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Questions and Answers
Who studied the natural slopes of soils for the design of retaining walls in 1717?
Who studied the natural slopes of soils for the design of retaining walls in 1717?
- Bernard Forest de Belidor
- Jean Rodolphe Perronet
- Henri Gautier (correct)
- Charles Augustin Coulomb
Which theory was developed by Bernard Forest de Belidor as a follow-up to Henri Gautier's work?
Which theory was developed by Bernard Forest de Belidor as a follow-up to Henri Gautier's work?
- Slip plane observation
- Ultimate bearing-capacity theory
- Soil friction angle symbol usage
- Theory for lateral earth pressure (correct)
What significant observation did Francois Gadroy make in 1746?
What significant observation did Francois Gadroy make in 1746?
- Principles of calculus applications
- Existence of slip planes at failure (correct)
- First ultimate bearing-capacity theory
- Distinction between intact ground and fills
What was a key contribution of Charles Augustin Coulomb in soil mechanics?
What was a key contribution of Charles Augustin Coulomb in soil mechanics?
Which engineer first used the symbol Ф to represent the soil friction angle?
Which engineer first used the symbol Ф to represent the soil friction angle?
What distinguishes the developments in geotechnical engineering during the Classical phase?
What distinguishes the developments in geotechnical engineering during the Classical phase?
Which period focused heavily on studies involving unit weights of soils and earth pressure theories?
Which period focused heavily on studies involving unit weights of soils and earth pressure theories?
What did Jean Rodolphe Perronet distinguish between in his studies in 1769?
What did Jean Rodolphe Perronet distinguish between in his studies in 1769?
What is the purpose of mechanical analysis in soil testing?
What is the purpose of mechanical analysis in soil testing?
Which method is used for particle sizes larger than 0.075 mm in diameter?
Which method is used for particle sizes larger than 0.075 mm in diameter?
What specifically is recorded during the sieve analysis procedure?
What specifically is recorded during the sieve analysis procedure?
In a sieve analysis, how are the sieves arranged?
In a sieve analysis, how are the sieves arranged?
What is the first step in the sieve analysis procedure?
What is the first step in the sieve analysis procedure?
Which particle size range requires hydrometer analysis?
Which particle size range requires hydrometer analysis?
Why is it important to break all lumps into smaller particles before analysis?
Why is it important to break all lumps into smaller particles before analysis?
What type of materials is sieve analysis primarily used for?
What type of materials is sieve analysis primarily used for?
What concept did Alexandre Collin theorize regarding soil failure?
What concept did Alexandre Collin theorize regarding soil failure?
Who provided a notable simplification of Coulomb's theory related to earth pressure?
Who provided a notable simplification of Coulomb's theory related to earth pressure?
What term did Henri Philibert Gaspard Darcy introduce in his 1856 study?
What term did Henri Philibert Gaspard Darcy introduce in his 1856 study?
What aspect of soil mechanics did Joseph Valentin Boussinesq focus on in his 1885 development?
What aspect of soil mechanics did Joseph Valentin Boussinesq focus on in his 1885 development?
Osborne Reynolds demonstrated which phenomenon in sand in 1887?
Osborne Reynolds demonstrated which phenomenon in sand in 1887?
What was the significant focus of research published between 1910 and 1927 regarding clay?
What was the significant focus of research published between 1910 and 1927 regarding clay?
What did Albert Mauritz Atterberg define in relation to soil particles?
What did Albert Mauritz Atterberg define in relation to soil particles?
What was a notable development in the study of soil mechanics during Phase II (1856 to 1910 A.D.)?
What was a notable development in the study of soil mechanics during Phase II (1856 to 1910 A.D.)?
What does D10 refer to in a particle size distribution curve?
What does D10 refer to in a particle size distribution curve?
How is the uniformity coefficient (Cu) calculated?
How is the uniformity coefficient (Cu) calculated?
What does the coefficient of gradation (Cc) assess?
What does the coefficient of gradation (Cc) assess?
Which parameter is indicated by the sorting coefficient (So)?
Which parameter is indicated by the sorting coefficient (So)?
If 20% of particles are finer than a particular size, which size is indicated by D20?
If 20% of particles are finer than a particular size, which size is indicated by D20?
What does the x-axis represent in a particle size distribution curve?
What does the x-axis represent in a particle size distribution curve?
What can be inferred if the uniformity coefficient (Cu) is greater than 5?
What can be inferred if the uniformity coefficient (Cu) is greater than 5?
Which of the following represents a measure of overall particle size variability?
Which of the following represents a measure of overall particle size variability?
Which equation correctly describes the relationship between D30, D10, and Cc?
Which equation correctly describes the relationship between D30, D10, and Cc?
What is the primary focus of geotechnical engineering?
What is the primary focus of geotechnical engineering?
Which branch of civil engineering applies mechanics and hydraulics to soil engineering problems?
Which branch of civil engineering applies mechanics and hydraulics to soil engineering problems?
Who is recognized as the 'Father of Soil Mechanics'?
Who is recognized as the 'Father of Soil Mechanics'?
What significant period in geotechnical engineering history is marked by the years 1910 to 1927?
What significant period in geotechnical engineering history is marked by the years 1910 to 1927?
What is one of the key responsibilities of geotechnical engineering?
What is one of the key responsibilities of geotechnical engineering?
Which of the following years marks the end of the Preclassical period in geotechnical engineering?
Which of the following years marks the end of the Preclassical period in geotechnical engineering?
The study of the characteristics and behavior of soil under various conditions is known as?
The study of the characteristics and behavior of soil under various conditions is known as?
What does soil engineering specifically focus on?
What does soil engineering specifically focus on?
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Study Notes
Soil Mechanics
- Geotechnical engineering deals with the mechanics of materials found near the surface of the earth, utilizing soil and rock mechanics to design foundations, retaining structures, and earthworks.
History of Soil Mechanics
- The foundations of geotechnical engineering date back to the 18th century.
- Karl Terzaghi is recognized as the "Father of Soil Mechanics".
- Four major periods represent the advancement of geotechnical engineering (as per Skempton, 1985):
- Preclassical (1700-1776 A.D.)
- Classical soil mechanics - Phase I (1776-1856 A.D.)
- Classical soil mechanics - Phase II (1856-1910 A.D.)
- Modern soil mechanics (1910-1927 A.D.)
Preclassical Period (1700 to 1776 A.D.)
- Henri Gautier (1717) studied the natural slopes of soils for retaining wall design.
- Bernard Forest de Belidor (1729) proposed a theory regarding lateral earth pressure on retaining walls.
- Francois Gadroy (1746) observed the existence of slip planes in soil during failure.
- Jean Rodolphe Perronet (1769) studied slope stability and distinguished between intact ground and fills.
Classical Soil Mechanics - Phase I (1776 to 1856 A.D.)
- Early focus on lateral earth pressure on retaining walls was based on assumptions.
- Charles Augustin Coulomb (1736-1806) used calculus to determine the sliding surface in soil behind retaining walls.
- Jean Victor Poncelet (1788-1867) developed a graphical method for calculating lateral earth pressure and introduced the symbol "Ф" for soil friction angle. He also proposed the first bearing-capacity theory for shallow foundations.
- Alexandre Collin (1808-1890) explained deep slips in clay slopes and the significance of cohesion in soil failure.
- William John Macquorn Rankine (1820-1872) provided a simplified theory on earth pressure and equilibrium.
Classical Soil Mechanics - Phase II (1856 to 1910 A.D.)
- This period witnessed advancements in laboratory testing of sands.
- Henri Philibert Gaspard Darcy (1803-1858) published a study on the permeability of sand filters, defining the coefficient of permeability.
- Sir George Howard Darwin (1845-1912) conducted laboratory tests to determine overturning moments on retaining walls.
- Joseph Valentin Boussinesq (1842-1929) developed a theory of stress distribution beneath loaded areas.
- Osborne Reynolds (1842-1912) demonstrated the phenomenon of dilatancy in sand.
Modern Soil Mechanics (1910-1927 A.D.)
- Focus shifted to research on clays and defining their properties.
- Albert Mauritz Atterberg (1911), a chemist and soil scientist, identified clay-size fractions and the importance of clay particles and plasticity in soil.
Mechanical Analysis
- This involves determining the particle size distribution of soil, often expressed as a percentage of total dry weight.
- Two primary methods are commonly employed:
- Sieve analysis: for particles larger than 0.075 mm in diameter
- Hydrometer analysis: for particles smaller than 0.075 mm in diameter
Sieve Analysis
- A fundamental technique in civil engineering for determining the particle size distribution of granular materials.
- The process involves passing a material sample through a series of sieves with progressively smaller mesh sizes.
- The percentage of material retained on each sieve is recorded, providing a detailed breakdown of the particle size distribution.
Sieve Analysis Procedure
- Prepare the stack of sieves, with smaller openings at the bottom.
- Record the mass of each sieve.
- Break all lumps into smaller particles.
- Dry the soil sample and determine the percentage loss after drying.
- The percentage loss is calculated using the formula: (500 - WTi) / 500 * 100, where WTi is the final weight of the soil sample.
Sieve Analysis Graph
- The results of the sieve analysis are plotted on a graph, called a particle size distribution curve.
- D10, D30, and D60 values are obtained from this curve, representing the diameters corresponding to 10%, 30%, and 60% finer material, respectively.
- The following parameters can be determined from the graph:
- Uniformity coefficient (Cu): D60 / D10
- Coefficient of gradation (Cc): D30² / (D60 * D10)
- Sorting coefficient (So): D75 / D25
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