Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr.

Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
20 Solved Problems in Soil Mechanics

1. A sand sample of 35 cm2 cross sectional area and 20 cm long was tested in a constant
head permeameter. Under a head of 60 cm, the discharge was 120 mL in 6 min. The dry
weight of sand used for the test was 1120 g, and Gs = 2.68. Determine (a) the hydraulic
conductivity in cm/sec, (b) the discharge velocity, and (c) the seepage velocity.
Given:
Q = 120 mL; t = 6 min; A = 35 cm2; L = 20 cm; h = 60 cm.
a. Hydraulic conductivity in cm/sec, k
𝑄𝐿
𝑘=
ℎ𝐴𝑡
120𝑚𝐿 × 20𝑐𝑚
=
60 𝑠𝑒𝑐
35𝑐𝑚2 × 60𝑐𝑚 × 6𝑚𝑖𝑛 × 1 𝑚𝑖𝑛

𝒌 = 𝟑. 𝟏𝟕𝟒𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝒄𝒎/𝒔𝒆𝒄

b. Discharge velocity, v
𝑣 = 𝑘𝑖
ℎ
𝑣=𝑘
𝐿
10−3 𝑐𝑚 60 𝑐𝑚
= 3.1746 × ×
𝑠𝑒𝑐 20 𝑐𝑚
𝒗 = 𝟗. 𝟓𝟐𝟑𝟖 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝒄𝒎/𝒔𝒆𝒄
c. Seepage velocity, Vs
𝑊𝑠
𝛾𝑑 =
𝑉
1120𝑔
=
35𝑐𝑚2 × 20𝑐𝑚
𝑔
𝛾𝑑 = 1.6
𝑐𝑚3
𝛾𝑤 𝐺𝑠
𝛾𝑑 =
1+𝑒
1𝑔
2.68 × 3
𝑒= 𝑐𝑚 −1
1.6𝑔
𝑐𝑚3
𝑒 = 0.675
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
𝑣
𝑉𝑠 =
𝑛
𝑣
𝑉𝑠 = 𝑒
1+𝑒
9.5238 × 10−3 𝑐𝑚/𝑠𝑒𝑐
=
0.675
1 + 0.675
𝑽𝒔 = 𝟐. 𝟑𝟔𝟑𝟑𝟏 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟐 𝒄𝒎/𝒔𝒆𝒄

2. The hydraulic conductivity of a soil sample was determined in a soil mechanics laboratory
by making use of a falling head permeameter. The data used and the test results obtained
were as follows: diameter of sample = 2.36 m, height of sample = 5.91 m, diameter of
stand pipe = 0.79 m, initial head h1 = 17.72 m. final head h2 = 11.81 m. Time elapsed = 1
min 45 sec. Determine the hydraulic conductivity in m/day.
Given:
Area of stand pipe, a
𝜋𝑑 2
𝑎=
4
𝜋 × 0.79𝑚2
=
4
𝑎 = 0.4902 𝑚2
Area of sample, A

𝜋𝐷2
𝐴=
4
𝜋 × 2.36𝑚2
=
4
𝐴 = 4.3744𝑚2

Height of sample, L
𝐿 = ℎ1 − ℎ2
= (17.72 − 11.81)m
L = 5.91 m
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
Head, h1 and h2

h1 = 17.72 m; h2 = 11.81 m

Elapsed time in day, t

1𝑚𝑖𝑛 × 60𝑠𝑒𝑐 + 45𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑠 = 105 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑠

1 𝑚𝑖𝑛 1 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟 1 𝑑𝑎𝑦
105𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑠 × × ×
60 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑠 60 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑠 24 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠
𝑡 = 1.2153 × 10−3 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠

𝑎𝐿 ℎ1
𝑘= 𝑙𝑛 ( )
𝐴𝑡 ℎ2
0.4902 𝑚2 × 5.91 m 17.72m
= 2 −3
𝑙𝑛 ( )
4.3744𝑚 × 1.2153 × 10 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠 11.81𝑚
𝒌 = 𝟐𝟐𝟏. 𝟏𝟏𝟑𝟏 𝒎/𝒅𝒂𝒚

3. A pumping test was made in pervious gravels and sands extending to a depth of 50 m,
where a bed of clay was encountered. The normal ground water level was at the ground
surface. Observation wells were located at distances of 10m and 25m from the pumping
well. At a discharge of 761 m3 per minute from the pumping well, a steady state was
attained in about 24 hr. The draw-down at 10 m was 5.5 m, and at 25 m was 1.21m.
Compute the hydraulic conductivity in m/sec.
Given:

q = 761 m3 per minute/60 secs = 12.6833m3 per second

r1 = 10 m; Draw-down at r1 = 5.5 m;

r2 = 25 m; Draw-down at r2 = 1.21 m;

h1 = 50 m – 5.5 m = 44.5 m;

h2 = 50 m – 1.21 m = 48.79 m

𝑞 𝑟2
𝑘= 2 2 𝑙𝑛 ( )
𝜋 × (ℎ2 − ℎ1 ) 𝑟1
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
12.6833𝑚3 /𝑠𝑒𝑐 25𝑚
𝑘= 𝑙𝑛 ( )
𝜋 × (48.792 − 44.52 ) 10𝑚
𝒌 = 𝟗. 𝟐𝟒𝟕𝟗 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝒎/𝒔𝒆𝒄

4. A field pumping test was conducted from an aquifer of sandy soil of 8 m thickness
confined between two impervious strata. When equilibrium was established, 90 liters of
water was pumped out per hour. The water elevation in an observation well 6.0 m away
from the test well was 4.1 m and another 9.0 m away was 4.7 m from the roof level of the
impervious stratum of the aquifer. Find the value of k of the soil in m/sec.

Given:

H0 = 8 m; h1 = 4.1 m; h2 = 4.7 m; r1 = 6 m; r2 = 9 m
𝐿 1 𝑚3 1 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟
𝑞 = 90 × ×
ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟 1000 𝐿 60 𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝑞 = 2.5 × 10−5 𝑚3 /𝑠𝑒𝑐
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
𝑞 𝑟2
𝑘= 𝑙𝑛 ( )
2𝜋 × (ℎ2 − ℎ1 ) 𝑟1
2.5 × 10−5 𝑚3 /𝑠𝑒𝑐 9
= 𝑙𝑛 ( )
2𝜋 × (4.7 − 4.1) 6
𝒌 = 𝟐. 𝟔𝟖𝟖𝟖𝒎/𝒔𝒆𝒄

5. A sand deposit contains three distinct horizontal layers of equal thickness. The hydraulic
conductivity of the upper and lower layers is 10-3 cm/sec and that of the middle is 10-2
cm/sec. What are the equivalent values of the horizontal and vertical hydraulic
conductivities of the three layers, and what is their ratio?

Given:

Horizontal flow
z1 = z2 = z3 = 1

1
𝑘ℎ = (𝑘 𝑧 + 𝑘2 𝑧2 + 𝑘3 𝑧3 )
𝑍 1 1
1
= (10−3 + 10−2 + 10−3 )𝑐𝑚/𝑠𝑒𝑐
3
𝑘ℎ = 4 × 10−3 𝑐𝑚/𝑠𝑒𝑐
Vertical flow
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
𝑍
𝑘𝑣 = 𝑧 𝑧 𝑧
1
+ 2+ 3
𝑘1 𝑘2 𝑘3
3
=
1 1 1
−3 + −2 + −3
10 𝑐𝑚/𝑠𝑒𝑐 10 𝑐𝑚/𝑠𝑒𝑐 10 𝑐𝑚/𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝑘𝑣 = 1.4286 × 10−3 𝑐𝑚/𝑠𝑒𝑐

𝑘ℎ
𝑘𝑣
4 × 10−3 𝑐𝑚/𝑠𝑒𝑐
=
1.4286 × 10−3 𝑐𝑚/𝑠𝑒𝑐
= 𝟐. 𝟕𝟗𝟗𝟗

6. In a falling head permeameter, the sample used is 20 cm long having a cross-sectional

area of 24 cm2. Calculate the time required for a drop of head from 25 cm to 12 cm if the
cross-sectional area of the stand pipe is 2 cm2. The sample of soil is made of three layers.
The thickness of the first layer from the top is 8 cm and has a value of k1 = 2x10-4cm/sec,
the second layer of thickness 8 cm has k2 = 5x10-4cm/sec and the bottom layer of thickness
4 cm has k3 = 7x10-4cm/sec. Assume that the flow is taking place perpendicular to the
layers.

Given:
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
z1 = 8 cm; k1 = 2x10-4cm/sec;

z2 = 8 cm; k2 = 5x10-4cm/sec

z3 = 4 cm; k3 = 7x10-4cm/sec

a = 2 cm2; A = 24 cm2; L = 20 cm; h1 = 25cm; h2=12cm

Vertical Hydraulic Conductivity, kv

𝑍
𝑘𝑣 = 𝑧 𝑧 𝑧
1
+ 2+ 3
𝑘1 𝑘2 𝑘3
20
8 8 4
+ +
2x10 cm 5x10 cm 7x10−4 cm
−4 −4
sec sec sec
𝒌𝒗 = 𝟑. 𝟐𝟒𝟎𝟕 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟒 𝒄𝒎/𝒔𝒆𝒄
Time, t

𝑎𝐿 ℎ1
𝑘= 𝑙𝑛 ( )
𝐴(𝑡2 − 𝑡1 ) ℎ2
𝑎𝐿 ℎ1
(𝑡2 − 𝑡1 ) = 𝑙𝑛 ( )
𝐴𝑘 ℎ2
𝑎𝐿 ℎ1
𝑡= 𝑙𝑛 ( )
𝐴𝑘 ℎ2
2𝑐𝑚2 × 20 𝑐𝑚 25𝑐𝑚
= 2 −4
𝑙𝑛 ( )
24 𝑐𝑚 × 3.2407 × 10 𝑐𝑚/𝑠𝑒𝑐 12𝑐𝑚
𝒕 = 𝟑𝟕𝟕𝟒. 𝟕𝟒𝟔𝟏 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒔 𝒐𝒓 𝟔𝟐. 𝟗𝟏𝟐𝟒 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒔

7. The results of a constant-head permeability test for a fine sample having a diameter of
20cm and a length of 40 cm are as follows:

Constant head difference = 60 cm

Time of collection of water = 3 minutes

Volume of water collected = 240 cm3

Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
Temperature of water = 25°C

Find the hydraulic conductivity for the soil at 20°C in cm/ sec if the viscosity of water at
25°C is η = 0.899

Given:

Q = 240 cm3; L = 40 cm; h = 60 cm; η25 = 0.899; Diameter = 20 cm

Hydraulic conductivity, k

𝑄𝐿
𝑘=
ℎ𝐴𝑡
240𝑐𝑚3 × 40 𝑐𝑚
=
𝜋 × (20𝑐𝑚)2
60 𝑐𝑚 × × (3𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑠 × 60)
4
𝑘 = 2.8294 × 10−3 𝑐𝑚/𝑠𝑒𝑐

0.899
𝑘20 = 𝑘25
1
𝒌𝟐𝟎 = 𝟐. 𝟓𝟏𝟓𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝒄𝒎/𝒔𝒆𝒄

8. A soil deposit is being considered as a fill for a building site. In its original state in the
borrow pit the void ratio is 0.95. Based on laboratory tests, the desired void ratio in its
compacted state at the building site is to be no greater than 0.65. find the percentage
decrease of volume of the deposit from its original state.

Let V1 = initial total volume

V2 = final total volume

𝑉𝑣
𝑒𝑖 = ( ) = 0.95
𝑉𝑠 𝑖

𝑉𝑣
𝑒𝑓 = ( ) = 0.65
𝑉𝑠 𝑓

𝑉𝑠𝑖 = 𝑉𝑠𝑓
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
𝑉𝑣𝑖 𝑉𝑣𝑓
=
0.95 0.65

𝑉𝑖 = 𝑉𝑣𝑖 + 𝑉𝑠 = 0.95𝑉𝑠 + 𝑉𝑠 = 1.95𝑉𝑠

𝑉𝑓 = 𝑉𝑣𝑓 + 𝑉𝑠 = 0.65𝑉𝑠 + 𝑉𝑠 = 1.65𝑉𝑠

(1.95 − 1.65)𝑉𝑠
Volume loss due to compaction = × 100%
1.95𝑉𝑠

𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐝𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 = 𝟏𝟓. 𝟑𝟖𝟒𝟔%

9. A soil sample of 100g has a water content of 8%. Gm = 1.9 and G = 2.66. Find the
a. void ratio of the sample,
b. the degree of saturation.

Ws = 100g; Ww = 8g; γw = 1g/cm3

a. Void ratio, e

𝑊𝑠 100𝑔
𝑉𝑠 = =
𝐺γ𝑤 1𝑔
(2.66) ( 3 )
𝑐𝑚
𝑉𝑠 = 37.5940 𝑐𝑚3

𝑉𝑤 = 8𝑐𝑚3
𝑊 𝑊
𝑉= =
γ𝑤 𝐺𝑚 γ𝑤
100𝑔 + 8𝑔
𝑉=
1𝑔
(1.9) ( 3 )
𝑐𝑚
𝑉 = 56.8421 𝑐𝑚3

𝑉𝑣 = 𝑉 − 𝑉𝑠 = (56.8421 − 37.5940)𝑐𝑚3
𝑉𝑣 = 19.2481 𝑐𝑚3

𝑉𝑣
𝑒=
𝑉𝑠
19.2481 𝑐𝑚3
=
37.5940 𝑐𝑚3
𝒆 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟏𝟐𝟎
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
b. Degree of Saturation, S

𝑉𝑤
𝑆= × 100%
𝑉𝑣
8 𝑐𝑚3
= × 100%
19.2481 𝑐𝑚3
𝑺 = 𝟒𝟏. 𝟓𝟔𝟐𝟓%

10. Two lines of sheet piles were driven in a river bed as shown in the figure. The depth of
water over the river bed is 8.20 ft. The trench level within the sheet piles is 6.6 ft below
the river bed. The water level within the sheet piles is kept at trench level by resorting to
pumping. If a quantity of water flowing into the trench from outside is 3.23 ft 3/hour per
foot length of sheet pile, what is the hydraulic conductivity of the sand?
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
Given:

Number of channels = 6

Number of equipotential drops =10

𝑁𝑓
𝑞 = 𝑘ℎ
𝑁𝑑
3.23𝑓𝑡 3 1 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟 6
× = 14.8𝑓𝑡 × 𝑘
ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟 3600 𝑠𝑒𝑐 10
𝒌 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟏𝟎𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟒 𝒇𝒕/𝒔𝒆𝒄

11. A concrete dam is constructed across a river over a permeable stratum of soil of limited
thickness. The water heads are upstream side 16m and 2m on the downstream side. The
flow net constructed under the dam gives Nf= 4 and Nd=12. Calculate the seepage loss
through the subsoil if the average value of the hydraulic conductivity is 6 x 10 -3 cm/sec
horizontally and 3 x 10-4 cm/sec vertically. Calculate the exit gradient if the average length
of the last field is 0.9 m.

Given:

Upstream side h1 = 16m; downstream side h2 = 2m; h = upstream – downstream = 14 m

Nf = 4; Nd = 12; kh = 6x10-3 cm/sec; kv=3x10-4cm/sec; L=0.9m

𝑘𝑒 = √𝑘ℎ 𝑘𝑣

= √(6x10−3 cm/sec)(3x10−4 cm/sec)

𝑘 = 1.34 × 10−3 𝑐𝑚/𝑠𝑒𝑐

𝑁𝑓
𝑞 = 𝑘𝑒 ℎ
𝑁𝑑
10−3 𝑐𝑚 4
= 1.34 × × (14 × 100) ×
𝑠𝑒𝑐 12
𝑞 = 0.626 𝑐𝑚3 /𝑠𝑒𝑐
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE

Head loss per potential drop

ℎ
𝛥ℎ =
𝑁𝑑
14
=
12
𝛥ℎ = 1.17 𝑚
Exit gradient, i

𝛥ℎ
𝑖=
𝐿
1.17
=
0.9
𝑖 = 1.30

12. A figure represents flow beneath a sheet pile wall. This flow net has been drawn by trial
and error manual sketching. Determine the pore water pressure at P, and the maximum
exit gradient.

Pore water pressure at P:

HTCD = HE+HP
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
= 4.5 m+ 2.2m
HTCD =6.7 m

HT(P) = HTCD – (HE/Nd)

= 6.7 – (1.5/9)
HT(P) = 6.5333m

HP(P) = HT(P) -HE

= 6.5333-1.5
HP(P) = 5.0333m
𝑢 = 𝜌𝑤 𝑔𝐻𝑃(𝑃)
= 1000 × 9.81 × 5.0333𝑚
𝑢 = 49.3767 𝑘𝑁/𝑚2

Exit gradient

𝐻𝐸
𝛥ℎ =
𝑁𝑑
1.5
=
9
= 0.1667
Maximum gradient

𝛥ℎ
𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑧 =
𝐻𝐷𝐸
0.1667
=
0.75
𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.2233

13. A flow net is shown in the figure. Given Nf = 3, Nd = 6, and kh = kv = 5 x10-3 cm/sec,
determine:
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE

𝐻
𝛥ℎ =
𝑁𝑑
5 − 1.67
=
6
𝛥ℎ = 0.555

a. Rate of seepage through flow channel 2

𝐻
𝛥𝑞 = 𝑘
𝑁𝑑
5𝑥10−3 𝑐𝑚 0.01 𝑚
= × × 0.555𝑚
𝑠𝑒𝑐 1 𝑐𝑚
𝒙𝟏𝟎−𝟓 𝒎𝟑
𝜟𝒒 = 𝟐. 𝟕𝟕𝟓 /𝒎
𝒔𝒆𝒄
b. Total rate of seepage
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
𝑞 = 𝛥𝑞𝑁𝑓
𝑥10−5 𝑚3
2.775
= 𝑠𝑒𝑐 ×3
𝑚
𝟖. 𝟑𝟐𝟓𝒙𝟏𝟎−𝟓 𝒎𝟑
𝒒= /𝒎
𝒔𝒆𝒄
14. A dam section is shown below. The coefficient of permeability of the permeable layer in
the vertical and horizontal directions are 2x10-2cm/sec and 4x10-4cm/sec respectively.
Draw a flow net and calculate the seepage loss of the dam in m3/day/m.
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE

𝑁𝑓
𝑞 = √𝑘ℎ 𝑘𝑣 ℎ
𝑁𝑑

2𝑥10−4 𝑚 4𝑥10−4 𝑚 2.5

= √( )( ) (20 × )
𝑠 𝑠 8

0.00070717𝑚3
𝑠 86400 𝑠
𝑞= ×
𝑚 1 𝑑𝑎𝑦
𝟔𝟏. 𝟎𝟗𝟒𝟎𝒎
𝒒= /𝒎
𝒅𝒂𝒚

15. A single row of sheet pile structure is shown below. Draw a flow net for the transformed
section. Replot this flow net also in the natural scale. The relationship between the
permeability is given as kh = 6kv
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE

𝑘ℎ
𝐻𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑆𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑒 = √
6𝑘𝑣

1
=
√6
Vertical scale = 20 m

20𝑚 (√6)
𝑯𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒛𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒆 = 𝟒𝟖. 𝟗𝟖𝟗𝟖 𝒎

16. Suppose that the permeability of the underlying soil is k = 10-5 m/sec, determine the flow
per unit width and the total flow under the dam if the dam is 25 m wide.
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE

Flow per unit width

𝑞 = 𝐻𝑘
10−5 𝑚
= 15 𝑚 ( )
𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝑞 = 10𝑥 −4 𝑚3 /𝑠𝑒𝑐/𝑚
Total flow

𝑞 = 𝐻𝑘𝑤
10−5 𝑚
= 15 𝑚 × ( ) × 25𝑚
𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝑞 = 3.75𝑥10−2 𝑚3 /𝑠𝑒𝑐

17. What is the effective stress at A if the dry unit weight of the soil is 200 kN/m 3?
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE

PE = γdh

= 200 kN/m3 (3 m)
PE at A = 600 kPa

18. A soil sample was found to have the following data: G = 2.5, S = 56%, e = 0.75. What is
the moist unit weight of the said soil?

𝐺 + 𝑆𝑒
𝛾𝑚 = 𝛾
1+𝑒 𝑤
2.5 + 0.56 ∗ 0.75
= ∗ 9.81𝑘𝑁/𝑚3
1 + 0.75
𝜸𝒎 =16.3687kN/m^3

19. What is the saturated unit weight of the soil if specific gravity of the soil is 2.65 and has
a void ratio of 0.51?
𝐺+𝑒
𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 = 𝛾
1+𝑒 𝑤
2.65 + 0.51
= 9.81𝑘𝑁/𝑚3
1 + 0.51
𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 = 20.5295 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3
20. Solve for the dry unit weight of the soil when the water content is 0.33 and its moist unit
weight is 20kN/m3.
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
𝛾𝑚
𝛾𝑑𝑟𝑦 =
1+𝑤
20𝑘𝑁
= 𝑚3
1 + 0.33
𝛾𝑑𝑟𝑦 = 15.0376 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE

1.
2. The volume of the soil is 413 cm3. The weight of the mass was 727g. After drying, the
sample’s weight is 607g. Assume = 2.65; γw = 1g/cm3 = 9.81 kN/m3; e = 0.77. Find the
degree of saturation of the soil.