Soil Mechanics and Engineering Quiz - Part 1 & 2

Unconsolidated, naturally occurring material comprised of mineral particles, decayed organic matter, and water.

The angle at which a loose material will naturally form a stable slope.

Applying soil and rock mechanics principles to analyze and design structures.

A type of soil structure where clay particles arrange in a loose, irregular pattern, typical of freshwater environments.

The moisture content at which soil transitions from a liquid to a plastic state.

The largest type of soil particle, usually visually identifiable.

The Standard Penetration Test (SPT) provides only disturbed samples of the soil, making it difficult to accurately determine certain soil properties.

The AASHTO classification system uses a group index (GI) to further describe soil properties like plasticity and compressibility.

The difference between the liquid limit (LL) and the plastic limit (PL) of a soil. Represents the range of moisture content where the soil behaves plastically.

A soil's susceptibility to liquefaction is highest in saturated, loosely packed sands. This occurs because these types of soils have a high void ratio and are easily compressed under seismic loading.

The primary advantage of the Cone Penetration Test (CPT) is its ability to provide continuous soil profiles. It's a fast and efficient method for determining soil layers and their properties without significant disturbance.

A sheepsfoot roller is the optimal choice for compacting clayey soils. Its heavy, pointed feet provide good penetration and compaction, especially in cohesive soils.

The degree of saturation (S) is a measure of how much of the void space in a soil is filled with water. It is calculated by dividing the volume of water (Vw) by the void volume (Vv).

The Vane Shear Test is used to measure soil consistency in situ. It involves inserting a vane into the soil and rotating it to assess its shear strength.

The minimum number of boreholes required for a structure with an area of 1200 m² is 3. This ensures adequate sampling for a comprehensive soil investigation.

The effective size (D10) in soil gradation analysis is primarily used for determining the hydraulic conductivity of the soil. It represents the size of particles that make up 10% of the total weight.