Mechanics of Soil - 2 Marks Questions
Mechanics of Soil - 2 Marks Questions
Mechanics of Soil - 2 Marks Questions
SOIL
2 MARKS
Where,
emax = maximum void ratio corresponding to the loosest state,
emin = minimum void ratio corresponding to the densest state, and
e = void ratio of the sample.
6. Give an empirical correlation between PSD and permeability.
An empirical correlation between PSD and permeability has been developed
k = c (D10)2 cm/s
Where 100 < c < 150
Developed by Hazen for uniform, loose, clean sands and gravels.
7. Define degree of saturation.
The degree of saturation is defined as the ratio of volume of water to the
volume of voids
Sr =Vw/Vv
For fully saturated soil Sr=100,
For perfectly dry soil Sr=0
8. Define Void Ratio
The void ratio of a soil is defined as the ratio of volume of voids to the volume of
solids.
e = Vv/Vs
9. Define specific gravity.
It is defined as the ratio of the mass of a given volumes of solid gains to the
mass of equal volume of water at the same temperature
Grain size
Viscosity
Temperature
Void ratio
17. Give the formulae to determine the vertical stress, radial stress Tangential
stress,& shear stress uner a point load
20. Give the formulae to determine the vertical stress, horizontal stress under a
circular load.
30. What are the approximate methods of determination of vertical stress under
loaded areas?
Equivalent point load method
Two to one load distribution method
Sixty degree distribution
31. What are the reasons for compression of the soil?
Compression of solid particles & water in the voids.
Compression & expulsion of air in the voids.
Expulsion of water in the voids.
32. What are the stages of consolidation?
The stages of consolidation are
Initial consolidation
Primary consolidation
Secondary consolidation
33. What is a principal plane?
At every point in a stressed body, there are three planes on which the shear
stresses are zero. These planes are known as principal planes.
34. What are the limitations of coulombs theory?
The limitations of coloumb theory are
It neglects the effect of the intermediate principal stress.
It approximates the curved failure envelope by a straight line which may not
give correct results.
35. Give the Coulombs shear strength equation.
The Coulombs shear strength equation is given by,
S= c+ tan
C= cohesion
= Angle of internal friction
36. What is Unconsolidated- Undrained condition?
In this type of test no drainage is permitted during the consolidation stage. The
drainage is also permitted in the shear stage.
When materials are isotropic with respect to permeability, the pattern of flow
lines and equipotentials intersect at right angles. Draw a pattern in which
square figures are formed between flow lines and equipotentials
Usually it is expedient to start with an integer number of equipotential drops,
dividing total head by a whole number, and drawing flow lines to conform to
these equipotentials. In the general case, the outer flow path will form
rectangular rather than square figures. The shape of these rectangles (ratio b/l)
must be constant.
The upper boundary of a flow net that is at atmospheric pressure is a "free
water surface". Integer equipotentials intersect the free water surface at points
spaced at equal vertical intervals.
A discharge face through which seepage passes is an equipotential line if the
discharge is submerged, or a free water surface if the discharge is not
submerged. If it is a free water surface, the flow net figures adjoining the
discharge face will not be squares.
In a stratified soil profile where ratio of permeability of layers exceeds 10, the
flow in the more permeable layer controls. that is, the flow net may be drawn for
more permeable layer assuming the less permeable layer to be impervious. the
head on the interface thus obtained is imposed on the less pervious layer for
construction of the flow net within it.
In a stratified soil profile where ratio of permeability of layers is less than 10,
flow is deflected at the interface
When materials are anisotropic with respect to permeability, the cross section
may be transformed by changing scale as shown above and flow net drawn as
for isotropic materials. in computing quantity of seepage, the differential head is
not altered for the transformation.
Where only the quantity of seepage is to be determined, an approximate flow
net suffices. If pore pressures are to be determined, the flow net must be
accurate.
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In essence, water that comes out of the ground at the toe starts a process of erosion
(if the exit gradient is high enough) that culminates in the formation of a tunnelshaped passage (or "pipe") beneath the structure. When the passage finally works
backward to meet the free water, a mixture of soil and water rushes through the
passage, undermining the structure and flooding the channel below the dam. It has
been shown that the danger of a piping failure due to subsurface erosion increases
with decreasing grain size. Similar subsurface erosion problems can occur in relieved
dry docks, where water is seeping from a free source to a drainage or filter blanket
beneath the floor or behind the walls. If the filter fails or is defective and the hydraulic
gradients are critical, serious concentrations of flow can result in large voids and
eroded channels.
44. Define stress path.
A convenient way to represent test results, and their correspondence
with the stresses in the field, is to use a stress path. In this technique the
stresses in a point are represented by two (perhaps three) characteristic
parameters and they are plotted in a diagram. This diagram is called a
stress path.
45. What is the significance of soil mechanics?
Soil mechanics has become a distinct and separate branch of
engineering mechanics because soils have a number of special properties,
which distinguish the material from other materials. Its development has
also been stimulated, of course, by the wide range of applications of soil
engineering in civil engineering, as all structures require a sound
foundation and should transfer its loads to the soil. The most important
special properties of soils will be described briefly in this chapter. In further
chapters they will be treated in greater detail, concentrating on
quantitative methods of analysis.
46. Write a short note on shear.
In compression soils become gradually sti_er. In shear, however, soils
become gradually softer, and if the shear stresses reach a certain level,
with respect to the normal stresses, it is even possible that failure of the
soil mass occurs. This means that the slope of sand heap, for instance in a
depot or in a dam, cannot be larger than about 30 or 40 degrees. The
reason for this is that particles would slide over each other at greater
slopes.
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The transition from the liquid state to the plastic state is denoted as the liquid
limit, wL. It represents the lowest water content at which the soil behavior is still
mainly liquid.
50. What are methods available for determination of k for a soil sample?
Constant Head permeability test
Falling Head Permeability Test
Horizontal Capillary Test.
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What are the factors that influence the compaction of a soil mass?
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What are the factors that affect the permeability of a soil mass.
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