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SRI VIDYA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY COURSE MATERIAL(QUESTION BANK)

UNIT1-SOIL CLASSIFICATION AND COMPACTION

PART-A(2 marks)

1. Distinguish between Residual and Transported soil.

2. Give the relation between γsat,G, γwand e.

3. Acompactedsampleofsoilwithabulkunitweightof19.62kN/m3 hasawatercontentof15
percent. What are its dry density, degree of saturation and air content? Assume G = 2.65.

4. What are all the Atterberg limits for soil and why it is necessary?

5. Define sieve analysis and sedimentation analysis and what is the necessity of thesetwo
analysis?

6. Two clays A and B have the following properties:

Atterberg limits Clay A Clay B

Liquid limit 44% 55%
Plastic limit 29% 35%
Natural water content 30% 50%
Which of the clays A or B would experience larger settlement under identical loads?
Why?
7. Determinethemaximumpossiblevoidsratioforauniformlygradedsandofperfectlyspherical
grains.
8. What is a zero air voids line? Draw a compaction curve and show the zero air voids line.
9. What is porosity of a given soil sample?
10. What is water content in given mass of soil?
11. Define :

(a) Porosity (b) Void ratio.

12. Define effective size of particle in sieve analysis.

13. Write any two engineering classification system of soil.

14. List any one expression for finding dry density of soils.

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15. Define water content and compaction.

16. What are the laboratory methods of determination of water content?

17. Define degree of saturation and shrinkage ratio.

18. Define specific gravity and density index.

19. What do you understand from grain size distribution?

20. What are consistency limits of soil?

21. Define plasticity index, flow index and liquidity index.

22. What are the methods available for determination of in-situ density?

23. What is the function of A-line Chart in soil classification?

24. Write the major soil classifications as per Indian Standard Classification System.

25. Differentiate standard proctor from modified proctor test.

PART-B (16marks)

1. Write down a neat procedure for determining water content and specific gravity of a given
soil in the laboratory by using a pycnometer.

2. Sandysoilinaborrowpithasunitweightofsolidsas25.8kN/m3, water content equalto11% and

bulk unit weight equal to16.4kN/m3.How many cubic meter of compacted fill could be

constructed of 3500m3of sand excavated from borrow pit, if required value of porosity in
the compacted fill is30%. Also calculate the change in degree of saturation.
3. The following data on consistency limits are available for two soils A and B.

S.No. Index Soil A Soil B

1 Plastic limit 16% 19%

2 Liquid limit 30% 52%
3 Flowindex 11 06
4 Natural water content 32% 40%
Find which soil is

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(i) More plastic

(ii) Better foundation material on remoulding.

(iii) Better shear strength as function of water content.

(iv) Better shear strength at plastic limit.

Classify the soil as per IS classification system. Do those soils have organic matter?
4. By three phase soil system, prove that the degree of saturation S (as ratio) in terms of mass
unit weight(γ),voidratio(e),specificgravityofsoilgrains(G)andunitweightofwater(γw) is
given by the expression:

5. The mass of wet soil when compacted in a mould was 19.55kN. The water content of the

soil was16%. If the volume of the mould was 0.95m3. Determine (i)dry unit weight,
(ii)Void ratio, (iii)degree of saturation and (iv)percent air voids. TakeG = 2.68.
6. In a hydrometer analysis, the corrected hydrometer reading in a 1000 ml uniform soil
suspension at the start of sedimentation was 28. After a lapse of 30 minutes, the corrected
hydrometer reading was 12 and the corresponding effective depth 10.5cm. the specific
gravity of the solids was 2.68. Assuming the viscosity and unit weight of water at the

temperature of the test as0.001Ns/m2 and9.81kN/m3respectively. Determine the weight

of solids mixed in the suspension, the effective diameter corresponding to the 30 minutes
reading and the percentage of particle finer than this size.

7. An earthen embankment of 106m3volume is to be constructed with a soil having a void

ratio of 0.80 after compaction. There are three borrow pits marked A,BandC having soils with
voids ratios of 0.90 ,0.50 and 1.80 respectively. The cost of excavation and transporting the soil is

Rs 0.25, Rs 0.23 and Rs 0.18 per m3 respectively. Calculate the volume of soil to be excavated from
each pit. Which borrow pit is the most economical? (Take G =2.65).
8. A laboratory compaction test on soil having specific gravity equal to 2.67 gave a

maximum dry unit weight of 17.8kN/m3 and a water content of 15%.Determine the

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degree of saturation, air content and percentage air voids at the maximum dry unit weight.
What would be theoretical maximum dry unit weight corresponding to zero air voids at
the optimum water content?
9. A soil sample has a porosity of 40 percent. The specific gravity of solids is 2.70.calculate

(i) Voids ratio

(ii) Dry density and

(iii) Unit weight if the soil is completely saturated.

10. A soil has a bulk unit weight of 20.11KN/m3 and water content of 15percent.

Calculate the water content of the soil partially dries to a unit weight of 19.42KN/m3
and the voids ratio remains unchanged.
11. Explain Standard Proctor Compaction test with neat sketches.

12. Soil is to be excavated from a barrow pit which has a density of 17.66kN/m3 and water
content of 12%. The specific gravity of soil particle is 2.7. The soil is compacted so that
water content is 18% and dry density is16.2kN/m3.For1000 cum of soil in fill, estimate.
(i) The quantity of soil to be excavated from the pit in cum and

(ii) The amount of water to be added. Also determine the void ratios of the soil in
borrow pit and fill.
13. Explain all the consistency limits and indices.

14. Explain in detail the procedure for determination of grain size distribution of soil by sieve
analysis.

15. An earth embankment is compacted at a water content of 18% to a bulk density of

1.92g/cm3. If the specific gravity of the sand is 2.7, find the void ratio and degree
of saturation of the compacted embankment.
16. Explain the procedure for determining the relationship between dry density and
moisture content by proctor compaction test.

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SRI VIDYA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY COURSE MATERIAL(QUESTION BANK)

UNIT2- SOIL WATER AND WATER FLOW

PART-A (2 marks)
1. What are the different types of soil water?
2. List out the methods of drawing flow net.
3. What is meant by total stress, neutral stress and effective stress?
4. What is meant by capillary rise in soil and how it affects the stress level in soils?
5. Prove that effective stress in soil mass is independent of variation in water table above the
ground surface.
6. State and explain Darcy’s law.
7. What is quick sand? How would you calculate the hydraulic gradient required to create
quick sand conditions in sample of sand?
8. For a homogeneous earth dam 52m high and 2m free board, a flow net was constructed and
following results were obtained:
Number of potential drops= 25;
Number of flow channels=4
Calculate the discharge per metre length of the dam if the coefficient of permeability of the

dam material is3 x 10-5m/sec.

9. What is capillary rise?
10. What is surface tension?
11. What are the different forms of soil water?
12. Write down the uses of Flow net.
13. Define Neutral stress.
14. What is seepage velocity?
15. Define soil water and classify the types of soil water.
16. Define Capillarity and permeability.
17. What is surface tension?
18. What is meant by capillary siphoning?
19. Give the relationship between total, neutral and effective stress.
20. What are the factors affecting permeability?
21. What are the methods available for determination of permeability in the laboratory?
22. Define discharge and seepage velocity.

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23. What are the methods of determination of permeability in the field?

24. Define seepage pressure and flow net.
25. What is quicksand condition?

PART-B (16marks)

1. The water table in a deposit of sand 8m thick is at a depth of 3m below the ground surface.
Above the water table, the sand is saturated with capillary water. The bulk density of sand

is 19.62kN/m3. Calculate the effective pressure at 1m, 3m and 8m below the ground
surface. Hence plot the variation of total pressure, neutral pressure and effective pressure
over the depth of8m.
2. Write down the procedure for determination of permeability by constant head test in the
laboratory.
3. Compute the total, effective and pore pressure at a depth of 20m below the bottom
of a lake 6m deep. The bottom of lake consists of soft clay with a thickness of
more than 20m. the average water content of the clay is 35% and specific gravity
of the soil may be assumed to be 2.65.
4. What will be the ratio of average permeability in horizontal direction to that in the vertical
direction for a soil deposit consisting of three horizontal layers, if the thickness and
permeability of second layer are twice of those of the first and those of the third layer twice
those of second?
5. The sub soil strata at a site consist of fine sand 1.8m thick overlying a stratum of clay1.6m
thick. Under the clay stratum lies a deposit of coarses and extending to a considerable
depth. The water table is 1.5m below the ground surface. Assuming the top fines and to
be saturated by capillarywater, calculate the effective pressures at ground surface and at
depths of 1.8m, 3.4 m and 5.0m below the ground surface. Assume for fine sand G=2.65,
e=0.8 and for coarses and G=2.66, e=0.5. What will be the change in effective pressure at
depth 3.4m, if no capillary water is assumed to be present in the fine sand and its bulk unit

weight is assumed to be 16.68kN/m3. The unit weight of clay may be assumed as

19.32kN/m3.

6. In a constant head permeameter test, the following observations were taken. Distance

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between piezometer tappings = 15cm, difference of water levels in piezometers = 40cm,

diameter of the test sample = 5cm, quantity of water collected = 500ml, duration of the test =
900sec.
Determine the coefficient of permeability of the soil. If the dry mass of the15cm long
sample is 486g and specific gravity of the solids is 2.65. Calculate seepage velocity of
water during the test.

7. A foundation trench is to be excavated in a stratum of stiff clay, 10m thick, underlain by a

bed of coarse sand(fig.1.).In a trial borehole the ground water was observed to rise to an
elevation of 3.5mbelow ground surface. Determine the depth upto which an excavation
can be safely carried out without the danger of the bottom becoming unstable under the
artesian pressure in the sand stratum. The specific gravity of clay particles is 2.75 and the
void ratio is 0.8. if excavation is to be carried out safely to a depth of 8m, how much
should the water table be lowered in the vicinity of the trench?

(fig .1)
8. The following data were recorded in a constant head permeability test. Internal diameter of
permeameter=7.5cm
Head lost over a sample length of 18cm =24.7cm
Quantity of water collected in 60Sec=626 ml
Porosity of soil sample was 44%.
Calculate the coefficient of permeability of the soil. Also determine the discharge velocity and seepage
velocity during the test.
9. Explain the falling head permeability test.
10. What are the applications of flow net and explain briefly?

11. Determinetheeffectivestressat2m,4m,6m,8mand10m is a soil mass having γs=21KN/m3.

12. Water table is 2m below ground surface. Above water table there is capillary rise upto

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ground surface. Also draw total stress diagram upto 10m. A stratified soil deposit is shown
in Fig.1. Along with the coefficient of permeability of the individual strata. Determine the
ratio of KH and KV.Assuming an average hydraulic gradient of 0.3 in both horizontal and
vertical seepage, Find (i) Discharge value and discharge velocities in each layer for
horizontal flow and (ii) Hydraulic gradient and loss in head in each layer for vertical flow.

13. Explain any four methods of obtaining flow nets.

14. The discharge of water collected from a constant head permeameter in a period of 15
minutes is 500 ml. the internal diameter of the permeameter is 5cm and the measured
difference in head between two gauging points 15cm vertically apart is 40cm. calculate the
coefficient of permeability. If the dry weight of the 15 cm long sample is 486 gm and the
specific gravity of the solids is 2.65, calculate the seepage velocity.
15. Explainindetailthelaboratorydeterminationofpermeabilityusingconstantheadmet
hodand falling head method.
16. Explain in detail the procedure for drawing the phreatic line for an earthen dam.

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SRI VIDYA COLLEGE OF ENGINEEERING AND TECHNOLOGY COURSE MATERIAL(QUESTION BANK)

UNIT3 –STRESS DISTRIBUTIONAND SETTLEMENT

PART–A (2 marks)
1. Write down Boussinesque equation for finding out the vertical stress under a
single concentrated load.
2. Define normally consolidated clays and over consolidated clays.
3. Explain the method for estimating vertical stress using Newmark’s influence chart.
4. What are the assumptions made in Terzaghi’s one dimensional consolidation theory?
5. What is the use of influence chart in soil mechanics?
6. Differentiate between ‘Compaction’ and‘ Consolidation’.
7. Write down the use of influence charts.
8. What are isochrones?
9. When a soil mass is said to be homogeneous?
10. What are isobars?
11. Differentiate Consolidation and Compaction.
12. List the components of settlement in soil.
13. What are the two theories explaining the stress distribution on soil?
14. What is oedometer?
15. What is geostatic stress and pre-consolidation pressure?
16. What are the applications of Boussinesque equation?
17. What is a pressure bulb and Newmark’s Chart?
18. Write the equation for stress in soil due to a uniformly loaded circular area.
19. Write the equation for stress in soil due to a line load.
20. Write the equation for stress in soil beneath a corner of a uniformly loaded rectangular area.
21. Write the Westergaard’s equation for stress beneath a concentrated point load.
22. Define co-efficient of compressibility and compression index.
23. What are the methods to determine co-efficient of consolidation?
24. What are the factors influencing consolidation?
25. Define Over consolidation ratio and creep.

PART–B (16marks)

1. A water tank is supported by a ring foundation having outer diameter of 10m and inner

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SRI VIDYA COLLEGE OF ENGINEEERING AND TECHNOLOGY COURSE MATERIAL(QUESTION BANK)

diameter of 7.5m. the ring foundation transmits uniform load intensity of 160

kN/m2.Compute the vertical stress induced at depth of4 m, below the centre of ring
foundation, using
(i) Boussinesque analysis and (ii)Westergaard’s analysis, takingµ= 0.
2. A stratum of clay with an average liquid limit of 45% is 6m
thick. Its surface is located at a depth of 8m below the ground surface. The natural water
content of the clay is 40% and the specific gravity is 2.7. Between ground surface and
clay, the subsoil consists of fine sand. The water table is located at a depth of 4m below

the ground surface. The average submerged unit weight of sand is 10.5 kN/m3 and unit

weight of sand above the watertable is17kN/m3. The weight of the building that will be

constructed on the sand above clay increases the overburden pressure on the clay by 40kN/m2.
Estimate the settlements of the building.

3. A concentrated point load of 200 KN acts at

the ground surface. Find the intensity of vertical pressure at a depth of 10m below the
ground surface and situated on the axis of the loading. What will be the vertical pressure at a
point at a depth of 5m and at a radial distance of 2m from the axis of loading? Use Boussinesque
analysis.
4. Explain with a neat sketch the Terzhaghi’s one dimensional consolidation theory.
5. The load from a continuous footing of width 2m,which may be considered to be strip load

of considerable length, is 200 kN/m2. Determine the maximum principal stress at 1.5m
depth below the footing, if the point lies (i)directly below the centre of the footing,
(ii)directly be low the edge of the footing and (iii)0.8m away from the edge of the
footing.
6. What are different components of settlement? Explain in detail.
In a laboratory consolidometer test on a 20mm thick sample of saturated clay taken from a
site, 50% consolidation point was reached in10minutes. Estimate the time required for the
clay layer of 5m thickness at the site for 50% compression if there is drainage only towards
the top. What is the time required for the clay layer to reach 50% consolidation if the layer
has double drainage instead of single drainage.
7. What are the various components of a settlement? How are these estimated?

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8. Explain the Newmark’s influence chart in detail.

9. How will you determine pre-consolidation pressure?
10. How will you determine coefficient of compression index (CC)froman oedomoter test?
11. An undrained soil sample 30cm thick got 50% consolidation in 20 minutes with drainage
allowed at top and bottom in the laboratory. If the clay layer from which the sample was
obtained is 3mthickin field condition, estimate the time it will take to consolidate 50% with
double surface drainage and in both cases, consolidation pressure is uniform.
12. Derive Boussinesque equations to find intensity of vertical pressure and tangential stress
when a concentrated load is acting on the soil.
13. Explain the assumptions made by Boussinesque in stress distribution on soils.
14. A line load of100kN/m run extends to a long distance. Determine the intensity of vertical
stress atapoint,2m below the surface and
i) Directly under the line load and
ii) At a distance 2m perpendicular to
the line. Use Boussinesq’s theory.
15. Explain in detail the laboratory determination of co-efficient of consolidation.
16. A layer of soft clay is 6m thick and lies under a newly constructed building. The weight

of sand overlying the clay layer produces a pressure of 2.6kg/cm2 and the new

construction increases the pressure by 1.0kg/cm2. If the compression index is 0.5.

Compute the settlement. Water content is 40% and specific gravity of grains is 2.65.

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SRI VIDYA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY COURSE MATERIAL(QUESTION BANK)

Unit 4 - SHEAR STRENGTH

PART-A(2 marks)
1. Write down the Mohr’s-Coulomb failure envelope equation.
2. Why triaxial shear test is considered better than direct shear test?
3. What are different types of triaxial compression tests based on drainage conditions?
4. Explain the Mohr–Coulomb failure theory.
5. State the principles of Direct shear test?
6. What is the effect of pore pressure on shear strength of soil?
7. How will you find the shear strength of cohesionless soil?
8. List out the types of shear tests based on drainage.
9. What is shear strength of soil?
10. Write down the Coulomb’s expression for shear strength.
11. How will you find the shear strength of cohesive soil?
12. What are the advantages of Triaxial Compression Test?
13. Define ‘angle of repose’ of soil.
14. Write the expression for coulomb’s law.
15. Define shear strength and failure envelope.
16. What are the shear strength parameters?
17. Define Cohesion and stress path
18. What is angle of internal friction?
19. What are the various methods of determination of shear strength in the laboratory?
20. Write the differential equation of deflection of a bent beam?
21. What are the disadvantages of direct shear test?
22. What are the types of triaxial test based on drainage conditions?
23. When is vane shear test adopted?
24. Sketch the Mohr’s circle for total and effective stresses for undrained triaxial test.
25. Sketch the failure envelope for drained triaxial test.

PART–B (16marks)

1. Obtain the relationship between the principal stresses in triaxial compression test using Mohr-
Coulomb failure theory.
2. Two identical soil specimens were tested in a triaxial apparatus. First specimen failed at a

deviator stress of 770kN/m2 when the cell pressure was 2000kN/m2. Second specimen failed

at a deviator stress of 1370kN/m2 under a cell pressure of 400 kN/m2. Determine the value of
c and Φ analytically. If the same soil is tested in a direct shear apparatus with a normal stress

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SRI VIDYA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY COURSE MATERIAL(QUESTION BANK)

of 600kN/m2, estimate the shear stress at failure.

3. A saturated specimen of cohesionless sand was tested in triaxial compression and the sample

Failed at a deviator stress of 482kN/m2 when the cell pressure was 100kN/m2 under the
drained conditions. Find the effective angle of shearing resistance of sand. What would be the
deviator stress and the major principal stress at failure for an other identical specimen of sand,

if it is tested under cell pressure of 200kN/m2. Use either Mohr’s circle method or analytical
method.
4. Write down a step by step procedure for determination of cohesion of a given clayey soil by
Conducting unconfined compression test.
5. Explain with neat sketches the procedure of conducting direct shear test. Give its advantages
over other methods of finding shear strength of soil.
6. (i)Write a brief critical note on unconfined compression test.
(ii)What are the advantages and disadvantages of triaxial compression test.

7. A vane, 10 cm long and 8cm in diameter, was pressed into soft clay at the bottom of a
borehole. Torque was applied and gradually increasedto45 N-m when failure took
place. Subsequently, the vane rotated rapidly so as to completely remould the soil.
There moulded soil was sheared at a torque of 18N-m. Calculate the cohesion of the
clay in the natural and remoulded states and also the value of the sensitivity.
8. Describe the triaxial shear test. What are the advantages of triaxial shear test over the direct
shear test?
9. Explain the Triaxial compression test to determine the shear strength of soil.
10. Explain drained behavior of clay with reference to shear strength.
11. Explain the direct shear test to determine the shear strength of soil.
12. Explain the Mohr-Coulomb failure theory.
13. Explain with neat sketch Direct Shear method of finding Shear Strength.

14. The following data were obtained in a direct shear test. Normal pressure 20kN/m2, Tangential

pressure=16kN/m 2, Angle of internal friction=200,Cohesion=8kN/m2.Represent the data

By Mohr’s circle and compute the principal stresses and the direction of principal planes.
15. Compare the merits and demerits of triaxial compression test.

16. A particular soil failed under a major principal stress of 300kN/m2 with a

corresponding minor principal stress of 100kN/m2. If for the same soil, the minor

principal stress had been200kN/m2. Determine what the major principal stress would

have been if(i)Φ = 300and(ii)Φ=00.

17. A
Cylindrical specimen of dry sand was tested in a triaxial test.Failure occurred under a cell
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SRI VIDYA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY COURSE MATERIAL(QUESTION BANK)

pressure of 1.2kg/cm2 and at a deviator stress of 4.0kg/cm2.Find

(i) Angle of shearing resistance of the soil.
(ii) Normal and shear stresses on the failure plane.
(iii) The angle made by the plane with the minor principal plane.
(iv) The maximum shear stress on any plane in the specimen at the instant of failure.
18. Explain in detail the determination of shear strength using unconfined compression test.
19. Explain in detail the determination of shear strength using vane shear test.
20. Explain the shear strength behavior of cohesive and cohesionless soils under
different drainage condition in a triaxial test.

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BANK)

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SRI VIDYA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY COURSE MATERIAL(QUESTION BANK)

Unit5–SLOPE STABILITY
PART–A (2 marks)

1. Differentiate finite slope and infinite slope.

2. Write down the expression for factor of safety of an infinites lope in case of cohesionless soil.
3. List out any two slope protection methods.
4. What do you mean by Tension crack?
5. Define critical surface of failure.
6. What are different factors of safety used in the stability of slopes?
7. What is a stability number? What are the uses of stability charts?
8. State the two basic types of failure occurring in finite slopes.
9. What is a slide?
10. What are the different types of Slope failure?

11. State some of the Slope protection measures.

12.Mention the types of slopes in soil.
13.Define stability number.
14.What are the types of slopes?
15.What are the types and causes for slope failure?

16.What are the various methods of analysis of finite slopes?

17.Define factor of safety and critical depth.

18.Define stability number.
19.How does tension crack influence stability analysis?

20.What are the various slope protection measures?

PART–B (16marks)

1. Explain the procedure to calculate the factor of safety of a finite slope possessing both
cohesion and friction(c - Φ) by method of slices.
2. A slope is to be constructed in a soil for which c=0 and Φ=36°.It is to be assumed that the
water level may occasionally reach the surface of a slope with seepage taking place parallel
to the slope. Determine the maximum slope angle for a factor of safety 1.5, Assuming a

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SRI VIDYA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY COURSE MATERIAL(QUESTION BANK)

potential failure surface parallel to the slope. What would be the factor of safety of the
slope, constructed at this angle, if the water table should be below the surface?The

saturated unit weight of the soil is 19kN/m3.

3. A new canal is excavated to a depth of 5m below ground level through a soil having the

following characteristics: C =14kN/m2;Φ =15°;e=0.8andG=2.70. The slope of banks is

1in1.Calculate the factor of safety with respect to cohesion when the canal runs full. If it
is suddenly and completely emptied, what will be the factor of safety?
4. Write down the procedure for determining the factor of safety of a given slope by friction
circle method.
5. A canal is to be excavated to a depth of 6m below ground level through a soil having the

following characteristics c=15kN/m2,Φ=20°,e=0.9andG=2.67.The slope of the banks

is1in1.Determine the factor of safety with respect to cohesion when the canal runs full.
What will be the factor of safety if the canal is rapidly emptied completely?
6. Explain with neat sketches the Bishop’s method of stability analysis.
7. What are different types of slope failures? Discuss the various methods for improving the
stability of slopes.
8. An embankment 10m high is inclined at35 to the horizontal. A stability analysis by the
method of slices gave the following forces:∑N =900kN,∑T=420kN,∑U =200kN.If the

length of the failure arc is 23.0 m, find the factor of safety.Thesoil has c =20kN /m2and

Φ=15o.

9. Explain the Swedish slip circle method in detail.

10. Explain Taylor’s stability number and its applicability.
11. Explain in detail the friction circle method of stability analysis for slopes with sketch.
12. Explain any four methods of slope protection.

13. A cut 9m deep is to be made in clay with a unit weight of18kN/m3and cohesion of

27kN/m2.A hard Stratum exists at a depth of 18m below the ground surface. Determine

fromTaylor’schartsifa300 slope is safe. If a factor of safety of 1.50 is desired, what is a safe

angle of slope?
14. Explain in detail the various methods to protect slopes from failure.

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