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Year of
CET GEOTECHNICAL CATEGORY L T P CREDIT
Introduction
204 ENGINEERING - I
PCC 4 0 0 4 2019

Preamble: Goal of this course is to expose the students to the fundamental concepts of soil
mechanics and laboratory tests to determine the basic, index and engineering properties of soils.
After this course, students will be able to identify and classify the soil and to recognize practical
problems in real-world situations and respond accordingly.

Prerequisite : Nil

Course Outcomes: After completion of the course the student will be able to:

CO 1 Explain the fundamental concepts of basic and engineering properties of soil

CO 2 Describe the laboratory testing methods for determining soil parameters

CO 3 Solve the basic properties of soil by applying functional relationships

CO 4 Calculate the engineering properties of soil by applying the laboratory test results
and the fundamental concepts of soil mechanics

CO 5 Analyze the soil properties to identify and classify the soil

Mapping of course outcomes with program outcomes (Minimum requirement)

PO 1 PO 2 PO 3 PO 4 PO 5 PO 6 PO 7 PO 8 PO 9 PO 10 PO 11 PO 12
CO 1 3 - - - - - - - - - - -
CO 2 3 - - - - - - - - - - -
CO 3 2 3 - - - - - - - - - -
CO 4 2 3 - - - - - - - - - -
CO 5 2 3 - - - - - - - - - -

Assessment Pattern

Continuous Assessment Tests End Semester

Bloom’s Category
Test 1 (Marks) Test 2 (Marks) Examination (Marks)
Remember 10 10 20
Understand 10 15 20
Apply 25 25 50
Analyse 5 10
Evaluate
Create
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Mark Distribution

Total Marks CIE Marks ESE Marks ESE Duration

150 50 100 3 hours

Continuous Internal Evaluation (CIE) Pattern :

Attendance : 10 Marks
Continuous Assessment Test (2 numbers) : 25 Marks
Assignment/Quiz/Course project : 15 Marks

End Semester Examination (ESE) Pattern : There will be two parts; Part A and Part B. Part A
contains 10 questions with 2 questions from each module, having 3 marks for each question. Students
should answer all questions. Part B contains 2 questions from each module of which student should
answer any one. Each question can have maximum 2 sub-divisions and carry 14 marks.

Course Level Assessment Questions

(Questions may be framed based on the outline given under each course outcome)
Course Outcome 1 (CO1):
1. The fundamental concepts of basic properties and index properties of soil
2. The fundamental concepts of engineering properties of soils related to Permeability,
consolidation, compaction & shear strength
3. Concepts of Total, neutral and effective stress; and vertical stress below loaded areas
4. Concepts of Slope stability
Course Outcome 2 (CO2):
1. The laboratory testing methods for determining basic and index soil properties
2. The laboratory testing methods for determining engineering properties related to
Permeability, consolidation, compaction & shear strength
Course Outcome 3 (CO3):
1. Solve the basic properties of soil by applying functional relationships

Course Outcome 4 (CO4):

1. Calculate the engineering properties of soil related to Permeability, consolidation,
compaction & shear strength by applying the laboratory test results
2. Calculate the settlement of footings due to consolidation and application of time rate of
consolidation settlement
3. Calculate the engineering properties of soil by applying the concepts of soil mechanics
related to total , neutral and effective stress; and vertical stress below loaded areas
4. Calculate the stability of slopes

Course Outcome 5 (CO5):

1. Identify and classify the soil by analysing the basic and index properties of soil
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Model Question Paper

QP CODE:

Reg No.:_______________ Name:__________________________

APJ ABDUL KALAM TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

FOURTH SEMESTER B.TECH DEGREE EXAMINATION, MONTH & YEAR

Course Code: CET 204

Course Name : GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING - I

Max. Marks: 100 Duration: 3 hours

Part A
(Answer all questions; each question carries 3 marks)

1. Draw a three phase block diagram and define (i) Void Ratio, (ii) Water Content and
(iii) Degree of saturation
2. Explain the procedure for Specific Gravity test using Pycnometer.
3. Define (i) Liquid Limit, (ii) Plastic Limit & (iii) Shrinkage Limit
4. Differentiate between Coefficient of Permeability and Coefficient of Percolation.
5. Explain Total Stress, Neutral Stress and Effective Stress.
6. List the assumptions of Boussinesq’s theory.
7. Define pre consolidation pressure. Explain the method for the estimation of pre consolidation
pressure.
8. Differentiate between Consolidation and Compaction.
9. Explain Mohr Coulomb shear strength theory.
10. What are the different types of slope failures?

PART B
(Answer one full question from each module, each question carries 14 marks)

Module – 1
11. (a) Derive the relation between bulk unit weight, specific gravity, void ratio and degree of
saturation from the fundamentals. (5 Marks)
(b) A sample of wet silty clay soil weighs 1.26 kN. The following data were found from lab tests
on the sample. Density  = 21 kN/m3, Water content w = 15%, Specific Gravity G = 2.7.
Determine (i) Dry density, (ii) Void Ratio, (iii) Porosity (iv) Degree of Saturation,
(v) Saturated unit weight (vi) Submerged unit weight and (vii) Volume of soil. (9 Marks)
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12. (a) Explain different types of soil structures. (5 Marks)

(b) 1000 cm3 core cutter weighing 9.46 N was used to find out the in-situ unit weight of soil in an
embankment. The weight of core cutter with in-situ soil was noted to be 27.7 N. Laboratory
tests on the sample indicated water content of 10% and specific gravity of solids of 2.63.
Determine the bulk unit weight, dry unit weight, void ratio and degree of saturation. Also
calculate the saturated unit weight and the corresponding water content if the embankment is
saturated during rain without change in volume. (9 Marks)
Module – 2
13. (a) What is the use of particle size distribution curve? With the help of particle size distribution
curve define the following terms (i) well graded soil (ii) poorly graded soil and (iii) gap
graded soil. (5 Marks)
(b) Tests on a fined grained soil sample indicated the following properties:
Liquid Limit = 52%, Plastic Limit = 32% and Shrinkage Limit = 17%. Classify the soil as per
IS Code. If the specimen of this soil shrinks from a volume of 10 cm3 at Liquid Limit to 6 cm3
at the shrinkage limit, calculate the specific gravity of solids. (9 Marks)
14. (a) Explain the factors affecting permeability of soil. (5 Marks)
2
(b) A soil sample of height 6 cm and area of cross section 100 cm was subjected to constant head
permeability test with head of 36 cm and 90 cc of water passes through the specimen during a
test interval of 5 min. Compute the coefficient of permeability of the soil sample.
If the same sample is subjected to falling head permeability test and found that head drops
from 60 cm to 20 cm in 4 min. Determine the cross sectional area of the stand pipe. (9 Marks)
Module – 3
15. (a) Explain Quick Sand Condition and Critical Hydraulic Gradient. (5 Marks)
(b) A sand deposit of 8 m thick was loaded with a uniform surcharge of 10 kN/m2. Water table
(WT) is at 3 m below GL. Density of sand is 18 kN/m3 above WT and 19 kN/m3 below WT.
Draw Total, Neutral and Effective Stress Diagrams up to 8 m below GL. Take w = 10 kN/m3.
(9 Marks)
16. (a) A concentrated load of 500 kN is applied at ground surface. Compute the vertical pressure
(i) at a depth of 5m below the load, (ii) at a distance of 3m at the same depth. Use
Boussinesq’s theory. (7 Marks)
(b) A water tank is founded on a circular ring type of foundation. The ring is of 2.5m width and
its external diameter is 10m. Compute the vertical stress at 4m depth beneath the centre of the
foundation, if pressure on the foundation is 100kPa. (7 Marks)
Module – 4
17. (a) A 8 m thick clay layer with double drainage settles by 120 mm in 2 years. Cv = 1.5 x 10-3
cm2/sec. Calculate the likely ultimate consolidation settlement and find out how long it will
take to undergo 90% of this settlement. (5 Marks)
(b) A 3m square footing at a depth of 2m from ground level carries a net load intensity of
150 kN/m2. If a compressible clay layer 3m thick exists at a depth of 5m below the footing,
determine the settlement of the footing due to consolidation of clay layer. Assume the water
table at a depth of 3m below GL. For sand, density = 18 kN/m 3 above water table and
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3
19 kN/m below water table. For clay layer, LL = 65%, wn = 40% and G = 2.7. Take w =
10 kN/m3. (9 Marks)
18. (a) Explain the field compaction methods. (5 Marks)
(b) The following are results of a standards proctor compaction test performed on a sample of soil

Water Content % 6 8 10 12 14 16

Bulk Density (kN/m3) 17.7 19.8 21 21.3 20.9 20.2

Plot the water content – dry density curve and obtain Moisture content and Maximum dry
density. Also plot the zero air voids curve. Take G = 2.65. (9 Marks)

Module – 5
19. (a) A cylindrical specimen of soil fails under axial vertical stress of 150 kN/m2, when it is
laterally unconfined. Failure plane makes an angle of 53 with the horizontal. Determine shear
strength parameters c & . (5 Marks)
(b) Determine the shear strength parameters using the following data using graphical method:

Sample Confining Pressure c (kN/m2) Deviator Stress d (kN/m2)

1 100 600
2 200 750
3 300 900
(9 Marks)
20. (a) Explain the Swedish circle method for the analysis of slopes for a c- soil. (5 Marks)
(b) Determine factor of safety of vertical foundation trench 5m deep if c = 50 kN/m 2,  = 25,
 = 17 kN/m3. Assume Taylor’s stability no. Sn = 0.166. (9 Marks)
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SYLLABUS

Module 1
Nature of soil and functional relationships : Introduction to soil mechanics – Soil types – Major
soil deposits of India - 3 phase system – Basic soil properties : Void ratio, porosity, degree of
saturation, air content, water content, specific gravity, unit weight - Relationship between basic soil
properties - Numerical problems
Determination of Water content by oven drying, Specific gravity using pycnometer & specific
gravity bottle - Determination of Field density by sand replacement method & Core Cutter method
- Numerical problems
Soil Structure and their effects on the basic soil properties – Sensitivity and Thixotropy

Module 2
Index properties : Sieve analysis – Well graded, poorly graded and gap graded soils - Stoke’s law
– Hydrometer analysis [no derivation required for percentage finer and diameter] – Relative
Density - Numerical problems - Consistency – Atterberg Limits and indices – Plasticity charts -
laboratory tests for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit & Shrinkage Limit - Numerical problems
IS classification of soil - Numerical problems
Permeability of soils : Darcy’s law – Factors affecting permeability – Laboratory tests: Constant
head and falling head permeability tests - Numerical problems - Average permeability of stratified
deposits - numerical problems

Module 3
Principle of effective stress - Total, neutral and effective stress – Pressure diagrams - Numerical
problems - Pressure diagrams in soils saturated by capillary action – Quick sand condition –
Critical hydraulic gradient
Stress distribution : Introduction - Boussinesq’s equations for vertical pressure due to point loads
and line loads – Assumptions and Limitations - Numerical problems - Vertical pressure due to
uniformly distributed loads beneath strip, circular and rectangular shapes [no derivation required] -
Numerical problems
Approximate methods for vertical stress-distribution of contact pressure beneath footings :
Equivalent Point Load method & 2:1 Distribution Method - Numerical problems - Pressure Isobars
- Pressure bulbs – Newmark’s charts (Construction procedure not required) and their use.

Module 4
Consolidation - Definition – Concepts of Coefficient of compressibility and volume
compressibility - e-log p curve - Compression index, Recompression index and Pre consolidation
Pressure - Normally consolidated, over consolidated and under consolidated soils - Estimation of
magnitude of settlement of normally consolidated clays - Numerical problems
Terzaghi’s theory of one-dimensional consolidation (no derivation required) - average degree of
consolidation – Time factor - Coefficient of consolidation - Numerical problems - Laboratory
consolidation test – Determination of Coefficient of Consolidation - Practical Applications
Compaction of soils - Difference between consolidation and compaction - IS Light & Heavy
Compaction Tests – OMC and MDD - Zero Air voids line - Numerical problems - Control of
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compaction - Field compaction methods - Proctor needle for field control

Module 5
Shear strength of soils- Practical Applications - Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion - Mohr circle
method for determination of principal planes and stresses– relationship between shear parameters
and principal stresses - Numerical problems
Brief discussion of Laboratory tests - Triaxial compression test - UU, CU and CD tests - Total and
effective stress strength parameters - Unconfined compression test, Direct shear test and vane shear
test – Applicability - Numerical problems
Stability of finite slopes - Toe failure, base failure, slip failure - Swedish Circle Method : =0
analysis and c- analysis - Friction circle method - Taylor’s Stability number - Stability charts -
Numerical Problems

Text Books:
1. Ranjan G. and A. S. R. Rao, Basic and Applied Soil Mechanics, New Age International,
2002.
2. Arora K. R., Geotechnical Engineering, Standard Publishers, 2006.

References:
1. Das B. M., Principles of Geotechnical Engineering, Cengage India Pvt. Ltd., 2010.
2. Venkatramaiah, Geotechnical Engg, Universities Press, 2000.
3. Terzaghi K. and R. B. Peck, Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice, John Wiley, 1967.
4. A V Narasimha Rao and C Venkatramaiah, Numerical Problems, Examples and Objective
questions in Geotechnical Engineering, Universities Press (India) Ltd., 2000
5. Purushothamaraj P., Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Dorling Indersley (India)
Pvt. Ltd., 2013
6. Taylor D.W., Fundamentals of Soil Mechanics, Asia Publishing House, 1948.
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Course Contents and Lecture Schedule:

Outcomes
Module Contents Hours
Addressed
1 Module 1 9
1.1 Nature of soil and functional relationships : Introduction to soil CO 1 1
mechanics – Soil types – Major soil deposits of India
1.2 3 phase system – Basic soil properties : Void ratio, porosity, CO 1 1
degree of saturation, air content, water content, specific gravity,
unit weight
1.3 Relationship between basic soil properties CO 1 & CO 3 1
1.4 Numerical problems CO 3 2
1.5 Determination of Water content by oven drying, Specific gravity CO 2 1
using pycnometer & specific gravity bottle
1.6 Determination of Field density by sand replacement method & CO 2 1
Core Cutter method
1.7 Numerical problems CO 3 & CO 4 1
1.8 Soil Structure and their effects on the basic soil properties – CO 1 & CO 5 1
Sensitivity and Thixotropy
2 Module 2 9
2.1 Index properties : Sieve analysis – Well graded, poorly graded CO 1 & CO 2 1
and gap graded soils
2.2 Stoke’s law – Hydrometer analysis [no derivation required for CO 1 & CO 2 1
percentage finer and diameter] – Relative Density
2.3 Numerical problems CO 4 1
2.4 Consistency – Atterberg Limits and indices – Plasticity charts - CO 1 & CO 2 1
laboratory tests for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit & Shrinkage Limit
2.5 Numerical problems CO 4 1
2.6 IS classification of soil - Numerical problems CO 1 & CO 5 1
2.7 Permeability of soils : Darcy’s law – Factors affecting CO 1 & CO 4 1
permeability – Laboratory tests: Constant head and falling head
permeability tests
2.8 Numerical problems CO 4 1
2.9 Average permeability of stratified deposits - numerical CO 1 & CO 4 1
problems
3 Module 3 9
3.1 Principle of effective stress - Total, neutral and effective stress – CO 1 1
Pressure diagrams
3.2 Numerical problems CO 4 1
3.3 Pressure diagrams in soils saturated by capillary action – Quick CO 1 1
sand condition – Critical hydraulic gradient
3.4 Stress distribution : Introduction - Boussinesq’s equations for CO 1 1
vertical pressure due to point loads and line loads – Assumptions
and Limitations
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3.5 Numerical problems CO 4 1

3.6 Vertical pressure due to uniformly distributed loads beneath strip, CO 1 1

circular and rectangular shapes [no derivation required]
3.7 Numerical problems CO 4 1
3.8 Approximate methods for vertical stress-distribution of contact CO 1 & CO 4 1
pressure beneath footings : Equivalent Point Load method & 2:1
Distribution Method - Numerical problems
3.9 Pressure Isobars - Pressure bulbs – Newmark’s charts CO 1 1
(Construction procedure not required) and their use.
4 Module 4 9
4.1 Consolidation - Definition – Concepts of Coefficient of CO 1 1
compressibility and volume compressibility - e-log p curve -
Compression index, Recompression index and Pre consolidation
Pressure
4.2 Normally consolidated, over consolidated and under consolidated CO 1 & CO 4 1
soils - Estimation of magnitude of settlement of normally
consolidated clays
4.3 Numerical problems CO 4 1
4.4 Terzaghi’s theory of one-dimensional consolidation (no CO 1 & CO 4 1
derivation required) - average degree of consolidation – Time
factor - Coefficient of consolidation
4.5 Numerical problems CO 4 1
4.6 Laboratory consolidation test – Determination of Coefficient of CO 2 & CO 4 1
Consolidation - Practical Applications
4.7 Compaction of soils - Difference between consolidation and CO 1, CO2 & 1
compaction - IS Light & Heavy Compaction Tests – OMC and CO 4
MDD - Zero Air voids line
4.8 Numerical problems CO 4 1
4.9 Control of compaction - Field compaction methods - Proctor CO 1 1
needle for field control
5 Module 5 9
5.1 Shear strength of soils- Practical Applications - Mohr-Coulomb CO 1 1
failure criterion
5.2 Mohr circle method for determination of principal planes and CO 1 & CO 4 1
stresses– relationship between shear parameters and principal
stresses
5.3 Numerical problems CO 4 1
5.4 Brief discussion of Laboratory tests - Triaxial compression test - CO 2 & CO 4 1
UU, CU and CD tests - Total and effective stress strength
parameters
5.5 Unconfined compression test, Direct shear test and vane shear test CO 2 & CO 4 1
– Applicability
5.6 Numerical problems CO 4 1
5.7 Stability of finite slopes - Toe failure, base failure, slip failure CO 1 1
5.8 Swedish Circle Method : =0 analysis and c- analysis - Friction CO 1 & CO 4 1
circle method
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5.9 Taylor’s Stability number - Stability charts - Numerical Problems CO 1 & CO 4 1