GEOTECH 1 Module 8
GEOTECH 1 Module 8
The normal stresses that act on the principal planes are referred to as principal stresses.
The normal stress and shear stress that act on any plane can also be determined by plotting a Mohr’s
circle, as shown in the figure on the next page. The following sign conventions are used in Mohr’s
circles: Compressive normal stresses are taken as positive, and shear stresses are considered positive
if they act on opposite faces of the element in such a way that they tend to produce a counterclockwise
rotation.
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GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING I (CE 412/CE 105a)
Module No. 8: Stresses in a Soil Mass & Compressibility of Soil
Prepared by: Engr. Jefferson P. Basista, CE, MP, SO2
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For plane AD of the soil element shown in the figure on the
previous page, normal stress equals +𝜎𝑥 and shear stress
equals +𝜏𝑥𝑦 . For plane AB, normal stress equals +𝜎𝑦 and
shear stress equals −𝜏𝑥𝑦 .
The points R and M in represent the stress conditions on
planes AD and AB, respectively. O is the point of intersection
of the normal stress axis with the line RM. The circle MNQRS
drawn with O as the center and OR as the radius is the Mohr’s
circle for the stress conditions considered. The radius of the
Mohr’s circle is equal to
The stress on plane EF can be determined by moving an angle 2𝜃 (which is twice the angle that the
plane EF makes in a counterclockwise direction with plane AB) in a counterclockwise direction from
point M along the circumference of the Mohr’s circle to reach point Q. The abscissa and ordinate of
point Q, respectively, give the normal stress 𝜎𝑛 and the shear stress 𝜏𝑛 on plane EF.
Because the ordinates (that is, the shear stresses) of points N and S are zero, they represent the
stresses on the principal planes. The abscissa of point N is equal to 𝜎1 , and the abscissa for point S is
𝜎3 .
EXAMPLE 1
A soil element is shown in the figure. The magnitudes of stresses are 𝜎𝑥 =
120 kN/𝑚2 , 𝜏 = 40 kN/𝑚2 , 𝜎𝑦 = 300 kN/𝑚2 , and 𝜃 = 20°. Determine
a. Magnitudes of the principal stresses.
b. Normal and shear stresses on plane AB.
Part a
Part b
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GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING I (CE 412/CE 105a)
Module No. 8: Stresses in a Soil Mass & Compressibility of Soil
Prepared by: Engr. Jefferson P. Basista, CE, MP, SO2
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THE POLE METHOD OF FINDING STRESSES ALONG A PLANE
Another important technique of finding stresses along a plane from a Mohr’s circle is the pole method,
or the method of origin of planes.
According to the pole method, we draw a line from a
known point on the Mohr’s circle parallel to the plane on
which the state of stress acts. The point of intersection of
this line with the Mohr’s circle is called the pole. This is a
unique point for the state of stress under consideration.
For example, the point M on the Mohr’s circle in Figure b
represents the stresses on the plane AB. The line MP is
drawn parallel to AB. So, point P is the pole (origin of
planes) in this case. If we need to find the stresses on a plane EF, we draw a line from the pole parallel
to EF. The point of intersection of this line with the Mohr’s circle is Q. The coordinates of Q give the
stresses on the plane EF. (Note: From geometry, angle QOM is twice the angle QPM.)
EXAMPLE 2
For the stressed soil element shown, determine
a. Major principal stress
b. Minor principal stress
c. Normal and shear stresses on the plane DE
Use the pole method.
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GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING I (CE 412/CE 105a)
Module No. 8: Stresses in a Soil Mass & Compressibility of Soil
Prepared by: Engr. Jefferson P. Basista, CE, MP, SO2
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Note that first two equations, which are the expressions for horizontal normal stresses, depend on the
Poisson’s ratio of the medium. However, the relationship for the vertical normal stress, ∆𝜎𝑧 , is
independent of Poisson’s ratio. The relationship for ∆𝜎𝑧 can be rewritten as
EXAMPLE 3
Consider a point load P = 5 kN. Calculate the vertical stress increase (∆𝜎𝑧 ) at z = 0, 2 m, 4 m, 6 m, 10
m, and 20 m. Given x = 3 m and y = 4 m.
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GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING I (CE 412/CE 105a)
Module No. 8: Stresses in a Soil Mass & Compressibility of Soil
Prepared by: Engr. Jefferson P. Basista, CE, MP, SO2
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EXAMPLE 4
The figure shows two line loads on the ground surface. Determine the increase of stress at point A.
Refer to Figure b. The total stress at A is
COMPRESSIBLITY
The settlement is defined as the compression of a soil layer due to the loading applied at or near its top
surface.
The total compression of soil under load is composed of three categories (i.e. elastic or immediate
settlement, primary consolidation settlement, and secondary consolidation settlement).
The three categories of settlement:
1. Immediate or Elastic Settlement (Se): caused by the elastic deformation of dry soil and of
moist and saturated soils without change in the moisture content.
2. Primary Consolidation Settlement (Sc): volume change in saturated cohesive soils as a
result of expulsion of the water that occupies the void spaces.
3. Secondary Consolidation Settlement (Ss): volume change due to the plastic adjustment of
soil fabrics under a constant effective stress (creep).
Coarse-grained soils do not undergo consolidation settlement due to
relatively high hydraulic conductivity compared to clayey soils. Instead,
coarse-grained soils undergo immediate settlement.
RELATIONS FOR ELASTIC SETTLEMENT CALCULATION
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GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING I (CE 412/CE 105a)
Module No. 8: Stresses in a Soil Mass & Compressibility of Soil
Prepared by: Engr. Jefferson P. Basista, CE, MP, SO2
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The variations of 𝐹1 and 𝐹2 with 𝑚′ and 𝑛′ are given in Tables 11.1 and 11.2 of “Principles of Geotechnical
𝐷
Engineering, 8th Ed. Book by Das & Sobhan”. Also, the variation of 𝐼𝑓 with 𝑓⁄𝐵 and 𝜇𝑠 is given in Table 11.3 of
the said book. Note that when 𝐷𝑓 = 0, the value of 𝐼𝑓 = 1 in all cases.
Due to nonhomogeneous nature of soil deposits, the magnitude of 𝐸𝑠 may vary with depth. For that reason, Bowles
(1987) recommended using a weighted average value of 𝐸𝑠 ,
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GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING I (CE 412/CE 105a)
Module No. 8: Stresses in a Soil Mass & Compressibility of Soil
Prepared by: Engr. Jefferson P. Basista, CE, MP, SO2
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The elastic settlement of a rigid foundation can be estimated as:
EXAMPLE 5
Calculate the elastic settlement at the center of the 1m x 1m rigid shallow foundation shown in the
figure.
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GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING I (CE 412/CE 105a)
Module No. 8: Stresses in a Soil Mass & Compressibility of Soil
Prepared by: Engr. Jefferson P. Basista, CE, MP, SO2
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PRIMARY CONSOLIDATION SETTLEMENT
Normally Consolidated Clays
- Those whose present effective overburden pressure is the maximum pressure that the soil was
subjected to in the past. The maximum effective past pressure is called the preconsolidation
pressure.
𝐶𝑐 𝐻 𝜎 ′ 𝑜 + ∆𝜎 ′
𝑆𝑐 = log ( )
1 + 𝑒𝑜 𝜎 ′𝑜
Where:
𝑆𝑐 = 𝑃𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑆𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝐶𝑐 = 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑥
𝑒𝑜 = 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑢 𝑣𝑜𝑖𝑑 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜
𝐻 = 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑪𝑳𝑨𝒀 𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑟
∆𝜎 ′ = 𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑦 𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑟
𝜎 ′ 𝑜 = 𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑑 − ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑦 𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑟
Values of Compression Index:
Skempton’s Equation (Standard formula for Compression Index, when there is no given condition)
𝐶𝑐 = 0.009(𝐿𝐿 − 10)
Rendon-Herrero
1 + 𝑒𝑜 2.38
𝐶𝑐 = 0.141𝐺𝑠 1.2 ( )
𝐺𝑠
Nagaraj & Murty
𝐿𝐿
𝐶𝑐 = 0.2343 ( )𝐺
100 𝑠
Park & Koumoto
𝑛𝑜
𝐶𝑐 = 𝑛𝑜 = 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑢 𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦
371.747 − 4.275 − 𝑛𝑜
b) When 𝜎 ′ 𝑜 + ∆𝜎 ′ > 𝜎 ′ 𝑐
𝐶𝑠 𝐻 𝜎′𝑐 𝐶𝑐 𝐻 𝜎 ′ 𝑜 + ∆𝜎 ′
𝑆𝑐 = log ( ′ ) + log ( )
1 + 𝑒𝑜 𝜎𝑜 1 + 𝑒𝑜 𝜎 ′𝑐
Swell Index (Cs ):
Nagaraj & Murty
0.0463𝐿𝐿
𝐶𝑠 = 𝐺𝑠
100
EXAMPLE 6
If a uniformly distributed load, ∆𝜎, is applied at the ground surface, what is the settlement of the clay
layer of the soil profile shown caused by primary consolidation if
a. The clay is normally consolidated
b. The preconsolidation pressure = 200 kN/𝑚2
c. The preconsolidation pressure = 150 kN/𝑚2
1
Use 𝐶𝑠 ≈ 𝐶𝑐
5
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GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING I (CE 412/CE 105a)
Module No. 8: Stresses in a Soil Mass & Compressibility of Soil
Prepared by: Engr. Jefferson P. Basista, CE, MP, SO2
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EXAMPLE 7
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GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING I (CE 412/CE 105a)
Module No. 8: Stresses in a Soil Mass & Compressibility of Soil
Prepared by: Engr. Jefferson P. Basista, CE, MP, SO2
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Solution:
EXAMPLE 8
The time required for 50% consolidation of a 25-mm-thick clay layer (drained at both top and bottom)
in the laboratory is 3 min 15 sec. How long (in days) will it take for a 2-m-thick clay layer of the same
clay in the field under the same pressure increment to reach 50% consolidation? In the field, sand layers
are present at the top and bottom of the clay layer.
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GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING I (CE 412/CE 105a)
Module No. 8: Stresses in a Soil Mass & Compressibility of Soil
Prepared by: Engr. Jefferson P. Basista, CE, MP, SO2
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Try to solve this problem!
1. A soil element is shown below. Determine the following:
a. Maximum and minimum principal stresses
b. Normal and shear stresses on plane AB
2. Using the principles of Mohr’s circles for the soil element shown in the figure below, determine the
following:
a. Maximum and minimum principal stresses
b. Normal and shear stresses on plane AB
3. Refer to the figure below. A strip load of q = 43 kN/m2 is applied over a width, B = 11 m. Determine
the increase in vertical stress at point A located z = 4.6 m below the surface. Given: x = 8.2 m.
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GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING I (CE 412/CE 105a)
Module No. 8: Stresses in a Soil Mass & Compressibility of Soil
Prepared by: Engr. Jefferson P. Basista, CE, MP, SO2
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5. Estimate the primary consolidation settlement in the clay layer of the figure shown. Given: ∆𝜎 =
85𝑘𝑃𝑎; 𝐻1 = 2𝑚; 𝐻2 = 4𝑚; 𝐻3 = 6𝑚. Soil Characteristics are as follows:
Sand: 𝑒 = 0.65; 𝐺𝑠 = 2.66
1
Clay: 𝐿𝐿 = 54; 𝑒 = 0.98; 𝐺𝑠 = 2.74; 𝜎 ′ 𝑐 = 150𝑘𝑃𝑎; 𝐶𝑠 = 𝐶𝑐
6
SUGGESTED READINGS:
1. Liu, Cheng. 2000. Soils and Foundations. New York, USA : John Wiley & Sons.
2. Terzaghi, Karl et. al. 1995. Soil Mechanics For Engineering Practice. John Wiley and Sons,
3. Das, Braja. 1999. Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering. Brooks/Cole Publishing Co.
REFERENCES:
1. Das, Braja M., Sobhan, Khaled 2010. Principles of Geotechnical Engineering, 8th Edition
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