A soil sample was taken from the ground of a project after it has been compacted by a contractor, the data of the soil sample are: (w=13.6%, Gs=2.78, yfield=19.4 kN/m3) if the specifications of the compaction require the maximum porosity is (40%) Did the contractor achieve the specification? (explain the reason)

Following results are obtained for a liquid limit test using a fall cone device. Estimate the liquid limit of the soil and the flow index.

How is the plasticity index of a soil determined?

The properties of seven different clayey soils are shown below (Skempton and Northey, 1952). Investigate the relationship between the strength and plasticity characteristics by performing the following tasks: a. Estimate the plasticity index for each soil using Skemptons definition of activity [Eq. (4.28)]. b. Estimate the probable mineral composition of the clay soils based on PI and A (use Table 4.3) c. Sensitivity (St) refers to the loss of strength when the soil is remolded or disturbed. It is defined as the ratio of the undisturbed strength (f-undisturbed) to the remolded strength (f-remolded)) at the same moisture content [Eq. (12.49)]. From the given data, estimate f-remolded for the clay soils. d. Plot the variations of undisturbed and remolded shear strengths with the activity, A, and explain the observed behavior.

In AASHTO, which group are the following soil likely to fail into? a. A well-graded gravel with approximately 10% fines b. A well-graded sand with approximately 10% fines c. A uniform fine sand d. A high plastic clay

Refer to Problem 2.C.1. Results of the sieve analysis for Soils A, B, and C are given below. To obtain a more representative sample for further geotechnical testing, a ternary blend is created by uniformly mixing 8000 kg of each soil. Answer the following questions. a. If a sieve analysis is conducted on the mixture using the same set of sieves as shown above, compute the mass retained (as a percentage) and cumulative percent passing in each sieve. b. What would be the uniformity coefficient (Cu) and the coefficient of gradation (Cc) of the mixture?

Since laboratory or field experiments are generally expensive and time consuming, geotechnical engineers often have to rely on empirical relationships to predict design parameters. Section 6.6 presents such relationships for predicting optimum moisture content and maximum dry unit weight. Let us use some of these equations and compare our results with known experimental data. The following table presents the results from laboratory compaction tests conducted on a wide range of fine-grained soils using various compactive efforts (E). Based on the soil data given in the table, determine the optimum moisture content and maximum dry unit weight using the empirical relationships presented in Section 6.6. a. Use the Osman et al. (2008) method [Eqs. (6.15) through (6.18)]. b. Use the Gurtug and Sridharan (2004) method [Eqs. (6.13) and (6.14)]. c. Use the Matteo et al. (2009) method [Eqs. (6.19) and (6.20)]. d. Plot the calculated wopt against the experimental wopt, and the calculated d(max) with the experimental d(max). Draw a 45 line of equality on each plot. e. Comment on the predictive capabilities of various methods. What can you say about the inherent nature of empirical models?