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GATE 2018 CE (CE2) – Question 20

Geotechnical Engineering · Stress distribution in soils, Boussinesq theory, pressure bulbs · 1 mark · Multiple choice

Which statement is NOT correct?

  1. Soil with water content between liquid and plastic limits is in the plastic state.
  2. Boussinesq theory is used to analyse stratified soil.
  3. A stable slope in cohesive soil may be steeper than its internal-friction angle.
  4. For saturated dense fine sand, apply dilatancy correction if the overburden-corrected SPT value exceeds 15.

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Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: (B) Boussinesq theory is used to analyse stratified soil.

Explanation

Boussinesq’s solution assumes a homogeneous isotropic elastic half-space, so it is not a theory for stratified soil. Thus **B** is incorrect. The plastic-state statement, cohesion allowing stable slopes steeper than φ, and the stated SPT dilatancy-correction condition are consistent with the conventional assumptions.