BFC 34402

CHAPTER 2.0

STRESS IN SOIL
 INTRODUCTION
 The deformations of soils are similar to the deformations of
structural framework such as a truss.
 The truss deforms from changes in loads carried by each member.
The same is true for soils.
 The principle of effective stress was first recognized by Terzaghi
(1883–1963) in the mid-1920s during his research into soil
consolidation.
 The principle of effective stress is the most important principle in
soil mechanics. Deformations of soils are a function of effective
stresses, not total stresses.
 The principle of effective stresses applies only to normal stresses
and not to shear stresses.
 Soils cannot sustain tension. Consequently, the effective stress
cannot be less than zero.
 Porewater pressures can be positive or negative. The latter are
sometimes called suction or suction pressure.
INTRODUCTION
EFFECTIVE STRESSES @ INTER-GRAIN STRESSES: CON’T
EFFECTIVE STRESSES @ INTER-GRAIN STRESSES: CON’T
EFFECTIVE STRESSES @ INTER-GRAIN STRESSES: CON’T
STRESS IN SOIL

Introduction
STRESS IN SOIL
Introduction
• Soils are stable under the existing effective overburden stresses.
• However, when additional loads are placed on the ground surface, such as by
footings, traffic loads, etc., those additional loads increase the stresses in the
soil mass.
• These extra stresses are major sources of the settlement of soils.
• In this sub-chapter, equations for the vertical stress increments in soil mass
due to various types of load on the ground surface are discussed. They will be
used in settlement computation
STRESS IN SOIL
Stresses Caused By A Point Load
Boussinesq(1883) suggested that for normal stresses at a point caused by the point load P as
shown in below figure is:

Rewritten an equation:

* Refer page 313 (text- 8th edition) for variation of I1 at

various values of r/z
STRESS IN SOIL
Stresses Caused By A Point Load

Exercise

A pole carries a vertical load of 200 kN. Determine

the vertical total stress increase at a depth 5 m
(a) directly below the pole and (b) at a radial
distance of 2 m. 200 kN

5m
STRESS IN SOIL
Stresses Caused By A Point Load
Exercise
STRESS IN SOIL
2.1.2 Stresses Caused By A Line Load

Vertical Horizontal

@
STRESS IN SOIL
Stresses Caused By A Line Load

Exercise

* Refer page 315 (table 10.2)

STRESS IN SOIL
Stresses Caused By A Line Load

Exercise
STRESS IN SOIL
Stresses Caused By A Line Load

Exercise
STRESS IN SOIL
Stresses Caused By A Strip Load
STRESS IN SOIL
Stresses Caused By A Strip Load
Exercise
STRESS IN SOIL
Stresses Due To Embankment Loading

* Refer page 327 (text) for I2

(Osterberg’s Chart)
Stresses Due To Embankment Loading
Exercise