Highlights
c) The cut has been filled with 1m height of water due to the last night rainfall. If you progress the excavation with this situation, discuss the change of the maximum possible depth of the cut without heaving, compared with part b (whether it is an increase or a decrease).
Task: 2
a) Provide a brief description of typical shear failure mechanisms of different geotechnical applications supported with illustrations.
b) Discuss benefits and drawbacks of tri-axial shear test.
c) Following data are given for a direct shear test conducted on dry sand:

I. Determine the angle of friction, ?? II. For a normal stress of 200kN/m2, what shear force is required to cause failure?
Task: 3 a) Figure below (Figure 2) shows a frictionless wall with a sloping granular backfill. Given that: H = 5m; ? = 5°; ?? = 32°; and ? = 19kN/m3. Then, determine then Rankine active force, Pa, per unit length of the wall and its location and direction.
b) If the angle of backfill (?) increases, discuss the change of pattern of Pa and how this would impact on the design of the retaining wall?
c) Discuss the limitations of using Rankine’s theory and Coulomb’s theory in earth pressure design applications.
Task: 4
a) Describe the principal difference between an externally and internally stabilised earth retaining system. In your answer, list at least two types of each.
b) Similarly, how do you distinguish gravity retaining walls over in-situ retaining walls? Your discussion should support at least two examples of each retaining wall type.
c) Refer to infinite slope shown in figure below (Figure 3). The shear strength parameters at the interface of soil and rock are ?? = 23° and c? = 34kN/m2. Given: ? = 19°; ? = 20kN/m3. If H = 7m, find the factor of safety (FoS) against sliding on the rock surface.
d) If the factor of safety (FoS) must be increased to 3, what would be the maximum height (H) of the slope.
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