Course Code: 19CE0152 R19

SIDDHARTH GROUP OF INSTITUTIONS: PUTTUR

(AUTONOMOUS)
Siddharth Nagar, Narayanavanam Road – 517583

QUESTION BANK (DESCRIPTIVE)

Subject with Code: Soil Mechanics(19CE0152) Course & Branch: B.Tech - AGE
Year & Sem: III-B.Tech & I-Sem
Regulation: R19

UNIT –I
INTRODUCTION TO SOIL MECHANICS AND INDEX PROPERTIES OF SOILS
1 a) Define Flow index , Toughness index and Liquidity index [L1] [CO1] [6M]
b) Explain briefly about Plasticity index and Shrinkage limit [L1] [CO1] [6M]

2 a) Explain the phenomenon of formation and transportation of soils. [L2] [CO1] [6M]

[6M]
b) Explain with sketches of various types of soil structures. [L2] [CO1]
3 a) Explain the formation of soil by weathering in detail. [L2] [CO1] [6M]

[6M]
b) Discuss the characteristics and construction of kaolinite and Illite [L2] [CO1]
minerals groups.
a) Using three phase diagrams of soil, derive an expression for [L2] [CO1] [6M]
4
water content in terms of Void ratio, Specific gravity and
degree of saturation.

b) A saturated soil sample has a water content of 25% and unit [L3] [CO1] [6M]
weight of 20 kN/m3. Determine the Specific gravity of the
solid particles, dry unit weight and void ratio.
5 Using three phase diagrams of soil, derive an expression for [L2] [CO1] [12M]
saturated unit weight of soil in terms of void ratio, unit
weight of water, specific gravity and degree of saturation.
6 A sample of clay soil of volume 1×10−3 m3 and weight 17.62 N, [L3] [CO1] [12M]
after being dried out in an oven had a weight of 13.68 N. If the
specific gravity of the particle was 2.69 find void ratio, saturated
unit weight, dry unit weight and water content.
a) A soil has a liquid limit of 25% and flow index of 12%. If the [L3] [CO1] [6M]
7
plastic limit is 15% determine the plasticity index and toughness
index. If the water content of the soil is in natural condition in
the
Course Code: 19CE0152 R19

field is 20%, find the liquidity index and relative consistency.

b) What was the relative density. Write the importance of this term? [L1] [CO1] [6M]
8 a) Explain Relative density. [L2] [CO1] [6M]

b) How to determine field density by using sand replacement method [L2] [CO1] [6M]

9 a) Briefly explain the Procedure of core cutter method. [L2] [CO1] [6M]

b) Explain Determination of specific gravity in the laboratory. [L2] [CO1] [6M]

10 a) Describe in detail about wet and dry sieve analysis of soils. [L2] [CO1] [6M]

b) What are the consistency limits? [L1] [CO1] [6M]

Course Code: 19CE0152 R19
UNIT –II
PERMEABILITY OF SOILS AND EFFECTIVE STRESS PRINCIPLES
1 a what is meant by Darcy’s law? Explain briefly flownet [L1] [CO2] [6M]
b Explain briefly total stress, effective stress and pore water pressure [L1] [CO2] [6M]
2 a) Explain the phenomenon of capillary rise in soil and write an [L2] [CO2] [6M]
expression for the Capillary rise.

b) What is Darcy’s law? What are its limitations? [L1] [CO2] [6M]

3 a) A constant head permeability test was run on a sand sample 30cm [L3] [CO2] [6M]
in length and 20 cm2 in area. When a loss of head was 60 cm, the
quantity of water to be collected in 2 minutes was 250ml.
Determine the coefficient of permeability of soil.

b) How would you determine the average permeability of a soil [L2] [CO2] [6M]
deposit consisting of number of layers? What is its use in soil
engineering?
4 What are the different methods for determination of coefficient of [L2] [CO2] [12M]
permeability in a laboratory. Explain any one method?
5 Explain the constant head permeability test with the help of neat sketch? [L2] [CO2] [12M]
6 A falling head permeability test was performed on a sample of clean, [L3] [CO2] [12M]
uniform sand. One minute was required for the initial head of 100cm
to fall to 50cm in the stand pipe of cross-sectional area 1.50cm2. If the
sample was 4cm in diameter and 30cm long, calculate the coefficient
of permeability of sand.
7 a) Explain factors affecting the permeability of soils? [L2] [CO2] [6M]

b) Estimate the quantity of flow of water through a soil mass in a 300

sec period when a constant head of 1m is maintained. The length
of the sample is 150 mm and the cross-Sectional area is100×100 [L3] [CO2] [6M]
mm. The coefficient of permeability of the soil sample
is1×10−1 mm/s.
8 What is flow net? Explain the characteristics and uses of flow net? [L2] [CO2] [12M]
9 Explain in details about Quick sand condition. [L2] [CO2] [12M]
a) Prove that the effective stress (σ′) for a standard soil can be [L2] [CO2] [6M]
10 expressed as σ′=σ−u Where 𝜎= total stress, u= pore water
pressure
b) An 8m thick layer of stiff saturated clay ( r = 19 kg/m3) is
underlain by a layer of sand. The sand is under an artesian
pressure of 5m. Calculate the maximum depth of cut that can [L3] [CO2] [6M]
be made without causing a heave.
Course Code: 19CE0152 R19
UNIT –III
STRESS DISTRUBUTION IN SOILS AND COMPACTION OF SOILS
1 a What are the factors affecting the compaction ? Explain briefly [L1] [CO4] [6M]

b Discuss about Optimum Moisture Content and Maximum Dry Density [L1] [CO4] [6M]

2 Derive an expression for vertical stress at a point due to a point load, [L2] [CO3] [12M]

using Boussinesq’s theory.

3 Explain Westergaard’s theory for the determination of the vertical [L2] [CO3] [12M]
stress at a point.
4 A concentrated load of 2000kN is applied at the ground surface. [L3] [CO3] [12M]

Determine the vertical stress at a point p which is 6m directly below the

load. Also calculated the vertical stress at a point which is at a depth of
6m but at a horizontal a depth of 5m from the axis of the load.
5 A rectangular foundation 4m by 5m carries a u.d.l of 200 [L3] [CO3] [12M]
kN/m2. Determine the vertical stress at a point p located and at a depth
of 2.5 m.
6 a) Explain the concept of ‘Pressure Bulb’ in soils. [L2] [CO3] [6M]

b) What do you understand by ‘Pressure bulb’? Illustrate with sketches

[L1] [CO3] [6M]
plane method.
7 Explain the standard proctor test with help of neat sketch. [L2] [CO4] [12M]
8 Describe in detail about modified proctor test with neat sketch. [L2] [CO4] [12M]
9 What are the factors affecting compaction soils explain them? [L2] [CO4] [12M]
10 The following data are obtained in a compaction test. Specific gravity=

2.65

Moisture
content (%) 2 4 5.8 6.7 7.8 10
Wet [L3] [CO4] [12M]

density 20.4 20.9 21.4 22.2 22.4 22.0

(KN/m3)

Determine the OMC and maximum dry density. Draw ‘Zero-air-void line.
Course Code: 19CE0152 R19

UNIT- IV
CONSOLIDATION OF SOILS

1 a Explin briefly Coefficient of compressibility and Coefficient of [L1] [CO5] [6M]

volume change .
c Define Compression index Expansion index. [L1] [CO5] [6M]
2 Describe in detail about initial consolidation, primary consolidation, [L2] [CO5] [12M]
secondary consolidation.
Describe the consolidometer test. Show how the results of this test [L2] [CO5] [12M]
3 are used to predict the rate of settlement and the magnitude of
settlement.
4 Discuss the Terzaghi’s theory of consolidation, state the various [L2] [CO5] [12M]
assumptions and their validity.
5 Discuss the spring analogy for primary consolidation. What are its [L2] [CO5] [12M]
uses.
6 Obtain the differential equation defining the one-dimensional [L2] [CO5] [12M]
consolidation as given by Terzaghi listing the various assumptions
7 A clay stratum, 5m thick has an initial void ratio of 1.50 and the [L3] [CO5] [12M]
effective overburden pressure of 120kN/m2 when the sample is
subjected to an increases pressure of 120kN/m2 the void ratio reduces
to1.90. Determine the volume of compressibility and final
settlement of stratum.
8 Calculate the final settlement of the clay layer with an increase of [L3] [CO5] [12M]
pressure of 30kN/m2 at mid height of layer take𝛾 = 10kN/𝑚3.
9 A clay stratum, 7m thick has an initial void ratio of 2.05 and the [L3] [CO5] [12M]
effective overburden pressure of 140 kN/m2 when the sample is
subjected to an increases pressure of 140 kN/m2 the void ratio
reduces to 1.44. Determine the volume of compressibility and final
settlement of stratum.
10 The laboratory consolidation data for undisturbed clay sample are as [L3] [CO5] [12M]
follows
𝑒1=1.00, 𝜎1 = 85k𝑁/𝑚2, 𝑒2=0.80, 𝜎2 = 465k𝑁/𝑚2 determine the
void ratio for a pressure of 𝜎3 = 600𝐾𝑁/𝑚2
Course Code: 19CE0152 R19
UNIT –V
SHEAR STRENGTH OF SOILS

1 a Explain briefly about liquification of soil? [L1] [CO6] [6M]

b Explain the merits and demerits of triaxial test. [L1] [CO6] [6M]
2 Describe the direct shear test. What are merits and demerits? [L2] [CO6] [12M]
3 Explain the triaxial shear test? What are the advantages of triaxial shear [L2] [CO6] [12M]
test over the direct Shear test?
4 What is unconfined compression test? Sketch the apparatus used what [L2] [CO6] [12M]
are its advantages over triaxial test?
5 Write short notes on [L1] [CO6] [12M]
a) Mohr’s circle b) Explain the Mohr’s coulomb strength envelope.
6 Describe the vane shear test with a neat sketch. [L2] [CO6] [12M]
7 The stresses at failure on the failure plane in a cohesion less soil mass [L3] [CO6] [12M]
was Shear stress = 5 kN/m2; Normal stress = 18 kN/m2. Determine the
resultant stress on the failure plane, the angle of internal friction of the
soil and the angle of inclination of the failure plane to the major
principal plane.

8 A vane, 10.8 cm long, 7.2 cm in diameter, was pressed into a soft clay [L3] [CO6] [12M]
at the bottom of a bore hole. Torque was applied and the value at
failure was 45 N-m. Find the shear strength of the clay on a horizontal
plane.
9 A triaxial compression test on a cohesive sample cylindrical in shape [L3] [CO6] [12M]
yields the following effective Stresses:
Major Principal stress ...8 mN/m2
Minor principal stress ...2 mN/m2
Angle of inclination of rupture plane is 60° to the horizontal. Present
the above data, by means of a Mohr’s circle of stress diagram. Find the
cohesion and angle of internal friction.
10 The stresses at failure on the failure plane in a cohesion less soil mass [L3] [CO6] [12M]
was Shear stress = 4 kN/m2; Normal stress = 10 kN/m2. Determine the
resultant stress on the failure plane, the angle of internal friction of the
soil and the angle of inclination of the failure plane to the major
principal plane.

Prepared by:
Dr.P. RAMESH