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Codes & Standards Commentary

Books Other   DataVis

Geotechnical
Engineer's
Portable
Handbook, 2nd
Edition
Robert W. Day 

ISBN: 9780071789714
Publication Date & Copyright: 2012
McGraw-Hill Education, LLC

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Table of Contents Figures (13)

Graphs (3)

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E. EXAMPLE PROB-
LEMS AND SOLU-
TIONS
E.1. CHAPTER 2
2.1 A sampling tube has an outside diameter
Do of 3.00 inches, a tip diameter De of 2.84
inches, and a wall thickness of 0.065 inches.
Calculate the clearance ratio, area ratio, and
indicate if the sampling tube meets the criteria
for undisturbed soil sampling.

Solution:

Di = Do − 2 t (where t = wall thickness)

Di = 3.00 − (2)(0.065) = 2.87 in.

Do = 3.0 in.

From Table 2.8, inside clearance ratio = 100 (Di

−De)/De = 100 (2.87 − 2.84)/2.84 = 1.06%

From Table 2.8, area ratio = 100 (Do2 −De2)/De2

= 100 (32 − 2.842)/2.842 = 11.6%

These values are close to meeting the criteria

for undisturbed soil sampling.

2.2 A standard penetration test SPT was per-

formed on a near surface deposit of clean
sand where the number of blows to drive the
sampler 45 cm was 5 for the ^rst 15 cm, 8 for
the second 15 cm, and 9 for the third 15 cm.
Assume that Em = 60% (i.e., Em = 0.60), the
borehole diameter is 100 mm, and the drill rod
length is 5 m. Calculate the measured SPT N-
value (blows per foot), N60, and (N1)60 assum-
ing that the vertical effective stress σ′vo = 50
kPa. Also indicate the density condition of the
sand.

Solution:

N-value = 8 + 9 = 17

For 100 mm borehole diameter,Cb = 1.0

For drill rod length = 5 m,Cr = 0.85

From Table 2.11: N60 = 1.67 Em Cb Cr N =

(1.67)(0.60)(1.0)(0.85)(17) = 14.5

From Table 14.22: (N1)60 = CN N60 = (100/

σ′vo)0.5N60 = (100/50)0.5 (14.5) = 20.4

Per Table 2.12, for N60 = 14.5, the sand is in a

medium condition

2.3 A ^eld vane shear test was performed on a

clay, where the rectangular vane had a length
H of 4.0 in. and a diameter D of 2.0 in. The
maximum torque Tmax required to shear the
soil was 8.5 ft-lb. Calculate the undrained
shear strength su of the soil.

Solution:

H = 4 in. = 0.333 ft D = 2 in. = 0.167 ft

From Table 2.13: su = Tmax/[π (0.5 D2H + 0.167

D3)] = 8.5/[π (0.5 (0.167)2 0.333 + 0.167
(0.167)3)] = 500 psf

2.4 A construction site in New England re-

quires excavation of rock. The geologist has
determined that the rock is granite and from
geophysical methods (i.e., seismic refraction),
the seismic velocity of the in situ granite is
12,000 to 15,000 feet per second. A Caterpillar
D11R tractor/ripper is available. Can the gran-
ite be ripped apart?

Solution:

D11R tractor/ripper, therefore use Fig. 2.17.

For granite with a seismic velocity = 12,000 to
15,000 feet per second, it is non-rippable.

2.5 A plate load test is performed where a 1-

foot wide square steel plate is subjected to a
vertical stress of 2,000 psf and the recorded
depth of penetration of the steel plate is 0.25
inch. If the width of the actual square footing
will be 10 feet, calculate the settlement of the
footing if it is subjected to a vertical stress of
2,000 psf.

Solution:

S1 = 0.25 in., D1 = 12 in., D = (10)(12) = 120 in.

From Table 2.13: S = 4 S1/(1 +D1/D)2 = (4)

(0.25)/[1 + (12/120)]2 = 0.83 in.

2.6 Figure E.1 presents data on shallow seis-

mic refraction surveys. Field testing data indi-
cates that point A = 0.04 second and point d′ =
100 feet. At the junction of the V2 and V3
straight line segments, the travel time is 0.07
seconds at a distance of 300 feet. Determine
the thickness of the upper stratum (i.e., H1).
Can a Caterpillar D11R rip the upper and lower
stratum?

Figure E.1 Shallow seismic refraction

survey for Problem 2.6. (From Hvorslev
1949.)

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Solution:

V2 = (300 ft)/(0.07 − 0.04) = 10,000 ft/sec

(3,000 m/s)

Determining the travel time at the junction of

the V1 and V2 straight line segments:

Travel time = 0.04 + (100)/10,000 ft/sec = 0.05

sec

V1 = 100 ft/0.05 sec = 2,000 ft/sec (600 m/s)

sin α = V1/V2 = 2,000/10,000 = 0.2, or α = 11.5°

H1 = [(T1V1)/(2 cos α)] = [(0.04)(2,000)]/(2 cos

11.5°) = 41 feet (12 m)

Checking using the following equation, where

d′ = 100 feet (30.5 m)

H1 = ½ d′ [(V2 − V1)/(V2 + V1)]½ = ½ (100)

[(10,000 − 2,000)/ (10,000 + 2,000)]½ = 41 feet
(12 m)

Since the upper stratum has a low seismic

wave velocity of 2,000 ft/sec (600 m/sec), it
will be easy for a Caterpillar D11R to remove
this material. For the lower stratum, the seis-
mic wave velocity is 10,000 ft/sec (3,000
m/sec) and it could be ripped if it is shale, but
granite would probably be non-rippable (see
Fig. 2.17).

E.2. CHAPTER 3
3.1 A water content test was performed on a
specimen of soil. The following data was ob-
tained:

Mass of empty container = 105.6 g

Mass of the container plus wet soil = 530.8 g

Mass of the container plus dry soil = 483.7 g

Calculate the water content of the soil.

Solution:

Mass of water = 530.8 − 483.7 = 47.1 g

Mass of dry soil = 483.7 − 105.6 = 378.1 g

From Table 3.3: w (%) = 100 (Mw/Ms) = 100

(47.1/378.1) = 12.5%

3.2 Using the data from Problem No. 3.1 and

assuming that the initial volume of the wet soil
specimen is equal to 225 cm3, calculate the
total unit weight and the dry unit weight.

Solution:

From Table 3.4, total density ρt = M/V = (530.8

− 105.6)/225 = 1.89 g/cm3 = 1.89 Mg/m3

Total unit weight γt = (ρt)(g) = (1.89 Mg/m3)

(9.81 m/sec2) = 18.5 kN/m3

Dry unit weight γd = γt/(1 + w) = 18.5/(1 +

0.125) = 16.5 kN/m3

3.3 A clay specimen has been obtained from

below the groundwater table and the total unit
weight γt of the soil specimen is 19.5 kN/m3
(124 pcf). Calculate the buoyant unit weight of
the clay.

Solution:

From Table 3.4: γb = γsat − γw = 19.5 − 9.8 = 9.7

kN/m3 (61.6 pcf)

3.4 A speci^c gravity test was performed on a

granular soil. The mass of dry soil used for the
speci^c gravity test was equal to 102.2 g. The
dry soil was placed in a pycnometer and it was
determined that the volume of the soil parti-
cles was equal to 38.9 cm3. Determine the
speci^c gravity of solids G.

Solution:

From Table 3.5: G = ρs/ρw = (Ms/Vs)/ρw =

(102.2 g/38.9 cm3)/1.0 g/cm3 = 2.63

3.5 In a constant head permeameter test, the

outkow Q is equal to 782 mL in a measured
time of 31 seconds. The sand specimen has a
diameter of 6.35 cm and a length L of 2.54
cm. The total head loss Δh for the permeame-
ter is 2.0 m. Calculate the hydraulic conductivi-
ty (also known as the coelcient of permeabili-
ty).

Solution:

Q = 782 mL = 782 cm3, t = 31 seconds, L =

2.54 cm, Δh = 2.0 m = 200 cm

D = 6.35 cm and therefore A = 31.67 cm2

From Table 3.14: k = Q L/(ΔhAt) = [(782)

(2.54)]/[(200)(31.67)(31)] = 0.01 cm/s

3.6 In a falling head permeameter test, the

time required for the water in a standpipe to
fall from ho = 1.58 m to hf = 1.35 m is 11.0
hours. The clay specimen has a diameter of
6.35 cm and a length L of 2.54 cm. The diame-
ter of the standpipe is 0.635 cm. Calculate the
hydraulic conductivity.

Solution:

For the standpipe, diameter = 0.635 cm, there-

fore a = 0.317 cm2

For the specimen, diameter = 6.35 cm, there-

fore A = 31.7 cm2

ho = 1.58 m, hf = 1.35 m, t = 11 hr = 39,600 sec-

onds, L = 2.54 cm

From Table 3.14: k = 2.3 [(aL)/(At)] log (ho/hf)

= 2.3 [(0.317)(2.54)/ (31.7)(39,600)] log (1.58
/1.35) = 1.0 × 10−7 cm/s

3.7 An in situ soil has a void ratio of 0.79. Lab-

oratory tests indicate the sand has a maxi-
mum void ratio = 0.85 and a minimum void ra-
tio = 0.30. Calculate the relative density and
indicate the density state of the sand.

Solution:

From Table 3.16: Dr = 100 (emax − e)/(emax −

emin) = 100 (0.85 − 0.79)/(0.85 − 0.30) = 11%
(very loose condition)

E.3. CHAPTER 4
4.1 A soil has the following particle size grada-
tion based on dry mass:

Gravel and sand size par- = 65%

ticles coarser than No.
40 sieve

Sand size particles ^ner = 10%

than No. 40 sieve

Silt size particles = 5%

Clay size particles (^ner = 20%

than 0.002 mm)

Total 100%
=

In accordance with ASTM test procedures, the

Atterberg limits were performed on the soil
^ner than the No. 40 sieve and the results are
LL = 93 and PL = 18. Calculate the activity (A)
of this soil.

Solution:

35% passes the No. 40 sieve, and therefore

the clay size fraction = 20/35 = 57%

From Table 4.1: Activity = PI/%clay fraction =

(93 − 18)/57 = 1.3

4.2 A clay has a liquid limit LL = 60 and a plas-

tic limit PL = 20. Using Fig. 4.2, determine the
predominate clay mineral in the soil.

Solution:

Plasticity index = LL − PL = 60 − 20 = 40

Entering Fig. 4.2 with liquid limit = 60 and plas-

ticity index = 40, the predominate clay mineral
in the soil is montmorillonite.

4.3 Based on a particle size analysis, the fol-

lowing values were obtained: D60 = 15 mm, D50
= 12 mm, D30 = 2.5 mm, and D10 = 0.075 mm.
Calculate Cu and Cc.

Solution:

From Table 4.3: Cu = D60/D10 = 15/0.075 = 200

Cc = D302/(D10D60) = (2.5)2/[(0.075)(15)] = 5.6

4.4 For the soil in Problem No. 4.3, laboratory

testing indicates that 18% of the soil passes
the No. 40 sieve and the LL = 68 and PI = 34
for this soil fraction. What is the USCS group
symbol?

Solution:

Using the data from Problem No. 4.3 and rec-

ognizing that 0.075 mm is the opening of the
No. 200 sieve, therefore the percent passing
No. 200 sieve = 10%. Since D50 = 12 mm,
which is a larger size than the No. 4 sieve, the
majority of the soil particles are gravel. From
Table 4.4, because there are 10% ^nes, dual
symbols must be used. The value of Cc does
not meet the requirements for well-graded
gravel. Also, the limits (LL = 68, PI = 34) plot
below the A-line in Fig. 4.1. Hence, the dual
classi^cation is GP-GM.

4.5 A sand has a Cu = 7 and a Cc = 1.5. The

sand contains 4% nonplastic ^nes (by dry
mass). What is the USCS group symbol?

Solution:

From Table 4.4, based on the values of Cc and

Cu, the sand is well-graded. Because of 4%
nonplastic ^nes, the group symbol is SW.

4.6 An inorganic soil has 100% passing (by dry

mass) the No. 200 sieve. The LL = 43 and the
PI = 15. What is the USCS group symbol?

Solution:

From Table 4.4, since all the soil particles pass

the No. 200 sieve, the soil is ^ne-grained. The
limits plot below the A-line in Fig. 4.1 and the
LL is less than 50. Thus the group symbol is
ML.

4.7 An inorganic clay has a LL = 60 and a PL =

20. What is the USCS group symbol?

Solution:

The plasticity index PI = LL − PL = 60 − 20 =

40. Based on a LL = 60 and a PI = 40, the limits
plot above the A-line in Fig. 4.1. Thus for the
clay, the group symbol is CH.

4.8 A ^ne-grained soil has a black color and

organic odor. The LL = 65 on non-oven dried
soil and LL = 40 on oven-dried soil. What is the
USCS group symbol?

Solution:

The LL (oven dry) divided by the LL (not dried)

= 40/65 = 0.62 and therefore from Table 4.4,
the soil is an organic soil. Since the LL is
greater than 50, the group symbol is OH.

4.9 Based on dry mass, a soil has 20% gravel

size particles, 40% sand size particles, and
40% ^nes. Based on dry mass, 48% of the soil
particles pass the No. 40 sieve and the LL = 85
and PL = 18 for soil passing the No. 40 sieve.
What is the USCS group symbol?

Solution:

PI = LL − PL = 85 − 18 = 67

From Table 4.4, more than 50% of the soil par-

ticles are retained on the No. 200 sieve and
therefore it is a coarse grained soil. The major-
ity of the soil particles are of sand size, there
are greater than 12% ^nes, and the limits (LL =
85, PI = 67) plot above the A-line in Fig. 4.1,
and therefore the group symbol is SC.

For Problem Nos. 4.10 through 4.14, use the

laboratory testing data summarized in Fig. E.2.
Consider all ^ve soils to consist of inorganic
soil particles with the Atterberg limits per-
formed on soil passing the No. 40 sieve (per
ASTM D 4318). Note in Fig. E.2 that LL is the
liquid limit, PL is the plastic limit, PI is the plas-
ticity index, and NP indicates that the soil is
nonplastic.

Figure E.2 Particle size distributions for

Problems 4.10 to 4.14 (plot developed by gINT
computer program).

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4.10 For SB-14 at 8 to 12 feet in Fig. E.2, deter-

mine the soil classi^cation per the USCS and
AASHTO soil classi^cation systems.

Solution:

Uni^ed Soil Classi^cation System (USCS):

Since 28.4% of the soil particles pass the No.

200 sieve (i.e., 28.4% ^nes), the soil is coarse-
grained. Of the soil particles retained on the
No. 200 sieve, 50.6% are gravel-size particles
(i.e., 36.2/0.716 = 50.6%) and 49.4% are sand-
size particles (i.e., 35.4/0.716 = 49.4%). Since
the larger fraction consists of gravel size parti-
cles, the primary soil classi^cation is gravel
(Table 4.4). Since there are more than 12%
^nes and the soil is nonplastic (PI = 0), the soil
classi^cation is silty gravel (GM).

AASHTO Soil Classi^cation System:

Since there are less than 35% passing the No.

200 sieve, the soil is classi^ed as a granular
material. Using the particle size distribution
(Fig. E.2), the percent passing is as follows:

Percent passing No. 10 sieve = 55%

Percent passing No. 40 sieve = 42%

Percent passing No. 200 sieve = 28%

For these percent passing values, and be-

cause the soil is nonplastic (PI = 0), all of the
criteria are met for group A-2-4 (see Table
4.6).

Summary:

USCS: Coarse-grained soil, silty gravel (GM)

AASHTO: Granular material, silty gravel and

sand (A-2-4)

4.11 For SB-20 at 0 to 4 feet in Fig. E.2, deter-

mine the soil classi^cation per the USCS and
AASHTO soil classi^cation systems.

Solution:

Uni^ed Soil Classi^cation System (USCS):

Since 27.8% of the soil particles pass the No.

200 sieve (i.e., 27.8% ^nes), the soil is coarse-
grained. Of the soil particles retained on the
No. 200 sieve, 10.8% are gravel-size particles
(i.e., 7.8/0.722 = 10.8%) and 89.2% are sand-
size particles (i.e., 64.4/0.722 = 89.2%). Since
the larger fraction consists of sand size parti-
cles, the primary soil classi^cation is sand
(Table 4.4). Since there are more than 12%
^nes and the soil is nonplastic (PI = 0), the soil
classi^cation is silty sand (SM).

AASHTO Soil Classi^cation System:

Since there are less than 35% passing the No.

200 sieve, the soil is classi^ed as a granular
material. Using the particle size distribution
(Fig. E.2), the percent passing is as follows:

Percent passing No. 10 sieve = 82%

Percent passing No. 40 sieve = 53%

Percent passing No. 200 sieve = 28%

For these percent passing values, and be-

cause the soil is nonplastic (PI = 0), all of the
criteria are meet for group A-2-4 (see Table
4.6).

Summary:

USCS: Coarse-grained soil, silty sand (SM)

AASHTO: Granular material, silty sand (A-2-4)

4.12 For SB-25 at 4 to 8 feet in Fig. E.2, deter-

mine the soil classi^cation per the USCS and
AASHTO soil classi^cation systems.

Solution:

Uni^ed Soil Classi^cation System (USCS):

Since 40.2% of the soil particles pass the No.

200 sieve (i.e., 40.2% ^nes), the soil is coarse-
grained. Of the soil particles retained on the
No. 200 sieve, 25.3% are gravel-size particles
(i.e., 15.1/0.598 = 25.3%) and 74.7% are sand-
size particles (i.e., 44.7/0.598 = 74.7%). Since
the larger fraction consists of sand size parti-
cles, the primary soil classi^cation is sand
(Table 4.4). Since there are more than 12%
^nes and the soil is nonplastic (PI = 0), the soil
classi^cation is silty sand (SM).

AASHTO Soil Classi^cation System:

Since there are more than 35% passing the No.

200 sieve, the soil is classi^ed as a silt-clay
material. Because the soil is nonplastic (PI = 0,
LL = 0), all of the criteria are met for group A-4.
By inserting values into the group index equa-
tion (see Table 4.6), a negative value is ob-
tained and thus the group index = 0.

Summary:

USCS: Coarse-grained soil, silty sand (SM)

AASHTO: Silt-clay material, silty soil A-4 (0)

4.13 For SB-29 at 4 to 8 feet in Fig. E.2, deter-

mine the soil classi^cation per the USCS and
AASHTO soil classi^cation systems.

Solution:
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