M.TECH.

DEGREE EXAMINATION
Model Question Paper - II
Branch: Civil Engineering
Specialization: Geomechanics and Structures
First Semester
MCEGS 105-1 SOIL EXPLORATION AND FIELD TESTING
(Regular – 2013Admissions)
Time: Three hours Maximum: 100 Marks
Answer all questions
1 (a) A three-story steel frame office building is to be built on a site where the soils are
expected to be of average quality and average uniformity. The building will have a 30mX30m
footprint and is expected to be supported on spread footing foundations located about 1 m below
the ground surface. The site appears to be in its natural condition, with no evidence of previous
grading. Bedrock is several hundred feet below ground surface. Determine the required number
and depth of borings. (6 marks)
(b) Describe different types of soil samplers and situations where each is used indicating its
advantages and disadvantages. (12 marks)
(c) Write a note on sampling of cohesionless soil. . (7 marks)
OR

2 (a) Piston sampler is considered to be very good method of sampling in soft clays. What are the
features of this sampler which are specially designed for minimizing disturbance. (9marks)
(b) What are the precautions to be taken for the preservation and handling of samples.
(6marks)
(c) What are the conditions favouring seismic refraction and electrical resistivity method.
Briefly explain the methods. (10marks)

3. (a) The sensitivity of a clay from the vane shear test was 4.2. In its remoulded state, the clay
gave shear strength of 5kPa. Calculate the natural shear strength of clay and the torques required
to shear the soil in its natural and remoulded state.
Diameter of vane=50mm and height=100mm (9marks)
(b) Explain pressure meter tests. Also give limitations of this method. (8marks)
(c) Write explanatory notes on (i) Seismic Cross hole test (ii) Block Vibration Test (8marks)
OR
4 (a) What are the conditions of soil under which field vane shear tests are recommended. Derive
an expression for the undrained shear strength of soil in terms of the dimensions of vane and
torque applied to fail the soil. (8marks)
(b) Describe the functioning of static cone penetrometer. How can the results of the test be used
in computation of pile capacity. (8marks)
(c) Explain the field measurement of permeability by pump-out test. (9marks)
5. (a) The following readings were obtained from a standard penetration test in a borehole. Apply
the necessary corrections and compute the N-value to be used for working out the safe allowable
pressure on a footing of 3m width at a depth of 1.5m below ground level. The average unit
weight of soil is 16kN/m3 and ground water is at great depth.
Depth below GL (m): 1 2.5 3.5 5 7 9 11

Observed N value : 3 2 5 8 20 25 28 (10marks)

(b) Explain the methodology of back analysis to analyze geotechnical failures (10marks)
(c) Explain any one type of core retainers. (5marks)
OR
6. (a) Explain the importance of measuring pore water pressure. Give two methods used for
measuring ground water table location. (10marks)
(b) Draw neatly a typical boring log incorporating all details in a subsoil investigation report.
(8marks)
(c) Explain the dynamic cone penetration test and give correlation with SPT value (7marks)

7(a) The following data refers to a cyclic pile load test carried out on a 300mm dia, 10m long
pile.

Load on pile top 150 200 250 300 400 500 600
(kN)
Total settlement of 1.45 2.25 2.75 3.6 5.75 10.75 30.00
pile top(mm)
Net settlement of 0.4 0.65 0.8 1.0 1.7 5.25 22.8
pile top(mm)
Plot the load-settlement curve and estimate the allowable load of the pile as per Indian
Standard Code of Practice (15marks)

(b) Explain the principle components of a typical offshore field programme (10marks)
OR
8.(a) Differentiate between onshore site investigation and offshore site investigation (8marks)
(b) Explain briefly about the investigation using drill ship (9marks)
(c) Write notes on geotechnical instrumentation for measuring displacement in the field.
(8marks)