[4] Ex/CE/T/323/81/2013

B ACHELOR OF ENGINEERING IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

6. a) Discuss bearing capacity and bearing pressure.
EXAMINATION, 2013
b) A column of building carrying a net vertical load of 125. 0 T
( 3rd Year, 2nd Semester )
has to be supported by square footing. The footing is placed
SOIL MECHANICS II
1. 2 m below E.G.L. in a homogeneous bed of soil having the
following properties : Time : Three hours Full Marks : 100
( 50 marks for each part )
γ = 1⋅ 82 T/m3, φ = 30o . Determine the minimum size of the
Use a separate Answer-Script for each part
footing required to have a F.O.S. of 3. 0 against shear Failure. PART - I
Given that For φ = 30o , Nc = 37. 2, Nq = 22. 5, Nγ = 19 ⋅ 7 Answer all questions.

7. a) What should be the depth of exploration for a Four storyed
residential building for a column grid of 5 m × 5 m. Assumed
data not supplied.
b) Discuss standard penetration test. What are the various
corrections needed in S.P.T. What is the importance of the
S.P.T. in geotechnical engineering.
8. a) Discuss how would you find out degree of compaction at
field. On what factor degree of compaction depends on ?
b) How would you decide the depth of exploration. 10+6=16
1. a) Discuss the relative merits and demerits of direct shear and
triaxial tests. Draw typical failure envelope of a compacted
clay. Indicate whether there will be any change in slope of
the failure envelope after it is saturated using back pressure
in the triaxial cell. 5+2+3=10
b) Shear strength parameters of a particular soil sample are as
given below :
C − 35kPa, ϕ = 22o
What would be the magnitude of deviator stress if a triaxial
test is conducted on the same soil at a cell pressure of
200kPa ? Also indicate the orientation of the failure plane for
the soil sample. 5+3=8

2. a) Derive the expression for active earth pressure in a c − ϕ

soil. In this connection give the expression depth of tension
crack. Further, discuss its role in controlling the magnitude
of earth pressure on a wall. 4+2+3=9
[ Turn over
 [2] [3]

b) A rough vertical wall 6. 0 m high supports a cohesionless PART - II

backfill with horizontal surface. The properties of the Answer any three (Two marks for neatness)
backfill soil is
4. a) What is the effect of compaction on the engineering
γ = 18 kN/m3 ϕ = 32o δ (wall-soil interface friction) = 15o
properties of the soil ?
Determine the magnitude of active earth pressure on the
b) The following results were obtained from standard
wall. 8
Proctor’s compaction test on a soil sample
3. A 6 m high highway embankment is to be constructed over a
thick soft subsoil. The proposed slope of the embankment is Water content % 12 14 16 18 20 22

Wt. of Wet soil (kg) 1. 68 1. 85 1. 91 1. 87 1. 87 1. 85

1.5 (H) : 1.0(V). The soil properties are given below :
Draw compaction curve and hence find out maximum dry
Embankment soil : γ = 18 kN/m3 c = 40kPa ϕ = 20o
density and O.M.C. Daw also 90% compaction curve and
Soft subsoil : γ = 17 kN/m3 c = 25kPa also zero air void curve. Find also the degree of compaction
Calculate the factor of safety of a trial slip circle passing through at proctor’s density. Assume data not supplied. 4+12=16
the toe of the slope. 15 5. a) ‘‘The allowable bearing capacity of purely cohsive clay with
a F.O.S. of 3 is approximately equal to its U.C.S.’’ Justify
the statement in the light of Terzaghis’ theory.

b) Discuss general shear, local shear and punching shear

Failure.

c) Discuss the assumption in Terzaghis’ bearing capacity

theory.

d) What is the basic difference in Terzaghis and Mayer hoff’s

bearing capacity theory. 4+6+3+3=16

[ Turn over