Soil Mechanics - Calculation Tasks
1. BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF SOILS
Assignment
Problem 1.6 A
The results of a particle size analysis are shown in the table below:
The total mass was 469 g. Plot the particle size distribution curve and determine the coefficient of
uniformity, coefficient of curvature and soil description.
Problem 1.1 C
The results of particle size analyses and, where appropriate, limit tests on samples of four soils are
given in Table 1.5. Allot group symbols and give main and qualifying terms appropriate for each soil.
Problem 1.11 A
The results of two particle size analyses on sand and gravel samples are shown in the first and second
columns of the following table. The mass of each specimen is 5 kg. Plot the particle size distribution
curve for both specimens. A third specimen is made by mixing two volumes of sand with one volume
of gravel. Plot the particle size distribution curve for the mixture assuming that the densities of gravel
and sands are equal.
Soil Mechanics - Calculation Tasks
1. BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF SOILS
Problem 1.12 A
Re-work Problem 1.11 with the volume ratio (sand to gravel) of 1.0. The densities of gravel and sand
are 1.25 Mg/m3 and 1.5 Mg/m3 respectively.
Problem 1.1 A
The following data are given for a specimen of soil:
M = 221 g, Ms = 128 g, Gs = 2.7, Sr = 75%.
Determine the total volume and the porosity of the specimen.
Problem 1.2 A
Dry soil with Gs = 2.71 is mixed with 16% by weight of water and compacted to produce a cylindrical
sample of 38 mm diameter and 76 mm long with 6% air content. Calculate the mass of the mixed soil
that will be required and the void ratio of the sample.
Problem 1.3 A
During a field density test 1850 g of soil was excavated from a hole having a volume of 900 cm. The
oven-dried mass of the soil was 1630 g. Determine the moisture content, dry density, void ratio and
degree of saturation. Gs = 2.71.
Problem 1.4 A
A soil specimen has a moisture content of 21.4%, void ratio of 0.72, and Gs = 2.7.
Determine:
(a) bulk density and degree of saturation,
(b) the new bulk density and void ratio if the specimen is saturation is obtained.
Problem 1.5 A
The moisture content of a specimen of a clay soil is 22.4%. The specific gravity of the solids is 2.71.
(a) Plot the variation of void ratio with degree of saturation and the dry and wet densities at 50%
saturation,
Soil Mechanics - Calculation Tasks
1. BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF SOILS
(b) a sample of this soil with initial degree of saturation of 50% is isotropically compressed to
achieve a void ratio of 0.55. Calculate the volume change in terms of percentage of the initial
volume. How much of this volume change is due to the outward flow of water from the
sample?
Problem 1.7 A
The following data were recorded in a liquid limit test using the Casagrande apparatus. Determine the
liquid limit of the soil. Classify the soil assuming plastic limit PL = 19.8%.
Problem 1.8 A
The recorded data in a liquid limit test using the cone penetration method are as follows.
Determine the liquid limit of the soil.
Problem 1.9 A
The maximum and minimum void ratios for a sand are 0.805 and 0.501 respectively. The field density
test performed on the same soil has given the following results:
ρ = 1.81 Mg/m3, w = 12.7%. Assume Gs = 2.65.
Compute the density index.
Problem 1.10 A
The following results are obtained from a standard compaction test:
The specific gravity of the solids is 2.68, and the volume of the compaction mould is 1000
cm3. Plot the compaction curve and obtain the maximum dry density and optimum moisture
content. Plot also the 0%, 5% and 10% air void curves. At the maximum dry density,
calculate the void ratio, degree of saturation and air content. If the natural moisture content in
the field is 11.8%, what will be the possible maximum dry density if the soil is compacted
with its natural moisture content?
Problem 1.2 C
A soil has bulk density of 1,91 Mg/m3 and a water content of 9,5 %. The value of Gs is 2,70. Calculate
the void ratio and degree of saturation of the soil. What would be the values of density and water
content if the soil were fully saturated at the same void ratio?
Soil Mechanics - Calculation Tasks
1. BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF SOILS
Problem 1.3 C
Calculate the dry unit weight, the saturated unit weight and the buoyant unit weight of a soil having a
void ratio of 0,70 and a value of Gs of 2,72. Calculate also the unit weight and water content at a
degree of saturation of 75 %.
Problem 1.4
A soil specimen is 38 mm in diameter and 76 mm long and in its natural condition weights 168,0 g.
When dried completely in an oven the specimen weights 130,5 g. The value of Gs is 2,73. What is the
degree of saturation of the specimen?
Problem 1.5 C
Soil has been compacted in an embankment at a bulk density of 2,15 Mg/m3 and a water content of
12 %. The value of Gs is 2,65. Calculate the dry density, void ratio, degree of saturation and air
content. Would it be possible to compact the above soil at a water content of 13,5 % to a dry density of
2,00 Mg/m3?
Problem 1.6 C
The following results were obtained from a standard compaction test on a soil:
The value of Gs is 2,67. Plot the dry density-water content curve and give the optimum water content
and maximum dry density. Plot also the curves of zero, 5 and 10 % air content and give the value of
air content at maximum dry density. The volume of the mould is 1000 cm3.
Problem 1.7 C
The in-situ dry density of a sand is 1,72 Mg/m3. The maximum and minimum dry densities,
determined by standard laboratory tests, are 1,81 and 1,54 Mg/m3, respectively. Determine the density
index of the sand.