GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING EXERCISES

CE198-1 – CIVIL ENGINEERING CORRELATION 2

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Read carefully the instructions.
2. All answers MUST be written in your test booklet. Answer honestly. Write legibly.
3. In problem solving, show the complete solution and box the final answer.
4. Use black or blue ballpen only. Avoid using pencil.

I. Multiple Choice. Write the letter of the best answer.

Course Question Question

Outcome #
Codes
CO1 1. A 6000 grams of wet soil has a natural water content of 10%. Determine the weight of water
must be added to this sample to obtain a water content of 15%.
a. 298.7 cc c. 256.2 cc
b. 312.4 cc d. 272.7 cc
CO1 2. A 6000 grams of wet soil has a natural water content of 10%. Determine the weight of water
must be added to this sample to obtain a water content of 17%.
a. 401.5 cc c. 352.4 cc
b. 381.8 cc d. 367.9 cc
CO1 3. A 6000 grams of wet soil has a natural water content of 10%. Determine the weight of water
must be added to this sample to obtain a water content of 21%.
a. 650 cc c. 600 cc
b. 700 cc d. 550 cc
CO1 4. A 1000 cc soil sample taken from the field weighs 1950 grams. Laboratory analysis shows that
the specific gravity of soil solids is 2.65 and its water content is 13%. The voids ratio at its loosest
and densest states are 0.68 and 0.48 respectively. Calculate the in-situ void ratio of the soil
mass.
a. 58.78% c. 62.32%
b. 53.62% d. 48.79%
CO2 5. A 1000 cc soil sample taken from the field weighs 1950 grams. Laboratory analysis shows that
the specific gravity of soil solids is 2.65 and its water content is 13%. The voids ratio at its loosest
and densest states are 0.68 and 0.48 respectively. Calculate the dry unit weight of the soil.
a. 16.92 KN/m3 c. 17.85 KN/m3
3
b. 15.47 KN/m d. 16.21 KN/m3
CO2 6. A 1000 cc soil sample taken from the field weighs 1950 grams. Laboratory analysis shows that
the specific gravity of soil solids is 2.65 and its water content is 13%. The voids ratio at its loosest
and densest states are 0.68 and 0.48 respectively. Calculate the relative density of the soil.
a. 58.7% c. 76.5%
b. 63.4% d. 71.9%
CO2 7. The dry unit weight of a soil is 17.1 KN/m3 and its minimum void ratio is 0.52. Use 𝛿𝑊 =
9.81 𝐾𝑁/𝑚3. Calculate the specific gravity of the soil solids.

a. 2.72 c. 2.68
b. 2.65 d.
2.74
CO2 8. The dry unit weight of a soil is 17.1 KN/m3 and its minimum void ratio is 0.52. Use 𝛿𝑊 =
9.81 𝐾𝑁/𝑚3. Calculate the buoyant unit weight soil.
a. 11.25 KN/m3 c. 10.87 KN/m3
b. 10.65 KN/m3 d. 10.24 KN/m3
CO2 9. The dry unit weight of a soil is 17.1 KN/m3 and its minimum void ratio is 0.52. Use 𝛿𝑊 =
9.81 𝐾𝑁/𝑚3.What is the shrinkage limit of the soil?
a. 18.57% c. 19.63%
b. 19.11% d. 21.45%
CO1 10. The field compaction of an earthwork was checked by an inspection engineer. In the
laboratory test, the soil gives a maximum dry density of 1.521 gram/cc at optimum

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ENGR. KRISTINE R. CERVANCIA / 03-19-2021 ENGR. HERMIE M. DEL PILAR / 03-19-2021
 moisture content of 14.8%. Construction specifications requires that the soil compacted
dry density must be at least 95% of the maximum dry density obtained from laboratory
within ±0.2% of optimum moisture content.

The following data were obtained in the field using the sand cone test:
Volume of soil excavated = 1245 cm3
Weight of soil excavated = 2260 grams
Dry weight of soil = 1810 grams

What is the field unit weight of the soil?

a. 1.815 g/cc c. 1.921 g/cc
b. 1.857 g/cc d. 1.784 g/cc
CO1 11. The field compaction of an earthwork was checked by an inspection engineer. In the
laboratory test, the soil gives a maximum dry density of 1.521 gram/cc at optimum
moisture content of 14.8%. Construction specifications requires that the soil compacted
dry density must be at least 95% of the maximum dry density obtained from laboratory
within ±0.2% of optimum moisture content.

The following data were obtained in the field using the sand cone test:
Volume of soil excavated = 1245 cm3
Weight of soil excavated = 2260 grams
Dry weight of soil = 1810 grams

What is the in-situ moisture content of the soil?

a. 25.14% c. 26.32%
b. 23.78% d. 24.86%
CO1 12. The field compaction of an earthwork was checked by an inspection engineer. In the
laboratory test, the soil gives a maximum dry density of 1.521 gram/cc at optimum
moisture content of 14.8%. Construction specifications requires that the soil compacted
dry density must be at least 95% of the maximum dry density obtained from laboratory
within ±0.2% of optimum moisture content.

The following data were obtained in the field using the sand cone test:
Volume of soil excavated = 1245 cm3
Weight of soil excavated = 2260 grams
Dry weight of soil = 1810 grams

Determine the relative compaction of the soil and whether it is adequate or not.
a. 95.58, not adequate c. 95.18, not adequate
b. 95.18, adequate d. 95.58, adequate
CO1 13. The result of field unit weight determination of a soil sample using the sand cone
method is as follows:

Volume of soil: 0.001584 m3

Mass of soil: 2550 grams
Dry mass of soil: 2081 grams

In a laboratory, this soil yields a dry density of 1.385 g/cc at optimum moisture content
of 20.5%. Specification requires that the compacted unit weight of the soil to be at least
95% ± 0.2% of the of the maximum laboratory value.

What is the field unit weight of soil in KN/m3?

a. 15.24 c. 15.79
b. 16.87 d. 16.21
CO1 14. The result of field unit weight determination of a soil sample using the sand cone
method is as follows:

Volume of soil: 0.001584 m3

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ENGR. KRISTINE R. CERVANCIA / 03-19-2021 ENGR. HERMIE M. DEL PILAR / 03-19-2021
 Mass of soil: 2550 grams
Dry mass of soil: 2081 grams

In a laboratory, this soil yields a dry density of 1.385 g/cc at optimum moisture content
of 20.5%. Specification requires that the compacted unit weight of the soil to be at least
95% ± 0.2% of the of the maximum laboratory value.

What is the in-situ water content of soil?

a. 21.54% c. 22.54%
b. 20.89% d. 23.21%
CO1 15. The result of field unit weight determination of a soil sample using the sand cone
method is as follows:

Volume of soil: 0.001584 m3

Mass of soil: 2550 grams
Dry mass of soil: 2081 grams

In a laboratory, this soil yields a dry density of 1.385 g/cc at optimum moisture content
of 20.5%. Specification requires that the compacted unit weight of the soil to be at least
95% ± 0.2% of the of the maximum laboratory value.

What is the relative compaction of the soil, and did it comply with the specification?
a. 95.24%, Yes c. 94.24%, No
b. 94.86%, Yes d. 94.86%, No
CO1 16. Given the laboratory results of the Atterburg Limits Test in Figure 004. Plot the water
content versus the number of blows.
FIGURE 004
A. Liquid Limit
Test Number → 1 2 3 4
Number of Blows 35.00 28.00 20.00 15.00
Weight of Wet Soil + Container, g 91.57 108.16 119.14 114.94
Weight of Dry Soil + Container, g 73.78 85.04 89.56 84.10
Weight of Container, g 21.45 22.56 20.78 19.86
Weight of Water, g
Weight of Dry Soil, g
Water Content, %
B. Plastic Limit and Natural Water Content
Plastic Limit Natural Water Content
Test Number → 1 2 1 2
Weight of Wet Soil + Container, g 24.46 26.73 30.5 28.11
Weight of Dry Soil + Container, g 21.79 23.44 24.64 23.69
Weight of Container, g 12.45 13.21 12.32 13.24
Weight of Water, g
Weight of Dry Soil, g
Water Content, %
Avarage %

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ENGR. KRISTINE R. CERVANCIA / 03-19-2021 ENGR. HERMIE M. DEL PILAR / 03-19-2021
 Determine the nearest value of the Liquid Limit of the soil.
a. 39.3% c. 42.5%
b. 35.6% d. 46.7%
CO1 17 Given the laboratory results of the Atterburg Limits Test in Figure 004. Plot the water
content versus the number of blows.
FIGURE 004
A. Liquid Limit
Test Number → 1 2 3 4
Number of Blows 35.00 28.00 20.00 15.00
Weight of Wet Soil + Container, g 91.57 108.16 119.14 114.94
Weight of Dry Soil + Container, g 73.78 85.04 89.56 84.10
Weight of Container, g 21.45 22.56 20.78 19.86
Weight of Water, g
Weight of Dry Soil, g
Water Content, %
B. Plastic Limit and Natural Water Content
Plastic Limit Natural Water Content
Test Number → 1 2 1 2
Weight of Wet Soil + Container, g 24.46 26.73 30.5 28.11
Weight of Dry Soil + Container, g 21.79 23.44 24.64 23.69
Weight of Container, g 12.45 13.21 12.32 13.24
Weight of Water, g
Weight of Dry Soil, g
Water Content, %
Avarage %

Determine the nearest value to the Plastic Limit of the soil.

a. 30.36% c. 35.24%
b. 44.93% d. 25.47%
CO1 18. Given the laboratory results of the Atterburg Limits Test in Figure 004. Plot the water
content versus the number of blows.
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ENGR. KRISTINE R. CERVANCIA / 03-19-2021 ENGR. HERMIE M. DEL PILAR / 03-19-2021
 FIGURE 004
A. Liquid Limit
Test Number → 1 2 3 4
Number of Blows 35.00 28.00 20.00 15.00
Weight of Wet Soil + Container, g 91.57 108.16 119.14 114.94
Weight of Dry Soil + Container, g 73.78 85.04 89.56 84.10
Weight of Container, g 21.45 22.56 20.78 19.86
Weight of Water, g
Weight of Dry Soil, g
Water Content, %
B. Plastic Limit and Natural Water Content
Plastic Limit Natural Water Content
Test Number → 1 2 1 2
Weight of Wet Soil + Container, g 24.46 26.73 30.5 28.11
Weight of Dry Soil + Container, g 21.79 23.44 24.64 23.69
Weight of Container, g 12.45 13.21 12.32 13.24
Weight of Water, g
Weight of Dry Soil, g
Water Content, %
Avarage %

Determine the nearest value to the Liquidity Index of the soil.

a. 1.52 c. 1.34
b. 1.63 d. 1.21

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ENGR. KRISTINE R. CERVANCIA / 03-19-2021 ENGR. HERMIE M. DEL PILAR / 03-19-2021