ICC (EC) Soils Actual Exam Study Questions
with 100% Verified Answers | Latest Edition
1. The particle size distribution of fine-grained soil is determined using a? -
ANSWER hydrometer analysis
2. Two parameters help to identify soils that are well-graded? - ANSWER The
Coefficient of Uniformity (Cu)
The Coefficient of Curvature (Cc)
3. The hydrometer analysis is used to determine the gradation of - ANSWER
slit and clay-sized particles.
4. Only soil particles passing the No. 40 sieve(0.425) are used in the -
ANSWER hydrometer analysis
5. Hydrometer readings give us two things? - ANSWER The specific gravity,
or density, of the fluid tells us the % of material is still in suspension.
6. The average downward velocity of the hydrometer can give us the diameter
of the particle hat is just coming out of solution.
7. The Swedish soil scientist, _____developed a method of quantitatively
describing the effect of soil moisture on the consistency of fine-grained
soils. - ANSWER Atterberg,
8. Although Atterberg proposed five limits only the following three are in
common usage today. - ANSWER Liquid Limit
,Plastic limit
Shrinkage limit
9. Only the Liquid Limit and Plastic Limit are normally used to? - ANSWER
classify soil plasticity
10.It is important to remember that all values related to the Atterberg limits are
simply? - ANSWER moisture content values.
11.moisture content = - ANSWER mass of water in the soil ÷ mass of dry soil
12.The Liquid limit (LL) is - ANSWER The moisture content above which the
soil behaves as a liquid.
13.The plastic limit (PL) is - ANSWER defined as the moisture content above
which the soil behaves as a plastic; where plasticity is defined as the ability
of a soil to undergo deformation at a constant volume.
14.The plasticity index (PI) is - ANSWER defined as the range of moisture
contents over which the soil behaves as a plastic. It is calculated by: PI = LL
- PL
15.The Unified Soil Classification System was originally developed by
Casagrande for? - ANSWER airfield construction and has been in use since
1942
16.Non-Plastic (NP) - ANSWER If either the liquid limit (LL) or the plastic
limit (PL) could not be determined when performing the Atterberg limits
tests the soil is considered to be non-plastic (NP).
,17.Atterberg Limits provide a means for classifying ___? - ANSWER the
plasticity of clay soil.
18.Plasticity - ANSWER is defined as large deformations under constant stress
with no change in volume.
19.The plasticity index (PI) is - ANSWER the range of moisture contents over
which the soil behaves as a plastic material.
20.The strength of a soil, or the ability to compact a soil into a suitable
construction material will depend on? - ANSWER Soil type
Soil density
The amount of water in the soil
21.The 5 Types of soils are... - ANSWER Gravel (mm to cm's in size)
Sand (mm in size)
Silt (fine particles with little cohesion)
Clay (has cohesion, can stick together)
Organic soils (peat, topsoil)
22.Define Organic soils (O) - ANSWER Have a large component of dead or
decaying plants, and are not used in construction
23.How are Silt and Clay classified? - ANSWER Classified based on whether
the soil is plastic or non-plastic (eg. can you roll it into a ball)
, 24.How are Gravel and Sand classified? - ANSWER are classified based on
whether or not all the particle are roughly the same size(uniform, like a
beach) or if there is large variety in particle size (well-graded)
25.Soil layers - ANSWER 1. (complex zone) 3 to 4m
2. (glacio-lacustrine clay) 2-12m
3. Glacial till, up to 9m in thickness
4. Carbonate bedrock, the upper surface of which is often fractured, weathers
and irregular
26.What are the 2 components of Soil strength? - ANSWER Cohesion (clay
only)
Friction (when individual soil grains move across on another)
27.Soil fail by - ANSWER shear
28.Soil strength is used to determine which 2 things? - ANSWER The bearing
capacity of a foundation
The stability of natural or man-made earth slopes or retaining walls
29.Tests for soil strength include; - ANSWER unconfined compression test
direct shear test
Triaxle compression
30.Soil strength depends upon - ANSWER Density and moisture content
with 100% Verified Answers | Latest Edition
1. The particle size distribution of fine-grained soil is determined using a? -
ANSWER hydrometer analysis
2. Two parameters help to identify soils that are well-graded? - ANSWER The
Coefficient of Uniformity (Cu)
The Coefficient of Curvature (Cc)
3. The hydrometer analysis is used to determine the gradation of - ANSWER
slit and clay-sized particles.
4. Only soil particles passing the No. 40 sieve(0.425) are used in the -
ANSWER hydrometer analysis
5. Hydrometer readings give us two things? - ANSWER The specific gravity,
or density, of the fluid tells us the % of material is still in suspension.
6. The average downward velocity of the hydrometer can give us the diameter
of the particle hat is just coming out of solution.
7. The Swedish soil scientist, _____developed a method of quantitatively
describing the effect of soil moisture on the consistency of fine-grained
soils. - ANSWER Atterberg,
8. Although Atterberg proposed five limits only the following three are in
common usage today. - ANSWER Liquid Limit
,Plastic limit
Shrinkage limit
9. Only the Liquid Limit and Plastic Limit are normally used to? - ANSWER
classify soil plasticity
10.It is important to remember that all values related to the Atterberg limits are
simply? - ANSWER moisture content values.
11.moisture content = - ANSWER mass of water in the soil ÷ mass of dry soil
12.The Liquid limit (LL) is - ANSWER The moisture content above which the
soil behaves as a liquid.
13.The plastic limit (PL) is - ANSWER defined as the moisture content above
which the soil behaves as a plastic; where plasticity is defined as the ability
of a soil to undergo deformation at a constant volume.
14.The plasticity index (PI) is - ANSWER defined as the range of moisture
contents over which the soil behaves as a plastic. It is calculated by: PI = LL
- PL
15.The Unified Soil Classification System was originally developed by
Casagrande for? - ANSWER airfield construction and has been in use since
1942
16.Non-Plastic (NP) - ANSWER If either the liquid limit (LL) or the plastic
limit (PL) could not be determined when performing the Atterberg limits
tests the soil is considered to be non-plastic (NP).
,17.Atterberg Limits provide a means for classifying ___? - ANSWER the
plasticity of clay soil.
18.Plasticity - ANSWER is defined as large deformations under constant stress
with no change in volume.
19.The plasticity index (PI) is - ANSWER the range of moisture contents over
which the soil behaves as a plastic material.
20.The strength of a soil, or the ability to compact a soil into a suitable
construction material will depend on? - ANSWER Soil type
Soil density
The amount of water in the soil
21.The 5 Types of soils are... - ANSWER Gravel (mm to cm's in size)
Sand (mm in size)
Silt (fine particles with little cohesion)
Clay (has cohesion, can stick together)
Organic soils (peat, topsoil)
22.Define Organic soils (O) - ANSWER Have a large component of dead or
decaying plants, and are not used in construction
23.How are Silt and Clay classified? - ANSWER Classified based on whether
the soil is plastic or non-plastic (eg. can you roll it into a ball)
, 24.How are Gravel and Sand classified? - ANSWER are classified based on
whether or not all the particle are roughly the same size(uniform, like a
beach) or if there is large variety in particle size (well-graded)
25.Soil layers - ANSWER 1. (complex zone) 3 to 4m
2. (glacio-lacustrine clay) 2-12m
3. Glacial till, up to 9m in thickness
4. Carbonate bedrock, the upper surface of which is often fractured, weathers
and irregular
26.What are the 2 components of Soil strength? - ANSWER Cohesion (clay
only)
Friction (when individual soil grains move across on another)
27.Soil fail by - ANSWER shear
28.Soil strength is used to determine which 2 things? - ANSWER The bearing
capacity of a foundation
The stability of natural or man-made earth slopes or retaining walls
29.Tests for soil strength include; - ANSWER unconfined compression test
direct shear test
Triaxle compression
30.Soil strength depends upon - ANSWER Density and moisture content
