SCE4231 – Engineering Geology and Soil Mechanics
Homework 2 (2024/25)
Q.1 Assuming you are an earthwork construction control inspector and you are
checking the field compaction of a layer of soil. The lab compaction curve for
the soil is shown in the Figure. From the results of a sand replacement test, the
volume of soil excavated was 1000 cm3. It weighted 1900 g when wet and
1680 g when dry. The specific gravity of the soil solids is 2.7. (25%)
Specifications call for the compacted density to be at least 98% of the
maximum laboratory value and within ±2% of the optimum water content.
(1) What is the dry density of the compacted soil?
(2) What is the field water content?
(3) Does the test result meet the specifications?
1
Q.2 An embankment dam is constructed on the silty sand to retain the water. (25%)
(a) A falling-head permeability test is first conducted on the silty sand. The initial head of
1.00 m dropped to 0.35 m in 2.5 hours. The diameter of the standpipe is 5 mm. The soil
specimen is 200 mm long by 75 mm in diameter. Calculate the coefficient of permeability
of the silty sand.
(b) The cross section of the dam and the flow net are given in the Figure. Assuming that the
coefficient of permeability for the silty sand is 2 ×10-4 m/s, estimate the flow rate per unit
length. Then, estimate the pore water pressure at Point P.
(c ) Indicate the potential failure problem that may happen in the downstream area
in the Figure and suggest solutions for remedy.
(d) Calculate the effective stress at P if the saturated unit weight of the soil is 20
kN/m3.
Dam
Impermeable bedrock
Fig. Cross section and flow net of the embankment dam.
2
Q.3 The potential failure surface of a slope is shown. The unit weight of soil () above and
below the ground water level is 19 kN/m3 and 21 kN/m3 respectively. (25%)
Calculate
a) the effective vertical stress at point A if the groundwater is at phreatic surface B,
b) the effective vertical stress at point A if the groundwater is at phreatic surface C.
c) What conclusion can be drawn regarding the effective stress for water to drop from
B to C?
5m B
6m C
4m
A Potential shear
surface
Q.4 (a) The soil profile and properties were found as shown below. (20%)
0m
2m sand, sat = 20 kN/m3
silt, sat = 18 kN/m3
7m
10 m
Calculate and plot (use graph paper) the following at 2m, 7 m and 10 m below the
water surface respectively.
(i) Total vertical stress. (ii) Pore water pressure. (iii) Effective vertical stress.
(b) If the shear strength characteristics of a soil sample are c’ = 15 kN/m2 and ’ = 30o,
estimate the shear strength of the sample when subject to an effective normal stress
(') of 250 kN/m2. (5%)
