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THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES

EXAMINATIONS MAY 2013

Code and Name of Course: CVNG 2009 SOIL MECHANICS II Paper:

Date and Time: Tuesday 14thMay 2013,9:00 am Duration: 3 Hours

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES: This paper has 7 pages and 4 questions.

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS

Only Non-Programmable Calculators May Be Used

Questions 2, 3 and 4 require additional numerical/graphical information, linear and angular

dimensions. These are to be obtained from the Figures as part of the solution to the problems. All
figures are drawn to scale and you are expected to use the dimensions given to obtain all others that
may be required.

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W S ,Y"1C')4

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@The University of the West Indies
.~--~-.~-~-~"'--~~- Course Code CVNG 2009 20Jli2013
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1. (~uring site investigations of the soil profile indicated in Figure Qu 1, an undisturbed sample of
soil was taken from the middle of the clay layer and subjected to a ID consolidation test
(consolidation and rebound). The initial sample thickness was 20 mm, its water content at the
endof the test was 28.0 % and G, of particles 2.68. A summary of effective stress vs sample
thickness at the end of each loading stage is given in the following Table.

Effective 20 50 100 200 400 800 1600 200 20

Pressure
(kN/m2)
Thickness
(mm) 19.98 19.82 19.60 19.05 18.30 17.50 16.7 17.00 17.50

Compute and plot the relationship between void ratio and loglO of effective pressure. Determine
the coefficients of virgin compression and recompression, the maximum past consolidation
pressure and the mean over-consolidation ratio for the clay layer. What is the consolidation
status of the clay? The unit weights of the sand and clay are 20 kN/m3 and 18 kN/m3
respectively Cc:::o-o-2..'-t4'- G:::.- -O.o!oct:' 6c1;,za [12 marks]

~ square 2.5 m square footing carrying a column load of 1000 kN is expected to be placed at a
depth of 1 m within the profile in Figure Qu. 1, determine the maximum expected settlement of
the footing. [8 marks]

2. (a) Derive an expression for the dynamic earthquake Factor of Safety for circular arc failure of an
earth slope using limiting equilibrium assumptions, the method of slices and assumptions
consistent with moment and radial force equilibrium about the centre of the circle (Ordinary
Method of Slices).
[6 marks]
(b) A highway embankment comprising free-draining sand and gravel is to be constructed over a
coastal swamp profile as illustrated in Figure Qu. 2. The effective strength parameters for the 5.
In fill and clay layers are as follows: Sand and Gravel fill 'Y= 20 kN/m3, c = 0 kN/m2, <p' = 38;
Sandy Clay with organics 'Y= 18 kN/m3, c = 0 kN/m2, <p' = 20 .
r

U sing the 5 slice model indicated determine the static Factor of Safety for slices 1, 4 and 5 only
after only 75% consolidation has occurred under the embankment loading. [14 marks]

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3. The results obtained from a consolidation test (Dial Gauge Reading vs LoglO(time)) carried out
on a 20 mm thick sample placed in an oedometer over an effective stress range 75-150 kN/m2 are
plotted in Figure Qu. 3a

wi Using the plot provided, determine (i) the total deformation/settlement at 100% consolidation
(mm), (ii) the coefficient of consolidation Cv m2/month, (iii) the coefficient of volume
compressibility m; (m2/kN) and the soil permeability k (m/s) over this stress range. Use Tvso =
0.197. co= o-lye; __1../~#- [10 marks]
~J = 5-"66-=1-';C..\o-i

(b) A cylindrical water tank of diameter 18 m and height 12 m is expected to be founded at 1m

below the surface of the profile indicated in Figure Qu. 3b (i) determine the maximum expected
settlement of this tank and compute the settlement vs time values in tabular form (do not plot) for
the tank at the following % consolidation values; 10,20,40,80, 100, 105. [10 marks]

4. (a) Describe briefly the principal differences between the Rankine and Coulomb approaches to the
computation of lateral earth pressures in soils. [8 marks]

(b) A retaining wall is to be constructed to support a proposed warehouse structure within afill
section of stiff sandy clay as illustrated in Figure Qu. 4. Using the four wedges indicated
determine your best estimate for the magnitude and direction of the maximum active thrust on
the wall. The stiff clay was found to be over-consolidated and unsaturated with effective
strength parameters as follows: apparent cohesion c = 5 kN/m2 and <p' = 18 and y = 20 kN/m3.

Before carrying out you analysis, determine the depth of tension cracks and modify your wedges
to take these into account. [12 marks]

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 page 4

Figure Qu.1

Sand/Gravel Fill

Ir-

5.5m

I cP :::2.0 co

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~
...,....,.=.::::...._-------_. __
._._.__....
_----------- -
1
L~~:::;L\"....,'
...
l
Figure Qu. 2 IGr"'I ~ ~

b('O',B-, +D2 "Z.2-} s: , . '13,

 page 5

8
...
0"
c
'E
II)
E
-
i=
...
c:>
Ill)
.9
<::>
.-I

Figure Qu.3a

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 page 6

Om

-2m

Clay

L_--L.---z Hard Sedimentary Clay ---~-~\,

\'~._2~~.....--.....
Z.....-- ..----,,--=~/ ..'-------_r----'----_==__.--~/
~.~"---'""""
'''~"..".,-.~-.
~~.........--.,~."
..,,-,--~~------

Figure Qu. 3b
 page 7

V
2m 2m 2m

50kN/m

/ / /
3m
/ / /
J /

I / I
\ / I /
\ I / II
\ / / I
5m \ / / I
\ I / //1
\ 1///
1 5m
-- \ 11//
\ 1///
i- -------
I.

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Figure Qu. 4