SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING MODULE-45C

MODULE- 45C

Effective stress principle,

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1) If the effective stress strength parameters of a soil are kPa

and = 30, the shear strength on a plane within the saturated soil
mass at a point where the total normal stress is 300kPa and pore
water pressure is 150 kPa will be

(A) 90.5 kPa. (B) 96.6 kPa.

(C) 101.5 kPa (D) 105.5 kPa

Ans:

C = 10 KPa

S= c +

2) The specific gravity and insitu void ratio of a soil deposit are 2.71
and 0.85 respectively. The value of the critical hydraulic gradient is

(A) 0.82 (B) 0.85

(C) 0.92 (D) 0.95

Ans:

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SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
MODULE-45C
3) For the soil strata shown in figure, the water table is lowered by
drainage by 2m and if the top 2m thick silty sand stratum remains
saturated by capillary action even after lowering of water table, the
increase in effective vertical pressure in kPa at mid-height of clay
layer will be

(a) 0.2 (b) 2

(c) 20 (d) 200

Ans:

Total stress at P = 22

Pore Pressure = (12+1)

Total stress at p= 22

Pore pressure = (10+1)

Increase = 173-153 = 20 KN/

4) A 10m thick clay layer is underlain by a sand layer of 20m depth

(see figure below). The water table is 5 m below the surface of clay
layer. The soil above the water table is capillary saturated. The
value of is 19kN/m3. The unit weight of water is . If now the
water table rises to the surface, the effective stress at a point P on
the interface will

(a) Increase by 5
(b) Remain unchanged
(c) Decrease by 5
(d) Decrease by 10

Ans:

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SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
MODULE-45C
5) Assuming that a river bed level does not change and the depth of
water in river was 10 m, 15 m and 8 m during months of February,
July and December respectively of a particular year. The average
bulk density of the soil is 20 kN/m3. The density of water is 110
kN/m3. The effective stress at a depth of 10 m below the river bed
during these months would be

(a) 300 kN/m2 in February, 350 kN/m2 July and 320 kN/m2 in
December
(b) 100 kN/m2 in February, 100 kN/m2 July and 100 kN/m2 in
December
(c) 200 kN/m2 in February, 250 kN/m2 July and 180 kN/m2 in
December.
(d) 300 kN/m2 in February, 350 kN/m2 July and 280 kN/m2 in
December.

Ans:
(b) Effective stress does not change if water level changes

6) The range of void ratio between which quick sand conditions

occurs in cohesion less granular soil deposits is

(a) 0.4-0.5 (b) 0.6-0.7

(c) 0.8-0.9 (d) 1.0-1.1

Ans:
=

7) Which of the following statement is NOT true in the context of

capillary pressure in soils?

(a) Water is under tension in capillary zone

(b) Pore water pressure is negative in capillary zone
(c) Effective stress increases due to capillary pressure
(d) Capillary pressure is more in coarse grained soils

Ans: (d)

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SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
MODULE-45C
8) The ground conditions at a site are as shown in the figure. The
water table at the site which was initially at a depth of 5m below
the ground level got permanently lowered to a depth of 15m below
the ground level due to pumping of water over a few years. Assume
the following data
i. Unit weight of water = 10kN/m3
ii. Unit weight of sand above water table = 18kN/m3
iii. Unit weight of sand and clay below the water table = 20kN/m3
iv. Coefficient of volume compressibility = 0.25 /MN

What is the change in the effective stress in KN/m2 at mid-depth of

the clay layer due to the lowering of the water table?

(A) 0 (B) 20 (C) 80 (D) 100

Ans:
Before: = 18 = 265
After: = 18 = 345
80 increase

9) The ground conditions at a site are as shown in the figure. The

water table at the site which was initially at a depth of 5m below
the ground level got permanently lowered to a depth of 15m below
the ground level due to pumping of water over a few years. Assume
the following data
i. unit weight of water = 10kN/m3
ii. Unit weight of sand above water table = 18kN/m3
iii. Unit weight of sand and clay below the water table = 20kN/m3
iv. Coefficient of volume compressibility = 0.25 /MN

What is the compression of the clay layer in mm due to the

lowering of the water table?
(A) 125 (B) 100 (C) 25 (D) 0
Ans:

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SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
MODULE-45C
10) The ground conditions at a site are shown in the figure below

The saturated unit weight of the sand (kN/m3) is

(A) 15 (B) 18 (C) 21 (D) 24

Ans:

11) The ground conditions at a site are shown in the figure below

The total stress, pore water pressure and effective stress (kN/m2) at
the point P are, respectively

(A) 75, 50 and 25 (B) 90, 50 and 40

(C) 105, 50 and 55 (D) 120, 50 and 70

Ans:

12) Quick sand condition occurs when

(A) The void ratio of the soil becomes 1.0
(B) The upward seepage pressure in soil becomes zero
(C) The upward seepage pressure in soil becomes equal to the
saturated unit weight of the soil
(D) The upward seepage pressure in soil becomes equal to the
submerged unit weight of the soil

Ans: (D)

13) For a saturated sand deposit, the void ratio and the specific gravity
of solids are 0.70 and 2.67, respectively. The critical (upward)
hydraulic gradient for the deposit would be

(A) 0.54 (B) 0.98 (C) 1.02 (D) 1.87

Ans:

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SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
MODULE-45C
14) A sand layer found at sea floor under 20 m water depth is
characterized with relative density = 40 %, maximum void ratio =
1.0, minimum void ratio = 0.5, and specific gravity of soil solids =
2.67. Assume the specific gravity of sea water to be 1.03 and the
unit weight of fresh water to be 9.81

What would be the effective stress (rounded off to the nearest

integer value of kPa) at 30 m depth into the sand layer?

(A) 77 kPa (B) 273 kPa

(C) 268 kPa (D) 281 kPa

Ans:

0.4 =

= 769.39
u = 9.81 = 505.21
= 264

15) A sand layer found at sea floor under 20 m water depth is

characterized with relative density = 40 %, maximum void ratio =
1.0, minimum void ratio = 0.5, and specific gravity of soil solids =
2.67. Assume the specific gravity of sea water to be 1.03 and the
unit weight of fresh water to be 9.81

What would be the change in the effective stress (rounded off to

the nearest integer value of kPa at 30 m depth into the sand layer if
the sea water level permanently rises by 2 m?

(A) 19 kPa (B) 0 kPa

(C) 21 kPa (D) 22 kPa
Ans: (B)

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SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
MODULE-45C
16) Steady state seepage is taking place through a soil element at Q, 2
m below the ground surface immediately downstream of the toe of
an earthen dam as shown in the sketch. The water level in a
piezometer installed at P, 500 mm above Q, is at the ground
surface. The water level in a piezometer installed at R, 500 mm
below Q, is 100 mm above the ground surface. The bulk saturated
unit weight of the soil is 18 kN/m3 and the unit weight of water is
9.81 kN/m3. The vertical effective stress (in kPa) at Q is

(A) 14.42 (B) 15.89 (C) 16.38 (D) 18.34

Ans:
Seepage force =

= 9.81
Effective stress = (18-9.81) 2-0.45 =15.93

17) A uniform sand stratum 2.5m thick has specific gravity of 2.62 and
a natural void ratio of 0.62. The hydraulic head required to cause
quick sand condition in the sand stratum is
a) 0.5m b) 1.5m
c) 2.5m d) 3.5m
Ans:

18) If the saturated density of a given soil is 2.1t/ , then the total
stress (T in t/
And the effective stress (E in t/ ) of a saturated soil stratum at a
depth of a depth of 4m will be

T E
a) 4.4 2.4
b) 5.4 3.4
c) 7.4 4.0
d) 8.4 4.4
Ans: ( D )

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19) Assertion (A): At depth z below the surface of a submerged soil,

water pressure is z and it is the stress caused by the water which
is called the neutral stress.
Reason (R): The water pressure acts equally in all directions and
transmits the same fully in grain to grain contact causing
compression in the soil.
Codes:
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
c) A is true but R is false
d) A is false but R is true
Ans: (A)

20) Assertion (A): Quick sand is not a type of sand but it is a condition
arising in a sand mass.
Reason (R): when the upward seepage pressure becomes equal to
the pressure due to submerged weight of a soil, the effective
pressure becomes zero.
Codes:
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
c) A is true but R is false
d) A is false but R is true
Ans: (A)

21) An upward hydraulic gradient i of a certain magnitude will initiate

the phenomenon of boiling in granular soils. The magnitude of this
gradient is
a) 0 i 0.5 b) 0.5 i 1.0
c) i d) 1 < i 2
Ans: (C)

22) Which one of the following equations correctly gives the

relationship between the specific gravity of a soil grains (G) and
the hydraulic (i) to initiate quick condition in a sand having a
void ratio of 0.5?

a) G = 0.5 i+1 b) G = i + 0.5

c) G = 1.5 i-1 d) G = 1.5 i - 1
Ans:

i= i= i.5i+1=G

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SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
MODULE-45C
23) A sand deposit has a porosity of 1/3 and its specific gravity is 2.5.
the critical hydraulic gradient to cause sand boiling in the stratum
will be

a) 1.5 b) 1.25
c) 1.0 d) 0.75
Ans:

24) A sand deposit has a porosity of 0.375 and a specific gravity of 2.6,
the critical hydraulic gradient for the sand deposit is

a) 2.975 b) 2.225
c) 1 d) 0.75
Ans:

25) A stratum of 3.5m thick fine sand has a void ratio of 0.7 and G of
2.7. for a quick sand condition to develop in this strata, the water
flowing in upward direction would require a head of

a) 7m b) 5.56m
c) 5m d) 3.5m
Ans:

26) Which one of the following soil types is most likely to be subjected
to liquefaction under seismic forces?

a) Soft saturated clays

b) Loose saturated sands
c) Murum
d) Fractured rocky strata.
Ans: (B)

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SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
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27) Assertion (A): The possibility of quicksand condition occurring is
more on the downstream of a weir on a permeable foundation.
Reason (R): Seepage lines are directed upwards at the
downstream of such a weir.
Codes:

a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of a

b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
c) A is true but R is false.
d) A is false but R is true.
Ans: (a)
28) Assertion (A): Effective vertical stress at some depth below a river
bed is unaffected by the water depth in the river.
Reason (R): Equal amounts of increase in total stress and pore
pressure will not change the effective stress.

Codes:

a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of a

b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
c) A is true but R is false.
d) A is false but R is true.
Ans: (a)

29) Assertion (A): permanent lowering of GWT results in settlements.

Reason (R): Increases in effective stress results in settlement of
soils.
Codes:

a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of a

b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
c) A is true but R is false.
d) A is false but R is true.
Ans: (a)

30) The total, neutral and effective vertical stresses(in t/ ) at a depth

of 5m below the surface of a fully saturated soil deposit with a
saturated density of 2 t/ ) would, respectively, be
a) 5,5 and 10 b) 5,10 and 5
c) 10, 5 and 10 d) 10,5 and 5
Ans:(d)

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SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
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31) Consider the following statements:
1. Quick condition and liquefaction of saturated sands are based
on similar phenomenon.
2. Quick condition is associated with only earth dams.
3. Liquefaction is possible in dry sand.
4. Liquefaction is associated with increase in pore water pressure
due to vibrations.
Which of these statements are correct?
a) 2 and 4 b) 1 and 4
c) 1 and 2 d) 1,3 and 4
Ans: (D)

32) On which of the following factors does the behavior of sand mass
to cause liquefaction during an earthquake depend largely?
1. The number of stress cycles
2. The frequency and amplitude of vibrations of the earthquake
shock
3. Angle of internal friction of sand
4. Relative density of sand.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
a) 1,2,3 and 4 b) 2,3 and 4
c) 1 and 3 d) 4 only
Ans: (b)

33) Which one of the following different types of submerged soils is

susceptible to liquefaction under earthquake shocks?
a) Dense sand b) soft clay
c) Loose silt d) fissured clay
Ans: (c)

34) Consider the following statements:

Liquefaction is a phenomenon
1. Observed in fine sands
2. Associated with development of positive pore pressure.
Which of these statements is/are correct?
a) 1 only b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 or 2

Ans: (c)

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SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
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35) In a 6m thick stratum of fine sand having submerged density of
11KN/ , quicksand condition occurred at a depth of 4.2m of
excavation. What is the depth of lowering of groundwater table
required for making an excavation 5m deep? Take density of water
as 10KN/ .

a) 3.85m b) 1.68m
c) 1.1m d) 0.897m
Ans:
( - )1.8 - h=0
1.1 1.8 10h = 0
h = 1.98m
1.0 10 =0
= 1.1m
Water table lowering = 1.98+0.8 1.1 = 1.68 m

36) Liquefaction of foundation soil during an earthquake shall not be

the reason for cracking of

a) Only floors in the building

b) Walls and roof in the building
c) Beams and columns in the building
d) Only balcony in the building
Ans: (d)

37) The porosity of a certain soil sample was found to be 80% and its
specific gravity was 2.7; the critical hydraulic gradient will be
estimated as

a) 0.34 b) 0.92
c) 1.0 d) 1.5
Ans:

e= =4

= = =0.34

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SUB: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
MODULE-45C
38) Compute the total, effective and pore water pressure at a depth of
20m below the bottom of a lake 6m deep. The bottom of lake
consists of soft clay with a thickness of more than 20m. The
average water content of the clay is 35% and specific gravity of the
soil may be assumed as 2.65.
a) 171.2
b) 234.5
c) 321.3
d) 123.4

Ans:

=260

=431.2-260=171.2

JH ACADEMY 13