UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT

TEST NO: MAJOR TEST 3

Semester 2

GEE2601

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

Examiner: J Sibanda Moderator: M Makaleng

Moderator: M Maoyi Marks: 57
Weight of Assessment: 35% Duration: 2 hours
INSTRUCTIONS TO ALL STUDENTS:

YOUR SCRIPT MUST BE SAVED WITH STUDENT NO, SUBJECT CODE AND
UPLOADED ON MOODLE. EXAMPLE 72111985QAS401I
• Honesty Declaration must be completed
• The module is IRIS invigilated
Additional student instructions
1. Students must upload their answer scripts in a single PDF file (answer scripts must
not be password protected or uploaded as “read only” files)
2. NO emailed scripts will be accepted.
3. Students are advised to preview submissions (answer scripts) to ensure legibility
and that the correct answer script file has been uploaded.
4. Students are permitted to resubmit their answer scripts should their initial
submission be unsatisfactory.
5. Incorrect file format and uncollated answer scripts will not be considered.
6. Incorrect answer scripts and/or submissions made on unofficial examinations
platforms (including the invigilator cellphone application) will not be marked and no
opportunity will be granted for resubmission.
7. Mark awarded for incomplete submission will be the student’s final mark. No
opportunity for resubmission will be granted.
8. Mark awarded for illegible scanned submission will be the student’s final mark. No
opportunity for resubmission will be granted.
9. Submissions will only be accepted from registered student accounts.
10. Students who have not utilised invigilation or proctoring tools will be subjected to
disciplinary processes.
11. Students suspected of dishonest conduct during the examinations will be
subjected to disciplinary processes. UNISA has a zero tolerance for plagiarism and/or any
other forms of academic dishonesty.
NOTE: This is a Graduate Attribute assessment, failure to get at least 50% for this
test will lead to failure of this module.
 GEE2601
Major Test 3

Question 1 [2 Marks]
When designing a foundation where you have two layers of soil with different shear
strength parameters, which “c” will you consider for your design? (2)

Note: Your answer should not be more than 1 line.

Question 2 [25 Marks]

READ the question carefully and use a sketch to make sense of it before you start
answering.

A square footing is founded at a depth of 3m in soil (i.e. from the surface) with the
watertable at 2m below the ground surface. A load of 180kN acts at an inclination of
15° to the vertical, halfway between the centre of the footing and one of the corners.
The factor of safety of 3.5 is required for the design. The soils are as follows:

Soil 1 (2m thick– from the surface):

c’ = 38kPa, cu = 69kPa, φ’ = 22° ɣbulk = 19.5N/m3 and ɣsat = 23kN/m3

Sand 2 (2.5m thick – from soil 1):

c’ = 0kPa, cu = 48kPa, φ’ = 32° ɣbulk = 18kN/m3 and ɣsat = 20kN/m3

a) Write the expression of 𝑞𝑓 in terms of 𝐵 ′ using the factor of safety. (2)

b) Calculate expression of 𝑞𝑓 in terms of 𝐵 ′ for drained conditions. (13)

Hint: For this question, you should use the 𝑖𝑞 and 𝑖ɣ as multipliers on the bearing
capacity equation:
qf = C’NcSc + (qoNqSq)iq + (0.5B’ɣNɣSɣ)iɣ

c) Calculate the width of the foundation (𝐵). (10)

2
 GEE2601
Major Test 3

Question 3 [30 Marks]

Consider the wall in the profile below, in active and passive state (soils on the left-
hand side are in active state, and on the right-hand side is passive). The wall is 2m
thick, unit weight of a reinforced concrete is 26kN/m3. Soils on the active state side
have the same material properties as the one’s on the passive state. The water table
is sometimes at the top during rainy seasons, however, it is normally somewhere
within the top material (see the diagram below).

ACTIVE | PASSIVE

185kN/m2

WT 2.5m
φ’ = 25°
ɣbulk = 17kN/m3 Clay 1 5.5m

φ’ = 29° 4m
3.8m Clay 2
ɣsat = 24.3kN/m3 Clay 2

φ’ = 32°
Sand
ɣbulk = 20kN/m3 Sand 9m
9m

Rock

3.1. Draw the distribution of all the horizontal stresses, show all the forces and their
positions. (15)

3.2. The factor of safety of the design was found to be 3.2 against overturning at the
toe of the wall. Is this correct? Show all your calculations. (15)

Good luck!
§§§
End
Total [57 marks]
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