JNTUH College of Engineering Engineering of Ground End Semester Examination Duration: Three Hours Answer Any Five Questions

FULLY. Thursday, 29.04.2013 Max. Marks 100.

You can ASSUME any data you think is missing but state clearly the value(s) assumed. Credit will not be given if irrational or improbable value is assumed. 1. (a) A soil sample has total unit weight of 18.6 kN/m3, water content of 16.2% and G = 2.69. Determine the (i) void ratio, (ii) porosity, (iii) degree of saturation, (iv) dry unit weight, (v) saturated unit weight and (vi) buoyant unit weight. (10 Marks) (b) A clay sample 2.1 mm thick took 8 min 15 sec to attain 50% degree of consolidation in the laboratory. How long would a layer 8.0 m thick draining from the top take to attain 90% degree of consolidation? (5 Marks) A consolidated drained test on a normally consolidated clay yields an angle of shearing resistance of 27 0. What is the major principal stress if an round pressure of 60 kPa acts on the sample? (5 Marks) 2. (a) For the point located at depth 5.0 m from GL (Fig. 2a), determine the total and effective vertical stresses and the coordinates, p, p and q of the stress point. Sketch the same on p-q and p-q plots. (12 Marks) (b) A vane shear test was conducted using a vane 65 mm dia and 127 mm high. The maximum torque measured was 51 N.mm. The vane was rotated 10 times after which the torque measured was 14 N.mm. Estimate the undrained strength and sensitivity of the soil. (8 Marks) 3. (a) A preload of 100 kPa is placed on a lightly overconsolidated (OCR = 1.8) soil deposit (Fig. 3a). Estimate the settlement (i) considering the soil to be normally consolidated and (ii) lightly overconsolidated. (10 Marks) (b) If cv of the soil = 1.2x10-3 cm2/s, how long would it take to attain 90% degree of consolidation? If PVDs are placed at 1.1 m spacing in square pattern, what would be degree of consolidation at the end of 60 days if c h =2.5cv. (10 Marks) 4. A site near the coast comprising of soft silty clay (Fig. 4) was reclaimed by 4.0 m thick dredged sand for a major project. The SPT N values of the deposited sand were in the range of 3 to 6. It was required to improve the site with heavy tamping. Analyse the problem and design (i) weight of the pounder, (ii) the height of drop, (iii) the number of drops at each location, (iv) the spacing of the compaction points (primary & secondary), (v) Method of evaluating the degree of improvement, (vi) any other measures that need to be taken up. (20 Marks) 5. (a) Estimate the ultimate uplift capacity of a double under-reamed pile (Fig. 5a). (12 Marks) (b) What measures are available to deal with foundations on expansive soils? (8 Marks) 6. (a) What are the basic differences between vibro-compaction and vibro-replacement? Identify the types of soils for which each method is applicable - the parameters required to be determined to design the appropriate technique. Describe the methods. What is suitability number? (10 Marks) (b) A deep 30.0 m excavation is to be made in a soft soil (Fig. 5b). Suggest a dewatering scheme for the same and sketch the possible phreatic surface. What could be the maximum discharge from a single well? (10 Marks) 7. (a) The time versus settlement readings obtained from a vertical drain treated ground were: Time (days) Settlement, cm 7 65 14 84 21 97 28 109 35 118 42 125 49 133 56 142 63 149 70 158 77 165

Estimate the final settlement by Hyperbolic and Asaoka methods and degree of consolidation at 70 days. (12 Marks). (b) What are the different types of in situ tests used to characterize ground? Is Plate Load a very useful test? Does it have any limitation? (8 Marks). 8.