8 Problems in Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering an objectis submerged in aliquid, it undergoes an apparent reduction in mass, the amount of such reduction being equal to the mass of the liquid displaced by the object. Consider a soil mass, having a volume V and mass W, which is fully submerged in water. Volume of water displaced by the soil = V Mass of displaced water = V-y,, Apparent mass of the soil, W' = W- V-yy = V- Ysa - Vi Yw = Visa - Yw) The apparent density or submerged density of the soil is given by, "Vea = Ye) Cee Gera eee aU oe or, Youb = Year ~ Yw wo(1.17) EXAMPLES Two different methods may be employed to solve the numerical problems in this chapter. They are : Method I: Solution using mathematical relationships : This process is somewhat mechanical, one has to memorise all the equations deduced in Art. 1.4 and should select the appropriate equation/s while solving a given problem. However, in most of the cases this method can yield the desired result fairly quickly. Method Il: Solution from first principles : In this method the solution is obtained using only the basic definitions with reference to a three-phase diagram of the soil mass under consideration. This method always allows the student to have an insight into the problem. However, in some cases the solution becomes a little complicated and more time-consuming than method I. After going through the worked out examples, quite a few of which illustrate the use of both of these methods, one should be able to realise as to which method of solution suits better to a particular type of problem. It may be pointed out that, the methods may also be used in conjunction with one another. Problem 1.1. A soil sample has a unit weight of 1.9 gm/cc and a water content of 12%. If the specific gravity of solids be 2.65, determine the dry density, degree of saturation, void ratio and porosity of the soil.Weight-Volume Relationships 2 Solution: From the consideration of degree of saturation, a soil sample may be: (i) Completely dry (s = 0) (ii) fully saturated (s = 1) iii) partially saturated (0.< s <1) Unless otherwise mentioned in the problem, a soil sample should always be taken to be partially saturated. Method 1: Given: [y,w,G ] => Required :[y, 5, ¢, 7 As e and n are mutually dependent on each other, effectively three unknown parameters have to be determined from the given data. Select the appropriate equations which may serve this purpose. The value of yy can be determined from : le Maer ee Here, y = unit weight of the soil = 1.9 gm/cc w = water content = 12% = 0.12 es 19 “" T+ 012 In order to solve for the other two unknowns, viz., s and e, two equations are required. Evidently, the following equations will serve the purpose : = 1.696 gm/ce WG = se, or se = (0.12) (2.65) = 0.318 i) ; G+ se Again, ae on 19 = Fra) (1.0) T+e or, 1 +e = 156, or, e = 056 ‘The expression of yg may also be used. CW “cT+e’ or, 1.696 = (2:65) | Tee or, 1.696 + 1.696e = 2.65 or, ek 1.69610 Problems in Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering ; 0.318 = From (i), 3 = Cog 7 0568 = 56.8% e 0.56. “Tee 1 +0se eee Answer. Dry density = 1.696 gm/cc, void ratio = 0.56 Degree of saturation = 56.8%, Porosity = 36% Method II: Let us consider a specimen of the given soil in which the mass of solid grains = 1 gm. The three-phase diagram of the soil is shown in Fig. 1.3. n Now, wae or, W, = 0.12. Total mass of the sample, W = W, + W, = 1.12gm Valwmeot sothig22ap. ca Eonar ate : 0377 olume of solids, 2g PG Mio sisiawbiion. 0377 ce 5 ¥s GYw (2-65) (1) Ww, ee eee oe = 0.12¢c Total volume of soil, V = i = iw = 0.589 cc “Volume of air, V_ = V - (V, + Vy) = 0.092 ce ‘=. Volume of voids, V, = Vz + Vy = 0.12 + 0.092 = 0.212 cc Degree of eaturationsgaye (eee Soe x 100% = 56.0% ICE QU EON V, 7 0212 : Fig. 13.Weight-Volume Relationships il V, Void ratio, e= a = 0377 7 056 V, Porosity, n a x 100% = 36% W, Dry density, Y= cz = Fea = 1.697 gm/cc Problem 1.2. An undisturbed specimen of soil has a volume of 300 cc and weighs 498 gm. After drying in oven at 105°C for 24 hours, its weight reduced to 456 gm. Determine the void ratio, porosity, degree of saturation and water content. Assume G = 2.70. Solution: Method I: Given :[V, W, Wg G] => Required :le, n, s, w After drying in oven, the water present in the soil evaporates and the soil becomes completely dry. Now, weight of the moist sample, W = 498 gm And, weight of the dry sample, W, = 456 gin. Weight of water evaporated, Wy, = W — Wy = 498 - 456 = 42. gm. ‘Water content, we Woe = as = 0.0921 = 9.21% W, ” 456 Dry density, ‘a= oe Wa _ 456 But a= 7 399 7 ES28m/ec Teper 152 or, 1.52(1 +e) = (2.7) (1) or, 1,$2e + 1.52 = 2.7 or, e=0.78 Void ratio = 0.78 f ; e 0.78 Again, porosity m= 7S = 7 gag = 0.438 = 43.8% From eqn. (1.12), wG=se, or, s= a12 or, Problems in Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering s = 202127) . 0.319 = 31.9% 0.78 Method I: With reference to the three-phase diagram shown in Fig. 1.4, Weight of water, Volume of water, Volume of solids, Total volume, Volume of voids, or, W,, = 498 = 456 = 42gm Ww Vy = —~ = 42cc Yo Ww, W, Vv, = — = — ee Ole 456 = SEO = 168.89 cc (2.7) (1) V=300cc YW=V-Y, V, = 300 - 168.89 = 131.11 cc ite tale esate “tesa tills, Vy _ 131.11 mm FF = agp 7 0837 = 43.7% Vw 42. 59 - Drar ~ 092 = 32% Ww W, 42 ise? 0.0921 = 9.21%Weight-Volume Relationships 2B Problem 1.3. A saturated soil sample, weighing 178 gm, has a volume of 96 ce, If the specific gravity of soil solids be 2.67, determine the void ratio, water content and unit weight of the soil. Solution: Given {[W, V, G, s => Required:[e, w, y Unit weight of the soil, W _ 178 ‘Yau = ve 6 = 1.854 gm/ce Gre But, At qepcemee 26 Te CE oy. 71,8541 1lt+e or, 1.854 + 1.854e = 2.67 + € or, 0.854e = 0.816 or, e = 0.955 p se _ (1) (0.955) _ = Again, w C 2.67 0.358 = 35.8% Problem 1.4. A fully saturated soil sample has a volume of 28 cc. The sample was dried in oven and the weight of the dry soil pat was found to be 48.86 gm. Determine the void ratio, moisture content, saturated density and dry density of the soil mass. Given G = 2.68. Solution: Given: J, W,, G,s ]=> Required :|e, w, Ysa Ya A schematic representation of the given soil is shown in Fig. 1.5. Here, total volume V=28cc . 48.86 Volume of dry soil, V, = Faq-ce = 18.23 cc Assuming that there was no change in void ratio during oven-drying, volume of water evaporated, V,, = V - V, = (28 - 18.23) ce = 9.77 ce Void ratio, Ce Wa Ww)14 Problems in Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering Weight of water, Wy = Vi" Yw = (9.77) (1.0) = 9.77¢m 9.77 48.86 We Moisture content, = w= > = = 0.2 = 20% “1 otal weight of the soil, W = W, + W, = (9.77 + 48.86) gm = 58.63 gm W _ 58.63 Saturated density, Yau = Ye = Se> = 2.09 em/oc Ws Diydensity, y= 52 aS = 1.745 gm/ce We9-TTcc Wia= 9°7 7gm V=28c¢ Y W=5863gm Vs =18-23cc Ws =48:86gm Fig. 15 Problem 1.5. An undisturbed sample of saturated clay has a volume of 16.5 cc and weighs 35.1 gm. On oven-drying, the weight of the sample reduces to 29.5 gm. Determine the void ratio, moisture content, dry density and the specific gravity of solids. Solution: Method I: Given ‘B W, Wa, s|=> Required :(e, w, ya, G] Weight of the saturated sample, W = 35.1. gm Weight of the dry sample, W, = 295 gm . Weight of water evaporated, W,, = W - W, = (35.1 - 29.5) gm = 5.6. gm = 2.127 gm/ccwe Weight-Volume Relationships 15 Wa _ 295 a" yp * Fes 7 1788 g/cc Gre But, ‘Ysat = 1 pial. 2aeT ee EE or, 2.127 + 2.1270 = Gre or, G = 1,127e + 2.127 (i) Again, ute see 1+e or, G = 1.788e + 1.788 i) From (i) and (ii) we get, 1.788¢ + 1.788 = 1.127e + 2.127 or, 0.661e = 0.339 or, e=0.51 From (i) we get,G = (1.27) (0.51) + 2.127 = 2.7 Now, wG = se se _ (1) (051) | » or, wen & = a7 7 0189 = 18.9% Method II: A three-phase diagram of the given soil is shown in Fig. 1.6. Here, wet weight of the sample, W = 35.1 gm Dry weight of the sample, Wy = 29.5 gm Weight of water, W,, = W - W, = (35.1 - 29.5) gm = 5.6 gm Volume of water Vy = V, = 5.6cc Total volume V = 16.5 ce Volume of solids, V, ='V - V, = (165 - 5.6)cc = 10.9 ce Vv, Void ratio, ee ost Moisture content,16 Problems in Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering Wwe 5+ F V=16 te Vs =10-9c¢| Dry density, we Unit weight of solids, ye Specific gravity of solids, G = e = 22.27 Problem 1.6 The initial void ratio of an inorganic clay is found to be 0.65, while the specific gravity of solids is 2.68. Determine the dry density and saturated density of the soil. Also determine its bulk density and moisture content, if the soil is 50% saturated. Solution: — Given:/e,G,s |=» Required: | Y4 Ysa 1%, 5 : Gre Saturated density of the soil, ext = ra Oye tt. = CPeas) (1) = 2.02 gm/cc % Gt _ (2.68) (1) r Dry density, WM" Tae be 06s 7 bSzem/ec When the soil is 50% saturated, its bulk density G+ se) | 2.68 + 05)05) 4). 1 §9 gm/ce eRe 1 + 0.65 Moisture content at 50% saturation, w=. 05) 065) | 012 = 12% G 2.68 Problem 1.7. The volume and weight of a partially saturated clay sample are 185 cc and 362 gm respectively. After drying in an oven at 105°C for 24 hours, its weight reduced to 326 gm. If the natural void ratio of the soilWeight-Volume Relationships 7 was 0.54, determine the moisture content, dry density, bulk density, degree of saturation and specific gravity of solids. Solution: Given :|W, V, W,,e |= Required :{y, yg, w, 8, G Total volume V = 185 cc Total weight, W = 362. gm Dry weight, Wa = 326 gin i yO Bulk density, Y= V7 jag 7 196 m/c 5 Wa _ 326 Dry density, a= 7 igs 7 L76em/ec Weight of water evaporated, W,, = W- W, = (362 ~ 326)gm = 36gm Moisture content, w= We oe i= t1% Wee 26, Gy, ees Wo= eee Git 176 = T5054 or, G = (1.76) (1.54) = 2.71 Again, wG = se, wG _ (0.11) (2.71) or, smn ag 7 055 = 55% Problem 1.8. A sample of silty clay has a void ratio of 0.8, The soil is allowed to absorb water and its saturated density was found to be 1.92 gm/cc. Determine the water content of the saturated sample. Solution: Method I: It is assumed that the void ratio of the soil did not change due to absorption of water. The saturated density is given by, _Gte. far opece Ye G +08 1+ 08 (1) = 1.92 or, G = (1.92) (1.8) - 0.8 = 2.65618 Problems in Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering Now, using the relation wG = se, we, get, se _ (1) (0.8) Wires 1656 = 0.30 Required water content = 30% Method Il: Fig. 1.7 shows the three-phase diagram of the given soil. Let the weight of solids be unity. Let w be the moisture content of the saturated soil, WwW, Now,w = 55 of Wy 2 WW, = wel = w em Volume of water, Vi, Now, void ratio e=08 or, Ve= 05 08 Total volume of the soil, V=V, + Vw = 1.25 + w = 2.25wee wee wgm (i+w)gm 1gm Fig. 1.7 Total weight of the soil, W = W,, + Wy = (1 + w)gm W_i+tw You = "22250 But, Yea = 1.92. gm/eeWeight-Volume Relationships 19 l+w t 225w 7 1,92 or, 432w=1+w or, w = 0.30 = 30% Note : Try to solve the problem’assuming the volume of solids to be unity. Problem 1.9. The bulk density and dry density of a partially saturated soil are 1.95 gm/ec and 1.80 gm/cc respectively. The specific gravity of solids is 2.68. Determine the void ratio, moisture content and degree of saturation of the soil. Solution : sie We have, Mey Here, yy = 1.80 gm/ce, y = 1.95 gm/cc 1.80 = S 1l+w or, 1 + w = 1.95/1.80 = 1.0833 or, Ww = 0.0833 = 8.33% Again, we have, ieeear re 1.80 = (2.68) (1 tee 2.68 or, ltes 180 = 1.49 or, e = 0.49 Now, WG =se wG _ (0.0833) (2.68) or, eo ie 0.49 = 0.456 = 45.6% Problem 1.10. The density of a partially saturated soil was found to be 1.88 gm/ce. If the moisture content and void ratio of the soil be 24.8% and 0.76 respectively, determine the specific gravity of solids, and the degree of saturation. Solution : G+ se We have ye “y a) and, WG = se afi)20 Problems in Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering Substituting for se in eqn (i), we get, eae T+e _ i+w), +e G(1_+ 0.248) 188= "076 ng 1.88) (1.76) _ = 1.248 ee Sp Yw or, Problem 1.11, A given soil mass has a moisture content of 10.5% and a void ratio of 0.67. The specific gravity of soil solids is 2.68. It is required to construct three cylindrical test specimens of diameter 3.75 cm and height 7.5 cm from this soil mass. Each specimen should havea moisture content of 15% and a dry density of 1.6 gm/cc. Determine : ({) the quantity of the given soil to be used for this purpose (i) quantity of water to be mixed with it. Solution: (i) Volume of each specimen = 77h 5 (3.15/2)° (7.5) ce = 82.83 ce Total volume of three specimens, V = (3) (82.83) = 248.49 cc W, Weight of dry soil required, Wy = V x Ya [- wr 7 = (248.49) (1.6) = 39758 gm Moisture content of finished specimens, w = 15% But, wa or, Wy = wx Wy Weight of water in the specimens, W = (0-15) (397.58) = 59.64 gm Now, dry density of the given soil mass, _ Ge (2.68) (1) a wa Sete i.e, 1.605 gm of dry soil is obtained from 1 cc of moist soilWeight-Volume Relationships 21 397.58 1.605 = 247.71 cc of moist soil 397.58 gm of dry soil is obtained from Volume of moist soil to be used = 247.71 ce. Now, bulk density yay +») = (1.605) (1 + 0.105) = 1.773 gm/cc Total weight of moist soil required = y x V = (1.773) (247.71) gm = 439.19 gm (ii) Weight of water present in this soil = (439.19 - 397.58) gm = 41.61 gm Weight of water finally required = 59.64 gm .. Weight of water to be added = (59.64 - 41.61) gm = 18.03 gm Volume of water to be added = 18.03 cc Ans: 439.19 gm of given soil is to be taken and 18.03 cc of water is to be added to it. EXERCISE 1 Jd. Asoil sample has a porosity of 35%. The soil is 75% saturated and the specific gravity of solids is 2.68. Determine its void ratio, dry density, bulk density and moisture content. [Ans :¢ = 0.54, ya = 1.74gm/ce,y = 2.0 gm/cc, w = 15% ] v1.2. The mass specific gravity of a soil is 1,95, while the specific gravity of soil solids is 2.7. If the moisture content of the soil be 22%, determine the following : (i) Void ratio (ii) porosity (iii) degree of saturation (iv) dry density (v) saturated density. [Ans : (i) 0.69 (ii) 41% (iii) 86% (iv) 1.597 gm/ce (v) 2.00 gm/ce ] .3. The saturated and dry densities of a soil are 1.93 gm/cc and 1.47 gm/cc respectively. Determine the porosity and the specific gravity of the solid grains. [Ans : n= 45.9%, G = 2.72] 4. A partially saturated soil sample has a natural moisture content of 17% and a bulk density of 2.05 g/cc. If the specific gravity of soil solids be 2.66, determine the void ratio, degree of saturation and dry density of the soil. What will be the bulk density of the soil if it (i) Fully saturated