GEOTECHNICAL

ENGINEERING
A Practical Problem Solving Approach

N. Sivakugan I Braja M. Das

'~

"-OOJ'. GeoStudio
.~ DVD INCLUDED
 Geotechnical Engineedng/Civil Engineering
GeoSludio
DVD INCLUDED

A Titlt in J Ross Pubb~"lill[!,~' Eureka Series

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
A Practical Problem 'Solving Approach
Nagaratnam Sivakugan & Braja M. Das

Geotechnical Engineering: KEY FEATURES

A Practical Problem Solving
Approach covers all of the major
.geotechnical topics in the simplest
possible way adopting a hands-on
approach with a very strong practical
bias. Engineers arc problem solvers.
Developing problem-solving skills is one
of the key learning outcomes expected
of engineering students and this book
provides just that. 60-70% of the book
is devoted to practical problem solving
and 30-40% covers fundament.al
concepts.
• om'J"< carefully selected solved problems with
a wide range of difficulty level- from simple
to challenging
• Includes a DVD of th~ Student Edition of
GeoStudio that can be used for solving a
wide range of geotechnical problems
• Presents the material in the mosl concise manner
possible while still including enough detail to
solve the problems
• Demonstrates theory mrough practical problem
wiving \~~th less reliance on matbcrnatics
• om,r, both soil mechanics and [oandolion
engineering in one book
• WYoffers downloadabk PowerPoint slides to
assist in classroom instruc60n - available from
the Web Added Value™ Download Resource
Center at www.jrosspub.com

The books in ·theJ. Ross Publishing Eweka Sen'es are engineering

textbooks for a new gencl·ation. Similar to problell1~based learn-
, ing~ ~he subject fnatenai 1S iritegrated "vith exten..<>;ive wurkf:cl ex·
amplet;, quizzes. and rcvic\\' exercises. The writing style is lean and JR0167
simple while. not compromisiflg on the breadth or depth of the
IS8N: 978-1-60427-010-7
subject matter. Books in'the Eweka Selits are written by renowned
scholars \vith outstanding university careers who have also made
significant contribuliom to teaching and leaming.
III III 90000
9 781604 270167 1II1111111111111
GEOTECHNICAL
ENGINEERING
A Practical Problem Solving Approach

N. Sivakugan I Braja M. Das

J.~OSsJ
lPUBLISHING
Copyright © 2010 by J. Ross Publishing. Inc.

ISBN-13: 978-l-60127-01 6-7

Printed and bound in the U.S.A Printed on acid-free paper

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Sivakugan, Nagaratnam, J956-

Geotechnical engineering: a practical problem solving approach I by
Nagaratnam Sivakugan and Braj. M. Das.
p.em.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-60427-016-7 (pbk. : alk paper)
1. Soil mechanics. 2. Foundations. 3. Earthwork. l. Das. Braja M.•

TA710.S5362009
621.1' 5136-dc22
2009032547

This publication contains information obtained from authentic and highly regarded sources. Reprinted
material is used with permission. and sources are indicated. Reasonable effort ha., been made to publiili
reliable data and information, but tbe author· and the publi>her cannot assume responsibility for the
validity o~ all materials or for tbe consequences of tbeir uSe.

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Contents
Preface ,................................................................................................................................................................... ix
AbDUl Ihe Authors ................................................................................................................................................ ~i
WAV"''' ................................................................................................................................................................ xiii

Chapter 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1

1.1 General ............................................................................................................................................................ 1
1.~ Sous ............................................................................................................................................................. .. 1
1.3 Applications .................................................................................................................................................. 3
1.4 Soil Testing ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
15 Geotechnical Literature ................................................................................................................................. 4
1.6 Numerical Modding .................................................................................................................................... 6
Review Exercises................................................................................................................ ................................ S

Chapter 2 Phase Relations ................................................................................................................. 11

2.1 Inlroduction .................................................................................................................................................. 11
2.2 Definitions ............................................................................................. ....................................................... 11
2.3 Phase Relations ............................................................................................................................................. 13
Work~d Examples ............................................................................................................................................... 16
Review Exercises ...... ............................................................................................................................................ 22

Chapter 3 Soil Classification ............................................................................................................. 27

3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 27
3.2 Coarse-Grained Soils .................................................. ... .............................................................................. 27
3.3 Fine-Grained Soils ..................................................................................................................................... 32
3.4 Soil Classification ......................................................................................................................................... 37
Worked Examples ............................................................................................................................................... .41
Review Exercise.................................................................................................................................................. .11

Chapter 4 Compaction ..................................................................................................................... ..49

4.1 lntroduction .................................................................................................................................................. 49
1.2 Variables in Compaction ............................................................................................................................ 50
4.3 Laboratory Tests ........................................................................................................................................... 52
4.4 Field Compaction. Specification, and Control ........................................................................................ 55
Worked Examples.............................................................................................................................................. 59
Review Exercises ................................................................................................................................................. 62

v
vi Contents

Chapter 5 Effective Stress, Total Stress, and Pore Water Pressure ................................................... 65
5.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 65
5.2 Effective Stress Principle ............................................................................................................................ 65
5.3 Vertical Nurmal Stresses Due (0 Overburden ......................................................................................... 66
5.4 Capillary Effects in Soils ............................................................................................. ,............................... 68
Worked Examples ....................................................................................................... ,........................................ 70
Review Exercises ................................................................................................................................................. 71
Chapter 6 Permeability and Seepage ................................................................................................. 73
6.1 Introduction.................................................................................................................................................. 73
6.2 Bernoulli's Jiquation .................................................................................................................................. 73
6.3 Darcy's Law .............. ..................................................................................................................................... 76
6.4 Laboratory and field Permeability Tests .................................................................................................. 77
6.5 Stresses in Soils Due to Flow...................................................................................................................... 81
6.6 Seepage .......................................................................................................................................................... 82
6.7 Design of Granular Fiiters .......................................................................................................................... 86
6.8 Equivalent Permeabilities for One·dimensional Flow ............................................................................ 87
6.9 Seepage AnalYSis U,ing SEEPIW ............................................................................................................. 89
Worked Examples ................................................................................................................................................ 94
Re\~ew Exercises ................................................................................................................................................ 103

Chapter 7 Vertical Stresses Bene.th Loaded Are ........................................................................... 115

7.1 lntroduclion................................................................................................................................................ 115
7.2 Stresses Due to Point Loads ..................................................................................................................... 116
7.3 Stresses Due to Line Loads ...................... " ............................................................................................... 118
7.1 Stresses Under the Comer of a Uniform Rectanl,'lllar l.oad ................................................................ 118
7.5 2:1 Distribution Method ......................................................................................................................... 123
7.6 Pressure Isobars Under Flexible Uniform Loads .................................................................................. 124
7.7 Newmark's Chart.. ...................................................................................................................................... 124
7.8 Stress Computations Using SIGMA/W ........................................................ .......................................... 129
Worked Examples.. ............................................................................................................................................ 133
Review Exercises ............................................................................................................................................... 136

Chapter 8 Consolidation .................................................................................................................. 139

8.1 Introduc(ion ...................................................................................................... ,......................................... \39
8.2 One-dimensional Consolidation ............................................................................................................. 140
8.3 Consolidation Test ........................................................................ ............................................................ 143
8.4 Camputation of Final Consolidation Settlemeot. ................................................................................ 150
8.5 Time Rate of Consolidation ............................. ,....................................................................................... 153
8.6 Secondary Compression ........................................................................................................................... 159
Worked E.,.mplcs ............................................................................................................................................. 165
Review Exec\:lscs ............................................ ____ ___ ........ , ............................................. , ... .,._,. ............................. 175
 Contents vii

ChapteJ' 9 Shear Strength ................................................................................................................. 181

9.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 181
9.2 Mohr Cirdes ............................................................................................................................................ 11>1
9.3 Mohr-Coulomb Fail" re Criterion ......................................................................................................... 186
904 A Common Loading $ltuation .............................................................................................................. 187
9.5 Mohr Cirdes and Failure Envelopes in Terms of" and 'T ................................................................ 190
9.6 Drained and Undrained Loading Situations ....................................................................................... 191
9.7 Triaxial Test .......................................................................................................................................... 193
98 Direct Shear Test................................................................... .. .................................................. 200
9.9 Skempton's Pore Pressure Parameters ................................................................................................ 202
9.10 O'J -(1,
Relatiollship at I'ailure ............................................................................................................... 205
9.11 Stress Paths ............................................................................................................................................... 206
Worked Examples ............................................................................................................................................. 21 0
I(eview Exercises ............................................................................................................................................... 217

Chapter 10 Lateral Earth Pressnres ................................................................................................. 225

10.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 225
10.2 At·rest State .............................................................................................................................................. 226
10.3 Rankine's Earth Pressure Theory........................................................................................................... 230
lOA Coulomb's Earth Pressure Theory......................................................................................................... 237
Worked E~amples ........ ,.......................................................................................................................... ,.......... 210
Review Exercises ............................................................................................................................................... 216

Chapter 11 Site Investigation ....................... ,................................................................................. 251

11.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 251
11.2 Drilling arid Sampling .......................................................................................................................... .253
11.3 In Situ Tests ................................................. ,.. "........................................................................................ 257
1104 Laboratory Tests ....................................................................................................................................... 276
11.5 Site Investigation Report... ...................................................................................................................... 276
Worked Examples .............................................................................................................................................. 280
Review Exercises ................................................................................................................................................ 283

Chapter 12 Shallow Foundalions ................................................................................................... 289

12.1 Introduction ....... , ..................................................................................................................................... 289
12.2 Design Criteria ......................................................................................................................................... 290
12.3 Bearing Capacity of i\ Shallow Foundation .......................................................................................... 291
12.4 Pressure Distributions Beneath Eccentrically Loaded Footings ....................................................... 30J
12.5 Introduction to Raft Foundation Design ............................................................................................. 304
12.6 Settlement in a Granular Soil ................................................................................................................. 310
12.7 Settlement in a Cohesive Soil ................................................................................................................. 319
Worked Ex.mples .............................................................................................................................................. 325
Review Exercises...... ,......................................................................................................................................... 33'1
Vlii Contents

Chapter 13 Deep Foundatinns ......................................................... _............................................. 341

13.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 341
13.2 Pile Materials .............................................................................. _............................................................. 342
13.3 Pile Installation ....................................................................................................... _................................ 345
13.4 Load Carrying Capacity of a Pile-Static Analysis ............................................................................. 347
13.5 Pile-Driving Formulae ............................................................................................................................ 354
13.6 Pile Load 'fest ...... ,.......... " ... ~ .. ~ ... " .... ".,,.,--.. -<"H.,~ .. ~.' .....,, •..•. .............................<0"" ... " ... ; 0 " • • ," .•.• ,.,, ....... 355
13.7 Settlement of a Pile .................................................................................................................................. 357
13.8 Pile Group ................................................................................................................................................. 361
Worked E.xamples ........................................................................................... "................................................ .365
Review Exercises .................................................................................................. " ............................................ 373

Chapter 14 Earth Retaining Sttuctures .............................................................................. m .......... 377

14.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 377
14.2 Design of Retaining Walls ...................................................................................................................... 379
14.3 Cantilever Sheet Piles .............................................................................................................................. 385
14.4 Anchored Sheet Piles .............. ,................................................................................................................ 395
14.5 Braced ExcavatiOllS ................................................, ................................................................................. 399
WOTked Examples ..............................................................................................................................................404
Review £xercises ................................................................................................................................................ 415

Chapter 15 Slope Stability................................................................................................................421

15.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 421
15.2 Slope Failure and Safety Factor .............................................................................................................. 422
15.3 Stability of Homogeneous Undrained Slopes ...................................................................................... 423
15.4 Taylor's Stability Charts for c' -q,' Soils ................................................................................................. 427
15.5 Infinite Slopes .................................. ,...................................................................................................... ..429
15.6 Method of Slices .......................................................................................................................... ,............ 432
15.7 Stability Analysis Using SLOPE/W ........................................................................................................435
Worked Examples ............................................................................................................................................. .443
Review Exerdses ................................................................................................................................................ 449

Chapter 16 Vibrations of Fowtdations ........................................................................................... .453

16.1 Introduction .................................................................................. m ....................................................... .453
16.2 Vibration Theory-General .............................................................................. ,.................................... .454
16.3 Shear Modulus and Poisson's Ratio ........................................................................................................ 463
16.4 VeTtical Vlbration of Foundations- Analog Solution ........ _............................ , ......... ,....................... .465
16.5 Rocking Vibration of Foundations ............................................ , ........................................................... .469
16.6 Sliding Vibration of Foundations ...................... _............................................................................... , ... 475
16.7 Torsional Vibration of !'oundations ....................................................................................................... 478
Review Exercises ................................................................................................................... ,........................... .483

Index .....................................·.. · .. · ...... •................................................. , ............................................. 487

Preface
We both have been quite successful as geotechnkal engineering teachers. In Geotechnical Engi-
neering: A Practical Problem Solving Approach, we have tried to cover every major geotechnical
topic in the simplest way possible. We have adopted a hands-on approach with a stCGng, prac-
tical bias. You willlcam the material through several worked examples that take geotechnkal
engineering principles and apply them to realistic problems that you are likely to encounter in
real-life field situations. This is our attempt to write a straightforward, no-nonsense, geotechni-
cal engineering textbook that will appeal to a new generation of students. This is said with no
disrespect to the variety of geotechnical engineering textbooks already available---each serves
a purpose. . ~~ 'f'
We have used a few symbols to facilitate quick referenciug and to call your at- ....... rj):
tention to key concepts. This symbol appears at the end of a chapter wherever it is·",,; ..
necessary to emphaSize a partkular point and your need to understand it. ~ern'del'
There are a few thoughtfully selected review exercises at the end of each chap- '"
tec, and answers are given whenever possible. Remember, when you practice as a
professional engineer you will not get to see the solutions! You will simply design
with confidence and have it checked by a colleague. The degree of difficolty in-
creases with each review exercise. The symbol shown here appears beside the most
challenging problems.
We also try to IHLrturC the habit of self-learning through exercises that re-
late to topks not covered in this book. Here, you are expected to surf the
Web; or even better, refer to library books. The knowledge obtained from
both the research activity and the material itself will complement the mate-
rial from this book and is an integral part of learning. Such research-type
questions are identified by the symbol shown here. Today, the www is at your fingertips,
so this should not be a problem. There are many dedicated Web sites for geotechnical re-
sources and reference materials (e.g., Center for Integrating Information on Geoengineer-
ing at http://www.geoengineer.org). Give proper references for research-type questions in
your short essays. Sites like Wildpedia (http://en.wikipedia.org) and YouTube (http://www
.youtube.com) can provide useful information including images and video clips. To obtain the
best references, you mnst go to the library and conduct a proper literature search using appro-
priate key words.

ix
x Preface

We have included eight quizzes to test your comprehension, These are closed-
book quizzes that should he completed within the specified times, They are de-
sigll~d to make you think and show you what YOll have missed,
The site investigation chapter has a slightly different layout. lhe nature of this
topic is quite descriptive and less rejiant on problem solving. It is good to have a
dear idea of what the different in situ testing devices look like. For this reason, we
have induded several quality photographs. The purpose of the site investigation exercise is to
derive the soil pa rameters from the in situ test data. A wide range of empirical correlations that
are used in practice are summarized in this chapter. Tests are included that are rarely covered
in traditional textbooks-such as the borehole shear test and the Ko stepped blade test-and are
followed by review questions that encourage the reader to review other SOurces of literature and
hence nurture the habit of research.
Fotmdation Engineerlng is one of the main areas of geotechnical engineering; therefore,
considerable effort was directed toward Chapters 12 and 13. which cover the topics of bearing
capacity and settlements of shallow and deep foundations.
This is not a place for uS to document everything we know in geotechnical engineering, We
realize that this is your first geotechnical engineering book and have endeavored (0 give sufficient
breadth and depth covering all major topiCS in soil mechanics and foundation engineering.
A free DVD containing the Student Edition of GeoStudio is included with this book. It is
a powerful software suite that can be used for solving a wide range of geotechnical problems
and is a useful complement to traditional learning. We are grateful to Mr. Paul Bryden and the
GeoStudio team for their advice and s~lpport.
We are grateful LO the following people who have contributed either by feviewing 'hapters
from the book and proViding suggestions for improvement Dr. Jay Amcratunga. Colfey Geo-
technics; Ms. Julie Lovisa. James Cook University; Kieralee Rankine, Golder Associates; and
Shailesh Singh, Colfey Gcotechnks; or by providing photogr~phs or data: Dr. Jay Ameratunga,
Coffey Geotechnics; Mr. Mark Arnold, Douglas Parlners; Mr. Martyn Ellis, PMC. UK; Profes-
sor Robin Fell, University of New South Wales; Dr. Chris Haberfield. Golder Associates; Profes-
sor Silvano Marchetti, University of LAquila, Italy; Dr. Kandiah Firapakaran, ColTey Geotech-
nics: Dr. Kirralee Rankine, Golder Associates; Dr. Kelda Rankine. Golder Associates; Dr. Ajant.
Saehan.lIT Kanpur. India: Mr. Leonard Sands, Venezuela; Dr. Shailesh Singh, ColIey Geotech-
nics; Mr. Bruce Stewart, Douglas Partner.; Professor David White, Iowa State University.
We wish to thank Mrs. Janke Das and Mrs. Rohini Siwkugan, who provided manuscript
preparation and proofreading assistance. Finally, we wish to thank Mr. Tim Pletscher of). Ross
Publishing for his prompt response to all our questions and for his valnable contributions at
various stages.

N. Sivakugan and B. M. Das