UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT

TEST NO: Major Test 1 rewrite– Assessment No:3

Year Course

GTE3601

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

Examiner: M Makaleng Moderator: Z Dube

External Moderator: H Phahlane Marks: 70
Weight of Assessment: 35% Duration: 2 hours
This assessment consists of 3 pages including the cover page.

INSTRUCTIONS TO ALL STUDENTS:

YOUR SCRIPT MUST BE SAVED WITH STUDENT NO, SUBJECT CODE AND UPLOADED ON
ASSESSMENT PLATFORM.
• Honesty Declaration must be completed
• The module is invigilated
Additional student instructions
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password protected or uploaded as “read only” files)
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correct answer script file has been uploaded.
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resubmission will be granted.
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for resubmission will be granted.
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disciplinary processes. UNISA has a zero tolerance for plagiarism and/or any other forms of
academic dishonesty.
12. Students are provided one hour to submit their answer scripts after the official examination time.
Submissions made after the official examination time will be rejected.

1
 QUESTION 1

A soil profile shown in Figure Q1 has three different soil layers.

Where:

Gs = Specific gravity
e = Void ratio
WT = Water table
W = Moisture content
S = Degree of saturation

• A
Sand
1,83 m Gs = 2,65
Clay
e = 0,50
 = 1773,7 kg/m3
• B
Zone of capillary rise Moist Sand
0,91 m WT
Gs = 2,65; e = 0,5; S= 50%
• C
Saturated Clay
w = 42%
1,83 m
Gs = 2,71
• D
Impervious rock

Figure Q1(Soil Profile)

1.1 Determine the total stress, effective stress and pore water pressure at point A,
B, C and D in figure Q1 (Soil Profile) (21)

2.2 Draw the stress diagrams for total stress, effective stress and pore water
pressure at point A, B, C and D in figure Q1 (Soil Profile) (9)

[30 marks]

2
QUESTION 2

Three samples (S1, S2 and S2) of a homogenous clay soil were obtained from an
undrained triaxial test. The samples are assumed to be “undisturbed”, therefore, a
series of undrained triaxial tests were carried out on them. Table Q2 shows the
measured data. The sample length was 76 mm with a diameter of 38mm.

Sample
Table Q2 S1 S2 S3
Cell Pressure, 3 (kPa) 200 400 600
Pore water pressure,  (kPa) 150 150 150
Length at failure (mm) 70,1 68,9 67,1
Axial load at failure (kN) 0,675 0,936 1,221

2.1 Determine the total stresses 1 for the above tests (6)
2.2 Determine the effective stresses 1’ and 3’ (4)
2.3 Use the Morh’s Circles to determine the cohesion (c) and angle of internal
friction () in terms of total stress (10)
2.4 Use the Morh’s Circles to determine the effective cohesion (c’) and angle of
internal friction (’) (10)

[30 marks]

QUESTION 3

Differentiate between Consolidated Undrained (CU) triaxial test, Consolidated drained

(CD) triaxial test and Unconsolidated Undrained (UU) triaxial test.
[10 marks]

TOTAL MARKS = 70
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