CE3404 - SOIL MECHANICS
UNITWISE 2 MARKS & 16 MARKS
UNIT - I
SOIL CLASSIFICATION AND COMPACTION
2 MARKS
1. List the scope of soil mechanics.
2. Distinguish between residual soil and transported soil.
3. List the structure of soil mass.
4. Define: Water Content. (w)
5. Distinguish between Residual and Transported Soil.
6. What is Void Ratio?
7. What is Porosity?
8. Define: Zero Air Voids line.
9. Define effective size of a particle in sieve analysis.
10. What is Plasticity Index?
11. What are all the Atterberg limits for soil and why it is necessary?
12. Define Shrinkage Ratio.
13. Define: Bulk Density and Dry Density.
14. Define: Bulk Unit Weight and Dry Unit Weight.
15. What is Degree of saturation
16. Define: Density Index ( ID) or Relative Compaction.
17. What is compaction? List the factor affecting compaction.
16 MARKS
1. The sieve analysis of a soil gave the following results: Percentage of passing 75 μ sieve
8%; Percentage of retained on 4.75 mm sieve = 35%. = Coefficient of curvature = 2.5;
Uniformity coefficient = 7. The fine friction gave the following results: Plasticity index =
3%; Liquid limit 15%. Classify the = soil as per IS soil classification system.
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2. A soil sample has a diameter of 38.1 mm and a length of 76.2 mm. Its wet weight is 1.843
N and its dry weight is 1.647 N. If specific gravity of the solids is 2.7, find dry unit weight,
bulk unit weight, void ratio, water content and degree of saturation. Suppose the diameter
was incorrectly measured to be 37.6 mm and the length incorrectly measured to be 75.6 mm,
what would be the resulting error in the computed values of degree of saturation and water
content.
3. A soil sample has a diameter of 38.1 mm and a length of 76.2 mm. Its wet weight is 1.843
N and its dry weight is 1.647 N. If specific gravity of the solids is 2.7, find dry unit weight,
bulk unit weight, void ratio, water content and degree of saturation. Suppose the diameter
was incorrectly measured to be 37.6 mm and the length incorrectly measured to be 75.6 mm,
what would be the resulting error in the computed values of degree of saturation and water
content.
4. In its natural condition, a soil sample has a mass of 22.9 N and a volume of 1.15 x 10-3 m³.
After being completely dried in the oven sample weighs 20.35 N. Find bulk density, water
content, void ratio, porosity, degree of saturation, air content, dry density and percentage air
voids
5. In a hydrometer analysis, the corrected reading in a 1000 ml uniform soil suspension at the
start of sedimentation was 28. After a lapse of 30 minutes, the corrected hydrometer reading
was 12 and corresponding effective depth 10.5 cm. The specific gravity of the solids was
2.68. Assuming the viscosity and unit weight of water at the temperature of the test as
0.001Ns/m2 and 9.81kN/m3 respectively. Determine the weight of solids mixed in the
suspension the effective diameter corresponding to the 30 minutes reading and the percentage
of particles finer than this size.
6. Soil is to be excavated from a barrow pit which has a density of 17.66 kN/m² and water
content of 12%. The specific gravity of soil particle 2.7. The soil is compacted so that water
content is 18% and dry density is 16.2 Kn/m³. For 1000 m³ of soil in fill, estimate
(i) The quantity of soil to be excavated from the pit in m³, and
(ii) The amount of water to be added. Also determine the void ratios soil in borrow pit and
fill.
7. Explain in detail the procedure for determination of grain size distribution of soil by sieve
analysis.
8. Explain the IS and USCS classification of soil.
9. Explain the factor affecting compaction of soil.
10. Explain standard proctor compaction test with neat sketches.
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UNIT-II
EFFECTIVE STRESS AND PERMEABILITY
2 MARKS
1. Define soil water.
2. State the types of soil water.
3. Write down the uses of Flow net.
4. Write down the methods of drawing Flow net.
5. What is the importance of effective stress?
6. Define capillary phenomenon of soil.
7. Define surface tension.
8. What is Quick Sand?
9. Define structural, Adsorbed and capillary water.
10. Define contact moisture.
11. Define Permeability.
12. Define seepage velocity or) Actual velocity.
13. List the factor affecting permeability.
14. Write laplace equation.
15. List the various uses of flow net in engineering practice.
16 MARKS
1. At site the depth of soil of fine sand is 15 m is having void ratio of 0.65. The water table is
at 6 m below the ground surface. The height of capillary rise is 1 m above water table. The
soil above the capillary zone is at 50% saturation. Calculate the total pressure, pore water
pressure and effective pressure at ground surface, top of capillary zone at top of water table
and at the bottom. The specific gravity of solid is 2.7.
2. (i) Write a short note: Flow Net (characteristics and applications).
(ii) In a lab permeability test on a clayey soil, the diameter of the stand pipe is 2.5 cm and
the diameter of the permeameter is 150 cm. The height of the mould is 180 cm. Determine
the time taken for the head of water in the stand pipe to drop from 210 cm to 120 cm
3. (i) A layer of fine sand 3 m in thickness rests on a bed at soft Cay and the water table is at
a depth of 2 m below the ground level. The bulk unit weight and saturated unit weight of sand
is 16kN/m3 and 18kN/m3 respectively. The saturated unit weight of clay is 19kN/m 3 Draw the
variation of effective stress up to a depth of 7 m from the ground level
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(ii) Derive a Laplace’s equation of continuity for two dimensional steady flow of water
through an isotropic soil.
4.(i) In a falling head permeability test the length and area of cross section of soil specimen
are 0.17 m and 21.8 x 10- 4 m2 respectively. Calculate the time required for the head to drop
from 0.25 m to 0.10 m. The area of cross-section of stand pipe is 2.0 x 10 - 4 m2 The sample
has three layers with permeability’s 3x10 -5 m/sec for first 0.06m, 4x10 -5m/sec for second 0.06
m and 6x10-5m /sec for the third 0.06 m thickness. Assume the flow is taking place
perpendicular to the bedding plane.
(ii) Discuss briefly the use of flow net.
5. A flow net analysis was performed for estimating the seepage loss through the foundation
of a coffer dam, results of the flow net analysis gave a number of flow line 'N' = 6 and
number of drops 'Nd' = 16 The head of water lost during seepage was 5 m. Assume the
coefficient of permeability of the soil is 'k' = 40 × 10 -5 m/min. Estimate the seepage loss per
meter length of the coffer dam per day. Also estimate the exit gradient if the average length
of the last flow field is 0.9 m.
6. For a homogeneous earth dam 52 m height and 2 m free board, the flow net has 22
potential drops and 5 flow channels. Calculate the discharge per meter length of the dam,
given k = 22× 10-6 m/sec and exit hydraulic gradient.
7. Explain constant head permeability test in engineering.
8. Derive Laplace’s equation two dimensional flows.
9. Factors influencing permeability of soils.
10. Briefly explain field measurement pumping out in unconfined.
11. Explain field measurement pumping out in confined aquifer.
12. Explain falling head permeability test in engineering.
UNIT – III
STRESS DISTRIBUTION AND SETTLEMENT
2 MARKS
1. What are the assumptions of Boussinesq Equtions?
2. Define isobar.
3. Define pressure bulb.
4. Define Influence Chart.
5. Define consolidation.
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6. Define secondary consolidation.
7. Define coefficient of compressibility.
8. When a soil mass is said to be Homogeneous?
9. List the components of settlement in Soil.
10. What are Isochrones?
11. Narrate immediate settlement.
12. Define primary consolidation.
13. Define Contact Pressure.
14. Write any 5 assumptions of Terzaghi’s theory of one dimensional consolidation.
15. What is Compressibility?
16 MARKS
1. (i) A circular ring foundation for an overhead tank transmits a contact pressure of 300
kN/m². Its internal diameter is 6 m and external diameter 10 m. Compute vertical stress ont
he center line of the footing due to the imposed load at a depth of 6.5 m below the ground
level. The footing is founded at a depth of 2.5 m
(ii) Write a brief critical note on 'the concept of pressure bulb and its use in soil engineering
practice'.
2 (i) Explain Taylor's square root time method for determining coefficient of consolidation.
(ii) A 20 mm thick undisturbed sample of saturated clay is tested in the laboratory with
drainage being allowed both through top and bottom faces. The sample reaches 50% degree
of consolidation in 60 minutes. If any clay layer from which the sample was obtained is 4 m
thick and is free to drain through both top and bottom surfaces, calculate the time required by
the clay layer to undergo the same degree of consolidation. What would have been the time
of consolidation if the clay layer were free to drain only through its top surface.
3.(i) Derive Boussinesq equations to find intensity of vertical pressure and tangential stress
when a concentrated load is acting on the soil.
(ii) circular area on the surface of an elastic mass of great extent carries a uniformly
distributed load of 120 kN/m². The radius of the circle is 3 m. Compute the intensity of
vertical pressure at a point 5 m beneath the centre of the circle using Boussinesq's method.
5. (i) Explain the assumptions made by Boussinesq in stress distribution on soils.
(ii) A water tank has supported by a circular foundation of diameter 10.5 m is re on a soil
stratum. The total weight of the tank including the foundation is 17 kN Estimate the stress
due to the above load at 0.5 m and 2.5 m depth at s center of the water tank.
6. (i)Derive the expression for stresses due to strip load.
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(ii)Derive the expression for stresses under a uniformly loaded circular area.
(iii)Explain the New mark's influence chart in detail.
(iv)Write a brief note on Pressure Bulb.
7. Explain Boussinesq theory about point load.
8. Briefly explain Use of New marks influence chart.
9. Derive Terzaghi’s one dimensional consolidation theory.
10. Explain √t and log t methods for settlement.
UNIT – IV
SHEAR STRENGTH
2 MARKS
1. What is shear strength?
2. How will you find the Shear strength of Cohesive Soil?
3. What are shear strength parameters?
4. What is Mohr coulomb theory?
5. What are the merits and demerits of direct shear test?
6. What do you mean by stress‐path?
7. What are advantages of tri axial tests?
8. How will you find the Shear Strength of Cohesion less Soil?
9. List out the types of shear tests based on drainage.
10. What is the effect of pore pressure on Shear Strength of Soil?
11. What are the factors that influence shear strength?
12. What is principle plane and principle stress?
13. What is strength envelope?
14. What is Mohr’s circle? What are the characteristics of Mohr’s circle?
16 MARKS
1. Two samples of a soil were subjected to shear tests. The results were as follows
Test No σ 3(kN/m²) σ 1 (kN/m²)
1 100 240
2 300 630
If a further sample of the same soil was tested under a minor principal stress of 200 kN/m²,
what value of major principal stress can be expected at failure?
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2. The results of a direct shear test on a 60mmx 60mm specimen are given below. Determine
shear strength parameters.
Normal load N 300 400 500
Shear force at failure, 195 263 324 399
N
3. Two identical soil specimens were tested in a triaxial apparatus. First specimen failed at a
deviator stress of 770kN / m 2 when the cell pressure was 2000kN / m 2Second specimen failed
at a deviator stress of 1370kN / m 2under a cell pressure of 4000 kN / m 2. Determine the ``C
and analytically. If the same soil is tested in a direct shear apparatus with a normal stress of
600kN / m2estimate the shear stress at failure.
4. What is the shear strength in terms of effective stress on a plane within a saturated soil
mass at a point where the total normal stress is 295 kN/m² and the pore water pressure is 120
kN m²? The effective stress parameters for the soil are c¹-12 kN/m² and q' = 30°
5. A direct shear test was performed on a 60 x 60 mm sample of dry sand. The normal load
was 360 N. The failure occurred at a shear load of 180 N. Plot the motor strength envelope
Assume, C = 0 Also determine principal stresses at failure.
6. Two identical specimens of a soil were tested in a triaxial apparatus. The first specimen
failed at a deviator stress of 770 kPa when the cell pressure was 200 kPa, while the second
specimen failed at a deviator stress of 1370 kPa under a cell pressure of 400 kPa. Determine
the shear strength parameters. Also, find the deviator stress at failure when the cell pressure
was 600 kPa. If the same soil is tested in a direct shear apparatus, estimate the shear stress at
which the sample will fail under a normal stress of 600 kPa.
7. Explain Mohr-Coulomb failure theory.
8. Briefly explain Vane Shear Tests.
9. Explain Unconfined Compressive Test.
10. Briefly explain Tri-axial compression.
11. Explain Direct shear.
UNIT - V
SLOPE STABILITY
Page 7 of 9
2 MARKS
1. What do you know about Infinite slope?
2. What do you mean by Finite Slope?
3. What are the two basic types of slope failure occurring in finite slope?
4. What are the two types of slope failure?
5. What are the types of slip surface in a Finite slope?
6. What do you mean by slide?
7. Define Stability number.
8. What are the Factor of safety used in stability Analysis of slopes?
9. Define: normally consolidated soil
10. Define: over consolidated soil.
11. What are the factors leading to the failure of slopes?
12. What is a land slide?
13. Define Depth factor.
14. What do you mean by planar failure?
15. Write down the assumptions made in the analysis of slope?
16. Define stability number.
16 MARKS
1. A slope is to be constructed in a soil for which C=0 and $=36°. It is to assumed that the
water table may occasionally reach the surface of a slope with seepage taking place parallel
to the slope. Determine the maximum slope for a factor of the 1.5, assuming a potential
failure surface parallel to the slope. What would be the factor of safety of slope, constructed
at this angle, if the water table should be below the surface? The saturated unit weight of the
soil is 19 kN/m³
2. A slope of very large extent of soil with properties C=0 and '= 32° is likely to be subjected
to seepage parallel to the slope with water level at the surface. Determine the maximum angle
of slope for a factor of safety of 1.5 treating it as an infinite slope. For this angle of slope
what will be the factor of safety if the water level were to come down well below the surface?
The saturated unit weight of soil is 20 kN/m³
3. An infinite sandy soil slope has a saturated unit weight of Ysat = 19.5 kN/m² and angle of
internal friction = 35. The minimum factor of safety needed for the slope against failure is 1.3
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estimate the safe angle of the slope 1. when the slope is dry without seepage 2. if seepage
occurs at and parallel to surface of the slope
4. An embankment of 10 m high is inclined at 35° to the horizontal. A stability analysis by
method of slices gave the following forces: Total normal forces = 900 kN Total tangential
forces = 420 kN, Neutral force 300 kN. If the length of the failure arc is 23 m, find the factor
of safety with respect to shear strength. The soil has C = 20 kN/m² and = 15⁰.
5. Calculate the factor of safety with the help of following data: The height of embankment is
10 m, slope of embankment is 45 degrees , summation of all forces along the plane is 180 kN,
summation of normal forces is 340 kN, summation of pore pressure is 60 kN, length of arc of
failure plane is 20 m, effective angle of shearing resistance is 15 degrees and effective
cohesion 18kN / (m ^ 2) . Consider pore water pressure as well as neglecting.
6. Explain friction circle method for analysis of infinite slope.
7. Briefly explain Fellenious method.
8. Explain Bishop’s method.
Prepared By Verified By Approved By
[Link] [Link] Brown Dr.M.S Ravi Kumar
AP/Civil HOD/Civil Principal
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