CONFIDENTIAL ECIJAN 2018/ECG426/413 UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA FINAL EXAMINATION COURSE : SOIL MECHANICS ‘COURSE CODE : ECG426/413 EXAMINATION : JANUARY 2018 TIME : 3HOURS INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES 41. This question paper consists of five (5) questions. 2. Answer ALL questions in the Answer Booklet. Start each answer on a new page. 3. Do not bring any material into the examination room unless permission is given by the invigilator. 4, Please check to make sure that this examination pack consists of : ’) the Question Paper ji) an Answer Booklet — provided by the Faculty ii) a graph paper — provided by the Faculty 5. Answer ALL questions in English. DO NOT TURN THIS PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO This examination paper consists of 4 printed pages ‘© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL 2 ECIJAN 2018/ECG426/413, QUESTION 1 a) Based on BS5930: 2015: Code of Practice for Ground Investigation, the code explains how the particle size distribution curve is determined from conducting the wet and dry sieving exercise. Elaborate the main concept in conducting these tests. (CO1-PO1)(C2) (3 marks) b) A partially saturated soil was taken from Cameron Highlands remediation site having the properties below: Initial weight of sample 75 kg Final weight of sample after oven dried 32 kg Volume of sample extracted (i.e. overall volume) = 1280 cm*> Specific gravity of soil tested 55 Calculate the moisture content, bulk and dry unit weights, void ratio, porosity and degree of saturation for the given soil. (CO2-PO2)(C4) (12 marks) QUESTION 2 a) With the aid of simple sketches, draw the flow net underneath a sheet pile wall and into the earth dam with filter at the toe. (CO1-PO1)(C2) (6 marks) b) An earth dam is to be constructed on a hilly terrain at Susu Dam Reservoir, Ulu Jelai Hydroelectric Project, Cameron Highlands, Pahang. The geological features indicate that the soil profile consists of residual soil derived from granite. Based on these features, propose FOUR (4) types of seepage flow intervention of the earth dam in order to reduce the velocity of seepage within the dam. (CO3-PO2)(C5) (10 marks) ¢) One of the requirements for the earth dam is to have filter or drainage layer at the toe of the dam. Explain TWO (2) situations when the earth dam requires filters. (CO1-PO1)(C3) (4 marks) QUESTION 3 a) Sand is categorized as granular soil. This means that the soil particle has no adhesive effect. However during a sand castle competition, the soil particles can be formed and adhered together. Explain the engineering mechanics involved that allows the sand castle to stand for a period of time. Elaborate how the mechanics influence the soil shear strength. (CO3-PO2)(C5) (5 marks) (© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknolog! MARA, CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL 3 ECIJAN 2018/ECG426/413 b) Table Q3 (b) presents triaxial test data for a consolidated drained triaxial test of a normally consolidated clay. (CO2-PO2)(C4) Table Q3 (b): Consolidated drained triaxial test results ‘Specimen 1 | Specimen 2 | Specimen 3 Cell pressure 500 _ 550 650 Deviator stress at failure, Aor 124 203 306 Pore pressure at failure, Ur 460 436 425 i) Determine the linear shear strength parameters based on the effective stress analysis and il) Sketch the non-linear/ourviclinear shear strength envelope that fit the shear strength envelope. (12 marks) c) With the shear strength parameters obtained in Q3 (b) (i), discuss its application in slope stability analysis whether it is a short or long term stability. Justify your selection. (CO3-P02)(C5) (3 marks) QUESTION 4 a) Differentiate between the process of compaction and consolidation. Explain the purpose of executing both processes. (CO1-PO1)(C2) (4 marks) b) A standard compaction test was performed on a soil sample and the results obtained are as follows. — Water Content(%) 30 45 70 85 100 120 Bulk Density 210 222 234 232 226 214 (Mgim*) ni i) Plot the dry density against water content curve and obtain the optimum water content and maximum dry density. Assume G, = 2.66. (CO2-PO2)(C4) (10 marks) ii) Draw the air-void lines based on 0% and 10% air void ratio. (CO2-PO2)(C4) (4 marks) ili) Determine the percentage of air-voids content corresponding to the maximum dry density and optimum water content. (CO2-P02)(C4) (2 marks) (© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA, CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL 4 ECIJAN 2018/ECG426/413, ©) Explain the concept of consolidation with the aid of the piston and spring analogy from Terzaghi (1936). (CO1-PO1)(C2) (5 marks) QUESTION 5 a) With the aid of Mohr circle diagram, explain the concept of the Mohr Coulomb failure envelope in relations to wall movement for the at rest, active and passive conditions. (CO1-P01)(C2) (3 marks) b) Determine the stability against overturning and sliding for the reinforced concrete retaining structure shown in Figure QS (b) by neglecting the passive pressure in front of the wall. (Take Yoone = 24 kNim? and § = 20°), (CO2-PO2)(C4) Surcharge 30 kN/m* deeddddi dd ‘SOIL 0.5m >| 20m SOIL2: q=0 oe 20 ac y = 20kNim® te S fosm 4.5m Figure Q5 (b) (17 marks) END OF QUESTION PAPER (© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknolog! MARA CONFIDENTIAL