M.TECH.

DEGREE EXAMINATION
Branch: Civil Engineering
Specialization Geomechanics and structures
Model Question Paper - I

MCEGS 103 ADVANCED SOIL MECHANICS

Time: Three hours

Maximum: 100 Marks

Answer all questions
(For the candidates admitted from the year 2011 onwards)

1.

(a) Explain the following:i)

ii)

IS classification of soil
Isomorphous substitution

ii) Specific surface

iv) Diffused double layer

v) Soil fabric
(5x3=15)

(b). Outline X-ray diffraction method for clay mineral identification

(10)

OR
2. (a) Explain what is meant by 1:1 and 2:1 clay minerals? Give two examples each

(10)

(b) Explain what is meant by Base Exchange capacity. What are the different types of bonds
in clay particles.
(15)
3(a) Explain how the swelling pressure is determined by conducting Oedometer test

(7)

(b) The following compression readings were obtained in a consolidation test on saturated clay
with specific gravity 2.7.
Pressure (kN/m2):0

54

107

214

429

858

1716

3432

Dial gauge (mm):5

4.75

4.49

4.11

3.45

2.61

1.67

0.74

1.48

Initial thickness of the specimen was 19mm and at the end the water content was
19.8%.Determine the preconsolidation pressure.
(10)
(c) Differentiate between constant rate of strain and constant gradient consolidation tests. (8)
OR
4 (a) Explain consolidation by sand drains

(7)

(b) Explain equal strain consolidation with no smear

(8)

(c) What is the effect of secondary consolidation on preconsolidation pressure

(10)

5 (a) In a triaxial test, a soil sample was consolidated under a cell pressure of 700 kN/m2 and a
back pressure of 350 kN/m2.Thereafter with drainage not allowed, the cell pressure was raised to

800 kN/m2 resulting in the increased pore water pressure reading of 445 kN/m2.The axial load
was then increased to give a deviator stress of 575 kN/m2(while the cell pressure remained at 800
kN/m2) and a pore pressure reading of 640 kN/m2.Calculate pore pressure coefficients
(10)
(b)Explain Henkels modification of pore water pressure equations

(7)

(c) Explain the relation of undrained shear strength with effective overburden pressure

(8)

OR
6 (a) Explain the shear strength of granular soils under plain strain condition? Give a simple
correlation to obtain friction angle.
(10)
(b) A compacted soil was tested in an undrained triaxial test using a cell pressure of 400
kN/m2.Before the application of cell pressure, the pore pressures in the sample was zero.The
following observations were made.
Strain (%):

2.5

5.0

7.5

10.0

12.5

15.0

Deviator stress (kPa):

570

950

1100

1150

1170

1140

Pore water pressure (kPa):

250

285

150

105

75

60

50

a) Determine the value of pore pressure coefficient B

b) Plot the variation of deviator stress with strain
c) Show how the pore pressure coefficient varies with strain

(15)

7 (a) Explain the method of settlement prediction by Terzaghis method from plate load test
observations
(10)
(b) Explain the effect of compaction on soil structure

(7)

(c) Explain the preloading technique used for improving soil properties

(8)

OR
8 (a) The relative compaction of a sand in the field is 93.5%.The maximum and minimum dry
densities are 16.98kN/m3and 14.46 98kN/m3respectively. For field condition, determine dry unit
weight.
.
(7)
(b) Explain the stress path method of settlement computation

(10)

(c) Write a note on field compaction control

(8)

M.TECH. DEGREE EXAMINATION

Branch : Civil Engineering
Specialization Geomechanics and structures
Model Question Paper II

MCEGS 103 ADVANCED SOIL MECHANICS

Time: Three hours

Maximum: 100 Marks

Answer all questions

1.
(a) Write short notes on transportation of soil.
(7 marks)
(b) Name the predominant clay minerals. Explain their structure and composition. List their
properties.
(18 marks)
OR
2.
(a) Write notes on Van der waals forces, Adsorbed water, and Soil structures.
(b) Describe the methods of clay mineral identification.

(9 marks)
(16 marks)

3.
(a) Describe the effect of surcharge on effective pressure.
(5 marks)
(b) Write short notes on quicksand condition.
(5 marks)
(c) Water table in a deposit of sand 10m thick is at a depth of 4m below ground surface. Above
the water table, the sand is saturated with capillary water. The bulk density of sand is
19kN/m3.Calculate the effective pressure at depths of 0m, 3m and 8m below ground surface.
Plot the variations of total, effective and pore pressures.
(15 marks)
OR
4.
(a) Explain sand drain in detail.
(7 marks)
(b) How do you find out effective stress in partially saturated soils?
(5 marks)
(c) An oedometer test on a saturated soil gave: Cc=0.4,Cr =0.08.Over consolidation ratio
=4.5.The existing vertical effective stress in the field is 130 KPa .A building foundation will
increase the vertical stress at the centre of the clay by 150 KPa.Thickness of the clay layer is
2m and its water content is 28%. Calculate the primary consolidation settlement. What will
be the difference in settlement if the Overconsolidation ratio =1.5.
(13 marks)
5.
(a) Explain in detail the phenomenon of liquefaction. What are the remedial measures?
(8 marks)
(b) Describe the pore pressure parameters.
(7marks)
(c) How will you classify shear tests based on drainage conditions? What are the situations in
which each test is recommended?
(10 marks)

OR
6.
(a) Give a detailed description of shear behavior of cohesionless soil and cohesive soil.
(7 marks)
(b) Explain stress path in detail.
(6 marks)
(c) An embankment is being built of a soil whose effective shear strength parameters are C =100
kN/m2, =20.unit weight = 17 kN/m2.Pore pressure parameters A and B as determined from
triaxial test are0.6 and 0.8.The height of embankment is raised from 5m to 8m. Determine
shear strength of the soil at the base of the embankment. It can be assumed that lateral
pressure at any instant is one half of vertical pressure.
(12 marks)
7.
(a) Describe the method of calculation of immediate settlement in granular soil by simplified
strain influence factor.
(9 marks)
(b) Explain Skempton-Bjerrum modification for calculation of consolidation settlement.
(8 marks)
(c) What is the role of precompression for improving foundation soils? (8 marks)

OR
8.
(a) Explain O. C. R. .Compare settlement prediction for normally consolidated and over
consolidated soils.
(7 marks)
(b) Write notes on (i) Optimum moisture content (ii) Vibro flotation (iii)Field compaction
control
(9 marks)
(c) Describe the methods of field compaction for various types of soil. (9 marks)