GEOTECHNICAL

ENGINEERING SET 4

Effective Stress
Total Stress

Pore Water Pressure

Example:
*use unit weight of water = 10 kN/cu. m
PROBLEM 1
The soil profile consists of a 10m layer of sand underlain by a 20m layer of clay. The location of
water table is 4m from the ground surface. The unit weight of sand above the water table is
19.05 kN/m3 and below the saturated unit weight of sand is 20.11 kN/m3. The clay has a
saturated unit weight of 18.73 kN/m3.

1. Find the total stress at the bottom of clay.

2. Compute the effective stress at the bottom of clay.
3. If the effective pressure at the bottom of sand is 81.9 kPa, what height above this point the
water will rise in the piezometer?

4m γ1= 19.05kN/m3
10m
γ2= 20.11kN/m3 B

γ3= 18.78kN/m3
20m

A
PROBLEM 2
The soil profile consists of 5m sand underlain by 13m layer of clay. The ground water table is at a
depth of 2.8m below the surface. The sand has a unit weight of 19 kN/m3 above the ground
water table and the saturated unit weight below was 20 kN/m3. The saturated unit weight of the
clay is 15.7 kN/m3. At a depth of 11m det. the following:

1. Total stress or pressure

2. Water pressure
3. Effective stress

2.8m γ1= 19kN/m3

5m
γ2= 20kN/m3
11m

γ3= 15.7kN/m3
13m
γw y PT = γw (y) + γsat (x)

Pw = γw (y+x)
Pe = γw (y) + γsat (x) - γw (y+x)
γsat x = γw (y) + γsat (x) - γw (y) - γw (x)

Pe = γsat (x) - γw (x) = (γsat - γw) x = γ‘x

z PT = γw (y+z) + γsat (x)

y
Pw = γw (y+x+z)
γw
Pe = γw (y+z) + γsat (x) - γw (y+x+z)
= γw (y) + γw (z) + γsat (x) - γw (y) - γw (x) - γw (z)

γsat x Pe = γsat (x) - γw (x) = (γsat - γw) x = γ‘x

PROBLEM 3

From the soil profile shown, det. the following:

1.Effective stress at the bottom of sand layer
2.Effective stress at the bottom of clay layer
3.The depth of water table from the ground so that the effective stress
at the bottom becomes 104 kPa.

Sand
γ1 γ1 e = 0.61 x
Sand
4m Gs = 2.65
e = 0.61
Gs = 2.65 γ3

5m Clay γ2 γ2 Clay
e = 0.48 e = 0.48
Gs = 2.67 Gs = 2.67
Capillarity in Soil
PROBLEM 4
A dense silt layer has the following properties
Void ratio e = 0.30 Effective diameter D10 = 10μm Capillary constant C = 0.20 cm2
Free ground water level is 8.0m below the ground surface. Assume γs = 26.5 kN/cu m and that
the soil above the capillary action rise and ground surface is partially saturated at 50%.
1. Find the height of the capillary rise in the silt.
2. Find the vertical effective stress in kPa at a depth of 5m
3. Find the vertical effective stress in kPa at a depth of 10m.

1.33m γ1
5m

8m
6.67m
γ2 10m
PROBLEM 5
The figure shows a granular soil in the tank having a downward seepage. The water level in the
tank is held constant by adjusting the supply from the top and outflow at the bottom.
1. Determine the total stress
at the bottom
2. Find the pore water
pressure at the bottom
3. Compute the effective
stress at the bottom

0.90m
1m

Sand
e = 0.47
6m
Gs = 2.68
PROBLEM FOR PRACTICE
A clay layer 4 m thick rests beneath a deposit of submerged sand 8 m thick. The top of the sand
is located 3 m below the surface of the lake. The saturated unit weight of the sand is 25 kN/m3
and that of clay is 18 kN/m3. Determine the effective stress at the mid height of the clay layer.

ANS: 137.9 kPa

 GEOTECHNICAL
ENGINEERING SET 5

Settlement of Soil Structures

 PROBLEM 1
A 2m clay layer has values of e = 0.92, Gs = 2.72 and liquid limit of 40%. Above the clay is a 3m
thick layer of sand with e = 0.50 and Gs = 2.62. The water table is located 1.6m below the
ground. If a 3m thick backfill is placed on the ground surface having a unit weight of 17.3 kN/cu
m, determine the following:
1. Compression index of clay
2. Effective pressure at the midpoint of clay
3. Primary settlement for normally consolidated clay

3m  = 17.3 kN/m3

1.6m γ1
e = 0.5 Sand
3m
Gs = 2.62 γ2

e = 0.92
Gs = 2.72
γ3
2m Clay
LL = 40%
PROBLEM 2
The soil profile shown in the figure consist of a 9m layer of sand underlain by 6m layer of
clay. The location of water table is 3m from the ground level. The building to be
constructed will cause an additional pressure of 50 kPa on the ground. What is the primary
settlement of the clay layer if:
1. Clay is normally consolidated
2. Preconsolidation pressure Pc=190kPa
3. Preconsolidation pressure Pc=170kPa

ΔP =50 kPa

3m γd = 16 kN/ cu m

6m γsat = 18.5 kN/cu m Sand

γsat = 19 kN/cu m
6m
e = 0.95 Clay
Cc = 0.36
PROBLEM 3
A square column foundation carries a load of 440kN and has a footing dimension of
1.5m by 1.5m. Considering a settlement for clay layer
1. Find the effective overburden pressure
2. Determine the additional pressure
3. Compute the primary settlement for
normally consolidated clay.
440kN

1.4 m
3m
2m Sand
1.5 m
γd = 15.7 kN/ cu m

γsat = 18.5 kN/cu m

3m 2
γsat = 18.9 kN/cu m
1 Clay
e = 0.61
Cc = 0.25
2.8 m 1.5 1.5
 440kN

1.4 m
3m
2m Sand
1.5 m
γd = 15.7 kN/ cu m
1.6 m
γsat = 18.5 kN/cu m
0.8 4.4 m
2
γsat = 18.9 kN/cu m 3m
1 Clay
e = 0.61
Cc = 0.25
2.8 m 1.5 1.5

2.2
PROBLEM 4
In a laboratory consolidation test on a clay sample the
following results were obtained:
P1= 50 kPa e1 = 0.92
P2 = 120 kPa e2 = 0.78
Thickness of the sample of clay = 25 mm
Time for 50% consolidation = 2.5min
Consolidation factor Tv = 0.197
1. Find the coefficient of volume compressibility.
2. Determine the coefficient of consolidation if sample
of clay was drained on both sides.
3. Compute the hydraulic conductivity of the clay.
PROBLEM 5 (Problem for Practice)
In a laboratory consolidation data for an undisturbed clay specimen are as follows:
P1= 90 kPa e1 = 1.12
P2 = 460 kPa e2 = 0.90

1. Compute the compression index

2. Find the void ratio for a pressure of 600 kPa
3. Determine the coefficient of compressibility
 GEOTECHNICAL
ENGINEERING SET 6

Shear Strength of Soil

TRI-AXIAL TEST

© Wil A Kitch 2015

PROBLEM 1
A consolidated-undrained soil test was conducted on a normally consolidated sample with a
chamber pressure of 140 kPa. The sample failed when the deviator stress was 124 kPa. The pore
water pressure in the sample at that time was 75 kPa.
1. Determine the undrained angle of internal friction.
2. Find the drained angle of internal friction
3. What is the drained angle of internal friction if the soil possess a cohesion of 12 kPa?
a. 23.680 b. 43.710 c. 14.220 d. 8.230
Normally consolidated soil (c=0) Normally consolidated soil (c=0) Cohesive soil

r = 62 r = 62 r = 62
φ φ φ c = 12
x

σ3= 140 σ3’= 140 Δσ = 124 σ3’= 140

Δσ = 124 - 75 Δσ = 124
- 75
= 65 = 65
1. sin φ = 62 2. sin φ = 62 3. tan φ = 12 sin φ = 62
140 + 124/2 65 + 124/2 x x + 65+ 124/2
φ = 17.870 φ = 29.220 x = 12/tan φ sin φ = 62
12/tanφ + 65 + 124/2
φ = 23.680
PROBLEM 2
The sand sample in a tri-axial test have the foll stresses 1. Determine the drained angle of internal
Cell pressure Deviator stress Pore Press. Friction.
25 kPa 20 kPa 12 kPa 2. Find the cohesion of soil.
34 kPa 31 kPa 10 kPa 3. What is the angle of failure in shear?
1. sin φ = 10 1
x + 13+ 20/2

sin φ = 15.5 2
x + 24+ 31/2
r = 15.5
r = 10 Combining eq. 1 & 2
c
φ
x 10 = 15.5
x + 13 + 20/2 x + 24 + 31/2
σ3’= 25
- 12 x=7
= 13 Using eq. 1 or 2: Substitute x = 7
Δσ = 20
φ = 19.470
2. tan 19.470 = c
σ3’= 34 Δσ = 31 7
- 10
c = 2.47 kPa
= 24
3. θ = 45 + φ/2
= 45 + 19.470/2 = 54.740
DIRECT SHEAR TEST

© Wil A Kitch 2015

PROBLEM 3
A sample of sand is subjected to direct shear testing at its normal water content. Two test are
performed. For one of the test, the sample fails at a shear stress of 3000 psf when the normal
stress is 4000 psf. In the second test, the sample shears at a stress of 4000 psf when the normal
stress is 6000 psf. From these data, det the foll.
1. Angle of internal friction
1. By ratio and proportion:
2. Cohesion of soil
3000 = 4000
x + 4000 x + 6000
x = 2000

3000 4000 tan φ = 3000

c 2000 + 4000
φ
x φ = 26.570

4000 2. tan 26.570 = c

2000
6000 c = 1000 kPa
PROBLEM 4
A cohesive soil with an angle of shearing resistance of 280 has a cohesion of 32 kPa. The shear
stress at failure is 64 kPa
1. Compute the normal stress.
2. Determine the confining pressure.
3. Find the max principal stress. σn
1. tan 280 = 32
x
x = 60.18
tan 280 = 64
60.18 + σn 280 r
σS = 64
σn = 60.19 kPa c =32
φ = 280
x
2. cos 280 = 64
r
r = 72.48
σ3
sin 280 = 72.48
60.18 + σ3 + 72.48
Δσ = 2r = 144.96 kPa
σ3 = 21.73kPa
σ1
3. σ1 = 21.73 + 144.96
= 166.69 kPa
PROBLEM 5
A cohesive soil has an angle of shearing resistance of 300 and a cohesion of 24 kPa. If the
maximum shearing stress is 340 kPa
1. Compute the confining pressure in kPa 1. tan 300 = 24
x
2. Determine the max principal stress in kPa
3. Determine the normal stress at the plane of failure in kPa x = 41.57

Cohesive soil σn sin 300 = 340

41.57 + σ3 + 340
σ3 = 298.43 kPa

2. σ1 = 298.43 + 680
= 978.43 kPa
0 r = 340
σS 30 3. cos 300 = σS
c =24 340
φ = 300
x σS = 294.45 kPa
tan 300 = 294.45
41.57 + σn
σ3 σn = 468.43 kPa
Δσ = 2r = 680 kPa
σ1