe how igneous rocks are formed. Name the two main classes of
igneous rocks and highlight their main characteristics.
(3 marks)

(d) Explain the meaning of the following terms:

(i) Plastic limit

(ii) Relative compaction

(iii) Relative density

(iv) Coefficient of lateral earth pressure at-rest

(v) Critical hydraulic gradient

(8 marks)

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CV2301/CL332

2. (a) A constant head permeability test is performed on a sample of sand. The

information below indicates the test conditions and results.

• Water flows horizontally through the soil sample.

• The height of the reservoir supply source is 10 cm above the

elevation of the outlet reservoir.

• The soil sample length in the direction of water flow is 200 mm.
2
• The cross-sectional area of the soil sample is 2,000 mm .

• The measured volume of flow for the steady state condition is

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500,000 mm in a 10-minute period.

From the given data, provide a sketch representing the test arrangement.
Determine the hydraulic gradient, discharge velocity and coefficient of
permeability.

(11 marks)

(b) Figure Q2(a) shows a deposit of sand overlying a deep deposit of silty clay.
The ground water table is 1 m above the top of the sand layer. Assume the
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unit weight of water γw is 9.81 kN/m .

(i) Determine the total stress, effective stress and pore water pressure at
point A.

(ii) With respect to the datum shown, determine the total head, pressure
head and elevation head at point A.

(iii) Assuming the specific gravity of the soil solids Gs = 2.60, determine
the insitu void ratio of the sand.
(7 marks)

Datum
2m Water

γsat = 19 kN/m
3
4m Sand

3
γsat = 17 kN/m 3m Silty clay
A

Figure Q2(a)

Note: Question No. 2 continues on page 3.

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CV2301/CL332

(c) Figure Q2(b) shows the plan of a large circular raft foundation resting on
the ground surface. The centre (shaded) area transmits a contact pressure
of 80 kPa and the outer annular area transmits a contact pressure of
200 kPa. Point A is at the centre of the circular foundation. Determine the
stress induced at point A at a depth of 6 m below the ground surface. At
what depth directly below point A would the induced stress be less than
50 kPa? State clearly the assumptions used in your calculations.

For a uniformly loaded circular area of radius R and pressure q, the

increase in vertical stress ∆σz at a depth zf directly below the centre of the
circular area can be calculated using

⎛ ⎞
⎜ 1 ⎟
∆σ z = q ⎜1 −
3/ 2 ⎟
⎜
⎝ {( )
R/zf 2 + 1 }
⎟
⎠
(7 marks)

10 m

20 m

Figure Q2(b)

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CV2301/CL332

3. A 3 m thick clay layer is underlain by an impervious bedrock, as shown in

Figure Q3. The clay is normally consolidated with an initial void ratio eo of 1.2
3
and a total unit weight γ of 16.7 kN/m . A 5 m thick fill is placed on top of the
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clay layer. The unit weight of the fill γf is 18.0 kN/m . The ground water table is
at the top of the clay layer at all times.

(a) The ultimate consolidation settlement of the clay layer due to the fill is
estimated to be 0.8 m. What is the compression index Cc of the clay?

(7 marks)

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(b) Assuming that the coefficient of consolidation of the soil is 2 m /yr, how
long does it take for the clay layer to settle 0.4 m?
(3 marks)

(c) Calculate the excess pore water pressures in the clay at points A, B and C
when an average degree of consolidation Uavg of 50% has been achieved.
Based on the calculation, plot the pore water pressure versus depth profile.

(10 marks)

(d) If the bedrock below the clay layer is pervious instead of impervious, how
long does it take to achieve Uavg = 50%? How much is the settlement when
Uavg = 50%?
(5 marks)

GWT

1m
A
Clay 2m
eo = 1.2 3m
3
γ = 16.7 kN/m
B

Impervious bedrock

Figure Q3

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CV2301/CL332

4. (a) (i) The friction angle of sand can be determined using either direct shear
or consolidated drained (CD) triaxial test. State two major differences
between the two tests.

(ii) A CD triaxial test was conducted on a loose sand specimen under a

cell pressure of 200 kPa. The deviator stress at failure was 400 kPa.
Plot the stress Mohr circle and determine the friction angle of the
sand. What is the shear stress acting along the failure plane?

(iii) Another loose sand specimen is tested using a direct shear machine
under a normal stress of 200 kPa. What will be the shear stress at
failure if the friction angle of the sand is 30°.

(iv) Using two separate plots, plot schematically the stress-strain curves
obtained from the CD triaxial test stated in part (ii) and the direct
shear test stated in part (iii). On both curves, mark the stresses at the
failure points clearly.
(15 marks)

(b) A consolidated undrained (CU) triaxial test is conducted on a saturated,

normally consolidated (NC) clay specimen under a cell pressure of
200 kPa. No back pressure was used in this test. At failure, the deviator
stress and pore water pressure measured are 130 and 100 kPa,
respectively.

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

(ii) Determine the undrained shear strength and the effective friction
angle of the clay.
(10 marks)

END OF PAPER