Geotechnics 1. Assessed example sheet 3.

To be handed in on the 8th May at the lecture.

Assume w = 9.81kNm-3 where appropriate.
1. A soil profile consists of 10m of saturated sand, sat = 18.5kNm-3, with a horizontal
ground surface. The soil shear strength parameters are c = 0, = 38. Find the
horizontal effective and total stresses at a depth of 5m assuming:
a. The sand is in an active state,
b. The sand is in a passive state,
c. The sand is in an at-rest state.
2. A cantilever sheet pile wall supports an excavation 4m deep in a dry silty-sand,
dry = 15kNm-3, c = 0, = 40. Find the required depth of embedment assuming a
factor of safety on the passive force of 1.5 and a factor on the calculated depth of
embedment of 1.2. Include the check on the horizontal forces for the wall.
3. A rough masonry retaining wall with a vertical back, 3.0m high, supports, and is also
constructed on, a dry soil with the following parameters: dry = 15kNm-3, c = 2kNm-2,
= 34. The retained soil surface is horizontal. Using the Coulomb wedge method
find the active force on the back of the wall. If the wall has a weight of 100kN per m
length, and its base is 2m wide, find the factor of safety against sliding.
4. An anchored cantilever sheet pile wall supports an excavation 5m deep in a profile
consisting of 6m of dry sand, dry = 15kNm-3, c = 0, = 34, over silty sand, sat =
19kNm-3, c = 0, = 28. The water table is at a depth of 6m below the original
ground surface. The anchors are spaced at 2m intervals horizontally, 0.75m below
the top of the wall. Find the required depth of embedment and the force on the
anchors assuming a factor of safety on the passive force of 1.5.
Asses3-02.doc April 2009