UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA

Faculty of Engineering

MID SEMESTER EXAMINATION – AUGUST 2019

CE 310 GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

(1 Hour)

(Answer ALL questions. All questions carry equal marks. The distribution of marks within
a question is given in paranthesis)
__________________________________________________________________________

(1) (a) The smooth ( = 0) reinforced concrete (unit weight = 24 kN/m3) retaining wall shown in
Fig.1 is founded on a granular soil of saturated unit weight 18 kN/m3 and effective angle of
friction 36. It supports a backfill compacted to have the same properties as those of soil
underneath. It is expected to support a variable surcharge pressure of 20 kN/m2. There is a
possibility for the watertable to rise upto 1.5 m above the foundation level. Evaluate the
stability of the wall against overturning (about Point A) and sliding conforming to Eurocode 7
using Design Approach 1 Combination 1 (DA1:C1). You may refer Table Q1 for partial
factors. Assume that the soil above the water table is saturated and that frictional resistance is
fully mobilised under the foundation.

Fig. 1
 Table Q1: Partial factors set for GEO and STR limit states.
GEO/STR - Partial factor set
Parameter Symbol
A1 A2 M1 M2 R1 R2 R3
Permanent action (G) Unfavourable γG, dst 1.35 1.0
Favourable γG, stb 1.0 1.0
Variable action (Q) Unfavourable γQ, dst 1.5 1.3
A
Favourable - - -
Accidental action (A) Unfavourable γA, dst 1.0 1.0
Favourable - - -
Coefficient of shearing resistance
(tanφ') γφ' 1.0 1.25
Effective cohesion (c') γc' 1.0 1.25
M
Undrained shear strength (cu) γcu 1.0 1.4
Unconfined compressive strength (qu) γqu 1.0 1.4
Weight density (γ) γγ 1.0 1.0
Bearing resistance (Rv) γRv 1.0 1.4 1.0
Sliding resistance (Rh) R γRh 1.0 1.1 1.0
Earth resistance (Re) γRe 1.0 1.4 1.0
2. A cut slope of an embankment was analyzed following the Simplified Bishop method. Some
information corresponding to the selected trial surface are given in Table Q2a. The embankment
soil is uniform and has a cohesion (c') and a friction angle ( of 22 kN/m2 and 21.3o, respectively.
Following equation was used to calculate the factor of safety.
u Sec
1 ru  m 
F  [c' b  W (1  ru )Tan ' ]m Tan .Tan '
WSin W /b 1
F
The calculated factor of safety values using two assumed factor of safety values are given in Table
Q2b.

a) Complete the Table Q2b by calculating factor of safety values corresponding to two more
assumed factor of safety values: (i) F = 1.45 and (ii) F = 1.6. [75% marks]
b) Draw the calculated factor of safety values against the assumed in the graph provided using
the information in Table Q2b. [15% marks]
c) What is the actual factor of safety of the trial slip surface? [10% marks]

Table Q2a

Slice No. Slice width Angle Weight of slice Pore pressure

b (m) α (o) W (kN/m) u (kN/m2)
1 9 -6.2 3422 0.00
2 10.3 11.3 329 16.55
3 8.1 20.6 2345 75.27
4 62 33.6 4213 24.19
5 7.9 58.4 2013 55.04
6 9.6 69.1 284 0.83

Table Q2b
Assumed Calculated
Factor of safety factor of safety
1 1.31
1.2 1.35
1.45
1.6
 1.6

Calculated Factor of Safety

1.4

1.2

1
1 1.2 1.4 1.6
Assumed Factor of Safety