CIV428: Slopes and Earth Structures O. S.

Mughieda
Due on: 24/3/2024 HW # 2 Spring 2023-2024

1. An undisturbed sample of a soft clay is set up in the triaxial cell and normally consolidated in the
lab. under an equal all round pressure of 50 kPa. Then the drainage lines are turned off, and axial
stress is increased until failure is reached at (1 - 3)f = 30 kPa, uf 15 kPa. Compute:

a. Undrained shear strength of the soil. Su = ……………………….(kPa)

b. , assume c= 0.0, = …………………….(degrees)
c. cu, assume c = 0.0 cu,= ………………………(degrees)
d. Af Af = ………………………..

2. An undisturbed sample of clay is set up in the triaxial test, and normally consolidated in the lab.
Under equal all round pressure of 20 kPa. Then, while drainage lines are turned on the axial stress is
increased until failure is reached. If c= 25 kPa and  = 20o compute:

a. The major effective principal stress at failure, 1f =…………………… (kPa)

b. The drained shear strength of the soil, S = …………………………(kPa)
c. The inclination of the plane of failure,  = ………………………… (degrees)

3. A soil profile consists of 4 ft of peat ( = 75 pcf) over a uniform soft clay layer. For the clay  = 100
pcf and , p/vo = 1.0. the water table is at the ground surface. For a clay element at the depth of 10
feet (6 feet into the soft clay) compute the following:
a. Unconfined compressive strength. qu = …………………(psf)
b. Undrained shear strength. Su = ………………………….(psf)
Assume a wide fill, thickness 7 feet,  = 120 pcf is placed over the surface of the peat.
c. Undrained shear strength immediately after the fill is placed S u = ……………(psf)
d. Undrained shear strength after all of the excess pore water pressures are dissipated. S u =………(psf)