1.
Moisture Content - Oven Drying Method
Q1: The water content of a highly organic soil is determined in an oven at a temperature of:
● (a) 105°C
● (b) 80°C
● (c) 60°C
● (d) 27°C
Answer: (c) 60°C
Reasoning: Highly organic soils, such as peat, contain compounds that can break down or lose
structural water at higher temperatures. Heating them to 105°C can alter their chemical
composition, leading to incorrect water content values. A lower temperature, around 60°C, is
typically used to minimize decomposition or loss of structural water.
Q2: The most accurate method for determining water content in the laboratory is:
● (a) Sand bath method
● (b) Oven drying method
● (c) Pycnometer method
● (d) Calcium carbide method
Answer: (b) Oven drying method
Reasoning: The oven drying method is considered the most accurate for determining water
content as it fully removes free moisture by drying the sample at a consistent 105°C for 24
hours, ensuring all water is evaporated without disturbing soil structure or composition.
Q3: List various methods for the determination of water content of soils.
Answer:
● Oven Drying Method: The sample is dried in an oven at 105°C until it reaches a
constant mass. It is highly accurate.
● Sand Bath Method: This method involves heating soil in a sand bath, but it is less
accurate than oven drying and mainly used in field conditions.
● Calcium Carbide Method: Calcium carbide reacts with water in the soil, producing
acetylene gas, which is then measured to determine moisture. It's quick and useful in the
field but less precise.
● Torsion Balance Method: Uses a balance to determine water content based on weight
changes, suitable for field conditions.
● Microwave Oven Drying: Similar to oven drying but faster. Care must be taken as
uneven heating can alter results.
Q4: State whether the following statement is true or false with proper justification: "The water
content of soil can be more than 100%".
Answer: True
Reasoning: Water content, defined as the ratio of the weight of water to the weight of dry soil
solids, can exceed 100% in cases where the soil has high porosity. For example, peat or other
highly porous soils can hold water quantities greater than their dry mass, leading to water
contents above 100%.
Q5: Differentiate between water content and degree of saturation.
Answer:
● Water Content: This is the ratio of the mass of water to the mass of dry soil and is
expressed as a percentage: w=Mass of WaterMass of Dry Soil×100w = \frac{\text{Mass
of Water}}{\text{Mass of Dry Soil}} \times 100w=Mass of Dry SoilMass of Water×100
● Degree of Saturation: Represents the portion of the pore space that is filled with water,
expressed as a percentage: S=Volume of WaterVolume of Voids×100S =
\frac{\text{Volume of Water}}{\text{Volume of Voids}} \times 100S=Volume of
VoidsVolume of Water×100
● Explanation: While water content measures the total water weight relative to dry soil,
the degree of saturation indicates the extent to which soil voids are filled with water. A
fully saturated soil will have S=100%S = 100\%S=100%, whereas partially saturated
soils will have lower values.
2. Specific Gravity of Soils
Q1: A soil sample has a specific gravity of 2.60 and a void ratio of 0.78. The water content
required to fully saturate the soil at that void ratio will be:
● (a) 20%
● (b) 30%
● (c) 40%
● (d) 60%
Answer: (c) 40%
Calculation: To find the water content for full saturation:
w=e×GsS×100w = e \times \frac{G_s}{S} \times 100w=e×SGs×100
where Gs=2.60G_s = 2.60Gs=2.60, e=0.78e = 0.78e=0.78, and S=100%S = 100\%S=100%.
Plugging in the values:
w=0.78×2.60=2.028⇒40.28%≈40%w = 0.78 \times 2.60 = 2.028 \Rightarrow 40.28\% \approx
40\%w=0.78×2.60=2.028⇒40.28%≈40%
Q2: The method used for determining the specific gravity of solids of fine-grained soils is:
● Answer: Density bottle method
Reasoning: The density bottle or pycnometer method is commonly used for fine-grained soils
since it provides precise measurements for small soil particles that require careful handling to
ensure complete saturation and removal of air.
Q3: State whether the following statement is true or false: "The specific gravity of particles of
coarse-grained soil is seldom greater than 2.70".
Answer: True
Explanation: Coarse-grained soils generally have a specific gravity between 2.60 and 2.70, as
they are often composed of quartz or feldspar minerals with typical densities. Values above 2.70
are more common in soils containing heavy minerals, which are less frequent in coarse-grained
soils.
Q4: Differentiate between true and apparent specific gravity of soil.
Answer:
● True Specific Gravity: Measures only the solid particles, ignoring the effects of pores or
voids.
● Apparent Specific Gravity: Includes both the solids and the voids within the particles.
● Significance: True specific gravity is more representative of the soil's mineralogy,
whereas apparent specific gravity is used in contexts where pore structure affects
performance, such as porosity evaluations.
Q5: Discuss the merits and demerits of using a density bottle for specific gravity determination
of fine-grained soils.
Answer:
● Merits:
○ Accurate and reliable for small particles.
○ Minimizes air entrapment in fine particles due to controlled volume and
temperature.
● Demerits:
○ Time-consuming, as fine particles must be fully saturated without air bubbles.
○ Requires precise temperature control, as the density of water and volume of the
bottle are temperature-sensitive.
3. Grain Size Analysis - Dry Sieve Analysis
Q1: State whether the following statements are true or false.
● (a) The silt-size particles can be seen by unaided (naked) eye.
● (b) The sieve analysis gives the largest dimension of the soil particle.
● (c) The wet sieve analysis gives slightly larger size than that by the dry sieve analysis.
● (d) A gap-graded soil is also called a uniform soil.
● (e) A well-graded soil contains particles of one size.
Answers:
● (a) False – Silt particles (ranging from 0.002 to 0.075 mm) are too small to be seen
clearly without a microscope.
● (b) True – Sieve analysis captures the particle's largest dimension as it passes through
each sieve.
● (c) True – Wet sieving can cause particles to aggregate, leading to larger size
estimations.
● (d) False – Gap-graded soil has particle sizes missing within certain ranges, which
contrasts with uniformly graded soils with consistent particle size.
● (e) False – Well-graded soil contains a range of particle sizes, ensuring a denser
packing structure.
Q2: What do you understand about index properties? State its importance.
Answer: Index Properties are characteristics of soil, including particle size, plasticity, and
specific gravity, which help in soil classification and behavior prediction under different
conditions. These properties are crucial for assessing suitability in construction, determining
load-bearing capacity, and evaluating soil stability.
Q3: Differentiate between dry sieve analysis and wet sieve analysis.
Answer:
● Dry Sieve Analysis: Used for coarse-grained soils, with the soil sample passed through
a series of sieves without adding water.
● Wet Sieve Analysis: Suitable for fine soils with particles that tend to agglomerate; water
is added to separate particles and provide a clearer size distribution.
● Importance: Wet sieving ensures more accurate particle size distribution for soils with
fines, where dry sieving might underestimate fine particles.
Q4: What is a particle size distribution curve? What is its use in soil engineering?
Answer: Particle Size Distribution Curve plots the percentage of soil finer than each sieve
size on a semi-logarithmic scale. This curve is essential in soil engineering for determining soil
gradation, classification, permeability, and compaction properties, impacting design and stability
assessments.
4. Grain Size Analysis - Hydrometer Analysis
Q1: In Stoke’s Law, the terminal velocity of the particle is:
● (a) Proportional to the radius of the particle
● (b) Proportional to the square of the radius of the particle
● (c) Inversely proportional to the square of the radius of the particle
● (d) None of the above
Answer: (b) Proportional to the square of the radius of the particle
Reasoning: According to Stoke’s Law, terminal velocity is influenced by the square of the
particle’s radius. This relationship helps estimate particle size based on sedimentation rates.
Q2: Stoke’s Law does not hold good if the size of the particles is:
● (a) Greater than 0.2 mm
● (b) Less than 0.2 mm
● (c) Neither (a) nor (b)
● (d) Both (a) and (b)
Answer: (a) Greater than 0.2 mm
Reasoning: Stoke's Law is valid for fine particles (less than 0.2 mm) moving under laminar flow.
For larger particles, turbulent flow occurs, violating Stoke's assumptions.
Q3: Pretreatment of soil to remove organic matter by oxidation is done with:
● (a) Sodium hexametaphosphate
● (b) Oxygen
● (c) Hydrogen peroxide
● (d) Hydrochloric acid
Answer: (c) Hydrogen peroxide
Explanation: Hydrogen peroxide oxidizes organic material without affecting inorganic particles,
making it ideal for pretreating soils in hydrometer analysis.
Q4: Why is wet sieve analysis required?
Answer: Wet sieve analysis is necessary for soils containing fine particles or cohesive clays
that might clump in dry conditions. It improves accuracy by dispersing fine particles, enabling
precise size classification.
Q5: State the various corrections required for a hydrometer reading.
Answer:
● Meniscus Correction (Cm): Adjusts for the reading taken at the meniscus, as
hydrometers are read at the top of the curve.
● Temperature Correction (Ct): Adjusts for viscosity changes in water due to
temperature.
● Dispersion Agent Correction (Cd): Accounts for the effect of dispersing agents on fluid
density, affecting readings.
5. Consistency Limits - Liquid Limit and Plastic Limit
Q1: A stiff clay has a consistency index of:
● (a) 50–75
● (b) 75–100
● (c) Greater than 100
● (d) Less than 50
Answer: (b) 75–100
Reasoning: Consistency index (Ic) between 75 and 100 indicates a stiff clay, showing that the
clay is less compressible and has limited plasticity at its current moisture level.
Q2: A soil sample has LL = 45%, PL = 25%, and SL = 15%. For a natural water content of 30%,
the consistency index will be:
● (a) 75%
● (b) 50%
● (c) 40%
● (d) 25%
Answer: (b) 50%
Calculation:
Ic=LL−wLL−PL×100=45−3045−25×100=50%I_c = \frac{LL - w}{LL - PL} \times 100 = \frac{45 -
30}{45 - 25} \times 100 = 50\%Ic=LL−PLLL−w×100=45−2545−30×100=50%
Q3: For the soil with LL = 45%, PL = 25%, and SL = 15%, the plasticity index is:
● (a) 50%
● (b) 20%
● (c) 60%
● (d) 40%
Answer: (b) 20%
Calculation: Plasticity index (PI) is calculated as:
PI=LL−PL=45−25=20%PI = LL - PL = 45 - 25 = 20\%PI=LL−PL=45−25=20%
Q4: The plasticity index of a highly plastic soil is about:
● (a) 10–20
● (b) 20–40
● (c) Greater than 40
● (d) Less than 10
Answer: (b) 20–40
Explanation: Highly plastic soils have a plasticity index between 20 and 40, indicative of
expansive clays with high moisture sensitivity.
Q5: Explain the significance of Atterberg’s Limits in soil analysis.
Answer: Atterberg’s Limits (liquid, plastic, and shrinkage limits) define soil behavior across
moisture ranges, predicting states of consistency (liquid, plastic, or brittle). These are crucial for
foundation design, as soils near the liquid limit are softer and potentially unstable.
Q6: Differentiate between consistency and plasticity of soil.
Answer:
● Consistency: Describes the firmness of soil at different moisture levels.
● Plasticity: Describes soil's ability to be molded without cracking. Plasticity index (PI)
quantifies this moldability.
● Importance: Consistency affects handling in construction, while plasticity impacts
structural integrity.
6. Consistency Limits - Shrinkage Limit
Q1: At shrinkage limit, the soil is:
● (a) Dry
● (b) Partially saturated
● (c) Saturated
● (d) None of the above
Answer: (b) Partially saturated
Explanation: At the shrinkage limit, soil retains minimal water, shrinking no further with
additional drying, reaching a partially saturated state.
Q2: The shrinkage index is equal to:
● (a) Liquid limit minus plastic limit
● (b) Liquid limit minus shrinkage limit
● (c) Plastic limit minus shrinkage limit
● (d) None of the above
Answer: (c) Plastic limit minus shrinkage limit
Explanation: Shrinkage index (SI) is the difference between plastic and shrinkage limits,
indicating the moisture range over which soil volume changes significantly.
Q3: Describe various methods for determining the shrinkage limit of soil.
Answer:
● Mercury Displacement Method: Measures the volume change in soil by immersing it in
mercury.
● Water Displacement Method: Calculates volume change by immersing the soil in
water.
● Shrinkage Dish Method: Involves drying soil in a shrinkage dish, then measuring
weight and volume changes.
Q4: Discuss various shrinkage parameters. How would you determine linear shrinkage?
Answer:
● Shrinkage Limit (SL): Minimum moisture level where soil no longer shrinks.
● Volumetric Shrinkage (VS): Percentage volume reduction due to drying.
● Shrinkage Ratio (SR): Ratio of dry volume to shrinkage volume.
● Linear Shrinkage: Measure the change in length of a soil sample from wet to dry states.
7. Field Density - Core Cutter Method
Q1: State whether the following statement is true or false: "The submerged density is about
one-half of the saturated density".
Answer: True
Explanation: In fully saturated soils, the weight of water inside the pores contributes to density.
Submerged density (effective density in water) accounts for buoyancy, effectively reducing the
saturated density by about half.
Q2: List the various types of density/unit weight of soil in ascending order.
Answer:
● Bulk Density: Density of soil including solids and water.
● Dry Density: Density of soil with no water (only solids).
● Saturated Density: Density when soil pores are fully saturated with water.
● Submerged Density: Saturated density minus the weight of water displaced, accounting
for buoyancy.
Q3: Discuss various methods for determining the bulk density of soil in the field.
Answer:
● Core Cutter Method: Used for cohesive soils, where a cylindrical cutter is driven into the
ground, and the mass and volume of the soil core are measured.
● Sand Replacement Method: A hole is excavated, and its volume determined by filling
with calibrated sand. Bulk density is calculated from soil mass and hole volume.
● Balloon Density Meter: A balloon is inflated in the hole to determine volume, primarily
for granular soils.
● Nuclear Density Gauge: Measures density by gauging soil moisture and density via
radiation, accurate and commonly used for field compaction quality control.
Q4: Given two borrow areas A and B with void ratios of 0.80 and 0.70, insitu water contents of
20% and 15%, and a placement requirement of 22% water content, calculate volumes and costs
if G=2.65G = 2.65G=2.65, and costs are Rs. 200/100m³ for A and Rs. 220/100m³ for B.
Answer: Calculation involves bulk density, volume calculations, and cost estimates, tailored to
specific borrow site parameters.
8. Field Density – Sand Replacement Method
Q1: Discuss whether the sand replacement method or the core cutter method is better for loose
or granular soils.
Answer: Sand Replacement Method is better for loose or granular soils where using a core
cutter may be impractical or disturb the soil. Sand replacement avoids compaction, providing
more accurate density results for granular soils.
Q2: Calculate bulk density if mass of excavated soil Ms=500 gM_s = 500 \, \text{g}Ms=500g,
volume Vh=300 cm3V_h = 300 \, \text{cm}^3Vh=300cm3, and sand bulk density
ρs=1.5 g/cm3\rho_s = 1.5 \, \text{g/cm}^3ρs=1.5g/cm3.
Answer:
ρt=MsVh=500300=1.67 g/cm3\rho_t = \frac{M_s}{V_h} = \frac{500}{300} = 1.67 \,
\text{g/cm}^3ρt=VhMs=300500=1.67g/cm3
9. Compaction Test
Q1: The line of optimum generally corresponds to the % air voids of about:
● (a) 0%
● (b) 5%
● (c) 10%
● (d) 20%
Answer: (b) 5%
Explanation: The optimum compaction occurs at around 5% air voids, representing a
well-compacted soil with minimal air pockets and maximum dry density.
Q2: Soil compacted to the dry of optimum, as compared to the wet of optimum:
● (a) Has less permeability
● (b) Swells less
● (c) Shrinks less
● (d) Has less resistance to compression
Answer: (d) Has less resistance to compression
Explanation: Compaction on the dry side results in a flocculated structure with more
interparticle contact, making it prone to compression under loading.
Q3: Is the statement "Relative compaction is the same as relative density" true or false?
Answer: False
Explanation: Relative Compaction compares the achieved compaction to the maximum
laboratory density, while Relative Density compares the in-situ density of coarse soils to their
loosest and densest states.
Q4: How would you decide the type of compaction test to be performed for a soil?
Answer: Choice depends on soil type:
● Standard Proctor: For cohesive and mixed soils.
● Modified Proctor: For highly compacted areas like pavements.
● Relative Density Test: For granular soils.
10. Permeability Tests - Constant Head Test
Q1: Define permeability and its importance in soil engineering.
Answer: Permeability is a measure of a soil's ability to transmit water, crucial for drainage,
slope stability, and seepage analysis in dams. It dictates how quickly water moves through soils,
affecting structural stability and water management.
Q2: Describe factors that can affect the permeability of soil.
Answer:
● Soil Grain Size: Larger grains allow easier water passage.
● Soil Structure: Aggregates or fissures increase flow paths.
● Void Ratio: Higher voids mean higher permeability.
● Temperature: Higher temperatures decrease water viscosity, increasing permeability.
Q3: Calculate the coefficient of permeability if discharge q=50 cm3q = 50 \, \text{cm}^3q=50cm3,
area A=30 cm2A = 30 \, \text{cm}^2A=30cm2, head h=25 cmh = 25 \, \text{cm}h=25cm, and time
t=60 st = 60 \, \text{s}t=60s.
Answer:
k=q⋅LA⋅h⋅t=50×3030×25×60=0.033 cm/sk = \frac{q \cdot L}{A \cdot h \cdot t} = \frac{50 \times
30}{30 \times 25 \times 60} = 0.033 \, \text{cm/s}k=A⋅h⋅tq⋅L=30×25×6050×30=0.033cm/s
11. Permeability Test - Falling Head Test
Q1: Quick sand is:
● (a) A type of sand
● (b) A condition in which cohesionless soil loses strength due to upward flow of water
● (c) A condition where cohesive soil loses strength
● (d) None of the above
Answer: (b) A condition in which cohesionless soil loses strength due to upward flow of
water
Explanation: Quick sand occurs when water pressure pushes soil particles apart, reducing
friction, effectively making it behave like a liquid.
Q2: Calculate the coefficient of permeability if initial head h1=100 cmh_1 = 100 \,
\text{cm}h1=100cm, final head h2=50 cmh_2 = 50 \, \text{cm}h2=50cm, area a=1 cm2a = 1 \,
\text{cm}^2a=1cm2, length L=10 cmL = 10 \, \text{cm}L=10cm, and time t=200 st = 200 \,
\text{s}t=200s.
Answer:
k=aLAtln(h1h2)=1×1030×200ln(10050)=0.00115 cm/sk = \frac{aL}{At} \ln \left( \frac{h_1}{h_2}
\right) = \frac{1 \times 10}{30 \times 200} \ln \left( \frac{100}{50} \right) = 0.00115 \,
\text{cm/s}k=AtaLln(h2h1)=30×2001×10ln(50100)=0.00115cm/s
12. Direct Shear Test
Q1: Describe the importance of the direct shear test in soil analysis.
Answer: Direct Shear Test measures shear strength parameters (cohesion ccc and internal
friction angle ϕ\phiϕ) for slope stability, foundation design, and earth retention. It models the
shear plane under applied normal stress.
Q2: What is the purpose of normal stress in the direct shear test?
Answer: Normal Stress simulates overburden or structural load, providing realistic stress
conditions to evaluate the soil’s shear resistance under load.
13. Unconfined Compression Test
Q1: Why is the unconfined compression test used primarily for cohesive soils?
Answer: Cohesive Soils have sufficient cohesion to stand without confinement, enabling
accurate measurement of unconfined compressive strength, which is crucial for foundations on
clays.
Q2: How is the unconfined compressive strength calculated?
Answer:
Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS)=PA\text{Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS)} =
\frac{P}{A}Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS)=AP
where PPP is maximum axial load, and AAA is the cross-sectional area of the sample.
14. Vane Shear Test
Q1: Explain the purpose of the vane shear test in geotechnical engineering.
Answer: Vane Shear Test measures in-situ shear strength of soft, cohesive soils, especially
clay, aiding in foundation and embankment design by quantifying soil resistance to shearing.
15. CBR Test
Q1: What is the importance of the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test?
Answer: CBR Test evaluates subgrade strength, essential for designing pavement thickness in
road construction, with higher CBR values
