Soil Mechanics Midterm Exam

Time: 2 hours

Name:

ID #:
 Page 2 of 6

1. The wet densities () and degrees of saturation (S) of a soil are given in the following table:

(kg/m3) S (%)
1694 50
1806 75

a. Determine void ratio (e).

b. Determine specific gravity (Gs).

(15 points)
 Page 3 of 6

2. Describe the atomic structure and engineering properties of Smectit, briefly. (15 points).
 Page 4 of 6

3. The laboratory test data for a standard Proctor test are given in the table below:

Volume of Proctor Mold (cm3) Mass of Wet Soil in the Mold (kg) Water Content (%)
943.3 1.76 12
943.3 1.86 14
943.3 1.92 16
943.3 1.95 18
943.3 1.93 20
943.3 1.90 22

a. Find the maximum dry unit weight.

b. Find the optimum moisture content.

(15 points)
 Page 5 of 6

4. The section through a dam is shown in the following figure. The coefficient of permeability of
the foundation soil is 2.510-5 m/s. Find the total uplift force (25 points).
 Page 6 of 6

5. A specimen of sand is tested in direct simple shear. The stress conditions in the test are as
shown in the following figures.

Initial conditions:

v = 4.00 kg/cm2 h = 2.00 kg/cm2

At failure:

v = 4.00 kg/cm2 h = 2.00 kg/cm2 hv = 2.00 kg/cm2

a. Determine the magnitude and orientation of the principal stresses at failure.

b. What is the orientation of the failure plane?

(30 points)