Question

In site exploration, depth up to which the increase in pressure is likely to cause shear failure is known as ___________

(a) Failure depth

(b) Significant depth

(c) Pressure depth

(d) Depth of exploration

I had been asked this question in examination.

This interesting question is from Site Exploration in chapter Stabilisation of Soils, Site Investigation and Sub – Soil Exploration of Geotechnical Engineering II

Answer 1

Right option is (b) Significant depth

Explanation: Exploration in general, should be carried out to a depth up to which the increase in pressure due to structural loading is likely to cause perceptible failure or shear failure. Such a depth is known as the significant depth.