Question

Consider the following statements:
1. Sensitivity of a natural soil deposit cannot be less than 1.0.
2. A saturated loose sand deposit liquefies when water flows through it in upward direction under critical hydraulic gradient.
3. A quick clay has very high sensitivity.
Which of these statements are correct?

• A. $1,2$ and $3$
• B. $1$ and $2$ only
• C. $1$ and $3$ only
• D. $2$ and $3$ only

Answer 1

The correct option is D $2$ and $3$ only

Natural soils generally have a sensitivity value of 1 or more than 1. However, stiff clays having fissures and cracks sometimes exhibits a sensitivity value of less than 1, since these weaknesses i.e. fissures and cracks present in an undisturbed sample, will be removed upon remoulding.
$Sensitivity,S_t=\frac{\left(q_u\right)\text{undisturbed}}{\left(q_u\right)\text{remoulded}}$