Islamic University of Gaza 2nd semester 2013/2014

Faculty of Engineering Instructors: Prof. Mohammed Awad

Civil Engineering department Dr. Jehad Hamad
Soil Mechanics ECIV 3351 T.A: Engr. Othman Tayeh
Engr. Samia Nassar

Soil Mechanics ECIV 3351

Time Allowed: 75 minutes
Mid-Term Exam 12/4/2014

Student Name ID

Maximum
Q. No Mark Notes
mark

1 10

2 10

3 20

4 20

5 20

Total 80

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Mid-Term Exam Soil Mechanics ECIV 3351

SHOW ALL WORK! This is close book exam: please enter answers with appropriate units. Partial
credit will not be given unless steps are shown. Correct answers must have supporting calculation.
All assumptions should be cited.

Write answer logically, neatly, and legibly

Question (1): (10 points)

The moist unit weight of a soil sample is 16.5KN/m3. Given that the w=15%
and Gs=2.7, find:
a) Dry unit weight (ɤd).
b) The porosity (n).
c) The degree of saturation (S).
d) The mass of water in Kg/m3 that must be added to reach full saturation.

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Mid-Term Exam Soil Mechanics ECIV 3351

Question (2): (10 points)

a) Show the saturation moisture content is

wsat= )
where

b) A geotechnical laboratory reported these results of five samples taken from a

single boring. Determine which are not correctly reported, if any, show your
work: where

Sample #1: w=30%, ɤd=14.9 KN/m3, ɤs=27 KN/m3,clay.

Sample #2: w=20%, ɤd=18 KN/m3, ɤs=27 KN/m3,silt.

Sample #3: w=10%, ɤd=16 KN/m3, ɤs=26 KN/m3,sand.

Sample #4: w=22%, ɤd=17.3 KN/m3, ɤs=28 KN/m3,silt.

Sample #5: w=22%, ɤd=18 KN/m3, ɤs=27 KN/m3,silt.

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Mid-Term Exam Soil Mechanics ECIV 3351

Question (3): (20 points)

Classify the following soils (a & b) using the unified soil classification system.
(Give group Symbol & group Name).

a) A clayey soil sample weights 1.5 N. Its clay fraction 0.34, gravel fraction
0.15, sand fraction 0.2, silt fraction 0.31. If its liquid limit is 60%, and its
plastic limit is 26%.

b) The particle size distribution for a soil sample shown in the table below,
with LL=30% and PL=18%

Particle % Finer
size (mm) than
6 100
4.75 95
2.36 84
1.3 60
0.6 30
0.2 10
0.075 8

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Mid-Term Exam Soil Mechanics ECIV 3351

Question (4): (20 points)

For the Figure shown below;
1.Find the Pressure head at the following points A – B – C – D – E.
Assume 2.5k1 = k2 = 1.5 k3 = 2k4=3 k5
2. Find the flow rate.
(Hint k1 = 3.5*10-2 cm/sec)

Water

25 cm
6 cm 5 cm 5 cm 5 cm
Water
17 cm

Soil 3 Soil 2 Soil 1 1.5 cm

E C B A
D K3 K2 K1 1.5 cm

Soil 5 Soil 4
K5 K4

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 Mid-Term Exam Soil Mechanics ECIV 3351

Question (5): (20 points)

For the flow net shown below, if the coefficient of permeability of the soil below the
dam is (5.2x10-3 cm/sec) and ɤsat = 18.2 kN/m3, find the following:

A- The rate of seepage (m3/sec /m).

B- The uplift force underneath the dam.
C- The effective stress at points L and N.
D- The driving head at point M.
30 m
Water table
10 m

Water table
1m

6m
8m

8m

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Mid-Term Exam Soil Mechanics ECIV 3351

Useful formulas
H 1
k H ( eq )  , k H ( eq )  (k H1 H1  k H 2 H 2  ...  k H n H n )
 H1   H 2  H  H
      ...   n 
 k1   k 2   kn 

S.e=Gs w q= k i A

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Mid-Term Exam Soil Mechanics ECIV 3351

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