Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr.

Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
20 Solved Problems in Soil Mechanics

1. A sand sample of 35 cm2 cross sectional area and 20 cm long was tested in a constant
head permeameter. Under a head of 60 cm, the discharge was 120 mL in 6 min. The dry
weight of sand used for the test was 1120 g, and G s = 2.68. Determine (a) the hydraulic
conductivity in cm/sec, (b) the discharge velocity, and (c) the seepage velocity.
Given:
Q = 120 mL; t = 6 min; A = 35 cm2; L = 20 cm; h = 60 cm.
a. Hydraulic conductivity in cm/sec, k
120 mL×20 cm
QL ¿
k= 2 60 sec k =3.1746 ×10−3 cm/ sec
^¿ ¿ 35 c m × 60 cm× 6 min×
1 min
b. Discharge velocity, v

h 10−3 cm 60 cm
v=ki v=k ¿ 3.1746 × × v=9.5238 ×10−3 cm/ sec
L sec 20 cm
c. Seepage velocity, Vs
1g
2.68 ×
Ws 1120 g
γ d =1.6
g γ w Gs c m3
γ d= ¿ 2 3γ d= e= −1e=0.675
V 35 c m × 20 cm cm 1+ e 1.6 g
c m3

v 9.5238× 10−3 cm/sec

v V s= ¿
V s= e 0.675 V s =2.36331× 10−2 cm/sec
n
1+e 1+0.675

2. The hydraulic conductivity of a soil sample was determined in a soil mechanics

laboratory by making use of a falling head permeameter. The data used and the test
results obtained were as follows: diameter of sample = 2.36 m, height of sample = 5.91
m, diameter of stand pipe = 0.79 m, initial head h1 = 17.72 m. final head h2 = 11.81 m.
Time elapsed = 1 min 45 sec. Determine the hydraulic conductivity in m/day.
Given:
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
Area of stand pipe, a

π d 2 π × 0.79m 2
a= ¿ a=0.4902 m2 Area of sample, A
4 4

π D 2 π ×2.36 m2
A= ¿ A=4.3744 m 2
4 4

Height of sample, L

L=h1−h2¿ ( 17.72−11.81 ) mL=5.91 m

Head, h1 and h2

h1 = 17.72 m; h2 = 11.81 m

Elapsed time in day, t

1min 1 hour 1 day

1 min× 60 sec + 45 secs=105 secs105 secs × × ×
60 secs 60 mins 24 hours
t=1.2153 ×10−3 days

aL h1 0.4902 m 2 × 5.91m 17.72 m

k=
At
ln( ) ¿
h 2 4.3744 m 2 × 1.2153× 10−3 days
ln (
11.81 m )
k =221.1131 m/day

3. A pumping test was made in pervious gravels and sands extending to a depth of 50 m,
where a bed of clay was encountered. The normal ground water level was at the ground
surface. Observation wells were located at distances of 10m and 25m from the pumping
well. At a discharge of 761 m3 per minute from the pumping well, a steady state was
attained in about 24 hr. The draw-down at 10 m was 5.5 m, and at 25 m was 1.21m.
Compute the hydraulic conductivity in m/sec.
Given:

q = 761 m3 per minute/60 secs = 12.6833m3 per second

r1 = 10 m; Draw-down at r1 = 5.5 m;
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
r2 = 25 m; Draw-down at r2 = 1.21 m;

h1 = 50 m – 5.5 m = 44.5 m;

h2 = 50 m – 1.21 m = 48.79 m

q r2 12.6833 m3 /sec 25 m
k= 2 2
π × ( h2−h1 )()
ln
r1
k= 2 2
π × ( 48.79 −44.5 ) ( )
ln −3
10 m k =9.2479 ×10 m/sec

4. A field pumping test was conducted from an aquifer of sandy soil of 8 m thickness
confined between two impervious strata. When equilibrium was established, 90 liters of
water was pumped out per hour. The water elevation in an observation well 6.0 m away
from the test well was 4.1 m and another 9.0 m away was 4.7 m from the roof level of
the impervious stratum of the aquifer. Find the value of k of the soil in m/sec.

Given:
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
H0 = 8 m; h1 = 4.1 m; h2 = 4.7 m; r1 = 6 m; r2 = 9 m

L 1m 3 1 hour
q=90 × × q=2.5 ×10−5 m 3 /sec
hour 1000 L 60 sec

q r 2 2.5× 10−5 m 3 /sec 9

k=
2 π × ( h 2−h1 )( )
ln
r1
¿
2 π × ( 4.7−4.1 ) ()
ln
6
k =2.6888 m/sec

5. A sand deposit contains three distinct horizontal layers of equal thickness. The hydraulic
conductivity of the upper and lower layers is 10 -3 cm/sec and that of the middle is 10 -2
cm/sec. What are the equivalent values of the horizontal and vertical hydraulic
conductivities of the three layers, and what is their ratio?

Given:

Horizontal flow
z 1=z 2= z 3=1

1 1
k h= ( k 1 z 1+ k 2 z2 + k 3 z 3 )¿ ( 10−3+10−2+ 10−3 ) cm/sec k h=4 ×10−3 cm/sec Vertical flow
Z 3
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
Z 3
k v= ¿
z1 z2 z3 1 1 1 k v =1.4286 ×10−3 cm/ sec
+ + + +
k 1 k 2 k 3 10−3 cm/ sec 10−2 cm/sec 10−3 cm/ sec

kh 4 ×10−3 cm/ sec

¿ ¿ 2.7999
k v 1.4286× 10−3 cm/sec

6. In a falling head permeameter, the sample used is 20 cm long having a cross-sectional

area of 24 cm2. Calculate the time required for a drop of head from 25 cm to 12 cm if
the cross-sectional area of the stand pipe is 2 cm 2. The sample of soil is made of three
layers. The thickness of the first layer from the top is 8 cm and has a value of k 1 = 2x10-
4
cm/sec, the second layer of thickness 8 cm has k 2 = 5x10-4cm/sec and the bottom layer
of thickness 4 cm has k 3 = 7x10-4cm/sec. Assume that the flow is taking place
perpendicular to the layers.

Given:

z1 = 8 cm; k1 = 2x10-4cm/sec;

z2 = 8 cm; k2 = 5x10-4cm/sec

z3 = 4 cm; k3 = 7x10-4cm/sec
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
a = 2 cm2; A = 24 cm2; L = 20 cm; h1 = 25cm; h2=12cm

Vertical Hydraulic Conductivity, kv

20
Z
k v= 8 8 4
z1 z2 z3 −4
+ −4
+ −4 k v =3.2407 ×10−4 cm/sec Time, t
+ + 2 x 10 cm 5 x 10 cm 7 x 10 cm
k 1 k2 k 3
sec sec sec

aL h1 aL h1 aL h1 2c m 2 × 20 cm 25 cm
k=
A ( t 2−t 1 )
ln ( )
h2
( t 2−t 1 )=
Ak ( )
ln
h2
t=
Ak
ln ( )
¿
h2 24 c m ×3.2407 ×10 cm/sec
2 −4
ln
12 cm( )
t=3774.7461 secs∨62.9124 minutes

7. The results of a constant-head permeability test for a fine sample having a diameter of
20cm and a length of 40 cm are as follows:

Constant head difference = 60 cm

Time of collection of water = 3 minutes

Volume of water collected = 240 cm3

Temperature of water = 25°C

Find the hydraulic conductivity for the soil at 20°C in cm/ sec if the viscosity of water at
25°C is η = 0.899

Given:

Q = 240 cm3; L = 40 cm; h = 60 cm; η25 = 0.899; Diameter = 20 cm

Hydraulic conductivity, k

240 c m3 × 40 cm
QL ¿
k= 2 −3
^¿ ¿ 60 cm× π × ( 20 cm ) × ( 3 mins × 60 ) k =2.8294 ×10 cm/sec
4

0.899
k 20=k 25 k 20=2.5154 ×10−3 cm/ sec
1
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
8. A soil deposit is being considered as a fill for a building site. In its original state in the
borrow pit the void ratio is 0.95. Based on laboratory tests, the desired void ratio in its
compacted state at the building site is to be no greater than 0.65. find the percentage
decrease of volume of the deposit from its original state.

Let V1 = initial total volume

V2 = final total volume

Vv
e i= ( )
Vs i
=0.95

Vv
ef = ( )
Vs f
=0.65

V si =V sf

V vi V vf
=
0.95 0.65

V i=V vi +V s =0.95V s +V s =1.95V sV f =V vf +V s =0.65 V s +V s =1.65V s

(1.95−1.65)V s
Volume loss due ¿ compaction= ×100 %
1.95 V s

Volume loss due ¿ compaction=15.3846 %

9. A soil sample of 100g has a water content of 8%. Gm = 1.9 and G = 2.66. Find the
a. void ratio of the sample,
b. the degree of saturation.

Ws = 100g; Ww = 8g; γw = 1g/cm3

a. Void ratio, e

Ws 100 g
V s= =
G γw 1 g V s =37.5940 c m3
( )
( 2.66 )
c m3
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
100 g+ 8 g
W W V=
V w =8 c m V = =
3
1 g V =56.8421 c m3
γw Gm γ w ( 1.9 )
( )
c m3

V v =V −V s =( 56.8421−37.5940 ) c m3V v =19.2481c m3

V v 19.2481c m3
e= ¿ e=0.5120
V s 37.5940 c m3

b. Degree of Saturation, S

Vw 8 c m3
S= × 100 %¿ ×100 %S=41.5625 %
Vv 19.2481c m3

10. Two lines of sheet piles were driven in a river bed as shown in the figure. The depth of
water over the river bed is 8.20 ft. The trench level within the sheet piles is 6.6 ft below
the river bed. The water level within the sheet piles is kept at trench level by resorting
to pumping. If a quantity of water flowing into the trench from outside is 3.23 ft 3/hour
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
per foot length of sheet pile, what is the hydraulic conductivity of the sand?

Given:

Number of channels = 6

Number of equipotential drops =10

Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
N f 3.23 f t 3 1hour 6
q=kh × =14.8 ft × k k =1.0104 ×10−4 ft /sec
N d hour 3600 sec 10

11. A concrete dam is constructed across a river over a permeable stratum of soil of limited
thickness. The water heads are upstream side 16m and 2m on the downstream side. The
flow net constructed under the dam gives Nf= 4 and Nd=12. Calculate the seepage loss
through the subsoil if the average value of the hydraulic conductivity is 6 x 10 -3 cm/sec
horizontally and 3 x 10-4 cm/sec vertically. Calculate the exit gradient if the average
length of the last field is 0.9 m.

Given:

Upstream side h1 = 16m; downstream side h2 = 2m; h = upstream – downstream = 14 m

Nf = 4; Nd = 12; kh = 6x10-3 cm/sec; kv=3x10-4cm/sec; L=0.9m

k e =√ k h k v ¿ √(6 x 10−3 cm/sec ⁡)(3 x 10− 4 cm/sec)k =1.34 ×10−3 cm/sec

Nf 10−3 cm ( 4
q=k e h ¿ 1.34 × × 14 ×100 ) × q=0.626 c m 3 / sec
Nd sec 12

Head loss per potential drop

h 14
Δh= ¿ Δh=1.17 m Exit gradient, i
N d 12

Δh 1.17
i= ¿ i=1.30
L 0.9

12. A figure represents flow beneath a sheet pile wall. This flow net has been drawn by trial
and error manual sketching. Determine the pore water pressure at P, and the maximum
exit gradient.
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE

Pore water pressure at P:

HTCD = HE+HP
= 4.5 m+ 2.2m
HTCD =6.7 m

HT(P) = HTCD – (HE/Nd)

= 6.7 – (1.5/9)
HT(P) = 6.5333m

HP(P) = HT(P) -HE

= 6.5333-1.5
HP(P) = 5.0333m
u=ρw g H P ( P)¿ 1000 ×9.81 ×5.0333 mu=49.3767 kN /m2

Exit gradient

H E 1.5
Δh= ¿ ¿ 0.1667 Maximum gradient
Nd 9
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
Δh 0.1667
i maz = ¿ i =0.2233
H DE 0.75 max

13. A flow net is shown in the figure. Given N f = 3, Nd = 6, and kh = kv = 5 x10-3 cm/sec,
determine:

H 5−1.67
Δh= ¿ Δh=0.555
Nd 6
a. Rate of seepage through flow channel 2

H 5 x 10−3 cm 0.01 m x 10−5 m 3

Δ q=k × ×0.555 mΔq=2.775
Nd ¿ /m
sec 1 cm sec
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
b. Total rate of seepage

x 10−5 m3
q=Δq N f 2.775 8.325 x 10−5 m 3
sec q= /m
¿ ×3 sec
m
14. A dam section is shown below. The coefficient of permeability of the permeable layer in
the vertical and horizontal directions are 2x10-2cm/sec and 4x10-4cm/sec respectively.
Draw a flow net and calculate the seepage loss of the dam in m3/day/m.
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE

N −4 0.00070717 m3

√ (√ 2 x 10s m )(
−4
4 x 10 m 2.5
q= k h k v h f ¿
Nd s )(
20 × )
8 q=
s
m
×
86400 s
1 day

61.0940 m
q= /m
day
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
15. A single row of sheet pile structure is shown below. Draw a flow net for the transformed
section. Replot this flow net also in the natural scale. The relationship between the
permeability is given as kh = 6kv
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE

kh 1
H orizontal Scale=
√ ¿ Vertical scale = 20 m 20 m ( √ 6 ) Horizontal scale=48.9898 m
6 k v √6

16. Suppose that the permeability of the underlying soil is k = 10-5 m/sec, determine the
flow per unit width and the total flow under the dam if the dam is 25 m wide.
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE

Flow per unit width

10−5 m
q=Hk ¿ 15 m ( sec )
q=10 x−4 m3 /sec /mTotal flow

10−5 m
q=Hkw ¿ 15 m× ( sec )
× 25 mq=3.75 x 10−2 m 3 /sec

17. What is the effective stress at A if the dry unit weight of the soil is 200 kN/m 3?

PE = γdh
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
= 200 kN/m3 (3 m)
PE at A = 600 kPa

18. A soil sample was found to have the following data: G = 2.5, S = 56%, e = 0.75. What is
the moist unit weight of the said soil?

G+ Se 2.5+0.56∗0.75
γ m= γ w¿ ∗9.81 kN /m3γ m=¿16.3687kN/m^3
1+e 1+0.75

19. What is the saturated unit weight of the soil if specific gravity of the soil is 2.65 and has
a void ratio of 0.51?

G+e 2.65+ 0.51

γ sat = γw¿ 9.81 kN /m 3γ sat =20.5295 kN /m3
1+e 1+ 0.51
20. Solve for the dry unit weight of the soil when the water content is 0.33 and its moist unit
weight is 20kN/m3.

20 kN
γm 3
γ dry = m3 γ dry =15.0376 kN /m
1+ w ¿
1+ 0.33
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE

1.
2. The volume of the soil is 413 cm3. The weight of the mass was 727g. After drying, the
sample’s weight is 607g. Assume = 2.65; γw = 1g/cm3 = 9.81 kN/m3; e = 0.77. Find the
degree of saturation of the soil.
Borja, Zairah Ann B. Engr. Lulu Leyran-Amper
IV - ACE