Question Bank • QB_SWCE_EXP_019 NAT • 2 Marks

Section 4: Soil and Water Conservation Engineering

Soil Mechanics

Subtopic: Shear strength

Question Statement:

In an unconfined compression test on a saturated clay cylinder, the specimen failed at an axial load corresponding to an unconfined compressive strength $q_u = 120\text{ kPa}$. The undrained shear strength (cohesion $c_u$) of the clay in $\text{kPa}$ is ________ (answer in integer).

Answer Key:

60

Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation

For a purely cohesive soil ($\phi_u = 0$) in an unconfined compression test ($\sigma_3 = 0$): $q_u = 2 c_u \implies c_u = \frac{q_u}{2} = \frac{120}{2} = 60\text{ kPa}$
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