Tough Numerical Questions with
Solutions - Geotechnical Engineering
A. Effective Stress – 5 Tough Numerical Questions
1. Quick Sand Condition Depth:
A soil has a saturated unit weight of 20 kN/m³ and a specific gravity of 2.65. Compute
the critical hydraulic gradient and the depth at which upward flow causes a quick
condition. (γw = 9.81 kN/m³)
Solution: Critical hydraulic gradient: i_c = (G - 1)/(1 + e). Assume e = 0.65 ⇒ i_c = (2.65 -
1)/(1 + 0.65) ≈ 1.0
Depth: σ' = 0 ⇒ γ_sat * H = i_c * γ_w * H ⇒ H cancels out, so condition met when i ≥ i_c.
Thus, any depth H with i ≥ i_c will cause quick condition.
2. Effective Stress with Capillarity:
A silty soil with capillary rise of 1.2 m is above the water table. Compute the effective
stress 1.5 m above the water table. Assume dry unit weight = 17 kN/m³ and degree of
saturation = 80%.
Solution: Since height is more than capillary rise, suction stops at 1.2 m. Above that soil is
dry.
Effective stress at 1.5 m above water table: σ' = γ_dry * 1.5 = 17 * 1.5 = 25.5 kPa.
3. Uplift Pressure in Confined Aquifer:
A 6 m thick clay layer overlies a confined aquifer. The piezometric head in the aquifer is
8 m above the clay bottom. Calculate the uplift pressure and the effective stress at the
bottom of the clay (γsat = 19.5 kN/m³).
Solution: Total stress = γ_sat * 6 = 117 kPa
Pore pressure = γ_w * 8 = 9.81 * 8 = 78.48 kPa
Effective stress = 117 - 78.48 = 38.52 kPa.
4. Vertical Stress with Flow Net:
A dam has a base width of 30 m. A flow net has 5 flow channels and 10 equipotential
drops. Total head loss is 15 m. Calculate the seepage force per unit length and the
reduction in effective stress at the downstream toe (γsat = 20 kN/m³, γw = 9.81
kN/m³).
Solution: Seepage force per unit volume = i * γ_w = (15/30) * 9.81 = 4.905 kN/m³
Over 1 m³ volume, seepage force = 4.905 kN/m² reduction in effective stress.
5. Stress Distribution with Layering:
A 4 m thick sand layer lies above a 6 m clay layer. Water table is at 1 m below ground.
γ_sat_sand = 19 kN/m³, γ_sat_clay = 18 kN/m³, γ_dry = 16 kN/m³. Find effective stress
at mid-depth of clay.
Solution: Total stress at 7 m: = 16*1 + 19*3 + 18*3 = 16 + 57 + 54 = 127 kPa
Pore pressure = γ_w * 6 = 9.81*6 ≈ 58.86 kPa
Effective stress = 127 - 58.86 ≈ 68.14 kPa
B. Permeability – 5 Tough Numerical Questions
1. Variable Head Test:
In a variable head test, the standpipe of 1 cm² is connected to a soil sample 10 cm long
and 5 cm² in cross-section. Water head drops from 50 cm to 30 cm in 300 seconds. Find
permeability.
Solution: k = (aL/At) * ln(h1/h2)
= (1*10)/(5*300) * ln(50/30) ≈ 0.0033 * 0.5108 ≈ 1.7 × 10⁻³ cm/s
2. Seepage Loss through Trapezoidal Dam:
A dam has base width 40 m, height 10 m, permeability k = 1×10⁻⁶ m/s. Upstream and
downstream heads are 9 m and 1 m. Estimate seepage per meter length.
Solution: q = k * H * (Nf/Nd) = 1e-6 * 10 * (9-1)/10 = 8e-6 m³/s/m
3. Layered Soil Flow:
A soil deposit with 3 layers (2m, 3m, 1m) and k = 10⁻⁵, 10⁻³, 10⁻⁶ m/s. Find k_vertical
and k_horizontal.
Solution: k_v = H / (Σ(h_i/k_i)) = 6 / (2/1e-5 + 3/1e-3 + 1/1e-6) ≈ 6 / (200000 + 3000 +
1000000) ≈ 5.6×10⁻⁶ m/s
k_h = (Σk_i*h_i)/H = (2e-5 + 3e-3 + 1e-6)/6 ≈ 5.01×10⁻⁴ m/s
4. Flow Net Estimation:
Sheet pile wall with 6 flow channels, 12 drops, total head = 10 m. k = 5×10⁻⁵ m/s. Find
seepage per meter.
Solution: q = k * H * (Nf/Nd) = 5e-5 * 10 * (6/12) = 2.5e-4 m³/s/m
5. Seepage Pressure at Depth:
Soil layer 5 m thick, seepage upward, i = 0.8. γsat = 19.6 kN/m³. Find effective stress at 3
m.
Solution: σ = 19.6*3 = 58.8 kPa, u = i*γw*3 = 0.8*9.81*3 ≈ 23.5 kPa
σ' = 58.8 - 23.5 = 35.3 kPa
C. Soil Classification – 5 Numerical/Conceptual Questions
1. AASHTO Classification:
35% passing 75 µm sieve, LL = 42%, PI = 10 ⇒ classify soil.
Solution: Since <50% fines ⇒ granular soil
Group Index (GI) = 0.2a + 0.005ac + 0.01bd = 0.2*35 + ... (use formula)
Likely A-2-4 or A-2-6
2. USCS Classification:
60% passing 4.75 mm, Cu = 8, Cc = 1.5, LL = 48%, PI = 25%.
Solution: Fine-grained soil (since >50% passes 75 μm), LL>50 ⇒ CH
Well-graded if Cu > 4, 1<Cc<3 ⇒ SW or GW if sand.
3. Activity Number:
PI = 18, %clay = 25% ⇒ Activity = 18/25 = 0.72 ⇒ normal clay
Solution: Activity = PI / %Clay = 18 / 25 = 0.72. Since activity is between 0.75 and 1.25, it's
classified as normal clay.
4. Group Index:
% passing 75 µm = 58, LL = 50, PI = 25.
GI = 0.2a + 0.005ac + 0.01bd = 0.2*8 + 0.005*8*25 + 0.01*25*25 = 1.6 + 1 + 6.25 = 8.85
Solution: Using GI formula: a = F - 35 = 58 - 35 = 23, b = F - 15 = 43, c = LL - 40 = 10, d = PI -
10 = 15.
GI = 0.2a + 0.005ac + 0.01bd = 0.2*23 + 0.005*23*10 + 0.01*43*15 = 4.6 + 1.15 + 6.45 = 12.2
5. Plasticity Chart:
LL = 45, PI = 12 ⇒ plot lies below A-line ⇒ CL or ML depending on grain size. If fines
dominate ⇒ CL.
Solution: PI = 12, LL = 45. Plotting (45,12) on plasticity chart lies just below A-line ⇒
classified as CL or ML. If fines are clayey ⇒ CL.
D. Soil Properties – 5 Numerical Questions
1. Specific Gravity:
Mass = 500 g, Volume = 180 cm³ ⇒ G = (mass/volume)/γw = (500/180)/9.81 ≈ 2.83
Solution: G = (mass/volume) / γw = (500/180) / 9.81 ≈ 2.83
2. Moisture Content:
Wet = 420 g, dry = 360 g ⇒ w = (60/360)*100 = 16.67%
If e = 0.55, G = 2.68 ⇒ S = wG/e = 0.1667*2.68/0.55 ≈ 0.81 or 81%
Solution: Water content w = (420-360)/360 × 100 = 16.67%. S = wG/e = 0.1667*2.68/0.55
≈ 0.81 ⇒ 81% saturation.
3. Relative Density:
e = 0.5, e_max = 0.9, e_min = 0.3 ⇒ Dr = (0.9-0.5)/(0.9-0.3) = 0.4/0.6 = 66.7%
Solution: Dr = (emax - e)/(emax - emin) = (0.9 - 0.5)/(0.9 - 0.3) = 0.4/0.6 = 0.6667 ⇒ 66.7%
4. Unit Weight:
G = 2.7, w = 0.18, e = 0.6 ⇒ γ_dry = Gγw/(1+e) = 2.7*9.81/1.6 ≈ 16.55 kN/m³
γ = γ_dry*(1+w) ≈ 16.55*1.18 ≈ 19.54 kN/m³
Solution: γ_dry = Gγw / (1 + e) = 2.7*9.81/1.6 ≈ 16.55 kN/m³, γ = γ_dry*(1+w) =
16.55*1.18 ≈ 19.54 kN/m³
5. Shrinkage Limit:
Shrinkage ratio = Volume change per unit water loss = (V_dry - V_shrink)/w = use
shrinkage equations with given data.
Solution: Shrinkage limit is calculated using shrinkage ratio and volumetric water content.
Use formulae with shrinkage data (volume vs. mass).
