UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

QUIZ

COURSE : SOIL ENGINEERING

COURSE CODE : ECG353
EXAMINATION : JANUARY 2021
TIME : 1 hour

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
1. This question paper consists of FIVE (5) questions.
2. Answer ALL questions in English.

QUESTION NO. MARK STUDENT NAME :

NURSYAZANA AFIQAH BINTI MOHD NAZRI
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

2018637614
STUDENT ID NO: ------------------------------------------------
J4EC1105J1
GROUP ---------------------------------------------

MADAM DIANA BINTI CHE LAT

LECTURER’S NAME : -----------------------------------------

ENDORSED BY RESOURCE PERSON

TOTAL
QUESTION 1
a. List THREE (3) characteristics of undisturbed soil samples. (CO1-PO1)(C1) (3 marks)

i. clay type of soil

………………………………………………………….
ii. need special tools to determine the soil moisture content
………………………………………………………….
iii. to determine strength and permeability
…………………………………………………………

b. Geophysical survey is one of the methods that can be used to investigate subsurface
condition. Describe TWO (2) advantages of this method. (CO2-PO3)(C4) (3 marks)

i. easy to use and apply

……………………………………………………………………………………
ii. suitable for grain and clay type of soil
……………………………………………………………………………………

QUESTION 2
a. List out THREE (3) factors effecting vertical stress. (CO1-PO1)(C1) (3 marks)

i. load distribution
…………………………………………………………………………….
ii. size of foundation
…………………………………………………………………………….
iii. type of soil
…………………………………………………………………………….

b. A circular footing with a radius of 5 m sits on the ground surface carrying a uniformly
distributed load of 100 kN/m2. Calculate the vertical stress induce at 2 m depths directly
below the center of the footing by using table Q2(b). Use the formula given for the
value of the influence factor and vertical stress. (CO2-PO3)(C4) (3 marks)
Given :
𝚫𝝈𝑧 = 𝑞𝐼𝐶

Table Q2(b)

Depth (m) Ic Vertical stress (kN/m2)

2.0 94.88
0.9488

QUESTION 3

a. The retaining wall shown in Figure Q3 (a) with a smooth vertical face designed to retain
the residual soil. Plot the active lateral earth pressure diagram and calculate the total
active thrust acting on the wall. (CO2-PO3) (C4) (6 marks)
 ϒ =19.5 kN/m3
5.5m φ= 30o
c' = 0

Figure Q3(a)
Active

Diagram Ka 𝜎ℎ1(kN/m2) Pa (kN/m) h(lineof action)

0.333 35.71 89.28 1.667

QUESTION 4
a. There are many factors that could cause collapse of a building. List THREE (3) factors
in designing shallow foundation to avoid this condition. (CO1-PO1)(C1) (3 marks)

i.
type of soil
……………………………………………………………….
ii. value of load distribution
……………………………………………………………….
iii. material used
……………………………………………………………….

b. A square foundation of 2.0 m width is founded at a depth of 1.5m in a compacted SAND

having the physical properties as follow:

c’ = 0 kN/m2 γbulk= 18.3 kN/m3 φ =30°

Bearing capacity factors: Nc = 37.16, Nq = 22.46 Nγ = 19.73

Determine the ultimate bearing capacity of the soil if the location of ground water table
is well below the foundation. (CO2-PO3)(C4) (3 marks)

Use qf = 1.3cNc + σ Nq + 0.4Bγ Nγ

QUESTION 5

a. Figure 5 shows a slip circle of center, O and radius, R of 12m. The angle of slip circle,
 is 80o. The area of slip mass, A is 90m2 with bulk unit weight of the soil slope, γ is
18 kN/m3 and the undrained cohesion, cu of 50kPa. The centroid distance from O, d is
5.5m.
Refer to the cross section of the slope given below, and using the total stress analysis
method; (CO2-PO3)(C4) (6 marks)
i. Calculate the factor of safety, FOS for the potential failure surface AB without the
presence of tension crack.

END OF QUESTION PAPER