IST- ANLISE DE ESTRUTURAS GEOTCNICAS

Mestrado em Engenharia Civil 4 Ano 1 Semestre

Test 21st December 2012
THEORETICAL PART (10,0) closed book
Duration of the exam: 55 min.

Please use the space given below each question to answer

The marks for each question are the following: (2,5+2,5+2,5+2,5) =10,0.
Minimum classification in the theoretical part of the exam to pass: 3,5.
1) Explain in detail the two theorems of limit analysis and show how these can be applied to
obtain an estimate of the passive thrust.

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2) Please consider a strip foundation on a clayey soil with a bulk unit weight and an
undrained strength cu. Using the mechanism shown below and using the upper bound theorem
estimate the footing failure load. How does the estimate of the footing failure load from this
analysis compare to the exact solution? Justify.

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3) Consider the global stability of the slope shown below, using the Fellenius method and the
failure surface indicated. For the slices [BCHG] e [DEJI], draw schematically the force
polygon and indicate clearly the equations needed to calculate all the forces. Soils 1 and 2 are
sandy soils with the following soil parameters: Soil 1 - h1, sat1, '1 ; Soil 2 - h2, sat2, '2.

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4) Consider the building on direct foundations shown in the figure below. Please state the
most relevant limit states to consider in the design of these foundations. Show how you could
calculate the consolidation settlement using the given soil parameters.

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IST ANLISE DE ESTRUTURAS GEOTCNICAS

Mestrado em Engenharia Civil 4 Ano 1 Semestre
Test 21st December 2012
PRACTICAL PART (10,0) closed book
Duration of the exam: 2h00.

The marks for each question are the following (total =10,0):
Group 1: a) 2,0; b) 1,0; b) 0,8;
Group 2: a) 1,0; b) 1,0; c) 1,0;
Group 3: a) 1,2; b1) 1,0; b2) 1,0
Group 1
Consider the direct foundation shown in Figure 1. The foundation soil is stiff clay with
saturated unit weight, sat equal to 20 kN/m3, undrained strength, cu equal to 60 kPa and
Youngs modulus, Eu equal to 18 MPa.
The foundation is subjected to the loads shown in Figure 1 (a permanent load, VG = 1050 kN
and the variable loads, VQ1 = 150 kN e HQ2 = 100 kN). Ignore the weight of the column and
consider the column located in the geometric centre of the foundation.
a) Verify the safety of the foundation against bearing capacity using design approach 1,
combination 2 of the Eurocode 7 and identify the critical loading situation.

Figure 1
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b) Verify the safety of the foundation against overturning according to Eurocode 7.

c) Assuming the foundation is rigid and the behaviour of the foundation soil can be
represented by an elastic semi-infinite medium estimate the foundation short term settlement.
Grupo 2
1. Consider the geotechnical situation shown in Figures 2 and 3, regarding an excavation to
lower the level of a temporary access road.

Figure 2 (before)

Figure 3 (after)

a) For the situation before the excavation (Figure 2) calculate the minimum characteristic
undrained strength value of the upper clay layer needed to excavate the slope with the
inclination and depth indicated (i=30; Hinitial=4m), verifying safety conditions according to
EC7 (design approach 1 combination 2). Consider circular failure surfaces.
b) Assuming the undrained strength value calculated in the previous question (if you have not
done the previous question assume cu=20kPa), determine the height of the excavation that
causes the collapse (maintaining i=30). Consider circular failure surfaces.
c) Compare the results obtained in questions a) and b) above and comment about the need to
allow for an over-excavation h = min (0.5; 0.1H) in relation to the nominal excavation
height, as it is done in the design of flexible retaining walls.

Grupo 3
Consider the reinforced concrete wall (b=25 kN/m3) shown in Figure 4 that supports a
cohesionless fill with bulk unit weight equal to 19 kN/m3 and angle of shearing resistance
equal to 35. The foundation soil is a silty clay with saturated unit weight equal to 18 kN/m3,
undrained strength equal to 60 kPa and angle of shearing resistance equal to 30. Ignore the
passive thrust and consider that base=2/3.

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a) Quantify all actions/loads imposed on the wall system.

b) Verify the safety of the wall against sliding using design approach 1 combination 2:
b1) in undrained conditions.
b2) in drained conditions.
s = 5 kPa (variable action)
0,5 m
4,0 m

Fill

45
0,8m
1m 0,4m

2,6m

1,5 m

Silt clay unit

Figure 4

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Talude vertical; condies no drenadas

h crit

3.8c u

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NS

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Cu
H

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10

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11