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1. Which of the following is true of dilation of sand (mark all that apply)?
q+
B
Ko Line
p+
4. Which stress path corresponds to an isotropically consolidated, failed in triaxial
compression, unloading condition? Brief explain how you arrived at that conclusion.
a. Halloysite
b. Muscovite
c. Kaolinite
d. None of the Above
8. If I have an undisturbed clay with a plasticity index of 24% and a plastic limit of 39%,
what would be your estimate of the compression index (Cc)?
9. Once upon a time, a science teacher told a student that a half-glass of soil which is
filled to the top with water weighs more than a full glass of dry soil alone. At which
void ratio(s) is this true? Assume that the soil in the bottom half of the first glass is
completely saturated but otherwise identical to the dry soil in the second glass. Note
that Gs = 2.62. (This question is worth 4 points).
PROBLEMS: Each problem is worth 20 points. You must follow assignment guidelines
for these four problems for full credit.
PROBLEM #1: You have been assigned a project site in the area. The subsurface
exploration and subsequent testing and analysis have yielded the following soil profile
(Note: The site is dry sand. The groundwater table was not located).
Depth d
(ft) (pcf) ()
0-12 110 32
12-50 120 38
The foundation for your project is a 15ft diameter concrete mat with a uniform applied
contact stress of 2.5 ksf.
For this problem, plot the in-situ vertical effective stress, the in-situ horizontal effective
stress, the change of vertical effective stress (v), and the final vertical effective stress
with depth at the center of the footing to a depth of 50 ft.
PROBLEM #2: You have grabbed a sample of soil from a depth of 25 ft for the site
referenced in Problem #1. You run two (2) triaxial tests: a Ko consolidated compression
(loading) test and a Ko consolidated extension (unloading) test. Draw the stress paths
for each triaxial test.
PROBLEM #4: For the project site in Problem #1, you want to build a below ground
garage using retaining walls. The bottom of the retaining wall will be at a depth of 10 ft
below the existing ground surface. Calculate the active and passive thrusts on the
retaining walls.