EAG 345
GEOTECHNICAL
ANALYSIS
(iii) Mohr-Coulomb of Stress
By: Dr Mohd Ashraf Mohamad
Ismail
Mohr Circles & Failure Envelope
As loading progresses,
Mohr circle becomes
larger
GL
c
Y
c
c
.. and finally failure occurs
when Mohr circle touches
the envelope
Shear failure mechanism
At failure, shear stress along the failure surface ()
reaches the shear strength (f).
Mohr Circle of stress
100
kpA
zx
40 kpA
x
Soil element
50 kpA
Suppose a cubical sample of soil is subjected to
the stresses shown in the above figure
We would like to know what the stresses at any
point within the sample due to the applied
stresses.
Mohr Circle of stress
100
kpA
(kPa)
zx
50
40 kpA
x
10
0
50 kpA
50
1. The first step is to plot a normal stress axis
(abscissa) and shear stress axis (ordinate)
(kPa)
Mohr Circle of stress
100
kpA
(kPa)
zx
50
40 kpA
x
10
0
50 kpA
50
2. Assign a sign convention. We will use anticlockwise shear and compression as +ve
A (100,40) z , zx
B (50,40)
x , zx
(kPa)
Mohr Circle of stress
(kPa)
100
kpA
z , zx
50
zx
A (100,40)
40 kpA
x
10
0
50 kpA
50
B (50,-40)
x , zx
3. Plot the stresses. Point A (+100,+40)
represents the stresses on the horizontal
plane while point B (+50,-40) represents the
stresses on the vertical plane. Join AB
(kPa)
Mohr Circle of stress
100
kpA
(kPa)
zx
50
A (100,40)
40 kpA
x
50 kpA
50
10
0
B (50,-40)
4. With point 0 as origin and OA or OB as radius
draw a circle.
(kPa)
Mohr Circle of stress
(kPa)
100
kpA
zx
50
A (100,40)
40 kpA
x
3 27.8
50 kpA
50
1
10
0
1 122.2
(kPa)
B (50,-40)
5. The major principal stress is the value of the
normal stress at point 1. The minor principal
stress is the value of the normal stress at
point 3.
Mohr Circle of stress
(kPa)
100
kpA
zx
50
A (100,40)
40 kpA
x
3 27.8
50 kpA
1
10
0
B (50,-40)
50
Alternatively: the principal stresses are related to the stress
component z x zx by:
2
z x
z x
2
1
zx
2
2
z x
z x
2
3
zx
2
2
1 122.2
(kPa)
Mohr Circle of stress
(kPa)
100
kpA
zx
50
max
A (100,40)
40 kpA
3
3 27.8
50 kpA
50
Alternative
ly:
max
B (50,-40)
1 3
1
10
0
1 122.2
(kPa)
Mohr Circle of stress
(kPa)
100
kpA
zx
50
A (100,40)
40 kpA
x
3 27.8
50 kpA
50
1
10
0
1 122.2
(kPa)
B (50,-40)
5. We will now determine the pole of Mohrs
circle. Draw a line through A to represent the
horizontal plane and a line through B to
represent the vertical plane. The intersection
of these planes is the pole, denoted by P.
Mohr Circle of stress
(kPa)
100
kpA
zx
50
A (100,40)
40 kpA
x
3 27.8
50 kpA
50
1
10
0
1 122.2
(kPa)
B (50,-40)
6. We will now determine the pole of Mohrs circle.
Draw a line through A to represent the
horizontal plane and a line through B to
represent the vertical plane. The intersection of
these planes is the pole, denoted by P.
Mohr Circle of stress
Pole method of finding stresses along a
plane
(kPa)
z
zx
C
B x , xy
Q n , n
1
zx
A: z , xy
B: x , xy
(kPa)
(Pole
)
A z , xy
Point A on the Mohrs circle represents the stresses on the plane AB. So
the line AP is drawn parallel to AB. Point P become the Pole (P) in this
case
If we need to find stresses on a plane EF, we draw a line from the
pole parallel to EF, The point of intersection of this line with the
Mohrs
circle is Qof Q give the stresses on the plane EF
The coordinates
Orientation of Failure Plane
1
Failure
envelope
, f
3'
1' 3'
2
PD = Pole w.r.t. plane
Therefore,
=
45 + /2
1'
Mohr Circle of stress
Horizontal
plane
(kPa)
100
kpA
zx
50
A (100,40)
40 kpA
x
3 27.8
50 kpA
50
B (50,-40)
1
10
0
1 122.2
(kPa)
Major
principal
plane
7. Lets find the direction of the major principal
stress plane. A line is drawn from the pole, P to
the point representing the principal stress, i.e
point 1. the angle 1PA is the inclination of the
major principal plane to the horizontal and it is
positive as shown (anti-clockwise direction to
Mohr Circle of Stress
(kPa)
100
kPa
zx
50
40 kPa
A (100,40)
10
0
50 kPa
50
B (50,-40)
Horizontal
plane
Major principal
plane
(kPa)
1
Mohr Circle of Stress
(kPa)
100
kpA
zx
50
40 kpA
x
3 27.8
50 kpA
50
A (100,40)
1
10
0
1 122.2
(kPa)
B (50,-40)
Alternatively: the angle between the major principal stress plane
and the horizontal plane () is:
zx
tan
1 x
Mohr Circle of Stress
(kPa)
100
kPa
50
zx
40 kPa
A (100,40)
-
1
10
0
(kPa)
1
50 kPa
50
B (50,-40)
8. To determine the stresses on any plane
oriented at from the horizontal plane
(clockwise from the horizontal plane is
negative), draw a line from the pole, P at an
angle to the horizontal plane, AP here we
Mohr Circle of Stress
(kPa)
100
kPa
50
zx
40 kPa
A (100,40)
-
10
0
50 kPa
50
B (50,-40)
Alternatively: the angle between the major principal stress plane
and the horizontal plane () is:
1 3 1 3
cos 2
2
2
1 3
sin 2
2
(kPa)
1
Mohr Circle of Stress
(kPa)
100
kPa
50
zx
40 kPa
A (100,40)
-
10
0
50 kPa
50
B (50,-40)
Alternatively: the angle between the major principal stress plane
and the horizontal plane () is:
z x z x
cos 2 zx sin 2
2
2
z x
sin 2 zx cos 2
2
(kPa)
1
Example 1
A sample of soil (0.1 m x 0.1 m) is subjected to the forces shown in
Fig. 1. Determine
a) 1 ,3 and
b) The maximum shear stress
c) The stresses on a plane oriented at 30o counterclockwise from the
major principal stress plane
5 kN
zx
1 kN
x
3 kN
Fig. 1
Example 1
A sample of soil (0.1 m x 0.1 m) is subjected to the forces shown in
Fig. 1. Determine
a) 1 ,3 and
b) The maximum shear stress
c) The stresses on a plane oriented at 30o counterclockwise from the
major principal stress plane
5 kN
zx
1 kN
x
3 kN
Fig. 1
Example 1
Procedure:
There are two approaches to solve this problem. You can either use
Mohrs circle or the appropriate equation. Both approaches will be
used here.
A 0.1 0.1 0.01 m 2
(1) Find the area: Area:
(2) Calculate the stress:
500
kPa
force
5
z
500 KPa
zx 100
area
0.01
kPa
3
x
300 KPa
0.01
x
1
zx
100 KPa
300
0.01
kPa
Fig. 1
Example 1
(3) Draw Mohrs circle and extract 1 ,3 and max
30
0
20
0
A
(500,100)
10
0
-300
-200
-100
10
0
20
0
30
0
B (300,100)
40
0
50
0
60
0
Example 1
(3) Draw Mohrs circle and extract 1 ,3 and max
30
0
20
0
max
A
(500,100)
10
0
-300
-200
-100
3
10
0
20
0
30
0
B (300,100)
40
0
50
0
60
0
1 540 kPa
3 260 kPa
max 140 kPa
Example 1
(4) Draw the pole on Mohrs circle. The pole of Mohrs circle is shown
by point P in the Fig. below
30
0
20
0
max
10
0
-300
-200
-100
A
(500,100)
3
10
0
20
0
30
0
B (300,100)
40
0
50
0
60
0
Example 1
A sample of soil (0.1 m x 0.1 m) is subjected to the forces shown in
Fig. 1. Determine
a) 1 ,3 and
b) The maximum shear stress
c) The stresses on a plane oriented at 30o counterclockwise from the
major principal stress plane
5 kN
zx
1 kN
x
3 kN
Fig. 1
Example 1
(5) Determine . Draw line from P to 1 and measure the angle
between the horizontal plane and this line.
30
0
Horizontal
Plane
20
0
max
10
0
-300
-200
-100
A
(500,100)
3
10
0
20
0
30
0
B (300,100)
40
0
50
0
Major principal
stress plane
60
0
22.50
Example 1
(5) Alternatively the angle between AOC can be used to determine
the
30
0
20
0
max
10
0
-300
-200
-100
A
(500,100)
3
10
0
20
0
30
0
O
40
0
50
0
C 60
0
B (300,100)
450
22.50
2
2
Example 1
(6) Determine the stresses on a plane inclined at 30o from the major
principal stress plane. Draw a line M and N through P with an
inclination of 30o from the major principal stress plane, angle CPN.
The coordinate at point N is (470, 120)
30
0
Coordinate at point N is
(470,120)
20
0
max
10
0
-300
-200
-100
10
0
30o
20
0
30
0
B (300,100)
40
0
A
(500,100)
1
50
0
C 60
0
Plane inclined at
300 from the
major principal
stress plane
Example 1 (Alternative solution)
(3) Draw Mohrs circle and extract 1 ,3 and max
30
0
20
0
max
A
(500,100)
10
0
-300
-200
-100
3
10
0
20
0
30
0
B (300,100)
40
0
50
0
60
0
1 540 kPa
3 260 kPa
max 140 kPa
Example 1 (Alternative solution)
Alternatively, we can use analytical solution from the described
equation explained before:
30
0
20
0
max
A
(500,100)
10
0
-300
-200
-100
3
10
0
20
0
30
0
B (300,100)
40
0
50
0
60
0
1 540 kPa
3 260 kPa
max 140 kPa
Example 1 (Alternative solution)
Analytical
solution:
2
z x
z x
2
1
zx
2
2
z x
x
2
z
zx
2
2
max
1 3
Example 1 (Alternative solution)
Analytical
solution:
2
500 300
500 300
2
1
100 541.4 kPa
2
2
500 300
500 300
2
3
100 258.6 kPa
2
2
541.4 258.6
max
141.4 kPa
2
Graphical
solution:
1 540 kPa
3 260 kPa
max 140 kPa
Example 1 (Alternative solution)
Check
Equilibrium:
500 kPa
100 kPa
(+)
Y
3
22.5
o
300 kPa
(+)
X
541.4
kPa
100 kPa
1
Length of 2-3 = 0.1 m
Length of 3-1 = 0.1 x (tan 22.5o) =
0.0414 m
Length of 1-2 = 0.1 / (cos 22.5o) =
Example 1 (Alternative solution)
Check
Equilibrium:
500 kPa
100 kPa
(+)
Y
3
22.5
o
300 kPa
(+)
X
541.4
kPa
F
F
100 kPa
1
0 : 300 0.0414 100 0.1 541.4 0.1082 cos(22.50 ) 0
0 : 100 0.0414 500 0.1 541.4 0.1082 sin(22.50 ) 0
Example 1 (Alternative solution)
Alternatively, we can use analytical solution from the described
equation explained
before:
30
0
Horizontal
Plane
20
0
max
10
0
-300
-200
A
(500,100)
3
10
0
20
0
30
0
B (300,100)
40
0
50
0
Major principal
stress plane
60
0
22.50
-100
tan
zx
100
0.414 22.5o
1 x 541.4 300
Example 1 (Alternative solution)
Alternatively, we can use analytical solution from the described
equation explained before:
30
0
Coordinate at point N is
(470,120)
20
0
max
10
0
-300
-200
-100
10
0
30o
20
0
30
0
B (300,100)
40
0
A
(500,100)
1
50
0
C 60
0
Plane inclined at
300 from the
major principal
stress plane
Example 1 (Alternative solution)
Alternatively, we can use analytical solution from the described
equation explained before:
1 3 1 3
cos 2
2
2
1 3
sin 2
2
541.4 258.6 541.4 258.6
cos 2 30 470.7 kPa
2
2
541.4 258.6
sin 2 30 122.5 kPa
2
Homework
1035
kN/m2
414
kN/m2
621
kN/m2
414
kN/m2
For the stressed soil element shown in Fig. above
determine:
a) Major principal stress
b) Minor principal stress
c) Normal and shear stresses on the plane AE
By using graphical and analytical solution
Refer to: Principles of Geotechnical Engineering (Braja, M. Das)
Page 259
