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SOIL MECHANICS – II
Issue : 28-10-2022
HOME ASSIGNMENT # 2
Last Date: 04-11-2022

TIME ALLOWED: 08 Days

Q.1. Calculate the total active thrust on a smooth vertical wall 6 m high retaining a sand of
unit weight 19 kN/m3 for which ø′ = 31° and c′ = 0; the surface of the sand is horizontal
and the water table is below the bottom of the wall.

b. Determine the thrust on the wall if the water table rises to a level 3 m below the surface
of the sand. The saturated unit weight of the sand is 22 kN/m3.

Q.2 Details of a reinforced concrete cantilever retaining wall are shown in Figure 1, the unit
weight of concrete being 24.5 kN/m3. Due to inadequate drainage, the water table has
risen to the level indicated. Above the water table the unit weight of the retained soil is
17 kN/m3, and below the water table the saturated unit weight is 20 kN/m 3. Characteristic
values of the shear strength parameters are c′ = 0 and ø′ = 38°. The angle of friction
between the base of the wall and the foundation soil is 24°.

Q.3. A retaining wall is shown in Figure 2. Determine Rankine’s active force, Pa, per unit
length of the wall. Also determine the point of application of the resultant.

Q.4 A 7 m tall cantilever wall retains a soil that has the following properties: c' = 0, Ø = 32o,
and ϒ= 18.2 kN/m3.The ground surface behind the wall is inclined at a slope of 4
horizontal to 1 vertical, Determine the active forces acting on the back of this wall using
coulomb’s theory.

Q.5 A retaining wall has a vertical back and is 8.3 m high. The soil is sandy loam of unit
weight 18.3 kN/m3. It has a cohesion of 12 kN/m2 and Ø = 20°. Neglecting wall friction,
determine the active thrust on the wall. The upper surface of the fill is horizontal.

Q.6 A rigid retaining wall 10 m high has a saturated backfill of soft clay soil. The properties
of the clay soil are ϒsat = 22 kN/m2, and unit cohesion cu = 10 kN/m2. Determine

(a) the expected depth of the tensile crack in the soil

(b) the active earth pressure before the occurrence of the tensile crack,
(c) the active pressure after the occurrence of the tensile crack.

.Q.7 A smooth rigid retaining wall 20 ft high carries a uniform surcharge load of 250 lb/ft2.
The backfill is clayey sand with the following properties: Y = 112 lb/ft3, Ø= 27°, and c =
140 lb/ft2. Determine the passive earth pressure and draw the pressure diagram

Q.8 The depths of soil behind and in front of a rigid retaining wall are 24 ft and 12 ft.
respectively, both the soil surfaces being horizontal (Fig. 3). The shear strength
parameters for the soil are c = 500 lb/ft2, and Ø = 22°, and the unit weight is 112 lb/ft3.
Using Rankine theory, determine the total active thrust behind the wall and the total
passive resistance in front of the wall. Assume the water table is at a great depth

Q.9 A smooth retaining wall is 4 m high and supports a cohesive backfill with a unit weight
of 17 kN/m3. The shear strength parameters of the soil are cohesion =11 kPa and Ø =
12°. Calculate the total active thrust acting against the wall and the depth to the point of
zero lateral pressure.

Q.10 Fig. 4 shows a retaining wall with a vertical back face and a sloping backfill. All the other
data are given in the figure. Determine the magnitude and point of application of
resultant active thrust by the Coulomb’s method.
 Page 2 of 2
SOIL MECHANICS – II
Issue : 01-12-2020
HOME ASSIGNMENT # 2
Last Date: 15-12-2020

TIME ALLOWED: 15 Days

Fig. 1 Fig. 2

Fig.4

Fig. 3