QUIZ GT103

Consistency and Compaction of Soil

Lucas Montogue

► PROBLEMS

PROBLEM 1A
A soil was found to have a liquid limit equal to 38%, a plastic limit of 21%,
a natural water content of 27%, and a percentage of clay-sized particles equal to
25%. What is the plasticity index of this soil?
A) PI = 8%
B) PI = 17%
C) PI = 35%
D) PI = 65%

PROBLEM 1b
What is the liquidity index of the soil considered in Problem 1A?
A) LI = 8%
B) LI = 17%
C) LI = 35%
D) LI = 65%

PROBLEM 1c
What is the consistency index of the soil considered in Problem 1A?
A) CI = 8%
B) CI = 17%
C) CI = 35%
D) CI = 65%

PROBLEM 1d
What is the activity of the soil considered in Problem 1A?
A) A = 0.3
B) A = 0.7
C) A = 1.1
D) A = 1.5

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PROBLEM 2A
A liquid limit test conducted on a soil sample using the cup device gave
the results summarized in the table below.

No. of blows 10 18 25 28 40 45
Water content (%) 62.0 45.1 39.8 34.9 25.2 24.7

It was found that the water contents at which 3-mm diameter threads
started to crumble were 20.8% in the first determination, 20.6% in the second
determination, and 21.0% in the third. The in situ water content of the soil is 32.1%
and the specific gravity is GS = 2.70. The liquid limit and the plastic limit for this soil
are, respectively,

A) LL = 30% and PL = 19.6%

B) LL = 30% and PL = 20.8%
C) LL = 38% and PL = 19.6%
D) LL = 38% and PL = 20.8%

PROBLEM 2B
What is the liquidity index of the soil considered in Problem 2A?
A) LI = 22%
B) LL = 44%
C) LL = 66%
D) LL = 88%

PROBLEM 2C
Using the plasticity chart shown below, classify the soil introduced in
Problem 2A.

A) CL
B) CI
C) ML
D) MH

PROBLEM 2d
Calculate the void ratio at the liquid limit for the soil introduced in
Problem 2A.
A) e = 0.69
B) e = 0.86
C) e = 1.03
D) e = 1.20

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PROBLEM 3
The results of a fall cone test are shown in the table below.

Cone mass 80-gram cone

Penetration (mm) 5.5 7.3 14.5 22.1 24.5 34
Water content (%) 39.2 44.5 52.5 60.0 62 67

The liquid limit and the plastic limit for the soil in question are,
respectively,
A) LL = 44% and PL = 18.4%
B) LL = 44% and PL = 30%
C) LL = 58% and PL = 18.4%
D) LL = 58% and PL = 30%

PROBLEM 4a
Below, we have the results of a shrinkage limit test.

Initial volume of soil in a saturated state 24.8 cm³

Final volume of soil in a dry state 16.3 cm³
Initial mass in a saturated state 46.0 g
Final mass in a dry state 31.1 g

Recall that the shrinkage ratio of a soil is given by the relation

𝑀𝑀2
𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 =
𝑉𝑉𝑓𝑓 𝜌𝜌𝑤𝑤

where M2 is the mass of the dry soil pat, Vf is the volume in the oven-dried pat, and
𝜌𝜌𝑤𝑤 is the density of water. The shrinkage limit and the shrinkage ratio can be
combined to obtain the specific gravity of a soil. The expression to use is
1
𝐺𝐺𝑠𝑠 =
1 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆
−
𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 100

Determine the shrinkage limit of the soil.

A) SL = 17.9%
B) SL = 21.1%
C) SL = 25.3%
D) SL = 29.5%

PROBLEM 4b
Determine the shrinkage ratio and estimate the specific gravity of the soil
introduced in the previous problem.

A) SR = 1.60 and Gs = 2.24

B) SR = 1.72 and Gs = 2.49
C) SR = 1.85 and Gs = 2.77
D) SR = 1.93 and Gs = 2.95

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PROBLEM 5A
The following results were obtained from a standard compaction test.

Water content (%) 5.0 8.8 11.3 13.1 14.4 19.3

Weight of container and
35.80 37.30 39.32 40.04 40.07 39.06
compacted soil (N)

The container has a volume of 9.5 cm3 and a weight of 19.78 N. The
specific gravity of the soil particles is 2.53. Determine the maximum dry unit
weight and the optimum moisture content of the soil.

A) (𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑 )max = 12.5 kN/m3 and wopt = 11.2%

B) (𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑 )max = 18.9 kN/m3 and wopt = 15.0%
C) (𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑 )max = 23.1 kN/m3 and wopt = 19.1%
D) (𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑 )max = 27.0 kN/m3 and wopt = 23.7%

PROBLEM 5B
Compute the void ratio and the degree of saturation for the soil at the
optimum condition for the soil presented in Problem 5A.

A) e0 = 0.38 and S = 73.1%

B) e0 = 0.38 and S = 85.3%
C) e0 = 0.51 and S = 73.1%
D) e0 = 0.51 and S = 85.3%

PROBLEM 5C
If the natural moisture content of the soil in Problem 5A is 11.8%, what will
be the possible maximum dry density if the soil is compacted with its natural
moisture content?
A) (𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑 )max = 10.2 kN/m3
B) (𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑 )max = 17.6 kN/m3
C) (𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑 )max = 22.5 kN/m3
D) (𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑 )max = 27.0 kN/m3

PROBLEM 6
Below we have a generic plot of dry density versus water content. The
compaction curve is in blue, and a series of additional curves are given in red. The
zero air-voids curve can only be represented by:

A) Curve A.
B) Curve B.
C) Curve C.
D) Curve D.

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PROBLEM 7
Suppose we wish to construct a levee with the dimensions shown below.
The levee fill is a silty clay soil to be compacted to at least 95% of maximum
standard Proctor of 𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑 = 106 pcf at an optimum moisture content of 18%. The
borrow pit has a silty clay with an in-situ moist density of 112.1 pcf at 18% and Gs =
2.68. When the soil is excavated and loaded onto the trucks, the void ratio of the
material is e = 1.47. The trucks can haul 15 cubic yards of material per trip.
Determine the required number of truckloads.

A) 2310 truckloads.
B) 2840 truckloads.
C) 3120 truckloads.
D) 3450 truckloads.

PROBLEM 8a
Laboratory compaction results for a clayey soil are given in the next table.

Moisture content (%) Dry Unit Weight (kN/m³)

6 14.65
8 17.78
9 18.48
11 18.91
12 18.53
14 16.93

Following are the results of a field unit-weight determination test

performed on the same soil by means of the sand cone method. Determine the
dry unit weight of compaction in the field.

Calibrated dry density of Ottawa sand 1731 kg/m³

Calibrated mass of Ottawa Sand
0.118 kg
to fill the cone
Mass of jar + cone + sand (before use) 6.08 kg
Mass of jar + cone + sand (after use) 2.86 kg
Mass of moist soil from hole 3.34 kg
Moisture content of moist soil 12.1%

A) 𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑,field = 13.4 kN/m3

B) 𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑,field = 16.2 kN/m3
C) 𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑,field = 19.5 kN/m3
D) 𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑,field = 22.0 kN/m3
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PROBLEM 8B
The following are results of a standard Proctor test performed on the soil
presented in Problem 8A. The mold volume is 943.3 cm3. Find the relative
compaction in the field.

Mass of moist soil in the mold (kg) Moisture content (%)

1.47 10.0
1.83 12.5
2.02 15.0
1.95 17.5
1.73 20.0
1.69 22.5

A) 𝑅𝑅 = 63.9%
B) 𝑅𝑅 = 77.4%
C) 𝑅𝑅 = 88.9%
D) 𝑅𝑅 = 95.4%

► SOLUTIONS

P.1 ■ Solution
Part A: The plasticity index of a soil is simply the difference between the
liquid limit and the plastic limit,

𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 = 38 − 21 = 17%

► The correct answer is B.

Part B: The liquidity index follows from the relation

𝑤𝑤 − 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 27 − 21
𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿 = = = 35%
𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿 − 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 38 − 21
► The correct answer is C.

Part C: The consistency index follows from the relation

𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿 − 𝑤𝑤 38 − 27
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 = = = 64.7% ≈ 65%
𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿 − 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 38 − 21
► The correct answer is D.

Part D: The activity is the ratio of the soil’s plasticity index to the percent
of clay-sized particles (less than 2 𝜇𝜇m) present in the soil. Hence,

𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿 − 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 38 − 21

𝐴𝐴 = = = = 0.68 ≈ 0.7
%Finer than 2 μm [% < 2 𝜇𝜇m] 25

► The correct answer is B.

P.2 ■ Solution
Part A: Plot the water content versus No. of blows in a semilogarithmic
plot, obtain a linear fit of the data, and then establish the liquid limit as the water
content corresponding to 25 blows. In doing so, we find LL = 38%.

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 To obtain the plastic limit, we simply take the average of the water
contents at which the 3-mm threads crumbled; that is,

20.8 + 20.6 + 21.0

𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 = = 20.8%
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► The correct answer is D.

Part B: The liquidity index is given by

𝑤𝑤 − 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 32.1 − 20.8

𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿 = = = 65.7% ≈ 66%
𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿 − 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 38 − 20.8

► The correct answer is C.

Part C: The liquid limit is LL = 38% and the plasticity index is PI = LL – PL =

17.2%. Using the plasticity chart, we see that the soil belongs to class CI, i.e, the
soil is a clay of intermediate plasticity.

► The correct answer is B.

Part D: Assume that the soil is saturated at the liquid limit. For a saturated
soil, then, we have e = wGs. Thus,

𝑒𝑒 = 𝑤𝑤𝐺𝐺𝑠𝑠 = 𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿 × 𝐺𝐺𝑠𝑠 = 0.38 × 2.70 = 1.03

► The correct answer is C.

P.3 ■ Solution
We graph the data in a log-log plot of water content versus penetration. A
curve fit of the form 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 𝑏𝑏 is then obtained, for example, by using the command
FindFit in Mathematica. The liquid state line was found to be 𝑦𝑦 = 24.64𝑥𝑥 0.286.

The liquid limit is the water content on the liquid state line that
corresponds to a penetration of 20 mm; that is, 𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿 = 𝑦𝑦(20) = 24.64 × 200.286 =
58%. The plastic limit, in turn, is obtained by fitting the data to the expression

𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 = 𝐶𝐶(2)𝑚𝑚

which, when compared to the foregoing data fit, implies that C = 24.6 and m =
0.286. Accordingly,

𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 = 24.6(2)0.286 = 29.99 ≈ 30%

► The correct answer is D.

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 P.4 ■ Solution
Part A: The shrinkage limit follows from the expression

𝑀𝑀1 − 𝑀𝑀2 𝑉𝑉𝑖𝑖 − 𝑉𝑉𝑓𝑓

𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = � � × 100 − � � 𝜌𝜌𝑤𝑤 × 100
𝑀𝑀2 𝑀𝑀2

where M1 is the mass of the wet soil pat in the beginning of the test, M2 is the mass
of the dry soil pat in the dish at the beginning of the test, Vi is the initial volume of
the wet soil pat, and Vf is the volume of the oven-dried soil pat. In the present
case, we have M1 = 44.0 g, M2 = 30.1 g, Vi = 24.8 cm³, and Vf = 16.3 cm³. Substituting
these quantities in the previous equation, we obtain

44.0 − 30.1 24.8 − 16.3

𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = � � × 100 − � � × 100 = 17.9%
30.1 30.1
► The correct answer is A.

Part B: To determine the specific gravity, we resort to the formula

1
𝐺𝐺𝑠𝑠 =
1 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆
𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 − 100
where SL is the shrinkage limit and SR is the shrinkage ratio, given by

𝑀𝑀2 30.1
𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = = = 1.85
𝑉𝑉𝑓𝑓 𝜌𝜌𝑤𝑤 16.3 × 1.0

The specific gravity is estimated as

1 1
𝐺𝐺𝑠𝑠 = = = 2.77
1 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 1 17.9
− −
𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 100 1.85 100
► The correct answer is C.

P.5 ■ Solution
Part A: The following table is prepared.

Sample No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Water content (%) 5 8.8 11.3 13.1 14.4 19.3
Weight of container and compacted soil (N) 35.81 37.30 39.32 40.04 40.07 39.06
Weight of container (N) 19.80 19.80 19.80 19.80 19.80 19.80
Weight of compacted soil (N) 16.01 17.50 19.52 20.24 20.27 19.26
Volume of container (cm³) 950 950 950 950 950 950
Bulk unit weight of compacted soil (kN/m³) 16.85 18.42 20.55 21.31 21.34 20.27
Dry unit weight of compacted soil (kN/m³) 16.05 16.93 18,46 18.84 18.65 16.99

Plotting values of water content (blue row) versus dry unit weight (red
row), we obtain the compaction curve. The following is the graph of a third-degree
polynomial interpolation for the data.

By inspection, we see that the optimum moisture content is w = 15.0%, at

which the maximum dry unit weight equals about 18.9 kN/m³.

► The correct answer is B.

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 Part B: Suppose that, at the optimum condition, the void ratio is e0. Hence,

𝐺𝐺𝑠𝑠 𝛾𝛾𝑤𝑤 2.9 × 9.81

(𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑 )max = → 18.9 =
(1 + 𝑒𝑒0 ) (1 + 𝑒𝑒0 )

∴ 𝑒𝑒0 = 0.51

To obtain the degree of saturation, we use the formula

𝑤𝑤𝐺𝐺𝑠𝑠 0.15 × 2.9

𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = 𝑤𝑤𝐺𝐺𝑆𝑆 → 𝑆𝑆 = = = 0.853 = 85.3%
𝑒𝑒 0.505
► The correct answer is D.

Part C: By inspection of the compaction curve presented in Part 5A, we

read that the maximum dry unit weight corresponding to a water content of 10%
is (𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑 )max = 17.6 kN/m3.

► The correct answer is B.

P.6 ■ Solution
The relation between moisture content and dry unit weight for a saturated
soil is called the zero air-voids line. Regardless of the compaction effort, it is not
feasible to expel all air from the soil. Consequently, the curve in question should
never intercept the compaction curve, which of course represents valid soil states
only. The only curve that does not intercept the blue compaction line is curve D.

► The correct answer is D.

P.7 ■ Solution
The volume of the levee can be computed with elementary geometry,

Volume of Levee = [0.5(40 × 20) + 20 × 20 + 0.5(60 × 20)] × 450 = 23,300 yd3

To find the volume required from the borrow pit, consider that the weight
of solids is the same for the borrow pit and the levee, i.e., 𝑊𝑊s,borrow = 𝑊𝑊s,levee. Now,

𝑊𝑊𝑠𝑠
𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑 = → 𝑊𝑊𝑠𝑠 = 𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑 𝑉𝑉 → 𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑,borrow 𝑉𝑉borrow = 𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑,borrow 𝑉𝑉borrow
𝑉𝑉
where 𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑,borrow = 𝛾𝛾⁄(1 + 𝑤𝑤) = 112.1⁄(1 + 0.18) = 95 pcf, and 𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑,levee = 0.95 × 106 =
100.7 pcf. The volume of the borrow pit is then

𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑,levee 100.7
𝑉𝑉borrow = 𝑉𝑉levee × = 23,300 × = 24,700 yd3
𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑,borrow 95

The number of truckloads required is based on the equation

𝑊𝑊𝑠𝑠,hauled = 𝑊𝑊𝑠𝑠,levee → 𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑,hauled 𝑉𝑉hauled = 𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑,levee 𝑉𝑉levee

𝛾𝛾
∴ 𝑉𝑉hauled = 𝛾𝛾 𝑑𝑑,levee × 𝑉𝑉levee (I)
𝑑𝑑,hauled

We have 𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑,levee = 100.7 pcf and 𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑,hauled is calculated as

𝐺𝐺𝑠𝑠 𝛾𝛾𝑤𝑤 2.68 × 62.4

𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑,hauled = = = 67.7 pcf
1 + 𝑒𝑒 1 + 1.47
Substituting the appropriate data in equation (I) gives

100.7
𝑉𝑉hauled = × 23,300 = 34,650 yd3
67.7
Thus, the number of truckloads is

𝑉𝑉hauled 34,650 yd3

No. Truck loads = = = 2310 truckloads
Truck Capacity yd3
15
truckload
► The correct answer is A.

P.8 ■ Solution
Part A: First, we calculate the volume of the hole, VH, using the relation

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 Mass of sand used to fill the hole
𝑉𝑉𝐻𝐻 =
Dry density of Ottawa sand

The mass of sand used to fill the hole is the difference between the mass
of sand used to fill the hole and cone and the calibrated mass of the Ottawa sand
to fill the cone; that is,

Mass of sand used to fill the hole = [6.08 − 2.86] − 0.118 = 3.102 kg

Substituting 3.102 kg for mass of sand used to fill the hole and 1731 kg/m³
for dry density of Ottawa sand gives

3.102
𝑉𝑉𝐻𝐻 = = 0.001792 m3
1731
Thence, we substitute 3.34 kg for the mass of the moist soil and 1.79×10-3
m³ for the volume of the hole in the equation for moist density of compacted soil;
that is,

Mass of moist soil 3.34

𝜌𝜌 = = = 1865.9 kg⁄m3
Volume of hole 1.79 × 10−3
Next, we calculate the moist unit weight of compacted soil from the
expression

𝜌𝜌𝛾𝛾𝑤𝑤 1852.9 × 9.81

𝛾𝛾 = = = 18.18 kN/m3
𝜌𝜌𝑤𝑤 1000

Finally, to find the dry unit weight, we appeal to the formula

𝛾𝛾 18.18
𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑,field = = = 16.2 kN/m3
𝑤𝑤(%) 12.1
1+ 1 + 100
100
► The correct answer is B.

Part B: The relative compaction R is given by the expression

𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑,field
𝑅𝑅 =
𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑,max

thus implying that the maximum dry density, 𝜌𝜌𝑑𝑑,max, is necessary. In order to
obtain this quantity, we need the compaction curve of the soil. The following table
is prepared.

Mass of soil Moist

Mold Moisture Dry density
in the wet density
volume (m³) content (%) (kg/m³)
mold (kg) (kg/m³)
0,0009433 1,47 1558,36 10,0 1416,69
0,0009433 1,83 1940,00 12,5 1724,44
0,0009433 2,02 2141,42 15,0 1862,10
0,0009433 1,95 2067,21 17,5 1759,33
0,0009433 1,73 1833,99 20,0 1528,32
0,0009433 1,69 1791,58 22,5 1462,52

We can now plot the dry density (blue column) against moisture content
(red column).

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 The maximum dry density is found to be 𝜌𝜌𝑑𝑑,max = 1860 kN/m3 at an
optimum water content 𝑤𝑤 = 15.3%. We are now able to calculate the maximum
dry unit weight in the field,

𝜌𝜌𝑑𝑑,max 𝑔𝑔 1860 × 9.81

𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑,max = = = 18.25 kN/m3
𝜌𝜌𝑤𝑤 1000

Finally, the relative compaction R is given by

𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑,field 16.22
𝑅𝑅 = = = 0.8887 ≈ 88.9%
𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑,max 18.25

► The correct answer is C.

► ANSWER SUMMARY
1A B
1B C
Problem 1
1C D
1D B
2A D
2B C
Problem 2
2C B
2D C
Problem 3 D
4A A
Problem 4
4B C
5A B
Problem 5 5B D
5C B
Problem 6 D
Problem 7 A
8A B
Problem 8
8B C

► REFERENCES
 BUDHU, M. (2011). Soil Mechanics and Foundations. 3rd edition. Hoboken:
John Wiley and Sons.
 DAS, B. and SOBHAN, K. (2014). Principles of Geotechnical Engineering. 8th
edition. Stamford: Cengage Learning.
 PRIETO-PORTAR, L. (2009). 300 Solved Problems in Soil/Rock Mechanics and
Foundations Engineering. Miami: Luis A. Prieto-Portar.
 VENKATRAMAIAH, C. (2006). Geotechnical Engineering. 3rd edition. New
Delhi: New Age Publishers.

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