Name: Mayra Hinojosa Castro

Title: Homework due Tuesday 25th Soil Mechanics

1. Two undisturbed soil samples, each having a volume of 0.1 ft 3, are collected from
different depths of the same soil layer. For sample A, located above the
groundwater table, W= 11 lb and w= 9%. Sample B is located below the
groundwater table. If Gs= 2.68, determine:

a. Void ratio (e):

𝛾𝑠 𝛾
i. 𝛾𝑑 = 1+𝑒 → 𝑒 = 𝛾𝑠 − 1
𝑑
𝑊 11 𝑙𝑏𝑠
1. 𝛾 = → 𝛾 = 0.1 𝑓𝑡ˆ3 → 𝛾 = 110 𝑝𝑐𝑓
𝑉
𝑙𝑏
𝛾 110
𝑠 𝑓𝑡ˆ3
2. 𝛾𝑑 = 1+𝑤 → 𝛾𝑑 = → 𝛾𝑑 = 100.92 𝑝𝑐𝑓
1+0.09
𝑓𝑡 𝑓𝑡
3. 𝛾𝑠 = 𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤 = 2.68 ∗ 62.43 𝑠𝑒𝑐ˆ3 = 167.31 𝑠𝑒𝑐ˆ3
𝑙𝑏
𝛾𝑠 167.31
𝑓𝑡ˆ3
ii. 𝑒 = 𝛾 − 1 → 𝑒 = 𝑙𝑏 − 1 → 𝑒 = 0.66
𝑑 100.92𝑓𝑡ˆ3

b. Degree of Saturation (S)

𝑤𝐺 0.09∗2.68
i. 𝑤𝐺𝑠 = 𝑆𝑒 → 𝑆 = 𝑒 𝑠 → 𝑆 = 0.66 ∗ 100% → 𝑆 = 36.55%
c. Water content of B (𝑤𝐵 ):
𝑆𝑒 1∗0.66
i. 𝑤𝐵 = 𝐺 → 𝑤𝐵 = 2.68 ∗ 100% → 𝑤𝐵 = 24.62 %
𝑆
d. Total Weight Soil Sample B:
𝑊
i. 𝛾𝑆𝐴𝑇 = 𝑉 𝑇 → 𝑊𝑇 = 𝛾𝑆𝐴𝑇 𝑉𝑇
𝑇
(𝐺 +𝑒)𝛾 (2.68+0.66)62.4 𝑝𝑐𝑓
1. 𝛾𝑆𝐴𝑇 = 𝑆1+𝑒 𝑤 → 𝛾𝑆𝐴𝑇 = → 𝛾𝑆𝐴𝑇 =
1+0.66
125.55 𝑝𝑐𝑓
𝑙𝑏
ii. 𝑊𝑇 = 125.55 𝑓𝑡ˆ3 ∗ 0.1𝑓𝑡ˆ3 → 𝑊𝑇 = 12.55 𝑙𝑏
Name: Mayra Hinojosa Castro
Title: Homework due Tuesday 25th Soil Mechanics

2. A saturated clay soil has a moisture content of 40%. Given that G s= 2.73,
determine the following in metric system: (𝑉𝑇 = 1)
a. Porosity (n):
𝛾
i. 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 = 𝐺𝑆 𝛾𝑤 (1 − 𝑛) → 𝑛 = 1 − 𝐺𝐷𝑅𝑌 =𝑛
𝛾 𝑆 𝑤

𝑤𝐺_𝑠 0.4∗2.73
1. 𝑤𝐺𝑆 = 𝑆𝑒 → 𝑒 = →𝑒= → 𝑒 = 1.092
𝑆 1
𝐾𝑁 𝐾𝑁
2. 𝛾𝑆 = 𝐺𝑆 𝛾𝑤 → 𝛾𝑆 = 2.73 ∗ 9.81 𝑚ˆ3 → 𝛾𝑆 = 26.78 𝑚ˆ3
𝐾𝑁
𝛾 26.78 𝐾𝑁
3. 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 = 1+𝑒
𝑠
→ 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 = 𝑚ˆ3
→ 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 = 12.80 𝑚ˆ3
1+1.092
𝐾𝑁
12.80𝑚ˆ3
ii. 𝑛 = 1 − 𝐾𝑁 ∗ 100 → 𝑛 = 52.21 %
2.73∗9.81
𝑚ˆ3

b. Dry Unit Weight (𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 ):

𝐾𝑁
𝛾 26.78𝑚ˆ3 𝐾𝑁
i. 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 = 1+𝑒
𝑠
→ 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 = → 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 = 12.80 𝑚ˆ3
1+1.092

c. Saturated Unit Weight (𝛾𝑆𝐴𝑇 ):

𝐾𝑁
(𝐺𝑆 +𝑒)𝛾𝑤 (2.73+1.092)9.81 𝐾𝑁
i. 𝛾𝑆𝐴𝑇 = → 𝛾𝑆𝐴𝑇 = 𝑚ˆ3
→ 𝛾𝑆𝐴𝑇 = 17.92 𝑚ˆ3
1+𝑒 1+1.092
Name: Mayra Hinojosa Castro
Title: Homework due Tuesday 25th Soil Mechanics

3. The moist mass of 0.1 ft3 of soil is 12.5 lb. If the moisture content is 14% and the
specific gravity of soil solids is 2.71, determine the following:
a. Moist Unit Weight (𝛾𝑆 ):
𝑊 12.5 𝑙𝑏
i. 𝛾 = →𝛾= → 𝛾 = 125 𝑝𝑐𝑓
𝑉 0.1 𝑓𝑡ˆ3

b. Dry Unit Weight (𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 ):

𝛾 125 𝑝𝑐𝑓
i. 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 = 1+𝑊 → 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 = → 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 = 109.65 𝑝𝑐𝑓
1+0.14

c. Void Ratio (e):

𝛾 𝛾𝑆
i. 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 = 1+𝑒
𝑆
→𝑒= −1
𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌

1. 𝛾𝑆 = 𝐺𝑆 𝛾𝑤 → 𝛾𝑠 = 2.71 ∗ 62.4 𝑝𝑐𝑓 → 𝛾𝑆 = 169.10 𝑝𝑐𝑓

𝛾𝑆 169.10 𝑝𝑐𝑓
ii. 𝑒 = − 1 → 𝑒 = 109.65 𝑝𝑐𝑓 − 1 → 𝑒 = 0.54
𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌

d. Porosity (n):
𝛾 109.65 𝑝𝑐𝑓
i. 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 = 𝐺𝑆 𝛾𝑤 (1 − 𝑛) → 𝑛 = 1 − 𝐺𝐷𝑅𝑌 → 𝑛 = 1 − 2.71∗62.4 𝑝𝑐𝑓 → 𝑛 = 0.35
𝛾 𝑆 𝑤

e. Degree of Saturation (S):

𝑤𝐺𝑆 0.14∗2.71
i. 𝑤𝐺𝑆 = 𝑆𝑒 → 𝑆 = →𝑆= ∗ 100% → 𝑆 = 70.26%
𝑒 0.54

f. Volume Occupied by Water:

𝑉𝑤
i. 𝑆 = → 𝑉𝑊 = 𝑆𝑉𝑣
𝑉𝑣

𝑉𝑣
1. 𝑛 = → 𝑉𝑣 = 𝑛𝑉 → 𝑉𝑣 = 0.35 ∗ 0.1 𝑓𝑡ˆ3 → 𝑉𝑣 = 0.04 𝑓𝑡ˆ3
𝑉

ii. 𝑉𝑊 = 𝑆𝑉𝑣 → 𝑉𝑊 = 0.70 ∗ 0.04 𝑓𝑡ˆ3 → 𝑉𝑊 = 0.025 𝑓𝑡ˆ3

Name: Mayra Hinojosa Castro
Title: Homework due Tuesday 25th Soil Mechanics

4. The dry unit weight of a soil sample is 14.8 kN/m 3. Given that Gs= 2.72 and w=
17%, determine:
a. Void ratio (e):
𝛾 𝛾𝑆
i. 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 = 1+𝑒
𝑆
→𝑒= −1
𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌

𝐾𝑁 𝐾𝑁
1. 𝛾𝑆 = 𝐺𝑆 𝛾𝑊 → 𝛾𝑆 = 2.72 ∗ 9.81 𝑚ˆ3 → 𝛾𝑆 = 26.68 𝑚ˆ3
𝐾𝑁
𝛾𝑆 26.68𝑚ˆ3
ii. 𝑒 = 𝑦 −1→𝑒= 𝐾𝑁 − 1 → 𝑒 = 0.80
𝐷𝑅𝑌 14.8
𝑚ˆ3

b. Moist unit weight (𝛾):

𝐾𝑁
(1+𝑤)𝐺𝑆𝛾𝑤 (1+0.17)2.72∗9.81 𝐾𝑁
i. 𝛾 = → 𝛾= 𝑚ˆ3
→ 𝛾 = 17.35
1+𝑒 1+0.8 𝑚ˆ3

c. Degree of saturation (S):

𝑤𝐺𝑆 0.17∗2.72
i. 𝑤𝐺𝑆 = 𝑆𝑒 → 𝑆 = →𝑆= ∗ 100% → 𝑆 = 57.8%
𝑒 0.8

d. Unit weight when the sample is fully saturated (𝛾𝑆𝐴𝑇 )

𝐾𝑁
(𝐺𝑆 +𝑒)𝛾𝑤 (2.72+0.8)9.81 𝐾𝑁
i. 𝛾𝑆𝐴𝑇 = → 𝛾𝑆𝐴𝑇 = 𝑚ˆ3
→ 𝛾𝑆𝐴𝑇 = 19.18 𝑚ˆ3
1+𝑒 1+0.8
Name: Mayra Hinojosa Castro
Title: Homework due Tuesday 25th Soil Mechanics

5. Refer to previous problem (problem 4). Determine the mass of water (in kg) to be
added per cubic meter (m3) of soil for
a. 90% degree of saturation:
𝐺𝑆 𝜌𝑤 (1+𝑤) 𝜌𝑤 (1+𝑤) 2.72∗1000(1+0.17) 𝑘𝑔
i. 𝜌 = → 𝜌= → 𝜌= → 𝜌 = 1768 𝑚ˆ3
1+𝑒 1+𝑒 1+0.8

𝜌𝑤 (𝐺𝑆 +𝑆𝑒) 1000(2.72+0.9∗0.8) 𝑘𝑔

ii. 𝜌𝑆𝐴𝑇 = → 𝜌𝑆𝐴𝑇 = → 𝜌𝑆𝐴𝑇 = 1911.11 𝑚ˆ3
1+𝑒 1+0.8
𝐾𝐺 𝑘𝑔 𝑘𝑔
iii. Mass to be added: 𝜌𝑆𝐴𝑇 − 𝜌 → 1911.11 𝑚ˆ3 − 1768 𝑚ˆ3 = 143.11 𝑚ˆ3

b. 100% degree of saturation:

𝐺𝑆 𝜌𝑤 (1+𝑤) 2.72∗1000(1+0.17) 𝑘𝑔
i. 𝜌 = → 𝜌= → 𝜌 = 1768 𝑚ˆ3
1+𝑒 1+0.8
𝜌𝑤 (𝐺𝑆 +𝑆𝑒) 1000(2.72+1∗0.8) 𝑘𝑔
ii. 𝜌𝑆𝐴𝑇 = → 𝜌𝑆𝐴𝑇 = → 𝜌𝑆𝐴𝑇 = 1955.56 𝑚ˆ3
1+𝑒 1+0.8
𝐾𝐺 𝑘𝑔 𝑘𝑔
iii. Mass to be added: 𝜌𝑆𝐴𝑇 − 𝜌 → 1955.56 𝑚ˆ3 − 1768 𝑚ˆ3 = 187.56 𝑚ˆ3
Name: Mayra Hinojosa Castro
Title: Homework due Tuesday 25th Soil Mechanics

6. The void ratio of an undisturbed soil sample is 0.55 and the moisture content is
11%. If Gs= 2.68, determine:
a. Moist unit weight (𝛾):
𝐾𝑁
(1+𝑤)𝐺𝑆𝛾𝑤 (1+0.11)2.68∗9.81 𝐾𝑁
i. 𝛾 = → 𝛾= 𝑚ˆ3
→ 𝛾 = 18.83 𝑚ˆ3
1+𝑒 1+0.55

b. Dry unit weight (𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 ):

𝛾
i. 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 = 1+𝑒
𝑠

𝐾𝑁 𝐾𝑁
1. 𝛾𝑆 = 𝐺𝑆 𝛾𝑤 → 𝛾𝑆 = 2.68 ∗ 9.81 𝑚ˆ3 → 26.29 𝑚ˆ3
𝐾𝑁
𝛾 26.29𝑚ˆ3 𝐾𝑁
ii. 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 = 1+𝑒
𝑠
→ 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 = → 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 = 16.96 𝑚ˆ3
1+0.55

c. Degree of saturation (S):

𝑤𝐺𝑆 0.11∗2.68
i. 𝑤𝐺𝑆 = 𝑆𝑒 → 𝑆 = →𝑆= ∗ 100% → 𝑆 = 53.6%
𝑒 0.55

d. Moisture content when the sample is fully saturated:

𝑆𝑒 1∗0.55
i. 𝑤𝐺𝑆 = 𝑆𝑒 → 𝑤 = 𝐺 → 𝑤 = ∗ 100% → 𝑤 = 20.52%
𝑆 2.68
Name: Mayra Hinojosa Castro
Title: Homework due Tuesday 25th Soil Mechanics

7. For a moist soil, given the following: V= 0.25 ft3; W= 30.75 lb; w= 9.8%; and Gs=
2.66. Determine:
a. Dry unit weight (𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 ):
𝛾
i. 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 = 1+𝑤
𝑊 30.75 𝑙𝑏𝑠
1. 𝛾 = →𝛾= → 𝛾 = 123 𝑝𝑐𝑓
𝑉 0.25 𝑓𝑡ˆ3

𝛾 123 𝑝𝑐𝑓
ii. 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 = 1+𝑤 → 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 = 1+0.098 → 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 = 112.02 𝑝𝑐𝑓

b. Void ratio (e):

𝛾𝑆 𝛾𝑆
i. 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 = →𝑒= −1
1+𝑒 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌

1. 𝛾𝑠 = 𝐺𝑆 𝛾𝑤 → 𝛾𝑠 = 2.66 ∗ 62.4 𝑝𝑐𝑓 → 𝛾𝑆 = 165.98 𝑝𝑐𝑓

𝛾𝑆 165.98 𝑝𝑐𝑓
ii. 𝑒 = 𝛾 − 1 → 𝑒 = 112.02 𝑝𝑐𝑓 − 1 → 𝑒 = 0.48
𝐷𝑅𝑌

c. Volume occupied by water (𝑉𝑤 ):

𝑊𝑤 𝑊𝑤
i. = 𝛾𝑤 → 𝑉𝑤 =
𝑉𝑤 𝛾𝑤

𝑊
1. 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 = 𝑑𝑟𝑦 → 𝑊𝐷𝑅𝑌 = 𝑉𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 → 𝑊𝐷𝑅𝑌 = 0.25 𝑓𝑡ˆ3 ∗
𝑉
112.02 𝑝𝑐𝑓 → 𝛾𝐷𝑅𝑌 = 28.00 𝑙𝑏𝑠
2. 𝑊𝑤 = 𝑊 − 𝑊𝐷𝑅𝑌 → 𝑊𝑤 = 30.75 𝑙𝑏 − 28 𝑙𝑏 → 𝑊𝑤 = 2.75 𝑙𝑏
𝑊𝑤 2.75 𝑙𝑏𝑠
ii. 𝑉𝑤 = → 𝑉𝑤 = 62.4 𝑝𝑐𝑓 → 𝑉𝑤 = 0.04 𝑓𝑡ˆ3
𝛾𝑤