CIV324 - GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING II – ASSIGNMENT 3 WINTER 2021

Due end of Wednesday, April 14, 2021

1. The following date were obtained form a conventional triaxial compression test on a saturdared
(B = 1), normally consolidated simplace clay. The cell pressure was held at 10 kPa, while the axial
stress was increased to failuer (axial compression test).
(a) Plot the Δσ and Δu versus axial strain curves. Determine Af.
(b) Plot the total and effactive stress paths for the AC test
(c) What is ϕ’? (Assume c’ = 0 for normally consolidated clay)

2. A conventional triaxial compression (AC) test was conducted on a saturated sample of

overconsolidated clay, and the following data, normalized with respect to the effective confining
pressure, were obtained. A lateral extension (LE) test was conducted on an identical specimen of
the same clay. While the vertical stress was maintained constant, the cell pressure was decreased
until failure occurred at the same principal stress difference as the AC specimen (Δσ/σ’c = 2.33).
From your knowledge of stress paths and soil behavior, determine
(a) the effective and total stress paths for both tests and
(b) the pore pressure versus strain response of the LE test.
(c) Can the Mohr–Coulomb strength parameters be determined? Why?

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CIV324 - GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING II – ASSIGNMENT 3 WINTER 2021

3. A consolidated-undrained triaxial compression test was conducted on an undisturbed specimen

of sensitive Swedish clay. The initial conditions were as shown in Fig a. The stress-strain and pore
pressure responses of the specimen are shown in Fig. b.
(a) Find the stress conditions at failure and symbolically show the total, neutral, and effective
stresses (like the “initial conditions” shown above).
(b) Sketch the total and effective stress paths.
(c) Plot A versus ε. What is Af? What are ϕ’ and ϕT?

4.

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CIV324 - GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING II – ASSIGNMENT 3 WINTER 2021

6.

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