Final Exam

Geotechnical
Engineering Research Laboratory

One University Avenue
Lowell, Massachusetts 01854
Tel: (978) 9342621
Fax: (978) 9343046
email: [email protected]
web site: http://faculty.uml.edu/ehajduk
Edward L. Hajduk, D.Eng, PE

Lecturer
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
14.531 ADVANCED SOIL MECHANICS

FINAL EXAM (TAKE HOME):DUE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013 @ 6PM.
Problem #1. Field load tests on strip footings yielded the test data provided below in
Figure 1 and Table 1 (from Ladd, 1979). Based on these test results, estimate the
following quantities for a strip footing with B = 4m and d = 2m.
a. The ultimate bearing capacity of the strip footing
b. The settlement at q = 20 tonnes per square meter (TSM).
settlement is proportional to log B.
Assume that
q = Total Applied Stress

q = Net Applied stress = q - d
= 1.50 TCM (above footing)

= 2.00 TCM (above footing)
Figure 1. Test Conditions for Strip Footing.

Table 1. Test Data for Problem #1.
(cm) at q =
10 TSM
Test No.
B (m)
d (m)
qult (TSM)
42
0.400
105
0.300
147
0.525
14.531 2013 Final Exam
Page 1 of 5
Geotechnical Engineering Research Laboratory

Tel: (978) 9342621
Fax: (978) 9343046

Lecturer
Problem #2. Your company plans to test load a 150 ft diameter oil tank with water.
The stress increase at the ground surface ( q) will be 3,000 psf. The tank rests on the
surface of 60 ft of dry sand with the properties shown in Figure 2. Using the provided
information, do the following:
a. Estimate the settlement of the center of the tank using the stress path method
(and the data provided in Figure 2) to plot
'v/ 'vo and K vs. depth and
compute the vertical strains at depth (d) of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 ft.
b. Estimate the settlement of the center of the tank using corrected SPT N values
that averaged 40 to 50 blows per foot.
c. Back calculate a value of modulus of elasticity (E) that yields the same
settlement obtained with the stress path method using equations 14.15 and
14.21 in L&W.
d. Compare your answer for part c with the value of E obtained from Figure 2,
assuming that 'vo = 2,000 psf,
'vo = 2,000 psf, and K = Ko = 0.35. See
Example 12.2 for calculation of E.
Assume the following stress distribution provided in Table 2 and an elastic half space
with = 0.30.
Table 2. Stress Distribution for Problem #2.
z (ft)
(psf)
(psf)
3000
2400
7.5
3000
2010
10
3000
1890
20
2950
1445
30
2850
1025
40
2700
729
50
2450
490
Page 2 of 5

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Lecturer
Figure 2. Stress-Strain as a Function of K for Problem 2.

Page 3 of 5

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Lecturer
Problem #3. Lambe and Whitman Problem 16.3.

Problem #4. Calculate the theoretical height of capillary rise and the capillary pressure
in a clay soil with D10 = 0.1 m.
Problem #5. An inclined permeameter tube filled with three layers of soil of different
permeabilities as shown below in Figure 3. Express the total head at Points A, B, C,
and D (with respect to the indicated datum) in terms of the given dimensions and
permeabilities. Plot the total heads and the seepage velocity versus distance along the
line A-D for the case where 3k1 = k2 = 2k3. Assume n1 = 0.25, n2 = 0.4, and n3 = 0.35.
H2
H1
k1
k2
k3
D
Figure 3. Inclined Permeameter Tube for Problem #5.

Problem #6. Lambe and Whitman Problem 17.6.
Problem #7. Figure 4 shows a double sheet pile wall system for construction
dewatering. A steady-state 2D flow of water occurs into the inside of the excavation
between the two walls. For this problem, do the following:
a. Draw the flow net for this problem. You may use computer programs if they are
available to you.
b. Compute the rate of flow per foot of wall length.
c. Determine the maximum exit gradient and the factor of safety against
liquefaction.
d. Plot the pore water pressure against both sides of the sheet pile wall.
Page 4 of 5

Tel: (978) 9342621
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Lecturer
Elev. + 28ft
20ft
Elev. + 20ft
Elev. + 28ft
Elev. + 20ft
Elev. + 16ft
Elev. + 10ft
Sand
= 124.8 pcf
k = 2x10-4 cm/sec
t
Elev. 0ft
Impervious Rock
Figure 4. Double Sheet Pile Wall Layout for Problem #8 (Not To Scale).
Page 5 of 5

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Geotechnical

Engineering Research Laboratory

Edward L. Hajduk, D.Eng, PE

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

14.531 ADVANCED SOIL MECHANICS

q = Total Applied Stress

= 1.50 TCM (above footing)

Figure 1. Test Conditions for Strip Footing.

14.531 2013 Final Exam

Geotechnical Engineering Research Laboratory

Edward L. Hajduk, D.Eng, PE

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

14.531 2013 Final Exam

Geotechnical Engineering Research Laboratory

Edward L. Hajduk, D.Eng, PE

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

Figure 2. Stress-Strain as a Function of K for Problem 2.

Geotechnical Engineering Research Laboratory

Edward L. Hajduk, D.Eng, PE

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

Problem #3. Lambe and Whitman Problem 16.3.

Figure 3. Inclined Permeameter Tube for Problem #5.

Geotechnical Engineering Research Laboratory

Edward L. Hajduk, D.Eng, PE

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

14.531 2013 Final Exam

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