CE602 F2F – SOLVED LECTURE PROBLEMS a) Liquid Limit ans. 43.

2%
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING b) Plastic Limit ans. 20.55%
c) Liquidity Index and soil characteristic if
SOIL PROPERTIES natural water content is 38%
ans. LI=0.77, brittle solid
1) The field unit weight of the soil sample is 1800
kg/m3 with a moisture content of 12%. Given that 2) In a liquid limit test using fall cone apparatus, the
the unit weight of soil particles is 2300 kg/m3, following readings were recorded.
evaluate the following:
Sample Water Content Penetration
a) Void ratio ans. 0.431 (mm)
b) Dry unit weight in kN/m3 ans. 15.77 1 40% 12
c) Degree of saturation, in percent ans. 2 45% 16
64.04% 3 50% 21
4 58% 35
2) The moist density and degree of saturation of the
soil sample are given in the table below. While in a plastic limit test, the following data were
obtained:
Soil Density Degree of Saturation Weight of wet soil + container = 22.12 grams
(kg/m3) (%) Weight of dry soil + container = 20.42 grams
1680 45 Weight of container = 13.07 grams
1808 75 Determine the following:

a) Determine the void ratio. ans. 0.744
b) Determine the specific gravity of solids.
ans. 2.595
c) Determine the weight of water in kg for
a 7m3 soil when it is fully saturated.
ans 2989kg
d) Determine the dry unit weight.
ans. 1488 kg/m3
3) A certain soil has a hydraulic gradient of 1.27 at
quicksand condition. The bulk unit weight of the soil
is 20.64 kN/m3 with a void ratio of 0.45.
a) What is the specific gravity of the soil
solids? ans. 2.842
b) What is the dry unit weight of the soil?
ans. 19.228 kN/m3
c) What is the moisture content of the soil?
ans. 0.073 or 7.3%
a) Liqui Limit ans. 49.1%
b) Plastic Limit ans. 0.231 or 23.1%
c) Plasticity Index ans. 26%
d) Consistency Index if the natural water
content is 40% ans. 0.35, Plastic
3) In a specific gravity test, the following data were
recorded:
Mass of pycnometer jar = 530 grams
Mass of pycnometer jar containing soil = 980 grams
Mass of pycnometer jar when full of clean water =
1560 grams
Mass of pycnometer jar containing soil and topped
with water = 1840 grams
Determine the following:
a) Specific gravity of solid ans. 2.647
b) Unit weight of solid ans. 25.968 kN/m3
c) Shrinkage limit if the shrinkage ratio is
1.83. ans. 16.866%

SOIL CONSISTENCY
RELATIVE DENSITY
1) In a liquid limit test using cup apparatus, the
following data were taken: 1) For a given sandy soil the maximum and
minimum void ratios are 0.72 and 0.46, respectively.
Sample Water No. of If Gs = 2.68 and w = 11%
Content Blows
1 41.8% 39 a) Determine the relative density if the in
2 43.5% 23 situ void ratio is 0.61. ans. 42.308%
3 44.3% 20 b) What is the moist unit weight of
4 45.5% 13 compaction (kN/m3) in the field if Dr =
82%? ans. 19.4 kN/m3
From the plastic limit test, the water contents were
found to be 20.3% and 20.8%.
Determine the following:
2) Given emin = 0.27, emax = 0.52. 3) Give the classification and group index using
AASHTO.
a) Find relative density if n = 0.286
ans. 0.48 or 48% Percent Finer
b) Find void ratio if relative density is 65%. Soil No. 10 No. 40 No. 200 LL PI
ans. 0.3575 A 90 74 32 28 9
B 86 56 8 NP -
SOIL CLASSIFICATION C 42 28 12 18 13
(PRACTICE PROBLEMS) D 92 68 30 42 18
E 90 48 22 31 5
1) The results of the sieve analysis of soils A, B, and
C are given below. a) Soil A (A-2-4 (0))
b) Soil B (A-3 (0))
Sieve Diameter Soil Sample c) Soil C (A-2-6 (0))
No. (mm) A B C d) Soil D (A-2-7 (1))
Percent Passing e) Soil E (A-1-b (0))
4 4.760 90 100 100
6 2.380 64 90 100
10 2.000 54 77 98
20 0.840 34 59 92
40 0.420 22 51 84
60 0.250 17 42 79
100 0.149 9 35 70
200 0.074 4 33 63

LL - 46 47
PL - 29 24

a) Determine D10, D30, D60, and Cu of Soil A and

classify Soil A according to USCS?

• D10=0.159, D30=0.667, D60=2.220,

Cu=13.962, Cc=1.260
• Classification of Soil A: SW

b) Which of the following classifies Soil B

according to USCS?
a. SM b. SC c. GC d. GM

c) Which of the following classifies Soil A

according to USCS?
a. OL b. CL c. ML d. CH

2) From the given data, classify the soil using USDA

textural classification system and determine the
activity classification if PI = 34%.

a) Activity of Clay ans. 2.267

b) Classification of Soil ans. Loam

Size (mm) %Passing

2.000 93
0.075 74
0.05 60
0.005 32
0.002 15
 CE602 – GEOTECH
MODULE 2
SOIL COMPACTION
1) A sand cone test has been performed in a
compacted fill of soil. The test results were as
follows:
Initial mass of sand cone apparatus w/ sand = 5.912
kg
Final mass of sand cone apparatus w/ sand = 2.378
kg
Mass of soil recovered from hole = 2.833 kg
Moisture content of soil from hole = 7%
Density of sand = 1300 kg/m3
Volume of cone below valve = 1.114x10-3 m3
Max dry unit weight = 19 kN/m3
Determine the following:
a) Moist unit weight ans. 17.327 kN/m3
b) Dry unit weight ans. 16.193 kN/m3
c) Relative compaction ans. 0.852 or
85.2%
2) A proposed embankment fill requires 5000m3 of
compaction soil. The void ratio of the compacted fill
is specified as 0.70. Three borrow pits are available
as described in the following table.
Borrow Pit Void Ratio Cost/m3
A 0.85 P830
B 0.95 P760
C 1.10 P720
What is the total cost for acquiring soil from:
a) Borrow Pit A ans. P4,516,176.08
b) Borrow Pit B ans. P4,358,823.44
c) Borrow Pit C ans. P4,447,059.12
MOVEMENT OF WATER THROUGH SOIL
1) A river and a canal run parallel to each other but
at different elevations as shown in the figure and has
been determined to exist for a 450m length. The
coefficient of permeability of the sand is 3m per day.
Determine the following:
a) Hydraulic gradient ans. 0.07813
b) Quantity of water which flows into the
canal ans. 158.203 m3/day
c) Seepage velocity if the porosity of the
sand is 0.22 ans. 1.065 m/day
2) A constant-head permeability test is performed
on a sample of granular soil. The length of soil
sample is 15cm and the cross-sectional area is 10cm2.
If a 24cm3 volume of water passes through the soil
sample in a 3-minute period and the constant head
is 30cm. Determine the following:
a) Coefficient of permeability of the soil
ans. 0.4cm/min
b) Discharge velocity ans. 0.8cm/min
c) Seepage velocity if the void ratio is 0.64
ans. 2.051 cm/min
3) A falling head hydraulic conductivity test is
performed on a sample of soil. The standpipe having
a diameter 0.2cm is observed and it takes 60 seconds
for the water to drop by 50 cm from an initial
hydraulic head of 90cm. The sample has a length of
20cm, and a diameter of 4cm. Determine the
following:
a) Coefficient of permeability of soil
ans. 6.758x10-4 cm/s
b) Hydraulic gradient ans. 2.5
c) Rate of flow of water in the soil
ans. 0.021 cm3/s
4) Three layers of soil is shown with the
corresponding values of coefficient of permeability.
Determine the following:
a) Equivalent horizontal coefficient of
permeability ans. 5.167x10-3 cm/s
b) Equivalent vertical coefficient of
permeability ans. 5.035x10-3 cm/s
c) Ratio of equivalent coefficient of
permeability ans. 1.026
5) The figure shows the layers of soil in the tube that
is 10cm by 10cm in cross section. When the tube is
supplied with water, a constant head difference of of
30cm is observed. The coefficient of permeability of
each sample are as follows:
Sample K (cm/s)
A 2x10-3
B 3x10-3
C 4x10-3
 2) The coefficient of permeability below a dam is
4m/day. The water on the upstream side is 20m
higher than on the downstream side. To estimate the
seepage below the dam, a flow net is graphically
drawn such that the number of potential drops,
Nd=10 and the number of glow channels Nf=4. The
base of the dam is founded 1m below the ground.
Between the heel and the toe of the dam, a distance
of 30m, there are 8 potential drops.

Determine the following:

a) Equivalent coefficient of permeability
ans. 2.939x10-3 cm/s
b) Hydraulic gradient ans. 0.5
c) Rate of water supply ans. 0.147 cm3/s

6) A pumping test was made in a sand layer

extending to a depth of 15m. The initial ground
water table is located 2m below the ground surface.
Observation wells were sighted at distances 3m and
7.5m from the pumping well. Using a discharge of
0.4m3 per hour, a steady level is attained at the
pumping well. The measures drawdowns at the two
observation wells are 1.5m and 0.35m respectively.
Determine the following: a) Estimate the seepage per meter length of
a) Hydraulic head at the observation well dam in liters per minute.
farther from the pumping well. b) ans. 22.22 liters/min
ans. 12.65m c) What is the uplift pressure at the heel in
b) Hydraulic head at the observation well kPa? ans. 176.58 kPa
nearer from the pumping well. d) What is the uplift pressure at the toe in
ans. 11.5m kPa? ans. 19.62 kPa
c) Coefficient of permeability of the soil. e) Calculate the uplift force on the base of
ans. 4.201x10-3 m/hr the dam with its corresponding flow nets.
ans. 2943 kN

FLOW NETS 3) For the flow net shown below: k = 4x10-7 m/s,
γsat = 20 kN/m3 (PRACTICE PROBLEM)
1) The sheet pile is driven in the reclamation area.

Determine the following:

a) No. of flow channels ans. 3
a) Calculate the head loss per drop in m.
b) No. of pressure drops ans. 6
ans. 0.45
c) Height of the piezometer in pointd a and
b) Calculate the rate of seepage in m3/s
b ans. Ha=2.5, Hb=0.5
ans. 1.08x10-6 m3/s
Seepage under the sheet pile if the
coefficient of permeability of soil is
6.5x10-5 m/s ans. 9.75x10-5 m3/s
 VERTICAL STRESSES IN SOIL

1) From the soil profile shown, sand layer is 4m thick

while clay layer is 5m thich, determine the following:

Determine the following:

a) Total stress at the bottom
ans. 135.94 kPa
b) Pore water pressure at the bottom
ans. 59.84 kPa
a) Total stress ans. 168.98 kPa
c) Effective stress at the bottom
b) Pore water pressure ans. 49.05 kPa
ans. 76.1 kPa
c) Effective stress at the bottom of sand
layer ans. 64.6 kPa
4) Consider the upward flow of water through a layer
d) Effective stress at the bottom of clay
of sand in a tank as shown in the figure. For the sand,
layer ans. 119.95 kPa
the following are given: e = 0.52, Gs = 2.67
(PRACTICE PROBLEM)
2) For the soil condition given in the figure. Consider
the capillary rise. Assume that the average degree of
saturation in the capillary zone is 50%.

a) Find the effective stress at a depth 9m.

ans. 166.55 kPa
b) Find the effective stress at a depth 8m.
ans. 152.96 kPa Determint the following:
c) Find the effective stress at a depth 9.5. a) Total stress at A ans. 24.1 kPa
ans. 173.35 kPa b) Total stress at B ans. 41.33 kPa
c) Effective stress at B ans. 0.129 kPa
3) The figure shows a granular soil in the tank having
a downward seepage. The water level in the tank is
held constant by adjusting the supply from the top
and outflow at the bottom. (PRACTICE PROBLEM)
 CE602 – GEOTECH 4) For the stressed soil element shown.
MODULE 3

DIRECT SHEAR TEST

1) A direct shear test was conducted on a specimen

of dry sand with a normal stress of 142 kPa. Failure
occurred at a shear stress of 96 kPa. The size of the
specimen was 50mm x 50mm x 25mm (height).
Compute the following:
a) Angle of friction
b) For a normal stress of 85 kPa, compute the
shearing stress.
c) What shear force would be required to
cause failure in the specimen. Determine the following:
a) Major principal stress
2) A clayey soil is subjected to two direct shear tests b) Minor principal stress
using a 75mm diameter shear box and the result are c) Normal stress on plane AB
as follows:
Sample Normal Force (N) Shear Force (N)
1 100 100 PROBLEMS FOR PRACTICE
2 150 120
a) Determine the cohesion of soil in MPa. [SITUATION 1] In a triaxial test in a normally
b) Determine the angle of internal friction. consolidated soil, the normal stress at failure is equal
to 450 kPa and the shear stress at failure is equal to
TRIAXIAL SHEAR TEST 300 kPa.

1) A consolidated-undrained soil test was conducted
on a normally consolidated sample with a chamber
pressure of 140 kPa. The sample failed when the
deviator stress was 124 kPa. The pore water
pressure in the sample at that time was 75 kPa.
Determine the following:
a) Undrained angle of internal friction
b) Drained angle of internal friction
c) Drained angle of internal friction if the soil
possesses a cohesion of 12
2) The soil sample in a triaxial test have the following
stresses:
Cell Pressure Deviator Stress Pore Pressure
25 kPa 20 kPa 12 kPa
34 kPa 31 kPa 10 kPa
Determine the following:
a) Drained angle of internal friction
b) Cohesion of soil
c) Angle of failure in shear
3) A cohesive soil with an angle of shearing
resistance of 28° has a cohesion of 32 kPa. The shear
stress at failure is 64 kPa. Determine the following:
a) Normal stress
b) Confining pressure
c) Maximum principal stress
a) Compute the angle of friction in degrees.
ans 33.7°
b) Compute the angle of the failure plane with the
major principal axis, in degrees. ans. 61.9°
c) Compute the maximum principal stress of
failure, in kPa. ans. 1011 kPa
[SITUATION 2] A consolidated drained triaxial shear
stress conducted on a consolidated clay has the
following results:
Chamber confining pressure = 240 kPa
Deviator stress = 450 kPa
Evaluate the following:
a) The angle of friction in degrees. ans. 28.94°
b) The shear stress at the plane of failure in kPa.
ans. 195.17kPa
c) The normal stress at the plane of maximum
shear in kPa. ans. 465 kPa
[SITUATION 3] A direct shear test was carried out on
a sand sample under normal stress of 450 kPa. The
shear stress at failure was 310 kPa. Assuming that
the failure plane was horizontal, determine the
following:
a) Angle of friction ans. 34.56°
b) Major principal stress ans. 1039.97 kPa
c) Minor principal stress ans. 287.11 kPa
 CE602 – MODULE 4 Vertical Stress Caused by a Rectangularly Loaded
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING Area (Corner of Footing):
∆𝜎𝑧 = 𝑞𝐼𝑧
INCREASE IN STRESS
1 2𝑚𝑛√𝑚2 + 𝑛2 + 1 𝑚2 + 𝑛2 + 2
∆𝑷𝑻𝑶𝑷 + 𝟒(∆𝑷𝑴𝑰𝑫 ) + ∆𝑷𝑩𝑶𝑻 𝐼𝑧 = [ ( )
∆𝑷 = 4𝜋 𝑚2 + 𝑛2 + 𝑚2 𝑛2 + 1 𝑚2 + 𝑛2 + 1
𝟔 2𝑚𝑛√𝑚2 + 𝑛2 + 1
+ 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 ( 2 )]
BOUSSINESQ EQUATION 𝑚 + 𝑛 2 − 𝑚 2 𝑛2 + 1

Stress Caused by a Point Load: Where: m=B/z, n=L/z

The arctan term must be a positive angle in
radians.

WESTERGAARD EQUATION

Point Load:
𝑷 𝑷
∆𝝈𝒛 = = 𝑰
𝒓 𝟐
𝟏.𝟓 𝒛𝟐 𝒘
𝒛𝟐 𝝅 [𝟏 + 𝟐 (𝒛) ]

𝟑𝑷 𝑷 Where: IW = influence factor

∆𝝈𝒛 = = 𝑰
𝒓 𝟐 𝟐.𝟓 𝒛𝟐 𝑩
𝟐𝝅𝒛𝟐 [𝟏 + (𝒛) ]
Example 1: In the soil formation shown below, the
properties are given and the ground water table is
Where: IB = influence factor 3m below the ground surface.

Stress caused by Line Load:

𝟐𝒒
∆𝝈𝒛 = 𝟐 a) Find the total stress at the mid layer of the
𝒙 𝟐 clay.
𝝅𝒛 [𝟏 + ( 𝒛) ]
b) Find the effective stress at the mid-layer of
clay.
c) If a load of 6000 kN is applied on the 3m x
Vertical Stress below the Center of a Uniformly 3m square footing on the ground surface,
Loaded Circular Area: find the increase in stress assuming a stress
𝟏.𝟓
distribution of 1H:2V at the mid layer.
𝟏 𝒓 𝟐
∆𝝈𝒛 = 𝒒 (𝟏 − ) ; 𝑵 = [𝟏 + ( ) ]
𝑵 𝒛
Example 2: A concentrated load of 3000kN is applied
to the ground surface. Using boussinesq equation:
a) Compute the stress induced at a depth of 6m
directly below the load.
b) Compute the stress induced at a depth of 6m
below the ground surface and a horizontal
distance of 5m from the line of the
concentrated load.
Example 3: An underground tunnel is to be
constructed at a depth of 10m below the ground
surface for a subway. On ground surface and radially
located from the line of the tunnel is a vertical load
of 10MN. Design specification requires that the
vertical stress due to the load at the level of the
tunnel should not exceed 5% the stress at the same
depth directly below the load. Use Boussinesq
theory due to point load.
𝑸𝑵 𝟏 b) The vertical increase in stress 10m below the
𝒑 = 𝟎. 𝟒𝟕𝟕 ; 𝑵=
𝒛𝟐 𝒓 𝟐 𝟐.𝟓
(𝟏 + (𝒛) )
A) Evaluate the stress directly below the
vertical at the level of the tunnel.
B) Evaluate the minimum distance at which the
alignment of the tunnel be located from the
line of application of the load.
Example 4: The figure shows two line loads on the
ground surface. Determine the increase of stress at
point A.
Example 5: A 4-m diameter circular footing supports
a column load of 1800 kN.
a) Obtain the bearing pressure exerted by the
footing onto the supporting soil.
b) Evaluate the vertical stress at a depth of 6m
below the center of the footing in kPa.
c) Evaluate the total vertical stress at a depth of
6m below the center of the footing in kPa if
the unit weight of soil is 17.2 kN/m3.
Example 6: The increase in stress under a corner of
a rectangular loading is given by Boussinesq formula
which is as follows:
∆𝜎𝑧 = 𝑞𝐼𝑧
a) What is the increase in stress at a point that
is 5m beneath a corner of a 1m x 2m footing
carrying a total uniform load of 100 kPa?
b) What is the increase in stress at a point that
is 5m beneath the center of a 2m x 4m footing
carrying a total uniform load of 100 kPa?
PROBLEMS FOR PRACTICE
1) A concentrated load P was applied at the ground
surface of a soil. Given that P = 2.5 MN, determine the
following:
a) The vertical increase in stress 10m below the
concentrated load P using Westergaard
Theory.
ans. 7.96 kPa
concentrated load P using Boussinesq
Theory.
ans. 11.94 kPa
c) The vertical increase in stress 10m below the
concentrated load P with a horizontal
distance of 3.6m, if a line load q = 14.3 kN/m
is added 4.5m farther than the load P. Use
Boussinesq Theory.
ans. 9.13 kPa
2) A 450 kN is transmitted by a column footing onto
the surface through a square footing 1.5m on a side.
Assuming that the force exerted on the underlying
soil formation spreads on 2 vertical to 1 horizontal:
a) Evaluate the pressure exerted in footing on a
soil 2.7m below it.
ans. 25.51 kPa
b) Evaluate the increase in stress in a 5m depth
of sand layer below the column footing.
ans. 53.86 kPa
Variations of Iz with m and n:
 CE602 – MODULE 5 EFFECT OF GROUND WATER TABLE
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
CASE I: GWT above the bottom of the foundation

General Shear Failure

Local Shear Failure (loose and soft clay) 𝒒 = 𝜸(𝑫𝒇 − 𝑫) + 𝜸′ 𝑫

𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑑 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ:

𝜸 = 𝜸′

CASE II: GWT below the bottom of the foundation

𝟐 𝟐
𝒄′ = 𝒄 𝒕𝒂𝒏∅′ = 𝒕𝒂𝒏∅
𝟑 𝟑

TERZAGHI’S ULTIMATE BEARING CAPACITY

𝑩
𝒒𝒖 = 𝑺𝒄 𝒄𝑵𝒄 + 𝑺𝒒 𝒒𝑵𝒒 + 𝑺𝜸 𝜸𝑵𝜸 ( ) 𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑑 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ:
𝟐 𝑫 𝑫
𝜸𝒂𝒗 = 𝜸 ( ) + 𝜸′ (𝟏 − ) (𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑫 ≤ 𝑩)
Where: 𝑩 𝑩
qu = ultimate bearing capacity
𝑪𝒖 𝜸𝒂𝒗 = 𝜸 (𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑫 > 𝑩)
C = cohesion of soil or undrained shear strength = 𝟐
Cu = unconfined compressive strength 𝒒 = 𝜸𝑫𝒇
q = γDf

Shape Factors (Sc, Sq, Sy) Gross Allowable Bearing Capacity

SHAPE Sc Sq Sy 𝒒𝒖
𝒒𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 =
Rectangle 1+0.3(B/L) 1 1-0.2(B/L) 𝑭. 𝑺.
Square 1.3 1 0.8
Circle 1.3 1 0.6 Net Allowable Bearing Capacity
Strip 1 1 1
𝒒𝒖 − 𝒒
Piles - Clay 1 0 0 𝒒𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆(𝒏𝒆𝒕) =
Piles - Sand 0 1 0 𝑭. 𝑺.

𝒒 = 𝜸𝑫𝒇
Example 1: A square foundation is 1.5 m x 1.5 m in
plan. The soil supporting the foundation has a
friction angle Φ=20°, and c=15.2 kPa. The unit
weight of soil is 17.8 kN/m3. Assume that the depth
of the foundation (Df) is 1 meter, and that general
shear failure occurs in soil.
a) Determine the cohesion strength.
b) Determine the bearing strength provided by
the soil overburden pressure.
c) Determine the bearing strength provided by
the footing dimension.
d) Determine the allowable gross load on the
foundation with a factor of safety (F.S.) of 4.
e) Determine the net allowable bearing
capacity.
Example 2: A square footing has a dimension of 1.2m
x 1.2m and has its bottom 1m below the ground
surface.
a) If the ground water table is located at a depth
of 1.2m below the ground surface, compute
the allowable load that the footing could
carry if it has a factor of safety of 3.
b) Find the ultimate bearing capacity of the soil
if the ground water table is at the bottom of
the footing.
c) Find the ultimate bearing capacity of the soil
if the ground water table is 0.5m above the
bottom of the footing.
Example 3: A square footing carries a gross
allowable load of 1111 kN. The base of the footing is
to be located at a depth of 1.37 m below the ground
surface. Given that the unit weight of soil is 18.2
kN/m3, Nc=34.24, Nq=19.98, Ny=16.18, and using
Terzaghi’s bearing capacity factors and assume
general shear failure:
a) Determine the dimension of the footing
using a factor of safety of 4 and the
unconfined compressive strength is 86 kPa.
b) Determine the dimension of the footing if the
water table is at the bottom of the footing
and using a factor of safety of 4 if γsat=20
kN/m3.
PROBLEMS FOR PRACTICE
1) A concrete (γc=23.6 kN/m3) wall footing 2.5 m
wide, 450 mm thick carries a total load (plus the
weight of the foundation) of 175 kN per meter length.
The base of the footing is at a depth of 2.25m below
the ground surface. The site has a uniform layer of
stiff moist saturated clay with the average bulk unit
weight of the clay is 1920 kg/m3, its unconfined
compressive strength is 100 kPa and the angle of
internal friction is 15°. Nc=12.86, Nq=4.45, Ny=1.52
a) Determine the gross foundation pressure.
ans. 70 kPa
b) Determine the net foundation pressure.
ans. 25.445 kPa
c) Determine the factor of safety of the
foundation against complete shear failure at
gross condition. ans. 12.39
d) Determine the factor of safety of the
foundation against complete shear failure at
net condition. ans. 32.35
2) A circular footing with a 1.5m diameter is to be
constructed 1.25m below the ground surface. The
subsoil consists of a uniform deposit of dense soil
having the following strength parameters.
Angle of internal friction = 25°
Unconfined compressive strength = 96 kPa
Unit weight of soil = 20.12 kN/m3
a) Compute the ultimate bearing capacity of the
soil. ans. 1963.53 kPa
b) Compute the gross allowable bearing
capacity of the soil using a factor of safety of
3. ans. 654.51 kPa
c) Compute the total allowable load including
the column load, weight of footing and
weight of soil surcharge that the footing can
carry. ans. 1156.61 kN
3) A 7 ft x 7 ft square footing is located 6 ft below the
ground surface. The groundwater table is located on
the ground surface. The subsoil consists of a uniform
deposit of 50 ft having a unit weight of 105 pcf, angle
of internal friction of 20° and a cohesion of 300 pcf.
Assume local shear failure.
𝑼𝒔𝒆 𝒒𝒖 = 𝟏. 𝟐𝒄′ 𝑵𝒄 ′ + 𝜸𝑫𝒇 𝑵𝒒 ′ + 𝟎. 𝟒𝟎𝜸𝑩𝑵𝜸 ′
𝟐
𝒄′ = 𝒄 𝑵𝒄 ′ = 𝟏𝟎 𝑵𝒒 ′ = 𝟑 𝑵𝜸 ′ = 𝟏
𝟑
a) Compute the ultimate bearing capacity.
ans. 3286.08 psf
b) Compute the gross allowable bearing
capacity using a factor of safety = 3.
ans. 1095.36 psf
c) Compute the allowable load that the footing
could support. ans. 53672.64 lb
d) Compute the net allowable load that the
footing could support if the specific gravity of
soil deposit is 2. ans. 41442.24 lb
 CE602 – MODULE 6
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
SOIL BEARING PRESSURE
Example 1: A square footing 1.8 m x 1.8 m has a total
thickness of 0.20 m and carries an axial load of 260
kN at the column section 450 mm x 450 mm in cross
section. The bottom of the footing is 1.20 m below
the ground level. The footing is subjected to a
horizontal load of 18 kN acting on the base of the
column at a distance 1.4 m above the bottom of the
footing. The weight of concrete footing including
pedestal and base pad is 40 kN. Weight of backfill is
50 kN. Allowable bearing capacity of the supporting
soil is 140 kPa.
Example 3: A footing 2 m x 3 m in plan and 0.50 m
thick is designed to support a 0.60 m square column.
Due to architectural reasons, the column is located
that its external face is flush with the shorter edge of
the footing. The column, however, is located along
the minor principal axis of the footing. The column
load, including the weight of the column itself is 50
kN. Assume concrete to weigh 24 kN/m3.
a) Evaluate the total downward load on
supporting ground.
b) Evaluate the maximum pressure induced on
the ground.
c) Evaluate the minimum pressure induced on
the ground.

a) Compute the maximum contact pressure at

the base of the footing.
b) Compute the factor of safety against sliding if
the coefficient of friction between footing
base and the supporting soil is 0.40.
c) Compute the factor of safety against
overturning.

Example 2: A rectangular footing, a = 3m, b = 2m,

has a thickness of 0.50 m.

a) If P = 1000kN is acting at d1 = 1.50 m and

d2=1m, find the maximum soil pressure
(kPa), neglecting the weight of the footing.
b) If P = 1000kN is acting at d1 = 1.50 m and
d2=0.5 m, unit weight of concrete = 24 kN/m3,
find the maximum soil pressure (kPa).
c) If P = 1000kN is acting at d1 = 1.0 m and
d2=1.0 m, unit weight of concrete = 24 kN/m3,
find the maximum soil pressure (kPa). See
figure below.
 CE602 – MODULE 7 Compression Index, Cc
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
𝒆𝟏 − 𝒆 𝟐 𝒆𝟏 − 𝒆𝟐
𝑪𝒄 = =
SOIL SETTLEMENTS 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝑷𝟐 − 𝒍𝒐𝒈𝑷𝟏 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝑷𝟐
𝑷𝟏
∆𝑯 ∆𝒆
= 𝑪𝒄 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟗(𝑳𝑳 − 𝟏𝟎) → 𝑆𝑘𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛(1944)
𝑯 𝟏 + 𝒆𝒐

Total Settlement: Swell Index

𝟏 𝟏
𝑺𝑻 = 𝑺𝑪 + 𝑺𝑺 + 𝑺𝑬 𝑪𝒔 = 𝑪𝒄 𝒕𝒐 𝑪
𝟓 𝟏𝟎 𝒄
Where:
H = height of clay Over consolidation Ratio
eo = void ratio of clay
𝑷𝒄
SC = primary consolidation settlement 𝑶𝑪𝑹 =
SS = secondary consolidation settlement 𝑷𝒐
SE = elastic settlement
Coefficient of Compressibility, av
Primary Consolidation Settlement 𝒆 𝟏 − 𝒆𝟐
𝒂𝒗 =
a) Normally Consolidated Clays 𝑷𝟐 − 𝑷𝟏

𝑯 𝑷𝒐 + ∆𝑷 Coefficient of Volume Compressibility

𝑺𝑪 = 𝑪𝒄 𝒍𝒐𝒈 ( )
𝟏+𝒆 𝑷𝒐 𝒂𝒗
𝒎𝒗 =
𝟏 + 𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆
b) Over-consolidated Clays
Coefficient of Consolidation
If Po + ΔP ≤ Pc:
𝑪𝒔 𝑯 𝑷𝒐 + ∆𝑷
𝑺𝒄 = 𝒍𝒐𝒈 ( ) 𝑯𝒅𝒓 𝟐 𝑻𝒗
𝟏 + 𝒆𝒐 𝑷𝒐 𝑪𝒗 =
𝒕
If Po + ΔP > Pc:
where:
𝑪𝒔 𝑯 𝑷𝒄 𝑪𝒄 𝑯 𝑷𝒐 + ∆𝑷 𝝅 𝑼 𝟐
𝑺𝒄 = 𝒍𝒐𝒈 ( ) + 𝒍𝒐𝒈 ( ) 𝑻𝒗 = ( ) 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝟎 < 𝑼 ≤ 𝟔𝟎%
𝟏 + 𝒆𝒐 𝑷𝒐 𝟏 + 𝒆𝒐 𝑷𝒄 𝟒 𝟏𝟎𝟎

𝑻𝒗 = 𝟏. 𝟕𝟖𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟗𝟑𝟑𝒍𝒐𝒈(𝟏𝟎𝟎 − 𝑼)
Secondary Consolidation Settlement 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝟔𝟎% < 𝑼 < 𝟏𝟎𝟎

𝑪∝ 𝑯 𝒕𝟐
𝑺𝑺 = 𝒍𝒐𝒈 ( ) Hydraulic Conductivity
𝟏 + 𝒆𝒑 𝒕𝟏
𝒌 = 𝒄𝒗 𝒎𝒗 𝜸𝒘
where: ep = void ratio at the end of primary consolidation
𝒆𝒑 = 𝒆𝒐 − ∆𝒆
Degree of Consolidation
Immediate Consolidation Settlement 𝒖𝒐 − 𝒖𝒛 𝒖𝒛
𝒖𝒛 = =𝟏−
𝒖𝒐 𝒖𝒐
𝒒𝑩(𝟏 − 𝝁𝟐 )𝑰𝒇
𝑺𝒆 =
𝑬𝒔

where:
B = width of the foundation
q = net pressure at the base of foundation
µ = poisons ratio of the soil
If = influence factor
Es = modulus of elasticity of soil
Example 1: A 10-m thick layer of soft clay has an
initial void ratio of 1.2. Under a compressive load
applied above it, the void ratio decreased by one-half.
Evaluate the reduction in the thickness of the clay, in
meters.
Example 2: A layer of plastic clay is subjected to the
following load conditions:
Initial intergranular pressure = 200 kPa
Increase in intergranular pressure = 120 kPa
Thickness of the clay layer = 8 m
Coefficient of consolidation = 0.315
Void ratio of the clay = 1.125
Evaluate the plastic settlement.
Example 3: A 2 m clay layer has values of e = 0.92, Gs
= 2.72 and liquid limit of 40%. Above the clay is a 3
m thick layer of sand with e = 0.50 and Gs = 2.62. The
water table is located 1.6m below the ground. If a 3
m thick backfill is placed on the ground surface
having a unit weight of 17.3 kN/m3, determine the
following:
a) Compression index of clay.
b) Effective pressure at the mid-height of clay
layer.
c) Primary settlement for normally
consolidated clay.
Example 4: The soil profile shown in the figure
consist of a 9 m layer of sand underlain by 6 m layer
of clay The location of water table is 3 m from the
ground level. The building to be constructed will
cause an additional pressure of 50 kPa on the ground.
What is the primary settlement of the clay layer if:
a) Clay is normally consolidated.
b) Preconsolidation pressure Pc = 190 kPa.
c) Preconsolidation pressure Pc = 170 kPa.
Example 5: Assume a buried stratum of clay 1.83 m
thick will be subjected to a stress increase of 33.6
kPa at the center of clay. The magnitude of the pre-
construction soil overburden pressure Po=48 kPa at
the center of the clay layer. A laboratory compression
test indicates that the clay has a preconsolidation
pressure of 72 kPa. Compression index is 0.30 and
the value of swell index is 0.05. Void ratio of clay is
1.50.
a) Compute the settlement due to primary
compression of clay.
b) If full consolidation settlement (primary
compression settlement) will require
approximately 8 years, compute the
settlement due to secondary compression of
clay over a period of 20-year time span.
Assume secondary compression index =
0.008.
c) Estimate the total settlement to be expected
over a 20-year time span considering the
effects of secondary compression.
Example 6: For a normally consolidated clay layer in
the field, the following values are given:
Thickness of clay layer = 2.6 m
Void ratio, eo = 0.8
Compression Index, Cc = 0.28
Average effective pressure on clay layer = 127 kPa
Average increase of effective pressure = 46.5 kPa
Secondary compression index, Cα = 0.02
What is the total consolidation settlement of the clay
layer five years after the completion of primary
consolidation settlement? (Note: Time for
completion of primary settlement is1.5 years.)
Example 7: The laboratory consolidation data for an
undisturbed clay specimen are as follows:
e1 = 1.12 P1 = 90 kPa
e2 = 0.90 P2 = 460 kPa
Determine the following:
a) Compression index.
b) Void ratio for a pressure of 600 kPa.
c) Coefficient of compressibility.
Example 8: In a laboratory consolidation test on a
clay sample, the following results were obtained:
e1 = 0.92 P1 = 50 kPa
e2 = 0.78 P2 = 120 kPa
Thickness of the sample of clay = 25 m
Time for 50% consolidation = 2.5 min
Tv = 0.197
Determine the following:
a) Coefficient of compressibility
b) Coefficient of consolidation if sample of clay
was drained on both sides.
c) Hydraulic conductivity of the clay.
 CE602 – MODULE 8
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING Skin Friction Resistance:

PILES ON CLAY 𝑸𝑺 = 𝑷𝑨𝒑 𝒌𝒐 𝝁

Critical Depth:
Dc = 10D for loose sand
Dc = 20D for dense sand

End Bearing Resistance:
Where:
qc = effective pressure at critical depth
Nq = bearing capacity factor
A = cross-sectional area of the pile section
Ap = area of the pressure diagram of the sand considering
critical depth
Ko = coefficient of lateral pressure = 1−sinϕ
P = perimeter of the pile section
μ = coefficient of friction

𝑸𝑩 = 𝑪𝑵𝒄 𝑨 Example 1: Pre-stressed concrete piles are planned

for use as the foundation for a waterfront structure.
Skin Friction Resistance: Soil condition is dense sand and no water table
below the ground. The properties of soil are as
𝑸𝑺 = 𝑪𝜶𝑷𝑳 follows:
Unit weight of soil = 19.65 kN/m3
Ultimate Bearing Load of the Pile, Qu: ko = 3
μ = 0.45
𝑸𝑼 = 𝑸𝑩 + 𝑸 𝑺 Nq = 80
If a single 30 cm square pile is driven 9 m below the
Allowable Bearing Capacity of Pile: ground with a critical depth of 6 m, determine the
following:
𝑸𝑼 a) Skin friction capacity of pile.
𝑸𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 = b) End bearing capacity of pile.
𝑭. 𝑺.
c) Design load that the pile could carry if the
Where: factor of safety is 3.
C = cohesion
L = Length of pile Example 2: A single pile with a diameter of 300 mm
α = adhesion factor or frictional constant carries 1000 kN load. The soil where pile is driven
Ap = cross-sectional area of pile
has a cohesion of 35 kPa and an adhesion factor of
P = perimeter of the pile section
0.7. Use Nc = 9.
PILES ON SAND
a) Determine the capacity of pile due to friction.
ans.
b) Determine the capacity of pile due to
bearing.
c) If design specification requires a factor of
safety of 2, what is the minimum length of
pile to safely carry the load.

Example 3: A circular pile having a diameter of 0.30

m is 12 m long and embedded in a layer of dense
compacted sand having the given properties:
Lateral pressure factor = 1.2
Bearing capacity factor, Nq = 80
Coefficient of friction = 0.40
Factor of safety = 3.0
Unit weight of sand = 18 kN/m3
End Bearing Resistance:
Saturated unit weight of sand = 20 kN/m3
Critical depth of sand = 6 m
𝑸𝑩 = 𝒒𝒄 𝑵𝒒 𝑨
 a) Compute the point bearing capacity of the SETTLEMENT OF GROUP PILES
pile if the ground water table is located 4 m IN COHESIVE SOILS
below the ground surface.
b) Compute the frictional capacity of the pile.
c) Compute the allowable capacity of the pile
assuming a factor of safety of 3.

Example 4: A 20 m long steel pile with 500 mm

diameter is driven into the layered clay soils as
shown in the figure.

Example 1: A nine-pile group composed of 0.30 m

diameter pipe piles is embedded 15 m in clay soil
with conditions indicated by the figure below.
Determine the following:

a) Determine the end bearing capacity if Nc = 8.

b) Determine the frictional resistance.
c) Determine the allowable load considering a
factor of safety of 3.

CAPACITY OF GROUP OF PILES

Converse-Labarre Equation

𝜽[(𝒎 − 𝟏)𝒏 + (𝒏 − 𝟏)𝒎]

𝑬=𝟏−
𝟗𝟎𝒎𝒏
a) Capacity of group pile if piles act individually.
Bowles Equation
b) Total capacity of pile acting as a group.
𝟐𝑺(𝒎 + 𝒏 − 𝟐) + 𝟒𝑫 c) Design load if factor of safety is 3.
𝑬=
𝝅𝑫𝒎𝒏 Example 2: Three columns by four rows of group
piles are installed into a uniform clay layer as shown
Based on Allowable Block and Allowable Individual
in the figure.
Capacity

𝑸𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌
𝑬=
𝑸𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒖𝒂𝒍

Where:
E = efficiency
n = number of columns
n = number of rows
D = diameter of the pile
S = spacing of piles; center to center
tanθ = D/S ; θ is in degrees
Qblock = combined capacity of group piles
Qindividual = sum of capacities of all individual piles
Properties of clay: Properties of pile:
γsat = 21 kN/m3 diameter = 0.3 m
c = 40 kPa pile to pile spacing, S=0.75m
Nc = 7.5 L = 50 m
Cc = 0.36
eo = 0.85

a) Determine the ultimate capacity of the pile

using single pile capacity if α = 0.74.
b) Determine the ultimate capacity of the group
pile if α = 0.74.
c) Determine the group efficiency.
d) If the total thickness of the clay layer is 60 m.
Determine the vertical stress increase if the
factor of safety is 3.5.
e) Determine the primary consolidation
settlement.

Example 3: A group of piles is installed 12 m below a

stratified clay layer. Each pile has a diameter of 0.3 m
and are arranged having 3 rows and 4 columns. The
center-to-center distance between piles is 0.6 m. The
properties of clay layer are given in the table below:

Thickness of Unit Weight of Cohesion

Clay Layer Clay
t1 = 4 m 18.18 kN/m3 58 kPa
t2 = 5 m 18.18 kN/m3 76 kPa
t3 = 3 m 18.18 kN/m3 95 kPa

a) Find the design load if piles are acting

individually. Use Nc = 9 and FS = 3.
b) Find the load considering group action.
c) What is the minimum pile spacing to achieve
100% efficiency.
d) What is the minimum pile spacing to achieve
100% efficiency using Bowles Equation.
 CE602 – MODULE 9 RANKINE’S PASSIVE EARTH PRESSURE
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING COEFFICIENT

LATERAL EARTH PRESSURE 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜶 + √𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝜶 − 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 ∅

𝒌𝒑 = 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜶 ( )
At Rest Condition (soil pressure which causes no 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜶 − √𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝜶 − 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 ∅
wall movement):
𝟏 + 𝒔𝒊𝒏 ∅ 𝟏
𝒌𝒑 = = (𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝜶 = 𝟎)
𝑷𝒐 = 𝒌𝒐 𝜸𝑯 𝟏 − 𝒔𝒊𝒏 ∅ 𝒌𝒂

Active Condition (soil condition which causes wall Where:

to move away from soil): Φ = angle of internal friction or angle of shearing
resistance
𝑷𝒂 = 𝒌𝒂 𝜸𝑯 α = slope of backfill (soil mass) with respect to
horizontal surface
Passive Condition (soil pressure which causes wall H = height of soil
to move toward soil): γ = effective unit weight of soil

𝑷𝒑 = 𝒌𝒑 𝜸𝑯
Example 1: The soil material is supported by a
Cohesion: retaining wall to a height of 6 m. The unit weight of
soil is 16 KN/m3 and the angle of internal friction is
29°. Assuming that the soil is cohesionless.
𝑷𝒄 = −𝟐𝒄√𝒌𝒂
Determine the following:
Surcharge:
a) Rest earth pressure on the wall.
b) Total active force per meter width if a
𝑷𝒒 = 𝒌𝒒
surcharge of 14 kPa is applied on the surface
of horizontal backfill.
Depth of Crack: c) Locate the position of the total force from the
bottom.
𝟐𝒄
𝜸√𝒌𝒂
Example 2: The retaining wall is supporting two
layers of soil with different properties. Determine
the following:

a) Total active force acting on the wall

RANKINE’S ACTIVE EARTH PRESSURE
COEFFICIENT
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜶 − √𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝜶 − 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 ∅
𝒌𝒂 = 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜶 (
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜶 + √𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝜶 − 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 ∅
considering 1-m width.
b) Overturning moment.
c) Total active force if a surcharge of 20 kPa is
applied on top of the backfill.
)

𝟏 − 𝒔𝒊𝒏 ∅
𝒌𝒂 = (𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝜶 = 𝟎) Example 3: The retaining wall supports soil at a
𝟏 + 𝒔𝒊𝒏 ∅ height of 5 m above the ground. The soil is uniform
and has an angle of internal friction of 30°. The wall
is provided with tension rod 1.5 m below the surface
of the backfill. Determine the following:

a) Depth to which the wall be driven below the

ground.
b) Passive force if the soil weighs 17 kN/m3.
c) Tension in the rod.

Example 4: A retaining wall 5.8 m high supports soil

that has the following properties:
Unit weight= 17.3 KN/m3
Angle of internal friction = 26°
Cohesion= 14.5 kPa
Determine the following:

a) Normal pressure acting at the back of the

wall assuming no tensile crack occurs in the
soil.
b) Location of tensile crack measured from the
surface of horizontal backfill.
c) Active force acting on the wall if tensile crack
occurs in the soil.
d) Lateral force on the wall before the
occurrence of tensile crack
 CE602 – MODULE 10 Cuts on Sand:
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
𝑃𝑎 = 0.65𝑘𝑎 𝛾𝐻

BRACED CUTS
Example 1: A long trench is excavated in medium
dense sand for the foundation of a multistory
building. The sides of the trench are supported with
sheet pile walls fixed in place by struts and wales as
shown in the figure. The wales are braced at every 4-
m center to center.

a) Determine the strut load at A.

b) Determine the strut load at B.
c) Determine the strut load at C.

Example 2: The braced excavation system shown in

the figure is proposed for a 12m deep excavation in
clays where the unconfined compressive strength is
90 kPa and saturated unit weight is 18.9 kN/m3.
Estimate the strut loads if the struts are spaced at
3.5m intervals horizontally.

Cuts on Clay:

a) Soft to Medium Clay

𝛾𝐻
𝐶<
4

𝛾𝐻 − 4𝐶
𝑃𝑎 𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 { }
0.3𝛾𝐻

b) Stiff Clay
𝛾𝐻
𝐶>
4

𝑃𝑎 = 0.3𝛾𝐻
 SLOPE STABILITY b) Maximum Height for Critical Equilibrium

INFINITE SLOPE 4𝑐 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽 𝑐𝑜𝑠∅

𝐻𝑐𝑟 =
𝛾 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝛽 − ∅)

c) Stability Number

𝑐
𝑚=
𝛾𝐻

d) Stability Factor

1
𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 =
𝑚

Where:
Ff = friction force
a) Factor of Safety Fc = cohesion force
W = weight of soil above the failure plane
No Seepage: C = cohesion
𝑐 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅ Φ = angle of internal friction
𝐹𝑆 = +
𝛾𝐻 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛽 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛽
Example 1: For the infinite slope shown in the figure
With Seepage: below, determine the following:
𝑐 (𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 − 𝛾𝑤 ) 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅
𝐹𝑆 = 2
+
𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 𝐻 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛽 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛽 𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛽

b) Maximum Height for Critical Equilibrium

𝑐
𝐻𝑐𝑟 =
𝛾𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽 (𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛽 − 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅)

FINITE SLOPE

a) The factor of safety against sliding along the

soil-rock interface (assume no seepage).
b) The height, H, that will give a factor of safety
(Fs) of 2 against sliding along the soil-rock
interface (assume no seepage).
c) If there is seepage through the soil as shown
and the groundwater table coincides with
the ground surface, what is the factor of
safety, Fs, given H=1.16 m and γsat = 18.55
kN/m3?
a) Factor of Safety against Sliding

𝐹𝑓 + 𝐹𝑐
𝐹𝑆 =
𝑊𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

𝐹𝑓 = 𝜇𝑊𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 𝑊𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅

𝐹𝑐 = 𝑐(𝐿 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒) × 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ

Example 2: A cut slope was excavated in saturated
clay as shown. The slope made an angle of 60° with
the horizontal. When the slope of failure occurs, BC
= 8m. Given the following: m = 0.185, γ = 18 kN/m3,
c = 20 kPa:

a) Determine the stability factor.

b) Determine the critical depth of cut.
c) Determine the angle of failure plane.

Example 3: A 9m cut slope has a unit weight of soil

17 kN/m3. Friction angle and cohesion along the
rock surface are 20 degrees and 24 kPa respectively.
The slope makes an angle of 30° from horizontal and
the failure plane is at 15°.

a) Determine the force tending to cause sliding

in kN.
b) Determine the frictional strength along the
failure plane in kN.
c) Determine the cohesive strength in kN.
d) Determine the factor of safety against
sliding.