Question

Which of the following statement(s) is/are CORRECT?

• A. Swell potential of soil decreases with an increase in the shrinkage limit.
• B. Both loose and dense sands with different initial void ratios can attain similar void ratio at large strain during shearing.
• C. Among the several corrections to be applied to the SPT-N value, the dilatancy correction is applied before all other corrections.
• D. In electrical resistivity tomography, the depth of current penetration is half of the spacing between the electrodes.

Hint:

When assessing the validity of technical statements, it is crucial to reference the underlying principles and established practices in the relevant field of study to ensure accuracy.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Evaluate each statement based on geotechnical and geophysical principles. Evaluation of (A): The shrinkage limit is an indicator of the maximum water content at which further loss of moisture does not cause a decrease in volume of the soil. As the shrinkage limit increases, it typically indicates a less clayey and more sandy soil, which generally has lower swell potential. Therefore, this statement is correct. Evaluation of (B): Sands, whether loose or dense, tend to reach similar void ratios at large strains due to particle rearrangement and crushing during shearing. This phenomenon is consistent with critical state soil mechanics, making this statement correct. Evaluation of (C): Dilatancy correction, when applied to SPT-N values, is not necessarily the first correction to be applied. Standard practice involves correcting for overburden pressure before addressing dilatancy, especially in dense sands. Thus, this statement is incorrect. Evaluation of (D): In electrical resistivity tomography, the depth of current penetration is approximately equal to the spacing between the electrodes, not half of it. This common misunderstanding in interpretation makes this statement incorrect.