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CE 3509 SOIL MECHANICS II
Fall, 2021
HOMEWORK 1: SITE EXPLORATION AND CHARACTERIZATION

Q1. Describe a scenario that would require a very extensive site investigation and laboratory
testing program (i.e. one in which a large number of borings and many laboratory and/or in-situ
tests would be necessary).

Q2. A four-story office building is to be built on a site underlain by uniform soils. Bedrock is at
a depth of over 200m. This building will be 20m wide and 25m long, and the foundations will be
founded at a depth of 1.5m below the ground surface. Determine the required number and depth
of exploratory borings.

Q3. The following standard penetration tests results were obtained in uniform silty sand:

Depth (m) 1.0 2.0 3.0 5.0

N45 15 12 20 18
The groundwater table is at a depth of 2.5m. Assume a reasonable value for , then determine 
for each test. Finally, determine a single design  value for this stratum.

Q4. Estimate the of soil at depth of 8.0m using the test data (CPT) given below.

Depth (m) qc (MPa) qs (MPa)

1.5 1.80 22.05
3.0 2.20 21.40
4.5 0.40 13.30
6.0 0.35 13.75
7.5 6.80 34.60
9.0 7.10 36.70

Q5. What kind of soils is the field vane shear test most suitable? What soil parameter is obtained
from field vane shear test?

Q6. Which in-situ testing method is used to estimate the average hydraulic conductivity of rock
mass?

Q7. Explain the term Rock Quality Designation Index.