Chapter (5) Vertical Stress in soils

Example 5
A concentrated load of 100 ton is applied at the ground surface. Compute the
total increase in vertical stress (i) at a depth of 4 m below the load, (ii) at a
distance of 3 m at the same depth. Use Boussinesq's equation.

Solution:

 
 

3  
 P  1 
 z =  2   I P , where I P =  5 
Z  2 
  r 2  2 
 1 +    
   z   

3
(i) r =0→I P =
2
 100  3
Δσ z =  2 × = 2.984 t/m 2
 (4)  2π

4.0 m

(ii) r 3
r=3m,z=4m → = = 0.75
z 4
r
for ( )=0.75 → I P = 0.156
z
 100 
Δσ z =  2 ×0.156= 0.975 t/m 2
 (4) 

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Chapter (5) Vertical Stress in soils

Example 6
Three concentrated loads, shown in figure, calculate the total increase in vertical
stress at point B.

Solution:
For load (P1): (Z=3m, r = 0.0)

3
r =0→I P =
2
 125  3
Δσ z =  2 × = 6.63 t/m 2
 (3)  2π

For load (P2): (Z=3m, r = 4.0)

r 4
= → I P = 0.0371
z 3
 150 
Δσ z =  2 ×0.0371= 0.618 t/m 2
 (3) 

For load (P2): (Z=3m, r = 4.0)

Δσ z = 0.618 t/m 2

Total stress at point B:

Δσ z = 6.63+2(0.618) = 7.866 t/m 2

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Chapter (5) Vertical Stress in soils

Example 7
Two line loads, shown in figure, calculate the total increase in vertical stress at
point A.

Solution:

 
2q  z3 
 z =
  ( x 2 + z 2 )2 
 

For load (q1): (Z=1.5m, x = 2.0 m)

 
2×1.5  1.53  = 0.0825 t/m 2
Δσ z =
π  ( 22 +1.52 ) 
2

 

For load (q2): (Z=1.5m, x = 4.0 m)

 
2×1  1.53  = 0.00645 t/m 2
Δσ z =
π  ( 42 +1.52 ) 
2

 

Total stress at point A:

Δσ z = 0.0825+0.00645= 0.089 t/m 2

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 Chapter (5) Vertical Stress in soils

Example 8
A raft foundation, shown in figure, carries a uniformly distributed load of 20
t/m2. Using Newmark's Chart, estimate the vertical stress increase at a depth 9
m below the point (O) marked in the figure.

Solution:
• The depth (z) at which ( z ) required is 9 m.
• The scale of the foundation plan is: AB = Z or (3cm = 9 m ) →(1cm = 3 m )
• The foundation plan is drawn to a scale of (1 cm = 3 m) on tracing paper and
point (o) is placed at the center of the Newmark's Chart.
• Number of loaded blocks occupied by the plan, N = 62
• Influence value, C = 0.005, q = 20 t/m2
• z = c  q  N = 0.005  20  62 = 6.2 t / m 2

Influence
Influencevalue
value==0.005
0.005
AA BB 37
37

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 Chapter (5) Vertical Stress in soils

Example 9
The plane of a loaded area, shown in figure, carries a uniformly distributed load
of 15 t/m2. Using Newmark's Chart, estimate the vertical stress increase at a
depth 15 m below the points (A, B, C) marked in the figure.

C B
Solution:
• The depth (z) at which ( z ) required is 15 m.
• The scale of the foundation plan is: AB = Z or (3cm = 15 m ) →(1cm = 5 m )
• The foundation plan is drawn to a scale of (1 cm = 5 m) on tracing paper.
• Influence value, C = 0.005, q = 15 t/m2
• z =c  q  N

Point (A):
• Point (A) is placed at the center of the Newmark's Chart.
• Number of loaded blocks occupied by the plan, N = 106
• z = c  q  N = 0.005  15  106 = 7.95 t / m 2

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 Chapter (5) Vertical Stress in soils

Point (B):
• Point (B) is placed at the center of the Newmark's Chart.
• Number of loaded blocks occupied by the plan, N = 78
• z = c  q  N = 0.005  15  78 = 5.85 t / m 2

Point (C):
• Point (C) is placed at the center of the Newmark's Chart.
• Number of loaded blocks occupied by the plan, N = 40
• z = c  q  N = 0.005  15  40 = 3.0 t / m 2

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Chapter (5) Vertical Stress in soils

Example 10
A square footing of size 4 x 4 m founded on the surface carries a distributed load
of 30 t/m2. Determine the increase in stress at a depth of 6 m by the approximate
method.

Solution:

 4 4 
 = 30   = 4.8 t / m 2
 (10)  (10) 

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Chapter (5) Vertical Stress in soils

Exercise
1) Explain the difference between effective stress, pore water stress, and total
stress in soils.

2) Define the pressure bulbs and show how they can be used in deciding depth of
boring.

3) A soil profile is shown in figure (1). Calculate the total stress at points A, B,
C, and D. The soil properties are given in the following table:

Layer No. Thickness (m) Unit weight ( t/m3)

I H1=2  b =1.6
II H2=3  sat =1.8
III H3=7  sat =1.9

Layer I
Sand

Fig (1)

4) Repeat problem (3) with the following:

Layer Thickness
Unit weight ( t/m3)
No. (m)
I H1=4 S r = 20%,e = 0.45,G s = 2.68
II H2=3 e = 0.7,G s = 2.6
III H3=5 e = 0.81,G s = 2.75

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Chapter (5) Vertical Stress in soils

5) Three concentrated loads, shown in figure, calculate the total increase in

vertical stress at point A.
100 t 200 t 100 t
5m 5m

4m
A

6) Three line loads, shown in figure, calculate the total increase in vertical stress
at point B.
200 t/m 100 t/m 200 t/m
4m 4m

3m
B

7) Refer to Figure (2). Given that q1=1t/m, x1= 3m, x2= 2m, and z= 1m, if the
vertical stress increase at pint A due to the loading is 0.30 t/m2 , determine the
magnitude of q2.

Fig 2

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Chapter (5) Vertical Stress in soils

8) A raft foundation, shown in figure, carries a uniformly distributed load of

15 t/m2. Using Newmark's Chart, estimate the vertical stress increase at
depths 6, 9 m below the point (O) marked in the figure.

9) Refer to Figure 3. The circular area is uniformly loaded. Given: q =30 t/m2.
Determine the vertical stress increase at point A.

Fig 3

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