CHAPTER VI :

VERTICAL STRESS DISTRIBUTION ON SOIL MASS

Stresses due to applied Loads

The application of an external load on a soil mass results in an additional vertical stress at any point in the
soil. The magnitude of this increase in stress decrease as the depth increases & the radial distance from
the load increases from the line of action of the load. The additional vertical stress is actually the vertical
stress from the external load excluding the effect of overburden pressure generated at the point of interest.
Estimation of vertical stresses at any point in a soil-mass due to external vertical loadings are of great
significance in the prediction of settlements of buildings, bridges, embankments and many other
structures.

Stress in soil is caused by the first or both of the following:-

(a) Self weight of Soil.
(b) Structural loads, applied at or below the surface.

Stress in soil due to self weight

The initial vertical stress (prior to application of external load) on element of the soil due to the mass of
the overlying material can be determined from γ

Stress in soil due to applied load

When a load is applied to the soil surface, it increases the vertical stresses within the soil mass. The
increased stresses are greatest directly under the loaded area, but extend indefinitely in all directions.
Equations have been developed to compute stresses due to external load at any point in a soil mass on the
basis of the theory of elasticity. The theory of elasticity, assumes the soil to be perfectly elastic material
which would obey the Hooke‘s law of proportionality between stress & strain.

Boussinesq’s Theory / Solution

Boussinesq (1885) has given the solution for the stresses caused by the application of the point load at the
surface of an elastic medium with the aid of the mathematical theory of elasticity.

Assumptions made by Boussinesq

i. The soil medium is an elastic continuum having a constant value of modulus of elasticity (E). i.e.
it obeys Hooke‘s law
ii. The soil is homogeneous, i.e. it has identical elastic properties at all points in identical directions.
iii. The soil is isotropic, i.e. it has identical elastic properties in all direction at a point.
iv. The soil mass is semi-infinite, i.e. it extends to infinity in the downward directions and lateral
directions. In other words, it is limited on its top but a horizontal plane and extends to infinity in
all other directions.
v. The self weight of the soil is ignored.
vi. The soil is initially unstressed i.e. it is free from residual stresses before the application of the
load.
vii. The top surface of the medium is free of shear stresses and is subjected to only the point load at a
specified location.

Vertical Stress due to Concentrated Load

Fig: Stresses due to concentrated load

Using logarithmic stress function for solution of elasticity problem, Boussinesq proved that the polar
stress * +
Where, R = Polar Distance between origin point O and point P
β = angle which the line OP makes with vertical
From figure, √ and r2 = x2 + y2

So, √ )

i And

Now, the vertical stress (σz) at point P is given by, σz = σR cos2β

* +

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]

[ ]
)

)
[ ]

[[ ] ]

[[ ] ]
 [ ]
( )

[ ]
( )

Where IB = Boussinesq Influence coefficient

[ ]
( )

Stress Isobar or pressure bulb

If the vertical stress intensities at various points in a soil mass due to an external load are computed, and
the points having equal stress intensities are joined by a smooth curve, a number of stress contours each
having the shape of a onion bulb are obtained. These are called isobars. The zone in the soil mass
bounded by an isobar is called a pressure bulb. Each isobar represents a fraction of the stress applied at
the surface and delineates the zone of influence of the footing such that the area contained within two
adjacent isobars experiences stresses greater than the lower isobar and lesser than the upper isobar. So,
pressure at points inside the bulb are greater than that at a point on the surface of the bulb; and pressures
at points outside the bulb are smaller than that value. An infinite number of isobars can be drawn for any
applied load. A system of isobars indicates the decrease in stress intensity from the inner to the outer
ones.
 Fig: Pressure bulb for point loads

Pressure distribution Diagram

 Stress Isobar diagram

 Vertical stress distribution on a horizontal plane
 Vertical stress distribution along a vertical plane

1. Procedure for plotting Stress Isobar

Let us plot an Isobar for 10% of applied load i.e. 0.1 Q per unit area.

We have,

Since for drawing 10% isobar and replacing it in above equation

Or,

Or,

Or,

For different depths z, the value of IB is computed from above equation. The ratio for computed values

of IB are obtained from the equation as, [ ] and hence from assumed values of depth z the
( )

radial distance, r can be obtained from the ratio of . It is obvious that, for the same value of r on any
side of the z-axis, or line of action of the point load, the value of is the same; hence the isobar is
symmetrical with respect to this axis. So, the other half can be drawn from symmetry.
It may be observed that r is zero vertically below the load point, so IB at r = 0 is equal to 0.4775.

When r= 0, IB= 0.4775; the isobar crosses the line of action of the load at a depth which is given by

Or,

Depth IB
0.25 0.00625 2.16 0.1Q
0.5 0.25 1.5 0.1Q
0.75 0.05625 1.16 0.1Q
1 0.1 0.93 0.1Q
1.25 0.1562 0.75 0.1Q
1.5 0.225 0.59 0.1Q
1.75 0.3062 0.44 0.1Q
2 0.4 0.27 0.1Q
2.185 0.4775 0 0.1Q

Fig: Pressure Isobar of 0.1Q

The shape of an isobar approaches a leminiscate curve (not circle). Fig above shows the pressure bulb of
intensity 0.1 Q. In the same manner, the isobars of other intensity 0.2Q, 0.3 Q, etc of higher intensity shall
lie within the isobar of 0.1 Q.
 2. Vertical Stress distribution in a horizontal plane

The vertical stress on a horizontal plane at depth z is given by , z being a specified depth.

Fig: Vertical stress distribution on a horizontal plane at depth z

For several assumed values of r, r/z is calculated and IB is found for each, the value of is then
computed.

For example the values have been calculated for different values of r from 0 to 2.5 considering z = l, as
presented in the table below:

Table showing variation of vertical stress with radial distance at a specified depth (z = 1 unit, say)

R r/z IB
0 0 0.4775 0.4775 Q
0.25 0.25 0.4108 0.4103 Q
0.5 0.5 0.2733 0.2733 Q
0.75 0.75 0.1565 0.1565 Q
1 1 0.0844 0.0844 Q
1.25 1.25 0.0454 0.0454 Q
1.5 1.5 0.0251 0.0251 Q
1.75 1.75 0.0144 0.0144 Q
2 2 0.0085 0.0085 Q

3. Vertical Stress distribution in a horizontal plane

The vertical stress distribution on a vertical plane at a radial distance of ‗r‘ can be obtained from

The variation of vertical stress with depth at a constant radial distance from the axis of the load is as
shown in Fig. below.
 a) At distance r from point load b) directly under point load

In this case radial distance ‗r‘ is constant and the depth ‗z‘ changes. Fig a) shows variation of vertical
stress on a vertical plane at r = 1 m. The vertical stresses are plotted horizontally along r – axis, and the
depth, parallel to the z-axis. As z increases, r/z decreases, for a constant value of ‗r‘. As r/z decreases IB
value in the equation for increases, but, since z2 is involved in the denominator of the expression of
its value first increases with depth, attains a maximum value, and then decreases with further increase in
depth.

Determining the depth at which maximum stress occurs

[ ]
( )

For r = 1 unit
 [ ]
)

[ ]
)

Taking

Using the concept of

) )
[ ]
)

) )

) )

) [ ) ]

The maximum stress occurs at a depth of 1.225 m when point load Q acts at radial distance of 1 m

Further we get √
 √

Table showing calculations of Vertical stress at r = 1 m

z r/z IB
0.25 4 0.0004 0.0064 Q
0.5 2 0.0085 0.0340 Q
1 1 0.0844 0.0844 Q
1.5 0.667 0.1904 0.0845 Q
2 0.5 0.2733 0.0683 Q
2.5 0.4 0.3294 0.0527 Q
5 0.2 0.4329 0.0170 Q

Vertical Stress due to line load

Certain road and rail traffic loads, and loads from walls may be resolved into line load, which has load
along a given line but not breadth.

Let a load, uniformly distributed along a line, of intensity q' per unit length of a straight line of infinite
extension, act on the surface of a semi-infinite elastic medium. Let the y-axis be directed along the line of
loading as shown in Figure. Let us consider a small length dy of the line loads as shown; the equivalent
point load is q'. dy and the vertical stress at A due to this load is given by:

)
)
The vertical stress at A due to the infinite length of line load may be obtained by integrating the
equation for with respect to the variable y within the limits - ∞ and + ∞

∫ ∫
)

Substituting

∫
)

Let y = u tanθ Therefore dy = sec2θ dθ

When y = - ∞, tanθ = - ∞, θ = - π/2

y = + ∞, tanθ = + ∞, θ = π/2

The above equation can be written as,

∫
)

Let sin θ = t

dt = cos θ.dθ

when θ = 0, sin θ = 0
θ = π/2. sin θ = 1

Also cos3θ dθ = cos2θ.cosθ.dθ

= (1-sin2 θ)cosθ dθ

The equation becomes ∫ )

[ ]

[ ]

[[ ] ]

[ [ ] ]

[ ]
( )

Vertical stress under a strip load

A strip load is the load transmitted by a structure of finite width and infinite length. It is uniform load
which the load effect on area whose intensity is expressed in dimension, ton/m2 or kN/m2.

The expression for vertical stress at any point P under a strip load can be developed from the equation
erived from the line load. The expression will depend upon whether the point P lies below the centre of
the strip load or not.

1. Point P is below the centre of the strip

 Fig: Vertical stress at depth z below centre of strip footing

Consider a strip footing of width B subjected to a uniform pressure q, including self-weight, as shown in
Fig. above. The strip load acts over the length of the strip footing in the perpendicular direction along y-
axis. It is required to determine the vertical stress at a point P which is at depth z below the center of the
footing. Let θ is the angle subtended by the edges of the strip footing at point P.

Consider an elemental load over a small width dx at any distance x from the center of the footing, at an
angle α with z-axis. The total elemental load over this small width extending across the length of the
footing is qdx. This may be considered as line load. The vertical stress at point P, due to this elemental

line load, can be obtained using equation [ ]

( )

d
d [ ]
( )

The total vertical stress at point P due to the entire load is given by -

d
∫ [ ]
( )

d
∫ [ ] ∫[ ]
( ) ( )
Put tanα = x/z then, x = ztanα

dx= z sec2α dα

When x = 0, α = 0

When x = B/2, α = θ/2

The equation can be written as,

∫[ ] ∫[ ]
( )

∫
)

∫
)

)
∫

∫ )
 [ ]

i
[ ]

i
[ ]

2. Point P is below the centre of the strip but outside of edge

Figure below shows a strip footing subjected to a uniform load of intensity q per unit area. It is required to
determine the vertical stress at any point P, which is not below the center of the footing.

Fig: Vertical stress at depth z outside the strip footing

Let the extremities of the strip make angles of β1 and β2 with the vertical at P. Similar to the previous
case, the load q dx acting on a small length dx can be considered as a line load. The Vertical stress at

point P given by d [ ]
( )

Now substituting x = z tanβ, dx = z sec2β dβ

d )
d [ ]
 d
d

[ ]

) ))

But

))

If , it can be shown that

Then the final equation can be written as:

Vertical Stress under Circular load

Fig: Uniform load over circular area

The Boussinesq equation for the vertical stress due to a point load can be extended to find the vertical
stress at any point beneath the centre of a uniformly loaded circular area. Let the circular area of radius ‗a‘
be loaded uniformly with q per unit area as shown in Figure. Let us consider an elementary ring of radius
r, and thickness dr of the loaded area. This ring may be imagined to be further divided into elemental
areas, each δA; the load from such an elemental area is q.δA. The vertical stress δσz at point A, at a depth
z below the centre of the loaded area, is given by:
)
[ ]
)

The stress d due to the entire ring is given by:

)
[ ] )[ ]
) )

The total vertical stress at point A due to entire loaded area is obtained by integrating d within
the limits r = 0 to r = a

∫
)

Subtituting , r.dr = R.dR, the limits for R will be z and )

)
)

)
[ ]

[ ]
)

[ ]
)
 [ ]
)

)
[ ]

[ ( ) ]

[ ( ) ]

{ }
( )
[ ]

Vertical Stress under a corner of rectangular area

The vertical stresses under a corner of a rectangular area with a uniformly distributed load of intensity q
can be obtained from Boussinesq‘s solution.

Fig: Vertical stress under corner of a uniformly loaded rectangular area

Figure shows a uniformly loaded rectangular area of dimensions L and B, subjected to a uniform pressure
q. It is required to determine the vertical stress at point P having coordinates (x, y, z) below the corner of
the rectangular area at any depth z below the load.
Consider an elemental area of very small dimensions dx and dy of the loaded area at any horizontal radial
distance, r at distances x and y along the x and y axes from the corner. The total load acting on the
elemental area is q × dx × dy. This load can be considered as a concentrated load. The vertical stress due
to this elemental load at point P can be obtained using equation as

d d )
[ ]
( )

The vertical stress at point P due to the entire load is given by

d d )
∬ [ ]
( )

∬[ ] d d
( )

∬[ ] d d

∬[ ] d d

The solution of the above double integral is obtained by Newmark, which is very complicated. The final
expression for vertical stress at point P is given by

IN = Newmark‘s Influence coefficient

q = Intensity of loading in per unit area

√ √
( )
Where,

L = Length of footing

B = Breadth of footing

Z = Depth of point P vertically below the corner of footing

The values of m and n are interchangeable.

√ ) ) √ )
[ ( )]

√ ) ) √ )
[ ( )]

) √ )
[ ( )]
√ )

Vertical stress at any point under a rectangular area

The equation as developed above can also be used for finding the vertical stress at a point which is not
loaded below the corner of loaded area. The rectangular area is subdivided into rectangles such that each
rectangle has a corner at the point where the vertical stress is determined using the principle of
superposition.

The following cases can occur:

1. Point anywhere below the rectangular area

Fig: Vertical stress at point P below rectangular footing

The vertical stress at any point P at depth z below the footing shown within the rectangular area can be
determined using the following steps:

 Divide the rectangle ABCD into four smaller rectangles such that point P is the common corner
for all these rectangles.
 Thus, the smaller rectangles formed are AEPF, EBGP, FPHD, and PGCH which have corner
point P.
 Determine the Newmark‘s Influence coefficient, IN for these rectangles using the corresponding
length and width, that is, l1b1, l2b2, l3b3, and l4b4 at depth z. Let such values obtained be IN1, IN2,
IN3, and IN4 for the four rectangles.
 The vertical stress at point P at depth z is given by
)

2. Vertical Stress below the Centre of a Rectangular or Square Footing:

Fig: Vertical stress below centre of rectangular footing

All rectangles in this case will be of the same size. Hence each area unit will have same value of
influence coefficient, IN1 = IN2 = IN3 = IN4 = IN. Then )

Where IN is computed using and . For a square footing, l = b and hence .

3. Vertical Stress at point P outside loaded area:

Fig: Vertical stress at point P outside loaded area

 Figure shows a plan of a uniformly loaded rectangular area ABCD and the vertical stress is
required at point P outside the loaded area. In this case, a large rectangle AEPF is drawn with its
one corner at P. Now rectangle ABCD = rectangle AEPF – rectangle BEPH – rectangle DGPF +
rectangle CGPH.
The last rectangle CGPH is given plus sign because this area has been deducted twice (once in
rectangle BEPH and once in DGPF).

The stress at P due to a load on rectangle ABCD is given by

)
Where, IN1, IN2, IN3, and IN4 are the influence coefficient for the rectangles AEPF, BEPH, DGPF,
and CGPH respectively.

4. Vertical Stress at point below the edge of rectangular area:

Fig: Vertical Stress at point below the edge of rectangular area

If the point P is below the edge of the loaded area ABCD (Fig. 3.15), the given rectangle is
divided into two small rectangles APED and PBCE.
)
Where IN1 and IN2 are influence coefficient for rectangular area 1 and 2.

Calculation of Newmark’s Influence Coefficient

1. From Solution of Newmark

The value of IN can be computed by using the equation

) √ )
[ ( )]
√ )

Note:
 In evaluating IN using above equation, the second term (inverse of tan) obtained in degrees should
be converted to radians.
 Also at some higher values of m and n, the second term becomes negative as the tangent of an
angle is negative in the second quadrant. The angle should be converted to a positive value by
adding 180° to the negative value obtained after performing computations of inverse tangent and
then the positive value obtained should be converted to radians for obtaining the correct value of
IN.

For example for m = 1.2 and n = 2.4 the value in degrees obtained after calculating the inverse of
tangent in second term is negative (which comes to be -89.6721o). So in this case the required
value can be obtained by adding 180o to the obtained negative value and then converting it to
radians.
180o + (- 89.6721o) = 90.3279o = 1.5765 radians
The correct value of IN obtained after all computations will be 0.2147

2. From Table of Newmark’s Influence Coefficient

The value of IN can be obtained either by direct observing the values of m and n in the table
or if the calculated values of m and n are not in the table and lies within interval of values
listed in table then it require interpolation to obtain the approximate value of IN.

3. From Fadum’s chart

Fadum‘s chart provides estimates of vertical stress increase beneath the corner of uniformly
loaded flexible rectangular areas.

Steps:
 Obtain the values of m and n
 Since m and n values are interchangeable, look for the value of either one (m or n) along
the horizontal axis and mark it.
 From the marked value in horizontal axis project a line vertically upwards till it touches
the curve of the other value (m or n) and mark the intersection point between projected
line and the curve. Make sure to avoid looking the same value i.e. if the value marked in
abscissa is ‗m‘ then make sure the line projected upwards from the marked value in
abscissa touches the curve of another value ‗n‘ and vice versa.
 From the marked intersection point draw a horizontal line towards ordinates of the
Fadum‘s chart and mark the intersection point between horizontal projection and the
ordinates.
 The marked point in the ordinates is the required value of Influence coefficient, IN.
 Fig: Fadum‘s Chart

Newmark’s Influence Chart:

One can find out the stresses for the rectangular, circular or strip loading using the Boussinesq's equation.
Boussinesq‘s equation cannot be used to determine stress developed due to irregular loaded areas.
Newmark (1942) developed influence chart to determine the vertical stress due to loaded of area of any
shape, irregular geometry at any point below the loaded area. Newmark formulated a new simple
graphical method to calculate the vertical stress at any particular depth caused due to any shape of vertical
uniformly distributed loading in the interior of an elastic, homogeneous and isotropic medium, which is
bounded by horizontal planes (i.e. semi-infinite medium).

Construction of Newmark’s Influence Chart:

When a uniformly loaded circular area of radius is divided into 20 equal parts, the vertical stress at the
center at any depth z due to load from each part (sector) will be equal to 1 /20 of that due full circular
area. Thus,

{ }
( )
[ ]
If this vertical stress is assigned an arbitrary fixed value of say 0.005q, then

{ }
( )
[ ]

Solving above equation for , the radius of the loaded area that causes 1/20 of the total vertical stress is
obtained as = 0.26975z. Thus, every 1/20 of the circle of radius 0.26975z would cause a vertical stress
of 0.005q at a depth z below the centre of the loaded area. For any given depth, where vertical stress is to
be determined, say z = 1 m, a circle can be drawn with = 0.26975z = 0.26975 × 1 = 0.26975 m, as
shown in figure below.
Fig: Construction of Newmark‘s influence Chart

A second circle is now drawn and divided into 20 equal sector parts with a radius such that each sector
part would cause a vertical stress of 2 × 0.005q.

{ }
( )
[ ]

Solving above equation for , we get = 0.4005z. In the two circles drawn so far, there are 40 parts,
with each part exerting an equal vertical stress of 0.005q at depth z below the center of the loaded area.
Similarly, the radius of the third circle can be determined from

{ }
( )
[ ]
Using a similar procedure, a total of nine circles can be drawn, with each annular area divided into 20
equal parts, called unit areas, and each unit area exerting a vertical stress of 0.005q. The radius of the 10th
circle would become infinity and cannot be drawn. The radii of these circles are given in Table below.
 Figure: Newmark‘s influence chart for If = 0.005

The procedure used in constructing Newmark‘s influence chart ensures that each part or unit area in the
chart would exert a vertical stress of 0.005q at the center at depth z. The scale, to which the chart is
drawn, is specified in the form of line AB.

Use of Newmark’s Influence Chart:

 The loaded area is drawn on tracing paper to a scale such that the length of the scale line on the
chart represents the depth z at which the vertical stress is required.
Let the distance AB is 5 cm (depth for which chart is drawn). Now if stress is required to be
determined at a depth of 5 m, then the foundation plan should be drawn to a scale of 5 cm = 5 m
i.e. 1:100 scale.
 The traced area is positioned such that the point P, below which the stress is required to be
determined is placed at the centre of the chart.
  The total number of area units (including fractions) covered by the plan of the loaded area is
counted as N
 Hence the stress exerted by the loaded area at depth z below point P is obtained as

If = Influence coefficient of the chart (usually 0.005)

Q = Pressure Intensity
N = Number of area units of the chart covered by the prepared plan.

Westergaard Theory
Boussinesq assumed that the soil is homogeneous, elastic and isotropic in nature. The soil deposit in
nature does not attain an ideal material condition. Aggradation of alternate lateral layers of clays and silt
forms the deposit of sedimentary soils. Westergaard developed a solution to determine distribution of
stress due to point load in soils composed of thin layer of granular material that partially prevent lateral
deformation of the soil.

Assumptions:
 The soil is elastic and semi-infinite.
 Soil is composed of numerous closely spaced horizontal layers of negligible thickness of an
infinite rigid material.
 The rigid material permits only the downward deformation of mass in which horizontal
deformation is zero.

Westergaard's Equation for Point Loads

According to Westergaard the vertical stress at a point ‗P‘ at a depth ‗z‘ below the concentrated load
Q is given by
𝜇
√
𝜇

𝜇
( 𝜇
( ) )

Here μ = Poisson‘s ratio, is considered zero for practical purposes.

( ( ) )

√
{ ( ( ) )}
 {( ( ) )}

{( ( ) )}

{( ( ) )}

Where Iw is Westergaard Stress coefficient,

{( ( ) )}

Uniformly loaded circular area

The equation of vertical stress for concentrated load can be integrated to obtain vertical stress under a
uniformly loaded circular area of intensity q and radius a. The vertical stress under the centre of circular
load is given by

{ }
( )
[ ]
Uniformly loaded rectangular area

, at the corner of a uniformly loaded rectangular area of intensity q having width b and length l is given
by,

[ ]

Where, and
APPROXIMATE METHODS

The methods discussed in the preceding sections are relatively more accurate but sometimes the engineer
is interested to estimate the vertical stresses approximately for preliminary designs.

1. Equivalent Point Load Method

The vertical stress at a point under a loaded area of any of any shape can be determined by
dividing the loaded area into small area and replacing the distributed load on each on small area
by an equivalent point load acting at the centroid of the small area. The principle of superposition
is then applied and the required stress at a specified point is obtained by summing up the
contributions of the individual point loads from each of the units by applying the approximate
point load formula, such as that of Boussinesq‘s or Westergaard‘s.

Fig: Equivalent point load method

As shown in the Fig above, if a square area of size B is acted on by a uniform load q, the same
area can be divided into four small area. And the load on each area can be converted into an
equivalent point load assumed to act at its centroid. Then the vertical stress at any point below or
outside the loaded area is equal to the sum of the vertical stresses due to these equivalent point
loads. Then

∑ )

2. Two is to one (2:1) load distribution method

The actual distribution of load with the depth is complex. However, it can be assumed to spread
approximately at a slope of two (vertical) to one (horizontal). Thus the vertical pressure at any depth Z
below the soil surface can be determined approximately by constructing a frustum of pyramid (or cone) of
depth Z and side Slope(2:1), the pressure distribution is assumed to the uniform on a horizontal plane at
that depth.

Fig: Two to one (2:1) load distribution

If load is given in per unit area q, P= q x Area of footing

)
1. Rectangular Area
) )

2. Square Area
)
)
3. Strip area (width B x unit length) )

4. Circular Area (diameter D) )

, )