Test 2

Foundation Engineering and Earth Retaining

Structure

Name: :

ID No :

April 6, 2006

1
2
PART A; SHEAR STRENGTH OF SOIL

A.1 Identify tests that relevant in directly determining Coulomb’s strength

parameters.
[5 MARKS]

a. Direct Shear Test

UU
CU
CD
b. Triaxial Test
UU
CU
CD
c. Unconfined Compression Test
d. Oedometer Test
f. Laboratory Vase Shear Test
g. Standard Penetration Test
h. Cone Penetration Test
i. Dilatometer Test
j. Pressuremeter Test
k. Field Vane Shear Test

A.2 Identify tests that relevant in indirectly determining Coulomb’s strength

parameters.
[5 MARKS]

a. Direct Shear Test

UU
CU
CD
b. Triaxial Test
UU
CU
CD
c. Unconfined Compression Test
d. Oedometer Test
f. Laboratory Vase Shear Test
g. Standard Penetration Test
h. Cone Penetration Test
i. Dilatometer Test
j. Pressuremeter Test
k. Field Vane Shear Test

3
 FIGURE QA3

A.3 Identify graph as results of soil testing in FIGURE QA3 for the
following test.
[5 MARKS]

a. Direct Shear Test

UU
CU
CD
b. Triaxial Test
UU
CU
CD
c. Unconfined Compression Test
d. Oedometer Test
f. Laboratory Vase Shear Test
g. Standard Penetration Test
h. Cone Penetration Test
i. Dilatometer Test
j. Pressuremeter Test
k. Field Vane Shear Test
4
A.4
Tick terms that relevant to TERMS Tick terms that relevant
sand to clay
[5 MARKS [5 MARKS
1 Relative Density
2 Specific Gravity
3 Void Ratio
4 Water Content
5 Particle Shape
6 Liquid Limit
7 Plastic Limit
8 Plasticity Index
9 Coefficient of Uniformity
10 Dry Density
11 Coefficient of Curvature
12 Degree of Saturation
13 Compression Index
14 Swelling Index
15 Coefficient of Consolidation
16 Saturated Density
17 Shrinkage Limit
18 Undrained Cohesion
19 Consolidation
20 Time Rate of Consolidation
21 Degree of Consolidation
22 Consistency
23 Elastic Settlement
24 Consolidation Settlement
24 Medium Density

5
PART B: COMPRESSIBILITY OF SOIL

Given a two-layer soil system with ground water level two meter below ground
surface. The water level will be lowered to the top of clay layer. You are
requested to assess the settlement on top of clay layer. The following
consolidation settlement equation is given as below.

Cc  σ + ∆σ 
∆S = H log o 
1 + eo  σ o 

C.1. Calculate effective pressure at point A:

a. Before lowering of ground water:

σ v = ___________ kN/m2
[1 MARKS]
b. After lowering of ground water level
σ v = ___________ kN/m2
[1 MARKS]

C.2 Calculate settlement of clay layer

S = ______________ meter
[3 MARKS]

6
PART C: EARTH RETAINING STRUCTURE

C.1 Steps to be taken to assess the stability of steel sheetpile penetrating into clay
layer, retained horizontally by rock anchor, can best described as follow:
[5 MARKS]
a. 1. Check depth of embedment. Increase depth of embedment if required,
2. Determine earth pressure distribution,
3. Calculate passive and active forces,
4. Calculate point of inflection by rotational equilibrium,
5. Calculate anchor force by horizontal equilibrium equation,
6. Check capacity of tie rod.
7. Check overall stability,
8. Check capacity of rock anchor,

b. 1. Check depth of embedment. Increase depth of embedment if required,

2. Determine earth pressure distribution,
3. Calculate passive and active forces,
4. Calculate point of inflection by rotational equilibrium,
5. Calculate anchor force by horizontal equilibrium equation,
6. Check bearing capacity of sheetpile,
7. Check capacity of rock anchor,

c. 1. Determine earth pressure distribution,

2. Calculate passive and active forces,
3. Calculate anchor force by horizontal equilibrium equation,
4. Check capacity of tie rod.
5. Check bearing capacity of sheetpile,
6. Check overall stability,
7. Check capacity of rock anchor,

d. 1. Determine earth pressure distribution,

2. Calculate passive and active forces,
3. Calculate point of inflection by rotational equilibrium,
4. Calculate anchor force by horizontal equilibrium equation,
5. Check bearing capacity of sheetpile,
6. Check overall stability,
7. Check capacity of rock anchor,

e. 1. Check depth of embedment. Increase depth of embedment if required,

2. Determine earth pressure distribution,
3. Calculate passive and active forces,
4. Calculate point of inflection by rotational equilibrium,
5. Check bearing capacity of sheetpile,
6. Check overall stability,
7. Check capacity of rock anchor,

7
C.2. For a anchored sheetpile shown in FIGURE D-Q2 below, L1 is 4.0 meter and L2
is 9 meter. The soil is sand throughout.

A l1 Water Table
LL
1 F
l2
C

L2
L2 Sand:
A γ=18kN/m3
φ=35o

D
L L3
De
Df
P L4
L
B

Calculate effective pressure distribution at the following points:

[3 MARKS]
2
a. Point A: σ v = ___________ kN/m
b. Point B: σ v = ___________ kN/m2
c. Point C: σ v = ___________ kN/m2

C.3 Equation to obtained L3 is obtained by knowing the fact that active and passive
pressure is equalizing. The correct equation to obtain L3 is:
[3 MARKS]

Deσ D
a. L3 =
(σ B + σ D )
σD
b. L3 =
γ (K p − K a )
Deσ D
c. L3 =
(σ B − σ D )
σD
d. L3 =
γ (K p + K a )

8
 σD
e. L3 =
γ (K a − K p )

C.4. Suppose that L3 is 2.0 meter and De is 5.0 meter, calculate the following:
[2 MARKS]
a. Active force, A = _________________ kN/m’
b. Passive force, P = _________________ kN/m’
c. Anchor force, F = _________________ kN/m’

C.5 The equilibrium equation to obtained L3 is

[2 MARKS]

L
a. P 4 − A( L2 + De − X ) = 0
3
1
b. A( X − l 2 ) − P ( L3 + L4 ) = 0
3
2
c. A( X − l 2 ) − P ( L3 + L4 ) = 0
3
L4
d. −P + A( L2 + De + X ) = 0
3
2
e. A( X − l 2 ) + P ( L3 + L4 ) = 0
3

C.6 FIGURE 1 shows several possibility of earth pressure diagram (GROUP A)

based on type of soil being penetrated (sand or clay), type of flexible sheetpile in
GROUP B (cantilever sheetpile, anchored sheetpile and freestanding sheetpile).
Select the correct pairing of GROUP A and GROUP B
[5 MARKS]
a. (a-A), (b-E), (c-F), (d-D), (e-B), (f-C)
b. (a-E), (b-A), (c-B), (d-C), (e-F), (f-D)
c. (a-B), (b-F), (c-D), (d-A), (e-C), (f-E)
d. (a-F), (b-B), (c-D), (d-C), (e-E), (f-A)
e. (a-C), (b-A), (c-B), (d-E), (e-F), (f-D)

9
C.7

Pick the earth retaining structure from the following list that you think for the: (a.
embankment, b. above surface excavation, and c. below surface excavation.

1. Gravity wall,
2. Counterfort wall,
3. Sheet pile wall with or without anchored,
4. Braced excavation,
5. Soil nailing,
6. Diaphragm wall with or without anchored,
7. Closely spaced bored pile with or without anchored,
8. Reinforced wall

a. Two meter fill (or embankment).

[2 MARKS]
b. Six meter excavation at roadside.
[2 MARKS]
c. Fifteen meter excavation for basement.
[2 MARKS]
d. Six meter excavation for basement.
[2 MARKS]
e. Eight meter fill for bridge abutment.
[2 MARKS]

10
PART D: FOUNDATION

a=?
c=?
d=? b=?

D.1 Identify the type of foundation from the above figure.

[2 MARKS]
a.
b.
c.
d.
f.

1. Shallow Foundation
Background information

The following equation is a general bearing capacity equation that govern the shallow foundation:

1
qu = cN c Fc + qN q + γBN γ Fγ
2
Where:
N c , N q , N γ are bearing capacity factors, and
Fc , Fq , Fγ are composite correction factors due to shape, depth, load eccentricity, load
inclination, closeness to slope etc.

11
D.2

a. Given depth of embedment is 2 meter, width of the footing is 3 meter, unit

weight of soil 15 kN/m3, cohesion is 15 kN/m2 and friction angle is 35o,
calculate the ultimate bearing capacity.
qu= _______________kN
[1 MARKS]
b. Given depth of embedment is 2 meter, width of the square footing is 3
meter, unit weight of soil 15 kN/m3, cohesion is 15 kN/m2, friction angle is
35o, and the ground water table reaches the bottom of footing, calculate the
ultimate bearing capacity.
qu= _______________kN
[2 MARKS]
c. Given depth of embedment is 2 meter, width of the footing is 2 meter and
its length is 4.5 meter, unit weight of soil 15 kN/m3, cohesion is 15 kN/m2,
friction angle is 35o, and the ground water table reaches the bottom of
footing, calculate the ultimate bearing capacity.
qu= _______________kN
[2 MARKS]
d. If the applied vertical load is 1.5 MN, depth of embedment is 1 meter, unit
weight of soil 15 kN/m3, cohesion is 20 kN/m2, friction angle is 35o, and
the ground water table reaches the bottom of footing, calculate the ultimate
bearing capacity.
qu= _______________kN
[5 MARKS]
f. If the applied vertical load is 1.5 MN and inclined 10o to the vertical,
depth of embedment is 1 meter, unit weight of soil 15 kN/m3, cohesion is
20 kN/m2, friction angle is 35o, and the ground water table reaches the
bottom of footing, calculate the ultimate bearing capacity.
qu= _______________kN
[5 MARKS]

12
D.3

[5 MARKS]
A pad foundation is place on a two-layer soil system with a weak soil layer
overlying a stronger soil layer. In your opinion which of the following statement
is the most correct statement to calculate the ultimate bearing capacity.
a. Use stronger soil strength parameter, γ 1 , c1 , φ1 , in the general bearing
capacity equation, included all possible correction factor, to calculate the
ultimate bearing capacity.
b. Use weak soil strength parameter, γ 2 , c 2 , φ 2 , in the general bearing
capacity equation, included all possible correction factor, to calculate the
ultimate bearing capacity. This approach is a lower bound value.
c. Calculate the bearing capacity of both the weak and strong layer and take
the average as the ultimate bearing capacity of the two-layer system.
d. Calculate contribution of passive resistance and adhesion, which develop
within the stronger soil layer to the bearing capacity of weak layer.
f. Calculate the bearing capacity of both the weak and strong layer and take
the weighted average as the ultimate bearing capacity of the two-layer
system. Thickness of each layer is used as weighting factor.

13
 D

t
W W W

B B
A comparison is to be made between a pad foundation and a mat foundation.
Both are for a foundation of building with excavation for basement D below the
ground surface. The width of the building is W. Both the thickness of the pad
and mat are t.
D.4 Select from the following equations the ultimate bearing capacity of pad
foundation.
[2 MARKS]

a. 1
qu = cN c Fc + γDN q + γBN γ Fγ
2
b. 1
qu = cN c Fc + γtN q + γBN γ Fγ
2
c. 1
qu = cN c Fc + γDN q + γWN γ Fγ
2
d. 1
qu = cN c Fc + γtN q + γWN γ Fγ
2
f. 1
qu = cN c Fc + qtN q + γBN γ Fγ
2

D.5 Select from the following equations the ultimate bearing capacity of mat
foundation.
[2 MARKS]

a. 1
qu = cN c Fc + γDN q + γBN γ Fγ
2

14
 b. 1
qu = cN c Fc + γtN q + γBN γ Fγ
2
c. 1
qu = cN c Fc + γDN q + γWN γ Fγ
2
d. 1
qu = cN c Fc + γtN q + γWN γ Fγ
2
f. 1
qu = cN c Fc + qtN q + γBN γ Fγ
2

2. Pile Foundation
Background information

Given the following pile bearing capacity equation.

Q Q
Qa = b + s
F Fs
Qb = Abbqb and Qs = ∑ f si li p , hence,
Ab qb ∑ f s i li p
Qa = +
Fb Fs
Where:
Fb , Fs Factor of safety for base and friction resistance capacity,
respectively
Ab Area of base
qb Ultimate base pressure
= qN q'
f si Friction of layer i
li Thickness of layer i
p Perimeter of pile
qb = cNc' + qN q'
N c' and N q' = bearing capacity factors
For clay:
f si = αcu ;
α is obtained from table or other resources,
cu is undrained strength
For sand:
f si = Kσ v tan δ ; δ = 0.8φ ; K > K o for driven pile;
σv is overburden pressure constant below Dc where Dc is critical depth

The following table summarized various possibility of bearing capacity equation for layered soil.

15
Table 1: Bearing Capacity Equation

a.
(γ 1l1+γ 2l2 ) N q Ab [ K1γ 1l1 tan δ1l1 + 0.5 K 2 (γ 1l1 + γ 2 l2 ) tan δ 2l2 ] p
Qa = +
Fb Fs
b.
(γ 1l1 + γ 2l2 ) N q Ab (αcu l1 ) + 0.5 K 2 (γ 1l1 + γ 2l2 ) tan δl2 ) p
Qa = +
Fb Fs
c. 9cu Ab (α1cu1l1 + α 2cu 2l2 ) p
Qa = +
Fb Fs
d.
9cu Ab ( K1γ 1l1 tan δ1l1 + 0.5K 2 (γ 1l1 + γ 2l2 ) tan δ 2l2 ) p
Qa = +
Fb Fs
e.
9cu Ab (α1cu1l1 + 0.5 K 2 (γ 1l1 + γ 2l2 ) tan δ 2l2 ) p
Qa = +
Fb Fs

D6 Given Table 1 and FIGURE 2, match pile condition in FIGURE 2 and pile
bearing capacity equation in Table 1.

A. Equation ( ) from Table 1:

[1 MARKS]
B. Equation ( ) from Table 1:
[1 MARKS]
C. Equation ( ) from Table 1:
[1 MARKS]
D. Equation ( ) from Table 1:
[1 MARKS]
E. Equation ( ) from Table 1:
[1 MARKS]
F. Equation ( ) from Table 1:
[1 MARKS]

16
D.7 Figure below shows driven pile penetrating into highly overconsolidated clay
layer through two layers of medium dense sand. The thickness of Layer 1 and
Layer 2 are 5 meter and 6 meter respectively. The prestressed concrete pile has a
diameter of 600 mm.

Medium
Sand L l1 L Layer 1, γ1=18kN/m3, φ1=30o

Layer 2, γ2=18kN/m3, φ2=35o

Medium L l2
Sand L
B

Highly OC L L
Clay
L
cu=15kN/m2

Bed Rock
B
a. Calculate overburden pressure at the bottom of the first layer (A) and agt
the top of the second layer (B), respectively
Answer:
At A: σ v =_________kN/m2

At B: σ v =_________kN/m2
[1 MARKS]

b. Determine the critical depth Dc

Answer:
Dc=__________m
[1 MARKS]

c. How much the “corrected” overburden pressure below the critical depth?
Answer:
σ oc =___________kN/m2
[1 MARKS]
17
d. Give your best estimate for coefficient of lateral pressure for driven
pile K1 and K 2 . Remember, the coefficient of lateral earth pressure for
driven pile is larger than coefficient of lateral earth pressure at rest.
Answer:
K1=__________

K2=__________
[1 MARKS]

e. Pick bearing capacity equation that most relevant to the above problem.
Answer:
Equation:________
[1 MARKS]

f. Calculate the ultimate pile base capacity.

Answer:
Qb=__________kN
[1 MARKS]

g. Calculate friction resistance taking into account the “critical depth”.

Qs=__________kN
[1 MARKS]

h. Calculate friction resistance WITHOUT taking into account the “critical

depth”.

Qs=__________kN
[1 MARKS]

i. If Fb=3 and Fs=2.5, calculate allowable bearing capacity

Answer:
Qa=__________kN
[1 MARKS]

j. State problems that could be associated with Problem (f)

[1 MARKS]

18
FIGURE 1

19
FIGURE 2
20