SI-5123-2014 - Homework #02 - Dr.

Endra Susila (Given on Sept 14, 2021)

Question HW#02:

A long embankment for a discharge channel of a PLTU in Tambak Lorok, Semarang as

shown in the figure below is to be constructed rapidly on a deposit of soft clay. Triaxial
compression test results on an element A show that ’ = 23o, c’ = 7 kPa, Ko = 0.6.
Assume A (before failure) = Af = 0.35 (Note: in reality, A<Af). The soil profile and other
properties are also shown in the figure.

Questions:
a. Determine ’ and a’ and draw the Kf line.
b. Draw the TSP, (T-uo)SP, and ESP for the typical Element A which is located 3 m
below the centerline of the embankment.
c. Will the embankment be stable?
d. Compute the Factor of safety of the embankment – represented by Element A.
e. Compare with bearing capacity theory of Terzaghi and then write down some
comments.

11 m

2.75 m  = 20 kN/m3

1m 17 m

2m  = 18 kN/m3
A

Guides:
- Compute all initial stresses:
vo, vo’ (=vo - uo), ho’ (=vo’ * Ko), and ho (=ho’ + uo)
- Compute z at the surface (exactly below embankment) due to embankment.
- Compute z at element A due to embankment (= 0.90 * z at the surface)
- Compute h at element A by assuming the increase in horizontal stress is one-
third (1/3) of the increase in vertical stress.
- Compute u = 3 + A(1 – 3) = h + A(z – h)
- Draw the stress path.
- Compute the safety factor of Element A.