Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who is known as the 'father of modern soil mechanics'?
Who is known as the 'father of modern soil mechanics'?
In which year was geotechnical engineering considered a widely recognized discipline?
In which year was geotechnical engineering considered a widely recognized discipline?
Which physicist is best remembered for his work on electricity and magnetism but also made contributions to lateral earth pressures?
Which physicist is best remembered for his work on electricity and magnetism but also made contributions to lateral earth pressures?
Who defined soil strength using both cohesion and friction for the first time?
Who defined soil strength using both cohesion and friction for the first time?
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Which engineer made significant contributions to the fields of engineering geology and geotechnical engineering during its infancy?
Which engineer made significant contributions to the fields of engineering geology and geotechnical engineering during its infancy?
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Who was a disciple of Karl Terzaghi and made contributions to the analysis of soft clays, soil composition, and seepage through earth structures?
Who was a disciple of Karl Terzaghi and made contributions to the analysis of soft clays, soil composition, and seepage through earth structures?
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Which type of vibrating unit can be used for effective compaction of granular soils over a limited area?
Which type of vibrating unit can be used for effective compaction of granular soils over a limited area?
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In earthwork specifications, what percentage of the maximum dry unit weight is the contractor instructed to achieve in the field?
In earthwork specifications, what percentage of the maximum dry unit weight is the contractor instructed to achieve in the field?
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How can the groundwater table be located?
How can the groundwater table be located?
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Which zone is located below the groundwater table and is subjected to positive pressure due to overlying water?
Which zone is located below the groundwater table and is subjected to positive pressure due to overlying water?
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What does surface water hydrology include assessments of?
What does surface water hydrology include assessments of?
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Where is most of the subsurface water located?
Where is most of the subsurface water located?
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What type of strength occurs when the stresses between particles cause them to slide or roll past each other?
What type of strength occurs when the stresses between particles cause them to slide or roll past each other?
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What is the force that resists sliding equal to in terms of frictional strength?
What is the force that resists sliding equal to in terms of frictional strength?
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What type of strength appears to be caused by bonding between soil particles but is actually frictional strength in disguise?
What type of strength appears to be caused by bonding between soil particles but is actually frictional strength in disguise?
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Which source can contribute to apparent cohesion according to the given text?
Which source can contribute to apparent cohesion according to the given text?
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In which type of soils does dilation draw water into the voids, leading to negative excess pore water pressure?
In which type of soils does dilation draw water into the voids, leading to negative excess pore water pressure?
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What does the angle of friction represent in the context provided?
What does the angle of friction represent in the context provided?
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What type of test allows for the computation of effective stresses by measuring pore water pressure?
What type of test allows for the computation of effective stresses by measuring pore water pressure?
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In which test is drainage prevented during shearing, leading to a build-up of pore water pressure?
In which test is drainage prevented during shearing, leading to a build-up of pore water pressure?
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Which type of triaxial test involves an isotropic consolidation phase followed by a shearing phase under undrained conditions?
Which type of triaxial test involves an isotropic consolidation phase followed by a shearing phase under undrained conditions?
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Which test determines the drained shear strength parameters like effective cohesion and angle of friction?
Which test determines the drained shear strength parameters like effective cohesion and angle of friction?
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What phase allows for the dissipation of excess pore water pressure in the triaxial tests?
What phase allows for the dissipation of excess pore water pressure in the triaxial tests?
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What is the distinctive feature of the Consolidated Drained test compared to other triaxial tests?
What is the distinctive feature of the Consolidated Drained test compared to other triaxial tests?
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Which phase of consolidation occurs after the excess pore water pressure dissipates?
Which phase of consolidation occurs after the excess pore water pressure dissipates?
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What does a high value of Cc and Cr indicate about a soil's compressibility?
What does a high value of Cc and Cr indicate about a soil's compressibility?
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Which factor does not influence the magnitude and distribution of lateral earth pressure in retaining structures?
Which factor does not influence the magnitude and distribution of lateral earth pressure in retaining structures?
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What is the relationship between settlement caused by consolidation in clay and elastic settlement?
What is the relationship between settlement caused by consolidation in clay and elastic settlement?
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What does a low value of Cc and Cr suggest about a soil's compressibility?
What does a low value of Cc and Cr suggest about a soil's compressibility?
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What rate of change occurs during consolidation in terms of soil element volume and voids volume?
What rate of change occurs during consolidation in terms of soil element volume and voids volume?
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Study Notes
Key Figures in Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering
- Karl Terzaghi is recognized as the 'father of modern soil mechanics.'
- Geotechnical engineering became a widely acknowledged discipline around the mid-20th century.
- Sir Arthur Newell Talbot is notable for contributions to lateral earth pressures while being primarily known for his work in electricity and magnetism.
- The concept of soil strength characterized by both cohesion and friction was first defined by Ralph B. Peck.
Contributions to Engineering Fields
- Arthur Casagrande significantly influenced engineering geology and geotechnical engineering during its early development.
- K. Terzaghi's disciple, H. B. M. Maurice, advanced the analysis of soft clays, soil composition, and seepage through earth structures.
Soil Compaction and Specifications
- Vibratory plates are effective for compaction of granular soils in constrained areas.
- Contractors are directed to achieve at least 95% of the maximum dry unit weight in field earthwork specifications.
Groundwater and Subsurface Water
- Groundwater tables can be identified through observation wells or piezometers.
- The saturated zone beneath the groundwater table experiences positive pressure due to the weight of overlying water.
Understanding Soil Strength
- Effective strength occurs when stress between soil particles allows for sliding or rolling movements.
- The resistance force to sliding correlates to the frictional strength of the soil.
- Apparent cohesion is often attributed to bonding between soil particles, though it typically reflects frictional strength.
Soil Behavior and Hydrology
- Dilation in certain soils can cause water to be drawn into voids, producing negative excess pore water pressure.
- Surface water hydrology encompasses the assessment of rainfall, runoff, and surface water storage.
Subsurface Water Location
- The majority of subsurface water is found in the saturated zone within soils.
Testing and Analysis in Soil Mechanics
- Pore water pressure measurement allows for the calculation of effective stresses in soils.
- Unconsolidated Undrained (UU) triaxial tests prevent drainage during shearing, leading to pore water pressure accumulation.
- The Consolidated Undrained (CU) triaxial test includes isotropic consolidation before an undrained shearing phase occurs.
- The Triaxial test evaluates drained shear strength parameters, such as effective cohesion and friction angle.
Consolidation and Soil Compressibility
- Excess pore water pressure dissipation during triaxial tests is crucial for understanding soil behavior.
- The Consolidated Drained (CD) test's distinctive feature is the ability to allow drainage throughout the test.
- After excess pore water pressure dissipation, a secondary consolidation phase occurs.
- A high compressibility index (Cc and Cr) indicates high soil compressibility, while low values indicate low compressibility.
- During consolidation, the volume of the soil element decreases while voids volume reduces at a corresponding rate.
Settlement Relationships
- Settlement from consolidation in clay tends to exceed elastic settlement due to the nature of clay behavior under load.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the Introduction of Great Contributors to Geotechnical Engineering and the Developments by Karl Terzaghi, who is known as the 'father of modern soil mechanics.' Explore the significant milestones in civil engineering and the birth of geotechnical engineering as a discipline.
