Solved Problems in Soil Mechanics Classification of Soil

23. (Mid 2013):

Classify the following soils using the unified soil classification system.
give group symbol & group name.

a. A 55% of soil sample retained on sieve No.4 and 89% retained on sieve
No.200. The soil has a liquid limit (LL) =28% and plastic limit (PL) =18% ,
Cu=4.2, Cc=1.4, (A-line: PI=0.73(LL-20)).
Solution
Givens:
R 4 = 55% , R 200 = 89% (R increase>> so,Comulative) ,
F200 = 100% − R 200 = 11% , LL=28% , PL=18% , PI = LL-PL=28-18=10%
Cu=4.2 , Cc=1.4
1. Finding Group Symbol from Table (5.2):
a) Determine whether the soil is Coarse-grained or Fine-grained:
R 200 = 89% > 50% → Coarse − grained soil.
b) Determine whether the soil is gravel or sand:
R4 55
× 100% = × 100% = 61.8% > 50% → The soil is Gravel.
R200 89
- F200 = 11% → 5% ≤ F200 ≤ 12% →Choose Group Symbol according the
footnote (a) below table (5.2).
- The group symbol must be one of the following :
GW-GM, GW-GC, GP-GM, GP-GC>> Now we check each symbol
GW→ according the values of Cu & Cc:
Cu=4.2>4 AND Cc=1.4 (1 ≤ Cc ≤ 3) → GW is Ok.
GM→ according the values of PI or A-line equation:
PI=10% >4→ Not ok OR PI plots below “A”-line→
PIA−line = 0.73(28 − 20) = 5.84 < 10 → above (not below) → GM is Not Ok
So, each symbol having GM must be canceled(GW-GM & GP-GM)
Now we want to check only one of (GC and GP) to know the correct symbol
because one of them is true and the other is false
Try GP→ according the values of Cu & Cc:
Cu=4.2>4 not ok AND/OR Cc=1.4 (1 ≤ Cc ≤ 3) not ok → GP is
Not Ok→ GP-GC Not Ok → so, the group Symbol is GW-GC✓.
Note: (1> Cc>3) means Cc>3 OR Cc<1

Page (39) Ahmed S. Al-Agha

Solved Problems in Soil Mechanics Classification of Soil

2. Finding Group Name from Figure (5.4):

% Sand = R 200 − R 4 = 89% − 55% = 34% > 15% →→ The group name is:
Well-graded gravel with clay and sand (or silty clay and sand) ✓.

b. 200 grams of a soil sample has a grain size distribution as shown in the table
below with a liquid limit of 32% and plastic limit of 15%.

Particle Size (mm) 4.75 2.36 1.3 0.6 0.2 0.075

Retained (grams) 12 15 13 28 20 2

Solution
Givens:
LL=32% , PL=15% , PI = LL-PL= 32−15=17% , Msoil = 200 gram,
From the given table we note the following:
 The given is the mass retained (not percent).
 The given mass is not comulative.
 So, we must calculate the % comulative Retained as shown in the following
table : #4 #200
Particle Size (mm) 4.75 2.36 1.3 0.6 0.2 0.075
Retained (grams) 12 15 13 28 20 2
Cumulative Retained (grams) 12 27 40 68 88 90
% Com. Retained (%) 6 13.5 20 34 44 45
% Com. Passing (%) 94 86.5 80 66 56 55

Calculation in the above table was done according the following:

Cumulative Retained (grams) →12→12+15=27→27+13= 40→40+28=68 and so on.
Cumulative Retained (grams)
% Com. Retained (%) = × 100%
Msoil =200 gram
% Com. Passing (%) = 100% − % Com. Retained (%)
Now, from the above table→ R 4 = 6% , R 200 = 45% , F200 = 55%
1. Finding Group Symbol from Table (5.2):
a) Determine whether the soil is Coarse-grained or Fine-grained:
R 200 = 45% < 50% → Fine − grained soil.

Page (40) Ahmed S. Al-Agha

Solved Problems in Soil Mechanics Classification of Soil

b) Finding group symbol from the lower part of table (5.2):

LL= 32 < 50 & Inorganic soil → Classify according PI and “A”-line
→ PI = 17% > 7
→ PIA−line = 0.73(32 − 20) = 8.76 < 17 → above
So, PI > 7 AND Plots above “A”-line → Group Symbol is CL✓.
2. Finding Group Name from Figure (5.5):
The following parameters will be used:
LL=32 , PI=17and Plots above “A”-line , %plus No.200 = R 200 = 45%
% Sand = R 200 − R 4 = 45 − 6 = 39% , %Gravel = R 4 = 6%
Now, we find group name as following:
LL= 32 < 50 → Inorganic → PI > 7and Plots above “A”-line
→ CL → R 200 = 45% > 30% → %Sand = 39% > %Gravel = 6%
→ %Gravel = 6% < 15% →→ Group Name is Sandy Lean Clay✓.

Page (41) Ahmed S. Al-Agha

Solved Problems in Soil Mechanics Classification of Soil

24. (Mid 2012):

Using the unified soil classification system to classify the following soils.
(Group Symbol & Group Name).
a. A 65% of the soil sample retained on No.4 Sieve, 30% retained on No.200
Sieve, Cu=3 and Cc=0.9.Also the LL = 28% and PL = 24.5% ,
(“A”-line: PI = 0.73(LL-20)).

Solution
Givens:
R 4 = 65% , R 200 = 65% + 30% = 95% → F200 = 5% (Why) → Because the
values must be cumulative and we know that %Retain must increase ..but in this
case %Retain decrease thus, it must be cumulative by adding 65% to 30% .
LL=28% , PL=24.5% , PI = LL-PL= 28−24.5=3.5 %
PIA−line = 0.73(28 − 20) = 5.84 > 3.5 → below.
1. Finding Group Symbol from Table (5.2):
a) Determine whether the soil is Coarse-grained or Fine-grained:
R 200 = 95% > 50% → Coarse − grained soil.
b) Determine whether the soil is gravel or sand:
R4 65
× 100% = × 100% = 68.4% > 50% → The soil is Gravel.
R200 95
- F200 = 5% → 5% ≤ F200 ≤ 12% →Choose Group Symbol according the
footnote (a) below table (5.2).
- The group symbol must be one of the following :
GW-GM, GW-GC, GP-GM, GP-GC>> Now we check each symbol
GW→ according the values of Cu & Cc:
Cu= 3< 4(not ok) AND Cc=0.9 not in (1 ≤ Cc ≤ 3) → GW is Not Ok.
So, each symbol having GW must be canceled(GW-GM & GW-GC)
GM→ according the values of PI or A-line equation:
PI=3.5 <4→ (Ok) OR PI plots below “A”-line(Ok)→ GM is Ok
Now we want to check only one of (GC and GP) to know the correct symbol
because one of them is true and the other is false
Try GP→ according the values of Cu & Cc:
Cu=3<4 (Ok) AND/OR Cc=0.9<1(Ok) → GP is OK
→ So, the group Symbol is GP-GM✓.

Page (42) Ahmed S. Al-Agha

Solved Problems in Soil Mechanics Classification of Soil

2. Finding Group Name from Figure (5.4):

% Sand = R 200 − R 4 = 95% − 65% = 30% > 15% →→ The group name is:
Poorly graded gravel with silt and sand✓.

Now, as you see the classification is so easy, just you need some focusing, so I
will finish solving problems completely in this chapter , but I will explain some
ideas, and I give you the answer to solve the problems by yourself and check
your solution.
25. (Mid 2011):
a. 86% of a soil sample passed Sieve No.4 and retained on Sieve No.200. Also
given that: Coefficient of gradation=1 , Uniformity Coefficient = 3

Solution
, ‫ من العينة‬% 14 ‫ وبالتالي تبقى عليه‬4 ‫ من العينة مرت من المنخل رقم‬%86 ‫ نالحظ أن‬:‫شرح السؤال‬
‫ التي‬%14‫وبالتالي فإن ال‬.. 200 ‫ كلها بقيت على المنخل رقم‬4 ‫ التي مرت من المنخل رقم‬% 86‫وأن ال‬
‫ وبالتالي يصبح المتبقي على المنخل رقم‬200 ‫ سوف تبقى أيضا على المنخل رقم‬4 ‫بقيت على المنخل رقم‬
.‫ (ألن التجربة يجب أن تكون تراكمية) أما المار منه فهو صفرا‬%100= 14+86 ‫ يساوي‬200
F4 = 86% → R 4 = 14% , F200 = 0.0 , R 200 = 100%
Coefficient of gradation = Cc=1 , Uniformity Coefficient = Cu= 3

The group symbol is: SP✓.

The group name is: Poorly graded sand✓.

b. A sieve analysis of a soil show that 97% of the soil passed sieve No.4 and 73%
passed sieve No.200. If the liquid limit of the soil is 62 and its plastic limit =34.
Solution
F4 = 97% → R 4 = 3% , F200 = 73% , R 200 = 27%
LL=62% , PL=34% , PI = LL-PL= 62−34=28 %
No idea in this question but you should be attention for the large value of LL
because it will be used when you finding group symbol.
The group symbol is: MH✓.

The group name is: Elastic silt with sand✓.

Page (43) Ahmed S. Al-Agha

Solved Problems in Soil Mechanics Classification of Soil

26. (Mid 2009):

Use Unified Soil Classification System to classify the given soil knowing that
the liquid limit is 30% and plastic limit is 27%. (give group Symbol and group name)
Particle Size % Finer Solution
(mm) than LL=30% , PL=27% , PI = LL-PL= 30−27=3 %
6 100 The idea is how to calculate Cc and Cu
4.75 90 From the given table we note the following :
2.36 84 - % Finer than = % Passing
( D60)1.3 60
- % Passing is cumulative (if not you must make it
( D30)0.6 30
( D10)0.2 10 … cumulative)
0.075 8 - After insuring the values are cumulative we can
take the values of D60 , D30 , D10 from the table as
following : D60=1.3 , D30=0.6 , D10=0.2 thus, we can calculate Cc and Cu :
D60 1.3 (D30 )2 0.62
Cu = = = 6.5 , Cc = = = 1.38
D10 0.2 D60 × D10 1.3 × 0.2
R 4 = 100 − 90 = 10% , R 200 = 100 − 8 = 92% , F200 = 8%

The group symbol is: SW-SM✓.

The group name is: Will graded sand with silt✓.

See AASHTO Classification System (Page 126 in your textbook)

Page (44) Ahmed S. Al-Agha

 Chapter (7)

Soil Permeability
Solved Problems in Soil Mechanics Soil Permeability

Bernoulli’s Equation (for Soil):

Total Head = Pressure Head + Velocity Head + Elevation Head
u v2
htotal = + +Z
γw 2g
u: pore water pressure
v: velocity of water through the soil
Z: vertical distance of a given point above or below a datum plane.
Notes:
 Pressure head is also called “piezometric head”.
 u = hpressure × γw .
 The velocity of water through soil is very small (about 0.01→0.001)m/sec and
when the velocity is squared the value will be very small so, the velocity head
in Bernoulli’s equation should be canceled and the final form of bernoulli’s
u
equation will be : htotal = +Z
γw
 The head loss that result from the movement of water through the soil (∆H)
can be expressed in a nondimensional form as:
∆H
i= , where:
L
i = Hydraulic gradient (The head loss per unit length)
‫ لكل متر(أو أي وحدة طول) تتحركه الماء في التربة‬head ‫وهي تعبر عن مقدار الفقدان في ال‬
L = Total length of soil or soils that the water passes through it
Darcy’s Low:
Darcy found that, there are proportional relationship between velocity (v) and
hydraulic gradient (i), this relationship still valid if the flow still laminar , and in
soil the velocity is small so, the flow is always laminar.
v ∝ i → v = k. i
K: Hydraulic conductivity of soil = Permeability of soil (m/sec)
Now, we know that: Q = V × A and v = k. i (Darcy’s low) →→→

Q = K. i. A

A: Cross sectional area that perpendicular to flow direction.

Page (46) Ahmed S. Al-Agha

Solved Problems in Soil Mechanics Soil Permeability

Directional Variation of Permeability:

1. Horizontal Permeability (Flow parallel to layers):

From the above graph we note the following:

 All values of H and h are perpendicular to the flow .
 Htotal = H = h1 + h2 + h3 + hn
 Q total = Q eq. = q1 + q 2 + q 3 +……..+q n
 Atotal = Aeq. = H × 1 , A1 = h1 × 1 , A2 = h2 × 1 , A3 = h3 × 1 , and An = hn × 1
 ∆Htotal = ∆h1 = ∆h2 = ∆h3 = ∆hn (because all layers have the same length) →→
 itotal = ieq. = i1 = i2 = i3 = ⋯ = in
Now,
Q total = K eq. × ieq. × Aeq. , q1 = K1 × i1 × A1 and so on
K eq. × ieq. × Aeq. = K1 × i1 × A1 + K12 × i2 × A2 + K 3 × i3 × A3 +. . +K n × in × An
ieq. = i1 = i2 = i3 = in So we cancel it
K eq. × Aeq. = K1 × A1 + K12 × A2 + K 3 × A3 + ⋯ + K n × An
K eq. × H × 1 = K1 × h1 × 1 + K 2 × h2 × 1 + K 3 × h3 × 1 + ⋯ + K n × hn × 1
Rearrange the last equation:
K1 × h1 × 1 + K 2 × h2 × 1 + K 3 × h3 × 1 + ⋯ + K n × hn × 1
K eq. =
H
The final equation:
∑(Kn ×hn )
Keq. =
H

Page (47) Ahmed S. Al-Agha

Solved Problems in Soil Mechanics Soil Permeability

2. Vertical Permeability (Flow perpendicular to layers):

From the above graph we note the following:

 Htotal = H = h1 + h2 + h3 + hn
 Q total = Q eq. = q1 = q 2 = q 3 =……..= q n
 Atotal = Aeq. = L × 1 = A1 = A2 = A3 = ⋯ = An
 ∆Htotal = ∆h1 + ∆h2 + ∆h3 + ∆hn (because flow pass through each layer) →→
 itotal = ieq. + i1 + i2 + i3 + ⋯ + in
Now,
∆hn qn ×hn
qn = Kn × × An → ∆hn =
hn Kn × An
Qeq. ×H q1 ×h1 q2 ×h2 q3 ×h3 qn ×hn
= + + + ⋯+ (Q and A are the same→ cancel them)
Keq. ×Aeq. K1 × A1 K2 × A2 K3 × A3 Kn × An
H h1 h2 h3 hn
= + + +⋯+ →→ The final equation:
Keq. K1 K2 K3 Kn
H
K eq. = h1 h2 h3 hn
+ + +⋯+
K1 K2 K3 Kn
Note: All values of H and h are parallel to the flow

Page (48) Ahmed S. Al-Agha

Solved Problems in Soil Mechanics Soil Permeability

Permeability Test in the Field by Pumping from Wells:

1. Un Confined Aquifer:
The equation of un confined aquifer:
r
2.303q×log10 ( 1)
r2
K= π×(h21 −h22 )

2. Confined Aquifer:
The equation of confined aquifer:
r
q×log10 ( 1)
r
K = 2.727×H×(h 2−h
1 2)

Important Notes about the above two cases:

 Impervious layer = Impermeable layer.
 Clay layer considered impermeable layer.
 Always take the max.value of r as r1 → the value of h1 must be larger than h2
 r is the distance from the center of the well to the center of observation well.
 h is the elevation of water in the observation well.
 The following graph explain “h” :
In all Questions usually the value of d is given to make confusion.
d: Draw-down(Level of water below the ground surface)
) ‫)مقدار السحب الذي تم مالحظته في البئر‬
So,h = Htotal − d
 H in equation of confined aquifer is the thickness of soil
layer that confined between two impermeable layers.

Page (49) Ahmed S. Al-Agha

Solved Problems in Soil Mechanics Soil Permeability

27. (Mid 2013):

1. Find The total head and Pressure head at points(A-B-C-D) with respect to
given datum, Assume 3K1 = K 2 = 1.5K 3 = 2K 4 .
2. Find the flow rate (K1 = 3.5 × 10−2(cm/sec)
Note: All dimensions are in cm

Solution
The first step is to making the soil 2 and soil 3 as one soil by calculating the
equivalent value of K for these two layers (beacuase all layers perpendicular to
flow except these two layers)…we want to make them as one layer perpendicular
to flow.
K 2 = 3K1 , K 3 = 2K1 , K 4 = 1.5K1

∑(K n × hn) K 2 × h2 + K 3 × h3
K eq. = K 2,3 = → K 2,3 =
H h2 + h3
3K1 × 2 + 2K1 × 2
→ K 2,3 = = 2.5K1
2+2

Page (50) Ahmed S. Al-Agha

Solved Problems in Soil Mechanics Soil Permeability

The new soil layer is shown in the figure below:

Now we can calculate K eq.for whole system (all layers perbendicular to the flow).
H 6 + 10 + 8
K eq. = = , K 2,3 = 2.5K1 , K 4 = 1.5K1
h1 h2 h3 hn 6 10 8
+ + +⋯+ + +
K1 K 2 K 3 K n K1 K 2,3 K 4
6 + 10 + 8
→ K eq. = → K eq. = 1.565K1
6 10 8
+ +
K1 2.5K1 1.5K1

∆Htotal = 28 − (12 + 4) = 12cm.

∆Htotal 12
ieq. = = = 0.5
H 6 + 10 + 8
Q eq. = q1 = q 2,3 = q 4 , and Aeq. = 4 × 1 = A1 = A2,3 = A4 (Solution Key)

Point “A”:
htotal,A = 28(no losses because no soil) (Total head) ✓.
hpressure,A = htotal,A − helevation,A = 28 − 4 = 24cm✓. (Pressure = piezometric head)
helevation,A = ‫ سم‬4 ‫هو بعد النقطة المطلوبة عن المرجع المأخوذ منه اإلحداثيات الرأسية وهنا يساوي‬

Point “B”: ( the soil pass through soil “1” then reach point B) So,
Q eq. = q1 → K eq. × ieq. × Aeq. = K1 × i1 × A1 but, Aeq. = A1 = 4 →→→
K eq. × ieq. = K1 × i1 → 1.565K1 × 0.5 = K1 × i1 → i1 = 0.7825
htotal,B = htotal,A − i1 × h1 → htotal,B = 28 − 0.7825 × 6 = 23.305cm ✓.
hpressure,B = htotal,B − helevation,B = 23.305 − 4 = 19.305cm ✓.

Page (51) Ahmed S. Al-Agha

Solved Problems in Soil Mechanics Soil Permeability

Point “C”: (the soil pass through soil “2,3” then reach point C) So,
Q eq. = q 2,3 → K eq. × ieq. × Aeq. = K 2,3 × i2,3 × A2,3 but, Aeq. = A2,3 = 4 →→→
K eq. × ieq. = K 2,3 × i2,3 → 1.565K1 × 0.5 = 2.5K1 × i2,3 → i2,3 = 0.313
htotal,C = htotal,B − i2,3 × h2,3 → htotal,C = 23.305 − 0.313 × 10 = 20.175cm✓.
hpressure,C = htotal,C − helevation,C = 20.175 − 4 = 16.175cm✓.

Point “D”: (the soil pass through soil “4” then reach point D) So,
Q eq. = q 4 → K eq. × ieq. × Aeq. = K 4 × i4 × A4 but, Aeq. = A4 = 4 →→→
K eq. × ieq. = K 4 × i4 → 1.565K1 × 0.5 = 1.5K1 × i4 → i4 = 0.5216
htotal,D = htotal,C − i4 × h4 → htotal,D = 20.175 − 0.5216 × 8 = 16cm✓.
htotal,D = 16 must be checked (htotal,D = 12 + 4 = 16)OK , if not equal>> you
must revise your solution because some error exist.
hpressure,D = htotal,D − helevation,D = 16 − 4 = 12cm✓.

The second required (Don’t forget it)

Q eq. = q1 = q 2 = q 3 K1 = 3.5 × 10−2(cm/sec)
Q eq. = K eq. × ieq. × Aeq.
Q eq. = 1.565K1 × 0.5 × 4 × 1 = 1.565 × 3.5 × 10−2 × 0.5 × 4 = 10.955cm3 /sec
To check it:
q1 = K1 × i1 × A1 i1 = 0.7825

= 3.5 × 10−2 × 0.7825 × 4 = 10.955cm3 /sec✓.

Note:
If the pore water pressure (u) is required at each point >>> do the following:
At each point: u = pressure head × γwater

Page (52) Ahmed S. Al-Agha

Solved Problems in Soil Mechanics Soil Permeability

28. (Mid 2013):

Find the Total head at points (1 to 8), if the cross section of the system is 10 cm2.
Knowing that: K1 = 0.5K 2 = 3K 3

Solution
Its noted that all layers are perbendicular to flow(Vertical Permeability)
Now we can calculate K eq. for whole system
H 8 + 16 + 4
K eq. = = , K 2 = 2K1 , K 3 = 0.333K1
h1 h2 h3 hn 8 16 4
+ + +⋯+ + +
K1 K 2 K 3 K n K1 K 2,3 K 4

8 + 16 + 4
→ K eq. = → K eq. = 0.9996K1 → K eq. ≅ K1
8 16 4
+ +
K1 2K1 0.333K1

Page (53) Ahmed S. Al-Agha

Solved Problems in Soil Mechanics Soil Permeability

∆Htotal = (10 + 8 + 10) − (6 + 4 + 5) = 13cm.

∆Htotal 13
ieq. = = = 0.4643
H 8 + 16 + 4
Q eq. = q1 = q 2 = q 3 , and Aeq. = 10cm2 = A1 = A2 = A3 (Solution Key)

Point “1”:
htotal,1 = 28(no losses because no soil) (Total head) ✓.

Point “2”: ( the soil pass through the mid of soil “1” then reach point 2) So,
Q eq. = q1 → K eq. × ieq. × Aeq. = K1 × i1 × A1 but, Aeq. = A1 = 10 →→→
K eq. × ieq. = K1 × i1 → K1 × 0.4643 = K1 × i1 → i1 = 0.4643
htotal,2 = htotal,1 − i1 × 4 → htotal,2 = 28 − 0.4643 × 4 = 26.1428cm✓.

Point “3”: ( the soil pass through all of soil “1” then reach point 3) So,
Q eq. = q1 → K eq. × ieq. × Aeq. = K1 × i1 × A1 but, Aeq. = A1 = 10 →→→
K eq. × ieq. = K1 × i1 → K1 × 0.4643 = K1 × i1 → i1 = 0.4643
htotal,3 = htotal,2 − i1 × 4 → htotal,3 = 26.1428 − 0.4643 × 4 = 24.2856cm
Or, htotal,3 = htotal,1 − i1 × 8 → htotal,3 = 28 − 0.4643 × 8 = 24.2856cm✓.

Point “4”:
htotal,4 = htotal,3 = 24.2856 cm (no losses because no soil)✓.

Point “5”: ( the soil pass through 6cm of soil “2” then reach point 5) So,
Q eq. = q 2 → K eq. × ieq. × Aeq. = K 2 × i2 × A2 but, Aeq. = A2 = 10 →→→
K eq. × ieq. = K 2 × i2 → K1 × 0.4643 = 2K1 × i2 → i2 = 0.23215
htotal,5 = htotal,4 − i2 × 6 → htotal,5 = 24.2856 − 0.23215 × 6 = 22.8927cm

Point “6”: ( the soil pass through all of soil “2” then reach point 6) So,
Q eq. = q 2 → K eq. × ieq. × Aeq. = K 2 × i2 × A2 but, Aeq. = A2 = 10 →→→
K eq. × ieq. = K 2 × i2 → K1 × 0.4643 = 2K1 × i2 → i2 = 0.23215
htotal,6 = htotal,5 − i2 × (16 − 6) → htotal,6 = 22.8927 − 0.23215 × 10 = 20.5712cm
Or,
htotal,6 = htotal,4 − i2 × 16 → htotal,6 = 24.2856 − 0.23215 × 16 = 20.5712cm✓.

Page (54) Ahmed S. Al-Agha

Solved Problems in Soil Mechanics Soil Permeability

Point “7”:
htotal,7 = htotal,6 = 20.5712 cm (no losses because no soil)✓.

Point “8”: ( the soil pass through all of soil “3” then reach point 8) So,
Q eq. = q 3 → K eq. × ieq. × Aeq. = K 3 × i3 × A3 but, Aeq. = A3 = 10 →→→
K eq. × ieq. = K 3 × i3 → K1 × 0.4643 = 0.333K1 × i3 → i3 = 1.3929
htotal,8 = htotal,7 − i3 × h3 → htotal,8 = 20.5712 − 1.3929 × 4 ≅ 15cm✓.
htotal,8 = 15 must be checked (htotal,8 = 6 + 4 + 5 = 15)OK , if not equal>>
you must revise your solution because some error exist.

29. (Mid 2009):

An inclined premeameter tube is filled with layers of soil of different permeability
as shown below.
Find the total head, elevation head and pore water pressure at points (A-B-C-D)
with respect to the given datum, Assume: 𝟑𝐊𝟏 = 𝐊𝟐 = 𝟐𝐊𝟑 = 𝟏. 𝟓𝐊𝟒

Page (55) Ahmed S. Al-Agha

Solved Problems in Soil Mechanics Soil Permeability

Solution
The only different between this problem and problem”26” is to finding elevation
head.
The first step is to making the soil 1 and soil 2 as one soil by calculating the
equivalent value of K for these two layers (beacuase all layers perpendicular to
flow except these two layers)…we want to make them as one layer perpendicular
to flow.

K 2 = 3K1 , K 3 = 1.5K1 , K 4 = 2K1

∑(K n × hn ) K1 × h1 + K 2 × h2
K eq. = K1,2 = → K1,2 =
H h1 + h2
K1 × 2 + 3K1 × 2
→ K1,2 = = 2K1
2+2
The new soil layer is shown in the figure below :

Now we can calculate K eq.for whole system (all layers perpendicular to the flow).
H 6 + 8 + 12
K eq. = =
h1 h2 h3 h 6 8 12
+ + +⋯+ n K + K + K
K1 K 2 K 3 Kn 1,2 3 4

6 + 8 + 12
→ K eq. = → K eq. = 1.814K1
6 8 12
+ +
2K1 1.5K1 2K1

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Solved Problems in Soil Mechanics Soil Permeability

Firstly, we calculate the total head at each point.

∆Htotal = 30 − (10 + 7) = 13cm.

∆Htotal 13
ieq. = = = 0.5
H 6 + 8 + 12
Q eq. = q1,2 = q 3 = q 4 , and Aeq. = 4 × 1 = A1,2 = A3 = A4 (Solution Key)

Point “A”:
htotal,A = 30cm(no losses because no soil) (Total head) ✓.

Point “B”: ( the soil pass through soil “1,2” then reach point B) So,
Q eq. = q1,2 → K eq. × ieq. × Aeq. = K1,2 × i1,2 × A1,2 but, Aeq. = A1,2 = 4 →→→
K eq. × ieq. = K1,2 × i1,2 → 1.814K1 × 0.5 = 2K1 × i1,2 → i1,2 = 0.4535
htotal,B = htotal,A − i1,2 × h1,2 → htotal,B = 30 − 0.4535 × 6 = 27.279cm✓.

Point “C”: (the soil pass through soil “3” then reach point C) So,
Q eq. = q 3 → K eq. × ieq. × Aeq. = K 3 × i3 × A3 but, Aeq. = A3 = 4 →→→
K eq. × ieq. = K 3 × i3 → 1.814K1 × 0.5 = 1.5K1 × i3 → i3 = 0.6046
htotal,C = htotal,B − i3 × h3 → htotal,C = 27.279 − 0.6064 × 8 = 22.4278cm✓.

Point “D”: (the soil pass through soil “4” then reach point D) So,
Q eq. = q 4 → K eq. × ieq. × Aeq. = K 4 × i4 × A4 but, Aeq. = A4 = 4 →→→
K eq. × ieq. = K 4 × i4 → 1.814K1 × 0.5 = 2K1 × i4 → i4 = 0.4535
htotal,D = htotal,C − i4 × h4 → htotal,D = 22.4278 − 0.4535 × 12 ≅ 17cm✓.
htotal,D = 17 must be checked (htotal,D = 10 + 7 = 17)OK , if not equal>> you
must revise your solution because some error exist.

Secondly, we calculate the elevation head at each point with respect to the given
datum.
By interpolation we calculate the elevation of each point from the datum as shown
in the following graph :

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Solved Problems in Soil Mechanics Soil Permeability

From this graph we can calculate elevation head(Z) at each point:

ZA = 0.0✓.
ZB 10
= → ZB = 2.307 cm✓.
6 6 + 8 + 12
ZC 10
= → ZC = 5.384 cm✓.
6 + 8 6 + 8 + 12
ZD = 10 cm✓.

Finally, we calculate the pore water pressure at each point:

u = pressure head × γwater
Point “A”:
hpressure,A = htotal,A − helevation,A = 30 − 0 = 30cm
30
uA = × 9.81 = 2.943 KN/m2 ✓.
100
Point “B”:
hpressure,B = htotal,B − helevation,B = 27.279 − 2.307 = 24.972cm
24.972
uB = × 9.81 = 2.449 KN/m2 ✓.
100
Point “C”:
hpressure,C = htotal,C − helevation,C = 22.4278 − 5.384 = 17.0438cm
17.0438
uC = × 9.81 = 1.672 KN/m2 ✓.
100
Point “D”:
hpressure,D = htotal,D − helevation,D = 17 − 10 = 7cm
7
uD = × 9.81 = 0.6867KN/m2 ✓.
100

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