References

Das, B., M. (2014), “ Principles of

geotechnical Engineering ” Eighth
Edition, CENGAGE Learning,
ISBN-13: 978-0-495-41130-7.
Knappett, J. A. and Craig R. F. (2012), “
Craig’s Soil Mechanics” Eighth Edition,
Spon Press, ISBN:
978- 0-415-56125-9.

1
Stress Distribution in Soil

 Stress in soil due to self

weight
 Stress in soil due to
surface load

2
Stress due to surface load
Introduction
To analyze problems such as
compressibility of soils, bearing
capacity of foundations,
stability of embankments,
and lateral pressure on earth
retaining structures, we need to
know the nature of the distribution
of stress along a given cross 3
section of the soil profile.
Stress due to surface load
Introduction
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.
4
Stress due to surface load
Introduction
•Allowable settlement, usually
set by building codes, may
control the allowable bearing
capacity.
•The vertical stress increase
with depth must be determined
to calculate the amount of
settlement that a foundation
5
may
Stress due to surface load
Introduction
Foundations and structures
placed on the surface of the
earth will produce stresses in
the soil
These stresses will
decrease with the
distance from the load
How these stresses decrease
depends upon the nature of
6
Stress due to surface load
Stress Due to a Concentrated Load
Individual column footings or
wheel loads may be replaced
by equivalent point loads
provided that the stresses are
to be calculated at points
sufficiently far from the point of
application of the
point load. 7
Stresses in soil due to
surface load
Stress Due to a Concentrated
Load
Vertical stress due to a
concentrated load
• Boussinesq’s Formula
• WastergaardFormula

8
Stresses in soil due to
surface load
Stress Due to a
Concentrated Load

Boussinesq’s Formula for

Joseph Valentin Boussinesq (13 March 1842 –
Point Loads
19 February 1929) was a French mathematician
and physicist who made significant contributions
to the theory of hydrodynamics,
vibration, light, and heat.

9
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Stress Due to a Concentrated Load

In 1885, Boussinesq developed

the mathematical relationships
for determining the normal and
shear stresses at any point
inside a homogenous, elastic
and isotropic mediums due to a
concentrated point loads
located at the surface 10
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Stress Due to a Concentrated Load
Assumption:
The soil mass is elastic, isotropic
(having identical properties in all
direction throughout),
homogeneous (identical elastic
properties) and semi-infinite
depth.
The soil is weightless. 11
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Stress Due to a Concentrated Load

The distribution of σz in the

elastic medium is apparently
radially symmetrical.
The stress is infinite at the
surface directly beneath the
point load and decreases with
the square of the depth.
12
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Stress Due to a Concentrated Load

At any given non-zero radius, r,

from the point of load
application, the vertical stress is
zero at the surface, increases to a
maximum value at a depth where
0 = 39.25° , approximately, and

then decreases with depth.

13
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Stress Due to a Concentrated Load
According to Boussinesq’s analysis, the
vertical stress increase at point A caused by
P
a
is point
givenload of magnitude P
X
r y
by
y X

R ∆σ
z
z

∆σM A ∆σ
z N

14
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Stress Due to a Concentrated Load
According to Boussinesq’s analysis, the
vertical stress increase at point A caused by
a point load of magnitude P is given by

… … .7 −
R
3P 1
1
z
z
2 z 2 [1  (r / z ) 2 ]5/
∆σ
 2

r
o
A
z
P
r z 
z2
Ib
15
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Stress Due to a
Concentrated Load
whereI 3 ………….
7−
2
21 [1 (r / z )2 ]5/
b
 2

Equation shows that the vertical

stress is
 Directly proportional to the load
 Inversely proportional to the depth
squared, and
 Proportional to some function of 16
the ratio ( r/z).
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Stress Due to a Concentrated Load
It should be noted that the
expression for z is independent of
elastic modulus (E) and
Poisson’s ratio (µ), i.e. stress
increase with depth is a function of
geometry only.

17
 Influence Factor Ib
r/Z IB r/Z IB r/Z IB r/Z IB

0.00 0.4775 0.18 0.4409 0.36 0.3521 0.55 0.2466

0.01 0.4773 0.19 0.4370 0.37 0.3465 0.56 0.2414
0.02 0.477 0.20 0.4329 0.38 0.3408 0.57 0.2363
0.03 0.4764 0.21 0.4286 0.39 0.3351 0.58 0.2313
0.04 0.4756 0.22 0.4242 0.40 0.3294 0.59 0.2263
0.05 0.4745 0.23 0.4197 0.41 0.3238 0.60 0.2214
0.06 0.472 0.24 0.4151 0.42 0.3181 0.61 0.2165
0.07 0.4717 0.25 0.4103 0.43 0.3124 0.62 0.2117
0.08 0.4699 0.26 0.4054 0.44 0.3068 0.63 0.2070
0.09 0.4679 0.27 0.4004 0.45 0.3011 0.64 0.2024
0.1 0.4657 0.28 0.3954 0.46 0.2955 0.65 0.1978
0.11 0.4633 0.29 0.3902 0.47 0.2899 0.66 0.1934
0.12 0.4607 0.30 0.3849 0.48 0.2843 0.67 0.1889
0.13 0.4579 0.31 0.3796 0.49 0.2788 0.68 0.1846
0.14 0.4548 0.32 0.3742 0.50 0.2733 0.69 0.1804
0.15 0.4516 0.33 0.3687 0.51 0.2679 0.70 0.1762
0.16 0.4482 0.34 0.3632 0.52 0.2625 0.71 0.1721
0.17 0.4446 0.35 0.3577 0.53 0.2571 0.72 0.1681
0.54 0.2518 0.73 0.1641

18
 Influence Factor Ib
r/Z IB r/Z IB r/Z IB r/Z IB

0.74 0.1603 0.94 0.0981 1.14 0.0595 1.34 0.0365

0.75 0.1565 0.95 0.0956 1.15 0.0581 1.35 0.0357
0.76 0.1527 0.96 0.0933 1.16 0.0567 1.36 0.0348
0.77 0.1491 0.97 0.0910 1.17 0.0553 1.37 0.0340
0.78 0.1455 0.98 0.0887 1.18 0.0539 1.38 0.0332
0.79 0.1420 0.99 0.0865 1.19 0.0526 1.39 0.0324
0.80 0.1386 1.0 0.0844 1.20 0.0513 1.40 0.0317
0.81 0.1353 1.01 0.0823 1.21 0.0501 1.41 0.0309
0.82 0.1320 1.02 0.0803 1.22 0.0489 1.42 0.0302
0.83 0.1288 1.03 0.0783 1.23 0.0477 1.43 0.0295
0.84 0.1257 1.04 0.0764 1.24 0.0466 1.44 0.0283
0.85 0.1226 1.05 0.0744 1.25 0.0454 1.45 0.0282
0.86 0.1196 1.06 0.0727 1.26 0.0443 1.46 0.0275
0.87 0.1166 1.07 0.0709 1.27 0.0433 1.47 0.0269
0.88 0.1138 1.08 0.0691 1.28 0.0422 1.48 0.0263
0.89 0.1110 1.09 0.0674 1.29 0.0412 1.49 0.0257
0.90 0.1083 1.10 0.0658 1.30 0.0402 1.50 0.0251
0.91 0.1057 1.11 0.0641 1.31 0.0393 1.51 0.0245
0.92 0.1031 1.12 0.0626 1.32 0.0384 1.52 0.0240
0.93 0.1005 1.13 0.0610 1.33 0.0374 1.53 0.0234

19
 Influence Factor Ib
r/Z IB r/Z IB r/Z IB r/Z IB

1.54 0.0229 1.66 0.0175 1.86 0.0114 2.5 0.0034

1.55 0.0224 1.67 0.0171 1.88 0.0109 2.6 0.0029
1.56 0.0219 1.68 0.0167 1.90 0.0105 2.7 0.0024
1.57 0.0214 1.69 0.0163 1.92 0.0101 2.8 0.0021
1.58 0.0209 1.70 0.0160 1.94 0.0097 2.9 0.0017
1.59 0.0204 1.72 0.0153 1.96 0.0093 3.0 0.0015
1.60 0.0200 1.74 0.0147 1.98 0.0089 3.5 0.0007
1.61 0.0195 1.76 0.0141 2.0 0.0085 4.0 0.0004
1.62 0.0191 1.78 0.0135 2.1 0.0070 4.5 0.0002
1.63 0.0187 1.80 0.0129 2.2 0.0058 5.0 0.0001
1.64 0.0183 1.82 0.0124 2.3 0.0048
1.65 0.0179 1.84 0.0119 2.4 0.0040

20
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Pressure Distribution Diagram
Equation may be used to draw three
types of pressure distribution
diagram. They are:
 The vertical stress distribution on
a horizontal plane at depth of z below
the ground surface
 The vertical stress distribution on a
vertical plane at a distance of r
from the load point, and 21
 The stress isobar.
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Distribution on a horizontal plane
 The vertical stress distribution on

p
a horizontal plane at depth of z below
the ground surface

zl

z2

22
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Distribution on a P

σ
vertical
r
plane
The vertical stress
z
distribution on a
vertical plane at a
distance of
r from the point
load Z

23
 Vertical Stress in Soil
p
Stress isobars

An isobar is a line
which connects all
points of equal
stress below the σz
ground surface. In 1

other words, an σz
2
isobar is a stress
contour. σz
3
24
 Worked Examples
Example 2
What is the vertical stress at point A of
figure
below for the two
P2 = 470 kN loads, P1P and
= 350 kNP2 ?
1

1.1 m 2.3 m
Z= 2.5 m

25
 Worked Examples
Example 3
A four concentrated forces are
located at corners of a rectangular
area with dimensions 8 m by 6 m as
shown in figure in the next slide.
Compute the vertical stress at points
A and B, which are located on the
lines A – A’ , B – B’ at depth of 4 m
below the ground surface.
26
 Worked Examples
700 kN 700 kN
Exampl
8m
e3
700 kN B’ 700 kN

A’

4m

4m

A 51
27
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Westergaard Formula
Westergaard proposed a formula for

a z by a point load, P at
the computation of vertical
stress
P
σ
as … . 7 −
a
the surface
z
= r 3
2rrz2 a 2
2
3/2
+ z
a = 1 − 2µ/(2 − 2µ)

In which µ is
Poisson’s ratio 28
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Stress below a Line Load
The vertical stress increase due to
line load , σ z , inside the soil mass can
be determined by using the
principles2ofl ….7− X
the theory of
σz = z
πX +z
3
elasticity, or
2 22
4

σz
This equation can be
= X A

z
2
l/z X
rewritten as
π 1
2
z 2
+ 29
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Vertical Stress caused by a

The vertical stress increase ( a z )

horizontal line load

at point A in the soil mass caused

given as2: l X
by a horizontal line load can be
….7−
σ z = z2 2
πX +z
5
22 l /unit weight
X
A

z
30
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Vertical Stress caused by a strip
load
The term strip loading will be used
to indicate a loading that has a
finite width along the x axis but an
infinite length along the y axis.
The fundamental equation for the
vertical stress increase at a point in
a soil mass as the result of a line
load can be used to determine the
31
vertical stress at a point caused by
a flexible strip load of width B.
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Vertical Stress caused by a strip load
Vertical stress at point A can be
q
determined by equation:
X
B

z β
α

A
….7−
qo
 z  [  sin  cos (  6

2 ) ]
32
 Worked Examples
Example 4
Refer to figure below, The magnitude
of the strip load is 120 kPa.
Calculate
points, a , the
b, verticalBstress at
and c. q

z = 0.25
B
z = 0.5

a b
0.5 0.25 B z=
B

B B
C

33
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Vertical Stress Due to Embankment
Loading
The vertical stress increase in the
soil mass due to an embankment a b of
lo
q a height
b H may be
 z  [(
o
) (1  2 )  (2 )]
expressed as a
….7−
b
 a

lo = y X _1 _2
whe 7

y = unitHweight o f embankment
re:
A
soii H = height o f the
embankment 34
 Worked Examples
Example 4
Refer to figure below. The magnitude
of the load is 120 kPa. Calculate
the vertical stress at points,
A , B, and C.
3m
120
kPa
2m

C
m
2

B A
35
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Vertical Stress due to a uniformly loaded
circular area

the vertical stress ( a z ) at depth z

1- Under the center: The increase in

( point A)under the center of a

1
az = l a1uniform2 pressure q… is
circular area of diameter D = 2R
.7−
− by R/z + 1 8
carrying
3/2
given

36
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Vertical Stress due to a uniformly loaded
circular area

R l
AI AI
q

z
z
A
A

37
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Vertical Stress due to a uniformly loaded
circular area

the vertical stress ( a z ) at any

2- At any point: The increase in

point located at a depth z at any

a z =r lfrom
distance AI + the center
… . 7 − of
9
the
loadedB Iarea can be given
where AI and B I are
functions of z/R and
r/R. 38
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Vertical Stress due to a uniformly loaded
circular area

R
o r o
r
BI
q
BI

z
z

B
B
39
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Variation of AI with z/R
and r/R.

40
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Variation of AI with z/R
and r/R.

41
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Variation of BI with z/R
and r/R.

42
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Variation of BI with z/R
and r/R.

43
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Vertical Stress Caused by a
Rectangular loaded area
The increase in the vertical stress ( a z ) at
depth z under a corner of a rectangular
….7−
area of dimensions B = m z and L = n z
carrying a uniform pressure q is10given by:
wher
 z  q o I

L
Iz= infiuence factor depending on the ratio
z

z
e:

and
B z

44
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Vertical Stress Caused by a
Rectangular loaded area
The influence
factor can be
expressed as

1 2 m n m2 + n2 + m2 + n2 + 2 m n m2 + n2 +
I + -1
2 m2 + n2 tan 1 m2 + n2 − m2 n 2
1
+1 + 1… . 7 −
z = L
4rr m2 m
+=n2 + m 2 n 2 B
11
wher
e+ 1: and n = z
z
45
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Vertical Stress Caused by a
Rectangular loaded area
The increase in the stress at any point
below a rectangular loaded area can
be found by dividing the area into
four rectangles. The point A’ is the
σ zA = σ z1 + σ z2 + σto
z3 +
AI
1
corner common all four2
4
rectangles.
σ z4 = lI z i
3
σ zi

46
 Vertical Stress in Soil
Vertical Stress Caused by a
1 2
Rectangular
4
loaded area 1

+ uz l uz
5
2

AI
3 7 8 9
− uz2
9 4 3
AI
7
3
5
1

− u z3 + u z4
7 8

AI 4

AI 4
σz = σz − σz − σz + σz
A 1 2 3 47
Variation of Iz with m and n
m
n 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8

0.1 0.0047 0.0092 0.0132 0.0168 0.0198 0.0222 0.0242 0.0258

0.2 0.0092 0.0179 0.0259 0.0328 0.0387 0.0435 0.0474 0.0504
0.3 0.0132 0.0259 0.0374 0.0474 0.0559 0.0629 0.0686 0.0731
0.4 0.0168 0.0328 0.0474 0.0602 0.0711 0.0801 0.0873 0.0931

0.5 0.0198 0.0387 0.0559 0.0711 0.0840 0.0947 0.1034 0.1104

0.6 0.0222 0.0435 0.0629 0.0801 0.0947 0.1069 0.1168 0.1247

0.7 0.0242 0.0474 0.0686 0.0873 0.1034 0.1169 0.1277 0.1365
0.8 0.0258 0.0504 0.0731 0.0931 0.1104 0.1247 0.1365 0.1461
0.9 0.0270 0.0528 0.0766 0.0977 0.1158 0.1311 0.1436 0.1537
1.0 0.0279 0.0547 0.0794 0.1013 0.1202 0.1361 0.1491 0.1598

48
Variation of Iz with m and n
m
n 0.9 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.5

0.1 0.0270 0.0279 0.0293 0.0301 0.0306 0.0309 0.0311 0.0314

0.2 0.0528 0.0547 0.0573 0.0589 0.0599 0.0606 0.0610 0.0616
0.3 0.0766 0.0794 0.0832 0.0856 0.0871 0.0880 0.0887 0.0895
0.4 0.0977 0.1013 0.1063 0.1094 0.1114 0.1126 0.1134 0.1145
0.5 0.1158 0.1202 0.1263 0.1300 0.1324 0.1340 0.1350 0.1363
0.6 0.1311 0.1361 0.1431 0.1475 0.1503 0.1521 0.1533 0.1548
0.7 0.1436 0.1491 0.1570 0.1620 0.1652 0.1672 0.1686 0.1704
0.8 0.1537 0.1598 0.1684 0.1739 0.1774 0.1797 0.1812 0.1832

0.9 0.1619 0.1684 0.1777 0.1836 0.1875 0.1899 0.1915 0.1938

1.0 0.1684 0.1752 0.1851 0.1914 0.1955 0.1981 0.1999 0.2024

49
Variation of Iz with m and n
m
n 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8

1.2 0.0293 0.0573 0.0832 0.1063 0.1263 0.1431 0.1570 0.1684

1.4 0.0301 0.0589 0.0856 0.1094 0.1300 0.1475 0.1620 0.1739
1.6 0.0306 0.0599 0.0871 0.1114 0.1324 0.1503 0.1652 0.1774
1.8 0.0309 0.0606 0.0880 0.1126 0.1340 0.1521 0.1672 0.1797
2.0 0.0311 0.0610 0.0887 0.1134 0.1350 0.1533 0.1686 0.1812
2.5 0.0314 0.0616 0.0895 0.1145 0.1363 0.1548 0.1704 0.1832
3.0 0.0315 0.0618 0.0898 0.1150 0.1368 0.1555 0.1711 0.1841
4.0 0.0316 0.0619 0.0901 0.1153 0.1372 0.1560 0.1717 0.1847
5.0 0.0316 0.0620 0.0901 0.1154 0.1374 0.1561 0.1719 0.1849
6.0 0.0316 0.0620 0.0902 0.1154 0.1374 0.1562 0.1719 0.1850

50
Variation of Iz with m and n
m
n 0.9 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.5

1.2 0.1777 0.1851 0.1958 0.2028 0.2073 0.2103 0.2124 0.2151

1.4 0.1836 0.1914 0.2028 0.2102 0.2151 0.2184 0.2206 0.2236
1.6 0.1874 0.1955 0.2073 0.2151 0.2203 0.2237 0.2261 0.2294
1.8 0.1899 0.1981 0.2103 0.2183 0.2237 0.2274 0.2299 0.2333
2.0 0.1915 0.1999 0.2124 0.2206 0.2261 0.2299 0.2325 0.2361
2.5 0.1938 0.2024 0.2151 0.2236 0.2294 0.2333 0.2361 0.2401
3.0 0.1947 0.2034 0.2163 0.2250 0.2309 0.2350 0.2378 0.2420
4.0 0.1954 0.2042 0.2172 0.2260 0.2320 0.2362 0.2391 0.2434
5.0 0.1956 0.2044 0.2175 0.2263 0.2324 0.2366 0.2395 0.2439
6.0 0.1957 0.2045 0.2176 0.2264 0.2325 0.2367 0.2397 0.2441

51
 Approximate Method
2V:1H method
A simple but approximate method is
sometimes used for calculating the
stress change at various depths as a
result of the application of
surface. a P
pressure at the ground
The transmission of lo
stress is assumed to 1 B
follow outward
az
2
fanning lines at a z

slope of 1
B+z
horizontal to 2
vertical. 52
 Approximate Method
2V:1H method
For uniform footing (B × L) we can
estimate the change in vertical stress
with depth using the Boston Rule.
P
Assumes stress at depth is constant
foundation
lo
lo L ….7−
below
influence area
σz
(L +Bz) (B + 12
= z)
1 B

P az
lo
= LX
2 z

B B+z

53
 Approximate Method
N
2V:1H method
lo =
L∗
Stress on this
BL
plane
B z
B
1

lo L
B+z B+z

az
(L +Bz) (B +
=
Stress on this plane at
z)
depth z, Rectangular
footing 54
 Newmark Method
• Stresses due to foundation loads
of arbitrary shape applied at the
ground surface
• Newmark’s chart provides a
graphical method for calculating
the stress increase due to a
uniformly loaded region, of
arbitrary shape resting on a deep
homogeneous isotropic elastic
region.
55
 Newmark Method
• The Newmark’s Influence Chart
method consists of
concentric circles drawn to
scale, each square contributes a
fraction of the stress.
• In most charts each square
contributes 1/200 (or 0.005)
units of stress.
(influence value, I)
56
 Newmark Method
The use of the
chart is based on
a factor termed
the influence
value,
determined from
the number of
units A

into which the 1

unit
chart is B Influence value
0.005
subdivided. 57
 Newmark Method
Total number ofblock on chart = 200
and influence value = 1/200

A B Influence
value =
0.005
58
 Newmark Method

The influence chart may be used

to compute the pressure on an
element of soil beneath a
footing, or from pattern of
footings, and for any depth z
below the footing. It is only
necessary to draw the footing
pattern to a scale of z = length
AB of the chart. (If z= 6m and 59

AB = 30mm, the scale is

 Newmark Method
The footing plan will be placed on the
influence chart with the point for
which the stress is desired at the
center of the circles.
The units (segments or partial
segments) enclosed by the footing
σ z = l o and
I ….7−
I is the influence factor of the chart.
are counted, the increase in
13z is computed as
stress
Where N
at the depth
l o = appiied prssure on the area foundation contact
pressure
N = number o f units counted ( partiai units are
estimated)
60
Newmark Method

61
62