1 ENEN 20002 Practical Exercise 2022 Semester 1
Proposed dam site
BH2 BH3
BH1
THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE
DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING

ENEN 20002 Earth Processes for Engineering

Practical Exercise -
Identification and Classification of Soils for Engineering Applications


Objective

To provide students with a hands-on exercise in performing basic soil classification tests and applying
their lab results to evaluate soil properties for engineering applications.

Problem Description

A consulting firm called Sustainable Earth has recently been commissioned to conduct a feasibility
study for an earthwork project that includes the construction of an earth dam as shown in Figure 1. The
project team is investigating the use of excavated materials borrowed from 3 different sources as shown
at the 3 borehole locations (Figure 1). Soil samples collected from the 3 boreholes have been
collected for identification and classification in order to assess their properties and suitability for the
earth dam construction.




Figure 1: Proposed Dam Site and Borehole Locations
2 ENEN 20002 Practical Exercise 2022 Semester 1
Filter Zone
Core Zone
Figure 2 shows a typical cross-section of the proposed earth dam, in which the earthwork construction
is principally divided into 3 different zones:

a) Stability Zone
b) Core Zone
c) Filter Zone

Full Reservoir Level











Figure 2: Typical Cross-Section of Proposed Earth Dam

The Tasks

1. As a member of the technical team working in this project, you need to identify and classify the
soil samples recovered from the 3 boreholes using the Unified Soil Classification System.

2. You are asked to investigate the purpose and design function of each of the 3 earth zones as shown
in Figure 2, and suggest the desirable engineering soil properties required for each zone.

3. Comment on the suitability of the 3 types of soil (classified in Task 1) for each of the 3 earth zones
(interpreted in Task 2).
The instructions for Task 1 and lab report preparation can be found in a separate document titled
"Laboratory Instruction for Practical Exercise".


Reporting and Assessment

• Each student has to submit his/her own individual report fully addressing Tasks 1, 2 and 3 above.

• You are required to submit the electronic copy of your report using the link provided in the LMS
(hard copy submission is not required).

• The report is due at 5 pm, Friday 20 May 2022. Late submissions received after the due date
without a prior arrangement and justification will not be marked.

• A marking scheme for this report is available in LMS (same folder where this Practical Exercise
document is located).
ore one
Stability Zone Stability Zone
ilt r
3 ENEN 20002 Practical Exercise 2022 Semester 1
Report Presentation Guidelines

Please refer to the Report Writing guidelines document provided for general presentation, and note the
following specific points relevant to this Practical Exercise.
• Methods - Demonstrate your understanding of the visual and laboratory classification
procedures and their advantage(s) and shortcomings.

• Results - Demonstrate your knowledge of the steps leading to (i) the outcomes of your
classification tests and (ii) the figures provided to you in the laboratory data sheet.

• Discussion - Demonstrate an understanding of the desired performance for each of the 3 zones in
the dam (Task 2); and select with justifications the most appropriate material for each of the 3
zones by matching the material properties with the performance requirements of each zone (Task
3).

• Conclusions - Summarise the whole report from the visual & laboratory classification and your
final recommendations of the 3 zones in the dam.