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MEC562 Midterm Examination Questionnaire_Final

The document outlines the take-home midterm examination for the MEC562 course on Ground Improvement Techniques at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines. It includes instructions for submission, discussion questions on compaction mechanisms and consolidation principles, and problem-solving tasks related to soil density and consolidation calculations. The exam is due on October 17, 2024, with penalties for late submissions.

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Liam Maglasang
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9 views

MEC562 Midterm Examination Questionnaire_Final

The document outlines the take-home midterm examination for the MEC562 course on Ground Improvement Techniques at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines. It includes instructions for submission, discussion questions on compaction mechanisms and consolidation principles, and problem-solving tasks related to soil density and consolidation calculations. The exam is due on October 17, 2024, with penalties for late submissions.

Uploaded by

Liam Maglasang
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF SOUTHERN

PHILIPPINES
Cagayan de Oro City Campus
Civil Engineering Department

MEC562: GROUND IMPROVEMENT TECHNIQUES


MIDTERM EXAMINATION

Name:___________________________________________ Section:________________
Date: October 12, 2024

Take-Home Midterm Exam Instructions


1. This is a take-home midterm exam.
2. Please use A4 paper format and type your answers in Arial font, size 12.
3. Write your answers in chronological order
4. The deadline for submission is October 17, 2024, at 5 PM.
5. Submit your completed exam as a PDF file through the USTep platform.
6. Late submissions will incur a deduction of 20 points.

Please adhere to these guidelines to ensure a successful submission. Good luck!

Part 1. Discussion
1. Explain briefly the mechanism analysis for shallow (surface) and deep (dynamic) compaction as shown
in Figure 1. (15pts)

(a) Shallow Compaction (b) Deep Compaction

Figure 2: Soil Compaction Mechanism

2. Discuss the principle of consolidation with vertical drain (Figure 2). (15pts)

Figure 2: PVD Lay-out

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Ground Improvement Techniques ---MEC562--- by: vkis-caingles
MEC562: Ground Improvement Techniques
Part 2. Problem Solving
1. Calculate the points on Zero Air Voids curve for specific gravity of soil solids of 2.7
and water contents of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35%. In addition, calculate the dry density
for the same conditions but with saturation of 80%. Draw the compaction curves for
100% saturated and 80% saturated. (10pts)

2. The specifications for an embankment require that the soil in the embankment be
compacted at 95% of standard Proctor density of 1.8 tons/m 3 with water content of 12%.
Investigations of the area reveal that the soil on the borrow pits has unit weight of 1.7
tons/m3 and water content of 10%. Estimate the quantity of soil excavated, in cubic
meter, from the borrow pit per 100 m3 of compacted soil of the embankment. (10pts)

3. Figure 3 shows the typical cross-section of the Reference Section of the Second
Bangkok International Airport. Crushed rocks were used as fill overlying the sand
blanket. The details of the fill materials are summarized in Table 1, while the properties
of the subsoil are given in Table 2. The PVD was CN (A1) drain, and the parameters
related to PVD are given in Table 3. Unit weight of groundwater is 10 kN/m 3. (50pts)

a) Assuming instantaneous loading of fill to 3.80m height, determine the time required to
achieve 90% degree of horizontal consolidation (Uh) of the very soft clay layer
considering the effects of PVD spacing, smear and well-resistance.

b) Obtain the total vertical settlements of very soft clay and medium stiff clay layers.

c) For the time obtained in item (a), calculate the corresponding vertical degree of
consolidation, Uv. Assume that medium stiff clay will drain at the bottom of PVD. Also,
for Uv < 60%, the following equation holds true:

d) Calculate the combined vertical and horizontal degree of consolidation of both very
soft clay and medium stiff clay layers.

Figure 3: Typical cross-section of Bangkok International Airport


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Ground Improvement Techniques ---MEC562--- by: vkis-caingles
MEC562: Ground Improvement Techniques

Table 1: Features of surcharge fill


Loading Loading Stage Loading Loading
Condition
Stage 1 2 Stage 3 Stage 4
Fill material Sand Sand Crushed Rock Crushed Rock
Fill height 1.0 0.50 1.3 1.0
Unit weight of fill
18 18 21 21
material (kN/m3)
Total surcharge
18 9 27.3 21
load (kPa)
Total time (Days) 160 20 129 201

Table 2: Properties of subsoils


Depth (m) Soil Type Properties
y = 16.5 kN/m3
0 – 1.5 Weathered crust
Ch = 4.36 m2/yr
y = 14.6 kN/m3
σvm = 52.5 kPa
Ch = 4.63 m2/yr
1.5 – 10 Very soft clay Cv = 2.31 m2/yr
Kh = 1x10-8 cms
CR = 0.441
RR = 0.086
y = 16.35 kN/m3
σvm = 90 kPa
10 - 13 Medium stiff clay Cv = 2.61 m2/yr
CR = 0.30
RR = 0.04

Table 3: Parameters related to PVD


Equivalent diameter, dw 0.052 m
Spacing of PVD, S 1.0 m (square pattern)
Diameter of smeared zone, ds 0.186 m
Discharge capacity, qw 50 m3/yr
Permeability ratio, kh/ks 10

Prepared and Approved by:


Vera Karla S. Caingles
Faculty

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Ground Improvement Techniques ---MEC562--- by: vkis-caingles

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