GROUP A

(Multiple Choice Type Questions)

1. Choose the correct alternatives for any ten of the following:
(10x1=10)
i. If the time taken for a clay layer with single drainage to consolidate is t days, then what will be
the time taken for the same clay layer with double drainage to attain the same degree of
consolidation when all other parameters remain constant?
(a) 2t

(b) 4t

(c) t/2

(d) t/4

ii. Consider the following statements:

A. Secondary consolidation occurs at constant effective stress operating during the
process.
B. The time required for consolidation to occur increases with increase in value of
coefficient of consolidation.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) B

(b) A

(c) Both A and B

(d) None

iii. Which one of the following conditions is valid in case of unconfined compression test in
comparison to triaxial test?
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

Minor Principal Stress = 0

Minor Principal Stress = 0.5 x Major Principal Stress
Minor Principal Stress = Major Principal Stress
Major Principal Stress = 3 x Minor Principal Stress

iv. If in an unconfined compression test on stiff clay the failure plane made an angle of 520 to the
horizontal, then what would be the angle of shearing resistance?
(a) 160

(b) 140

(c) 120

(d) 130

v. A cohesive soil yields a maximum dry density of 16 kN/m3 during a standard proctor compaction
test. If the specific gravity is 2.65, then what would be its void ratio?
(a) 0.552

(b) 0.625

(c) 0.712

(d) 0.583

vi. In laboratory compaction tests, the optimum moisture content of soil decreases
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

With an increase in compaction energy and a decrease in percentage of coarse grains

With a decrease in compaction energy and an increase in percentage of coarse grains
With an increase in both compaction energy and percentage of coarse grains
With a decrease in both compaction energy and percentage of coarse grains

vii. A footing is resting on a fully saturated clayey strata. For checking the initial stability, shear
parameters are used from which one of the following?
(a) CU test

(b) UU test

(c) CD test

(d) Unconsolidated Drained test

(e) UU test with pore pressure measurement

viii. Co-efficient of active earth pressure is equal to
(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

ix. The value of

for soft clay is

(a) 0.4
(c) 0.7

(b) 0.5
(d) 0.6

x. The structure which derives its stability due to self weight is

(a) Sheet pile wall
(b) Bulk head wall
(c) Cantilever retaining wall (d) Masonry retaining wall
xi. To avoid any tensile pressure generation beneath the gravity retaining wall the resultant
force should pass within
(a) b/3 to 2b/3

(b) 0 to b/2

(c) b/2 to b/4

(d) 0 to b

xii. One of the graphical methods for earth pressure determination is

(a) Newmarks influence chart method

(b) Mohr diagram method

(c) Culmanns method

xiii. The factor of safety (F) against sliding is given by
(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(d) Taylors method

xiv. For slope angle

and depth factor (Df = 1), Stability number (Sn) is equal to

(a) 0.271

(b) 0.361

(c) 0.261

(d) 0.219

Group - B
(Short Answer Type Questions)
Answer any three of the following.

(3x5=15)

2.
(i) The liquid limit of a normally consolidated clay is 80%. What are its approximate C c and C
values?
(2)
(ii) The time required for 50% consolidation of a 25 mm thick clay layer (drained at both top and
bottom) in the laboratory is 2 minutes 20 seconds. How long (in days) will it take for a 3 m thick
clay layer of same slay in the field under the pressure increment to reach 50% consolidation? In
the field there is a rock layer at the bottom of the clay. How long (in days) will it take in the field
for 30% primary consolidation to occur?
(3)
3.
(i) What do you understand by:
(a) UU test
(b) CU test

(c) CD test
(d) UC test
(4x0.5 = 2)

(ii)How do you utilize the property of the pole (origin of planes) to obtain useful information from
Mohr circle of stress?
(3)
4.
(i) What kind of improvement of the engineering properties of a soil mass can be brought about
through compaction?
(1)
(ii)List the different methods of applying compaction to a soil mass in the field and in the
laboratory?
(2)
(iii) What type of soils are best compacted by the use of the following compacting equipments:
(a) Smooth Wheel Rollers
(b) Rubber Tyred Rollers
(c) Pneumatic Tyred Rollers
(d) Sheepsfoot Rollers
(e) Vibratory Rollers
(2)
5. Explain (i) Active (ii) Passive and (iii) At rest conditions in earth pressure against a retaining wall.
Write down the assumptions made by Rankine in the development of earth pressure theories?
(5)
6. Derive the expression of failure condition of an infinite slope of cohesive soil.

(5)

7. Discuss the classification and suitability of cofferdam structures.

(5)

Group - C
(Long Answer Type Questions)
Answer any three of the following.
8.

(3x15=45)

(i) State Terzaghis theory of one dimensional consolidation and derive the one dimensional
consolidation equation.
(5)
(ii) The soil deposit at a site of construction consists of a layer of SM upto a depth of 6 m followed
by a 3 m thick layer of CI. The water table is at 3 m below the ground level. The soil profile is
shown in the following figure.

Fig 1
A sample of CI soil at midpoint of the layer was obtained by making a bore hole. A consolidation
test was conducted on the sample and the data obtained are given as follows:
Dimensions of the consolidation ring

Mass of the consolidation ring

(Mass of wet sample + Mass of ring) at the
beginning of the test
(Mass of dry sample + Mass of ring) after oven
drying at the end of the test
Assume G = 2.7

:
:

7.6 cm diameter and 2 cm in

height
95 g
280.6 g

242.5 g

Pressure
(kN/m2)
Dial reading
(mm)

25

50

100

200

400

800

9.72

9.57

9.40

9.23

9.05

8.35

7.65

(a) Calculate the void ratio at the end of the each pressure increment and draw the e-log curve
and determine Cc.
(5)
(b) Compute av and mv for the stress range of 150-350 kN/m2.
(2)
(c) Determine preconsolidation pressure, c and identify whether the soil is normally or overconsolidated.
(3)

9.
(i) Compare the compactive energy used in the IS heavy compaction test with that of the IS light
compaction test.
(3)
(ii) The following are the results of a compaction test:
Mass of mould + wet soil (g)
Water Content (%)

2925
10.0

3095
12.0

3150
14.3

3125
16.1

3070
18.2

If the volume of the mould is 1000 cc and mass of the empty mould is 1000 g, make the
necessary calculations assuming specific gravity of solids = 2.7 and
(a) Plot the compaction curve showing the optimum moisture content and maximum dry
density.
(3)
(b) Plot the zero air voids line and determine the theoretical dry density at OMC
corresponding to zero air voids.
(3)
(c) Determine the degree of saturation at the maximum dry density.
(3)
(d) Plot the 80% and 100% saturation lines.
(3)
10.
(i) The following results were obtained from a CU test on a normally consolidated soil:
Cell Pressure (kN/m2)
Deviator stress at failure (kN/m2)
Pore water pressure at failure (kN/m2)

100
135
25

200
210
85

300
285
145

Determine the effective stress strength parameters and total stress strength parameters
by
plotting (a) conventional failure envelope from Mohr circles and (b) modified failure envelope.
(4x2=8)
(ii) A direct shear test is run on a medium dense sandy soil. At failure, normal stress is 65 kPa and
shear stress is 41 kPa. Draw Mohrs circle and determine (a) Angle of Shearing resistance, (b)
Principal stresses at failure, and (c) Orientation of failure plane, principal planes and the plane of
maximum shear stress.
(7)
11.
(i) Derive

and

, where symbols have usual meaning.

(5)

(ii) A retaining wall 10 m high retains a cohesionless soil having an angle of internal friction 300.
The surface of the soil is level with the top of the wall. The top 3 m of the fill has a unit weight
of 20 kN/m2 and that of the rest is 30 kN/m2. Find the magnitude per metre run and point of
application of the resultant active thrust. Assume
the same for both the strata.
(10)

Fig 2

12.
(i) Distinguish between finite slope and infinite slope. What are the different types of failure of finite
slopes?
(5)
(ii) Derive the expression:
, where symbols have usual meaning.
(10)
13.

(i) A long natural slope of cohesion less soil is inclined at 120 to the horizontal. Taking =300,
determine the factor of safety of the slope. If the slope is completely submerged, what will be
change in the factor of safety?
(5)
,where symbols have usual meaning.
(5)
(ii) Derive the expression:
(iii) Compute the embedment length D for sheet pile wall shown in the Fig 3.

Fig 3

(5)