Civil Engineering PE Geotechnical Engineering and Slope Stability 3

Question 1

Terzaghi's ultimate bearing capacity equation for a strip footing is:

Accepted Answer

qu = cNc + qNq + 0.5γBNγ

Answer

qu = cNc + qNq + γBNγ

Answer

qu = 1.3cNc + qNq + 0.4γBNγ

Answer

qu = cNc + 0.5qNq + γBNγ

Question 2

Net allowable bearing capacity is calculated as:

Accepted Answer

(qu − q) / FS, where q is the overburden stress at footing depth

Answer

qu divided by a factor of safety

Answer

qu minus the footing self-weight

Answer

qu times the factor of safety

Question 3

An SPT N-value of approximately 25 in clean sand most likely indicates:

Accepted Answer

Medium dense condition (Dr = 40–65%)

Answer

Very loose condition (Dr < 20%)

Answer

Loose condition (Dr = 20–40%)

Answer

Very dense condition (Dr > 85%)

Question 4

Negative skin friction (downdrag) on a deep pile occurs when:

Accepted Answer

Surrounding consolidating soil settles more than the pile

Answer

The pile is loaded beyond its axial capacity

Answer

The pile is subjected to uplift tension forces

Answer

The pile end bears directly on bedrock

Question 5

The p-y method for laterally loaded piles models soil resistance as:

Accepted Answer

A series of nonlinear springs whose stiffness varies with depth and deflection

Answer

A uniform elastic spring constant with depth

Answer

Linear elastic continuum surrounding the pile

Answer

Passive pressure on the full projected area

Question 6

ASCE 7 seismic site classification (Site Classes A–F) is primarily determined by:

Accepted Answer

Average shear wave velocity in the upper 30 m (VS30)

Answer

Epicentral distance to the nearest active fault

Answer

Peak ground acceleration mapped at the site

Answer

Depth to bedrock below the foundation