1.

Following are the results of a sieve analysis:

US Seive
4
10
20
40
60
100
200
Pan
No.
Mass of
soil
0
21.6
49.5 102.6 89.1
95.6
60.4
31.2
retained
(gm)
a. Determine the percentage finer than each sieve size and plot a
grain size distribution curve.
b. Determine D10, D30 and D60 from the grain size distribution
curve.
c. Calculate the uniformity coefficient, Cu.
d. Calculate the coefficient of gradation, Cc.
e. Classify the soil as per ASTM, USCS and AASHTO.
Solution:
a. The percentage finer is determined in the table below and the grain
size distribution curve (semi-log graph) is also shown.
US
Openin
Mass of
Total mass Total Mass Percentage
Seive
g (mm)
Soil
of soil
of soil
Finer than
No
Retained
retained
passsing
(gm)
(gm)
(gm)
I
II
III
IV
V = TotalVI =
IV
(V/Total)*
100
Pan
0.000
31.2
450.0
0.00
0.0
200
0.075
60.4
418.8
31.2
6.933
100
0.152
95.6
358.4
91.6
20.356
60
0.251
89.1
262.8
187.2
41.6
40
0.422
102.6
173.7
276.3
61.4
20
0.853
49.5
71.1
378.9
84.2
10
2.000
21.6
21.6
428.4
95.2
4
4.750
0.00
0.0
450.0
100.0
Total =
450.00
gm
b. From the Grain-size distribution curve,
For 10 % finer, D10= 0.09 mm
For 30 % finer, D30= 0.2 mm
For 60 % finer, D60= 0.4 mm
c. So, Coefficient of Uniformity (Cu) = D60/D10 = 0.4/0.09 = 4.44
d. And, Coefficient of gradation (Cc) = (D30)2 /(D60xD10) = 0.22/(0.4x0.09) =
1.11
e. For USCS classification,
Percentage passing No. 200 sieve = 6.93 % .So, the soil is coarse
grained soil
All of the soil (100%) passes through No 4 sieve so the soil is
categorized as sand. As the percentage of fines (passing No 200 sieve
= 6.93%) lies between (5-12) % it is a borderline case requiring dual
symbol.

Since Cu=4.44 < 6 and Cc=1.11 > 1 the soil is poorly graded sand. For
dual symbol the atterberg limits of the soil are not provided so it may
be SP-SC or SP-SM.
2. The moist mass of 2.8x10-3m3 of soil is 5.53 Kg. If the moisture
content is 10% and the specific gravity of soil solids is 2.72,
determine the following:
a. Moist density; b. Dry density; c. Void ratio; d. Porosity; e.
Degree of Saturation; f. Volume occupied by water.
Solution:
Mass of Soil (M) = 5.53 Kg; Volume of Soil (V) = 2.8 x 10 -3 m3;

Grain-Size distribution Curve (Semi-log Plot)

100

100.00
95.20

90
84.20

80
70
61.40

60

Percentage finer than

50
41.60

40
30
20
10
0
0.010

0.100

1.000

Seive Sizes

10.000

Moisture Content (Wc) = 10%; Specific Gravity of soil solids (Gs) = 2.72
a. Moist/Bulk density of Soil () = M/V = 5.53/2.8*10-3 = 1975 Kg/m3
b. Moisture content (Wc) = Mw/Ms = (M-Ms)/Ms= (M/Ms)-1

Ms= M/(1+Wc) = 5.53/ (1+0.1) = 5.027 Kg

Dry density (d) = Ms/V = 5.027/2.8*10-3= 1795 Kg/m3

c. Also, Dry density (d) = Gs.w/(1+e)

e= (Gs.w/d)-1= (2.72x1000/1795)-1 =0.5153 = 51.53 %

d. Porosity () = e/(1+e) = (0.5153/1.5153) = 0.34 = 34%

e. Degree of saturation (Sr) = Wc.Gs/e = (0.1x2.72)/0.5153 = 0.5278
=52.78%
f. Volume occupied by water (Vw) = (M-Ms)/w = (5.53-5.027)/1000=5.03x104
m3
3. For a sandy soil emax=0.75, emin=0.52 and Gs=2.7. What are the void
ratio and the dry unit weight at Dr=80%.
Solution:
We have,
Relative Density(Dr) = (emax-e)/(emax-emin)

e=emax-Dr.(emax-emin)= 0.75-0.8x(0.75-0.52) = 0.566

Dry Unit Weight (d) = Gs.w/(1+e) = 2.7x9.81/(1+0.566) =16.913 KN/m3

4. Classify the following soils using the Unified Soil Classification
System. Give the Group Symbols and Group Names (ASTM)
Sieve Analysis %
Liquid
Plastic
Cu
Cc
finer
Limit
Limit
No. 4
No. 200
1
70
30
33
12
2
48
20
41
19
3
95
70
52
24
4
100
82
30
11
5
88
78
69
31
6
71
4
NP
3.4
2.6
7
99
57
54
28
8
71
11
32
16
4.8
2.9
9
100
2
NP
7.2
2.2
10
90
8
39
31
3.9
2.1
Solution:
Soil 1:
For USCS classification,
Percentage passing No. 200 sieve = 30 % < 50%. So, the soil is coarse
grained.
Percentage passing No. 4 sieve = 70 % > 50%. So, the soil is Sand.
Soi
l

Percentage passing No. 200 sieve = 30 % > 12%

Sands with fines.

PI= LL-PL = 33-12 = 21

From A-line Equation,
PI=0.73x (LL-20) = 0.73x (33-20) = 9.49 < 21

So, it plots above A-line.

Sand with clay

Hence, USCS Classification: SC

For ASTM classification,
Percentage of Gravel = 30% > 15%
Hence, ASTM Classification: Clayey sand with Gravel
Soil 2: For USCS classification,
Percentage passing No. 200 sieve = 20 % < 50%. So, the soil is coarse
grained.
Percentage passing No. 4 sieve = 48 % < 50%. So, the soil is Gravel.
Percentage passing No. 200 sieve = 20 % > 12%

Gravel with

fines.
PI= LL-PL = 41-19 = 22
From A-line Equation,
PI=0.73x (LL-20) = 0.73x (41-20) = 15.33 < 22
So, it plots above A-line.

Gravel with clay

Hence, USCS Classification: GC

For ASTM classification,
Percentage of Sand = 48% > 15%
Hence, ASTM Classification: Clayey Gravel with Sand
Soil 3: For USCS classification,
Percentage passing No. 200 sieve = 70 % > 50%. So, the soil is fine
grained.
Liquid Limit = 52 % > 50%. So, the soil is High Plasticity silt or clay.
PI= LL-PL = 52-24 = 28
From A-line Equation,
PI=0.73x (LL-20) = 0.73x (52-20) = 23.36 < 28
So, it plots above A-line.

Clay with High Plasticity

Hence, USCS Classification: CH

For ASTM classification,
Percentage passing No. 200 sieve = 70 % > 30%
And, Percentage of Sand = 95% > Percentage of Gravel (5%) < 15%
Hence, ASTM Classification: Sandy Fat Clay
Soil 4: For USCS classification,
Percentage passing No. 200 sieve = 82 % > 50%. So, the soil is fine
grained.
Liquid Limit = 30 % < 50%. So, the soil is Low Plasticity silt or clay.
PI= LL-PL = 30-11 = 19
From A-line Equation,
PI=0.73x (LL-20) = 0.73x (30-20) = 7.3 < 19
So, it plots above A-line.

Clay with Low Plasticity

Hence, USCS Classification: CL

For ASTM classification,
Percentage passing No. 200 sieve = 82 % > 30%
And, Percentage of Sand = 100% > Percentage of Gravel (0%) < 15%

Hence, ASTM Classification: Sandy Lean Clay.

Soil 5: For USCS classification,
Percentage passing No. 200 sieve = 78 % > 50%. So, the soil is fine
grained.
Liquid Limit = 69 % > 50%. So, the soil is High Plasticity silt or clay.
PI= LL-PL = 69-31 = 38
From A-line Equation,
PI=0.73x (LL-20) = 0.73x (69-20) = 35.77 < 38
So, it plots above A-line.

Clay with High Plasticity

Hence, USCS Classification: CH

For ASTM classification,
Percentage passing No. 200 sieve = 78 % > 30%
And, Percentage of Sand = 88 % > Percentage of Gravel (12%) < 15%
Hence, ASTM Classification: Sandy Fat Clay
Soil 6: For USCS classification,
Percentage passing No. 200 sieve = 4 % < 50%. So, the soil is coarse
grained.
Percentage passing No. 4 sieve = 71 % > 50%. So, the soil is Sand.
Percentage passing No. 200 sieve = 4 % < 5%

Clean Sand.

Cu= 2.4 < 4 and 1 Cc = 2.6 3

So, the Sand is poorly graded
Hence, USCS Classification: SP
For ASTM classification,
Percentage of Gravel = (100 71) % = 29% > 15%
Hence, ASTM Classification: Poorly graded Sand with Gravel
Soil 7: For USCS classification,
Percentage passing No. 200 sieve = 57 % > 50%. So, the soil is fine
grained.
Liquid Limit = 54 % > 50%. So, the soil is High Plasticity silt or clay.
PI= LL-PL = 54-28 = 26
From A-line Equation,
PI=0.73x (LL-20) = 0.73x (54-20) = 24.82 < 26
So, it plots above A-line.

Clay with High Plasticity

Hence, USCS Classification: CH

For ASTM classification,
Percentage passing No. 200 sieve = 57 % > 30%
And, Percentage of Sand = 99 % > Percentage of Gravel (1 %) < 15%
Hence, ASTM Classification: Sandy Fat Clay
Soil 8: For USCS classification,
Percentage passing No. 200 sieve = 11 % < 50%. So, the soil is Coarse
grained.
Percentage passing No. 4 sieve = 71 % > 50%. So, the soil is Sand.
Percentage passing No. 200 sieve = 11 % lies between (5 12) %
Dual Symbol.

Cu= 4.8 > 4 and 1 Cc = 2.9 3

So, the Sand is poorly graded (SP).
PI=LL-PL=32-16=16
From A-line Equation,
PI=0.73x (LL-20) = 0.73x (32-20) = 8.76 < 16
So, it plots above A-line.

Sand contains clay (SC).

Hence, USCS Classification: SP-SC

For ASTM classification,
Percentage of Gravel = (100 71) % = 29% > 15%
Hence, ASTM Classification: Poorly graded Sand with Clay and Gravel
Soil 9: For USCS classification,
Percentage passing No. 200 sieve = 2 % < 50%. So, the soil is Coarse
grained.
Percentage passing No. 4 sieve = 100 % < 50%. So, the soil is Sand.
Percentage passing No. 200 sieve = 4 % < 5%

Clean Sand.

Cu= 7.2 > 6 and 1 Cc = 2.2 3

So, the Sand is poorly graded
Hence, USCS Classification: SP
For ASTM classification,
Percentage of Gravel = (100 100) % = 0% < 15%
Hence, ASTM Classification: Poorly graded Sand
Soil 10: For USCS classification,
Percentage passing No. 200 sieve = 8 % < 50%. So, the soil is Coarse
grained.
Percentage passing No. 4 sieve = 90 % > 50%. So, the soil is Sand.
Percentage passing No. 200 sieve = 8 % lies between (5 12) %
Dual Symbol.
Cu= 3.9 < 4 and 1 Cc = 2.1 3
So, the Sand is well graded (SW).
PI=LL-PL=39-31= 8
From A-line Equation,
PI=0.73x (LL-20) = 0.73x (39-20) = 13.87 >8
So, it plots below A-line.

Sand contains silt (SM).

Hence, USCS Classification: SW-SM

For ASTM classification,
Percentage of Gravel = (100 90) % = 10% < 15%
Hence, ASTM Classification: Well graded Sand with Silt
So
il
1
2
3
4

Summary
Unified Soil Classification
American Society of Testing
System (USCS)
Materials (ASTM)
Classification
SC
Clayey sand with Gravel
GC
Clayey Gravel with Sand
CH
Sandy Fat Clay
CL
Sandy Lean Clay

5
6
7
8

CH
SP
CH
SP-SC

9
10

SP
SW-SM

Sandy Fat Clay

Poorly graded Sand with Gravel
Sandy Fat Clay
Poorly graded Sand with Clay and
Gravel
Poorly graded Sand
Well graded Sand with Silt

5. Laboratory compaction test results on a clayey soil are listed in the

table
Moisture
Dry Unit Weight
Content (%)
(KN/ m3)
6
14.80
8
17.45
9
18.52
11
18.9
12
18.5
14
16.9
Following are the results of a field unit weight determination test on
the same soil with the sand cone method.

Calibrated dry density of Ottawa sand = 1570 Kg/ m3

Calibrated mass of Ottawa sand to fill the cone = 0.545 Kg
Mass of Sand+ Cone +Jar (before use) = 7.59 Kg
Mass of Sand+ Cone +Jar (after use) = 4.78 Kg
Mass of moist soil from hole = 3.007 Kg
Moisture content of Moist soil = 10.2%

Determine
a. Dry unit weight in field
b. Relative compaction in field
Solution:
Given,
Mass of soil from hole (M) = 3.007 Kg
Mass of Sand+ Cone +Jar (before use) (M 1) = 7.59 Kg
Mass of Sand+ Cone+ Jar (after use) (M2) = 4.78 Kg
Mass of Ottawa sand to fill the cone (M3) = 0.545 Kg
Calibrated dry density of Ottawa sand (sand) = 1570 Kg/ m3
Moisture content of moist soil (Wc) = 10.2%
Volume of the excavated hole (V)
= (M1-M2-M3)/ sand
= (7.59-4.78-0.545)/ 1570 = 2.265/ 1570
= 1.443*10-3 m3
Density of soil (field)
= M/V = 3.007/ 1.443*10-3 = 2083.85 Kg/ m3
a. Dry unit weight in field (d,field)
= field*g/ (1+Wc)

Moisture Content V/s Dry Unit Weig

20

18.90

18.52

19

17.45

18
17

Dry Unit Weight (KN/ m3)

16

14.80

15
14
13
12
5

10

11

Moisture Content (%

= 2083.85x 9.81/ (1.102) = 18.55 KN/ m3

b. For max dry unit weight,
From the graph of Moisture content V/s Dry unit weight, the dry unit
weight corresponding to the Optimum Moisture Content is
d = 18.9 KN/m3
Relative Compaction = d,field / d = 18.55/ 18.9 = 0.9815 = 98.15 %
6. Calculate the seepage loss per unit length of the sheet pile (at right
angles to the cross section shown) using flow net
and
analytical method.
H1= 5m; D= 4m; H2 = 0.7m; D1 =10 m
Solution:
The flow-net diagram for the given problem
is as shown in the attached graph sheet.
From the graph,
The no. of flow channels (Nf) = 5
No. of potential drop (Nd) = 10
Head Loss (h) = 5 - 0.7 = 4.3 m

Nf

Seepage Loss (Q)

= k.h.

Nd

= 6.5x10-4x4.3x100x
= 0.13975 cm3/

5
10

(sec.cm)

= 1.2074 m3/ (day. m)

From analytical method (Method of
fragments),

2
1

As shown in figure alongside both the fragments 1 and 2 are type II

fragments as per Pavlovsky,
For type II fragment,
S = D = 4m
T = D1 = 10m
S/T = 4/10 = 0.4
From the graph for S/T = 0.4
(1/2) = 0.58

Form factor () = 0.86

Discharge (Q)

= k.

4.3 x10 2
2 * 0.86

= 6.5x 10-4x
= 0.1625 cm3/ (sec.cm)
= 1.404 m3/ (day. m)
7. A gravity dam 35m wide is retaining 20m of water. The dam was
constructed 2m deep in a silty sand layer of 30m thickness overlying
an impermeable basalt. In order to reduce seepage a cut-off wall
15m deep was constructed exactly at the downstream face. The
horizontal coefficient of permeability of the silty sand layer is
2.25x10-3m/ sec while in the vertical direction is 10-3 m/sec.
i)
Construct the flow net in graph adopting a scale of 1:400 in
vertical direction.
ii)
Calculate seepage.
iii)
Investigate safety factor at the exit due piping.
iv)
Determine the distribution of hydraulic pressure across the
base of the dam at interval distance of 5m.
v)
Solve ii-iv using method of fragments.
vi)
If instead of downstream face the cut off wall is placed at the
upstream face of the dam, determine the seepage using
method of fragments. Determine also the distribution of
hydraulic pressure at the base of the dam at 5m intervals.
vii) What effect does the position of cut-off wall have on the
seepage and hydrostatic pressure?
Solution:
Here, Permeability in Vertical direction, Kz = 2.25x10-3m/ sec
Permeability in Horizontal direction, Kx = 10-3 m/sec
Scale adopted in Vertical direction = 1:400
For Anisotropic soil, Reduction in horizontal scale = (K z/Kx) = 2.25 = 1.5
Horizontal Scale = 1: (400x1.5) = 1: 600
i)
The flow-net diagram for given problem adopting above scale is shown in
attached graph sheet.
ii)
From the flow-net diagram
No of flow channels (Nf) =

No. of potential drops (Nd) =

Head Loss (h) = 20m

Nf

Seepage Loss (Q)

= k.h.

Nd

k = K x . K z= 2.25 x 103 x 103 =1.5 x 103

5
10

= 1.5x10-3x20x
= 0.13975 m3/ (sec. m)
= 1.2074 m3/ (day. m)
iii)
iv)
v)
vi)

m/ sec

20 m

2m

35
m

15
m

30 m