B.L.D.E.

Association’s
V.P. Dr. P.G. Halakatti College of Engineering and Technology, Vijayapur - 586 103
Applied Geotechnical Engineering (15CV53)
Module - 2 (Stresses in Soil and Settlement)

Q.1) Distinguish between Boussinesqs and Westergaard theory of stress distribution. 6 marks

Q.2) Explain construction and uses of Newarks chart of stress distribution. 6 marks

Q.3) Two columns M and N 6 m apart, load on column M is 400 kN and on column N is 300 kN.
The load can be considered as point loads. Calculate the vertical stresses in the soil 3 m below the
foundation vertically below M and N. 8 marks

Q.4) What are settlements? Explain the components of Settlement and their determination. 8 marks

Q.5) A square footing 2 m side as shown in following figure carries a load of 400 kN. Calculate the
settlement at the center of clay layer assuming a distribution of 2V:1H 12 marks

Figure 1: Q5.

Q.6) A circular area on the ground surface 6m in diameter carries a uniformly distributed load of
150 kN/m2 . Calculate the vertical stress at depths of 3m, 6m, 9m and 12m. Also plot the variation
of stress with depth. 8 marks

Q.7) Explain the following terms with formule: (i) Immediate settlement (ii) Primary consolidation
settlement (iii) Differential settlement. 6 marks

Q.8) A compressible clay layer 2 m thick underlies a thick sand bed which carries a footing 2×3
m with an allowable soil pressure of 250 kN/m2 at a depth of 1 m. Determine the consolidation
settlement due to compressible clay layer located at a depth of 10 m below the ground surface.
The ground table is located at the ground level. The properties of clay layer are γsat = 19kN/m3
WL = 50%, Natural water content = 35%, G = 2.72 density of sand is 20 kN/m3 10 marks

Q.9) Determine the immediate settlement of a footing 3 × 3m resting on sandy soil with Es =
45, 000kN/m3 and µ = 0.3. Footing carries a load of 2000 kN. Assume Iw =0.82. 4 marks
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Q.10) Explain equivalent point load method of determining σz at any point within the loaded area. 8 marks

Q.11) A water tank is supported by a ring foundation having outer diameter of 10 m and inner
diameter 7.5 m. The ring foundation transmits a load intensity of 160 kN/m2 . Compute the
vertical stress induced at a depth of 4 m below the centre of ring foundation using Boussinesq
analysis. 6 marks

Q.12) Explain the terms: i) Immediate settlement, ii) Primary consolidation settlement, iii)
Secondary consolidation settlement and iv) Differential settlement. 8 marks

Q.13) Estimate immediate settlement of a footing size 2×3 m resting at a depth of 2 m in a sandy
soil. The compression modulus of soil is 10 N/mm2. The footing is expected to transmit a unit
pressure of 160 kN/m2. Assume = 0.28 and If = 1.06 6 marks

Q.14) A square footing of width 1.2 m rests on a saturated clay layer of 4 m deep liquid limit
of clay is 30%, unit weight is 17.8kN/m2 , moisture content is 28% and specific gravity is 2.68.
Determine the settlement if the footing carries a load of 300 kN. 6 marks

Q.15) Write a note on pressure distribution diagram. 6 marks

Q.16) A load of 1000 kN acts as a point load at the surface of a soil mass. Estimate the stress at
the point 3 m below and 4 m away from the point of action of the load, using Boussinesqs formula.
Compare the value with the result from Westergaards theory 6 marks

Q.17) Write a note on the settlement of footings. 10 marks

Q.18) A saturated clay 8m thick underlies a proposed building. The existing overburden pressure
at the centre of the clay layer is 300 kPa and load due to new building increase the pressure by
200 kPa. The liquid limit of the soil is 75%. Water content of the soil is 50% Gs = 2.7. Estimate
consolidation settlement. 10 marks

Q.19) A normally consolidated clay layer is 18m thick. Natural water content is 45%, saturated
unit weight is 18 kN/m2 Gs = 2.7 and liquid limit is 63%. The vertical stress increment at the
center of clay layer due to foundation load is 9kN/m2 . Determine the settlement. 6 marks

Q.20) Determine the elastic settlement of the footing 3×3 m resting on a sandy soil. Given Es =
45000kN/m2 and µ = 0.3 and Iw = 0.82. Footing carries a load of 2000 kN 6 marks

Q.21) Point loads 64 kN, 15 kN and 21kN, 1.5 m apart in a straight line at the surface of soil
mass. Calculate the resultant stress produced by these loads on a horizontal plane one meter below
the surface at points vertically below the loads and also half way (mid point) between them. The
vertical pressure σz due to point load Q is given by Boussinesq’s equation σz = zQ2 IB . The values
of IB are as follows
12 marks

r/z 0 0.75 1.5 2.25 3.0

IB 0.4775 0.1565 0.0251 0.053 0.0015

S. G. Patil: Please go on to the next page. . .

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Q.22) A soft, normally consolidated clay layer is 18 m thick. The natural water content is 45%.
The saturated unit weight is 18 kN/m3 . The grain specific gravity is 2.70 and liquid limit is 63%.
The vertical stress increment at the centre of layer due to foundation load is 9 kN/m2 . The GWT
is at the surface of the clay layer. Determine the settlement of foundation. 12 marks

Q.23) List the assumptions made in Boussineq’s and Westergaards theories 6 marks

Q.24) Explain the (i) pressure bulb, (ii) pressure distribution on horizontal plane and (iii) pressure
distribution on vertical plane. 8 marks

Q.25) A pint load of 1000 kN acts at the ground surface. Compute the vertical stress at 8 m depth
(i) on the axis of the load; (ii) 2 m away from the axis. Use Boussineq’s equation. 6 marks

Q.26) A circular footing 2 m diameter resting on the ground surface transfers a contact pressure
of 150 kPa. Sub soil consists of fine sand of 6 m deep underlain by 4 m thick clay. The ground
water table is 1 m below ground level. Unit weight of fine sand above and below water table are
17.6 kN/m3 and 20 kN/m3 respectively. The properties of clay are natural water content = 40%,
G = 2.72. Calculate consolidation settlement. 12 marks

Q.27) A ring foundation of 3.6 m external diameter and 2.4 m internal diameter transmits uniform
pressure of 135 kN/m2 . Calculate the vertical stress at a depth of 1.8 m directly beneath the centre
of the loaded area. 7 marks

Q.28) Explain the terms: (i)Contact pressure, (ii)Uniform settlement, (iii) Differential settlement
and (iv) angular distortion and tilt. 8 marks

Q.29) What are the remedial measures for the harmful settlement 6 marks

Q.30) Three parallel strip foundations each 3 m wide and 5 m apart centre to centre carries a
vertical pressure of 200 kN/m2 , 150 kN/m2 and 100 kN/m2 respectively. Calculate the vertical
stress due to combined loads beneath the centre of each footing at a depth of 3 m. Use Boussinesq’s
line load approximation. 8 marks

S. G. Patil: End of assignment