Recent questions tagged geotechnical-engineering

Description : Define Soil Stabilization. State any three points of necessary of soil stabilization.

Last Answer : Define: - Soil Stabilization is defined as improving the engineering performance of soil by artificial means. Necessity of Soil Stabilization : - 1. To increase the shear strength of soil. 2. To reduce ... of structures. 6. To increase the density of soil. 7. To reduce permeability of soil.

Description : Draw the experimental setup of plate load test using gravity loading.

Last Answer : Plate Load Test :- 1.Bearing Plate: - It is either circular or square made up mild steel of not less than 25mm thickness and varying in size from 300 to 750mm with grooved bottom. For clayey soil ... settlement curve is plotted where load intensity is on X axis and Settlement is on Y axis.

Description : State the types of earthquakes based on focus and Richter scale. 

Last Answer : Earthquakes based on focus distributed in three general depth ranges: i) Shallow earthquakes originate within about 60 kilometers of the surfaces ii) Intermediate earthquakes have foci between 60 to 300 ... causes several damages iii) Magnitude 2 represents the smallest tremor that can be felt. 

Description : Enlist various types of seismic waves. How it can be recorded?

Last Answer : ii) P or Primary waves iii) S or Secondary waves iv) L or long waves The vibrations that are set up when an earthquake propagated as number of different types of waves. Different types ... A major shock recorded by seismograph and its epicenter, time of origin, depth of focus, magnitude etc.

Description : What do you mean by normal and reverse fault?

Last Answer : i) Normal fault: A normal fault is the one in which the hanging wall has apparently moved down with respect to the foot-wall  ii) A Reverse fault is one in which the hanging wall has apparently moved up with respect to the footwall A reverse fault is that thrust which dips more than 450

Description : Define outcrop and fold of rock. 

Last Answer : i) Out crop: The dip and strike of beds can be easily measured in the field from their exposures called outcrops  ii) Fold: Folds may be defined as undulations or bends that are developed in the rock ... To which these rock have been subjected to, from time to time in the past history of the Earth.

Description : State any four physical properties of minerals. 

Last Answer : i) External appearance and Internal Structure ii) Cleavage iii) Fracture iv) Hardness v) Specific gravity vi) Colour vii) Steak viii) Luster

Description : Explain with neat sketch stepwise procedure to determine bulk density by sand replacement method.

Last Answer : i) A flat area, approximately 450sq.mm of the soil to be tested should be exposed and trimmed down to a level surface, preferably with the aid of the scraper tool. ii) The metal tray with a ... gram. These measurements should be repeated at least thrice and the mean weight (W3) taken.    

Description : Explain any two types of weathering: - 1. Mechanical Weathering 2. Chemical Weathering 3. Biological Weathering. 4. Spheroidal Weathering. 

Last Answer : 1. Mechanical Weathering: - a) In mechanical weathering the rock surface is broken into smaller pieces without any chemical change. b) In mechanical weathering the smaller broken smaller rock ... rock. c) The main factor that affects chemical weathering are hydration, carbonizations, oxidation.

Description : Criteria for deciding the location and number of test pits and bores

Last Answer : i) Single stroey buildigs : Building covering an area of four hectare, require atleast five bore holes. One at ii) Multi stroey buildigs : for Multi stroey buildig the bore holes should be at all the ... vii) Borrow pits : Spacing netween holes should be in case of borrow pits 25 to 30 meters. 

Description : Describe Direct Shear Test with Neat Sketch.

Last Answer : 1. Take 250gm of dry sand in a shear box of 60mm x 60mm x 50mm and fix the upper part and lower part of box by locking screw and attach the base plate to lower part. 2. Place the grid ... normal stress on X axis. 12. The angle gives the shearing resistance and the intercept gives cohesion.

Description : State the procedure for the determination of water content by oven-drying method.

Last Answer : i) This is commonly adopted and simplest method for determination of water content of a soil sample in the laboratory. ii) The method basically consists of drying a weighed moist sample of soil in an oven ... The above table gives the minimum quantity of soil sample to be taken for test.  

Description : Explain the method of determination in-situ density with a core-cutter.

Last Answer : Dry unit weight of soil (γd) :The dry unit weight (γd) is the weight of solids (Ws) per unit of its total volume (V) (prior to drying) of the soil mass. (γd) = Ws/ V Procedure ... content determination. -Repeat the test at two or three locations nearly and get the average dry density

Description : What is a fold and state its types ? 

Last Answer : Fold: It is defined as undulations or curvatures developed in the rocks of the crust as a result of stresses to which these rocks have been subjected from time to time in the past history of the earth. ... open fold and thickness is more at trough and crest at the limbs is called closed fold.

Description : What is meant by geologic cycle? State the types of weathering and explain brief.

Last Answer : Geologic cycle: The most important of these begins with molten magma from within the earth crystallizing into rock then continues with the rock being broken down into soil and that soil then being ... the break down and decay of rock indeed their part in soil formation is of major significance

Description : State and briefly explain any four physical properties of minerals. 

Last Answer : Minerals have distinguishing physical properties that in most cases can be use to determine the identity of the mineral. Among the various properties crystal, habit, cleavage, hardness, density, luster, ... volume of water) Colour: color is sometimes an extremely diagnostic property of mineral

Description : Define: 1) Degree of saturation and 2) Air content.

Last Answer : i) Degree of saturation: The degree saturation is a ratio of the volume of water in the voids to the volume of voids. It is expressed as per cent ii) Air When soil mass is completely dry the ... = Vv Air content is defined as ratio of volume of air to volume of voids, i.e ac =Va/Vv

Description : Give the IS Definition of soil.

Last Answer : As per Indian standards 2809-1972:  Soil is the sediment or other unconsolidated accumulation of solid particles produced by physical and chemical disintegration of rock. 

Description : What is seismograph?

Last Answer : Seismograph: The energy released during faulting, produces seismic waves, which can be detected by sensitive and delicate instruments, called seismograph.

Description : Define outcrop and strike

Last Answer : i) Out crop: The dip and strike of beds can be easily measured in the field from their exposures called outcrops ii) Strike: The horizontal distance perpendicular to the fault plane is called as strike.

Description : State suitability of following compaction equipments (i) Smooth wheel roller (ii) Sheep foot roller, (iii) Rammer and (iv) Vibrator

Last Answer : Types of Compaction Equipment: - i) Compaction by Rolling: - a) Smooth wheel rollers : Suitability: These rollers best suitable for 5ubgrade or base coarse compaction of cohesion less soils. ... : Suitable for compacting granular soils. with no fines in layer up to 1 m thickness

Description : Define compaction and state purpose of compaction.

Last Answer : Define Compaction : Instant compression of soil under dynamic load is called compaction Purpose of compaction : 1. To increase density and thereby shear strength and bearing capacity of soil, this is ... of earth dam. 5.To increase resistance towards erossion of soil by rain and other causes.

Description : Define ultimate bearing capacity and safe bearing capacity.

Last Answer : Ultimate bearing capacity (qu): It is the gross pressure at the base of the foundation at which the soil fails in shear is called as ultimate bearing capacity. Safe bearing capacity (qs) : It ... capacity is also referred to as the ultimate bearing capacity qu divided by factor of safety F.

Description : Define shear strength of soil and state field situations of shear failure. 

Last Answer : Shear Strength of Soil: Shear strength is a term used in soil mechanics to describe the magnitude of the shear stress that a soil can sustain. . Field situations where shear failure occurs 1) ... wall, especially surcharge 3)Under foundation along planes of maximum shear 4) Sub grades of road.

Description : Define Flow Net and state its characteristic

Last Answer : Flow Net: - The grid, mesh or net formed by intersection of equipotential line and flow a line is called as flow net. Characteristic of Flow Net: - i) In a flow net, flow lines ... approximately squares. v) The flow net is representative of the flow pattern and dissipation of the hydraulic head.

Description : Write step by step procedure to determine coefficient of permeability of fine grained soil by falling head method in laboratory.

Last Answer : This method is suitable for fine grained soil as quantity of water collected through soil mass is very less and cannot be measured accurately 2. The falling head test is used for relatively less permeable ... equal to the difference of water level in the stand pipe and the bottom tank. 

Description : What do mean by coarse grain soil and fine grained soil.

Last Answer : Coarse Grain Soil:- 1. If more than 50% of soil is retained on sieve 0.075mm it is called as coarse grain soil. 2. A coarse grain soil is called as gravel if 50% or more of the ... liquid limit is less than 50% or more than 50% respectively. Organic soil are also included in fine grain soil.

Description : Write step by step procedure to determine specific gravity of soil by pycnometer in laboratory.

Last Answer : 1. Clean the pycnometer and dry it, find the mass of pycnometer, brass cap and washer accurate to 1g. say M1 2. Put about 200gm to 400gm of wet soil sample in pycnometer and find its mass with its cap ... it top of cap and find its weight say M4. 5. The specific gravity is calculated by 

Description : Define void ratio; porosity; water content and degree of saturation.

Last Answer : i) Voids Ratio: Voids ratio e of a given soil sample is the ratio of the volume of voids to the volume of soil solids in the given soil mass. e=Vv/Vs ii) Porosity: The ratio of volume of voids ( ... ratio of the volume of water in the voids to the volume of voids. It is expressed as per cent

Description : Stat field applications of geotechnical engineering

Last Answer : The field of geotechnical Engineering includes some important applications as: a) Foundation design b) Pavement Design c) Design of earth retaining structures  d) Design of earth dams e) Design of ... at which maximum Density will occur is most essential for the design of earthen dam.

Description : Classify earthquakes based on focus and origin. 

Last Answer : Earthquakes based on focus distributed in three general depth ranges: i) Shallow earthquakes originate within about 60 kilometers of the surfaces ii) Intermediate earthquakes have foci between 60 to 300 ... vi) Sport games vii) Injection and Extraction of fluids viii) Removal of natural gases

Description : State formation and classification of soil.

Last Answer : Soils are formed by numerous process of weathering both physical and chemical. A boulder pried loose from the side of mountain by rapidly flowing water of river and came along with the water ay has result of ... parent rocks. a) Colluvial soil b) Alluvial soil c) Glacial soil d) Eolian soil

Description : Define folds and draw neat sketch of a fold and label its different parts. 

Last Answer : Fold: Folds may be defined as undulations or bends that are developed in the rock of the Earth’s crust, as a result of stresses (commonly lateral compression) To which these rocks have been subjected to, from time to time in the past history of the Earth.

Description : Define minerals and state any six properties of minerals.

Last Answer : Minerals have distinguishing physical properties that in most cases can be use to determine the identity of the mineral. Among the various properties crystal, habit, cleavage, hardness, density, luster, ... of water) Colour: color is sometimes an extremely diagnostic property of mineral

Description : State any four causes and two effects of earthquake 

Last Answer : Possible cause of an earthquake are classified into below categories i) Movement of tectonic plates ii) Volcanic eruption iii) Anthropogenic sources iv) Dams v) Use of explosives vi) Sport games ... ground rupture. ii) Landslides and Avalanches iii) Fires iv) Soil liquefaction v) Tsunamis

Description : State Darcy’s Law of permeability.

Last Answer : It states that for laminar flow, the rate of flow or discharge per unit time is directly proportional to hydraulic gradient. q= KiA or V= / = Ki Where q= discharge per unit time. , A= total cross- ... , v= velocity of flow, h= differential head of water = h1-h2, L= length of soil sample. 

Description : State objectives of Geotechnical Engineering.

Last Answer : Following are the objectives of geotechnical engineering: 1) To perform soil investigation and to develop methods for soil sampling. 2) To classify soil properties in the light of soil ... result and soil investigation and sampling, so as to use soil as construction material economically.

Description : Define earthquake and intensity.

Last Answer : i. Earthquake: It is define as vibrations induced in the earth's crust due to internal or external causes that virtually shake up a part of the crust and all the structures and living and ... of the actual shaking at the location during an earthquake and is assigned as Roman Capital Numerical.

Description : Define joints and state their classification.

Last Answer : Joints: joint are defined as a fracture in rock where there has been no lateral movement in the plane of the fracture (up, down or sideway) of one side relative to the other. Classification of joints ... , iii) Oblique joints. c) Origin i) Tension joints, ii) Shear joints, iii) Compression joints

Description : Define outcrop and faults.

Last Answer : i) Out crop: The dip and strike of beds can be easily measured in the field from their exposures called outcrops.  ii) Fault: The fractures along which there has been relative movement ... process of development of fractures and displacement of the blocks against each other is termed as faulting.

Description : State classification of rocks based on their genesis.

Last Answer : Rocks on the basis of their origin are broadly divided into three major classes 1) Igneous rock. 2) Sedimentary rock. 3) Metamorphic rock.

Description : Define geology and state its branches.

Last Answer : Geology: Geology is the science of study of the solid matter that constitutes the Earth. Encompassing such things as rocks, soil, gemstones, geology studies, the composition, structure, physical properties ... geology ix. Applied geology x. Hydrology xi. Indian geology xii. photo-geology

Description : Explain dry strength and Dilatancy test on soil. 

Last Answer : This is simple test which is used in the field for rough classification of soil. i) The prepared soil sample is completely dried in the sun or by air drying. Its strength is ... reaction is observed and recorded; inorganic soils exhibit a quick reaction whereas clays exhibit known to slow.

Description : Explain plate load test and draw a load settlement curve

Last Answer : i) Plate load test is a filed test to determine the ultimate bearing capacity f soil and probable settlement under given loading. ii) The test essentially consist in loading a rigid plate, called bearing ... /hr xi) the results of test are plotted between settlement and load intensity

Description : Explain laboratory procedure for mechanical sieve analysis of soil.

Last Answer : Laboratory Procedure for mechanical sieve Analysis Mechanical in laboratory 1) Dry sieve Analysis 2) Wet sieve analysis Apparatus required for test - i) Weighing balance accurate to 1g and 0.1g ... through the set of sieves. The material retained on each sieve is weighed and analysed

Description : State different methods of soil stabilization and explain any one

Last Answer : i) Mechanical stabilization - It is the process of improving properties of soil by changing its gradation. It depends on mechanical strength of aggregate, mineral composition etc Eg - Compaction at near ... help to drain water, increase strength, decrease mixing of soil, filters the water etc. 

Description : State any four factors which affect shear strength of soil

Last Answer : Shear strength is affected by i) Soil composition Mineralogy, grain size, shape of soil particles, pore fluid type and content, clay content. ii) Initial State Loose, ... Drainage conditions Undrained, drained vii) Stress conditions deviator stress, confining stress, intermediate stress 

Description : Explain with neat sketch Phreatic line in earthen dam with pressure head at different point and show construction points of this line. 

Last Answer : Procedure for locating the Phreatic line i) Draw an earthen dam having upstream face AB with water surface. ii) On water surface measure distance BC = 0.3 L C is starting pt of base parabola. Let F' ... parabola i.e. Phreatic line. viii) Here G,Q1,Q2,Q3,Q4 and B represent Phreatic line 

Description : Define permeability and coefficient of permeability 

Last Answer : Definition i) Permeability (k) It is defined as the properly of soli which permits the seepage of fluid through interconnecting voids under gravity OR Permeability (k) It is defined as the speed at which ... is represented as K = v/i  Where v = discharge velocity in m/s i = hydraulic gradient

Description : Define plasticity index and classify soil on its basis.

Last Answer : a) Plasticity index (Ip) It is give measure of degree of plasticity of soil. It is difference be liquid limit and plastic limit Ip = WL - Wp Greater plasticity index, the greater is degree of plasticity of the soil. ... based on Ip i) Non plastic soil  If wp = o        Ip = wL ii) Plastic soil