Problem 1

From the given soil formation of the soil with the following properties is shown in the figure.

a. Compute the total stress at the mid-layer of the clay.

b. Compute the effective stress at the mid-layer of the clay.
c. If a load of 1800 kN is acting on the footing 2m x 2m is placed on the ground, find the stress increase at
the mid layer of the clay assuming a stress distribution of 1 horizontal to 2 verticals.
Problem 2
Water flows at the rate of 0.9m3/s in an upward direction through a sand sample with a coefficient of
permeability of 27cm/s. The thickness of the soil sample is 0.24m. and the area of cross section is 0.54m2.
Saturated unit weight is 18.9Kn/m3.
a. Compute the hydraulic gradient
b. Compute the effective stress at the middle of the sample.
c. Compute the effective stress at the bottom of the sample.
Problem 3
The soil profile shown consists of a layer of dry sand 4m. thick which overlies a layer of clay having a
thickness of 3m. Ground water table is located at the interface of the sand and clay, 4m. below the ground
surface.

a. Compute the effective stress at the bottom of the clay layer.

b. If the water table rises to the top of the ground surface, what is the change in the effective stress at the
bottom of the clay layer.
c. How many meters must the ground water table rise to decrease the effective stress by 14 kPa at the
bottom of the clay layer.
Problem 4
A 10m. thick layer of shift, saturated clay is underlain by a layer of sand. The sand is under artesian
pressure.

a. Calculate the max. depth of cut H, that can be made in the clay.
b. Calculate the effective stress of A.
c. Calculate the effective stress at B.
Problem 5
a. Find the effective stress at a point 3.65m. below the ground surface if the water table is on the ground
surface. Saturated unit weight of soil is 19.53Kn/m3.
b. Find the effective stress at a point 4.2m. below the ground surface if the water table is 1.2m. below the
ground surface. Unit weight of soil above the water table is 18.88Kn/m3. The saturated unit weight of
soil below the water table is 50.46Kn/m3.
c. Find the effective stress at a point 1.80m. below the ground surface if the water surface is 0.6m. above
the soil surface saturated unit weight of soil is 17.31Kn/m3.
Problem 6
From the given soil profile, the ground water table is located 2m. below the ground level.

a. Compute the horizontal effective stress at point A.

b. Compute the lateral effective stress at point A if the lateral earth pressure coefficient at rest KO= 0.50
c. Compute the lateral total stress at point A.
Problem 7
A clay formation having a depth of 4m. underlies a sand formation having a depth of 3m. The dry unit
weight of sand is 16.5Kn/m3 and the saturated unit weights of clay and sand are 20.4kN/m3 and 19.6kN/m3
respectively. The ground water table is at the interface of the sand and clay.
a. Compute the effective stress at the bottom of clay.
b. Compute the effective stress at the bottom of the clay if water rises to the ground surface. Saturated
unit weight of sand is 19.6Kn/m3.
c. Compute the effective stress at the bottom of clay if water rises 2m. above the ground surface.
Problem 8
An exploratory drill hole was made in a saturated stiff clay having a water content of 32%. It was
observed that the sand layer underlying the clay was under artesian pressure water in the drill hole rose to a
height of 4m. above the top of the sand layer. If an open excavation is to be made in the clay.

a. Determine the void ratio of clay.

b. Determine the saturated unit weight of clay.
c. How deep can the excavation proceed before the bottom of the saturated clay heaves or when its
effective stress is zero.
Problem 9
From the figure shown:

Cross sectional area of tank = 0.6m2

Hydraulic conductivity of sand = 0.1cm/sec.
a. What is the rate of upward seepage water?
b. What would be the critical hydraulic gradient?
c. What value of h to cause boiling?
Problem 10
A soil profile is shown.

a. Compute the effective stress right below B.

b. Compute the effective stress at C.
c. Compute the effective stress at D.