CONFIDENTIAL ASSIGNMENT/JAN 2021/ECG243

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

ASSIGNMENT

STUDENT’S NAME :

STUDENT ID :
GROUP :
LECTURER’S NAME :

COURSE : SOIL MECHANICS

COURSE CODE : ECG243

SUBMISSION DATE : 16 January 2021

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

1. This question paper consists of TWO (2) parts.

2. Answer ALL questions in English and individually.

3. Students are required to snap the answer script, convert to PDF, and submit to lecturer
via any online teaching platform decided by your lecturer.

PART A PART B Vetted by RP:

Question Marks CO:PO Question Marks CO:PO

1(a) / 3 CO1:PO1 1(a) /5 CO1:PO1

4/1/2021

1(b) / 12 CO2:PO2 1(b) /5 CO1:PO1

1(c) / 5 CO2:PO2 1(c) /7 CO2:PO2

1(d) /3 CO2:PO2

Total / 20 Total / 20 TOTAL = / 40

STUDENT’S DECLARATION:

I hereby declare that all the online submissions are based on my original efforts, not plagiarized from any
source(s), nor attempting to or communicating with any other person during the online assessment period.
I am fully aware that candidates who are suspected of violating this pledge are liable to be referred to the
Disciplinary Committee of the Faculty.
Yes, I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and agreed to the above.

Student’s signature:

© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL

Date:
 CONFIDENTIAL 2 ASSIGNMENT/JAN 2021/ECG243

PART A

QUESTION 1
a. Define the term permeability and seepage. (CO1-PO1)(C1)
(3 marks)

b. Figure Q1(b) below shows a cross section of concrete dam founded on silty SAND which
underlain by an impervious stratum. Draw a flow net manually using graph paper for the
case stated in Table Q1(b). Determine the quantity of seepage under the dam if the
permeability of silty sand is 1 x 10 -4 cm/sec. (CO2-PO2)(C4)

Figure Q1(b)

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Table Q1(b)

Case 1 In Figure Q1(b), sheet piling of 6 m length was installed at point B

Case 2 In Figure Q1(b), the depth of the soil layer was increased by 3 m
Case 3 In Figure Q1(b), the water level upstream was decreased by 2 m
Case 4 In Figure Q1(b), the soil layer is gravelly SAND.
The permeability of gravelly SAND is 1.0 cm/sec
Case 5 In Figure Q1(b), the base length of the concrete dam was increased by 2 m

 Students with an ID Number ending with 0 and 1 (example 2019XXXXX0 and

2019XXXXX1) are required to answer Case 1 only.
 Students with an ID Number ending with 2 and 3 are required to answer Case 2 only.
 Students with an ID Number ending with 4 and 5 are required to answer Case 3 only.
 Students with an ID Number ending with 6 and 7 are required to answer Case 4 only.
 Students with an ID Number ending with 8 and 9 are required to answer Case 5 only.

(12 marks)

c. (i) The cross section of a concrete dam is shown in Figure Q1(c)(i). The coefficient of
permeability, k is 3 x10-5 m/s. Select TWO (2) methods that can reduce the quantity
of seepage in the case of flow under concrete dam. (CO2-PO2)(C6)
(2 marks)

Figure Q1(c)(i)

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 CONFIDENTIAL 4 ASSIGNMENT/JAN 2021/ECG243

(ii) In construction of retaining wall, one of the factors need to be considered is the
selection of backfill materials as shown in Figure Q1(c)(ii). Select and justify which
type of soil is suitable as fill material for the construction due to its permeability
behavior. (CO2-PO3)(C6)
(3 marks)

Figure Q1(c)(ii)

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 CONFIDENTIAL 5 ASSIGNMENT/JAN 2021/ECG243

PART B

QUESTION 1
a) A shear box test was carried out on two samples of loose and dense sand. The soil samples
were tested under equal constant normal stress. A typical result of their behaviour plotted
on vertical displacement versus horizontal displacement normally indicates different curve
trend in both samples as shown in Figure Q1(a) below. Outline their differences in terms
of volume change behaviour. (CO1-PO1)(C1)
(5 marks)

Figure Q1(a)

b) The strength envelopes are a graphical representation of a particular limiting condition of

shear stress/normal stress ratio. Sketch and explain the general relationship between the
failure envelope and the linear function of the normal stress for the SANDY soil.
(CO1-PO1)(C3)
(5 marks)

c) The following results in Table Q1(c) were obtained from numerous shear box testing in the
laboratory. Analyze the data and determine the shear strength parameters of soil. Plot the
graph manually using graph paper. (CO2-PO2)(C4)

There are 5 sets of data given below.

 Students with an ID Number ending with 0 and 1 (example 2019XXXXX0 and

2019XXXXX1) are required to answer Data Set A only.
 Students with an ID Number ending with 2 and 3 are required to answer Data Set B only.
 Students with an ID Number ending with 4 and 5 are required to answer Data Set C only.
 Students with an ID Number ending with 6 and 7 are required to answer Data Set D only.
 Students with an ID Number ending with 8 and 9 are required to answer Data Set E only.

(7 marks)

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 CONFIDENTIAL 6 ASSIGNMENT/JAN 2021/ECG243

Table Q1(c)

Data Set A
Shear box used 50 mm by 50 mm
Normal Load (kN) Shear Force at Failure (kN)
0.049 0.058
0.098 0.104
0.147 0.154

Data Set B
Shear box used 60 mm by 60 mm
Normal Load (kN) Shear Force at Failure (kN)
0.098 0.113
0.196 0.206
0.294 0.297

Data Set C
Shear box used 100 mm by 100 mm
Normal Load (kN) Shear Force at Failure (kN)
0.098 0.164
0.294 0.318
0.490 0.486

Data Set D
Shear box used 51 mm by 51 mm ie. 2inch by 2inch
Normal Load (kN) Shear Force at Failure (kN)
0.049 0.958
0.098 1.662
0.147 2.417

Data Set E
Shear box used 101.6 mm by 101.6 mm ie. 4inch by 4inch
Normal Load (kN) Shear Force at Failure (kN)
0.049 0.894
0.196 2.153
0.441 4.521

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 CONFIDENTIAL 7 ASSIGNMENT/JAN 2021/ECG243

d) A brief soil condition at two construction sites is given in Table Q1(d). Each construction
site has been planned for the civil engineering works as stated below. As an assistant
engineer, select and justify the appropriate shear strength laboratory testing suitable for
the construction sites. (CO2-PO2)(C6)
(3 marks)

Table Q1(d)
Construction Site A Construction Site B
Type of soil Sandy Soil Residual Soil
Implementation of civil works Temporary site office Cut slopes

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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