Exercise 1

1. In order to determine the in-situ density of some soil, a sand replacement test* was used
and the following results recorded:

Mass of soil extracted from the hole 2.03 kg

Mass of soil after oven drying 1.51 kg
Mass of sand pouring cylinder initially 5.32 kg
Mass of sand pouring cylinder finally 3.07 kg
Volume of cone in sand pouring cylinder 0.25x10-3 m3
Density of sand in cylinder 1590 kg/m3.

If the specific gravity of the soil particles is assumed to be 2.70, calculate the bulk density,
the dry density and the degree of saturation of the soil.

*Brief description of sand replacement test:

i. A hole is excavated in the ground where the in-situ soil density
is to be determined.
ii. Mass of the excavated soil is determined.
iii. The volume of the excavated hole can be determined by filling (cone)
it with sand of a known (calibrated) density.
iv. Mass of the excavated soil and volume of the hole allow
evaluation of the in-situ density of the soil. Excavated hole

2. (a) Starting from the basic definitions, show steps to prove the following formula:

𝐺𝑠 (1 − 𝐴)
𝜌𝑑 = 𝜌
1 + 𝑤𝐺𝑠 𝑤

(b) In the re-development of the Kai Tak airport, a fill embankment of volume 60,000 m3
and of void ratio of 0.75 is to be built. To get the fill soil materials, two potential “borrow
pits” were identified: (1) Tsuen Wan site: in-situ void ratio is 0.8 and cost of transport is
HK$100/m3; (2) Ma On Shan site: in-situ void ratio is 1.5 and cost of transport is
HK$70/m3. Which borrow pit should be used and what is the total cost?

3. Derive the equivalent horizontal and vertical coefficients of permeability (𝑘�𝑥 , 𝑘�𝑧 ) for
multi-layered soil conditions shown in Figure 1 below. Assume that there are n layers of
soil with the corresponding coefficients of permeability being kx1, kx2…kxn (horizontal)
and kz1, kz2…kzn (vertical).
 Figure 1 (assume n layers of soil in the derivation of
equivalent coefficients of permeability)

4. Referring to the geometry of the concrete dam and the flow net shown in Figure 2,
determine the following quantities:

i. Total head at Point B;

ii. Rise of water level above Point A (i.e. H) if piezometer is installed as shown;
iii. The quantity of seepage under the dam if the hydraulic conductivity, k, of the soil is
5 × 10-6 m/s.

Figure 2 (Depths of water not drawn to scale)