Phase relationship

Institute of Engineering
Pulchowk, Campus
Department of Civil Engineering
Soil Mechanics
Tutorial - 1

1. A sample of moist silty soil has a volume of 14.88 c.c. and weight 28.81 gms. After complete
drying out in an oven its weight is 24.83 gms. The unit weight of solid constituents is 2.7 gms/c.c.
Calculate the void-ratio and degree of saturation of the sample.
(Ans: 0.62, 70.07 %)
2. A 50 c.c. volume of moist soil weights 95 gms. Its dry weight is 75 gms and the specific gravity of
solids is 2.68. Compute the water content, void-ratio, porosity and unit weight.
(Ans: 26.7 %, 0.79, 44.1 %, 1.9 gms/cm3)
3. In an oil-drilling project, a heavy viscous liquid (drilling mud) was used to keep the drilling hole
open. It consists of suspension in water of the following properties per liter of volume:
380 gms. Of clay of G = 2.82
82 gms of sand of G = 2.68
300gms of iron fillings of G = 7.13
Assuming that unit weight of water = 1.00 gms. per c.c. and a uniformly mixed suspension, what is
the unit weight of the suspension?
(Ans: 1.55 gms/cm3)
4. By the three phase soil system, show that the degree of saturation “Sr” (as ratio) in terms of mass
unit weight γm, water content ratio of w and specific gravity of soil Gs and unit weight of water γw is
given by the expression.
w
Sr 
 w (1  w) 1

m Gs
5. A pycnometer weighing 620 gm was used in the following measurements on samples ‘A’ and ‘B’
of the same soil. Sample ‘A’ was oven dried and ‘B’ was completely saturated. Weight of
pycnometer when filled with water only 1495 gms.
A B
Weight of sample only (gms.) 980 1,020
Weight of pycnometer full of soil sample and water 2’112 2,030
Find i) the specific gravity of the soil
ii) the water content and void ratio of sample B.
(Ans: 2.7,2.1 and 20 %, 0.54)
6. A saturated soil sample has water content of 30 %. The specific gravity of solid is 2.70. Determine
its void ratio and dry unit weight.
(Ans: 0.81, 14.92 kN/m3)
7. A sample of sand has porosity of 40 % and the specific gravity of its solid is 2.75. Find out the dry
unit weight, saturated unit weight, when fully saturated. Submerged unit weight and the saturated
unit weight, when the degree of saturation is 50 %.
(Ans: 16.5 kN/m3,2.5 kN/m3,18.47 kN/m3 , 8.47 kN/m3)
8. The mass specific gravity of a soil is 1.82 and the specific gravity of solids is 2.67. Water content
in the wet soil is 30 %. Find out its void ratio, porosity and degree of saturation?
(Ans: 0.91, 47.6 %, 88.3 %)

9. Prove that,
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 Phase relationship

i) γd = (1-η) G γw, where γd is the dry unit weight, η is the porosity, G is the specific gravity of
solids and γw is the unit weight of water?
ii) Volume of air in a unit volume of soil is given by Va = (1-S) η, where Va is the air content,
S is
the degree of saturation and η is the porosity?

10. The wet density of soil is 2 gms/c.c. The specific gravity of solids is 2.70 and the moisture content
of the soil is 15 %. Calculate,
a) Dry density
b) Porosity
c) Void ratio
d) Degree of saturation
e) Percentage of air voids
(Ans: 1.74 gms/cm3, 35.48 %, 0.55, 73.64 %, 0.11 %)
11. A soil sample in its natural state has a volume of 310 c.c. and a weight of 528 gms. On oven drying
Its weight was 490 gms. Determine its void ratio, porosity, water content and degree of saturation.
Assume the specific gravity of soil grains to be 2.67.
(Ans: 0.69, 40.83 %, 7.76 %, 29.41 %)

Soil Mechanics Tutorial - 1 (Additional Problems)

1. A cube of dried clay having sides 4 cm long has a mass of 110 gms. The same cube of soil, when
saturated at unchanged volume has a mass of 135 gms. Draw a phase diagram showing the
constituents of volumes and weights and then determine the specific gravity of soil solids and the
void ratio.
Ans: (e = 0.64, G = 2.82)

2. A sample of clay weighing 700 gms was coated with paraffin wax. The combined weight of the
clay and the wax was found to be 708 gms. The volume of the displaced water when the soil was
immersed in water was 345 ml. The sample was then broken open the water content and specific
gravity of the soil sample was found to be 15 % and 2.7 respectively. Calculate the bulk unit
weight, void ratio and degree of saturation. Take specific gravity of paraffin as 0.89.

Ans: (γ = 2.083 gms/cc, e = 0.49, Sr = 82.7%)

3. A borrow material of 200,000 m3 has a void ratio of 0.81. How many cubic meters of fill can be
constructed when the soil is to be compacted at a void ratio of 0.59?
Ans: ( Vfill = 175690.61 m3)

4. Dry sand of 10,676 gm is poured fully into a cylinder having internal diameter of 200 mm and
height of 200 mm. The porosity of the sand is 35 %. Water is carefully added until the sand
becomes saturated. While the porosity remains the same. Determine:
a) The saturated density of the soil.
b) The amount of water needed to saturate the soil.
c) The specific gravity of sand particles.
d) The water content of the sand at saturated condition.
e) The amount of water needed to produce a degree of saturation of 80 %.
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 Phase relationship
Ans: ( ρsat = 2.05 gm/cm3, mw = 2205.8 gm, G = 2.62, w = 20.61 %, Sr = 80 %)
5. The bulk unit weight of soil in its natural state is 21 kN/m 3 and the specific gravity of the solid
particles is 2.7. If the degree of saturation is 80 %, determine the water content and void ratio of the
soil in its natural state. Determine also the Relative Density (Density Index) of the soil in its natural
state, if its maximum and minimum void ratios are 0.8 and 0.4 respectively.

Ans: (w = 13.63 %, e = 0.46, Dr = 85 %)

6. A saturated clay sample was found to have a dry mass of 57.38 gm when it was tested with a
sample of diameter of 6.35 cm and height of 1.75 cm. Determine the void ratio, dry density, water
content and bulk density of the soil sample. Also find the mass of soil if the water content is
decreased by 5 %. Take specific gravity of soil as 2.7.
Ans: (e = 1.6, ρd = 1.04 gm/cm3, w = 59.12%, ρ = 1.65 gm/cm3, m soil = 89.40 gm)

7. A partially saturated soil sample from an earth fill has a natural moisture content of 20 % and bulk
unit weight of 1.8 gms/cm3. The specific gravity of solids is 2.7. Determine the degree of saturation
and void ratio. If the sample gets saturated subsequently, determine its unit weight.

Ans: (Sr = 67.5 %, e = 0.8, γsat = 1.94 gms/cm3)

8. A soil sample has a porosity of 35 %, the specific gravity of solids of 2.7 and a water content of
15%. Determine the mass of the water required to be added to 100 m3 of this soil for full saturation.
Ans: (Mw = 8442 kg)

9. A borrow area soil has a natural water content of 10% and bulk density of soil 1.80 gm/cm 3. The
soil is used for an embankment to be compacted at 20% moisture content to a dry density of 1.90
gm/cm3. Determine the amount of water to be added to 1.0m 3 of borrow of soil. How many cubic
meters of excavation is required for 1 m3 of compacted embankment.
Ans: (Ww = 1.636 kN, Vsoil = 1.16 m3)

10. A sample of soil compacted according to standard proctor test has a unit weight of 20 kN/m 3 at
100% compaction and at optimum water content of 15 %. What is the dry unit weight? What is the
dry unit weight at zero air voids? If the voids become filled with water, what would be the
saturated unit weight? Assume G = 2.67.
Ans: (γd = 17.39 kN/m3, γd = 1.91 kN/m3,γsat = 21.92 kN/m3)

11. The natural water content of sample taken from a soil deposit was found to be 11.5 %. It has been
calculated that the maximum dry density for the soil will be obtained when the water content reach
22 %. Compute how much of water must be added to each 100 kN of soil in order to increase the
water content to 22 %. Assume that the degree of saturation in its natural state was 35 % and G =
2.7. Ans: ( Ww = 9.3 kN)

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 Index properties + Classification + Compaction

Institute of Engineering
Pulchowk, Campus
Department of Civil Engineering

Soil Mechanics Tutorial - 2

1. A mass of soil coated with a thin layer of paraffin weights 485 gms. When immersed in water it
displaces 320 c.c. of water. The paraffin is pealed off and is found to weigh 18 gms. The specific
gravity of soil grains is 2.7 and that of paraffin is 0.9. Find out the void ratio of the soil if it has got
the water content of 10 %.
(Ans: 0.901)
2. Draw the grain size distribution curves for two soils A and B for which the following observations
were taken. The total weight of the soil sample was 500 gms in each case. Find out uniformity
coefficient of both soils and explain what these values indicate. Also find the effective diameter of
sample B.

Sieve opening
4.78 2.41 1.2 0.6 0.3 0.15 0.075 Pan
in mm
Sample A, Wt.
- 72 91 75 182 15 55 10
retained in gms
Sample B, Wt.
- - 4 8 201 52 227 8
retained in gms

3. The following observations were taken from liquid limit test on a soil
No. of blows 10 20 30 40
Water content (%) 80 75 70 65
Two tests of plastic limit were done which gave values of 28.2 % and 29.4 % respectively. Draw a
flow curve and find out liquid limit and plasticity index. If the specific gravity of soil grains is
2.71, find out the void ratio of saturated soil at liquid limit.

4. The results of sieve analysis of two soil samples are as follows:

Wt. of soil retained on sieve

Sieve Size, mm
Soil A Soil B
37.5 0.0 -
19.0 26.0 -
9.5 31.0 -
4.8 11.0 0.0
2.4 18.0 8.0
1.2 24.0 7.0
0.6 21.0 11.0
0.3 41.0 21.0
0.2 32.0 63.0
0.2 16.0 48.0 Index properties + Classification + Compaction
0.1 15.0 14.0

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A sedimentation test on material passing the 200 sieve indicated that the sample contained:

Wt in gms
Particle Size, mm
Soil A Soil B
0.06-0.02 8.0 2.0
0.02-0.006 4.0 1.0
0.006-0.002 2.0 0.0
Less than 0.002 1.0 0.0

Plot the grain size distribution curves for the two soils and determine the effective size D 10 and
coefficient of uniformity Cu. Comment briefly on the results.

5. The following index properties were determine for the two soils X and Y:
Property X Y
Liquid limit (%) 62 34
Plastic limit (%) 26 19
Water content (%) 38 25
Specific gravity 2.72 2.67
Degree of saturation (%) 100 100
Which of these soils:
a) Contains more clay particles
b) Has a greater wet density
c) Has a greater dry density
d) Has a greater void ratio
Give reasons for your answers.
(Ans: a.(X), b.(Y), c.(Y), d.(X)
6. An earth embankment is to be compacted to a dry density of 1.84 gm/c.c. at moisture content of 15
%. The bulk density and water content in the borrow pits are 1.77 gm/c.c. and 8 % respectively.
How much excavation should be carried out in the borrow pit for each cubic meter of embankment.
(Ans: 1.12 m3)
7. A sample of soil is prepared by mixing a quantity of dry soil with 10.5 % by weight of water. Find
the weight of this wet mixture, which will be required to produce by static compaction, a
cylindrical specimen 150 mm diameter and 125 mm deep with 5 % air voids. Take specific gravity
of solids is 2.7.
(Ans: 5.069 Kg)
8. In a standard proctor test on a soil having specific gravity as 2.7 the following results were
obtained:
Water content (%) Bulk unit weight, kg/m3
5 1890
8.0 2130.0
10.0 2200.0
12.0 2210.0 Index properties + Classification + Compaction
15.0 2160.0
20.0 2080.0

Plot the dry density versus water content curve. Show zero air void line on the same curve. Determine
the values of void ratio, porosity, and degree of saturation for the soil at optimum moisture content
condition.
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 (Ans: 0.35, 25.93 %, 77.14 %)
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9. 100 kN of soil which has a bulk density of 1600 kg/m have been excavated and the hole is to be
filled with a different soil having a specific gravity of 2.66. The results of a standard proctor
compaction test on the fill are given below.

Water content (%) Dry density, kg/m3

11 1670
13.0 1760.0
15.0 1790.0
17.0 1770.0
19.0 1720.0
21.0 1608.0

If the compaction of the fill is to achieve 95 % of the maximum dry density which is the degree of
saturation which can be permitted and how many kN of the will be needed at this degree of
saturation?
(Ans: 118.5 kN)
10. The followings are the results of standard compaction test on a sand cement mixture having an
specific gravity of 2.7:

Water content (%) 5 8 10 12.5 16 20

Dry Unit Weight (kN/m3) 1640 1780 1850 1890 1840 1730

Draw moisture density curves and also plot zero air-void line. What is the percentage of air voids at
optimum moisture content?

11. a) From Proctor’s compaction test the maximum dry density of a soil was found to be 1.75 gm/c.c.
and OMC 14.5 %. Find degree of saturation and % of air voids at optimum state.
b) A specimen 10-cm in dia and 20 cm in height is to be prepared for tri-axial test with the same
soil by static compaction to correspond to optimum state. Find out the weights of the oven-dried
soil and water required for the specimen.
(Ans: a) 73.91 %, 9.1 % b) 2748.9 gm, 398.6 gm)

Soil Mechanics Tutorial - 2 (Additional Problems)

1. The following results were obtained from a standard compaction tests on a soil. The specific
gravity of soil grain is 2.67. Plot the moisture-density curve and give the optimum water content
and maximum dry density. Plot also the curves for 0%, 5% and 10% air content and give the value
of air content at maximum dry density.
Weight, gms 2010 2092 2114 2100 2055
Water content (%) 12.8 14.5 Index15.6 16.8 + Classification
properties 19.2 + Compaction
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The volume of the mould is 1000cm .

2. The sieve analysis of a given sample of soil gave information that 57% of the particle pass through
75 micron sieve. The liquid and plastic limits of the soil were 62 and 28 percents respectively.
Classify the soil as per the unified soil classification system.
Ans: (CH)

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3. The following results were obtained from a standard compaction test on a soil sample.

Water content (%) 12 14 16 18 20 22

Weight of wet soil (kg) 1.68 1.85 1.91 1.87 1.87 1.85
The volume of the mold used was 950 ml. Make necessary calculations and plot the compaction curve
and obtain maximum dry unit weight and the optimum moisture content. Calculate the void ratio and
degree of saturation for each observation.
Ans: (ρd (max) = 1.74 gm/cm3, omc = 15.2%)

4. The following index properties were determined from saturated soils A and B.
Property Soil A Soil B
Liquid limit (%) 60 40
Plastic limit (%) 30 20
Natural water content (%) 58 21
Specific gravity of solids 2.7 2.6
Which of these soils:
a) has a greater plasticity index? b) Harder in its natural state? c) has greater bulk density?
Ans: [a) A b)B c)B]

5. A sample of soil is saturated with natural water content of 24%., liquid limit and plastic limit of
which are 62% and 28% respectively. Determine the liquidity index and nature of the soil.

Ans: (11.76%, hard state)

6. A sample of soil is prepared by mixing a quantity of dry soil with 11% by weight of water. Find the
weight of this wet mixture, which will be required to produce by static compaction a cylindrical
specimen 150mm diameter and 125mm deep with 5% air voids. Take specific gravity of solids are 2.7.
Also find the dry density and void ratio of soil.
Ans: (Ww = 5.036 kg, e = 0.31, ρd = 2.06gm/cm3)

7. The following data has been obtained from liquid and plastic limit tests on a soil sample.

Details Liquid limit test data Plastic limit

Mass of container with wet soil, (g) 43.39 47.62 45.24 45.58 43.62 40.38
Mass of container with dry soil, (g) 40.18 43.61 41.87 41.5 41.94 38.85
Mass of container (g) 29.86 31.5 32.01 30.51 33.1 30.9
Number of blows (N) 34 27 23 17    
Determine:
i) Liquid limit, Plastic limit and Flow index
ii) Classify the soil as per the unified soil classification system and
iii) Liquidity index if the natural water content of the soil is 28.9%.

8. For a sieve analysis the following grain size distribution has been obtained

Sieve no. 4 10 20 40 100 200 pan

Sieve opening (mm) 4.75 2 0.85 0.425 0.15 0.075  
Soil retained (gm) 100 180 120 140 160 200 100

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 a) Determine the % finer in each sieve
b) Without drawing the grain size distribution curve determine the coefficient of Uniformity and
the Coefficient of Curvature.
c) According to the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) should the soil be classified as
Sand or Gravel? Explain your answer.
9. Soils A and B were saturated in their natural condition and they have the same specific gravity. The
water content and index properties of the soils are in the following table.

Soil A B
Liquid Limit (%) 62 62
Plastic Limit (%) 26 40
Natural water content (%) 27 60
Which of these soils:
a) has greater liquidity index?
b) is softer in its natural condition?
c) has greater plasticity index?
d) is more cohesive?
e) has greater void ratio in its natural condition?
Give reasons to your answers.
10. A soil sample has natural water content of 24%, liquid limit 62%, plastic limit 28% and percentage
of particles less than 2 micron 23%, Determine (i) Liquidity Index (ii) Activity number (iii)
Consistency Index and comment on the nature of soil.

11. A soil has the following characteristics:

% passing 75 micron sieve = 58%, Liquid limit = 40%
Plasticity Index = 10%, Liquid limit of Oven-dried sample = 25%
Classify the soil according to USCS Classification.

Permeability + Effective stress

Institute of Engineering
Pulchowk, Campus
Department of Civil Engineering

8
 Soil Mechanics Tutorial - 3

1. A sample of coarse sand is 15 cm high and 5.5 cm diameter. It was tested in a constant head
permeameter. Water permeated through the soil under a hydrostatic head of 50 cm for 6 seconds.
The water was collected and it was found to weight 500 gms. Find the co-efficient of permeability
in cm/sec.
(Ans: 1.052 cm/sec)
2. To find out the co-efficient of permeability of clay the permeability test was carried out in a
variable head permeameter having the diameter of 10 cm. The initial head of water in the standpipe
was found to be 45 cm and it was observed to drop to 30 cm in 3.5 minutes. If the height of the
sample was 15 cm and the diameter of the stand pipe was 1.9 cm, determine the coefficient of
permeability.
(Ans: 0.907 m/day)
3. In order to determine the average coefficient of permeability of a bed of sand 14 meters thick,
overlying on impermeable stratum, a well was sunk through the sand and a pumping test was
carried out. After a certain interval the discharge was 12.4 liters per second and draw downs in the
observation wells at 16 meters and 33 meters respectively, from the pumping well were found to be
1.787 m and 1.495 m respectively. If the GWT was originally 2.14 m below the ground surface,
find a) the permeability of the sand layers and b) an approximate value for the effective grain sizes.
(Ans: 0.0478 cm/sec, 0.25 mm)
4. A horizontal stratified deposit consists of three layers with equal permeability values in horizontal
as well as vertical direction. The permeability of the layers is 8*10 -4 cm/sec, 8*10-4 cm/sec and
8*10-4 cm/sec, and their thicknesses are 6 m, 3 m and 18 m respectively. Find the effective average
permeability of the deposits in horizontal and vertical directions.
(Ans: 17.33 * 10-4 cm/sec, 13.43 * 10-4 cm/sec)
5. A layer of sand 6 m thick lies beneath a clay stratum 5 m thick and above a thick sale. In order to
determine the permeability of the sand a well was driven to the top of the shale and water pumped
out at the rate of 10*10-3 cum/sec. Two observations wells were driven through the clay at 15 m
and 30 m from the pump well and draw downs in the wells were found to be 3 m and 2.5 m
respectively .Calculate from the first principles the coefficient of permeability of the soil.
(Ans: 0.367 cm/sec)
6. A drainage pipe beneath a dam has become clogged with sand whose coefficient of permeability is
found to be 8 meters per day. The average difference between head and tail water elevation is 21.6
meters and it has been observed that there is a flow of 162 liters per day through the pipe. The pipe
is 96.3 meters long and has a cross-sectional area of 180 sqm. Find what length of pipe is filled
with sand.
(Ans: 19.10 m)
7. Subsurface exploration at the site of a proposed building reveals the existence of a thin impervious
stratum at depth 28-meter below the ground level. The water table is at depth of 2.5 m below the
ground surface. Find out maximum depth of excavation for a foundation pit without the danger
blow at the bottom of the excavation. Permeability + Effective stress
(Ans: 15.25 m)
8. Water table was found 1.6 m below the ground surface in a deep deposit of very fine sand. Above
water table, the sand was found saturated by capillary water. The unit weight of saturated sand was
2.2 t/m3. What will be the effective vertical pressure on a horizontal plane at a depth of 4.5 m
below the ground surface? (Ans: 7 t/m2)

Soil Mechanics Tutorial - 3 (Additional Problems)

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1. A 3m thick soil layer is underlain by another soil layer of 5m thick. Samples from both layers were
subjected to falling head permeability test where the cross-sectional area of the stand pipe =
400mm2, cross-sectional area of soil sample = 2800mm2 and sample thickness = 50mm. In both
tests the water level in the stand pipe were left to decrease from 1000mm to 200mm. The elapsed
time during the decrease of the water level in the stand pipe was 500seconds for the sample of the
upper layer and 100 seconds for that of the lower layer.
a) Determine the coefficient of permeability of both soils.
b) Determine the average coefficient of permeability for horizontal flow.
Ans: (k1 = 0.23 mm/sec, k2 = 0.12 mm/sec, kh = 0.19 mm/sec)

2. A constant head permeability test was carried out on a cylindrical sample of sand of 10cm diameter
and 15cm in height. 160cm3 of water was collected in 1.75 mins. Under a head of 30cm. Compute
the coefficient of permeability.
Ans: (k = 9.68*10-3 cm/sec)

3. Calculate the critical hydraulic gradient in a saturated soil with a specific gravity of 2.68 and water
content of 50%.
Ans: (0.72)

4. In a falling head permeability test, the initial head of 1.00m dropped to 0.25m in 3 hours. The
internal diameter of the standpipe is 5mm. The soil specimen was 200mm long by 100mm in
diameter. Calculate the coefficient of permeability of soil.
Ans: (6.42*10-6 cm/sec)

5. What is the height of capillary rise and the capillary pressure in fine-grained soil with effective size
of 0.002mm?
Ans: (hc = 75m, pc = 735.75KN/m2)

6. A fine sand deposit is located between the ground surfaces to a depth of 10m. The soil has an
average void ratio of 0.70 and specific gravity of 2.65. The water table is found at a depth of 4m
below the ground surface. Above the water table the degree of saturation of sand is 55%.
Determine the total stress, pore water pressure and effective stress at a depth of 8m below the
ground surface. Calculate also the change in the effective stress if the soil gets saturated up to a
height of 1 m above the water table due to capillarity.

Ans: ( σ = 150.04 KN/m2, u = 40 KN/m2, σ’ = 110.04 KN/m2 ,1.91 KN/m2)

Permeability + Effective stress

7. A soil deposit consists of an upper layer of 3m thick having an unit weight of 18KN/m 3 and
lower layer of 4m thick having an unit weight of 22 KN/m 3. Determine the total stress, pore
pressure and effective stress at the bottom of the lower layer (i.e. at 7m below ground surface) if
the water table is: a) 1m below the ground surface.
b) Exactly at the ground surface.
c) 1m above the ground surface.
Ans: a) 142 , 60 , 82 b) 142, 70, 72 c) 152, 80, 72

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8. The water table in a deposit of sand 8m thick is at a depth of 3m below the surface. Above the
water table the sand is saturated with capillary water. The bulk density of sand is 20KN/m 3.
Calculate the effective pressure at 1m, 3m and 8m below the surface. Also plot the variation of
total pressure, neutral pressure and effective pressure over the depth of 8m.

Ans: 20 KN/m2, 60 KN/m2, 110 KN/m2

9. A trench is excavated in fine sand upto a depth of 4m. The excavation is carried out by providing
necessary side supports and pumping water. The position of water table is 1m below the ground
surface at the sides of the excavation and there is no water inside the excavation. Examine the
possibility of quick sand condition if G = 2.64 and e = 0.7.

10. A 12m thick layer of relatively impervious stratum of clay lies over a bed of gravel aquifer.
Piezometer tubes introduced to the level standing in the tubes 3m above the top surface of the clay
strata. The properties of the clay soil are e = 1.2 and G = 2.7.
Determine: a) The effective stress at the top level of gravel strata.
b) The depth of excavation that can be made in the clay strata without the bottom heave.
Ans: a) 62.73 KN/m2 b) 3.5m

11. A sand deposit consists of two layers. The top layer is 3.0m thick (γ = 17KN/m 3) and bottom layer
is 4.0m thick (γsat = 21KN/m3). The water table is at a depth of 4.0m from the surface and zone of
capillary saturation is 1m above the water table. Draw the diagrams, showing the variation of total
stress, neutral stress and effective stress.

12. A sand deposit is 12m thick and overlies a bed of soft clay. The ground water table is 4m below the
ground surface. If the sand above the water table has a degree of saturation of 40%, plot the
diagram showing the variation of the total stress, pore water pressure and effective stress. The void
ratio of the sand is 0.8 and G = 2.7.

13. A soil profile consists of a surface layer of sand 4.0m thick (γ = 17 KN/m 3), an intermediate layer
of clay 3.0m thick (γ = 19 KN/m3), and the bottom layer of gravel 4.0m thick (γ = 18.5 KN/m3).
The water level is at the upper surface of the clay layer. Determine the effective pressure at various
levels immediately after the placement of a surcharge load of 59 KN/m2 to the ground surface.

14. A soil profile consists of a surface layer of clay 5m thick (γ = 19 KN/m 3) and a sand layer 3m thick
(γ = 18 KN/m3) overlaying and impermeable rock. The water table is at the ground surface. If the
water table in a standpipe driven into the sand layer rises 3m above the ground surface,
a) Draw the plot the variation of total stress, pore water pressure and effective stress.
b) Determine the increase in effective stress at top of the rock when the artesian head in the sand is
reduced by 2m.

Soil Mechanics Tutorial-3 (Additional Problems)

1. A concrete dam is constructed across a river over permeable strata of the soil of limited
thickness. The water head on U/S side is 16m and 2m on the D/S side. The flow net constructed
under the dam gives Nf = 7 and Nd = 21. Calculate the seepage loss through the subsoil if the
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 average value of coefficient of permeability is 6*10-3 cm/sec horizontally and 3*10-4 cm/sec
vertically. Calculate the exit gradient if the average length of the last field is 0.9m.
(Ans: 6.25*10-3 cumecs, 0.74)
2. A sand deposit 10m thick overlies an impervious soil. A vertical sheet pile penetrates half way
into the sand deposit. The water level on one side of the wall is 3.0m and on the other side is
0.5m above the ground level. The sand stratum has a vertical permeability of 1.44m per day,
and the horizontal permeability equals 8 times the permeability in the vertical direction. A flow
net construction reveals that there are 12 flow channels and 26 potential drops. Determine the
seepage flow per day.
(Ans: 4.75 m3/day)
3. A soil deposit consists of three horizontal layers of isotropic soils. The thickness of the top,
middle and bottom layer is 3m, 4m and 5m respectively. While the corresponding coefficient of
permeability is 0.3*10-3cm/sec, 0.4*10-4cm/sec and 0.5*10-5cm/sec respectively.
i) Determine the average (or equivalent) coefficients of permeability if the flow is parallel
to the bedding planes and if it is perpendicular to the bedding planes.
ii) If a concrete dam is to be constructed on the above soil deposit, what scaling adjustment
has to be made before the construction of flow net? Draw sketch to clarify your answer.
What will be the equivalent isotropic coefficient of permeability of the soil deposit?
(Ans: 9.042*10-5cm/sec , 1.081*10-5cm/sec,3.126*10-5cm/sec)

Assignment - 1

A soil stratum with permeability, k = 5*10-7cm/sec overlies and impermeable stratum. The
impermeable stratum lies at a depth of 18m below the ground surface (surface of soil stratum). A
sheet pile wall penetrates 8m into the permeable soil stratum. Water stands to a height of 9m on the
upstream side and 1.5m on downstream side, above the surface of soil stratum. Sketch the flow net
and determine:
i) Quantity of seepage
ii) The seepage pressure at point p located 8m below surface of soil stratum and 4m away
from the sheet pile wall on its upstream side
iii) The pore pressure (hydrostatic pressure) at point p and
iv) The maximum exit gradient.

Stress Distribution

Institute of Engineering
Pulchowk, Campus
Department of Civil Engineering

Soil Mechanics Tutorial – 4

12
1. A foundation of a concrete water tower is circular in plan. The soil is imposed to a pressure of 4000
kg/cm2. The radius of the foundation is 6 meters. Calculate the vertical pressure intensity at a point
7.5 m directly below its center.
(Ans: 2095.44 kg/cm2)
2. A water tower weighing 15000 KN is to be considered as concentrated load acting at the ground
surface. Compute the vertical stress at a depth of 8 meters below the surface. Also compute the
vertical stress at a distance of 7 m away from the center of the water tower.
(Ans: 111.9 kN/m2, 27.02 kN/m2)
3. A strip footing is given in plan as shown below. The load per unit area is 300 KN/m 2. Determine
the intensity of vertical stress at a point 5 m directly below the point A1.

(Ans: 95.3 kN/m2)

4. A column footing of size 4.25 meter square is transmitting a load of 2000 kN from the ground
surface. Calculate the total vertical stress under one of the corners of the footing at a depth of 6
meters.
(Ans: 15.18 kN/m2)
5. Two columns A and B are placed at 5-meter centre to center. Through point A, a load of 400 kN is
acting and from point B a load of 240 kN. Calculate the vertical stress due to these loads on a
horizontal plane 2 m below the ground surface at points
a) Vertically below the points A and B and
b) 10m horizontally away from the point A.
(Ans :48.56 kN/m2,28.98 kN/m2,0.015 kN/m2)
6. A foundation of a building is rectangular in plan. It carries a uniform pressure of 25 kN/m 2.
Assuming the center of the foundation as origin and Cartesian coordinates of the corners to be
(5,10), estimate the stress at depths of 20 m below the ground surface at each of the following
points (0,10), (5,0), (5,10) and (7,15).
Stress
(Ans: 3.41, 5.13, 3.04 and 1.61 kN/mDistribution
2
)

7. A water tower in three pillars is in the form of a equilateral triangle in plan and the side of the
triangle are 10 meters. The total wt. of water tower is 1000 kN. Find the vertical stress ten meter
below the ground surface under any one of the legs.
(Ans: 2.806 kN/m2)
8. A water tower has circular foundation of diameter 10 m. The total weight of the tower including
the foundation is 18000 kN. A very weak foundation of bearing capacity of 100 kN/m 2 lies below
the foundation level. Calculate the stress due to foundation load at the top of the weak stratum.
Give your comment with regard to the feasibility of the foundation construction at the top surface
of the weak layer.

13
 (Ans: 198.24 kN/m2)
9. A 100 kN load is transformed through a steel column base. Calculate the pressure at depths 23 m, 5
m and 10 m vertically below the column load. At what depth the pressure is to be one – fifth of the
applied load.
(Ans: 1.55 m)
10. The size of a mat foundation is 50 m * 20 m. The total load of the building imposed on the
foundation is 4000 kN. Calculate the pressure below the center of the foundation at 10 m depth.
(Ans: 3.23 kN/m2)

Soil Mechanics Tutorial - 4 (Additional Problems)

1. A point load of 100 kN is applied at the ground surface. Determine the vertical pressure
distribution on a vertical line at a radial distance of 5 m. A point load of 1000 kN acts on the
ground surface. a) Show the variation of vertical stresses on a horizontal plane at a depth of 5 m
below the surface. b) Show the variation of vertical stresses on a vertical plane at r = 1 m.

2. A rectangular area of 2 m *4 m carries a uniform load of 80 kN/m 2 at the ground surface. Find the
vertical pressures at 5 m below the centre and corner of the loaded area
a) by Newmark’s table
b) by Newmark’s chart
c) by Equivalent - area method
d) by Boussinesq’s approximation

4. A point load of 132 kN is applied at the ground surface. Construct a pressure bulb when the stress
imposed becomes 20% of the applied load.

5. A water tower has circular foundation of diameter 9m. The total weight of the tower including the
foundation is 17500 kN. A very weak foundation of bearing capacity of 95 kN/m2 lies 3 m below
the foundation level. Calculate the stress due to foundation at the top of the weak stratum. Give
your comment with regard to the feasibility of the foundation construction at the top surface of the
weak layer.

6. A concentrated point load of 250 kN acts at the ground surface. Find the intensity of vertical
pressure at depth of 5 m below the ground surface at the point on the axis of loading using
Boussinesq analysis. What will be the difference in the vertical pressure at the same point if the
load shifted to a distance of 2 m from its original position horizontally?

7. Using Fadum’s chart, determine the increase in the vertical stress at 2m depth below A and B due
to uniformly distributed load of 40 kN/m2 on the ground surface shown by the shaded area in figure
below.

14
8. A uniformly distributed load ABCDEF having a plan area as shown in the figure is placed on the
ground surface. The intensity of the load is 20 kN/m2. Determine the increase in the vertical stress
due to the load at 6m depth below the corner points C and D.

9. Two uniformly distributed loads of rectangular pattern with different load intensity are placed
side by side on the ground surface as shown in the figure. Determine the vertical pressure due
to the load below point A and B at a depth of 6 meters.

15
 Consolidation

Institute of Engineering
Pulchowk, Campus
Department of Civil Engineering

Soil Mechanics Tutorial – 5

1. Two clay samples A and B have initial void ratio of 0.55 and 0.632 respectively under a pressure
100 KN/m2. The pressure increased to 150 KN/m 2 with the application of the pressure, the void
ratio decreases to 0.495 to 0.616 respectively. The time taken by the specimen is for 50 %
consolidation. A is one third of that required by the specimen B for reaching the same
consolidation. Find the ratio of the coefficient of the permeability of the two specimens A and B if
their initial thickness was 40 mm and 30 mm respectively.
(Ans: 19.30)
2. A consolidation test was made on a saturated soil sample having the initial thickness of 20 mm.
The natural water content of the soil sample is 70 % and the specific gravity is 2.70. The following
results were obtained.
Pressure in Kg/cm2 0.2 0.5 1.00 2.00 4.00
Compression cm * 10-4 90 252 406 676 759
Find out the void ratio at each increment of load. Also draw the pressure void ratio curve.

3. A consolidation was made on a soil sample of a saturated in a circular ring, the height of the ring
being 3.0 cm. At the beginning of the test the weight of sample was taken and was found to be 645
gms. After the test the oven dried sample weighed 477.8 gms. The following results were obtained.
Pressure in Kg/cm2 0.0 0.06 0.13 0.27 0.53 1.06 2.13
Compression cm * 10-4 0 70 110 216 386 734 1333
Calculate the void ratio at the start of the test and after each increment of the load. What will be the
value of the av and mv for the increase in pressure form 0.5325 and 1.0624 Kg/cm2.
(Ans: 1.035, 0.95, 0.44 cm2/Kg, 0.022 cm2/Kg)
4. The following information was obtained from a soil investigation work. Two layers of clay of
thickness 2 m each and sandwiched between two layers of dense sand was encountered at 5 m and
14 m depths respectively. The compression index, water content and sp. gr. of both clays were
0.38, 30 % and 2.7 respectively. The sand weighed 2.1 gm/c.c. and was completely submerged.
Compute the total settlement under a uniformly distributed load of 0.35 kg/cm 2 on a large area over
the ground surface.
(Ans: 11.41 cm)
5. In a consolidation test on undisturbed clay specimen the following results were obtained.
Pressure, Kg/cm2 0.2 0.4 0.8 1.6 3.2 6.4 12.8 3.2 0.8 0.2 0
Void ratio 0.95 0.948 0.94 0.92 0.88 0.8 0.69 0.72 0.75 0.79 0.89
Plot these results and determine the equation for the virgin compression curve. Estimate the stress
to which this had been pre-consolidated.

6. A saturated soil stratum 5 m thick lies above an impervious stratum and below a pervious stratum.
It has a compression index of 0.25 and a coefficient of permeability of 3.2*10-4 cm/sec. It s void
ratio at a stress of 1.5 Kg/cm2 is 1.9. Compute a) The change void ratio due to increase of stress of
2 Kg/cm2, b) Settlement of soil stratum due to above increase of stress and c) Time required for 50
% consolidation.
(Ans: 0.031, 5.385cm, 54.71 minutes)

16
 Consolidation

7. There is a 10 m thick layer of impervious clay with layers of sand on either side. An undisturbed
sample from the above impervious clay was taken and tested in laboratory. It was found that it took
22.5 minutes to obtain 50 % consolidation for a sample of 3.00cm thickness having drainage on
both sides. Corresponding time factor T50 = 0.197.
It is proposed to construct a building on the above strata. Find out the time which will elapse
according to the Terzaghi’s theory of consolidation until 50 and 90 % of final settlement will be
reached. (Ans: 2.5*106 minutes, 10.6*106 minutes)

Soil Mechanics Tutorial - 4 (Additional Problems)

1. A clay layer 2.5 m thick is underlain by a layer of sand 4 m in thickness. The clay has a
compression index of 0.22 and saturated unit weight of 18 KN/m 3. The initial void ratio of clay is
1.30. Calculate the final settlement of the clay layer due to an increase in pressure of 30 KN/m 2 at
center of clay layer. Also calculate the settlement when the water table rises to the ground surface.

(Ans: 2.63 cm, 4.88 cm)

2. A strata of normally consolidated clay of thickness 3 m is drained on both sides. If it has a
coefficient of permeability k = 5*10-8 cm/sec and coefficient of volume compressibility mv =
1.25*10-4 cm2/kg. Determine the total compression of the strata for a change in stress of 25 t/m 2 .
Also determine the time required for 80 % consolidation.
(Ans: 0.4, 8.86 hrs)
3. In one dimensional consolidation test, a specimen of saturated clay of 20 mm thickness reaches 50
% consolidation in 30 minutes. How long would it take a layer of this clay 6 m thick to reach the
same degree of consolidation under the same stress and drainage condition? Also determine the
time required to achieve 90 % consolidation. Take, T50 = 0.197 and T90 = 0.848.

(Ans: 1874.05 days, 8066.97 days)

4. A soil deposits consists of upper layer of sand of 6.0 m thick underlain by a normally consolidated
clay layer of 1.0m thick. The water table is 2 m below the ground surface. Calculate the settlement
of the clay if 1.5 m thick backfill soil is dumped on the ground surface covering a large area. The
unit weight of the backfill is 18.5 KN/m 3 while that of the sand deposit is 18.0 KN/m 3. The clay
soil has a bulk unit weight of 17.5 KN/m3 and initial void ratio equal to 2.20. The compression
index is 0.40.
(Ans: 1.78 mm)

5. A clay sample of 20 mm height is consolidated in one-dimensional consolidation test with two-way

drainage. The time to reach 50 % consolidation was 20 minutes from the beginning of the test.
Estimate the amount of time for the same soil in the field to reach the same degree of consolidation
if the soil layer is 6 m thick and the layer has two way drainage. The same question if the soil in the
field has one way drainage.
(Ans: 1250 days, 5000 days)
6. A 5.0 m thick sand layer overlies a normally consolidated clay layer of 1m thick. The water table
is located at the ground surface. A 2.0 m high soil embankment is laid on the ground surface in a
circular pattern having a diameter of 20 m. The bulk unit weights of the embankment soil and the
sand are 19.0 KN/m3 and 17.5 KN/m3 respectively. The clay has a bulk unit weight of 17.0 KN/m 3,
initial void ratio of 2.6 and the compression index of 0.5. Calculate the settlement of the clay layer
beneath the center of the embankment.
(Ans: 3.6 cm)

17
7. A clay layer of 1 m thick is found between 6 m and 7 m below the ground surface. The clay layer
is sandwiched between sand layers. The coefficient of volume change of the clay is 0.40 *10 -3
m2/KN. A 3 m high sand embankment of circular plan area is placed on the ground surface. The
unit weight of the sand is 20 KN/m 3. Determine the settlement of the clay layer under the center of
the circular shape of radius r can be calculated according to the given formula below, Δ
1
  [1  { }1.5 ]
r 2
1 ( )
z
(Ans: 3.05 mm)

18
 Shear strength
Institute of Engineering
Pulchowk, Campus
Department of Civil Engineering

Soil Mechanics Tutorial – 6

1. Two triaxial tests were done on a soil sample. In the first test all round pressure was 2.4 Kg/cm 2
and the failure occurred at an added axial stress of 7.5 Kg/cm 2. In another test all round pressure
was 4 Kg/cm2 and the failure occurred at an added axial stress of 16 Kg/cm2. Determine the values
of cohesion and angle of internal friction at failure.

2. An embankment is planned to be constructed from a soil with c = 4.0 Kg/cm 2 and Φ = 26 0.

Evaluate the shear strength of the material on a horizontal plane at a point 10 meters below the
surface of the embankment. The bulk density of the soil is 2.3 g/c.c. and the pore pressure at that
point is 1.8 Kg/cm2.
(Ans: 4.24 kg/cm2)
3. A sample of dense dry sand is subjected to a triaxial test. The angle of internal friction is 35 0. If the
minor principal stress is 2 Kg/cm2, at what value of the major principal stress the sample is likely to
fail.
(Ans: 7.4 Kg/cm2)
2
4. Keeping the minor principal stress constant as 2 Kg/cm , the major principal stress on a cylindrical
soil sample was increased till failure occurred. If the cohesion of the soil was 2.5 Kg/cm 2 and the
angle of internal friction as 200. Calculate,
i) Maximum axial load at failure
ii) Shear and normal stress along the failure plane
iii) The angle made by the failure plane with horizontal

5. Two specimen of a soil were tested in a shear box. The following results were obtained.
Normal load, Kg 150 250
Shear Stress, Kg/cm2 6.0 7.5
The test was done under un drained condition. Find the apparent cohesion and angle of shearing
resistance of the soil. If on the same soil sample unconfined compression was done. What will be
the value of cohesion? The size of shear box was 5cm * 5cm.

6. A specimen of a soil sample was tested in a triaxial compression test with cell pressure of 1.25
Kg/cm2 but the axial pressure at failure was not known. With the same soil direct shear test was
also done. Shearing forces at failure were 45, 32.5 and 29.2 Kg at normal load of 100, 50 and 36
Kg respectively. The cross-section of the shear box was 6 * 6 cm. Find out the axial pressure at
failure in the case of the triaxial test.

7. The following results were obtained in an un drained triaxial test on a soil.

Determine the shear strength parameters c and Φ of the soil.
Confining pressure, Kg/cm2 1.8 3.2
2
Deviator stress at failure, Kg/cm 5.5 8.5

8. The following results were obtained from a triaxial test.

Angle of shearing resistance = 17.50
19
 Cohesion = 3 Kg/cm2
Total axial stress at failure = 18 Kg/cm2
What will be the value of cell pressure?
(Ans: 5.26 Kg/ cm2)
9. To determine the cohesion and angle of internal friction, consolidated un drained test triaxial test
was done on a soil sample. In the first test the chamber pressure was 10 Kg/cm 2 and the failure
occurred at an added axial pressure of 16 Kg/cm 2 and the pore water pressure was found to be 4
Kg/cm2. In the second test the chamber pressure was 18 Kg/cm 2 and failure occurred at an added
axial pressure of 22 Kg/cm2. The pore water pressure in the second test was 8 Kg/cm 2. Find the
values of c and Φ in terms of total stress and in terms of effective stress.

10. During an unconfined compression test in a cylindrical soil sample the following observation were
taken.
Diameter of the sample = 3.75 cm
Length of sample = 9.5 cm
Proving ring dial gauge reading at failure = 32
Strain dial gauge reading at failure = 255
Least count of proving ring dial = 0.0001 cm/div
Calibration factor of the proving ring = 1.2 Kg/div
Least count of strain dial = 0.001 cm/div
Calculate the shear strength of the soil sample.
(Ans: 1.7 Kg/cm2)
11. Two triaxial tests were done on a soil sample. The first test all round pressure was 2 Kg/cm 2 and
the failure occurred at an added axial stress of 4.5 Kg/cm 2. In another test all round pressure was
4.5 Kg/cm2 and the failure occurred at an added stress of 8.2 Kg/cm 2. Determine the values of
cohesion, and angle of internal friction and the angle at which the failure cracks are expected to
occur.

12. In a triaxial test done on a c-Φ soil, the chamber pressure was 2.5 Kg/cm 2 and failure occurred at an
added axial pressure of 3.5 Kg/cm2. If the failure made at an angle of 52 with the horizontal, find
out c and Φ for the soil and normal and shearing stress on the failure plane.

Soil Mechanics Tutorial - 6 (Additional Problems)

20
1. The following results were obtained at failure in a series consolidated undrained tests with pore
water pressure measurements on specimens of saturated clay. Determine the values of shear
strength parameters (a) in terms of total stress (b) in terms of the effective stress.

σ3 (KN/m2) 150 300 450

2
σ1 – σ3 (KN/m ) 192 341 504
u (KN/m2) 80 154 222
2. A sample of dry sand was subjected to a tri axial test. The applied confining pressure was 250
KN/m2. The angle of shearing resistance was calculate as 30 degrees. At what values of major
principle stress the same will fail.
3. The total strength parameters of soil are c = 12 KN/m 2 and Φ = 320. A consolidated undrained
triaxial test was performed on the soil sample at a confining pressure of 20 KN/m 2. Determine the
orientation of the failure plane with respect to the horizontal plane and the major principal stress at
failure.
4. A direct shear test was performed on a soil sample having cohesion of 20 KN/m 2. The cross
sectional area of the sample was 60 mm by 60 mm. The normal load applied on the sample was
0.80 KN while the shear force at failure was 0.60 KN. Determine the friction angle of the soil.
a) Determine the shear force if the soil is subjected to a normal load of 160 KN.

5. The following results have been obtained from two direct shear tests on sample of the soil. The
area of the shear box is 50 mm by 50mm and sample’s thickness is 20 mm
  Normal Load (KN) Max. shear force (KN)
Test 1 0.1 0.075
Test 2 0.2 0.145
Assuming that the strength parameter can be determined from these two tests, determine c and Φ.

6. A direct shear test was conducted on a soil sample with the cohesion of 10 KN/m 2. The cross
sectional area of the sample was 60 mm by 60 mm. The normal load applied to the sample was
0.72 KN. DetermineThe friction angle of the soil if shear load at failure is 0.42 KN.
a) The shear force at failure if the same soil is subjected to a normal load of 1.44 KN.

Slope Stability

Institute of Engineering
Pulchowk, Campus
21
 Department of Civil Engineering

Soil Mechanics Tutorial – 7

1. Calculate the safe height of an embankment rising 700 to the horizontal and to be made with a
clayey soil having unit weight of 2.1 gm/cc, Φ = 15 0 and a cohesion of 0.2 Kg/cm 2. The factor of
safety desirable is 2.5.
(Ans: 2.24 m)
2. Calculate the factor of a slip circle as shown in figure below for a cut slope in a purely
cohesive soil. The unit weight of the soil is 2.05 gm/cc and average cohesive strength as 3 t/m2.

3. The slip for a cut slope is shown in figure below. Determine the factor of safety with respect to the
cohesion. The available data are:
γ = 2.1 gm /c.c.
Φ = 150 and
C = 3.24 t/m2

22
4. An eight – meter high embankment has a slope of 1 : 2 (V : H). Find the factor of safety of the
embankment along the slip circle through the toe having a central angle of 102 0 with radius of 16
m. The available data are:
γ = 2 gm /c.c.
Φ = 50 and
C = 3.24 t/m2

5. A cutting 4.5 m deep with 300 side slopes is made across a flat land in a particularly submerge soil
which has a mean density of 2000 Kg/cu.m and an angle of shearing resistance of Φ = 15 0. If it is
specified that for the slope the factor of safety to be 1.5, what mean value of unit cohesion is
required:
i) In a newly completed section with no seepage occurring
ii) If cutting is submerged to ground level

What apparent cohesion is required in a slope if factor of safety of 1.5 is applied to both cohesion
and angle of shearing resistance? The following information is available.
Φ = 150, Slope angle 300, Stability number = 0.049
Φ = 100, Slope angle 300, Stability number = 0.074

6. A river bank is composed of material of density 1600 kg/cu.m, having an angle of shearing
resistance = 15 0 and a cohesion factor = 25 KN/m2. It is in the shape of uniform slope of vertical
height 9 m, the horizontal distance from the top of the slope being 12 m.
In order to find the factor of safety of the bank a trial slip circle was used. The circle passes
through the toe and top of the bank and has a radius of 15m. Using friction circle method, find the
factor of safety of the bank in situation where c and Φ get fully mobilized.

7. Figure below shows a slope of total height 3 m in material for which Φ = 25 0 and c = 0. The soil is
saturated and has a density of 1920 kg/cum. Estimate the factor of safety against the slip on the
trial circle indicated, if the pore water pressures are given by u = 0.2*γh, where h is the mid height
of the slice being considered.

8. Derive an expression for the factor of safety against failure along a shallow slip plane parallel to
the ground surface, and use this to find the maximum stable slope where c = 0, Φ = 200 and γ = 19
KN/cum. The water table is at the ground surface.

23
9. Find the factor of safety of a slope of infinite extent and made with a clay having c = 3 t/m2, Φ =
200 , e = 0.65, and G = 2.7 under the following condition.
i) When the slope is dry
ii) When the water seeps parallel to the surface of the slope
iii) When the slope is submerged
(Ans: 1.48, 1.98, 1.00)
11. An embankment is made of a soil having cohesion of 2.5 t/m2, angle of internal friction of 200 and
unit weight of 1.9 t/cum. The slope is 1.5:1 and height 9 m. Locate the center of critical circle by
Fellenius method and determine the factor of safety along a slip circle passing through the toe. Use
method of slices.

12. A cutting is to be made in a soil deposit with a slope of 250 to the horizontal and for a depth of 25
m. The soil has the following properties.
γ = 2 gm /c.c.
Φ = 150 and
C = 3.5 t/m2
Find the factor of safety of slope if full friction is mobilized. Instead, if factor of safety with respect
to cohesion were 1.5, what would be the factor of safety with respect to friction?
(Ans: 2.33, 1.21)

Soil Mechanics Tutorial – 7 (Additional Problems)

1. A long natural slope is subjected at 10 0 to the horizontal. The water table is at the surface and
seepage is roughly parallel to the slope. A slip surface is found to develop at a depth of 5 m on a
plane parallel to the slope. If the strength parameters are c = 10 KN/m2 and Φ = 260. Determine the
factor of safety. By what percentage the factor of safety would be changed if the water table in the
slope absent? Take γsat = 20 KN/m3 and γw = 17 KN/m3.
(Ans: 1.97, 3.45)
2. Find the factor of safety of a slope of infinite extent having slope angle equal to 20 0. The slope is
made of cohesion less soil with Φ = 25 0. How much will be the factor of safety of the slope if
seepage takes place through the top surface of the slope.
(Ans: 1, 0.5)
3. A long natural slope in clay having cohesion of 10 KN/m 2 angle of internal friction as 25 degrees
and saturated unit weight of 20 KN/m 3 is inclined to an angle 100 to the horizontal. The water table
is at the surface and seepage is parallel to the slope. If a translational slip surface is seen to develop
at a depth of 5 m below the surface, determine the factor of safety.

(Ans: 1.91)
4. Calculate the short term (Φ = 0) safety factor of a slope for a trial slip circle with center O that cuts
through 2-layered saturated clay deposit given in Figure 3. The radius of the slip circle is 11.75 m.
The bulk density of both clay layers is the same and 20 KN/m 3. The slip area BCDEF is 84.7 m 2
and the center of gravity of the slip area is at G as shown in the figure. Angle DOE is 38 0 and EOB
is 700. The undrained cohesion of the upper and lower clay layers is 20 KN/m 2 and 30 KN/m2.

(Ans: 1.48)

24
5. Calculate the Factor of safety with respect to cohesion of a clay slope laid at 1 in 2 to a height of 10
m, if the angle of internal friction Φ = 100, C = 25 KN/m2 and γ = 19 KN/m3. What will be the
critical height of the slope in this soil?
(Ans: 2.06, 20.6 m)
0
6. A slope is to be constructed at an inclination of 30 with the horizontal. Determine the safe height
of the slope at factor of safety of 1.5. The soil has the following properties:
Φ = 22.50, C = 15 KN/m2 and γ = 19 KN/m3
(Ans: 11.5 m )
2 3
7. The soil at a site has C = 15 KN/m and γ = 18 KN/m . A hard stratum exists at a depth of 9 m
below the ground surface. If a cutting 6 m deep is to be made in the soil, find factor of safety if a
300 slope is safe. What will be the slope angle if a factor of safety of 1.5 is required?
(Ans: 0.85, 90)

25