NATIONAL EXAMINATION = MAY 2011 (4.GEOL-A6 SOIL MECHANICS, HOURS DURATION NOTES: 1 If doubt exists as tothe interpretation of any question, the candidate is urged to submit with the answer pape, a clear statement of any assumptions made This is a CLOSED-BOOK exam. Only Casio or Sharp approved model calculators are permitted. A formula sheet and same charts are attached to this exam. (Questions have the values shown. The total value is 100. Inthe absence of specific parameters require is the formulation wid solution of problems, the candidates are expected to exercise sound engineering judgment and to clearly state their assumptions, Page | of 6NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS — MAY 2011 ‘04-GPOL-A6 SOIL MECHANICS 1, Readings obtained with a nuclear densometer on a compacted sol give an average dry density of 2.067 Mgim*. For the purpose of verification, an actual sample is collected. The volume of the hole occupied by the sample was 3375 em’, The total ‘mass ofthe sample collected was 7530g. The moisture content ofthe sample was 13%6, The Specific Gravity ofthe solids is 2.6. 1, Were the readings ftom the densometer confirmed by the sample? (Value 8) . Using the densometer readings, calculate the void ratio and the degree of on ofthe compacted soil (value 10) 2. Classify the soils of figure Q.2 according tothe Unified Soil Classification System, ‘The fines of sol A have a liquid limit of 60% and aplastic limit of 2086, while those of soil B have aliquid limit of 30% and aplastic limit of 20%. In addition to providing the “Iter” classfieation, provide a descriptive name for each sol (walue 10) 3. A Sm by 3m recangular slab applies a load of 10000 KN a the surface ofthe sand fill iustrated on Figure Q3. ‘4. Caloulat the consolidation settlement ofthe slab 1 year after emplacement, (value 15) b. Determine the degree of consolidation reached by the clay inthe middle ofthe clay layer after 1 yeas (Valve $) Sand kw weigh ema a0 cee feonsision 6) at ad Impervious Rock Figure Q3, Paze20t6NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS - MAY 2011 ‘04-GROL-AG SOIL, 4. On figure Q4, three stress conditions ina small volume of ol ae considered. Under Scenario A the conditions are “a rest”. Under scenario B, a rgid retaining wall is, present and will move outward (tothe le). Under seenario C, the rigid retaining wall Will be forced to move ints the sol (to the ight). The graph below shows the Mohr circle of stresses existing a rest (A) inthe small volume of soil ilatraed. The failure envelope ofthe soilis also shown onthe graph. ‘a. Assuming thatthe verteal effective stress remains unchanged, sketch the Mohr citeles ofthe effective stresses when the sol reaches shear fallure, under scenarios Band. (value 3) Write and explain the equations (eg, o4'= f(o,)) that you would use to calelate the horizontal stress exerted by the sol at any location along the retaining wall, under scenarios B and (value 8) A Band Ground surface Figure Q4 Page 3 of 6NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS - MAY 201, (04-GEOL-A6 SOM Fig. QS. illustrates weir under which seepage flow occurs, A partial flownet showing only flow lines is drawn onthe figure. ‘4, Draw equipotentil lines that would reasonably complet the fownet. (Value 5) b. Calculate the water pressure at points A, B and C along the base ofthe wel. (Value 10) 3. Discuss the reasons why excavation wall in clay soils generally lose strength with time and why smbankments over clay soils tend to gain strength with time. (Value 10) . Describe and explain the behaviour of “sensitive clays” (such as those found inthe (Ottawa river malley or in Rissa, Norway), (Value 10) plain the swelling and shrinking of clays and discuss thir respective engincesing significance, (value 10) Page 4216|ATIONS = MAY 2011 (04-GEOL-A6 SOIL MECHANICS oor co amay (umm) azig afore b vo Loo ‘De or 09 oor we TaquNT DAS oo (%) Bulssed quaoiag Page 5 of S|soa ‘cepunog soya, MAY 2011 |CHANICS went ene pers NATIONAL 04.GEOL-A6 SOIL ME‘ a Page 6 of 6LE. oe AL arat EXAMS— MAY 2013 NATIONAL EXAMS —MAV 2011 OLGEOL-A6 SOIL MECHANICS ‘Focus and Charis Tors oy zsN MAY 2011, NIL MECHANICS Formulas and Charts 2083 tu = alae, + (40, ~405)] ea a" ks kis kot + ksHt = Kats + ote + lls “2 H He \igg 2 4c{ He loge s.r (te eZ ease k=CDy? (C-100, ey Pa Pw w= 1000 key? or Yo" 9.81 KI Force > Newton (N) > 1N=1 ke mi? qatar, Pressure - Pascal a) 9 1 Pa= Nin? We 1 kPa TN? Near = 100% (N + Nin) /(100-Niv) ea fst) HK, K, x 1-sing! rstn(ing) cosy" = Vel Vs (void rato) n= VLIV, (porosity) ln / My (moisture content)= MAY 2011 ;CHANICS SAL EXAMS. 30f3