THE UNNERSITY OF HONG KONG
BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING: LEVEL ( 3) EXAMINATION
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
CIVL3032/3132: GEOTECHNICAL TESTING, INSTRUMENTATION AND
MONITORING
MAY 21, 2015 TIME: 9:30 AM- 12:30 PM
Answer ALL questions
Answer Section A in the BLUE answer book and Section B in the PINK answer book
One graph paper is provided.
Use of Calculators:
Only approved calculators as announced by the Examinations Secretary can be used in this
examination. It is candidates' responsibility to ensure that their calculator operates
satisfactorily, and candidates must record the name and type of the calculator used on the
front page of the examination script.
P. 1 of 5
SECTION A
Question 1 (30 marks)
A remoulded marine clay (specific gravity denoted by G,) is assumed to be well-described by
the modified Camclay model casted under the critical state soil mechanics framework. The
soil model constants (M, N, I', It, K) are illustrated in the following two plots; while the yield
surface of the modified Camclay model is expressed as: M 2 p '2 - M 2 p '0 p '+ q 2 = 0 . Note N
and I' is the intercept of the NCL and CSL at I k:Pa in the v-ln p' space, respectively.
Assuming the soil model constants are all known.
P'o
v=l+e
N
Normal consolidation
r line (NCL)
Critical state
line (CSL)
Isotropic
swelling line
P. 2 of5
A fully saturated specimen, namely Specimen A, was normally consolidated under an
isotropic effective stress of p 1 for 2 days where primary consolidation has been finished. The
drainage value remained open and the specimen was sheared by increasing the axial strain
continuously up to 30% where the critical state was achieved. The void ratio, mean effective
stress and deviatoric stress at critical state is denoted by er, p' er and qcr, respectively.
(a) p' er can be expressed as 0Xp 1 • Express 0 in terms of the soil model constant(s).
(4 marks)
(b) Express er in terms ofp 1 and soil model constant(s). (4 marks)
(c) The void ratio of Specimen A prior to shear is denoted by e0 . Derive e0 in terms of p 1 and
the soil model constant( s) (4 marks)
(d) Based on the results from (b) and (c), show mathematically that San1ple A is contractive
upon the mentioned shearing [hint: contractive means er< e0] (4 marks)
Specimen B, which was prepared by the same marine clay, was a heavily over-consolidated
specimen - the specimen was isotropically loaded to an effective stress of p1 (see Specimen
A) prior to swelling to an isotropic effective stress of p 2 • The specimen was then subjected to
an undrained triaxial compression. The test was stopped when the axial strain reached 30%.
The final water content of the soil (after shearing) was evaluated and was found to be wr.
(e) What is the specific volume of Specimen B before and after the shearing? (4 marks)
(f) Write the expression showing how the mean effective stress of Specimen B (p' ,/8 l) at the
critical state can be evaluated? (4 marks)
(g) Denote the over-consolidation ratio of Specimen B prior to shear as OCR. Express p 2 in
terms of OCR, wr, G,, A and I(. (6 marks)
P.3of5
Questiou 2 (20 marks)
(a) In your multi-stage triaxial test, a back pressure is applied to the specimen. Explain the
two main purposes of back-pressure saturation in a triaxial test. (4 marks)
(b) Describe the procedures of determining cohesion and friction angle of a weathered
granite specimen from a multi-stage drained triaxial test. Use sketches/diagrams if
necessary. (8 marks)
(c) Give the detailed procedures of how a B-value check in a triaxial test is performed. Use
formula to explain how the B-value is calculated. (4 marks)
(d) Explain with sketches the meaning of (i) hysteresis and (ii) offset of sensor responses.
(4 marks)
Question 3 (20 marks)
(a) A load cell is used to measure the magnitude of an axial force. While subject to loading,
the sensor responds by outputting a d.c. voltage. Mathematically, the magnitude of load
can be expressed as a function of the output voltage. Give detailed procedures of how
you can calibrate the sensor. In other words, what would you do to find out the
relationship between the input (force) and output (voltage)? Simple sketches/figures are
encouraged to illustrate your answer. (4 marks)
(b) A sensor which is assumed to behave like a second-order system is described by the
following transfer function:
. )- Y(Jw) w'n
H (JW - (. )
x Jlll
where w,, and !; are two model parameters of the sensor, and X (Jw) and Y(Jw) are
the frequency response of the input and output, respectively. What are the physical
meaning of w,, and !; ? With a sketch show how these two values affect the magnitude of
the transfer function (i.e., IH (Jw )I)? (6 marks)
P. 4 of 5
(c) An input signal contains three major frequencies OJ1 , OJ2 , and OJ3 where OJ1 = O.lOJ",
OJ2 = 0.980J,, and OJ3 = 2.50Jn. Comment on the output signal when sensor in part (b) is
subjected to this input. Assume 4 < 0.1. (6 marks)
(d) Give an important construction requirement when inclinometer is installed. Explain your
answer. (4 marks)
SECTIONB
Question 4 (30 marks)
(a) Describe five applications of in-situ testing. (5 marks)
(b) Describe the equipment and procedure of the Standard Penetration Test (SPT). (5 marks)
(c) Describe five applications of the cone penetration test (CPI) m geotechnical and
geoenviromnental engineering. ( 5 marks)
(d) If we apply the allowable bearing capacity obtained from a plate load test directly to a
foundation design, will the results be conservative and why? (5 marks)
(e) Describe the changes in stresses exerted on a soil specimen during the sampling process
and how the geotechnical engineer copes with these changes in a triaxial test. (5 marks)
(f) Describe three reaction a.1Tangements in a compression pile load test. (5 marks)
-END OF PAPER-
P. 5 of 5
