Chapter (10)

THE CRITICAL STATE LINE AND THE ROSCOE SURFACE

(1) Calculation of the failure conditions in an undrained test. The values of the soil
constants for a clay are N = 3.25, λ = 0.20, Γ = 3.16 and M = 0.94. A Sample of the
clay is isotropically normally consolidated to p ' = 400 kNm-2 and is then subjected to
a standard undrained triaxial compression test. Calculate the values of q ' , p ' , and υ
at failure.

(2) Calculation of the failure conditions in an drained test. The values of the soil constants
for a clay are N = 3.25, λ = 0.20, Γ = 3.16 and M = 0.94. A Sample of the clay is

isotropically normally consolidated to p ' = 400 kNm-2, where υ0 = 2.052 and is then
subjected to a standard drained compression test. Calculate the values of q ' , p ' , υt
and ∈υ at failure.

(3) Calculation of the failure conditions in an undrained test. The values of the soil
constants for a clay are N = 4.75, λ = 0.30, Γ = 4.16 and M = 0.94. A Sample of the
clay is isotropically normally consolidated to p ' = 700 kNm-2 and is then subjected to
a standard undrained triaxial compression test. Calculate the values of q ' , p ' , and υ
at failure.

(4) Calculation of the failure conditions in an drained test. The values of the soil constants
for a clay are N = 4.75, λ = 0.30, Γ = 4.16 and M = 0.94. A Sample of the clay is

isotropically normally consolidated to p ' = 700 kNm-2, where υ0 = 2.209 and is then
subjected to a standard drained compression test. Calculate the values of q ' , p ' , υt
and ∈υ at failure.
No Solution (10 Marks) Mark

N = 3.25 λ = 0.20
1 Γ = 3.16 M = 0.94
p ' = 400 kNm-2
q' = ? p' = ? υ = ?
For normal consolidation, From Eq. (7.7)
υ0 = N - λ ln p0'
= 3.25 - 0.20 ln (400)
υ0 = 2.0517 3 Marks

For an undrained test, ∆υ =0

Hence, υt = υ0 at failure, 1 Mark

υt = 2.0517 1 Mark

At failure, From eq (10.6)

Γ −υ
0
qt' = M e λ

3.16 − 2.0517
= 0.94 e 0.2

qt' = 240 kNm −2 3 Marks

From Eq (10.1),

' qt' 240

p =
t = 1 Mark
M 0.94

pt' = 255 kNm −2 1 Mark

Total 10Marks
No Solution (10 Marks) Mark
N = 3.25 λ = 0.20
2 Γ = 3.16 M = 0.94
p ' = 400 kNm-2 υ0 = 2.052
q ' = ? p ' = ? υt = ? ∈υ = ?
At failure, From Eq. (10.9)

' 3Mp0'
q =
t
3− M
3 x 0.94 x 400
=
3 − 0.94
qt' = 548 kNm −2 2.5

and, from eq (10.1)

' qt'
p =
t
M
548
=
0.94
pt' = 583 kNm −2 2.5

From Eq (10.2),
υt = Γ - λ ln pt'
= 3.16 - 0.20 ln (583)
υt = 1.886 2.5

The volumetric strain ∈υ during the test is

∆υ
∈υ =−
υ0
1.886 − 2.052
= −
2.052
∈υ = 8.09 % 2.5

Total 10Marks
No Solution (10 Marks) Mark

N = 4.75 λ = 0.30
3 Γ = 4.16 M = 0.94
p ' = 700 kNm-2
q' = ? p' = ? υ = ?
For normal consolidation, From Eq. (7.7)
υ0 = N - λ ln p0'
= 4.75 - 0.30 ln (700)
υ0 = 2.785 3 Marks

For an undrained test, ∆υ =0

Hence, and, υt = υ0 at failure, 1 Mark

υt = 2.785 1 Mark

At failure, From eq (10.6)

Γ −υ
0
qt' = M e λ

4.16 − 2.785
= 0.94 e 0.3

qt' = 92 kNm −2 3 Marks

From Eq (10.1),

' qt' 92
p =
t = 1 Mark
M 0.94

pt' = 98 kNm −2 1 Mark

Total 10Marks
No Solution (10 Marks) Mark
N = 4.75 λ = 0.30
4 Γ = 4.16 M = 0.94
p ' = 700 kNm-2 υ0 = 2.209
q ' = ? p ' = ? υt = ? ∈υ = ?
At failure, From Eq. (10.9)

' 3Mp0'
q =
t
3− M
3 x 0.94 x 700
=
3 − 0.94
qt' = 958 kNm −2 2.5
M k
and, from eq (10.1)
' qt'
p =
t
M
958
=
0.94
2.5
pt' = 1019 kNm −2
From Eq (10.2),
υt = Γ - λ ln pt'
= 4.16 - 0.30 ln (1019)
υt = 2.082 2.5

The volumetric strain ∈υ during the test is

∆υ
∈υ =−
υ0
2.082 − 2.209
= −
2.209
2.5
∈υ = 5.74 %
Total 10Marks
 Useful Formula

υ0 = N - λ ln p0'
Γ −υ
0
qt' = M e λ

qt'
'
p = t
M

' 3Mp0'
q =
t
3− M
υt = Γ - λ ln pt'
∆υ
∈υ =−
υ0