UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT

MAJOR TEST NO: 02

Year course

GTE3601

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING III

Examiner: M Makaleng Moderator: Z Dube

External Moderator: H Phahlane Marks: 60
Weight of Assessment: 35% Duration: 2H00
Open book exam
This assessment consists of 4 pages including the cover page and annexure.

INSTRUCTIONS TO ALL STUDENTS:

YOUR SCRIPT MUST BE SAVED WITH STUDENT NO, SUBJECT CODE AND UPLOADED ON
ASSESSMENT PLATFORM.
• Honesty Declaration must be completed
• The module is invigilated
Additional student instructions
1. Students must upload their answer scripts in a single PDF file (answer scripts must not be
password protected or uploaded as “read only” files)
2. NO emailed scripts will be accepted.
3. Students are advised to preview submissions (answer scripts) to ensure legibility and that the
correct answer script file has been uploaded.
4. Students are permitted to resubmit their answer scripts should their initial submission be
unsatisfactory.
5. Incorrect file format and uncollated answer scripts will not be considered.
6. Incorrect answer scripts and/or submissions made on unofficial examinations platforms
(including the invigilator cellphone application) will not be marked and no opportunity will be
granted for resubmission.
7. Mark awarded for incomplete submission will be the student’s final mark. No opportunity for
resubmission will be granted.
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for resubmission will be granted.
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10. Students who have not utilised invigilation or proctoring tools will be subjected to disciplinary
processes.
11. Students suspected of dishonest conduct during the examinations will be subjected to
disciplinary processes. UNISA has a zero tolerance for plagiarism and/or any other forms of
academic dishonesty.
12. Students are provided one hour to submit their answer scripts after the official examination time.
Submissions made after the official examination time will be rejected.

1
QUESTION 1
A permeable soil layer is underlain by an impervious layer, as shown in figure Q1. With
k = 6.2 x 10-5 m/sec for the permeable layer, calculate the rate of seepage through it
in m3/hr/m width if H = 4 m and  = 6 

Ground surface

Groundwater table (free surface)

4m

Impervious layer Permeable layer

Figure Q1: Flow through permeable layer

[10 marks]

QUESTION 2
Three samples (S1, S2 and S2) of a homogenous soil were obtained from an
undrained triaxial test. The samples are assumed to be “undisturbed”, therefore, a
series of undrained triaxial tests were carried out on them. Table Q2 shows the
measured data.
Sample

Table Q2 S1 S2 S3
Cell Pressure,  3 (kPa) 200 400 600

Deviator stress,  d (kPa) 549 752 947

Pore water pressure,  (kPa) 120 120 120

Draw the failure envelope by way of Mohr-Coulomb plot, determine the soil strength
parameters C’ and ' in terms of effective stress
[20 marks]

2
QUESTION 3
Details of soil retained behind a smooth retaining wall are given in (Figure Q3). Using
Rankine’s active state, determine the following tasks:
3.1 Sketch and label the pressure distribution diagrams on the back of the wall (20)
3.2 Rankine’s active force per unit length of the wall (5)
3.2 The location of the resultant active force (5)

Medium Dense soil

 (soil) = 17,5 kPa
4,5 m
 = 31
C = 0 Kpa

Clay
2m  (clay) = 21,8 kPa
 = 23
C = 10 Kpa
Figure Q3: Retaining wall
[30 marks]

TOTAL MARKS [60]

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3
 Annexure