GATE 2020 CE (CE2) – Question 33
A standard 19 mm clay specimen undergoes one-dimensional consolidation. Just before unloading without swelling, the gauge reads 2.1 mm and void ratio is 0.62. Find initial void ratio, to two decimals.
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Correct answer: .78 to .88
Explanation
Final thickness is $19-2.1=16.9$ mm. Solid thickness is unchanged, so $19/(1+e_0)=16.9/(1+0.62)$. Therefore $e_0=19(1.62)/16.9-1=0.821302$, or **0.82**.