Comment on the suitability of the specified test for the intended application fo
ID: 1732370 • Letter: C
Question
Comment on the suitability of the specified test for the intended application for each of the cases below. If the test is not sutable then suggest a better one.
1. The vane shear test for designing a silo on a soft clay.
2. The vane shear test for designing a silo on a medium dense sand.
3. The dilatometer test for determing the lateral earth pressure coefficient at rest.
4. The standard penetration test (SPT) for studying the liquefaction resistance of a saturated loose sand.
5. SPT for determing the soil profile.
6. SPT for measuring the strength fo a sensitive clay.
7. The split spoon for sampling of a clay to measure ites compressibility and shear strength.
8. The split spoon for sampling of a clay to determing Atterberg limits.
Explanation / Answer
1. The vane shear test is suitable for designing a silo on a soft clay as it is rapid and easy to perform, it helps to create a complete shear strength profile in 1-2 days, depending upon the number of tests. This test is widely used in soft clays.
2. The Vane shear test is best suitable for cohesive soils and not for medium dense sand, we can perform Direct shear test or Triaxial Compression test.
3. The Dilatometer test or a borehole pressure meter test is suitable for determining the lateral Earth pressure coefficient at rest the test involves driving a steel blade into the ground, inflate the steel membrane and measure the corresponding pressure and deformation.
4. The standard penetration test (SPT) and Cone Penetration Test both are suitable for studying the liquefaction resistance of a saturated loose sand because there are relations between cone penetration tip resistance and susceptibillty of soils to liquefaction
5. SPT has a good correlation with engineering properties of soil and are correlated with relative density which in turn gives us the soil behaviour showing its profile.