From the given data, shows a sieve analysis of soil samples A and B. Classify the soil according to AASHTO Method. Sieve No. Diameter (mm) Percent Passing (Percent Finer) Soil Sample A Soil Sample B 4 RIC 4.76 100 100 8 2.38 90 100 10 2.00 77 78 20 0.84 59 92 40 0.42 51 84 60 0.25 42 79 100 0.149 35 70 200 0.074 33 63 Characteristics of - 40 fraction LL 46 47 PL 29 24

Refer to the soil in Problem 4.5. Using the Casagrande plasticity chart, graphically estimate the shrinkage limit of the soil as shown in Figure 4.22. 4.5 The following data were obtained by conducting liquid limit and plastic limit tests on a soil collected from the site. Liquid limit tests: Plastic limit test: PL = 19.3% a. Draw the flow curve and determine the liquid limit. b. Using the Casagrande plasticity chart (Figure 4.21), determine the soil type.

The following data were obtained by conducting liquid limit and plastic limit tests on a soil collected from the site. Liquid limit tests: Plastic limit test: PL = 19.3% a. Draw the flow curve and determine the liquid limit. b. Using the Casagrande plasticity chart (Figure 4.21), determine the soil type.

Repeat Problem 2.11 with the following data. 2.11 The grain-size characteristics of a soil are given in the following table. a. Draw the grain-size distribution curve. b. Determine the percentages of gravel, sand, silt, and clay according to the MIT system. c. Repeat Part b using the USDA system. d. Repeat Part b using the AASHTO system.

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?

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?

Three groups of students from the Geotechnical Engineering class collected soil-aggregate samples for laboratory testing from a recycled aggregate processing plant in Palm Beach County, Florida. Three samples, denoted by Soil A, Soil B, and Soil C, were collected from three locations of the aggregate stockpile, and sieve analyses were conducted (see Figure 2.35). (a) (b) Figure 2.35 (a) Soil-aggregate stockpile; (b) sieve analysis (Courtesy of Khaled Sobhan, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida) a. Determine the coefficient of uniformity and the coefficient of gradation for Soils A, B, and C. b. Which one is coarser: Soil A or Soil C? Justify your answer. c. Although the soils are obtained from the same stockpile, why are the curves so different? (Hint: Comment on particle segregation and representative field sampling.) d. Determine the percentages of gravel, sand and fines according to Unified Soil Classification System.

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.

The grain-size characteristics of a soil are given in the following table. a. Draw the grain-size distribution curve. b. Determine the percentages of gravel, sand, silt, and clay according to the MIT system. c. Repeat Part b using the USDA system. d. Repeat Part b using the AASHTO system.