Questionnaire for Module 5

Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering

1.

A wall with 10 slope towards backfill is retaining 6 m column of dry sand of unit weight
18 kN/m3, friction angle of 40 and angle of wall friction of 15 is subjected to an
earthquake, which produced PHA of 0.15g. Compute dynamic thrust on the wall and
overturning moment about base of wall. Assume suitable PVA.
;

cos 2

KA
cos 2

cos

sin
cos

sin
cos

cos 2

K AE
cos

cos 2 cos

sin
cos

sin
cos

2. Derive equation for factor of safety against slope failure using pseudostatic approach.
3. Explain Newmarks sliding block analysis. Show the variation of relative velocity and
displacement between the sliding block and plane to a triangular pulse of acceleration
over a short duration and derive an expression for total relative displacement.
4. What kind of foundations are preferred in liquefiable soils and why? How does
liquefaction potential of soil is considered in the design of foundations?
5. How does the density of soil affect the yield acceleration (k y) of the slope constructed in
that soil? Give equation for ky according to Newmarks sliding block analysis, for a slope
constructed over a reverse fault.
6. What kinds of soils need modification for mitigating seismic hazards? How can we
improve the seismic resistance of soils below an existing structure?
7. The slope shown in figure is intersected by two 15 cm thick seams of clay material. The
intact slope materials can be characterized by the parameters, c= 120 kPa. f= 0, g = 20.4
kN/m3. The clayey seams exhibit c = 36 kPa, f=0 and g = 18.8 kN/m3. (i) Compute the
minimum static factor of safety for the slope. Compute the yield acceleration.

8. The slope shown in figure is characterized by the parameters, c= 20 kPa. f= 20 , g = 20

kN/m3. Compute the yield acceleration.

9. Calculate the factor of safety against bearing capacity failure for the strip footing shown
in figure.
(i) Using punch shear analysis
(ii) Using bearing capacity equation with modified bearing capacity factor Nc

10. Explain the concept of earthquake drains and their importance in earthquake resistant
design.