Tutorial - 1

(Ch -1 and 2)
1. The field SPT (N) value in a deposit of fully submerged fine sand was 40 at a depth of 6
m. The average saturated unit weight of the soil is 19 kN/m³. Calculate the corrected N
value for over burden and dilatancy as per IS 2131-1981. [Ans: 48, 31]

2. The observed SPT value in a sand deposit is 32. Water table is at depth 2.5m from ground
level and the test was conducted in a bore hole at a depth of 4.5 m from ground level.
Determine the corrected SPT value taking the saturated unit weight of the soil as 18 kN/m³
and G = 2.70. Assume the sand above the water table is dry. [40, 28]

3. Compute the area ratio of a sampling tube as shown in fig.1.1. What is the recovery ratio,
if the sampling tube is pushed into medium stiff clay at the bottom of a borehole, a distance
of 550 mm and the length is 530 mm?[13.2%, <1, Sample is compressed in the tube]

4. Determine the active force on the following retaining wall as shown in Fig. 1.2 from
Culmann’s graphical construction. Take γ = 17.5 kN/m³, δ = 20°, ф = 30°, β = 75°, i = 15°

5. A retaining wall of 5.5 m height retained silty-clay backfill, having cohesion c = 20 kN/m²
and angle of internal friction = 25°. Draw the diagram of earth pressure along the height of
the wall and determine the total pressure per meter length of wall. Consider the back of the
wall as smooth and top of backfill as horizontal. Take unit wt. of soil as 17 kN/m³.[11.291
kN/m length]

6. From the fig. 1.3, calculate the total active pressure on the retaining wall using Rankine’s
theory and the point application from its base.[194.148 kN/m length, 2.45 m from base]

7. Determine the Rankine’s passive force per unit length of the following retaining wall. The
water table is located at a depth 2 m from the ground level.
C (kN/m2) γ (kN/m3) Φ layer Depth (m)

0 16 30 Upper 2
10 19 24 Lower 2
[Ans: 371.93 kN/m]
8. A retaining wall 6m high, vertical back, supports a saturated clay soil with a horizontal
surface. The properties of backfill are Cu = 35 kN/m², ф = 0, γ = 17 kN/m³. Assuming the
back of the wall to be smooth, determine:
i) Depth of the tension crack [4.12 m]
ii) Critical depth of a vertical cut [8.24 m]
iii) The total active thrust against the wall and its point of application, if the cracks are
formed in the tension zone. [30.08 kN/m length, 0.627 m]
9. A retaining wall with soft saturated clay (C = 5 kN/m2, ф = 300, γ = 17.5 kN/m3 ) backfill is
7 m. For the undrained condition of the backfill, determine:
i) Maximum depth of tensile crack. [Ans: 0.99 m]
 ii) The active force before the tensile crack occurs [Ans: 102.44 kN/m 1.87 m
from base]
iii) The active force after the occurrence of tensile cracks [Ans: 105.3 kN/m @
2 m from base]

10. Find magnitude and position of total thrust at the back of the retaining wall as shown in
fig1.4. [272.2 kN/m, 4.42 m from base]

11. Find magnitude and position of total active pressure at the back of the retaining wall as shown
in fig1.5. [214.762 kN/m, 2.3 m from base]

12. A retaining wall of 8m high has a smooth vertical back. It supports a horizontal backfill with
φ =35o, c = 10 kPa. The water table is at a depth of 3 m below the surface of the backfill.
The density of the backfill is 17 kN/m3 above the water table and 19 kN/m3 below the water
table. The backfill supports a surcharge of 20 kPa. Determine the magnitude and point of
application of active earth pressure.

13. A Retaining wall with a smooth vertical back retains cohesionless backfill of 6m Take c =
0,φ =28o,γ = 16 kN/m3, γsat = 20 kN/m3. Calculate the magnitude of total thrust against the
wall. Assume
i) backfill is fully drained but top of wall is restrained against yielding.
ii) backfill is fully drained and wall is free to yield.

14. A smooth vertical wall 4m high retains dry sand having φ =30o, e = 0.6 , G = 2.7. Draw the
active earth pressure diagram. If water table rises to the top of the wall, compute the total
lateral pressure.

15. Calculate the critical depth of vertical cut that can be made without any lateral support. Take
c = 10 kPa, φ =20o , γ = 18 kN/m3 and surcharged load (pressure) = 4 kPa.

16. A vertical bank was formed during the excavation of soil having φ =15o and γ = 18 kN/m3. When
excavation reached to 5.5 m, the bank failed, what would be the value of cohesion?

17. Calculate the total active pressure on a vertical wall 5 m high retaining sand of γ = 17 kN/m 3
φ = 35o. The surface is horizontal and water table is below the bottom of wall. Determine thrust
on wall if water table rises to a level 2m below the surface of sand. γsat(sand) = 20 kN/m3.

18. A Retaining wall of 6m height having a smooth back retains a backfill made up of two stratas
as shown in fig. 1.6. Construct the active earth pressure diagram and find the magnitude and
point of application of resultant thrust. Comment on the stability of wall.

19. A Retaining wall with a smooth vertical back is 10 m high and retain a 2-layered sand backfill with
the following properties:
Depth (m) c (kN/m2) Φ (Degree) γ (kN/m3)
0 to 5 0 30 18
Below 5 0 34 20
 Show the active earth pressure distribution on the back of the retaining wall. Assume that the water
table is well below the base of the wall.
20. A retaining wall with smooth vertical back retains cohesionless backfill of 6 m. Take c = 0,ø
= 280,γ= 16 kN/m3,γsat= 20 kN/m3. Calculate the magnitude of total thrust against the wall.
Assume
i. backfill is fully drained but top of wall is restrained against yielding.
ii. backfill is fully drained and wall is free to yield.

21. Check the stabiliy of the gravity Retaining wall as shown in fig.1.7. Take allowable soil pressure equal
to 600 kN/m3.

22. Find the factor of safety against sliding, overturning, bearing capacity failure using Rankine’s
theory for the cantilever retaining wall as shown in fig.1.8. Take allowable soil pressure is
500 kN/m2, ø’= 340, δ= 250, γ= 18 kN/m3, i = 150.[1.6, 3.53, 3.52 (safe)]

23. Check the stability against sliding and overturning and also find the maximum and minimum
pressure at the base of the retaining wall as shown in fig.1.9. Take C = 0, ф = 410 γ = 16
kN/m3, angle of friction at the base of footing δ=2/3 ф. Assume unit weight of concrete = 24
kN/m3. Safe bearing capacity of the soil below the base is 200 kN/m2.

24. The sides of an excavation 3m deep in sand are to be supported by cantilever sheet pile walls.
The water table is 1.5 m below from the bottom of excavation. The sand has saturated unit
weight of 20 kN/m3 and unit weight of 17 kN/m3 above the water table and ø = 360.
Determine the depth of penetration of the piling below the bottom of excavation to give a
factor of safety of 2.0 with respect to passive resistance.

25. Calculate the depth of embedment for the anchored sheet pile as shown in fig.1.10. Also
determine the force in the anchor. Use fixed end support condition. Take γ= 16 kN/m³, ф =
350, i /h = 0.025.[0.516 m, 69.72 kN/m]

26. Calculate the actual penetration depth of the cantilever sheet pile as shown in fig.1.11 by
approximate method applying factor of safety of 1.5. Also find the magnitude of maximum
bending moment.[12.63 m]

27. Design the sheet pile as shown in fig.1.12 by fixed earth support method. For ф = 300, i /h =
0.08. Solve the same problem assuming point of zero moment coincides with the point of
zero shear.[8.16 m, 81.206 kN/m] [7.38 m, 93.37 kN/m]

28. Solve prob. no.27 by free earth support method. Also calculate the location and magnitude
of maximum B.M.[D= 3.83 m, Ta = 115.90 kN/m, Mmax= 197.269 kN/m @ 6.16 m from
the top surface]

29. Solve prob.no.30 by applying a FOS of ‘2’ to the passive pressure. [D= 7.63 m, Ta= 118.26
kN/m length]

30. Determine the actual depth of penetration of the cantilever sheet pile as shown in fig1.13
using approximate method. [14.4 m]
31. Design the cantilever sheet pile by approximate method as shown in fig.1.14. Also
calculate the location and magnitude of maximum bending moment.[5.17 m, 328.76 kN-m
@ 2.22 m below dredge level]

32. A cantilever sheet pile wall is shown in fig. 1.15. Compute the depth of embedment of sheet
pile.

33. The sides of an excavation 3m deep in sand are to be supported by cantilever sheet pile walls.
The water table is 1.5 m below from the bottom of excavation. The sand has saturated unit
weight of 20 kN/m3 and unit weight of 17 kN/m3 above the water table & φ = 36o. Determine
the depth of penetration of the piling below the bottom of excavation to give a factor of
safety of 2.0 with respect to passive resistance.

34. An anchored sheet pile wall is to support a mass of cohesionless soil up to a height of 5m
above the ground level with horizontal ground surface. The anchor ties are 1m below the top
at horizontal spacing of 1.2m. The properties on either side of the sheet pile are γ = 24
kN/m3, φ = 28o. Using free earth surface method, determine minimum depth of pile required.

35. Determine the depth of embedment and force in tie rod of an anchored sheet pile wall retaining
soil bank of height 5m. The tie rod is located 1m below the top of the wall. The backfill and
the soil below the dredge line is cohesionless. Take φ = 30o & soil unit weight as 18 kN/m3.

36. A 2.5m deep excavation of a trench is carried out in sand & suppored by cantilever sheet pile
wall. The water table on either side of sheet pile wall is found at the bottom of excavation. The
bulk unit weight of the sand above the water table is 18kN/m3 and below the water table it is
20kN/m3. The friction angle is 35o. Considering a factor of safety as 2.0 for passive resistance,
determine required depth of embedment of the sheet pile.

37. A cantilever sheet pile wall is driven in to sand deposit having friction angle 35o and bulk unit
weight of 22 kN/m3. One side of the sheet pile was backfilled to 3m height. The backfill
material is cohesionless sand having φ = 32o and γb =18 kN/m3. Using simplified method,
determine the depth of penetration needed for the sheet pile to retain the backfill. Provide a
safety factor of 2.0 for the passive region. The W.T. is below the base of sheet pile.

38. Determine the loads in the 3 struts shown in the fig 1.16. The spacing of the struts along the
length of cutting is 2.5 m c/c. Determine the maximum BM in the wales assuming C= 40
kN/m² and γ =19 kN/m³.[112.3 kN, 160 kN, 112.3 kN, Mmax=50 kN-m]

39. For 7.75 m deep and 6 m wide braced cut, draw the earth pressure envelope and determine
the strut loads. The first strut is at 1.5 m below ground surface and center-to-center spacing
of other two struts along the depth of the cut is 2.5 m. Take γ= 18 kN/m³, c = 30 kN/m² and
center-to-center spacing of the struts along the length of the cut is 2.5 m.[198.81 kN, 249.1
kN, 130.775 kN]
 25 kN/m2

94mm
100mm i= 150

Φ= 300 Γ= 17 kN/m2
3m

5m

fig. 1.1 β Φ= 350 Γ= 18 kN/m2

3m

fig. 1.2

fig. 1.3
30 kN/m2

H1= 2m Cinder, G = 2.5, n =

50 kN/m2 C= 10 kN/m2 0.7, ø=350
Φ= 100
γ= 18 kN/m3 4m
C= 0
Φ= 350 5m
H2 = 2m Sand, G=2.6,n=0.3, ø
Γ= 18 kN/m2 =300
C= 30 kN/m2
C= 0
2m
Φ= 300
5m Φ= 300 H3 = 2m
Γ= 20 kN/m2 γsat= 22 kN/m3

fig. 1.4 fig. 1.5

fig. 1.6

0.5 G.L.
0.4m
35 kN/m2
i= 150

γ= 19 kN/m3 ø=360
δ= 240

Pa
4.5 440 5m
5.5 m

1.20

0.5
β= 700
0.5 m
0.4 0.4
0.7 1m 2.3m 2m
1.1 m 0.4 m
0.6m 0.6m
3.2 3.5m
Fig. 1.9
fig. 1.8
fig. 1.7
 2.5m 1.5m

4m Γ= 20 kN/m3 Φ= 300
Φ= 350 3m g= 19 kN/m3
gsub= 10 kN/m3
5.5m

5m
3m

Fig. 1.10
fig. 1.11
fig. 1.12

5m
Φ= 250
Φ= 350
Γ= 17 kN/m3
Γsat= 19 kN/m3
Γ= 18 kN/m3
6m

2m

fig. 1.13
fig.1.14

G.L.
1m

W.T. γ= 19 kN/m3, φ = 30
o
3m 2m

2m
3m
γ’ = 10 kN/m3, φ = 30o 1m

fig.1.16

fig. 1.15
 Tutorial- 2
(Shallow Foundation)

1. A square footing is to be designed to carry a load of 500 kN. Determine the suitable size
of the foundation with factor of safety of 3, if the depth of foundation is 1.5 m. The water
table is at foundation level. Take, for φ’=25, Nc’, =14.8, Ny’=3.20, N’q=5.6, γ =16 kN/m³,
γsat=19 kN/m3,c’=20 KN/m³. Use Terzaghi’s theory. [1.64 m]

2. A square footing having 2 m sides rests on a soft clay soil with it’s base at a depth of 1.50
m from ground surface. The clay stratum is 3.50 m thick and is underlain by a firm sand
stratum. The clay has Cu = 0.50 KN/m². Using Skempton’s Equation, Determine the net
safe bearing capacity of the footing and also the net safe load. Take factor of 3.0.
[1.15 kN/m2, 4.6 kN]
3. A square column foundation is to be designed for a gross allowable total load of 250 kN.
The depth of foundation is 1.0 m. Determine the width of the foundation. Use Terzaghi’s
equation for general shear. Take γ = 19 kN/m³, φ = 35°, C=5 kN/m², Nc = 57, Nq = 40, Nγ
= 45 [0.736 m]
4. The total column load of a footing at ground level is 1250kN. The sub-soil is cohensionless
soil with ф = 30°,γ = 19.5 kN/m³ . The footing is to be located at a depth of 1.5m below
ground level. For a footing of size 3*3m. Determine the load factor of safety by Terzaghi’s
general shear theory if water table is
i. At the base of level of the foundation
 ii. At the ground level
(Take Nc = 37.2, Nq = 22.5 and Nγ = 19.7) [7.84,4.84]

5. A raft 10m x 12m is placed at a depth of 3 m on a clay soil with the following properties
(Cu = 80 kN/m², фu = 0 and γ = 18 kN/m³). Determine the factor of safety available against
shear failure, if the raft, the structure and the line loads that it will carry are expected to
exert a pressure of 200 kN/m². There is a provision for a basement floor. Use Skempton’s
equation. [3.4]
6. A strip footing of 1.5m width with its base at a depth of 1.2m is resting on the dry sand.
The water table is 1 m below the base of footing. Find the change in the ultimate bearing
capacity of the footing if the water table rises up to the depth, 0.5 m below the ground level.
Take, Nc = 95.7, Nq = 81.3, Ny = 100.4, G = 2.70 and dry unit weight of the sand is 16
kN/m³. [621.45 kN/m2]
7. A strip footing 1.2m wide is laid at the depth of 1.3m below the ground surface. Determine
the net ultimate bearing capacity of the footing if,
a) Water table rises to the level of the base (b)Water table rises to ground surface(c)Water
table is 1m below the base. [The soil properties are c’ = 15kN/m², ф’ = 30°, γt = 18kN/m³,
γ’ = 10kN/m³. Use Terzaghi’s equation. Take Nc = 37.2, Nq = 22.5 and N γ =19.7][1167.48
kN/m2, 904.23 kN/m2]
8. Determine the allowable gross load and net allowable load for a square footing of 2 m side
and at a depth of foundation of 1 m. Use Terzaghi’s theory and assume local shear failure.
Take factor of safety of 3.0, c’ = 15 kN/m², ф’ = 25°, γ = 18 kN/m³, γ’ = 10 kN/m³, N’c =
14.8, N’q = 5.6 and N’γ =3.2 [481.2 kN]
9. A strip footing 2 m wide is to be laid at a depth of 4 m in a purely cohesive soil (c = 15
kN/m², γ = 19 kN/m³). Determine the ultimate bearing capacity from Skempton’s theory.
[181 kN/m2]
10. A square footing (1.5m×1.5m) is located at a depth of 1 m. The footing is subjected to an
eccentric load of 400 kN, with an eccentricity of 0.2 m along one of the symmetrical axes.
Determine factor of safety against bearing failure. Use Merhof’s equation. Take c = 100
kN/m², ф = 0, γ = 21 kN/m³, Nc = 5.14, Nq = 1 and Nγ= 0. [2.49]
11. A building has to be supported on a RC raft foundation of dimension 12m×18m. The
subsoil is clay with unconfined compressive strength of 0.15 kg/cm2. The pressure on the
soil due to the wt. of the building and loads that it will carry will be 15 t/m 2 at the base of
the raft. If the unit wt. of the excavated soil is 1.8 t/m3, at what depth should be the bottom
of the raft be placed to provide a factor of safety of 3 against shear failure?
[7.45 m]
12. A strip footing is required to carry a net load of 1000 kN at a depth of 1 m. Taking a factor
of safety of 3, determine the width of footing. Take c = 20 kN/m², ф = 300, γ = 19 kN/m³,
Nc = 37.2, Nq = 22.5 and Nγ=19.7. Use Terzaghi’s theory and assume general shear
failure.[1.97 m]

13. A square footing 2 m wide is located at a depth of 4 m in stiff clay of saturated unit weight
of 21 kN/m3. The unconfined compressive strength of the clay at the depth of 4 m is 240
kN/m2. For factor of safety of 3 with respect to shear failure, determine the load the footing
can carry.
14. What will be the net allowable bearing capacity of a mat foundation with dimensions of 15
m× 10 m constructed over a sand deposit? The depth of water table is 2.5 m below ground
surface, depth of foundation = 2 m, allowable settlement = 30mm and corrected average
penetration number N = 10.
15. A strip footing 2 m wide carries a load intensity of 400 kN/m2 at a depth of 1.2 m in sand.
Take C= 0, γsat= 19.5 kN/m3, γdry= 16.8 kN/m3, ø= 350,Nq=41.4 and Nγ= 42.4. Determine
the factor of safety with respect to shear failure for the following cases of location of water
table:
i) Water table is 4 m below ground level.
ii) Water table is 1.2 m below ground level.
iii) Water table is 2.5 m below ground level.
iv) Water table is 0.5 m below ground level.
v) Water table is at ground level itself.
[3.87, 3.12, 3.64, 2.65, 2.24]

16. A strip footing 1.2 m wide is supported on a soil with it’s base at a depth of 1 m below ground
surface. The soil properties are:
c = 15 kN/m2 φ = 28o γ = 18 kN/m3
Nγ = 4 Nq = 8 Nc = 16
Determine the ultimate bearing capacity if
(i) water table is at great depth
(ii) water table is at base level of the footing
(iii) water table is at the ground surface.
17. Compute the SBC of a square footing 1.5m*1.5m located at a depth of 1 m below the G.L. having
unit weight 20 kN/m3. Take φ = 20o and Nc = 17.7, Nq = 7.4 and Nγ =5. Assume F.O.S. = 3, c = 0.
Assume water table is at greater depth. (Ans. qs = 82.67 kN/m2)

18. A strip footing 1.2 m wide is located at a depth of 0.9 m below G.L. Take γ = 19 kN/m3, c = 25kPa
, φ = 20o. Determine the SBC, take F.O.S. of 2.5. Assume Nc’ = 11.8, Nγ’ = 1.7 and Nq’ = 3.9
(Ans 123.35 kPa)

19. A circular footing of 3 m diameter has to cary a gross load of 4500 kN. The foundation medium is
clayey sand having c = 8 kPa, φ = 30o γ = 20 kN/m3. Find the depth at which foundation can be
located so that a F.O.S. of 2.5 is maintained. Take Nc = 30.1, Nγ = 22.4, Nq = 18.4 (Ans.
2.09)

20. A foundation to carry a column load of 10000 kN is placed 1m below G.L. on uniform sand having
γ = 16 kN/m3, φ = 40o. Take, F.O.S. = 3. Determine the size of square foundation. Take Nγ= 100,
Nq = 80. (Ans. 3.03m)

21. A square footing of 1.5m*1.5m is located at a depth of 1.3 m below the G.L. The soil below the
base of the foundation is having c = 20 kPa, φ = 30o , γsat = 18 kN/m3. The soil above the base is
having c = 20 kPa, φ = 28o and γd = 15 kN/m3. The water table is at the base level. Estimate SBC.
Take F.O.S = 3 for φ = 28o .Take Nc = 37.2, Nq = 22.5 and Nγ =19.7 (Ans. 515.378 kPa)

22. A 375 mm wide load bearing wall is to be founded a depth of 1m in a homogeneous soil having
c = 60 kPa, φ = 20o, γ = 18 kN/m3. The water table lies deep below. If the wall carries a load of
210 kN/m including self weight, what minimum width of strip footing should be provided to get a
factor of safety 3 against shear failure. Take Nc’ = 12, Nγ’ = 2 and Nq’ = 4.
23. A strip footing 1.5 m wide is supported on soil with it’s base at a depth of 1.2m below G.L. Take
c’ = 0.2 kgf/cm2(effective), φ’ = 20o, ρ = 1.8 gm/cc. & ρsub = 1 gm/cc. Determine the net U.B.C.
& S.B.C. using Terzaghi equation of general shear failure, when water table is at the level of base
of footing. Take F.O.S. = 2.5, Nc = 15, Nq = 6.4 and Nγ =5.4.

24. A strip footing 1.6 m wide rest on the surface of dry cohesionless soil layer of 5 m thick. Soil is
having φ = 17o , γ = 18 kN/m3. If a flood causes the water table to rise temporarily to the surface,
compute the reduction in UBC. Take Nγ = 4.

25. A circular footing of 1.5 m diameter carries a load of 735.5 kN including it’s self weight and it is
founded on cohesionless soil having φ = 36o and effective unit weight 11.75 kN/m3. What will be
the depth of foundation if F.O.S. is 2.5. Calculate immediate settlement of footing. Take Nq = 49.5,
Nγ = 54, If = 0.88, μ = 0.3 and E = 8826 kPa.

26. For a square footing 2m×2m in size founded at 1m below G.L. in cohesive soil having bulk density
of 18.5 kN/m3 and unconfined compressive strength of 60 kPa. Determine UBC of footing by
Skempton method. (Hint c = qu/2)

27. A footing of 2m×3 m in plan is founded 1.5m below the ground level in clay having angle of repose
= 360, C = 10 kPa. What will be the allowable load which can carried by the footing if the load is
eccentrically applied with eccentricity along X and Y direction as 0.25 m and 0.35 respectively.
The centre of footing in plan is taken as origin. The water table is located 1m below the ground
level. Assume soil above water table as dry. Take dry and saturated unit weight of clay as 16 kN/m3
and 20 kN/m3 respectively. Take Nc = 50, Nq = 42 and Nγ =46.