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18-Geol-A6 Soil Mechanics: December 2017

Nivaar worked solution (AI-drafted; not reviewed by a licensed engineer)

  1. Question 1 Classification
  2. Question 2 Soil Physical Properties
  3. Question 3 Shear Strength
  4. Question 4 Consolidation
  5. Question 5 Seepage
  6. Question 6 Optional Questions

Start with Question 1 →

National Exams — December 2017 — 04-Geol-A6 Soil Mechanics. Three-hour, closed-book exam; a Casio or Sharp approved calculator, compass and ruler are permitted. Six questions constitute the complete 100-mark paper: Questions 1–5 are compulsory; Question 6 offers five 5-mark optional items of which the source asks for three.

Reference texts: Das, Principles of Geotechnical Engineering, 9th ed. — USCS classification, phase relations, compaction, permeability/seepage, consolidation; Craig's Soil Mechanics (Craig & Knappett), 8th ed. — effective stress, seepage/flow nets, consolidation theory, shear strength.

Check: the source's own Instruction 3 is internally contradictory (it states "SIX (6) questions constitute a complete exam paper" then instructs "ANSWER QUESTIONS 1 TO 5" plus "choose three (3) more" for Question 6, i.e. 8 total). Questions 1–5 and all 5 optional items of Question 6 are answered below.