UNIT-1

Explain briefly about soil structure and Kaolonite, Illite, and Montomorillonite Clay Minerals.

The following data have been obtained in a standard laboratory Proctor compaction test on
glacial till:

Water 5.02 8.81 11.25 13.05 14.40 19.25

content %
Wt of 35.8 37.3 39.32 40 40.07 39.07
mould+ soil
(N)
The specific gravity of the soil particles is 2.77. The container is 9.44 cm3 in volume and their
weights is 19.78 N. Plot the compaction curve and determine the optimum moisture content.
Also compute the void ratio and degree of saturation at optimum condition.

Determine the density index of the sand if the dry unit weight of sand in the loosest state is
12kN/m3 and in the densest state, it is 20kN/m3. Take n=35% and G=2.65.

Discuss about adsorbed water in soils

Discuss about field compaction control of soil.

UNIT-2

Discuss about I.S. Soil classification of soils

A soil has a plastic limit of 25% and a plasticity index of 30. If the natural water content of the
soil is 34%, what is the liquidity index and what is the consistency index?

Explain briefly about test procedure of hydrometer of soil

Following test results were obtained for a fine-grained soil:

WL= 48%; WP = 26%

Clay content = 55%

Silt content = 35%

Sand content = 10%

In situ moisture content = 39% = w

Classify the soil, and Caluclate its activity and liquidity index
The Atterberg limits of a clay soil are: Liquid limit = 75%; Plastic limit = 45%; and Shrinkage limit =
25%. If a sample of this soil has a volume of 30 cm3 at the liquid limit and a volume 16.6 cm3 at the
shrinkage limit, determine the specific gravity of solids, shrinkage ratio, and volumetric shrinkage.

UNIT-3

Explain characteristics and uses of flow net

Calculate total and effective stress at a depth of 4m and 8m below the ground surface. Water
table is at a depth of 4m below the ground. Moisture content above the water table is 10%. Take
G=2.67, e= 0.65.

A soil profile consists of a top layer of sand 3m thick and γ=17kN/m3 , an intermediate clayey silt layer
2m thick and γsat=15kN/m3 and a bottom layer of gravel 4m thick and γsat=19kN/m3 . The water table is
at the top of clayey silt layer. calculate the effective stress at 3m, 5m and 9m from ground surface

A bed of sand consists of three horizontal layers of equal thickness. The magnitude of the coefficient of
permeability for both the upper and lower layer is 7 × 10-5 mm/s and for the middle layer is 3 × 10-3
mm/s. Determine is the ratio of the average permeability of the bed in the horizontal direction to that in
the vertical direction?

Develop 2 dimensional Laplace equation in soils

UNIT-4

Explain the construction procedure of New mark’s Influence Chart for irregular areas with a neat
sketch

A ring foundation is of 3.0 m external diameter and 2.0 m internal diameter. It transmits a uniform
pressure of 90.0 kN/m2. Calculate the vertical stress at a depth of 1.50 m directly beneath the centre of the
loaded area.

Explain 2:1 stress distribution method.

Determine vertical stress at a radial distance of 3m and at a depth of 6m when a concentrated

load of 120kN acts on the surface of a soil. Use Boussinesq’s theory and Westergaard’s theory.

UNIT-V

Discuss Terzaghi’s equation of consolidation by stating the various assumptions and its validity.

Explain concept of consolidation using Spring Analogy.

Define normally consolidated soil, over consolidated soil and under consolidated soil and write about pre
consolidation pressure
A 20mm thick oedometer clay sample reaches 40% consolidation in 12minutes with drainage at
top and bottom. The clay layer from which this sample was obtained had one-way drainage with
8m thick. How long would it take the clay layer to reach 90% consolidation?

Explain methods to compute coefficient of consolidation.

The void ratio of a clay soil is 1.64 and its compression index is 0.25 at the pressure 120kN/m2.
Determine the void ratio if the pressure is increased to 190kN/m2.

UNIT-VI

The following data relate to a triaxial compression tests performed on a soil. Determine the total
and effective stress parameters of the soil by using graphical method
Cell pressure Max. deviator Pore pressure at maximum
Test No
(KN/m2) stress(KN/m2) deviator stress(KN/m2)
1 80 175 45
2 150 240 50
3 210 300 60

Explain the stress –strain behavior of shear strength of cohesion less soils

In an unconfined compression test, a sample of sandy clay 8 cm long and 4 cm in diameter fails
under a load of 120 N at 10% strain. Compute the shearing resistance taking into account the
effect of change in cross-section of the sample.

Discuss different drainage conditions of shear strength of soils.

Given the following data from a consolidated undrained test with pore water pressure measurement,
determine the total and effective stress parameters:
σ3 100 kN/m2 200 kN/m2
(σ1 – σ3) 156 kN/m2 198 kN/m2
U 58 kN/m2 138 kN/m2