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Assignment 2 2019

(1) The document provides particle size distribution data and Atterberg limits for soils A, B, and C. It asks to plot curves, determine quantitative properties for each soil, and assess which is most sensitive to water or density. (2) Properties of a moist sand specimen are given, including weights, specific gravity, and void ratios. Tasks include calculating relative density, saturated and effective unit weights, and describing effective unit weight. (3) Properties of a saturated clay, including weights, specific gravity, liquid limit, and plastic limit, are provided. Tasks include calculating plasticity index and liquidity index, and assessing potential failure type.

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143 views

Assignment 2 2019

(1) The document provides particle size distribution data and Atterberg limits for soils A, B, and C. It asks to plot curves, determine quantitative properties for each soil, and assess which is most sensitive to water or density. (2) Properties of a moist sand specimen are given, including weights, specific gravity, and void ratios. Tasks include calculating relative density, saturated and effective unit weights, and describing effective unit weight. (3) Properties of a saturated clay, including weights, specific gravity, liquid limit, and plastic limit, are provided. Tasks include calculating plasticity index and liquidity index, and assessing potential failure type.

Uploaded by

iosfblufbmdqpqhztj
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CE 3A03 – Geotechnical Engineering I

Assignment 2 Peijun Guo


Date Assigned: Oct.2/2019
Date Due: Oct. 11/2019 5:00 p.m.

1. The following results were obtained from particle size distribution analysis and
Atterberg limits of three soils – A, B and C.

Percent passing
Sieve # Diameter (mm)
Soil A Soil B Soil C
1/2 in 12.5 100
3/8 in 9.5 96 100
#4 4.75 89 98
#10 2 82 82
#40 0.425 67 33 100
#100 0.15 57 12 99
#200 0.075 47 5 97
0.02 28 85
0.003 8 55
0.001 3 43
wL (or LL, liquid limit) 25 - 51
wp (or PL, plastic limit) 16 - 19
w (natural water content) 11 5 26.5

Required:
(1) Plot the particle size distribution curves (semi-log). Determine the following
quantities of each soil: the effective particle size d10, the mean particle side d50, the
coefficients of uniformity and curvature (if possible).
(2) Determine plasticity index and liquidity index of soil (if applicable). Which soil is at
plastic state?
(3) When the engineering properties are concerned, which soil is the most sensitive to
water and which soil is mostly affected by density? Give you logic.

2. A specimen (50 mm diameter and 100 mm height) of moist sand weights 3.31 N. Its dry
weight is 3.0 N and the specific gravity of the solids is 2.65. Given the maximum and the
minimum void ratio of the sand emax = 1.05 and emin = 0.65, respectively.
(a) Determine the relative density of the sand.
(b) Calculate the saturated unit weight and the effective (or buoyant) unit weight of the
sand.
(c) Use your own words to describe the meaning of effective (or buoyant) unit weight
of a soil.

3. A 405 cm3 volume of fully saturated clay weights 8.1 N and the specific gravity of the
solids is 2.70. Given the liquid limit and the plastic limit of the clay are LL (wL) = 40%
and PL (wp )= 10.5%, respectively.
(1) Find the plasticity index PI of the clay.
(2) What is the liquidity index of the clay?
(3) Do you expect a brittle type of failure of this soil? Why?

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