Track Geotechnical Engineering: Homework 1

Class: Korean Government Scholarship Program for Oversea Government Railway Staffs

Professor: Jun Kyung Park

Student: PHAM Tien Dat

Problem 1: Three groups of students from the Geotechnical Engineering class collected soil-
aggregate samples for laboratory testing from borrow pit for the railway embankment. Three
samples, denoted by Soil A, Soil B, and Soil C, were collected from three locations of the aggregate
stockpile, and sieve analyses were conducted (see next Figure).

a. Determine the coefficient of uniformity and the coefficient of gradation for Soils A, B, and C.
b. Which one is coarser: Soil A or Soil C? Justify your answer.
c. Although the soils are obtained from the same stockpile, why are the curves so different? (Hint:
Comment on particle segregation and the importance of representative field sampling.)
d. Determine the percentages of gravel, sand, and fines according to Unified Soil Classification
System.
Solve 1:
a. To determine coefficient of uniformity (Cu) and coefficient of gradation (Cc), we need to
determine three diameters: D60, D30, D10.
Then two coefficients can be calculated as:
 D60
- Coefficient of uniformity: Cu 
D10

 D30 
2

- Coefficient of gradation: Cc 
 D10  D60 

Sample name D60 D10 D30 Cu Cc

A 12 0.55 4.7 21.818 3.347
B 7.5 0.21 2.1 35.714 2.8
C 5.9 0.14 0.95 42.143 1.093
b. Clearly, soil A is coarser than soil C because in all percentage of finer the particle size diameter
of sample A is larger than sample C.
c. Although the soils are obtained from the same stockpile, the particle segregation caused the
different between soil samples.

Source: Dizhe Zhang, Zongyan Zhou and

David Pinson. Laboratory for Simulation and
Modelling of Particulate Systems (SIMPAS),
Monash University,
 Due to the differences in size, shape, density, surface properties, et cetera. the stockpile is
inhomogeneous, therefore, the samples which are taken from difference location of the stockpile
can have difference result in sieve analyses.
Because of that variation, to fully demonstrate the actual soil properties in the site, the
representative of field is very importance. The most favorable solution is taking many samples
from variety of location, and then examine all.
d. According to Unified soil classification system, the gravel, sand, and fines particle are defined
as the particles that have the diameter in the range below:
Soil name Gravel Sand Fine soil
Diameter range >4.75 mm 4.75≥D>0.075 0.075≥D

Sample Gravel Sand Fine

name (%) (%) soil (%)
A 72 28 N/A
B 57 43 N/A
C 48 52 N/A
There is no information for fine soil
percentage. The hydrometer test is required
to examine fine particle size.

Problem 2: It is known that the natural soil at a construction site has a void ratio of 0.92. At the
end of compaction, the in-place void ratio was found to be 0.65. If the moisture content remains
unchanged, then determine:
a. Percent decrease in the total volume of the soil due to compaction
b. Percent increase in the field unit weight
c. Percent change in the degree of saturation
Solve 2:
𝑉𝑣
a. The void ratio is: 𝑒= 𝑉𝑠

Set the nature total volume: 𝑉1 = 𝑉𝑠 + 𝑉𝑣1

Set the total volume after compaction:
The decrease in total volume:
The decrease ratio in total volume:
𝑉2 = 𝑉𝑠 + 𝑉𝑣2
𝑉1 − 𝑉2 = 𝑉𝑣1 − 𝑉𝑣2
(𝑉1 − 𝑉2 )/𝑉1 = (𝑉𝑣1 − 𝑉𝑣2 )/(𝑉𝑠 + 𝑉𝑣1 )
= (𝑉𝑣1 /𝑉𝑠 − 𝑉𝑣2 /𝑉𝑠 )/(1 + 𝑉𝑣1 /𝑉𝑠 )
= (𝑒1 − 𝑒2 )/(1 + 𝑒1 )
= (0.92 − 0.65)/(1 + 0.92) = 0.1406
 The percentage decrease in total volume: 14.06 %
𝑊
b. The unit weight is: 𝛾= 𝑉

Because the moisture content is unchanged so the water weight (𝑊𝑤 ) of two stages are the
same.
The percentage increase in the unit weight: (𝛾2 − 𝛾1 )/𝛾1 . 100
𝑊 𝑊 𝑊
= (𝑉 − 𝑉 )/ 𝑉 . 100
2 1 1
𝑉1 𝑉1
= (𝑉 − 𝑉 ).100
2 1
𝑉1
= ((1−0.1406).𝑉 − 1).100
1

1
= ((1−0.1406) − 1) . 100 = 𝟏𝟔. 𝟑𝟔%
𝑉𝑤
c. The degree of saturation is: 𝑆𝑟 (%) = . 100
𝑉𝑣

The increase in the degree of saturation: (𝑆𝑟2 − 𝑆𝑟1 )/𝑆𝑟1

𝑉 𝑉 𝑉 1 1 1
= (𝑉𝑤 − 𝑉𝑤 )/ 𝑉𝑤 = (𝑉 − 𝑉 )/ 𝑉
𝑣2 𝑣1 𝑣1 𝑣2 𝑣1 𝑣1

𝑉 𝑉 𝑉 1 1 1
= (𝑉 𝑠 − 𝑉 𝑠 )/ 𝑉 𝑠 = (𝑒 − 𝑒 ) / 𝑒
𝑣2 𝑣1 𝑣1 2 1 1

1 1 1
= (0.65 − 0.92) / 0.92
= 0.4153 = 𝟒𝟏. 𝟓𝟑%
Problem 3: A 2-m-high sandy fill material for the railway construction was placed loosely at a
relative density of 47%. Laboratory studies indicated that the maximum and minimum void ratios
of the fill material are 0.92 and 0.53, respectively. Construction specifications required that the
fill be compacted to a relative density of 80%. If Gs (specific gravity) = 2.65, determine:
a. Dry unit weight of the fill before and after compaction
b. Final height of the fill after compaction
Solve 3:
𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑥 −𝑒
a. The relative density: 𝐷𝑟 = 𝑒 . 100
𝑚𝑎𝑥 −𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛

𝐷𝑟 .(𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑥 −𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛 )
The void ratio: 𝑒 = 𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 100

The void ratio before compaction: 𝑒1 = 0.92 − 0.47(0.92 − 0.53) = 0.7367

The void ratio after compaction: 𝑒2 = 0.92 − 0.8(0.92 − 0.53) = 0.608
𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤 2.65
The dry unit weight before compaction: 𝛾𝑑 = = 1+0.7367 = 𝟏. 𝟓𝟐𝟔 (𝒈/𝒄𝒎𝟑 )
1+𝑒1
𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤 2.65
The dry unit weight after compaction: 𝛾𝑑 = = 1+0.608 = 𝟏. 𝟔𝟒𝟖 (𝒈/𝒄𝒎𝟑 )
1+𝑒1

b. The percentage of volume decrease: = (𝑒1 − 𝑒2 )/(1 + 𝑒1 ).100

= (0.7367 − 0.608)/(1.7367).100
= (0.7367 − 0.608)/(1.7367).100
= 7.4%
 Since the sand was filled, therefore, the changing in volume can be assumed as equal to the
change in height.
The final height: ℎ = (1 − 0.074). 2 = 𝟏. 𝟖𝟓𝟐 (𝒎)
Problem 4: The subsurface characteristics for a railway construction project in the southeastern
United States are shown in a “boring log” in Figure 5.13. The railway track structure consists of
the asphalt pavement underlain by four different soil strata up to a depth of 6 m, after which the
boring was terminated. Some data on the grain size and plasticity characteristics are also
provided for each stratum.
Determine the “most probable” group symbols and group names for the various layers
according to the Unified soil classification system. Use the soil characteristics given in the
following boring log.
Solve 4:
No Layer name USCS name Reason
1 S1 SP S – sand: fine sand with limestone fragments
P – poor graded: Cu = 8 > 6; Cc = 0.9 < 1
2 S2 SM S – sand: brown fine sand, 8% pass through No.200
3 S3 SM NP – no plasticity
4 S4 OH O – organic clay: dark brown organic sandy silt (67%
5 S5 OH pass N.200)
6 S6 OH H – high plasticity: LL = 52; PI = 10
7 S7 OH
8 S8 OH
9 S9 ML M – inorganic silt, fine sand: sandy silt
10 S10 ML L – Low plasticity: LL = 36; PI = 9

Problem 5: The in situ moist unit weight of a soil is 17.3 kN/m3 and the moisture content is 16%.
The specific gravity of soil solids is 2.72. This soil is to be excavated and transported to a
construction site for use in a compacted fill. If the specification calls for the soil to be compacted
to a minimum dry unit weight of 18.1 kN/m3 at the same moisture content of 16%.
How many cubic meters of soil from the excavation site are needed to produce 2000 m3 of
compacted fill?
How many 20 ton truckloads are needed to transport the excavated soil?
Solve 5:
𝑊 𝑊𝑠 +𝑊𝑤
The moist unit weight: 𝛾= =
𝑉 𝑉
𝑊𝑠
The dry unit weight: 𝛾𝑑 = 𝑉
 𝑤
𝑊𝑠 +𝑊𝑤 (1+ )𝑊𝑠 𝑤
100
The moist unit weight after compaction: 𝛾2 = = = (1 + 100)𝛾𝑑
𝑉2 𝑉2
16
= (1 + 100) 18.1 = 20.92 (𝑘𝑁/𝑚3)

The ratio of total volume after and before compaction:

𝑉2 /𝑉1 = (𝑊/𝑉1 ) /(𝑊/𝑉2 )
= (𝑊/𝑉1 )/ (𝑊/𝑉2 ) = 𝛾1 /𝛾2
= 17.3/20.92 = 0.827
𝑉
2
The initial soil volume: 𝑉1 = 0.827 = 𝟐𝟒𝟏𝟖. 𝟒(𝒎𝟑)
The total soil weight: 41,840 (kN) = 4,184 (T)
The number of truck: 210
Problem 6: A proposed embankment fill for the railway construction requires 5000 m3 of
compacted soil. The void ratio of the compacted fill is specified as 0.75. Soil can be transported
from one of the four borrow pits as described in the following table. The void ratio, specific
gravity of soil solids, and the cost per cubic meter for moving the soil to the proposed
construction site are provided in the table.
a. Determine the volume of each borrow pit soil required to meet the specification of the
embankment site.
b. Make necessary calculations to select the borrow pit which would be most cost effective.

Solve 6:
𝑉𝑣1
𝑉1 𝑉𝑣1 +𝑉𝑠 +1 𝑒 +1
𝑉𝑠
The ratio between the volume two soil stages =𝑉 = 𝑉𝑣2 = 𝑒1 +1
𝑉2 𝑣2 +𝑉𝑠 +1 2
𝑉𝑠

The necessary volume of soil: = 𝑉(1 + 𝑒1 )/(1 + 𝑒2 )

Borrow pit Void ratio Necessary volume Unit cost Total cost
(m3) ($/m3) ($)
I 0.8 5142.858 9 46285.72
II 0.9 5428.572 6 32571.43
III 1.1 6000 7 42000
IV 0.85 5285.715 10 52857.15
The most favorable option is pit II since its cost is the lowest.
Problem 7: For the embankment loading shown in the following figure, determine the vertical
stress increases at points A, B, and C.
Solve 7: The load on the ground can be demonstrate like the following figure:

The load can be divided into 3 part:

 Point A B C
Load block Coefficients Unit
1 q kN/m2 285 285 285
x m 33.5 30 0
z m 8 8 8
b m 15 15 15
z/b 0.5333 0.5333 0.5333
x/b 2.233 2 0
σz/q 0.39 0.4174 0.0783
σz kN/m2 111.15 118.959 22.316
3 q kN/m2 285 285 285
x m 33.5 37 67
z m 8 8 8
b m 15 15 15
z/b 0.5333 0.5333 0.5333
x/b 2.233 2.467 4.467
σz/q 0.39 0.22 0.0016
σz kN/m2 111.15 62.7 0.456
2 q kN/m2 285 285 285
x m 0 3.5 33.5
z m 8 8 8
b m 3.5 3.5 3.5
z/b 2.2857 2.2857 2.2857
x/b 0 1 9.571
σz/q 0.497 0.496 0
σz kN/m2 141.645 141.36 0
Super position σz kN/m2 363.945 323.019 22.772
Problem 8: Refer to the following figure. A flexible rectangular area is subjected to a uniformly
distributed load of q = 225 kN/m2. Determine the increase in vertical stress, at a depth of z=3 m
under points A, B, and C.
Point A:
The stress increase: σz = q.IB
Dimension B: 3 (m)
Dimension L: 6 (m)
Coefficient m: B/z = 3/3 = 1
Coefficient n: L/z = 6/3 = 2
Coefficient IB: 0.1999
The stress increase: σz = 0.1999.225 = 44.9775 (kN/m2)
Point B: Divide the load area above point B into 4 rectangular as the following figure:

Load B L z q m n IB σz
block m m m kN/m2 kN/m2
1 3.6 1.8 3 225 1.2 0.6 0.1431 32.1975
2 2.4 1.8 3 225 0.8 0.6 0.1247 28.0575
3 2.4 1.2 3 225 0.8 0.4 0.0931 20.9475
4 3.6 1.2 3 225 1.2 0.4 0.1063 23.9175
Super position 105.12
Point C: Divide the load area above point C into 2 rectangular as the following figure:

Load B L z q m n IB σz
block m m m kN/m2 kN/m2
1 7.8 3 3 225 2.6 1 0.203 45.675
2 1.8 3 3 225 0.6 1 0.1361 30.6225
Super position 15.0525