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An embankment is to be constructed with granular soil (bulk unit weight = 20 kN/m3) on a saturated clayey silt deposit (undrained shear strength = 25 kPa). Assuming undrained general shear failure and bearing capacity factor of 5.7, the maximum height (in m) of the embankment at the point of failure is
  • a)
    7.1
  • b)
    5.0
  • c)
    4.5
  • d)
    2.5
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
An embankment is to be constructed with granular soil (bulk unit weigh...
Given,
bulk unit weight (γb) = 20 kN/m3
Undrained shear strength (S = C) = 25 kPa
Bearing Capacity Nc = 5.7, General Shear Failure
We know qu = CNc
qu = γ D= 25 × (5.7) 
20 × Df = 142.5
Df = 7.124 m
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Community Answer
An embankment is to be constructed with granular soil (bulk unit weigh...
Calculation:
- First, determine the effective stress at the base of the embankment:
- Effective stress, σ' = Total stress - Pore water pressure
- Total stress = Bulk unit weight x Height of embankment = 20 kN/m3 x H
- Pore water pressure = Unit weight of water x Height of embankment = 9.81 kN/m3 x H
- Effective stress = 20H - 9.81H = 10.19H kN/m2
- Then, calculate the bearing capacity:
- Bearing capacity, q = cNc + σ'Nq
- Given c = 25 kPa, Nc = 5.7, and Nq = 1
- q = 25 x 5.7 + 10.19H = 142.5 + 10.19H kN/m2
- Equate q to the weight of the embankment:
- q = γ x H
- 142.5 + 10.19H = 20H
- 9.81H = 142.5
- H = 14.53 m
- However, the question asks for the maximum height at the point of failure:
- As the bearing capacity is exceeded at H = 14.53 m, the maximum height before failure is slightly less than this value.
- The correct answer is option 'A', which is 7.1 m.
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An embankment is to be constructed with granular soil (bulk unit weight = 20 kN/m3) on a saturated clayey silt deposit (undrained shear strength = 25 kPa). Assuming undrained general shear failure and bearing capacity factor of 5.7, the maximum height (in m) of the embankment at the point of failure isa)7.1b)5.0c)4.5d)2.5Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
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An embankment is to be constructed with granular soil (bulk unit weight = 20 kN/m3) on a saturated clayey silt deposit (undrained shear strength = 25 kPa). Assuming undrained general shear failure and bearing capacity factor of 5.7, the maximum height (in m) of the embankment at the point of failure isa)7.1b)5.0c)4.5d)2.5Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for Civil Engineering (CE) 2024 is part of Civil Engineering (CE) preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the Civil Engineering (CE) exam syllabus. Information about An embankment is to be constructed with granular soil (bulk unit weight = 20 kN/m3) on a saturated clayey silt deposit (undrained shear strength = 25 kPa). Assuming undrained general shear failure and bearing capacity factor of 5.7, the maximum height (in m) of the embankment at the point of failure isa)7.1b)5.0c)4.5d)2.5Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for Civil Engineering (CE) 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for An embankment is to be constructed with granular soil (bulk unit weight = 20 kN/m3) on a saturated clayey silt deposit (undrained shear strength = 25 kPa). Assuming undrained general shear failure and bearing capacity factor of 5.7, the maximum height (in m) of the embankment at the point of failure isa)7.1b)5.0c)4.5d)2.5Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
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