SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING MODULE-54C

MODULE- 54C
Deep foundationspile types, dynamic &static formulae, load capacity of piles in
sands &clays, negative skin friction.
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1. For the (3 3) pile group shown in the figure, the settlement of pile group, in a normally consolidated
clay stratum having properties as shown in the figure, will be

(a) 13.2 mm (b) 12.775 mm (c) 7.345 mm (d) none of these

Ans:
Area = * ( )+
P = 500 KN


( )

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2. A group of 16 piles of 10 m length and 0.5 diameter is installed in a 10 m thick stiff clay layer
underlain by rock. The pile-soil adhesion factor is 0.4; average shear strength of soil on the side on the
sides is 100 kPa; undrained shear strength of the soil at the base is also 100 kPa. The base resistance of
single pile is

(a) 40.00 kN (b) 88.35 kN

(c) 100.00 kN (d) 176.71 kN

Ans:

= 100

3. A group of 16 piles of 10 m length and 0.5 diameter is installed in a 10 m thick stiff clay layer
underlain by rock. The pile-soil adhesion factor is 0.4; average shear strength of soil on the side on the
sides is 100 kPa; undrained shear strength of the soil at the base is also 100 kPa. Assuming 100%
efficiency, the group side resistance is

(a) 4795.0 kN (b) 10000.0 kN

(c) 10053.1 kN (d) 20106.0 kN

Ans:
16[ ]

Let S be the side of Square

S= 3a + 0.5
4[ ] ( )
=12880

4[ ] = 4795 KN

4. Negative skin friction in a soil is considered when the pile is constructed through a

(a) Fill material

(b) Dense coarse sand
(c) Over consolidated stiff clay
(d) Dense fine sand

Ans: (A)

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5. For the soil profile shown in figure below, the minimum number of precast concrete piles of 300 mm
diameter required to safety carry the load for a given factor of safety of 2.5 (assuming 100% efficiency
for the pile group) is equal to

(a) 10 (b) 15 (c) 20 (d) 25

Ans:
Q=
No. of Piles =

6. What is the ultimate capacity in kN of the pile group sown in the figure assuming the group to fail asa
single block ?

(a) 921.6 (b) 1177.6 (c) 2438.6 (d) 3481.6

Ans:
( ) ( ) KN

7. A pile of 0.50m diameter and length 10m is embedded in a deposit of clay. The undrained strength
parameters of the clay are cohesion = 60kN/m2 and the angle in internal friction = 0. The skin friction
capacity (kN) of the pile for an adhesion factor of 0.6, is

(A) 671 (B) 565

(C) 283 (D) 106

Ans:

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8. A precast concrete pile is driven with a 50kN hammer falling through a height of 1.0m with an
efficiency of 0.6. The set value observed is 4mm per blow and the combined temporary compression of
the pile, cushion and the ground is 6mm. As per Modified Hiley Formula, the ultimate resistance of the
pile is

(A) 3000kN (B) 4285.7kN

(C) 8.333kN (D) 11905kN
Ans:

9. Examine the test arrangement and the soil properties given below

The maximum pressure that can be applied with a factor of safety of 3 through the concrete block,
ensuring no bearing capacity failure in soil using Terzaghi's bearing capacity equation without
considering the shape factor, depth factor and inclination factor is

(A) 26.67kPa (B) 60kPa

(C) 90kPa (D) 120kPa

Ans:

=
Wt. of Block = 1.5
= 21.6 KN

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10. Examine the test arrangement and the soil properties given below

The maximum resistance offered by the soil through skin friction while pulling out the pile from the
ground is

(A) 104.9kN (B) 209.8kN

(C) 236kN (D) 472kN

Ans:
= 0.5
= 236 kN

11. The ultimate load capacity of a 10 m long concrete pile of square cross section 500 mm x 500 mm
driven into a homogeneous clay layer having undrained cohesion value of 40 kPa is 700 kN. If the
cross section of the pile is reduced to 250 mm X 250 mm and the length of the pile is increased to20 m,
the ultimate load capacity will be

(A) 350 kN (B) 632.5 kN

(C) 722.5 kN (D) 1400kN

Ans:
700 =
700 =

Q=
= 610+0.25
= 632.5 KN

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SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING MODULE-54C

12. A singly under-reamed, 8-m long, RCC pile (shown in the adjoining figure) weighing 20 kN with 350
mm shaft diameter and 750 mm under-ream diameter is installed within stiff, saturated silty clay
(undrained shear strength is 50 kPa, adhesion factor is 0.3, and the applicable bearing capacity factor is
9) to counteract the impact of soil swelling on a structure constructed above. Neglecting suction and the
contribution of the under-ream to the adhesive shaft capacity, what would be the estimated ultimate
tensile capacity (rounded off to the nearest integer value of kN) of the pile?

(A) 132 kN (B) 156 kN

(C) 287 kN (D) 301 kN

Ans:
20+ ( )
= 300.86 301 KN

13. Consider the following statements regarding negative skin friction in piles:
1) It is developed when the pile is driven through a recently deposited clay layer.
2) It is developed when the pile is driven through a layer of dense sand.
3) It is developed due to a sudden drawn down of the water table.
Which of these statements is/are correct?
a) 1 alone b) 2 alone
c) 2 and 3 d) 1 and 3
Ans: (A)

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14. Match List-I(soil property measured) with List-II(in-situ test) and select the correct answer using the
codes given below the lists:
List-I
A. Modulus of sub grade reaction
B. Relative density and strength
C. Skin friction and point bearing
D. Elastic constants
List-II
1. Cyclic pile load test
2. Pressure meter test
3. Plate load test
4. Standard penetration test
Codes:
A B C D
a) 1 3 2 4
b) 1 2 4 3
c) 2 4 1 3
d) 3 4 1 2
Ans: (D)

15. Assertion (A): bearing capacity of an under-reamed pile is less than that of a straight bored pile of the
same diameter.
Reason(R): under-reamed piles have enlarged bulbs.

Codes:
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
c) A is true but R is false
d) A is false but R is true
Ans: (D)

16. Assertion (A): negative skin friction will act on piles in filled up soils, which should be considered in
design of pile foundations.
Reason(R): the filled up soils start consolidating and develop a drag force on the pile.
Codes:
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
c) A is true but R is false
d) A is false but R is true
Ans: (A)

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17. A 30cm diameter friction pile is embedded 10m into a homogeneous consolidated deposit. Unit
adhesion developed between clay and pile shaft is 4 t/ and adhesion factor is 0.7. the safe load for
factor of safety 2.5 will be
a) 21.50t b) 11.57t
c) 10.55t d) 6.35t
Ans:

= 10.55t

18. Consider the following statements regarding under reamed piles:

1. They are used in expansive soils.
2. They are of precast reinforced concrete.
3. The ratio of bulb to shaft diameter is usually 2 to 3.
4. Minimum spacing between the piles should not be less than 1.5 times the bulb diameter.
Which of these statements are correct?
a) 1,2 and 3 b) 1,3 and 4
c) 2, 3 and 4 d) 1, 2 and 4
Ans: (B)

19. Minimum center to center spacing of friction piles of diameter (D) as per BIS code is

a) 1.5D b) 2D
c) 2.5D d) 3D
Ans: (c)

20. In the engineering news record formula for determining the safe load carrying capacity of a pile, the
factor of safety used is
a) 2.5 b) 3
c) 4 d) 6
Ans: (D)

21. In the case of a pile foundation, negative skin friction may occur at a load which is

a) Lower than the designed load

b) Higher than the designed load
c) Equal to the designed load
d) Of any magnitude
Ans: (D)

22. In under-reamed pile construction, the ratio of shaft diameter to bulb diameter is
a) 1/1.5 b) 1/2 c) 1/ 2.5 d) 1/ 4
Ans: (C)

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23. Match List-I (field test) with List-II (property) and select the correct answer using the codes given
below the lists:
List-I
A. Pumping test
B. Plate load test
C. Pile load test
List-II
1. Bearing capacity
2. Load carrying capacity
3. Permeability
Codes:
A B C
a) 1 2 3
b) 3 1 2
c) 2 3 1
d) 3 2 1
Ans: (B)

24. A single pile, 50cm in diameter and 15m long is driven in clay having an average unconfined
compressive strength of 100KN/ . The ultimate bearing capacity of the pile, neglecting end bearing,
if any, and assuming shear mobilization factor of 0.8 around the pile is
a) 942KN b) 1884KN
c) 1177.5KN d) 1334.5KN
Ans:
= 942kN

25. Match List-I ( method of estimating pile capacity) with List-II ( parameter to be estimated) and select
the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List-I
A. Dynamic formulae
B. Static formulae
C. Pile load test
D. Cyclic pile load test
List-II
1. Bearing capacity of cast-in-situ concrete pile
2. Separating end-bearing and friction powers of a pile
3. Bearing capacity of a timber pile
4. Settlement of a friction bearing pile
Codes:
A B C D
a) 3 1 4 2
b) 4 2 3 1
c) 3 2 4 1
d) 4 1 3 2
Ans: (A)

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26. For designing end bearing piles of square cross-section in clays having average confined compressive
strength of 6t/ , the net ultimate bearing capacity may be taken as
a) 15 t/ b) 18 t//
c) 20 t/ d) 27 t/
Ans:
9 3 = 27

27. Skin frictional capacities of a 40cm diameter driven concrete pile for the portions A, B and C are
17KN. 63KN and 503KN respectively, and point load capacity is 11000KN/ total pile load capacity
will be

a) 3743KN b) 2864KN
c) 1965KN d) 1529KN
Ans:

17+63+503+11000 = 1965 KN

28. Match List-I (type of foundation) with List-II ( type of soil) and select the correct answer using the
codes given below the lists:
List-I
A. Floating piles
B. Micro piles
C. Combined footing
D. Under-reamed piles
List-II
1. Closed spaced columns resting on compressible soil
2. Expansive soils
3. Deep soft clays
4. Loose sands
Codes:
A B C D
a) 2 1 4 3
b) 2 4 1 3
c) 3 1 4 2
d) 3 4 1 2
Ans: (D)
29. A square pile of section 30cm 30cm and length 10m penetrates a deposit of clay having C=5KN/
and the mobilizing factor m=0.8. What is the load carried by the pile by skin friction only?

a) 192KN b) 75KN
c) 60KN d) 48KN
Ans:
0.3 = 48 kN

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30. Consider the following statements:

1. Pile foundations are usually provided when loads coming on the foundation are quite large. Such
piles may often extend up to large depth below ground level.
2. Precast piles inserted into the holes bored at the site do not get damaged while they are driven into
the ground.
Which of these statements is/are correct?
a) 1 only b) 2 only
c) both 1 and 2 d) neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (B)

31. Match List-I (type of foundation) with List-II (use of the foundation) and select the correct answer
codes given below the lists:
List-I
A. Point bearing piles
B. Sheet piles
C. Compaction piles
D. Batter piles
List-II
1. To retain soil refilling
2. To transfer heavy loads to strong stratum below a weak stratum
3. To resist lateral loads
4. To density loose soils
Codes:
A B C D
a) 3 1 4 2
b) 3 4 1 2
c) 2 1 4 3
d) 2 4 1 3
Ans: (C)

32. The load carrying capacity of an individual friction pile is 200KN. What is the total load carrying
capacity of a group of 9 such piles with group efficiency factor of 0.8?
a) 1800KN b) 1640KN
c) 1440KN d) 900KN
Ans:

200

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33. Match List-I (type of pile) with List-II (situation for use) and select the correct answer using the codes
given below the lists:
List-I
A. End bearing pile
B. Pedestal pile
C. Friction pile
D. Sand piles
List-II
1. When weak foundation soil is to be compacted
2. When foundation is granular
3. When foundation soil is relatively weak
4. When hard formation or rock is at a shallow depth
Codes:
A B C D
a) 4 2 3 1
b) 1 3 2 4
c) 4 3 2 1
d) 1 2 3 4
Ans: (A)

34. While driving a large number of piles in loose sand

a) It is advantageous to follow a sequence of pile driving such that the inner piles are driven first and
then proceed outwards
b) It is advantageous to follow a sequence of pile driving such that the piles near the periphery are
driven first and inner piles are driven later
c) It is advantageous to follow a sequence of pile driving such that alternately inner and outer piles
are driven
d) Driving of piles can be done in any random order
Ans: (B)

35. Consider the following statements:

1. Initial load tests and routine tests are carried out on test piles and working piles, respectively
2. A cyclic load test is performed to determine a piles skin resistance and base resistance separately
3. In a pile load test, the safe load is taken as half the final load at which the settlement equals 10% of
pile-diameter
Which of these statements are correct?
a) 1,2 and 3 b) only 1 and 2
c) Only 2 and 3 d) only 1 and 3
Ans: (A)

36. Which of the following types of piles is likely to have the highest load capacity in compression?
a) Driven pre-cast concrete pile
b) Pre-cast pile placed in a pre-drilled bore
c) Driven steel pipe pile
d) Steel pipe pile placed in a pre-drilled bore
Ans: (A)

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37. Match List-I (foundation) with List-II (demanding situation) and select the correct answer using the
codes given below the lists:
List-I
A. Under-reamed piles
B. Floating rafts
C. Combined footing
D. Strap footing
List-II
1. To restrict settlement of soft clays/silts
2. To transfer the moment in between two adjacent footings
3. To restrict damages due to volume changes of swelling soils
4. When columns are very close to the property line
Codes:
A B C D
a) 3 2 4 1
b) 4 1 3 2
c) 4 2 3 1
d) 3 1 4 2
Ans: (d)

38. Match List-I (method) with List-II (suitability) and select the correct answer using the codes given
below the lists:
List-I
A. Static formulae
B. Dynamic formulae
C. Static pile load test
D. Cyclic pile load test
List-II
1. To estimate allowable load for permissible settlement for a pile
2. To separate point bearing and friction bearing capacities of a pile
3. To estimate allowable load for driven piles in granular soils
4. To estimate allowable load for bored piles in clays
Codes:
ABCD
a) 4 2 1 3
b) 1 3 4 2
c) 4 3 1 2
d) 1 2 4 3
Ans: (c)

39. Consider the following statements:

1. Piles are provided in groups, which are connected together by a pile cap. The structure rests on top
of the pile cap.The pile cap is situated below the ground level.
2. For situations where pile is subjected to upward pull, pedestal piles or under-reamed piles are more
suitable type of foundations.
Which of these statements is/are correct?
a) 1 only b) 2 only
c) both 1 and 2 d) neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (b)

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40. Consider the following statements:

1. Under-reamed piles are designed as bearing piles
2. In multi-bulb under reamed piles, the bulbs are spaced at 1.5 to 2.0 times the diameter of the under
ream, the centre of the first under ream being at a minimum depth of 1.75m.
3. The length of traditional under-reamed pile ranges from 3m to 4m.
Which of these statements is/are correct?
a) 2 and 3 b) 1 and 2
c) 2 only d) 1 and 3
Ans: (b)

41. Consider the following statements:

1. Friction piles are also called floating piles
2. Minimum number of piles to quality as a pile group is three
3. The group efficiency of a pile group may be either less than 100% or more than 100%
Which of these statements are correct?
a) 1,2 and 3 b) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only d) 1 and 3 only
Ans: (a)

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