By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Soil Mechanics and Foundations 15%

A. Index properties and Soil classifications

B. Phase relation (air-water-solid)
C. Laboratory and field tests
D. Effective stress (buoyancy)
E. Retaining walls (e.g. active pressure/passive pressure)
F. Shear strength
G. Bearing capacity (cohesive and noncohesive)
H. Foundation types (e.g. spread footing, piles, wall
footings, mats)
I. Consolidation and differential settlement
J. Seepage
K. Slope stability (e.g. fills embankments, cuts, dams)
L. Soil stabilization (e.g. chemical additives, geosynthetics)

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Aggregate soil properties
The aggregate index properties are essentially weight-
volume relationships. In any sample of soil, there will be
some air filed voids, water-filled voids, and solid material.
The percentages of these constituents (by both volume and
weight) are used to calculate the aggregate properties.

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

 The porosity is
n = Vv / Vt

The void ratio is

e = Vv /Vs

The water content is

w = Ww / Ws

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

 The volume of the sample will decrease as the water content is
reduced down to the shrinkage limit, w = SL. Below the shrinkage
limit, air enters the voids and the water content decreases are not
accompanied by decreases in volume.

The degree of saturation is

s = Vw / V

The soil density is

= Wt / Vt

The dry density is

d = Ws / Vt

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

 If the water content is known, the dry density (also known as the bulk
density) of a moist sample can be found from the following equation

d = Wt / (1+w)Vt = / (1 + w)

The compacted density (zero air voids density) is

z = Ws / (Vw + Vs)

The density of the solid constituents is

s = Ws /Vs

The percent pore space is

PPS = Vv / Vt = 1 (Vs / Vt) = 1 ( d / s )

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

The specific gravity of the solid constituents is given by the
following equation, the specific gravity of sand is approximately 2.65,
and for clay it ranges from 2.5 to 2.9 with an average around 2.7.
SGs = s / (w ) = s / ( 62.4)
Typical values of these soil parameters are given in the following
table
Typical soil
Description n indexes
e Wsat s sat
Sand, loose and uniform 0.46 0.85 0.32 90 118

Sand, dense and uniform 0.34 0.51 0.19 109 130

Sand, loose and mixed 0.40 0.67 0.25 99 124

Sand, dense and mixed 0.30 0.43 0.16 116 135

Glacial clay, soft 0.55 1.20 0.45 76 110

Glacial clay, stiff 0.37 0.60 0.22 106 129

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Problem
A soil sample has a total mass of 23.3 g, a volume of 12 cm3,
an oven-dry mass of 21.2g, and a specific gravity of 2.5 for
the solids.
The void ratio of this soil sample is most nearly
(A) 0.42
(B) 0.53
(C) 0.62
(D) 0.71

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Solution
For this problem, soil is modeled as a three phase system

In this model,
Vt = total volume mt = total mass
Vv = volume of voids mw= mass of water
Va = volume of air ms= mass of solids
Vw= volume of water Vs= volume of solids

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

The volume of soil solids is given by the following equation, in
which G is the specific gravity of the solids and w is the
density of water.

Vs = ms / G w = 21.2g / 2.5 (1g / cm3 )= 8.48 cm3

The volume of the voids is found by subtracting the volume of
solids from the total volume.
Vv = Vt Vs
= 12 cm3 8.48 cm3
= 3.52 cm3
The void ratio is
e = Vv / Vs = 3.52 / 8.48 = 0.415 ( 0.42) cm3
The answer is A
By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.
Problem
Given the phase diagram shown for a saturated soil, what is
most nearly the void ratio?
(A) 0.25
(B) 0.49
(C) 1.9
(D) 3.0

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Solution
The void ratio is defined as the volume of the voids divided by the
volume of the solids and is typically not expressed as a percentage.
For the given saturated conditions and assuming a unit value for the
volume of the solids, a simplified method based on the phase
relation-ship between the degree of saturation and the void ratio can
be used
S=w(SG) /e = w (s / w) / e
Solve the relationship for the void ration, knowing that the degree of
saturation is 1.0
e= (0.18) (170 Ibf/ ft3/62.4 Ibf/ ft3) / 1.0 =0.49

The answer is B

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Problem
Given the factor shown in the illustration, the settlement of
the fill due to the compression of both clay layers normally
loaded is most nearly.
(A) 2 m
(B) 4 m
(C) 6 m
(D) 8 m

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Solution
Clay I Settlement
P0 = 7.5 (1980 -1000) = 6675
P = 5 x 2002 + 7.5 (1980 -1000)= 16685
S = Cc / (1+e0) H log (P/ P0)
= 0.414 /(1+1.2 ) 15 Log (16685 / 6675) = 1.12 m
Clay II
P0 = 15 x (1890 -1000) +10 (2322-1000)
+20 (2082 -1000) = 48210
P = 48210 + 5x2002 = 58220
S = 1.6/1+0.79 40 Log 58220/48210 = 2.93 m
The answer is B

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Clay

Time for consolidation days = T (H/2)2

Cv

Where T = Time factor for % consolidation

Cv = Coefficient of consolidation /day

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Bearing Capacity in sand
The base of a 2 m wide continuous footing is 1 m below the round
surface. The cohesionless soil under the footing has the following
properties

= 1835 Kg /m3 Nc=9.6

=10 Nq=2.7
C= 0.0 N =1.2
If a factor of safety of three is required, the allowable bearing capacity
of the soil under the footing is most nearly
(A) 17 kPa
(B) 23 kPa
(C) 49 kPa
(D) 70 kPa
By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.
Solution

Q ultimate = CNc + Df Nq +0.5 B N

Sand C=0
Q ultimate = (1835 x 1 x 2.7) + (0.5 x 1835 x 2 x 1.2) = 7.156
Qnet =7.156 1.835 x 1 =5 .3
Therefore qa =5.3/3 =1.77 = 17.4=17

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Problem
Given the slope shown, the factor of safety using the Taylor
method is most nearly

(A) 0.47
(B) 2.1
(C) 2.3
(D) 2.6

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Solution
F.O.S = NoC / H

d=D/ H =/35= where D is not given so assumed to be

Go to the curve with slope angle and d=D/ H to get No

Therefore No =5.5
F.O.S =(5.5 x 1500)/(113 x 35) = 2.1

The answer is B

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Problem
An excavated slope in a uniform soil is shown.

The soil properties are unit weight, =17.3 KN/m3

cohesion c=19.2 KPa, and friction angle, =15.
The factor of safety for slope stability is most nearly
(A) 1.5 (B) 2.3
(C) 2.9 (D) 3.4

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

The following diagram shows relationships between forces on a free-body
diagram of the soil wedge.
The shear force along the assumed failure plane, S, is the force that
resists sliding.
S = cL + N tan
= c L + W cos tan
The force that drives sliding of the soil wedge along the assumed failure
plane is W sin
The factor of safety against sliding, FS, is defined as the resisting force
divided by the driving force.
F.O. S = S / W sin = cL + W cos tan
W sin

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

L= / Sin =15m / Sin 20 =43.9 m
X = L cos (15 m / tan 40)
= (43.9 m) cos 20- (15 m / tan 40) =23.4 m

W = Asoil wedge
= (1/2) (23.4 m) (15 m ) (17.3 KN/m3 ) =3036 KN/m

F.O. S = cL + W cos tan

W sin
= (19.2 KPa) (43.9 m)+ (3036 KN/m) cos 20 tan 15 = 1.5
(3036 KN/m) sin 20
The answer is A

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Problem
The following laboratory results were obtained for a soil sample.
Particle size distribution
(Percent passing)
Sieve no. B1 (5-6 ft)
no. 8 (2.36 mm) 100
no. 16 (1.18 mm) 99.3
no. 30 (0.60 mm) 97.9
no. 50 (0.30 mm) 93.1
no. 100 (0.15 mm) 77.2
no. 200 (0.075 mm) 58.6

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

 Atterberg limits
Liquid limit 29
lastic limit 19

Classify B1 (5-6 ft) according to the AASHTO system

(A) A-3
(B) A-4
(C) A-6
(D) A-7-6

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Solution
The plasticity index, PI can be calculated from the liquid limit, LL, and
the plastic limit, PL
PI = LL PL = 29-19 =10
Use the AASHTO soil classification flow chart from left to right to
determine the soil group. Check the criteria and move to the next
column (immediate right) if any of the criteria fail in the first column.

Laboratory data for the percentage passing the no. 10 or no. 40 sieve
sizes in not provided because the percentage passing the no. 8 sieve is
100 %. Therefore the percent passing the no. 200 sieve criteria is the first
sieve analysis requirement to pass, indicating the soil type is in the A-4
group.

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

The remaining criteria for liquid limit and plasticity index are also met.
Therefore, B1 (5-6Ft) is an A-4 group classification.
The answer is B

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Problem
Using the American Association of the stage high-way and transportation
officials (AASHTO) soil classification system, determine the classification
of soil with the following characteristics.
F200 = 0.34
Liquid limit (LL ) =39
Plastic limit (PL) =29

(A) A-2-4
(B) A-2-5
(C) A-4
(D) A-6
By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.
Solution
PI = LL PL = 39-29 = 10
F200 = 34 %
From the table the soil is Granular materials A-2-4
The answer is A

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Problem
Using the unified soil classification system, classify a soil with the
following characteristics
F200=0.69
Liquid limit (LL) =72
Plasticity limit (PI) =48

(A) GW
(B) ML
(C) MH
(D) CH

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Solution
When F200 is 0.69, the soil is first classified as fine grained. From the
plasticity chart. For an LL of 72 and a PI of 48, the soil is classified as
CH

The answer is D

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Problem
Use the AASHTO soil classification System, identify the classification for
the soil with the following characteristics
Grain size %passing
no.10 72
no.40 55
no.200 41
Plasticity index (PI) =15
Liquid limit (LL) =32
(A) A-2 (B) A-4
(C) A-5 (D) A-6

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Solution
The soil is first classified as silty- clay material because 41 % pass
through the no. 200 sieve. With an LL of 32 and a PI of 15, the soil is
classified as A-6

The answer is D

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Problem
For the 50 ft wide sheet pile dam shown, approximate the seepage rate. The
coefficient of permeability for the soil is 3 x 10-5 in/sec.

(A) 5.0 x 10-5 Ft3 /sec

(B) 2.5 x 10-5 Ft3 /sec
(C) 5.0 x 10-5 Ft3 /sec
(D) 5.0 x 10-2 Ft3 /sec

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Solution
The seepage rate can be determined from Darcys law.
Q=KHL (Nf/Nd)
Count the number of flow channels and equipotential drops
(respectively) NF= 4 Nd=8
The seepage rate is
Q= (3x10 -5 in/sec) (1ft/12 in) (40 ft) (50Ft) (4/8)
=2.5 x 10-3 Ft3 /sec

The answer is B

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Problem
Given the homogeneous earth dam and flow net shown, what is most
nearly the approximate seepage rate per unit width of dam if the water
height behind the dam is 28 ft? The coefficient of permeability, K, is 3.7 x
10-4 ft/min

(A) 8.6 x 10-5 Ft3 /sec

(B) 12 x 10-5 Ft3 /sec
(C) 1.7 x 10-5 Ft3 /sec
(D) 6.9 x 10-5 Ft3 /sec

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Solution
In reference to the given flow net, the rate of seepage per unit width
of the earth dam can be determined when the height of the water is
28 ft behind the dam.
Q= KH (Nf/Np) where Nf=4 & Np=6
= (3.7x 10-4 ft/min) x 28 ft (4/6)
60 sec/min
= 12 x 10-5 ft3/ sec per ft of dam width

The answer is B

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Problem
Given the soil profile shown, what is most nearly the total horizontal stress
at a depth of 23 ft?

(A) 980 lbf/ ft2

(B) 1060 lbf/ ft2
(C) 1140 lbf/ ft2
(D) 1330 lbf/ ft2

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Solution
Since groundwater (hydrostatic conditions) is not present, the
effective stress and the total stress are equal. The coefficient of
lateral earth pressure at rest can be used to express the ratio of the
horizontal stress to the vertical stress.

Ko = h / v

h= Ko v= Ko xD x m= (0.4) (23 ft) (115 Ibf/ ft3)

=1058 Ibf/ ft2 (1060 Ibf/ ft2)

The answer is B

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Earth Retaining Structures
Problem
The gravity wall shown has been designed to resist overturning and
sliding. The total vertical force component made up of the self-weight of
the wall is 14 kips per unit length of wall.

The approximate factor of safety against sliding is

(A) 1.1
(B) 1.6
(C) 1.7
(D) 2.1

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Solution
Use the Ranking method to determine the coefficient of active earth
pressure.
Ka= 1 - sin = 1- sin 27 = 0.38
1 + sin 1+ sin 27

The horizontal active earth pressure at the base of the gravity wall
can be calculated for cohesionless soil.

Active Earth Pressure (Pa) = ka H

= (0.38) (109.1 Ibf / ft3) (12 ft)
= 497 lbf/ft2

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

The horizontal active resultant is located at the centroid of the triangular
active pressure distribution along the backfill face. The centroid is
located 4 ft above the base of the gravity wall. The active resultant can
be calculated as
Ra= PaH = (1/2) (497 Ibf/ ft2) (12 ft) = 2982 lbf/ ft of wall length
The resistance to sliding can be calculated using the relationship for a
keyless foundation base.
RSL = W tan + cAB
Due to a vertical backfill face, the vertical resultant does not exist. The
resistance to sliding is
RS = (l4,000 IBF/ ft )tan 20 + (l50 Ibf / ft2) (8ft)= 6296 lbf/ft of wall length
The factor of safety against sliding may be determined as
F.O.S = Rs / Ra = 6296 (Ibf/ft) / 2982 (lbf/ ft) =2.1
The answer is B
By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.
Problem
The vertical stress at point A due to 6000 Ib point load as shown is about

(A) 32 lb/ ft2

(B) 64 lb/ ft2
(C) 96 lb/ ft2
(D) 128 lb/ ft2

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.

Solution
r/z = 4/4=1.0 from the curve get Cr=0.0844
z = Cr P/ z2 = 0.0844 (6000 / 4x4) = 31.65 Ib/ ft2

The answer is A

By Dr. Gamal Helmy, Ph.D., P.E.