INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY KANPUR

Course: Soil Mechanics Course Code: CE252

Q1. A highly sensitive volcanic clay was investigated in the laboratory and found to have
the following properties:

Bulk unit weight of soil = 12.5 kN/m3; Voids ratio = 9.0; Specific gravity = 2.75 and Water
content = 311%

In rechecking the values, one of the values reported has been found to be inconsistent and
needs to be corrected. Undertake a trial-and-error method to find the inconsistent property
and correct the same.

Q2. Soil is excavated from a borrow-pit which has a density of 1.75g/cc and water content
of 12%. The specific gravity of the soil particles is 2.7. The soil is compacted so that the
water content is 18% and dry density is 1.65g/cc. For 1000 cu.m of soil in fill, estimate:

(i) the quantity of soil to be excavated from the pit in cu.m; (ii) The amount of water to be
added, and (iii) determine the void ratios of the soil in borrow pit and fill.

Q3. A sand deposit was investigated in the laboratory and found to have the following
properties in natural state:

Bulk unit weight of sand = 18.6 kN/m3; unit weight of soil solids = 26.3 kN/m3; and Water
content = 10%

The same sand when dumped loosely will experience a volume change of 18% due to
bulking. Determine the porosity of the sand in both cases i.e. in loose state and natural
state.

Q4. The in-situ percentage voids of a sand deposit in 34%. For determining the density
index, dried sand from the stratum was first filled loosely in a 1000 cm3 mould and then
vibrated to give a maximum density. The loose dry mass in the mould was 1610 gram,
and the dense dry mass at maximum compaction was found to be 1980 g. Determine the
density index if the specific gravity of the sand particles is 2.67.

Q5. 50 grams of oven dried soil sample is taken for sedimentation analysis. The
hydrometer reading in a 100 mL soil suspension 30 minutes after the commencement of
sedimentation test is 24.5. The effective depth for Rh = 25, found from the calibration curve
is 10.7 cm. the meniscus correction is found to be +0.5 and the composite correction as –

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 INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY KANPUR
Course: Soil Mechanics Course Code: CE252
Assignment #01
Topics: Phase relationship; Index properties; Classification of soils; Clay mineralogy; Compaction
Note: Assume suitable values if not provided

2.50 at the test temperature of 30 degree Celsius. Taking the specific gravity of particles
as 2.75 and viscosity of water as 0.008 poise, calculate the smallest particle size which
would have settled during this interval of 30 minutes and the percentage of particles finer
than this size.

Q6. The plastic limit of a soil is 25% and its plasticity index is 8%. When the soil is dried
from its state at plastic limit, the volume change is 25 % of its volume at plastic limit.
Similarly, the corresponding volume change from the liquid limit to the dry state is 34 %
of its volume at liquid limit. What is the shrinkage ratio and shrinkage limit. Provide
proper graphical plot in support of your answer.

Q7. An oven-dried sample of soil has a volume of 265 cm3 and a mass of 456 g. Taking G
= 2.71, determine the voids ratio and shrinkage limit. What will be the, water content
which will fully saturate the soil sample and also cause an increase in volume equal to
10% of the original dry volume.

Q8. The values of liquid limit, plastic limit and shrinkage limit of a soil were reported as
follows: L.L = 60 %; P.L = 30 %; S.L = 20 %.

If a sample of this soil at liquid limit has a volume of 40 cc. and its volume measured at
shrinkage limit was 23.5 cc, determine the specific gravity of the solids. What is the
shrinkage ratio and volumetric shrinkage.

Q9. A particle size analysis on a soil sample yields the following data:

(a) Plot the particle size distribution curve. Calculate the coefficient of uniformity (Cu)
and coefficient of curvature (Cc) of the sample. Calculate the d50 of the sample.

(b) Determine the amount of coarse-grained and fine-grained soils in the sample.

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 INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY KANPUR
Course: Soil Mechanics Course Code: CE252
Assignment #01
Topics: Phase relationship; Index properties; Classification of soils; Clay mineralogy; Compaction
Note: Assume suitable values if not provided

Q10. Soil profile at a construction site is provided below. The soil profile provides a vivid
description of the varying constituent soils:

(i) From the picture we see the West bank soil profile constitutes of Glacial and
Fluvial (Alluvial) sands; beneath the lake, the bed is made of lacustrine soils?
Describe each.
(ii) Provide the IS codal classification of soils based on sizes; provide a detailed
diagrammatic representation.
(iii) The ‘Test Pile 2’ in the figure is embedded in East bank clay. Upon
investigation, it was revealed the test failed due to presence of montmorillonite
clay. Why montmorillonite is not favoured and avoided in a construction site?
(iv) Provide proper diagrammatic representation of montmorillonite, illite and
kaolinite structure and explain in detail why montmorillonite undergoes
severe swelling-shrinkage compared to the other two clay?

Q11.

(i) What is soil fabric? Explain the differences between a flocculated and a
dispersed structure?
(ii) Explain (a) isomorphous substitution; (b) Double diffuse layer theory?
(iii) Provide major differences between Standard Proctor and Modified Proctor
test? Define ‘Placement Water content’ and ‘Relative Compaction’?

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 INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY KANPUR
Course: Soil Mechanics Course Code: CE252
Assignment #01
Topics: Phase relationship; Index properties; Classification of soils; Clay mineralogy; Compaction
Note: Assume suitable values if not provided

(iv) What is compaction curve? Sketch the plot and describe in brief the salient
features? What is zero air-voids line?
(v) How compaction influences the engineering properties of the soil? Explain the
terms ‘Dry of Optimum’ and ‘Wet of Optimum’ through proper diagram.

Q12. Sketch the plasticity chart used for classifying fine grained soil in the IS Soil
Classification system. Give the group symbols for the following soils:

(i) Liquid limit = 40%; Plastic limit = 22%

(ii) Liquid limit = 20%; Plastic limit = 14%

(iii) Passing 4.75 mm sieve = 70%; Passing 75-micron sieve = 8%

Uniformity coefficient = 7; Coefficient of curvature = 3; Plasticity index = 3.

Q13. The following data on consistency limits are available for two soils A and B.

Soil A Soil B
Plastic limit 16% 19%
Liquid limit 30% 52%
Flow index 11 6
Natural water content 32% 40%

Find which soil is (a) more plastic, (b) better foundation material on re-moulding (c) better
shear strength as a function of water content, (d) better shear strength at plastic limit.
Classify the soil as per ISCS. Do these soils have organic matter?

Q14. The following are the results of a compaction test:

Mass of mould + wet soil (g) 2925 3095 3150 3125 3070
Water content (%) 10 12 14.3 16.1 18.2
Volume of mould = 1000 mL; Mass of mould = 1000 g; Specific gravity of solids = 2.70

(i) Find the compaction curve showing the optimum moisture content and maximum dry
density (ii) Plot the zero-air void line (iii) Determine the degree of saturation at the
maximum dry density.