PROBLEMS SOLVED

PROBLEM Nº 1.- A sample of saturated clay weighs 1.526g. and 1,053 gr. after
oven dried. Calculate your W (%). Also considering e, γ s =2.70 gr. /cm3. Calculate
n,γ m .
Solution:
Yo.) We build the scheme for saturated soils, finding the respective values for the
weights and volumes, from the data in the problem.

=
VOLUMES (cm³) PESOS (gr.) As, γ ye = 2.70 WSSV
W w = 1.526 − 1.053 = 473 gr .
473 Liquid Phase 473
__
863 1,526 Vw= 473 cm 3
W 1,053 = 390
390 Solid Phase 1,053 Vy= S =
e γS 2.70
V m = V w + V s = 863 gr .

ii.) From the scheme, and applying the corresponding definitions, we obtain:

Ww 473 = 0.45 = 45%

W (%) = =
Ws 1,053

473 1.21
e=Vw = = (dimensionless)
Vs 390

1.21 = 0.55 (dimensionless)

n = and =
1 + e 1 + 1.21

Wm 1,526 1.77 . /
γm= = = gr cm 3
Vm 863

1
PROBLEM Nº 2.- The moisture content of a saturated soil sample is
3
45%, the specific weight of its particles is 2.70 gr. /cm .
Calculate the void ratio, porosity and specific weight of the sample.
Solution:
Yo.) Finding values for the saturated soil scheme.

VOLUMES (cm³) PESOS (gr.) W % = W w = 0.45

Ws

0.45 Liquid Phase 0.45 If we do , W s 1 gr . ⇒ W = 0.45 gr .

_ W
= Ws ⇒ 1 = 0.37 cm 3
yγ =
es Vs Vs _ 2.90
0.37 Solid Phase 1.00
V = W ww = 0.45 cm 3
γ
w

ii.) From the scheme and applying the corresponding definitions.

0.45 1.22
e=Vw = =
Vs 0.37

0.45 0.55
n = Vv = =
V m 0.82

W m 1.45 1.77 . /
γm= = = gr cm 3
V m 0.82

PROBLEM Nº 3.- A uniform and dense sand has a porosity of 35%, and a relative
specific weight of 2.75.
Find the specific weight of the sample and the void ratio when the sample is dry; when
the moisture content is 50% and when it is completely saturated.
Solution:
Yo.) When the sample is dry.

SS G e by data G = 0
γm = + × = γ w ..........( (sec or )
1+e
I)

0.35 = 0.54
e= n =
1 − n 1 − 0.35

⇒γ 2.75 × γ w = 1.79 gr . / cm 3
m
=
1 + 0.54

2
ii.) When the moisture content is W% = 50%

3
 γm =1 + W %× S S γ w
1+e
⇒γ 1 + 0.50 2.75 ./ 3 2.68 ./ 3
m = × gr cm = gr cm
1.54

iii.) When the sample is completely saturated G=1

Replacing in I

SS e 2.75 + 0.54 = 2.14 gr . / cm

3
γm = + ×γw = ⇒ γw
1+e 1.54

PROBLEM Nº 4.- A sample of soil that is not completely saturated has a weight of 53.4
3
gr. and a volume of 36.5 cm . After oven drying its weight has reduced from 42.7 gr.
3
The specific weight of the solid particles is 168 lb. /foot ; calculate the degree of
saturation, specific weight of the dough and dry specific weight.
Solution:
Yo.) Partially saturated soil scheme graph.

VOLUMES PESOS
γ y= 168 lb. / foot = 2.69 gr / cm
3 3

g
es
9.93 0
42.7 15.87
Vy = W S = = cm 3
2.69
T
es γS
36.5 10.7 10.7 53.4

W w = W m − W s = 53.4 − 42.7 = 10.7 gr .

O
15.87 Y 42.7
V = W ww = 10.7 cm
3

γ
w
e

ii.) Then, applying the definitions.

10.7 = 0.52 = 52%

G=Vw =
V V 9.93 + 10.7

Wm 53.4 1.46 ./
γm= = = gr cm 3
Vm 36.5

Ws 42.7 1.17 ./
γd = = = gr cm 3
_
36.5
Vm

3
PROBLEM Nº 5.- A container contains 2.00 m of dry sand, with a specific weight of
3
solid 2.68 Tn. / cm and weight 3,324 Kg. Calculate the amount of water required to
4
saturate the sand in the container.
Solution:

5
 VOLUMES PESOS
We know that, γ yes=
Ws
VYes 0.76 Gas Phase 0
3,324 Kg .
⇒ Vs = = 1.24 m 2 m³
2,680
3
Kg . / m
3
1.24 Solid Phase 3
,324 Kg.
V a = V V = V − V = 2.00 − 1.24 = 0.76 m
3
m s

The volume or quantity of water will occupy the volume previously occupied by air
( Vv ).
Therefore, to saturate the sand it is required that:
V v = V w ⇒ V = 0.76 m
3

w
WW
γ w= we obtain that : W w = 760 Kg . = 760 liters of water
VW

3
PROBLEM Nº 6.- A soil has a volumetric weight of 1.98 Tn. /m and a moisture
content of 22.5%. Calculate the moisture of the sample when it is dried to weigh
3
1,850 Kg. / cm without changing the void ratio.

Solution:
γ m 1 1 W 1 % ........( I )
= + ×s

γ
γm 1+e
s ........( II )
2
1 W2%
= + ×

γ
1+e
Replacing data in I and II, taking into account that e = constant and γ s does not vary, we
have:

Replacing in I:
1 0.225×
1.98 = + γs (1 + 0.225−) 1........( III )
γs ⇒ e =
1+e 1.98
Replacing data in II:
1+ W γs ( 1 + W )
6
 1.85 = ×γ ⇒ e
2 2
− 1........( IV )
1+e = 1.85
yes

Equating expressions (III) and (IV) we obtain the value of W 2 %

W2%=
14.5%
3
PROBLEM Nº 7.- A soil has a specific mass weight of 1.745 Kg. /m and the
6% humidity. How many liters of water should be added to each cubic meter of soil

7
to raise the humidity to 13%?, assume that the void ratio remains constant.
Solution:
As data we have:
γ m 1 = 1.745 Kg / m 3; W 1 % = 6% W 2 % = 13%
;

On the other hand:

γm 1 W × γs
.......... (1)
γ m 2 1 W × γ s ..........(2)
= + = +
1
1 2

1+e 1+e
Replacing in (1)

1,745 =
1 + 0.06
× γs ⇒ e (1 + 0.06)γ s − 1........(3)
1+e = 1,745
Replacing in (2)

γm2 = +
1 0.13
× γs ⇒ e (1 + 0.13)γ s − 1........(4)
_ 1+e = γm2

Equating (3) and (4), we obtain:

γm2 = 1.13 × 1.745 ⇒ γ m 2 = 1.860 Kg . / m 3
_ 1.06

On the other
hand Wm2
3 3
Wm
γm1= 1 = 1,745 Kg . / m ; γm2 = _ = 1,860 Kg . / m
Vm1 Vm2

As:
V m 1 y V m 2 = 1 m3

∴ W m 1 = 1.745 Kg also W m 2 = 1,860 Kg .

.

The water to add It will be : 1,860 − 1,745 = 115 Kg .

Water to add = 115 Liters .

8
 SOIL PLASTICITY

PROBLEM Nº 8.- In a test of L. L. The following results were obtained:

Number of 28 22 12 7
blows
W (%) 51.6 52.2 53.8 55.2

NOTE: The higher the humidity, the lower the number of blows required to close the
slot over a distance of 12.7 mm. From the soil sample.
It was found, L. Q. = 24.5
% Calculate: L. L., I P. , F
W and T W

Solution:
Yo) We determine the Liquid Limit, graphically with the water contents and the
corresponding number of strokes, the first as ordinates and the second as
abscissa on a logarithmic scale, that is, semi-logarithmic paper will be used,
where the W (%) will be on an arithmetic scale and the number of strokes on
the semi-logarithmic scale.
The ordinate of that curve, corresponding to the Abscissa of 25 strokes, will be the
Liquid limit of the soil.
L. L. = 52
%

9
 i) Plastic Index (I P )

I P = LL –LP = 52 % - 24.5 % = 27.5 %

iii) Fluidity Index (F W )

From the fluidity curve equation: W = -F W Log N + C

When N = 13 and W % = 53.8 %; we obtain:
0.538 = -F W Log 13 + C
0.538 + F W Log 13 = C ……………….. (1)
When N = 28 and W % = 51.6 %; we obtain:
0.516 = -F W Log 28 + C
0.516 + F W Log 28 = C ……………….. (2)
Equating (1) and (2):

0.022 = F W (Log 28 – Log 13) = F W Log (28/13) = F W x 0.333

⇒ F W = 0.066
iv) Tenacity Index (T W )
I 0.275 4.16
TW = P = =
F.W. 0.066

PROBLEM Nº 9.- In a Liquid Limit test, the following results are obtained:

Number of 9 15 22 30
blows
W(%) 85 80 76 74

10
It was found that the Plastic Limit = 32%
Calculate: The Liquid Limit, Plastic Index, Fluidity Index (F W ) and the Index of
Tenacity ( TW )

Solution:
Yo) Applying the Fluidity Equation: W = -F W Log N + C
When N = 30 and W % = 74 %; we obtain:
0.74 = -F W Log 30 + C
0.74 + F W Log 30 = C ……………….. (1)
When N = 15 and W% = 80%; we obtain:
0.80 = -F W Log 15 + C
0.80 + F W Log 15 = C ……………….. (2)
Equating (1) and (2):
0.06 = F W (Log 30 – Log 15) = F W Log (30/15) = F W x Log 2
⇒ F W = 0.2
ii) Liquid Limit:
When N = 25 and W % = LL; we obtain:
LL= -0.2 x Log 25 + C ……………….. (3)
When N = 15 and W% = 80%; we obtain:
0.80 = -0.2 x Log 15 + C……………….. (4)
Equating (3) and (4):
L.L. – 0.80 = 0.2 x Log (15/25)
⇒ LL = 75 %

iii) Plastic Index:

I P = L. L. – LP= 75% - 32% = 43%

iv) Tenacity Index:
I 0.43 2.15
TW = P = =
F.W. 0.20

PROBLEM Nº 10.- In a Liquid Limit and Plastic Limit test, the following results were
obtained:

LIQUID LIMIT
Capsule Capsule
Weight Weight Capsule
Rehears Number of
al Blows + + Dry Soil Weight
Wet floor (grams) (grams)
1 35 – 35 (grams)
35.77 22.48 14.15
2 24 – 25 36.55 24.40 16.85
3 15 – 16 33.42 21.03 43.45
4 7-8 35.17 21.65 13.50

11
 PLASTIC LIMIT
Capsule Capsule
Weight Weight Capsule
Rehears Number of
al Blows + + Dry Soil Weight
Wet floor (grams) (grams)
1 - (grams)
17.30 16.00 13.95
2 - 16.86 15.50 13.48
Calculate the Liquid Limit and the Plastic Limit.

Solution:
Yo) For the determination of L. L., we will find the water contents for the respective
tests:
For essay #1:
Wm =35.77 – 14.15 = 21.62 gr.
W S = 22.48 – 14.15 = 8.33 gr.
W W = Wm - W S = 13.29 gr.
13.29 1.595 % 159.5%
W%=WW = = ⇒W =
W.S. 8.33
Essay #2:
12.15 1.60 % 160%
W%=WW = = ⇒W =
W.S. 7.55
Essay #3:
12.39 1.63 % 163%
W%=WW = = ⇒W =
W.S. 7.58
Essay #4:
13.52 1.66 % 166%
W%=WW = = ⇒W =
W.S.8.15
The Liquid Limit is determined, knowing these 4 different water contents in their
density, with the corresponding numbers of strokes and plotting the water content –
number of strokes curve; That is, the diagram given in PROBLEM Nº 1 will be used.
The ordinate corresponding to the abscissa of 25 strokes (of the flow curve) is the
water content corresponding to the Liquid Limit that we are looking for.
L.L. = 161 %
Wm = 17.30 – 13.95 = 3.35
W S = 16.00 – 13.96 = 2.05
W W = 3.35 – 2.05 = 1.30

i) Plastic Limit:
1.30 0.63 63% 1.36 0.67 67%
W1% = W W = W1% = W W =
W.S. _ 2.05 = =
W.S. _ 2.02
= =
+
L. P. = 0.63 0.67 = 0.65
2
LP = 65%

12
 SOIL CLASSIFICATION
PROBLEM Nº 11.- A sample of organic soil has the following characteristics:

Size (mm.) % what's

1.00 happening
96
0.074 71
0.050 67
0.005 31
0.002 19

Liquid Limit = 53%

Plastic Limit = 22%

What is your classification by the AASHO method?

Solution:

Yo.) Determination of (IG)

IG = 0.2 a + 0.005 ac + 0.01 bd .............. (

1)
To find a, b, c, d, we will use the following “KEY FOR CLASSIFICATION
“AASHO”

Percentage that passes through the No. 200 sieve

0 to 40
35%(min.) 75%(max.)

Percentage that passes through the No. 200 sieve

0 b 40
15%(min.) 55%(max.)

Liquid Limit
0 c 40
40%(min.) 60%(max.)

Plastic Limit
0 d 40
10 minutes.) 30%(max.)

Percentage that passes the No. 200 sieve (0.074 mm.) = 71%; therefore we have:
a = 71% - 35% = 36%
b = 40%
c = 53% - 40% = 13%
d = 22% - 10% = 12%

13
Replacing in (1):

IG = 0.2 (36) + 0.005 (36) (13) + 0.01(40) (12) =

14.34
Since Group Indices should only be expressed in whole numbers, we have to:
IG = 14.34 = 14

Determining “graphically” the (IG): (Fig. 2)

Para, L.L. = 53%, the fraction of (IG) is = 9.7
For, IP = 22%, the fraction of (IG) is = 4.7
Adding up:
IG = 9.7 + 4.7 = 14.4 = 14

ii.) Classifying the soil; using table No. 1, proceeding to observe the table from left
to right by elimination when the data do not match; It is determined that the soil
is:
(A – 7)
Determining if it is, (A – 7 – 5) or (A – 7 – 6):
Yes LP ≥ 30, the classification is A – 7 – 5
Yes LP < 30, the classification is A – 7 – 6

In our problem:
L. P. = 53 − 23 = 31

Considering the group index, the soil classification is:

A − 7 − 5 (14)

PROBLEM Nº 12.- Classify the following soils according to the AASHO system, whose
laboratory analyzes have yielded the following results:

% WHAT'S
MESH
T HAPPENING
b c
2” O
94.85 - -
1 1/2" 66.49 - -
1” 50.53 - -
3/4" 39.91 - -
3/8” 28.93 100 -
No. 24.62 98 -
4 22.49 89 -
No. 10 21.34 80 100
No. 20 17.02 73 99.32
No. 40 9.64 19 93.27
No. 100 7.58 6 82.70
No.
L.L.200 24% - 26%
LP 17% - 17%

14
Solution:

Yo.) Soil “A”

I. P. = L . L. −L . P. = 24 −17 = 7%

Percentage that passes through the No. 200 sieve = 7.58%

IG = 0.2 a + 0.005 ac + 0.01 bd .............. ( 1 )

Where:
a=0
b=0
c=0
d=0

Replacing in (I):

IG=0
With the data, we classify the soil, using Table No. 1, from left to right and discarding
when the data does not match; we find that it is a soil:

A − 2 − 4 (0)
ii.) Soil “B”
Percentage that passes through the No. 200 sieve = 6%:
therefore:
a=0
b=0
c=0
d=0
Substituting into (1): ⇒ ( IG ) = 0
Using table No. 1, it is determined that it is a soil: (A-3)
Considering the (IG) already found, the answer is:

A − 3 (0)
iii.) “C” floor

I. P. = L . L. −L . P. = 26 −17 = 9%

Percentage that passes through the No. 200 sieve = 82.7%;

therefore:
a = 40
b = 40
c=0
d=0
Substituting into (1): ⇒ ( IG ) = 8
Using table No. 1, it is determined that it is a soil: (A - 4)
Considered the (IG), the answer is:

15
A − 4(8)

16
PROBLEM Nº 13.- A soil called (M-1), 67% passes through sieve Nº 200, its

L.L. is 65%, the IP = 30%. What is your classification?

Solution:

Yo.) The percentage that passes the No. 200 sieve is more than 50%, therefore it is a soil of

Fine Particles.

ii.) Entering the Plasticity card with LL = 65% and the IP = 30%. We determine that the soil (M-
1) is:

OH

It is an organic clay with medium to high plasticity.

The answer could also have been (M-1), but if there are no other considerations that specify the
soil, generally soils whose classification falls below and close to the “A” line are attributed to
belonging to group (OH).

PROBLEM Nº14.- Classify the following soils according to the systems (AASHO)
and (SUCS). Whose laboratory analyzes have yielded the following results:

% WHAT'S
MESH
T HAPPENING
b c
2” O
94.85 - -
1 1/2" 66.49 - -
1” 50.53 - -
3/4" 39.91 - -
3/8” 28.93 100 -
No. 4 24.62 98 -
No. 10 22.49 89 -
No. 20 21.34 80 100
No. 40 17.02 73 99.32
No. 100 9.64 19 93.27
No. 200 7.58 6 82.70

T b c
L.L. O
24% - 26%
LP 17% - 17%
 Sun:

Following the same analysis made by the classifications in the previous problems, and
through the use of Tables No. 1 and 2, as well as the respective graphs; The soils have
been classified “A”, “B” and “C”, obtaining the following answers:

Soil “A”
AASHO A – 2 – (0) = Gravel, silty and clayey sands.
SUCS GP – G – CL = Poorly graded gravel, with a fine content between 5% and 12%
of inorganic clay of low to medium plasticity.
Soil “B”
AASHO A – 3 – (0) = Fine sand.
SUCS SP = Poorly graded gravel, with a fine content between 5% and 12%.

“C” floor
AASHO A – 4 – (8) = Silty Soils.
SUCS CL = Inorganic clay of low to medium plasticity, silty clay.

PROBLEM Nº 15.- A soil sample has the following characteristics:

Percentage that passes through the sieve No. 200 = 75%
Liquid Limit (LL) = 69% Plastic Limit (LP) = 29%

What will be your classification according to SUCS?

Solution:

Yo.) Percentage that passes through the No. 200 sieve = 75%, therefore we determine that it is
a soil with Fine Particles.

ii.) Plasticity Index:

I. P. = L . L. −L . P. = 69% − 29% = 40%

iii.) The soil is classified by entering the Plasticity chart, (Table No. 2), with 69%

by L.L. and 40% IP From where we obtain that the classification belongs to a soil sample:

CH