1.

Referring to the conditions shown in Figure 1, assume a layer of saturated clay of thickness 5 m that is confined between two layers of sand (double drainage conditions). It is being subjected to an instantaneous increase of total stress (=150 kN/m2). The water table is 3 m below the ground surface. The unit weight of sand above the water table is dry=15 kN/m3, and below the water table is sat=19 kN/m3, the unit weight of clay is sat = 20 kN/m3. Results of laboratory tests on clay samples indicate that the compression index is Cc=0.3, void ratio e=0.8, and coefficient of consolidation cv=0.73 m2/year. Table 1 shows variation of U (degree of consolidation) with Tv (time factor). Calculate: a) The effective stress at the middle of the clay layer before and after load application b) The total settlement of the clay layer c) The average degree of consolidation for the clay layer when the settlement is 27 mm d) The time in days for 50% consolidation to occur e) The time in days for 20 mm of settlement to occur f) Determine the coefficient of permeability of the clay at the end of consolidation for the loading range.

Figure 1.

Table 1. (for Question 1)

Q2. For a saturated clay soil, the following are the results of consolidated drained triaxial tests at failure: Test N. 1 2 3 4 p'=(1+3)/2, kN/m2 60 90 110 180 q'=(1-3)/2, kN/m2 25.6 36.5 44.0 68.0

Draw a p' vs. q' diagram and determine cohesion (c) and effective friction angle () for the soil.