PRELIM EXAMINATION ANSWER SHEET

GEOSYNTHETICS ENGINEERING

General Instruction:

 Answer the following task.

 Use this questionnaire as your answer sheet if possible.
 Submit task on or before the schedule due date/time. Any late submission shall not be accepted. This is for strict compliance.
 Submit task in up-right position.
 If task is submitted in .jpeg (picture) format, capture picture properly. Do not submit blurry photo.
 It is recommended to submit task as one file in pdf format.
 Answer essay questions using your own words. Avoid copying from any resources.

Task 1: ESSAY

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Answer the following questions using your own understanding and own words. Do not copy from any resources.
2. Answers maybe encoded or manually written.
3. Make sure that it is legible once uploaded.
4. This set of exam is worth 70 points.

Question 1: What is the difference between thermoplastic and thermoset polymers? Why are thermoset polymers rarely used?
Question 2: Describe the major steps of manufacturing process for the following types of geosynthetics:
 woven geotextiles
 nonwoven geotextile
 extruded geogrids
 geonets
 geomembranes
Question 3: List the basic functions of geosynthetics. Discuss.
Question 4: Describe idealized interface conditions at equilibrium between the soil and geosynthetic filter.
Question 5: What do you mean by functional properties in geosynthetics? Explain with some examples.
Question 6: What should be the role of a designer for geosynthetic applications? Explain.
Question 7: What is the fundamental principle of limit state design for geosynthetics?
Question 8: If several geosynthetics are found to meet the required factor of safety for an application, then how will you select one of
them for use in that particular application?
Question 9: List the limitations of the limit equilibrium approach for designing geosynthetic- reinforced soil slopes. Discuss.
Question 10: In the anchored spider netting method of slope stabilization, the geotextile is exposed on the slope surface. What
advantages and disadvantages do you observe?
PRELIM EXAMINATION ANSWER SHEET

Task 2: PROBLEM SOLVING

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Solve the following problems.

2. Summarize answers by putting it in a box or re-writing it on the last part of every solution.
3. Show complete solution.
4. All solutions should be fully handwritten.
5. For problem with spreadsheet requirement, attached the excel file.
6. Each excel file should be unique. Excel file submitted which are the same with others shall be marked 0.
7. Make sure that the uploaded solution is readable.

Problem 1: Given a 12-m high embankment at a slope angle of β = 42°; the soil strength parameters are c = 20 kPa and φ = 20° in both
the embankment and the foundation sections. The total unit weight of soil, γ = 17 kN/m3. For a failure circle located at coordinates (+2,
+15) with respect to the toe at (0, 0) (see Figure), determine the factor of safety assuming a radius of 20 m. How many layers of
geotextiles spaced 250 mm apart and having an allowable tensile strength of 70 kN/m placed at the interface of the foundation and the
embankment are required to increase the factor of safety by 30%? Developing a computer program (using Microsoft excel) find the
minimum factor of safety for both unreinforced and reinforced conditions.