TUTORIAL ACTIVITY

KA21603 GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1

SEMESTER 2 2023/2024

(PERMEABILITY & STRESSES IN SOIL)

INSTRUCTION: PLEASE ANSWER ALL THREE (3) QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1 (5 Marks)

A soil profile consists of three layers with the properties shown in the Table 1 below. Calculate
the coefficients of permeability horizontal and vertical to the stratum.

Table 1
Layer Thickness (m) kx (horizontal, m/s) ky (vertical, m/s)
1 3.0 2.0 x 10-6 1.0 x 10-6
2 4.0 5.0 x 10-8 2.5 x 10-8
3 3.0 3.0 x 10-5 1.5 x 10-5
(5 marks)

QUESTION 2 (20 Marks)

A layer of sand 5 meters deep overlies a thick bed of clay. Given that for sand; sat = 21 kN/m3,
dry = 17.5 kN/m3 and for clay; sat = 21 kN/m3. Calculate and draw diagrams indicating the
total and effective stresses and pore water pressure to a depth of 9 meters below the ground
surface in following cases:

a. If the water table is at 2 m below ground level but the sand above remains saturated
with capillary moisture.
(10 marks)

b. If the water table is at the top of the clay and the sand is dry.
(10 marks)
QUESTION 3 (10 Marks)

Three loaded on-surface structures ABCD (80 kN/m2), EFGH (100 kN/m2) and IJKL (120
kN/m2) are shown in the plan in Figure 1. The structures are proposed to be built above
buried sensitive cable at point X, the centre of BI and located 4.0 m below the ground surface.
Determine the stress increment at point X using uniform load on rectangular area method.

Figure 1
(10 marks)