DEDAN KIMATHI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS
2022/2023 ACADEMIC YEAR

THIRD YEAR FIRST SEMESTER

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

ECE 3103 – SOIL MECHANICS I CAT 1

Answer all of the following questions:

a) Differentiate between AASHTO and USCS soil classification systems. [4 marks]

b) The results of a soil sieve analysis are as shown:

Sieve size (mm) 20 10 4.7 2 1 0.6 0.42 0.212 0.15 0.075 Pan
5 5 0
Mass of soil retained 35 40 80 150 15 140 115 55 35 25 75
(gm) 0

Draw the particle size distribution curve and hence determine the uniformity coefficient and the
coefficient of curvature. [10 Marks]

c) Explain at least FOUR properties of soil affected by compaction of soil. [4 Marks]

d) Distinguish between compaction and consolidation. [2 Marks]