Geotechnics

5 Marks question
Q1. How is Pedestal rock formed? Explain with diagram.
Answer :- Pedestal rocks are also called mushroom rocks. These
rocks are mainly formed by the wind exploit. In areas where
isolated rock peaks are exposed to the surface, these types of rock
structures are formed. They are formed as a consequence of wind
attrition, and their nature is a result of the dissimilar rate of wind
erosion at the bottom and top. So, in thousands of years, a
mushroom-shaped formation is formed, which we call Pedestal
Rock. Not only due to the wind, are they also formed due to
consecutively water in a parallel procedure.
Sometimes, the top surface is broad like a table top and quite often,
the remnants stand out like pedestals.Pedestal rocks are generally
found in desert areas.
Q2. Explain any three textures of igneous rock with diagrams.

Answer:- Igneous textures include the rock textures occurring in igneous

rocks. Igneous textures are used by geologists in determining the mode of
origin of igneous rocks and are used in rock classification. There are six main
types of textures; phaneritic, aphanitic, porphyritic, glassy, pyroclastic and
pegmatitic.

Aphanitic - Typically form from lava which crystallize rapidly on or near

Earth's surface. When extrusive rocks make contact with the atmosphere
they cool quickly, so the minerals do not have time to form large crystals.
The individual crystals in an aphanitic igneous rock are not distinguishable
to the naked eye. Examples of aphanitic igneous rock include basalt, andesite
and rhyolite.

Glassy or vitreous textures occur during some volcanic eruptions when the
lava is quenched so rapidly that crystallization cannot occur. The result is a
natural amorphous glass with few or no crystals. Examples include obsidian.

Phaneritic - Textures are typical of intrusive igneous rocks, these rocks

crystallized slowly below Earth's surface. As magma cools slowly the
minerals have time to grow and form large crystals. The minerals in a
phaneritic igneous rock are sufficiently large to see each individual crystal
with the naked eye. Examples of phaneritic igneous rocks are gabbro, diorite
and granite.
Q3. Distinguish between ripple marks and current bedding with diagrams
Answer :-
Q4. What are water bearing rock formations? What is cone of depression? Answer :-

Water-bearing rock formations are known as

aquifers. Aquifers are capable of absorbing
water and also transmitting water. Typically
sandy soils and sedimentary rock formations are
considered to be aquifers
An aquifer is an underground layer of water-
bearing permeable rock, rock fracture or
unconsolidated materials (gravel. sand or silt) from
which ground water can be extracted by using a water
well. Aquifers must be permeable and porous and
include such rock types as sandstone. Conglomerate.
fractured limestone and unconsolidated sand and
gravel. Fractured volcanic rocks such as columnar
Basalts also make good aquifer.

A cone of depression occurs in an aquifer when

groundwater is pumped from a well. In an unconfined
aquifer, this is an actual depression of the water
levels. In confined aquifers, the cone of depression is
a reduction in the pressure head surrounding the
pumped well. When a well is pumped, the water level
in the well is lowered
Q5. Distinguish between Physical and Chemical weathering.
Answer :-

Physical Weathering : Chemical Weathering :

o Rock disintegration o Minerals in rocks are

without any change in dissolved or altered.
chemical constituents o Temperature, moisture,
of rocks takes place. etc., cause minerals in
o Factors such as rocks to dissolve in
temperature, moisture, water or convert them
pressure cause the into other minerals.
physical break-up of o It takes place in hot and
rocks. humid areas due to the
o It takes place in hot dry chemical action of
and cold areas due to minerals in rocks.
rapid temperature o It mostly takes place
changes. near the surface of the
o Rocks are affected to earth.
great depths. o Its agents are solution,
o Its agents are oxidation, carbonation,
temperature and and hydration.
moisture.
Q6. What are water transported soils
Answer :- Water transported Soils- Flowing water is one of the most
important agents of transportation of soils. Swift running water carries
a large quantity of soil either in suspension or by rolling along the bed.
Water erodes the hills and deposits the soils in the valleys. The size of
the soil particles carried by water depends upon the velocity. The swift
water am carry the panicles of large size such as boulders and gravels.
With a decrease in velocity, the °maw particles get deposited. The finer
particles are carried further downstream and are deposited when the
velocity reduces. A delta is formed when the velocity slows down to
almost zero at the confluence with a raxiving body of still water, such
as a lake, it sea or an ocean
All type of soils carried and deposited by water are known as alluvial
deposits. Deposits made in lakes are called lacustrine deposits. Such
deposits are laminated or carved in layers. Marine deposits are formed
when the flowing water carries soils to ocean or sea.
Q7. Discuss the geological classification of rocks.
Answer :- GEOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION OF ROCKS According to
the geological classification, the rocks can be broadly classified into 3
groups.
1. Igneous rocks 2. Sedimentary rocks 3. Metamorphic rocks.

1. Igneous rocks. Igneous rocks are formed by solidification of molten

or liquid material called magma. The igneous rocks have the minerals augite,
feldspar, home blende, mica, quartz, etc. Before solidification into rocks, all
these mineral are in the molten state. The igneous rocks may be crystalline
or glossy (vitreous) or a combination of both. The igneous rocks may be
further subdivided according to the grain size and colour. Example of
igneous rocks are granite, basalt, diorite, etc.
2. Sedimentary rocks. Sedimentary rocks are formed from mineral
particles which had been transported by water, wind, etc., or which had been
precipitated in water rind then solidified. Thus the sedimentary rocks arc
formed by the deposition of fragments of materials like sand, clay,
disintegrated rocks, etc. on the pre-existing rocks. The process of deposition
continues in regular layers. In due course of time, the deposited mass
becomes a sedimentary rock. Because the sediments get consolidated in
horizontal or nearly horizontal layers, the sedimentary rocks show
characteristic different layers distinctly. The sedimentary rocks can be easily
spilt up along the bleeding place. Sedimentary rocks come from many
sources and include distinctly different famine, Examples of sedimentary
rocks are sand stone, shale, lime stone, etc.
3. Metamorphic rocks. Metamorphic rocks are formed from igneous and
sedimentary rocks by very large heat and pressure. Sometimes, metamorphic
rocks are also formed from already existing metamorphic rocks. The process
of change to metamorphic rock due to heat and pressure is called
metamorphism. Due to metamorphism, the original rocks change their
character and the resulting mass of rock change into a hard and durable
foliated material. Examples of metamorphic rocks are quartzite, marble,
gneiss, slate, schist, etc.
Q8. Explain Point load index strength test in detail
Answer :-
Q9. Discuss the types of samplers.
Answer:- Types of samplers:
 The samplers classified as thick wall or this wall samplers depending upon the
ratio. Thick wall samplers are those having the area ratio greater than 10 to 25%.
Depending upto the mode of operation, they may be classified in the following
three common types: open drive stationary piston and rotary. The open drive
types can be both the thick wall and thin wall samplers. The stationary piston and
the rotary types are thin wall samplers.

1. Open drive sampler. It is a tube open at the lower end. The sampler head is
provided with vents (valve) to permit water and air to escape during driving.
The check valve helps to retain sample when the sampler is lifted up. The
tube may be seamless or it may be split in two parts; in the latter case it is
known as a split tube or split spoon sampler. The split tube may also contain
an inside thin wall liner.
2. 2. Stationary piston sampler. It contains a piston or plug attached to a long
piston rod extending up to the ground surface through the drill rod. During
lowering of the sampler through the hole, the lower end of the sampler is kept
closed with the piston. When the desired sampling elevation is reached, the
piston rod is clamped, thereby keeping the piston stationary, and the sampler
tube is advanced down into the soil. The sampler is then lifted up, with piston
rod in the clamped position. The piston prevents the entry of water and soil
into the tube, when it is being lowered, and then greatly helps to retain the
sample during lifting operations. Thus the sampler is more suitable for
sampling soft soils and saturated sand.
3.
4. 3. Rotary samplers. These are the core barrel types (Earth Manual, 1960)
having an outer tube provided with cutting teeth and a removable thin wall
liner inside. It is used for firm to hard cohesive soils and cemented soils.

Figure 32.5 shows a few typical samplers

Q10. What do you understand by site investigation? What are different purposes for which
soil investigation is done?

Answer:- INTRODUCTION

Site investigations or subsurface explorations are done for obtaining the

information about subsurface conditions at the site of proposed construction. Site
investigations in one form or the other is generally required for every big
engineering project. Information about the surface and sub-surface features is
essential for the design of structures and for planning construction techniques.

Site investigations consist of determining the profile of the natural soil deposits at
the site, taking the soil samples and determining the engineering properties of the
soils. It also includes in-situ testing of the soils.

Site investigations are generally done to obtain the information that is useful for
one or more of the following purposes.

(1) To select the type and depth of foundation for a given structure.

(2) To determine the bearing capacity of the soil.

(3) To estimate the probable maximum and differential settlements.

(4) lb establish the ground water level and to determine the properties of water.
(5) To predict the lateral earth pressure against retaining walls and abutments.

(6) To select suitable construction techniques

. (7) To predict and to solve potential foundation problems.

(8) To ascertain the suitability of the soil as a construction material.

(9) To investigate the safety of the existing structures and to suggest the remedial
measures.

The relevant information is obtained by drilling holes, taking the soil samples and
determining the index and engineering properties of the soil. In-situ tests are also
conducted to determine the properties of the soils in natural conditions. This
chapter discusses various methods of sub-surface explorations and in-situ testing.