QUESTION BANK (UNIT WISE)

SUBJECT NAME : Geotechnical Engineering

UNIT-I
PART-A
Bloom's
[Link]. Coverage Questions Marks
Level
1 UNIT-I What is Geological Lifecycle? [1M] L1
2 UNIT-I Define Residual soil? [1M] L3
3 UNIT-I What is Alluvial soil? [1M] L1
4 UNIT-I What is void ratio and porosity? [1M] L1
5 UNIT-I Explain the Equation for relation between Void ratio and
[1M] L2
porosity.
6 UNIT-I Discuss 3 phased diagram of soil? [1M] L5
7 UNIT-I Define degree of saturation? [1M] L3
8 UNIT-I What is specific gravity of soils? [1M] L1
9 UNIT-I Explain relative density? [1M] L1
10 UNIT-I Explain Toughness index? [1M] L2

PART-B
Bloom's
[Link]. Coverage Questions Marks
Level
1 UNIT-I What is soil structure? Explain various types of soil [10M] L2
structure?
2 UNIT-I A soil sample has a total unit weight of 16.97KN/m3 and [10M] L3
a void ratio of 0.84. The specific gravity of solid is 2.70.
Determine the moisture content, dry unit weight and
degree of saturation of the sample?
3 UNIT-I I).A sample of wet silt clay soil has a mass of 126 Kg. [10M] L5
The following data were obtained from laboratory test on
soil sample: Wet density, p=2.1 g/cm3, G=2.7,water
content w=15%.Determine (i) dry density, pd,(ii) Porosity,
(iii) Void ratio,(iv) Degree of saturation.
4 UNIT-I A soil sample in its natural state has a weight of 5.05 kg [10M] L5
 and a volume of 0.041 [Link] an oven dried state, the dry
unit weight of sample is 4.49 lb. The specific gravity of
the solids is 2.68. Determine the total unit weight, water
content, void ratio, porosity and degree of saturation?
5 UNIT-I The natural moisture content of an excavated soil is 32%. [10M] L5
Its liquid limit is 60% and plastic limit is 27%. a)
Determine the plasticity index of soil?
b) The laboratory test on a soil sample of given the following
results.
Wn=24%, wl =62%, Wp=28%, Percentage of particle is less
than 2u=23%. Determine: a) Liquid index b) Activity number
c) Consistency.
6 UNIT-I Explain about the Specific gravity determination [10M] L2
methods, a) Pcnometer method, b) Density bottle
method, c) Oven drying method.
7 UNIT-I Explain about the unit weight determining methods, a) [10M] L2
Core-cutter method b) Sand replacement method.
8 UNIT-I a) Write about the particle size distribution curve? [10M] L3
b) Explain about the coefficient of uniformity, Coefficient of
curvature?
9 UNIT-I Write brief note about Atterberg limits. And write about [10M] L3
flow curve?
10 UNIT-I a) Explain about the IS classification of particle size. [10M] L2
b) The sieve analysis of a given soil sample of 57% of the
particles passing through 75 micron sieve. The liquid and
plastic limits of soils were 62 and 28 % respectively. Classify
the soil as per AASHTO and the Unified soil classification
System.

UNIT-II
PART-A
Bloom's
[Link]. Coverage Questions Marks
Level
1 UNIT-II Define permeability? [1M] L2
2 UNIT-II Discuss Darcy’s law? [1M] L4
3 UNIT-II What is seepage velocity? [1M] L1
4 UNIT-II Explain capillary rise? [1M] L2
5 UNIT-II Explain permeable soil? [1M] L2
6 UNIT-II What is impermeable soil? [1M] L1
7 UNIT-II Write the limitation of Darcy’s law. [1M] L3
8 UNIT-II What is the coefficient of percolation? [1M] L1
9 UNIT-II Define Quick sand? [1M] L1
10 UNIT-II Discuss flow net? [1M] L4

PART-B
[Link]. Coverage Questions Marks Bloom's
 Level
1 UNIT-II A constant head permeability test was carried out on a [10M] L2
cylindrical sample of sand 4m in diameter, and 6m in
height, 10 in m3 per sec of water collected in 1.75 sec,
under head of 12m, compute the hydraulic conductivity
in m3/sec and velocity of flow.
2 UNIT-II A sand sample of 35cm2 cross sectional area and 20cm [10M] L3
long was tested in a constant head parameter. Under a
head of 60cm, the discharge was 120ml in 6min. The dry
weight of sand used for the test was 1120g, and Gs=2.68.
Determine the a) Hydraulic conductivity, b) Discharge
velocity and c) Seepage velocity.
3 UNIT-II A sand deposit contains 3 distinct horizontal layers of [10M] L5
equal thickness the hydraulic conductivity of upper and
lower layers is 10-3 cm/sec and that of middle is10-2
cm/sec. Calculate the equivalent values of Horizontal
and vertical hydraulic conductivities of 3 layers and It is
ratio.
4 UNIT-II Explain about the Characteristic of flow net. [10M] L2
5 UNIT-II A Concrete dam is constructed across a river over a [10M] L5
preamble stratum of soil of limited thickness. The water
heads are upstream side 16m and 2m on the downstream
side. The flow net constructed under the dam gives Nf=4
and Nd=12. Calculate the seepage loss through the
subsoil if the average value of the hydraulic conductivity
is 6x10-3 cm/sec horizontally and 3x10-4 cm/sec
vertically. Calculate the exit gradient if the average
length of the last field is 0.9m. Assuming e=0.56 and
Gs=2.65, determine the critical gradient.
6 UNIT-II A soil strata consists of thickness 1m, 1.5m, and 2m [10M] L5
having coefficient of permeability of 2x10-3 m/sec,
1.5x10-3 m/sec and 3x10-3 m/sec respectively. Estimate
the average coefficient of permeability in the direction of
a) parallel to the plane b) perpendicular to plane.
7 UNIT-II A clay layer 3.6m Thick rests on beneath a deposit of [10M] L5
submerged sand is 7.92 m thick. The top sand is located
3.05m below the surface of a lake. The saturated unit
weight of the sand is 19.62kN/m3, and of the clay is
18.36 kN/m3.
Compute the a) Total vertical pressure b) The pore water
pressure c) The effective vertical pressure.
8 UNIT-II a) Determine the average horizontal and vertical [10M] L4
permeabilities of soil mass made up of 3 horizontal
strata, each of 1m thick, the coefficient of permeability
1x10-1 mm/sec, 3x10-1mm/sec, 8x10-1mm/sec for the
layers.
b) Write about the constant head permeability method.
9 UNIT-II Write the principle of flow net characteristic and explain [10M] L2
in detail.
b) Explain the phenomenon of piping.
10 UNIT-II What is the Quick sand and how can we prevent [10M] L2
quicksand condition.
b) Explain about the critical hydraulic gradient and quick
sand condition.
UNIT-III
PART-A
Bloom's
[Link]. Coverage Questions Marks
Level
1 UNIT-III Write about pressure bulb? [1M] L2
2 UNIT-III Define compaction? [1M] L3
3 UNIT-III Explain the mechanism of compaction? [1M] L2
4 UNIT-III Write short notes on field compaction control? [1M] L2
5 UNIT-III Differentiate compaction and consolidation? [1M] L5
6 UNIT-III Differentiate standard proctor and modified proctor test? [1M] L5
7 UNIT-III What is the unit in which compaction is measured? [1M] L1
8 UNIT-III Explain zero air voids line? [1M] L2
9 UNIT-III What is Isobar? [1M] L1
10 UNIT-III Write about the new mark’s chart? [1M] L2

PART-B
Bloom's
[Link]. Coverage Questions Marks
Level
1 UNIT-III State the Bossiqness’s equation for vertical stress at a point [10M] L2
due to a load on the surface of an elastic medium.
2 UNIT-III Derive as per Boussinesq’s theory, expression for vertical [10M] L3
stress at any point in a soil mass due to strip load.
3 UNIT-III Derive the Westergaard’s solution and limitations of [10M] L5
elastic theories.
4 UNIT-III Derive vertical stress under trapezoidal loads, horizontal [10M] L5
load, and inclined load.
5 UNIT-III Explain the Newmark’s Influence charts and their uses. [10M] L2
6 UNIT-III i).Write short notes on method on compaction and field [10M] L6
compaction method
ii). Discuss the effect of compaction on soil properties.
7 UNIT-III What are the types of rollers used for compacting different [10M] L2
types of soils in the field? How do you decide the
compactive effort required for compacting the soil to a
desired density in field?
8 UNIT-III i).What are the methods adopted for measuring the density [10M] L2
of the compacted soil?
ii).Briefly describe the on which will suit all types
of soils.
9 UNIT-III i).A rectangular area of 2m X 4m carries u.d.l. of 10t/m2 [10M] L2
at the ground surface. Estimate the vertical pressure at the
depth of 8m vertically below a corner of the loaded area.
ii). What do you understand by geostatic stresses? How
are these determined?
10 UNIT-III A concentrated load of 200kN is applied at the ground [10M] L4
surface. Determine the vertical stress at a point P which is
6m directly below the load. Also calculate the vertical stress
at a point R which is at a depth 6m but at a horizontal
 distance of 5m from the axis of the load.

UNIT-IV
PART-A

Bloom's
[Link]. Coverage Questions Marks
Level
1 UNIT-IV Define normally consolidated soil? [1M] L2
2 UNIT-IV Define under consolidated soil? [1M] L2
3 UNIT-IV Define over consolidated soils? [1M] L2
4 UNIT-IV Explain the significance of pre-consolidation pressure? [1M] L2
5 UNIT-IV What is compression index? [1M] L1
6 UNIT-IV Define coefficient of consolidation? [1M] L2
7 UNIT-IV Differentiate between compacttion and consolidation of soils? [1M] L4
8 UNIT-IV Explain about immediate settlement? [1M] L2
9 UNIT-IV What is primary consolidation? [1M] L1
10 UNIT-IV Define secondary consolidation? [1M] L2

PART-B
Bloom's
[Link]. Coverage Questions Marks
Level
1 UNIT-IV i).Explain the phenomena of secondary [10M] L2
consolidation.
ii).Differentiate between the secondary consolidation index
and the coefficient of secondary consolidation.
2 UNIT-IV i).What are the different causes of pre consolidation of soils? [10M] L1
Ii).What is the effect of pre consolidation on the settlement?
3 UNIT-IV What is over consolidation soil? Explain briefly with [10M]
an example.
4 UNIT-IV i).Discuss Terzaghi’s theory of consolidation, stating the [10M] L2
various assumptions and their validity
ii). Explain the different e-log p curves for the consolidation
5 UNIT-IV Differentiate between [10M] L6
(i) primary consolidation and secondary consolidation
(ii) Standard and modified Proctor test.
 6 UNIT-IV How do you determine the pre-consolidation pressure and [10M] L2
its determination in soil engineering practice
7 UNIT-IV i).Explain the significance of pre-consolidation pressure. [10M] L2
Ii).Describe the Casagrande method of determining it?
8 UNIT-IV i).A soil sample 20 mm thick takes 20 minutes to reach [10M] L6
20% consolidation. Find the time taken for a clay layer 6 m
thick to reach 40% consolidation. Assuming double
drainage in both the cases.
9 UNIT-IV Saturated soil of 5 m thick lies above an impervious stratum [10M] L6
and below a pervious stratum. It has a compression index of
0.25 with k = 3.2×10-10 m/sec. Its void ratio at a stress of 147
kN/m2 is 1.9. Compute (i) The change in voids ratio due to
increase of stress to 196 kN/m (ii) Coefficient of volume
compressibility (iii) Coefficient of consolidation (iv) Time
required for 50% consolidation.
10 UNIT-IV A laboratory sample of lay 2cm thick took 15min to attain [10M] L5
60% consolidation under a double drainage condition. What
will be the time required to attain the same degree of
consolidation for a clay layer 3cm thick under the
foundation of a building for a similar loading and
drainage condition, What is the value of cv.

UNIT-V
PART-A

Bloom's
[Link]. Coverage Questions Marks
Level
1 UNIT-V What are the important characteristics of Mohr’s circle? [1M] L1
2 UNIT-V Explain the merits of direct shear test? [1M] L2
3 UNIT-V What are the different tests for shear strength? [1M] L1
4 UNIT-V Explain the various demerits of direct shear test? [1M] L2
5 UNIT-V Define Dilatancy? [1M] L1
6 UNIT-V Define liquefaction? [1M] L1
7 UNIT-V Explain unconfined compression test? [1M] L2
8 UNIT-V Discuss the shear characteristics of cohesive soils? [1M] L2
9 UNIT-V Write revised Mohr-coulomb equation? [1M] L3
 10 UNIT-V What are the merits and demerits of triaxial test? [1M] L1

PART-B
Bloom's
[Link]. Coverage Questions Marks
Level
1 UNIT-V i).Explain Mohr-Coulomb theory of shear strength. [10M] L2
ii). Sketch typical strength envelope for a soft clay, clean
sand and a silky clay
2 UNIT-V What are the advantages and disadvantages of a tri [10M] L3
axial compression test in comparison with a direct shear test?
3 UNIT-V i).What are the advantages and disadvantages of direct [10M] L1
shear test over triaxial test?
ii).Explain about triaxial compression test?
4 UNIT-V A vane 11.25 cm long and 7.5 cm in diameter was pressed [10M] L5
into soft clay at the bottom of a borehole. Torque was
applied to cause failure of soil. The shear strength of clay
was found to be 37 kN/m2. Determine the torque that was
applied?
5 UNIT-V A direct shear test was performed on a 6cm x 6cm sample [10M] L4
of dry sand the normal load was 360N. The failure occurred
at a shear load of [Link] the Mohr strength envelope
and determine ᴓ.
Assume c=0 also determine principal stress at failure.
6 UNIT-V A consolidated drained triaxial test was conducted on a [10M] L2
granular soil. At failure σ1’/σ3’ =4.0. The effective minor
principal stress at failure was 100kN/m2. Compute ϕ’ and
the principal stress difference at failure.
7 UNIT-V A). drained triaxial test on sand with σ3’ =150 kN/m2 gave [10M] L3
(σ1’/σ3’) =3.7. Compute (a) σ1f’ (b) (σ1-σ3)f and ϕ’?
B). Explain about triaxial compression?
8 UNIT-V i). A consolidated drained triaxial test was conducted on a [10M] L5
granular soil. At failure σ1’/σ3’ =4.0. The effective minor
principal stress at failure was 100kN/m2. Compute ϕ’ and
the principal stress
difference at failure.
i). Explain liquefaction of soils?
9 UNIT-V A remolded specimen of soil prepared by compaction to [10M] L3
standard proctor maximum dry unit weight at optimum
moisture content is used for consolidated-undrained triaxial
test with pore pressure measurements. The test results are
given below:
Test Cell pressure Deviator stress Pore
pressure No (kN/m2)at failures (kN/m2)
(kN/m2)
1 40 300 05
2 100 443 10
3 165 615 12
Determine the values of effective shear stress parameters by
(i) Drawing Mohr envelope (ii) Drawing modified envelope
10 UNIT-V A consolidated drained triaxial test was conducted on a [10M] L2
granular soil. At failure σ1’/σ3’ =4.0. The effective minor
principal stress at failure was 100kN/m2. Compute ϕ’ and
the principal stress difference at failure.

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