CONFIDENTIAL, ECIDEC 2018/ECG243 UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA FINAL EXAMINATION COURSE : SOIL MECHANICS COURSE CODE : ECG243 EXAMINATION : DECEMBER 2018 TIME : 3HOURS INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES 1 This question paper consists of four (4) questions. 2 ‘Answer ALL questions in the Answer Booklet. Start each answer on a new page. 3 Do not bring any material into the examination room unless permission is given by the invigiator. 4 Please check to make sure that this examination pack consists of i) the Question Paper il) an Answer Booklet — provided by the Faculty ii) a three graph papers ~ provided by the Faculty iv) afour- page Appendix 5. Answer ALL questions in English DO NOT TURN THIS PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO This examination paper consists of 6 printed pages (© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL, 2 ECIDEC 2018/ECG243 QUESTION 1 a) Soils are the results of the geological events. The nature and structure of a given soil depend on the geological processes that formed them. Briefly explain in general, the origin and the formation of the (i) residual soil and (i) transported soils. (CO1-PO1)(C1) (6 marks) b) The sizes of particles that make up the soil vary over a wide range. The soil was generally called gravel, sand, silt or clay, depending on the predominant size of particles within the soil. The data presented in Appendix 1 were recorded during a dry sieving of soil in the laboratory. (CO2-PO2)(C3) ’) Complete the table in Appendix 1 to determine the cumulative percentage passing for each sieve size. Submit Appendix 1 together with the answer booklet. ii) Plot the particle distribution curve on the graph provided in Appent Appendix 2 together with the answer booklet i) Determine the proportions of the Gravel, Sand, Silt and Clay iv) Determine the characteristic sizes; Djo, Dso and Doo v) Analyze the Grading Characteristics; Coefficient of Uniformity, Cy and Coefficient of Gradation, Cy vi) Classify the soil according to the British Soil Classification System (BSCS) by referring to the BS5930 (2018) as attached in Appendix 3. 2. Submit (16 marks) ©) A fine grained soil has a liquid limit of 300% and a plastic limit of 55%. The natural water content of the soil in the field is 80% and the clay content is 60%. (CO2-PO2)(C5) i) Determine the plasticity index, the liquidity index and the activity of the soil ii) Identify the state of the soil based on the liquidity index il) If this soil is under a concrete slab used as a foundation for a building and water ‘seeps underneath, predict what would happen to the foundation. (8 marks) (© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL, 3 ECIDEC 2018/ECG243 QUESTION 2 a) Permeability is one of the most important geotechnical parameters. Explain the meaning of permeability. Briefly describe the TWO (2) types of laboratory tests and ONE (1) type of the field test that can be carried out to determine the coefficient of permeability of the soil. (CO1-PO1)(C1) (6 marks) b) Figure Q2(b) shows the setup of the falling head permeability apparatus. In a falling head permeability test, the following data in Table Q2(b) were recorded. Determine the average value of the coefficient of permeability, k in em/sec. (CO2-PO2)(C3) Diameter of specimen Length of specimen 35 cm 3.2. om Standpipes of different diameters Perforaied base Figure Q2(b) @ Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL 4 ECIDEC 2018/ECG243 Table Q2(b) ‘Standpipe Level in Standpipe | Time interval Diameter, d (mm) | jnitial level, hy (mm) | Final level, hz (mm) (s) 900 650 90 4.0 — 650 400 89 900 650 132 50 - 650 400 140 (10 marks) ©) The hydraulic conductivity of soils depends on several factors such as grain size distribution. Hence, the value of the coefficient of permeability, k varies widely for different soil. Arrange the soil given in Table Q2(c) in descending order of permeability. Table Q2(c) Dense clay Coarse sand Gravel Clay loam Then, evaluate the significance of identifying the soil permeability for the construction of earth dam and soil embankment. (CO2-PO2)(C5) (4 marks) (© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL, 5 ECIDEC 2018/ECG243 QUESTION 3 a) b) °) Distinguish the difference between pore water pressure and excess pore water pressure. (CO1-PO1)(C1) (6 marks) ‘Two triaxial tests have been conducted on identical sand specimens. In all triaxial tests, the cell pressure is maintained at 200 kN/m?. The other details for each test are given below in Table Q3(b). (CO2-PO2)(C3) Table Q3(b) Test Type of test Cohesion | Angle of | Other parameters (kNim?) | friction (°) 1 | Consolidated i = Pore Pressure at Undrained Testing failure 125 kN/m? 2 Consolidated a 24 | Deviator stress of 160 Undrained Testing kN/m? i) Determine the deviator stress at failure in Test 1 ii) Calculate the pore water pressure at failure in Test 2. (10 marks) Triaxial test is a common laboratory testing method widely used for obtaining the shear strength parameter for a variety of soil types under drained or undrained condition. Select the suitable type of triaxial test to be carried out for the following problems and identify the parameter obtained from the test; (CO2-PO2)(C5) i) The short term stability of the trench excavation for a pipe laying project on residual soil. ii) The long term stability of an embankment constructed over a hard stratum. (4 marks) © Hak Cipta Universit Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL 6 ECIDEC 2018/ECG243 QUESTION 4 a) b) ¢) Co) The compaction process involves the increasing density of soil by reducing the volume of air voids. However, the effectiveness of the process is dependent on certain factors. Briefly explain the THREE (3) factors that contribute to the effectiveness of compaction. (CO1-PO1)(C1) (3 marks) What is consolidation? Briefly describe how consolidation process is achieved in order to stabilise a layer of soft clay in the field. (CO1-PO1)(C1) (4 marks) The data shown in Table Q4(c) were the result obtained from an oedometer consolidation test on a specimen of saturated clay with the pressure increment that had been maintained for 24 hours for every load application. (CO2-PO2)(C5) Table Q4(c) Pressure (kNim?) o | 50 | 100 | 200 | 400 | 800] © Thickness of sample | after consolidation (mm) | 20-0 | 19.65 | 19.62 | 19.35 | 19.15 | 18.95 | 19.26 After it had been unloaded for 24 hours at the final stage, the sample was removed from the equipment. The moisture content of the sample was found to be 25%. The particle specific gravity of the soil was 2.65. ') Calculate and tabulate the void ratio, e at the end of each pressure stage ii) Plot the e against the o’ curve. ill) Determine the value of m, (coefficient of compressibility) for the stress increments of 200 kN/m? — 300 kN/m?. iv) Calculate the S. (consolidation settlement) value for a 10 m layer of clayey soil when the average effective stress ranges from 250 — 350 kN/m?, (15 marks) The soil compaction process at a construction site is divided into two areas adjacent to each other. In the first area, the soil condition is gravelly whilst the second area is abundant with clayey soil. Recommend the appropriate way of obtaining the field density of soil for the purpose of monitoring throughout the compaction process and comment on the effectiveness of the equipment for both cases, (CO2-PO2)(C5) (8 marks) END OF QUESTION PAPER (© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL, APPENDIX 1 ECIDEC 2018/ECG243 PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION ~ SIEVE ANALYSIS PS1 BS1377 Part 2: 1990 : 9.2/9.3 eb no. ate) Ste BHP no. Projet Final Exam ECG248 Sample n9. Client Fakulti Kejuruteraan Awam Depth (m) sollused (6)= 17389 | Tesimetbos | Ory Sioving ‘BS Sieve ~ ‘Corrected Percentage ‘Cumulative opening ‘sols ‘mass retained | percantage ‘ue retained retained essing (oom) @) @ ) %) 75 @ 30 a a5 ° 8 2 z| 1796 ° 20 196.4 14[ 1057 70| 1328 ea] 1855 Sail passing 83 mm, A 388 : Rifle sample used, 8 232 = perc Ring conection, C= AT ase ee 3| asa 335] 386 2] #8 18] 904 a 06] 202 é 0.425 244 5 o3| 162 ona] a7 oas| 79 oo] 483 Sol Passing & um 14 Total es Tested by Checked by Date Soil Mechanics Laboratory, Universiti Teknologi MARA Pahang To be submitted together with the answer booklet (© Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL APPENDIX 2 ECIDEC 2018/ECG243 NOLINSTUISIG azis TOILUVE eaiboq oc) (wid ww wn re To be submitted together with the answer booklet (way 9 (wa %) (wu) 0 (wun %a 420% wS% pes % soozaaa @ bSd @ Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL, APPENDIX 3 ECIDEC 2018/ECG243 BS5930 (2015): GENERAL IDENTIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION OF SOIL Tem Composition ‘BOULDERS (or COBBLES) witha line ner matevia™ wp 105% finer material BOULDERS (or COBBLES) with some finer material® 5% to 20% finer material BOULDERS (or COBBLES) with much finer materia 209% to 50% finer material FINER MATERIAL® with many boulders (or cobbles) 50% to 20% boulders (or cobbles) FINER MATERIAL with some boulders (or cobbles) | 20% to 5% boulders(or cobbles) FINER MATERIAL with occasional boulders (or cobbles) Lup 105% boulders (or cobbles) “The decriton of rer mata” i made im accordance with L420 1AM, ipving the very coms actin the ppl sal ‘gperane of the One matral may ao be gen neal eters esas GRAVEL we rata boule COBBLES wih some sy CLA ee Principal sol pe “ppraximate proportion of econdary constituent Slay sandy or gravely | SAND ww 5% sandy or gravelly or 5% 10 20% very sandy or gravelly | GRAVEL over 20% = SAND and GRAVEL about equal proportions Tare | Fricipal sll ope | Approximate proportion af secondary conttaent | Coarse soll | Ganree andlor fine soll lghily clayey oF sty and/or | SAND =x sandy or gravelly clayey or silty andor sandy oF | GRAVEL 5% = 2098 gravelly | very clayey or sity andor | > 20K sandy or gravelly ‘vey sandy oF gravelly [Sitter rr sandy andor gravelly cay 35% ~ 65% slightly sandy and/or gravelly | <35% dsc fine so depen ow armel agnor Hea or dsc as core oc depenting on ase engineering belo © Hak Cipta Universit Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL “APPENDIX 4 ECIDEC 2018/ECG243 FORMULA LIST 23.01 109 ,9(M, ) k= — Ale= 4) al In(hh, / hy) At) on Aht In(r, / 7) a (y-h) - Pr Activity = clay Fraction HH be aH ite, PAu © bo H Sc=m, do'H = AH Co o's seme woe (5?) He © Hak Cipta Universiti Teknologi MARA CONFIDENTIAL