Multiple choice

A sand layer found at sea floor under 20 m water depth is characterised with relative density = 40%, maximum void ratio = 1.0, minimum void ratio = 0.5 and specific gravity of soil solids = 2.67. Assume the specific gravity of sea water to be 1.03 and the unit weight of fresh water to be 9.81 kN/m3.

What would be the change in the effective stress (rounded off to the nearest integer value of kPa) at 30 m depth into the sand layer if the sea water level permanently rises by 2 m?

  1. 19 kPa

  2. 0 kPa

  3. 21 kPa

  4. 22 kPa
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

 Effective stress is basically stress developed in between soil particles, hence changing water level would not cause any change in effective stress.

$$\triangle\sigma_1 = 0$$

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