Dr.

Francisco Grajales I sem 2020

SOIL MECHANICS
HOMEWORK # 9
TOPICS: SOIL SETTLEMENTS

Important Note: The homework must be solved by hand, unless specifically indicated.

PART I: RESEARCH

Question 1 (20 pt)

Investigate the incident of the Tower of Pisa in Italy. Read the attached paper by Burland (1998)
watch the following videos by Dr. John Burland:
• Short video on the tower of Pisa:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04MbizZtHak&t=84s
• Buchanan Lecture, delivered at Texas A&M University (lecture starts at time 1:31:40):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGVYZ6uaGGU
Write an essay as a result of your research. Your essay must clearly explain the underlying
causes of tilting at the Tower of Pisa. All the references used throughout the development of the
essay must be appropriately cited.

PART II: PROBLEMS

Problem 1 (20 pt)

The following are the results of a consolidation teste on a sample of cohesive soil. Perform the
following calculations:
a) Plot the e vs log σ’ curve
b) Using Casagrande´s method, determine the pre-consolidation pressure
c) Calculate the compression index and the ratio of Cs / Cc

Void Ratio Pressure σ’ , kPa

1.116 25
1.108 50
1.055 100
0.962 200
0.845 400
0.755 800
0.65 1600
0.658 800
0.675 400
0.685 200
Dr. Francisco Grajales I sem 2020

Problem 2 (20 pt)

A square footing 2 m x 2 m in size, supports a column load of 300 kN. The soil characteristics
are given in the figure. Field monitoring indicated that the foundation settlement was 19 mm
during the first 12 months. Estimate the following:
a) Average stress increase in the clay layer due to the applied load
b) Primary consolidation settlement
c) What is the degree of consolidation after 12 months?
d) Estimate the coefficient of consolidation
e) Estimate the settlement in 24 hours.

Problem 2 (40 pt)

Construction of an airfield pavement is planned on the soil deposit shown in the attached figure.
The existing soil profile comprises a 6-ft thick normally consolidated clay layer overlying medium-
dense sand. Stage I of construction involves placement of a 4-foot thick layer of silty sand earthfill.
Since the weight of the fill will induce consolidation settlement in the clay layer, the construction
specifications will require a waiting period following placement of the fill to ensure that excessive
settlement will not occur beneath the pavement. At the end of this waiting period, Stage II of
construction, placement of the pavement, can proceed. The pavement designers have estimated
that 1 inch of primary consolidation settlement can occur without adversely affecting the
performance of the pavement. To monitor the progress of consolidation of the clay layer during
construction, pore water pressure will be monitored at mid-depth of the clay layer.
Dr. Francisco Grajales I sem 2020

• Following completion of Stage I, estimate the amount of primary consolidation

settlement (in inches) that must occur in the clay layer before Stage II can safely proceed.

• Estimate the duration of the waiting period that will be required between the completion
of Stage I and the initiation of Stage II.

• Predict the following with regard to the pore water pressure measurements:
a) The pore water pressure prior to construction.
b) The pore water pressure following completion of Stage I.
c) The pore water pressure at which it will be safe to proceed with Stage II.

Notes:
You may neglect the weight of the pavement in your settlement calculations.
Your settlement calculations may be based on a single strain calculation at the mid-depth of the
clay layer.
Do not forget the hydrostatic component of pore water pressure in your water pressure
calculations.

125 pcf
0.8
0.4
40 ft2/yr