REG 361: Soil Mechanics and Safety

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Questions and Answers

Which soil type is most suitable for building foundations due to its strength?

  • Fine-grained Soils
  • Granular Soils (correct)
  • Organic Soils
  • All soil types are equally suitable

What is the primary purpose of soil compaction?

  • To decrease the density of the soil
  • To increase the water content of the soil
  • To make the soil more easily excavated
  • To reduce the air content and increase soil strength (correct)

Which type of excavation is most appropriate for creating large-scale areas like basements or roads?

  • Bulk Excavation (correct)
  • Vertical Excavation
  • Trenching
  • Slope Excavation

What is the main safety concern addressed by shoring in excavation?

<p>Supporting trench walls to prevent collapse (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of roller is most suitable for compacting clay soils?

<p>Sheepsfoot Roller (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that determines the strength of concrete?

<p>The amount of water used in the mix (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of curing concrete?

<p>To allow the concrete to gain strength (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors affects soil behavior?

<p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the rebound hammer test measure?

<p>The surface hardness of the concrete (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common cause of foundation failure?

<p>Use of high-quality concrete (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of shoring in excavation?

<p>To prevent the trench walls from collapsing. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of concrete equipment is used to remove air bubbles from the mix?

<p>Vibrators (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for adding steel reinforcement to concrete?

<p>To compensate for concrete's weakness in tension (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of foundation is best suited for a building located on weak soil?

<p>Raft Foundation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a penetration test in soil analysis?

<p>To assess the soil's strength and resistance. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which compaction equipment is most suitable for compacting clay soil?

<p>Sheepsfoot roller (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common problem associated with poor compaction of concrete?

<p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is proper site investigation crucial before building a foundation?

<p>To assess the suitability of the soil for supporting the building (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is a deep foundation preferred for tall buildings?

<p>Deep foundations distribute weight more evenly. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a backhoe loader?

<p>Digging trenches and moving material (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of soil borrowing in site investigation?

<p>To extract samples of soil for laboratory analysis. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for using trench boxes in excavation?

<p>To provide a safe working environment for workers. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of foundation would be most suitable for a bridge?

<p>Pier Foundation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Compressive Strength

The ability of concrete to bear weight before cracking.

Workability

The ease of mixing, placing, and finishing concrete.

Durability

The ability of concrete to resist weather, chemicals, and wear.

Slump Test

A test that measures the workability of concrete mix.

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Foundation Failure Causes

Factors leading to foundation issues include poor soil and overloading.

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Proper Site Investigation

Testing the soil is crucial before construction begins.

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Concrete Mixer

A machine that combines cement, sand, and gravel.

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Excavator

Heavy equipment used for large-scale digging in construction projects.

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Deep Foundations

Foundations for tall buildings on weak surface soil.

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Shallow Foundations

Foundations suitable for light structures on firm surface soil.

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Strip Foundation

A long, narrow concrete strip used in shallow foundations.

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Pile Foundation

Long columns driven deep into the ground for support.

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Soil Boring

Drilling to test different soil layers before construction.

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Shoring

Supports placed in trenches to prevent collapse.

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Tension Cracks

Cracks near trench edges causing potential collapse.

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Soil Types

Types of soil with different characteristics affecting construction: Granular, Fine-grained, Organic.

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Granular Soils

Soils like sand and gravel that are strong and good for foundations.

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Fine-grained Soils

Soils like silt and clay that are weak, shrink when dry and expand when wet.

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Earthwork

The process of moving, cutting, and filling soil to prepare a construction site.

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Compaction

Pressing soil to remove air and increase its strength for construction.

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Concrete Composition

Concrete is made from cement, water, sand, and gravel; water affects its strength.

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Curing of Concrete

Keeping concrete wet to help it gain strength and durability over time.

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Excavation Types

Methods of soil removal: Trenching for pipes and Bulk Excavation for large areas.

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Study Notes

REG 361: Essential Exam Notes

  • Focus on understanding, not memorizing
  • Soil is crucial in construction; a weak base leads to problems like cracking, sinking, or collapse.

Soil Types

  • Granular soils (sand, gravel): Strong, suitable for foundations
  • Fine-grained soils (silt, clay): Weak, shrink when dry, expand when wet (bad for stability)
  • Organic soils (peat, organic clay/silt): Worst for construction, compress easily and contain gases

Soil Behavior Factors

  • Particle size and shape (large and angular = stronger)
  • Water content (too much = weak soil)
  • Packing and density (more compact = stronger)

Earthwork & Excavation

  • Earthwork involves moving, cutting, and filling soil to prepare for construction
  • Soil investigation (testing soil strength and stability) is the first step
  • Excavation types: trenching (narrow holes), bulk excavation (large-scale removal)

Excavation Safety

  • Shoring: Supports trench walls to prevent collapse
  • Sheet piling: Metal/concrete sheets to hold soil in place
  • Sloping & benching: Cutting soil at angles to prevent landslides
  • Water control: Pumping to prevent instability

Soil Compaction

  • Pressing soil to remove air and increase strength
  • Prevents sinking, cracking, and increases soil strength
  • Sheepsfoot roller (best for clay), Vibratory roller (best for sand/gravel), Tamping rammer (small areas)

Common Issues

  • Over-compaction: breaks soil structure
  • Under-compaction: settlement or sinkage

Concrete Basics

  • Concrete = Cement + Water + Sand + Gravel
  • More water = weaker concrete
  • Important properties:
    • Strength (measured in MPa, higher is stronger)
    • Workability (how easy to mix and place)
    • Durability (resistance to weather, chemicals and wear)

Foundation Types

  • Shallow foundations (for light structures, firm soil close to surface): strip foundations and raft foundations
  • Deep foundations (for tall buildings, weak surface soil): pile foundations, caisson foundations, and pier foundations

Site Investigation & Soil Analysis

  • Important for preventing failure
  • Key tests: soil boring, penetration test, moisture content test and other methods to check layers

Excavation & Trench Safety

  • Excavation: Removing soil/rock
  • Trenching: narrow excavations, usually deeper
  • Key safety measures: shoring, sloping, trench boxes, water control
  • Failure risks and causes: tension cracks, heaving/bulging, sliding failure

Concrete Works & Testing

  • Concrete is strong in compression, weak in tension (steel reinforcing is needed)
  • Important concrete properties: compressive strength, workability, durability
  • Testing for concrete strength includes slump tests and compression tests

Common Concrete Problems

  • Segregation (different sizes of aggregates separate)
  • Bleeding (water rises to the surface)
  • Honeycombing (gaps due to poor compaction)

Key Construction Equipment

  • Excavation Equipment (backhoe loader, excavator, bulldozer)
  • Compaction Equipment (sheepsfoot roller)

How to Approach Studying

  • Understand the 'why' behind concepts, not just memorize facts.
  • Visual aids (diagrams and flowcharts) help understanding
  • Logic is important in multiple-choice questions
  • Real-world examples help better understanding

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