NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, ROURKELA

Mid Semester Examination, Spring Semester 2016-17, M.Tech 2nd Semester

Earth Retaining Structures Subject code- CE 616

Full Marks – 30 Time allotted- 2 hours

Answer all Questions.
Assume any relevant data, if required.
Figures in the right hand margin indicate marks.
Q. No Marks

1.(a) The backfill slope of a retaining wall is β. The backfill soil is sand. The 4
angle of internal friction is . Using Mohr’s circle determine the lateral
active earth pressure in the retaining wall.

(b) Determine the depth of tension crack for a retaining wall having
2
backfill soil properties as c = 22 kPa, Ø = 28o, γ = 18 kN/m3. Use
Rankine’s theory.

2. A retaining wall with a smooth, vertical backface has to retain a 8

sand backfill up to a height of 4.0 m. A uniform surcharge of 60
kN/m2 is placed over the backfill. The water table is 1.5 m below
G.L. The specific gravity of solids and void ratio of the backfill are
2.68 and 0.82, respectively. The soil above the water table has a
degree of saturation of 10%. The angle of internal friction of the
soil above and below water table are found to be 32 and 28o.
Determine the magnitude and point of application resultant active
thrust on the wall.

3. Determine the total active earth pressure acting on the earth 8

retaining wall shown in Fig. 1. Use Rankine’s theory.

q = 50 kPa

2.5 m Ø = 32o, γ = 17 kN/m3

W.T

3.2 m Ø = 35o, γ = 18 kN/m3

3.2 m c = 19 kPa, Ø = 15o, γ = 19.0 kN/m3

Fig. 1
4. Check the stability of the retaining wall shown in Fig. 2 against sliding 8
failure and overturning failure. Use Rankine’s theory. All dimensions are
in meter (m).

0.5

c=0
Ø = 32o
γ = 17.5 kN/m3
1.2
6.3

2.0
1.6

γc = 22 kN/m3
0.5

3.75

Fig. 2

(1) **************************