FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

Bachelor of Civil Engineering

SEMESTER II EXAM 2019/20
BCE 2205: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING I
th
Date 05 November, 2020 Time: 9:00AM – 10:30 AM

Instructions
 This exam consists of Six(6) questions
 Attempt any three (3) of the questions.
 All questions carry equal marks
 Begin each question on a fresh page
Do not write on the question paper, and all rough work should be done in the answer booklet

Question One

a) Elucidate on what is meant by the terms soil and Geotechnical Engineering/Soil Mechanics.

(5marks)
b) Discuss with illustrations where possible, the stages and processes of soil formation.

(10marks)
c) Enumerate with examples and illustrations on any two (2) basic characteristics of soil.

(10marks)

Question Two:

a) In a clear and concise manner, discuss the steps you as a Geotechnical Engineer, would
go through in determining the particle size characteristic of the soil. (25marks)

Question Three
a) A sample of saturated clay was placed in a container and weighed. The weight was 6N.
The clay in its container was placed in an oven for 24 hours at 105oC. The weight
reduced to a constant value of 5N. The weight of the container is 1N. If Gs = 2.7,
determine the; -
i. water content
ii. void ratio
iii. bulk unit weight
iv. dry unit weight
 v. Effective unit weight. (25marks)

Question Four
a) Elaborate on what is meant by the term compaction and its uses as applied to soils.

(5marks)
b) Differentiate between soil compaction and soil consolidation. (10marks)
c) Discuss any 5 factors of water content on soil compaction. (10marks)

Question Five
a) Describe with the aid of diagrams and illustrations, any one method used in determining
the permeability of the soil. (25marks)
Question Six
a) Demonstrate with illustrations in each case, any five methods used in ground
investigation. (25marks)

GOOD LUCK