Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering

Examinations MODEL SOLUTIONS and MARKS Scheme

module code: module title:
ce 2004 geotechnical engineering

please start each question on a new sheet. solutions may be hand written.
Question No.A1 Marks
(out of 100*)

Answers should explain the process of site investigation and the use
of a staged approach. 20/100
The importance of the desk study should be explained and should
include examples of where data might be found which can inform
the investigation stage. Reference to geology should be made and
how historic maps can be used to inform the study. The inclusion of
a walk over should be mentioned and higher marks will be awarded
for answers which discuss what might be looked for during the walk
over. Recent local work might be mentioned and observations of the 20/100
neighbouring property and features included.
The intrusive investigation stage should be discussed and should
include types of intrusive investigation mention of methods such as
trial pits dynamic sampling CPT testing boreholes both cable tool
and rotary. 20/100
Sample class should be mentioned answers which discuss class 1
sampling for high end testing will be awarded higher marks
reference to the requirements of Eurocode should be included

Good answers will develop a methodical order with good

explanation of methods and will include some comment on
applicability in various situations. Marks will be awarded for a good 40/100
logical approach to the answer.

[40% of paper]

* for question A1 marks are given as a breakdown out of 100 marks for each question (e.g. 5/100)
while weight in the examination paper should be given as percentage (e.
 Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering

Examinations MODEL SOLUTIONS and MARKS Scheme

Module Code: Module Title:
CE2004 Geotechnical engineering

Please start each question on a new sheet. Solutions may be hand written.
Question No.B1 Marks
(out of 100)

a)
The description of the process should include the effect of the increase
in pressure on both the soils and water. Mention of the fact that both 40/100
soil and water re incompressible should be made.
The process of the build up of the pore water pressure increase in
stress on the soil structure and the reduction of the factor of safety.
With time pore pressure begins to drop as water migrates away from
the stressed zone causing a reduction in volume and resulting in
settlement at surface.
The formula should be σ’ = σ - μ
Effective stress = total stress – pore water pressure this is the principle
of effective stress

b)
Total stress at 5.00m 5.0 x 14.50 = 72.50kPa
Pore water pressure 5.0 x 9.81 = 49.05 kPa 60/100
Effective stress 72.50 – 49.05 = 23.45 kPa

Total stress at 10m 72.50 + ( 5.0 x 18.0) = 162.50Pa

Pore water pressure 49.05 + (5.0 x 9.81) = 98.10 kPa
Effective stress 162.5 – 98.10 = 63.90kPa

Total stress at 15m 162.5 + ( 5.0 x 20.2) = 263.5Pa

Pore water pressure 98.10 + (5.0 x 9.81) = 147.15 kPa
Effective stress 263.5 – 147.15 = 116.35 kPa

[30%]
Higher marks will be given for a graph of these results

* Marks here should be given as a breakdown out of 20 marks for each question (e.g. 5/100) while
weight in the examination paper should be given as percentage (e.g. [(25%)])
 Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering

Examinations MODEL SOLUTIONS and MARKS Scheme

Module Code: Module Title:
CE 2004 Civil engineering

Please start each question on a new sheet. Solutions may be hand written.
Question No.B2 Marks
(out of 100*)

a)
either a triaxial or shear box test could be described
sketches of graphs for the stress and strain failure could be drawn
and the graph of the Mohr Coulomb stress envelop to determine the
Cohesion and angle of friction . 30/100
.

b)

answer should calculate m = 12/19 = 0.63

n = 8/19= 0.42
Ir = 0.082

Δσ’ = 4 x 0.082 x 75 = 24.6 kN/m2

50/100
Sc = 0.25 x 24.6 x 8 = 49.2mm

c)

The sand is free draining therefore settlement will take place quickly 20/100
probably as fast as the construction takes place. The clay will settle
slowly and may take several years

[Paper mark
30%]

* Marks here should be given as a breakdown out of 20 marks for each question (e.g. 5/20) while
weight in the examination paper should be given as percentage (e.g. [25%])
 Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering

Examinations MODEL SOLUTIONS and MARKS Scheme

Module Code: Module Title:
CE 2004 Civil engineering

Please start each question on a new sheet. Solutions may be hand written.
Question No.B3 Marks
(out of 20*)

Part a)
Foundation load = wt concrete in foundation +weight of concrete in column
+ column loading
60/100
Foundation and column = [(1.5 x 1.50 x 0.5 + 0.5 x 0.5 x 1.0)] x 24 = 6kN
Backfill = [(1.5 x 1.5 x 1.) –(0.5 x 0.5 x 1.)] x 20= 40.0kN
Total load =650+6+ 40 = 646 kN
Factored load = 646 x 1.35 = 872.1kN

Using Terzaghi’s formula

Q = 1.5 x 1.5 [(5.142 x 60 x 1.2)/1 + 1.5 x 20] = 900.5kN
Therefore using combination 1 the footing is safe 872< 900 kN

Combination 2
Q = 1.5 x 1.5 [( 5.142 x 60 x 1.2)/1.4 + 2.0 x 20 ]= 662kN
Therefore using combination 2 the footing is safe 646< 662 kN

The foundation is just safe. And is therefore Ok

Part b)
The client should be advised to do nothing the foundation is only 40/100
just adequate.

[Paper mark
30%]

* Marks here should be given as a breakdown out of 20 marks for each question (e.g. 5/20) while
weight in the examination paper should be given as percentage (e.g. [25%])
Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering

Examinations MODEL SOLUTIONS and MARKS Scheme

Module Code: Module Title:
CE 5608 Earthworks foundations and pavement design

Please start each question on a new sheet. Solutions may be hand written.
Question No.B4 Marks
(out of 20*)

From the diagram

The number of flow channels is nf = 3.5
The number of potential drops is nd = 8

Loss of head is h= h1 - h2 = 7.0-1.75 =5.25m

At the lower end of the wall h = 4Δh = 5.25-4 x (5.25 / 4) = 2.625m

Elevation head = -(h + d ) = - (1.75 + 3.5) = -5.25m
therefore the pressure head = 2.625 – (-5.25) = 7.875m thus water
in a piezometer will rise to 7.875 when positioned at C. 70/100
then pore water pressure = 7.875 x 9.81 = 77.25kPa
the rate of flow q = kh(nf/nd) = 1 x 10-4 x 5.25 (3.5 / 8) = 2.29x x10-4
m/s/m

the exit gradient i = Δh / l = (5.25 / 8) / 1 = 0.656 30/100

(using the length l to be 1.0 = 3.5/ 3.5 flow lines.)

b) permeability is influenced by the voids in the soil and in particular

by the drainage paths formed by silt or sand, fissures and joints.
Higher marks for discussion which highlights that permeability is [Paper mark
30%]
generally anisotropic.

* Marks here should be given as a breakdown out of 20 marks for each

Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering

Examinations MODEL SOLUTIONS and MARKS Scheme

Module Code: Module Title:
CE 5608 Earthworks foundations and pavement design

Please start each question on a new sheet. Solutions may be hand written.
Question No.B5 Marks
(out of 20*)

Part a)
A CFA pile is a continuous flight auger pile.
The pile is formed using a full flight auger which acts in the same
way as an Archimedes screw. The auger is screwed into the ground
and is kept turning. When at the required depth the screw continues
to turn until all the soil from the shaft had been removed the auger
continues to turn to provide stability to the shaft of the pile whist
concrete is injected down the hollow centre of the auger. The auger
is slowly removed as the concrete enters the shaft. The auger must
be at least as long as the pile . 30/100
Reinforcement is plunged into the wet concrete as soon as the
shaft has been drilled. This would be done if the pile is needed to
resist horizontal forces.

Part b) 70/100

Pile length 20m area 0.282m perimeter 1.885m

Qsf = 19 * (50+200)/2 * 0.5 * 1.885 = 2238kN
Qb = 0.282 *9 * 200 = 507.6kN
Ultimate load = 2745.6 working load = 2745.6/ 1.4 * 1.4 = 1400kN
[Paper mark
30%]