Midterm 2 Name: ASUID:

20 Points)

2. The given footing is loaded by the uniform vertical load q=500 kPa. Find the induced
vertical stress caused by this loading at the depth of 4.0m below the point A.

2.0m 2.0m 2.0m

2.0m

4.0m

6.0m

Solution:
Divide the area in three rectangles making sure A is in the corner. Select the right chart. In this case select
the Newmark Chart, which provides the induced stress underneath the corner of a rectangular load. Apply
superposition for the three rectangles
1: n = 2/4 = 0.5; m = 4/4 = 1 → Iσ = 0.128
2: n = 1; m = 1 → Iσ = 0.18
3: n = 0.5; m = 0.5 → Iσ = 0.085
Σ Iσ = 0.18 + 0.128 + 0.085 = 0.393
Δσ = Iσq = 0.393×500 = 196.5 kPa
Midterm 2 Name: ASUID:

(50 Points)

3. Consider the ground profile below (note the groundwater level is 3 m below surface).
Point A is situated in the middle of the clay layer.

a) Calculate the total vertical stress σz, hydrostatic pore pressure, uw and effective stress, σz’
at the middle of the clay layer (point A) (9 points)
Solution:
σz = ΣγH = 17×3 + 4×16 = 115 kPa
uw = γwHw = 4×9.81 = 39.2 kPa
σz’= σz - uw = 115 – 39.2 = 75.8 kPa

A circular water tank is build on top of the soil profile shown above. The tank has a diameter
of 16 m and when filled with water it exerts a surcharge load of 60 kPa
b) Calculate the induced stress underneath the center of the tank in point A. (6 Points)
Solution:
Use Boussinesq plot for circular footings:
z = 7 m → z/B = 7/16 = 0.44; x/B = 0 → Iσ ≈ 0.7
Δσ = 0.7 × 60 = 42 kPa

In order to predict the amount of settlement a sample was collected at point A and a
laboratory consolidation test was performed. The sample had an initial thickness H0 = 2 cm
and initial void ratio e0 =1.6. The test results showed Cr=0.02, Cc=0.30 and the effective pre-
consolidation stress, σc’ = 100 kPa.
Midterm 2 Name: ASUID:

c) Based on the vertical effective stress in the field (your answer at 3a) calculate the
overconsolidation ratio. Is this clay normally consolidated or overconsolidated? (use σo’
= 70 kPa, if you don’t have an answer at 3a) (5 Points)
Solution:
σz’= 75.8 kPa; σc’ = 100 kPa; → OCR = σc’/σz’= 100/75.8 = 1.32
the soil is overconsolidated as OCR> 1

d) Calculate the total settlement of the clay layer underneath the center of the circular tank
due to induced stress (use Δσ = 40 kPa, if you don’t have an answer at 3c). (7 Points)
Solution:
σz’= 75.8 kPa; σc’ = 100 kPa; σf’ = σz’ + Δσ = 75.8 + 42 = 117.8 kPa
so σz’< σc’< σf’ → case 3:
ΔH = 1/(1+e0)H Cr log (σc’/ σz’) + 1/(1+e0)H Cc log (σf’/ σc’) = 0.073 m

e) If the soil sample (in the lab) requires 15 minutes to reach 50% consolidation. Calculate
the coefficient of consolidation. (8 Points)
Solution:
In consolidation test drainage length Hdr is half the thickness of the sample = 0.01 m
T50 = 0.196 → cv = T50Hdr2/t = 0.196×0.012/15 = 1.31×10-6 m2/min

f) How many years does it take for the clay layer to be 90% consolidated? (7 Points)
Solution:
The clayer has a thickness of 8 m, and drains only upward, so Hdr = 8 m
T90 = 0.848 → t = T90Hdr2/cv = 0.848×82/(1.31×10-6) = 4.15×107 min = 79 years

In order accelerate the consolidation a temporary fill is placed, with a height of 6 m and a
unit weight of 20 kN/m3
g) How long does the temporary fill needs to be in place to reach the total amount of expected
settlement induced by the tank (i.e. your answer at 3d, if you don’t have an answer at 3d,
you can use dH = 0.062 m). (8 Points)
Solution:
Δσ = 120 kN/m3 → σf’= 195.8 kPa → ΔH = 0.28 m
Total settlement for the tank was 0.073 m, which is about 26% of the final settlement for
the temporary fill.
T26 ≈ 0.06 → t = 79 / 0.848 × 0.06 = 5.6 years
Midterm 2 Name: ASUID:

(10 Points - Bonus)

What is the advantage of using a temporary fill on the construction site before constructing
the tank, besides accelerating consolidation? What other method can be used to accelerate
settlement? (10 points)
Solution:
- Stress distribution and resulting settlement are more homogeneous
- Alternatively vertical drains can be used to accelerate settlement as they shorten the
drainage length and use the horizontal hydraulic conductivity which is typically higher
than the vertical one
Midterm 2 Name: ASUID:
Midterm 2 Name: ASUID:
Midterm 2 Name: ASUID:

𝒄𝒄𝒗𝒗 . 𝒕𝒕
𝑻𝑻𝒗𝒗 = 𝟐𝟐
𝑯𝑯𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅