GATE CE 2015 Set 1 — Question 21
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Geotechnical Engineering → Soil Phase & Index Properties → Atterberg Limits
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Question
A fine-grained soil has 60% (by weight) silt content. The soil behaves as semi-solid when water content is between 15% and 28%. The soil behaves fluid-like when the water content is more than 40%. The 'Activity' of the soil is
Correct answer
(C) 0.30
Solution
1.Identify the consistency limits from the problem description:
- The soil behaves as semi-solid between water contents of 15% and 28%. In the Atterberg limits, the boundary between the semi-solid and plastic states is the Plastic Limit (). Thus, .
- The soil behaves as fluid-like (liquid) when the water content is more than 40%. The boundary between the plastic and liquid states is the Liquid Limit (). Thus, .
3.Determine the clay content:
Fine-grained soil is typically composed of silt and clay. Given that the silt content is 60% by weight:4.Calculate the Activity () of the soil:
The Activity is defined as the ratio of the plasticity index to the percentage of clay-sized particles (by weight):Therefore, the correct option is (C).
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