School of Information Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics Discipline of Civil Engineering

CV311: Geotechnical Engineering

Assignment 1
Total Marks: 200 Weight: 5%

Due Date: 16 April 2024 Time: 12: 59 pm

Part A: Numerical Analysis

Question 1 (25 marks)

a. Three groups of students from the Geotechnical Engineering

class collected soil-aggregate samples for laboratory testing
from a recycled aggregate processing plant in Coral Coast,
Fiji. 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.

i. Determine the coefficient of uniformity and the

coefficient of gradation for Soils A, B, and C. (5mrks)

ii. Which one is coarser: Soil A or Soil C? Justify your answer.

(5mrks)

iii. With the help of particle size distribution graph, define the
following (i) Well graded soil (ii) poorly graded soil (iii)
gap graded soil (5mrks)

b. In a hydrometer analysis 50 g of soil was mixed in water to form 1000ml uniform soil suspension.
The corrected hydrometer reading after a lapse of 60mts from the start of sedimentation was
1.010 and the corresponding effective depth was 108 mm. Determine the effective diameter
corresponding to 60mts reading and percentage of particles finer than this size. G= 2.7
viscosity of water is 0.001 Ns/m2 (10 marks)

Question 2 (40 Marks)

a. Define void ratio, porosity, air content and percentage of air voids (6 marks)
b. Explain with a neat sketch the three phase diagram for soil. Define air content and
percentage air voids with the help of phase diagram. (6 marks)
(𝐺𝑠 +𝑒) 𝜌𝑤
c. Derive from the first principle the expression 𝜌𝑠𝑎𝑡 = . (5 marks)
1+𝑒

d. Calculate the void ratio and dry density of the soil sample with 25% porosity if the specific
gravity is 2.75 (3 marks)

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School of Information Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics Discipline of Civil Engineering

e. The wet weight of the soil specimen having size 40 mm diameter and 80 mm height is
1.6N. Its weight after 24 hrs of oven drying is 1.4N. Determine the water content, dry unit
weight, bulk unit weight, void ratio and degree of saturation. The specific gravity of soil
can be taken as 2.7. (5 marks)
f. Define Stoke's law and its limitations. (3 marks)
g. Explain effective stress principle (3 marks)
h. State and explain Darcy’ s law. (3 marks)
i. Define normally consolidated soil, over consolidated soil and under consolidated
soil. (6 marks)

Question 3 (15 Marks)

a. What are the index properties of soil? Why are they important? (3 marks)
b. The plastic limit and plasticity index of the soil are 13% and 10 respectively. If the natural
water content of the soil is 18%. Determine the following. i) Liquid Limit ii)Liquidity Index iii)
Consistency Index (6 marks)
c. A 2-m-high sandy fill material 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 =2.65, determine the dry unit weight of the fill before and
after compaction. (5 marks)

Question 4 (20 Marks)

a. Consider the results of a Standards Compaction Test as show below

ω (%) 6 8.2 9.7 11.7 12.3 13.2

g (kN/m3) 16.5 18.3 19.5 20.4 20.3 19.9
gd 15.7 17.1 17.5 18.4 18.2 17.8

i. Determine the max. dry unit weight and the OMC (3 marks)
ii. What is the dry unit weight and moisture range at 93% relative compaction?
(2.5 marks)
iii. Determine the degree of saturation at the maximum dry density if Gs – 2.65 (2.5
marks)

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School of Information Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics Discipline of Civil Engineering

b. An embankment of a highways is 33 m wide and 1.8 m thick is to be constructed from a

sandy soil, trucked in from a barrow pit. The water content of the sandy soil in the barrow
pit is 17 % and its void ratio is 0.67. Specifications require the embankment to be
compacted to a dry unit weight of 18 kN/m3. Determine , for 1.5 km length of
embankment, the following
i. The dry unit weight of sandy soil from the barrow pit required to construct the
embankment, assuming that Gs =2.70; (3 marks)
ii. The number of 7m3 truckloads of sand soil required to construct the embankment
(3 marks)
iii. The weight of the water per truck load of sandy soils, and (3 marks)
iv. The degree of saturation of the in-situ sandy soil (3 marks)

Question 5 (25 marks)

a. What are the advantages of triaxial test over direct shear test? (4 marks)
b. Write the laboratory tests to determine the shear strength parameters of soil. (6 marks)
c. A vane 108mm long and 72mm in diameter was pressed into a soft clay at the bottom of the
bore hole. Torque was applied and its value at failure was 45N.m. Find the shear strength of
the clay on the horizontal plane. If the top of the vane is flush with the surface of the soft clay,
find the torque that is required to be applied for failure(5 marks)
d. In a drained triaxial test on a dense sand the cell pressure was 150kPa and the deviator stress
to cause failure was 540kPa. Calculate the angle of internal friction. Also find the angle made
by the failure plane with respect to the major principal plane(5 marks)
e. A sample in a variable head permeameter is 100mm in diameter and 120mm high. The
permeability of the sample estimated to be 10-3mm/s. If it is desired that the head in the stand
pipe should fall from 250mm to 100mm in 180s, determine the size of the stand pipe to be used
(5 marks)

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School of Information Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics Discipline of Civil Engineering

Part B: Research Skills Development

For this part of the assignment, you are tasked with investigating a geotechnical disaster of your
choice and providing a comprehensive analysis of its technical aspects. Your report should
encompass the geological characteristics of the site, details of the disaster event, its underlying
causes, and any remedial actions implemented post-disaster.

Instructions:

1. Choose a Geotechnical Disaster: Select a geotechnical disaster that has occurred in any
part of the world. This could include events such as landslides, slope failures, soil
liquefaction, foundation failures, or any other relevant geotechnical hazard.

2. Geological Overview: Begin your analysis by providing a brief overview of the geological
conditions at the disaster site. Describe the geological formations, soil types, topographical
features, and any other relevant geological factors that contributed to the disaster.

3. Description of Disaster: Outline the specific details of the disaster event, including the date,
location, magnitude, and extent of the damage caused. Provide insights into the
immediate impacts of the disaster on infrastructure, human settlements, and the
environment.

4. Causes of the Disaster: Investigate and analyze the root causes and triggering factors that
led to the geotechnical disaster. Consider geological, hydrological, climatic,
anthropogenic, or other relevant factors that contributed to the occurrence of the event.

5. Remedial Works: Research and discuss any remedial measures or mitigation strategies that
were implemented following the disaster. Evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions
in reducing the risk of future geotechnical hazards and enhancing the resilience of the
affected area.

6. Sources: Ensure that all information presented in your report is sourced from approved
reports and peer-reviewed journal papers. Cite your sources accurately using a consistent
citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).

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Submission Guidelines:

 Your report should be well-structured and written in clear, concise language.

 Include relevant diagrams, maps, or illustrations to support your analysis where necessary.

 The length of your report should be approximately 1500-2000 words.

 Submit your assignment electronically in PDF format via the designated online platform by
the specified deadline.

Evaluation Criteria:

 Depth of Research: Thoroughness and comprehensiveness of the investigation

conducted.

 Technical Analysis: Accuracy and clarity in presenting the technical details of the
geotechnical disaster.

 Critical Thinking: Ability to analyze the causes of the disaster and evaluate the
effectiveness of remedial measures.

 Use of Sources: Appropriateness and relevance of the cited reports and journal papers.

 Presentation: Clarity, organization, and professionalism of the written report, including

proper referencing and use of supporting visuals.

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