Soil Mechanics-I Examples on Chapter-4

EXAMPLE-1
A soil profile consists of a layer of fine sand (γ = 16 KN/m3 and γsat = 19 KN/m3), 10.4 m thick
above a layer of clay (γsat = 17 KN/m3), 2 m thick. Below the clay is a deposit of coarse sand.
The ground water table was observed at 3 m below ground level. Plot the variation of σ, u and σ’
with depth.

EXAMPLE-2
For the soil profile shown below, plot the variation of σ, u and σ’ with depth.
How high should the water table rise so that the effective stress at C is 60KPa?

EXAMPLE-3
A soil surface is subjected to a surcharge load of intensity q=20KN/m2 as shown below. Plot the
variation of σ, u and σ’ with depth.

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Soil Mechanics-I Examples on Chapter-4

EXAMPLE-4
For the soil profile shown below, plot the variation of σ, u and σ’ with depth. Given H1=2m,
H2=2.5m and H3=3.5m.

EXAMPLE-5
Consider the upward flow of water through a layer of sand (e=0.52, Gs=2.67) in a tank shown
below.
a) Calculate the values of σ, u and σ’ at points A and B.
b) What is the upward seepage force per unit volume of soil?

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Soil Mechanics-I Examples on Chapter-4

EXAMPLE-6
A cut is made in saturated clay underlain by a layer of sand as shown in the figure below. The
sand is under an artesian pressure of 3m as shown. Calculate the maximum depth of the cut, H,
that can be made in the clay.

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Soil Mechanics-I Examples on Chapter-4

Note for Example-7

The hydraulic gradient across any square in the flow net involves measuring the average
dimensions of the square. The highest hydraulic gradient (and hence the highest seepage
velocity) occurs across the smallest square and vice versa.

The condition adjacent to a sheet pile subjected to seepage is best studied using flow nets.
A sheet pile with upward seepage on the downstream face is depicted below.

Model test have shown that a volume of soil d x d/2 (soil ABCD) just adjacent to the sheet
pile may become unstable to support the wall. Failure first shows in the form of a rise or
heave at the surface associated with an expansion of the soil which results in an increase
in permeability. This in turn leads to increased flow, surface ‘boiling’ in the case of sands
and complete failure.
If point m is in the middle of CD, having a head hm; then the average hydraulic gradient for
this condition is given by;

Since failure due to heaving (quick condition) occurs when the hydraulic gradient becomes ic, the
factor of safety against heaving can be expressed as;

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Soil Mechanics-I Examples on Chapter-4

Example-7

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Soil Mechanics-I Examples on Chapter-4

EXAMPLE-8
A pole carries a vertical load of 200 KN. Determine the vertical stress increase at a depth 5 m (a)
directly below the pole and (b) at a radial distance of 2 m.
Solution: Q = 200KN, z = 5m

(a) r = 0m hence, r/z = 0 from table 4.1, IB = 0.4775 hence;

Q 200
σ z = 2 I B = 2 (0.4775) = 3.82 KN / m 2
z 5

(b) r = 2m hence, r/z = 2/5 = 0.4 from table 4.1, IB = 0.3294 hence;
Q 200
σ z = 2 I B = 2 (0.3294) = 2.635KN / m 2
z 5

EXAMPLE-9
A strip footing 6m wide rests on the ground surface and supports a load intensity of 200KN/m2
Determine the vertical stress increase at a depth of 3 m;
(a) Under the center of the footing.
(b) At a distance of 3m from the center of the footing
(c) At a distance of 6m from the center of the footing
EXAMPLE-10
A rectangular concrete slab, 3m×4.5m, rests on the surface of a soil mass as shown below. The
load on the slab is 2025 KN. Determine the vertical stress increase at a depth of 3 m:
(a) Under the center of the slab (point A)
(b) Under point B, and
(c) At a distance of 1.5m from a corner, point C

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Soil Mechanics-I Examples on Chapter-4

EXAMPLE-11
The foundation shown below carries a uniform load of 100KN/m2. Using Newmark’s chart;
determine the vertical stress increase at a depth of 5 m below the center (point A) and below the
middle of the short side (point B).

Solution
For point A, N = 89.6 σ z = qNI = 100 * 89.6 * 0.005 = 44.8KN / m 2
For point B, N = 53.4 σ z = qNI = 100 * 53.4 * 0.005 = 26.7 KN / m 2

EXAMPLE-12
The mat foundation shown below carries a uniform load of 300KN/m2. Using Newmark’s chart;
determine the vertical stress increase at a depth of 5 m below point P.

Solution
N = 64 σ z = qNI = 300 * 64 * 0.005 = 96 KN / m 2

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Soil Mechanics-I Examples on Chapter-4

EXAMPLE-13
A rectangular foundation 2m x 3m supports a 300KN load. Determine the stress at a depth 2m
below the foundation using approximate method.
Solution
The stress increase at the middle of each sub-layer of clay will be;
Q 300 300
σz = = = = 15 KN / m 2
( B + z ) * ( L + z ) (2 + 2) * (3 + 2) 20
EXAMPLE-14
The soil profile at a site for a proposed office building consists of a layer of fine sand 10.4 m
thick above a layer of soft normally consolidated clay 2 m thick. Below the soft clay is a deposit
of soft sand. The groundwater table was observed at 3 m below ground level. The void ratio of
the sand is 0.76 and the water content of the clay is 43%. The building will impose a vertical
stress increase of 140 KPa at the middle of the clay layer. Estimate the primary consolidation
settlement of the clay if Cc = 0.3. Assume the soil above the water table to be saturated and take
Gs = 2.7

Solution
Calculate σo’ and eo at the middle of the clay layer
G +e  2.7 + 0.76 
Sand : γ sat =  s γ w =   × 9.8 = 19.3 kN/m
3
 1 + e   1 + 0 . 76  Clay : e o = wG s = 2.7 × 0.43 = 1.16;
 Gs −1   2.7 − 1   G −1   2.7 − 1 
γ =
'
γ w =   × 9.8 = 9.5 kN/m
3 γ ' =  s γ w =   × 9.8 = 7.7 kN/m
3

 1+ e   1 + 0.76   1+ e   1 + 1.16 
or γ ' = γ sat − γ w = 19.3 − 9.8 = 9.5 kN/m 3
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Soil Mechanics-I Examples on Chapter-4

The vertical effective stress at the mid-depth of the clay layer is

σ o' = (19.3 × 3) + (9.5 × 7.4) + (7.7 ×1) = 135.9 kPa
Cc H  σ ' + ∆σ '  0.3 * 2  135.9 + 140 
Sc = log  o  = log   = 0.085m = 85mm
1 + eo  σ 'o  1 + 1.16  135.9 

EXAMPLE-15
Assume the same soil profile as in Example 14. But now the clay is overconsolidated with an
OCR=2.5, w=38%, and Cr=0.05. All other soil values given in Example 14 remain unchanged.
Determine the primary consolidation settlement of the clay.
Solution
Calculate σo’ and eo at the middle of the clay layer
Clay : e o = wG s = 2.7 × 0.38 = 1.03;
 G −1   2.7 − 1 
γ ' =  s γ w =   × 9.8 = 8.2 kN/m
3
 1+ e   1 + 1.03 
σ o' = (19.3 × 3) + (9.5 × 7.4) + (8.2 ×1) = 136.4 kPa
Calculate the preconsolidation stress

σ c' = OCR *σ o' = 2.5 ×136.4 = 341 kPa

Check if σc’ is less or greater than σo’+ Δσ’ σ 'o + ∆σ ' = 136.4 + 140 = 276.4 kPa
Since σo’+ Δσ’ < σc’ use equation 4.40
CH  σ ' + ∆σ '  0.05 * 2  136.4 + 140 
S c = r log  o  = log   = 0.015m = 15mm
1 + eo  σ 'o  1 + 1.03  136.4 
EXAMPLE-16
A rectangular footing, having dimension 2m x 3m, supports a column load of 900KN as shown
below. Determine the consolidation settlement of the clay layer.

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Solution
The clay layer is 6 m thick, so it is best to subdivide the clay layer into 3 sub-layers; each having
a thickness of 2 m.
The stress at the base of the footing is;
Q 900
q= = = 150 KN / m 2
( B * L) (2 * 3)
The stress increase at the middle of each sub-layer of clay will be;
q ( B * L) 150(2 * 3) 900
∆σ = = =
( B + z ) * ( L + z ) (2 + z ) * (3 + z ) (2 + z ) * (3 + z )

Sub-layer z (m) Δσ (KN/m2)

900
1 3 = 30
(2 + 3) ∗ (3 + 3)
900
2 5 = 16.07
(2 + 5) ∗ (3 + 5)
900
3 7 = 10
(2 + 7) ∗ (3 + 7)

The effective stress at the middle of each sub-layer of clay will be;
Sub-layer 1
σ 'o = (17 * 3) + [(20 − 9.81) ×1] + [(18 − 9.81) ×1] = 69.38 KN / m 2
Sub-layer 2
σ 'o = 69.38 + [(18 − 9.81) × 2] = 85.76 KN / m 2
Sub-layer 3
σ 'o = 85.76 + [(18 − 9.81) × 2] = 102.14 KN / m 2
The settlement of each sub-layer is;
Sub-layer 1
Cc H  σ ' + ∆σ '  0.25 * 2  69.38 + 30 
Sc = log  o  = log   = 0.0433m = 43.3mm
1 + eo  σ 'o  1 + 0.8  69.38 
Sub-layer 2
0.25 * 2  85.76 + 16.07 
Sc = log   = 0.0207 m = 20.7 mm
1 + 0.8  85.76 
Sub-layer 3
0.25 * 2  102.14 + 10 
Sc = log   = 0.0112m = 11.2mm
1 + 0.8  102.14 
Hence, the settlement of the clay layer is the sum of the settlement of the sub-layers;
S c = 43.3 + 20.7 + 11.2 = 75.2mm

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Soil Mechanics-I Examples on Chapter-4

EXAMPLE-17
A soft clay layer 1.5 m thick is sandwiched between layers of sand. The initial vertical total
stress at the center of the clay layer is 200 KPa and the pore water pressure is 100 KPa. The
increase in vertical stress at the center of the clay layer from a building foundation is 100 KPa.
What is the vertical effective stress and excess pore water pressure at the center of the clay layer
when 60% of consolidation occurs?
Solution
Given that σ o = 200 KPa, ui = 100KPa, ∆σ = 100 KPa, U z = 60% = 0.6
Hence, total stress, σ = σ o + ∆σ = 200 + 100 = 300 KPa
Pore water pressure at 60% consolidation, u = ui (1 − U z ) = 100(1 − 0.6) = 40 kPa
Hence, total pore water pressure, ui + u = 100 + 40 = 140 KPa
Therefore, the effective stress is, σ ' = σ − u = 300 − 140 = 160 KPa
EXAMPLE-18
A 4m thick clay layer below the foundation of a tower is overlain by a sandy pervious stratum
and is underlain by an impervious stratum. Cv for the clay layer is 0.025 cm2/min and the
expected final settlement, Sf is 100mm.
a. How much time will it take for 75% of Sf to take place?
b. What is the settlement that would occur in one year?
C. How much time is required for a settlement of 80mm?
Solution

Since we have a half closed layer ⇒ H=d=4m=400cm

a) U = 75% ⇒ 0.75>0.60 = 60%
Tv = 1.781 − 0.933 log(100 − U )
Tv = 1.781 − [0.933 log10 (100 − 75)] = 0.477
Cv t Tv d 2 0.477 * (400) 2
From Tv = ⇒ t = = = 3052800min = 5.81 years
d2 Cv 0.025
b) If t = 1yr. St =?
C t 0.025 * (365 * 24 * 60)
Tv = v2 = = 0.082
d (400) 2
4Tv 4 * 0.082
U= for U < 0.6 ⇒ U = = 0.323 < 0.6 OK
π π
⇒ St = S(1yr) = U*Sf = 0.323 * 100mm = 32.3mm = 3.23 cm

c) If St = 80mm, t =?
⇒ Tv = 1.781 − [0.933 log10 (100 − 80 )] = 0.567
S 80mm
U= t = × 100% = 80% > 60%
S f 100mm

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Cv t Tv d 2 0.567 * (400) 2
From Tv = 2 ⇒ t = = = 3628800min = 6.9 years
d Cv 0.025
EXAMPLE-19
The following readings were taken for an increment of vertical stress of 20 KPa in an oedometer
test on a saturated clay sample, 75 mm in diameter and 20 mm thick. Drainage was permitted
from the top and bottom boundaries.
Time (min） 0.25 1 2.25 4 9 16 25 36
ΔH (mm) 0.12 0.23 0.33 0.43 0.59 0.68 0.74 0.76
Determine the coefficient of consolidation using the root time method.
Solution
Step 1: t 90 = 3.22 min ; t90 = 10.4 m.
1/ 2

20 + (20 − 0.89) 0.848d 2

Step 2: d= = 9.8 mm Cv = = 7.8 mm 2 / min
4 t90

EXAMPLE-20
A sample, 75 mm in diameter and 20 mm high, taken from a clay layer 10 m thick, was tested in
an oedometer. It took the laboratory sample 15 minutes to reach 50% consolidation. Note that in
an oedometer test a sample has two drainage boundaries.
(1) If the clay layer in the field has the same drainage condition as the laboratory sample,
calculate how long it will take the 10 m clay layer to achieve 50% consolidation.
(2) How much more time would take the 10 m clay layer to achieve 50% consolidation if
drainage existed only on one boundary.
Solution
20 10
(1) (d ) lab = = 10 mm = 0.01 m; (d ) field = =5m
2 2
tlab (d 2 ) field 15 × 52
⇒ t field = = = 375 ×10 4 min = 7.13 years
(d 2 ) lab 0.012
20
(2) (d ) lab = = 10 mm = 0.01 m; (d ) field = 10 m
2
tlab (d 2 ) field 15 ×10 2
⇒ t field = 2
= 2
= 15 ×106 min = 28.54 years
(d ) lab 0.01

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