CHAPTER 6

STRESS DISTRIBUTION IN SOILS DUE TO

SURFACE LOADS

6.1

INTRODUCTION

Estimation ofvertical stressesatanypoint inasoilmass duetoexternal vertical loadings areof

great significanceinthe prediction of settlements ofbuildings,bridges, embankments andmany
otherstructures.Equationshavebeendeveloped tocomputestressesatanypointinasoilmasson
the basis of the theory of elasticity.According to elastic theory, constant ratios exist between
stresses and strains.For the theorytobeapplicable, thereal requirementisnot thatthematerial
necessarily be elastic, but there mustbe constantratios between stresses andthe corresponding
strains.Therefore, innonelastic soilmasses,theelastictheorymaybeassumedtoholdsolongas
the stresses induced in the soil mass are relativelysmall. Since the stresses in the subsoil of a
structurehavingadequatefactorofsafety againstshearfailure arerelativelysmallincomparison
withtheultimatestrengthofthematerial,thesoilmaybeassumedtobehaveelasticallyundersuch
stresses.
When aload isapplied tothe soil surface, itincreases thevertical stresses withinthe soil
mass.Theincreased stressesaregreatest directlyundertheloaded area,butextendindefinitelyin
alldirections.Manyformulasbasedonthetheoryofelasticityhavebeenusedtocomputestresses
in soils. They are all similar and differ only in the assumptions made to represent the elastic
conditions of the soil mass. The formulas that are most widely used are the Boussinesq and
Westergaard formulas.Theseformulaswerefirst developed for pointloads acting atthesurface.
These formulashavebeen integrated to givestresses below uniform strip loads andrectangular
loads.
Theextentoftheelasticlayerbelowthesurface loadingsmaybeanyoneofthefollowing:
1. Infiniteinthevertical andhorizontaldirections.
2. Limitedthicknessintheverticaldirectionunderlainwitharoughrigidbasesuchasarocky
bed.
173

174

Chapter 6

The loads at the surface may act on flexibleor rigid footings.The stress conditions in the
elastic layer below varyaccording to the rigidity of the footings and the thickness of the elastic
layer.Alltheexternal loads considered inthisbook areverticalloadsonlyastheverticalloadsare
ofpracticalimportance forcomputingsettlementsof foundations.

6.2

BOUSSINESCTS FORMULA FOR POINT LOADS

Figure6.1showsaloadQactingatapoint0 onthesurfaceofasemiinfinitesolid.Asemiinfinite
solid is the one bounded on one side by a horizontal surface, here the surface of the earth, and
infiniteinalltheotherdirections.TheproblemofdeterminingstressesatanypointPatadepthzas
aresultofasurfacepointlaodwassolvedbyBoussinesq (1885)onthefollowingassumptions.
1. The soil mass iselastic,isotropic, homogeneous andsemiinfinite.
2. The soilisweightless.
3. Theloadisapointload actingonthesurface.
Thesoilissaidtobeisotropicifthereareidenticalelasticpropertiesthroughoutthemassand
ineverydirection throughanypointofit.The soil issaidtobehomogeneous ifthere areidentical
elastic properties ateverypointofthemass inidenticaldirections.
The expression obtainedbyBoussinesqfor computingverticalstress <7,atpointP(Fig. 6.1)
duetoapointload Qis

3(2

(6.1)

where, r=thehorizontaldistancebetween anarbitrarypointPbelow thesurface andthe vertical

axisthroughthepointload Q.
z=the verticaldepthofthepointPfromthe surface.
1

IR Boussinesq stress coefficient =

The valuesoftheBoussinesqcoefficientIB canbedetermined foranumberof valuesof r/z.

The variationof/withr/zinagraphicalform isgiveninFig. 6.2. Itcanbe seen fromthis figure

Q
O

\x\
\

>WJ\

P
Z

Figure 6.1

Vertical pressure within an earth mass

Stress Distribution in Soils due to Surface Loads

175

that IB has a maximum value of 0.48 at r/z = 0, i.e., indicating thereby that the stress is a
maximumbelow thepoint load.

6.3

WESTERGAARD'S FORMULA FOR POINT LOADS

Boussinesq assumed thatthe soil iselastic, isotropic andhomogeneous forthe development ofa
point load formula.However, the soil is neither isotropic norhomogeneous. The most common
typeofsoilsthataremetinnaturearethewaterdepositedsedimentarysoils.Whenthesoil particles
aredeposited inwater,typicalclaystratausuallyhavetheirlensesofcoarsermaterialswithinthem.
The soils of this type can be assumed as laterally reinforced by numerous, closely spaced,
horizontalsheets ofnegligiblethicknessbutofinfiniterigidity,whichpreventthemassasawhole
from undergoinglateralmovementofsoilgrains.Westergaard,aBritishScientist,proposed (1938)
aformulaforthecomputationofverticalstress oz byapointload, Q,atthesurfaceas
cr,'

Q
,3/2

(6.2)

inwhichfj, isPoisson'sratio.If fj, istakenaszeroforallpractical purposes, Eq. (6.2) simplifies to

(6.3)

2 3 2

[l+2(r/z) ] '

(II a)

is theWestergaard stress coefficient. The variation of / with the

[l+2(r/z) 2 ] 3 / 2
ratiosof(r/z) isshowngraphically inFig.6.2alongwiththeBoussinesq's coefficientIB.Thevalue
ofIw atr/z=0is0.32 whichisless thanthatofIB by 33percent.
where /,,,=

0.1

hor7w
0.2
0.3

0.4

0.5

r/z 1.5

2.5

Figure 6.2

Values of IB or /^for use in the Boussinesq or Westergaard formula

176

Chapters

Geotechnical engineers prefer to use Boussinesq's solution as this gives conservative

results. Further discussions are therefore limitedto Boussinesq's method in thischapter.
Example 6.1
Aconcentratedload of 1000 kNisappliedatthegroundsurface. Compute theverticalpressure (i)
at a depth of 4 m below the load, (ii)at a distanceof 3 m at the same depth.Use Boussinesq's
equation.
Solution
The equationis

Q
3/2;r
_Z _
/ where/
= f
rrj^
ti
9p / Z
7
z i if'

[l+ ( r / z ) 2 \
Q
1000
(i)When r/z=0,/=3/2n=0.48,
az =0.48^=0.48x
=30kN/m2
B
2

z
4x4
(ii)When r/z=3/4= 0.75
3/27T
0.156x1000
^T=0.156, a =

=9.8k N / m 2
R=~T
2 2
B
z
4x4
l+(0.75) f

Example 6.2
Aconcentrated load of45000Ibactsatfoundationlevelatadepthof6.56 ftbelowground surface.
Find the vertical stress along the axis of the load at adepth of 32.8 ft and ataradial distance of
16.4 ftatthe same depth by (a)Boussinesq,and (b)Westergaard formulaeforn=0.Neglect the
depth ofthe foundation.
Solution
(a)Boussinesq Eq.(6.la)

'

271 l+ ( r / z )

"2

Substitutingtheknownvalues,and simplifying
IB =0.2733for r/z =0.5
z

=_45000 x 0 2 7 3 3 ^ n 4 3 1 b / f t 2
2

(32.8)

(b)Westergaard (Eq. 6.3)

1
l+2 ( r / z ) 2

13/2

Substitutingtheknownvaluesandsimplifying, wehave,
/ =0.1733forr/7 =0.5

Stress Distribution in Soils due to Surface Loads

177

therefore,
a =

(32.8)

x0.1733=7.25 lb/ft 2

Example 6.3
A rectangular raft of size 30 x 12m founded at a depth of 2.5 m below the ground surface is
subjected to a uniform pressure of 150 kPa. Assume the center of the area is the origin of
coordinates (0,0). andthecorners havecoordinates (6, 15).Calculate stressesatadepthof20m
belowthefoundationlevelbythemethodsof(a)Boussinesq,and(b)Westergaardatcoordinatesof
(0,0),(0, 15),(6,0)(6,15)and(10,25).Alsodeterminetheratiosofthestressesasobtainedbythe
twomethods.Neglecttheeffect offoundation depthonthestresses (Fig.Ex. 6.3).
Solution
Equations(a)Boussinesq:

= IB, IB =

'

l+< r / ^ f 2

0.32

(b)Westergaard:
The ratiosof r/zatthe givenlocationsforz=20mareasfollows:

r/z

Location

r/z

Location

(0,0)

(6, 15)

(^

(6,0)

6/20=0.3

(10,25)

(Vio2" +252)/20=1.35

(0, 15)

15/20=0.75

f 15 2 )/20=0.81

The stresses atthe variouslocations atz=20mmay becalculated by usingtheequationsgiven

above.TheresultsaretabulatedbelowforthegiventotalloadQ=qBL=150x 12x30=54000kN
actingat(0,0)coordinate. Q/z2=135.

(6,15)

(6,0)
.(0,0)

(6,15)

(6,0)

(6,15)
(0,15)

(6,15)
(10,25)

Figure Ex. 6.3

Chapter 6

178

Location

r/z

Westergaard

Boussinesq
I0

crJkPa)

a/a, w

(0,0)

0.48

65

0.32

43

1.51

(6,0)

0.3

0.39

53

0.25

34

1.56

(0, 15)

0.75

0.16

22

0.10

14

1.57

(6,15)

0.81

0.14

19

0.09

12

(10, 25)

1.35

0.036

0.03

1.58
1.25

6.4

LINE LOADS

The basic equation used for computinga,at any point P in an elastic semiinfinite mass is
Eq. (6.1) of Boussinesq. By applyingthe principleof his theory,the stresses at any point in the
mass due toalineloadof infinite extentactingatthesurfacemay beobtained.The stateof stress
encountered in this case is that of a plane strain condition. The strain at any point P in the
Fdirectionparallel tothelineloadisassumedequaltozero.Thestress cr normal totheXZplane
(Fig. 6.3) isthesameatallsectionsandtheshear stresses onthese sections arezero.Byapplying
the theory of elasticity, stresses at any point P (Fig. 6.3) may be obtained either in polar
coordinates or in rectangular coordinates. The vertical stress a at point P may be written in
rectangular coordinates as
a =

z [1+U / z ) 2 ] 2

where,/ istheinfluencefactorequalto0.637atx/z 0.

r \ix " + z
cosfc)=

Figure 6.3

Stresses due to vertical line load in rectangular coordinates

(6.4)

Stress Distribution in Soils due to Surface Loads

6.5

179

STRIP LOADS

The stateofstress encountered inthiscasealsoisthatofaplane straincondition. Such conditions

are found for structuresextended verymuch in one direction, such as strip and wallfoundations,
foundationsofretainingwalls,embankments,damsandthelike.Forsuchstructuresthedistribution
ofstressesinanysection(exceptfortheendportionsof2to3timesthewidthsofthestructuresfrom
itsend)willbe the same asintheneighboring sections,provided thattheload does notchangein
directionsperpendiculartotheplaneconsidered.
Fig. 6.4(a) showsaload qper unitarea actingon astrip of infinite lengthand ofconstant
widthB.TheverticalstressatanyarbitrarypointPduetoalineloadof qdx actingat jc=x canbe
writtenfrom Eq.(6.4)as
~

2q

(6.5)

n [ ( x x ) 2 + z 2 ]

Applying the principle of superposition, the total stress o~z at point P due to a strip load
distributedoverawidthB(=2b)maybewrittenas
+b

or

[(xx)2+z2}2

dx

q
, z
a1 = tan"1
tan"
n
xb

2bz(x2b2z2)

(6.6)

x+b

The nondimensional values of cjjq are given graphically in Fig. 6.5.Eq. (6.6)can be
expressed inamoreconvenientformas
=[/?+sin/?cos(/?+2)]
n

(6.7)

(a)

(b)

Figure 6.4

Strip load

Chapter 6

180

Figure 6.5

(ajq) x 10
5 6 7

10

Non-dimensional values of <j/q for strip load

where /8 and S are the angles as shown in Fig. 6.4(b). Equation (6.7) is very convenient for
computing o~, sincetheanglesftand Scanbeobtained graphicallyfor anypointP.Theprincipal
stresses o{ and o"3atanypointPmay beobtainedfromthe equations.
cr, =(/?+sin/?)

(6.8)

0", = (psm,

(6.9)

n
TC

Example 6.4
Threeparallelstripfootings3mwideeachand5mapartcentertocentertransmitcontact pressures
of 200, 150 and 100kN/m2respectively. Calculate the vertical stress due tothe combined loads
beneaththecentersofeachfootingatadepthof3mbelowthebase.Assumethefootingsareplaced
atadepthof2mbelowthegroundsurface.Use Boussinesq'smethodfor line loads.
Solution
FromEq.(6.4),wehave

2/;r
_\2

_q

Stress Distribution in Soils due to Surface Loads

XXX\\x\\

181

xxx\\xc\\

C .

lootJ^/m2

1 50

2 30

3m

y \

3m

3m

3m
C

Figure Ex. 6.4

Three parallel footings

The stressatA (Fig.Ex. 6.4)is

2x200F

(4 =3.14x3

2x150
1
3.14x3 _l+(5/3) 2

2x100
3.14x3_l+(10/3) 2

=45k N / m 2

ThestressatB

("}

\ z)B

1
2x200
3x _l+(5/3) 2

2x150
(0/3)

2x100

=36.3kN/m2

The stress atC

kt=
6.6

2x200
l+(10/3)

2x150
1
3^r l+(5/3) 2

2x100

=23.74 k N / m 2

STRESSES BENEATH THE CORNER OF A RECTANGULAR

FOUNDATION

Consideraninfinitely smallunitofareaofsizedbx dl,showninFig.6.6.Thepressureactingon

thesmallarea maybereplacedbyaconcentratedloaddQappliedtothecenterofthearea.
Hence
=qdb.dl

(6.10)

Theincreaseoftheverticalstressa duetotheloaddQcanbeexpressedperEq.(6.11)as

182

Chapter 6

* ^r\

i:M

''

\
\

<1

'

'

\ '

'

Figure 6.6

dcr =

Vertical stress under the corner of a rectangular foundation

3z3

dQ

(6.11)

The stressproduced bythepressureqovertheentirerectangle bx I canthenbeobtainedby

expressing dl,dbandrintermsoftheangles a and/3,andintegrating
a=a}

/?=/?,

(6.12)
There are several formsof solutionfor Eq. (6.12). The one that is normally used is of the
following form
cr=q

or

2mn(m2 +n2+1)1/2 m2+n2+2

m2+n2+m2n2+l m2+n2+l
az =ql

tan

_, 2mn(m2+n2+l)l/2
m2+n2m2n2+1

(6.13)
(6.14)

wherein,m=b/z,n=l/z, arepurenumbers./isadimensionlessfactorandrepresents theinfluence

ofasurchargecoveringarectangularareaontheverticalstressatapointlocatedatadepth zbelow
oneofits corners.
Eq. (6.14) ispresented ingraphicalform inFig.6.7. This charthelps tocompute pressures
beneath loaded rectangular areas. Thechart also showsthattheverticalpressure isnotmaterially
altered ifthelengthoftherectangleisgreaterthantentimesitswidth.Fig.6.8mayalsobeusedfor
computingtheinfluencevalue/based onthevaluesofmandnandmayalsobeusedtodetermine
stresses belowpointsthatlieeitherinsideoroutsidetheloaded areas asfollows.

Stress Distribution in Soils due to Surface Loads

0.05

Valuesof/=ojq
0.10
0.15

183

0.20

0.25

z/b =

Figure 6.7

Chart for computing GZ below the corner of a rectangular foundation

(after Steinbrenner, 1934)

When the Point is Inside

Let Obe aninteriorpointofarectangularloaded areaABCD showninFig. 6.9(a). Itisrequired
tocomputetheverticalstress <JzbelowthispointOatadepthzfrom thesurface.Forthispurpose,
dividetherectangleABCD intofour rectangles marked 1to4intheFig. 6.9(a) by drawinglines
through O. For each of these rectangles, compute the ratios zfb. The influence value 7may be
obtainedfrom Fig.6.7or6.8foreachoftheseratiosandthetotalstress atPis therefore
_.

/ T

&7 = q Ui + h + M + yJ

/ S

C\

(6.15)

When the Point is Outside

LetObeanexterior pointofloaded rectangularareaABCD showninFig.6.9(b).Itisrequiredto
computetheverticalstress <TZbelowpoint 0 atadepthzfrom thesurface.
Constructrectangles asshowninthefigure.ThepointOisthecornerpointoftherectangle
OBlCDr From thefigure itcanbeseenthat
AreaABCD =OB1CD1 OB{BD2 OD}DA{ +OA1AD2

(6.16)

184

Chapter 6

0.00

0.01

4 6 80.1

6 81.0

6 810

Valuesof n = l/z

Figure 6.8 Graph for determining influence value for vertical normal stress crz at
point P located beneath one corner of a uniformly loaded rectangular area. (After
Fadum, 1948)

I
D

6
3

(a)When thepoint'O'iswithintherectangle

(b)Whenthepoint'O'isoutsidethe rectangle

Figure 6.9 Computation of verticalstress below a point

Stress Distribution in Soils due to Surface Loads

185

Thevertical stress atpointPlocated atadepth zbelow point 0 dueto asurcharge qper

unit area of ABCD is equal to the algebraic sum of the vertical stresses produced by loading
each oneofthe areas listed ontherighthandsideoftheEq.(6.16)withqperunitofarea. If /j
to/4arethe influencefactors ofeach ofthese areas, thetotal vertical stressis
(6.17)
Example 6.5
ABCD is a raft foundation of a multistory building [Fig. 6. 9(b)] wherein AB =65.6 ft, and
BC=39.6ft.Theuniformlydistributedloadqovertheraftis7310lb/ft2.Determinecrzatadepthof
19.7ftbelowpointO[Fig. 6.9(b)]whereinAA, = 13.12ftandA,0= 19.68 ft.UseFig. 6.8.
Solution
Rectangles areconstructedasshownin[Fig.6.9(b)].
AreaABCD =OB}CDl OB}BD2 OD1DA1 +OA1AD2

(ft)

b
(ft)

OB1CD1

85.28

52.72

2.67

4.33

0.245

OB1BD2

85.28

13.12

0.67

4.33

0.168

OD1DA1

52.72

19.68

1.00

2.67

0.194

OA{AD2

19.68

13.12

0.67

1.00

0.145

Rectangle

PerEq.(6.17)
oz=q(/!/2/3+/4)=7310 (0.245 0.168 0.194+0.145)=204.67 lb/ft2
Thesame valuecanbeobtainedusingFig. 6.7.

Example 6.6
A rectangular raft of size 30 x 12m foundedon the ground surface is subjected to auniform
pressureof150kN/m2.Assumethecenteroftheareaastheoriginofcoordinates(0,0),andcorners
with coordinates (6, 15). Calculatethe induced stress atadepthof 20mby theexactmethod at
location (0,0).
Solution
Dividetherectangle 12x30mintofour equalpartsofsize6x 15m.
The stress below the corner of each footing may be calculated by using charts given in
Fig. 6.7orFig. 6.8. Here Fig. 6.7isused.
Forarectangle 6x 15m,zIb=20/6 =3.34, l/b =15/6=2.5.

Forz/b =3.34, l/b =2.5, <r Iq = 0.07

Therefore, o;=4cr =4x0.01q =4x0.07 x 150=42kN/m2.

186

Chapter 6

6.7

STRESSES UNDER UNIFORMLY LOADED CIRCULAR FOOTING

Stresses Along the Vertical Axis of Symmetry

Figure 6.10 shows a plan and section of the loaded circular footing.The stress required to be
determined atanypointPalongtheaxisisthevertical stresscr,.
LetdAbeanelementaryareaconsidered asshowninFig.6.10.dQmaybeconsidered asthe
pointload actingonthisareawhichisequaltoqdA.Wemaywrite
(6.18)
The verticalstressd(J atpointPduetopointload dQmaybeexpressed [Eq. (6.la)]as
3q

(6.19)

Theintegralformoftheequationfortheentirecirculararea maybewrittenas
3qz3 (
0=0 r=0

~^~ J J
0=0 r=0

rdOdr
(r2+z2)5,

,3

Onintegrationwehave,

(6.20)

Figure 6.10

Vertical stress under uniformly loaded circular footing

187

Stress Distribution in Soils due to Surface Loads

Influence value7Z(xlOO)
1.0

10

Note: Numbersoncurves
indicatevalueof r/RQ

Figure 6.11 Influence diagram for vertical normal stress at various points within
an elastic half-space under a uniformly loaded circular area. (After Foster and
Ahlvin, 1954)
3/2

(6.21)

or

where, /., is the Influence coefficient. The stress at any point P on the axis of symmetry of a
circular loaded area may be calculated by the use of Eq. (6.21) Vertical stresses o~ may be
calculatedby usingthe influencecoefficientdiagram giveninFig.6.11.

Example 6.7
A watertankisrequiredtobe constructedwithacircularfoundationhavingadiameter of 16m
founded at a depth of 2 m below the ground surface. The estimated distributed load on the
foundation is325kN/m2.Assumingthatthesubsoilextendstoagreat depthandisisotropicand
homogeneous,determinethestressesotatpoints(i)z=8m,r=0,(ii)z=8m,r=8m,(iii)z= 16
m,r=0and(iv)z = 1 6 m ,r=8m,whereristheradialdistancefromthecentralaxis.Neglectthe
effect ofthedepthofthefoundationonthestresses.(UseFig.6.11)
Solution
q 325kN/m2,RQ=8m.The results aregiveninatabularform as follows:

(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)

Point

z//?0

r/HQ

cr z kN/m 2

(8,0)
(8,8)
(16,0)
(16,8)

1
1
2
2

0
1.0
0
1.0

0.7
0.33
0.3
0.2

227.5
107.25

97.5
65

188

Chapter6

Example 6.8
Foraraft ofsize98.4 x39.36ft,computethestress at65.6 ftdepthbelowthecenteroftheraft by
assumingthattherectanglecanberepresentedbyanequivalentcircle.Theloadintensityonthe raft
is31331b/ft 2 .
Solution
The radius of a fictitious circular footing of area equal to the rectangular footing of size
98.4 x 39.36ftis
=98.4x39.36=3873sq.ft orRQ =p

=35.12ft

UseEq.(6.21) forcomputinga at35.6 ftdepth

65.6
Now, z/RQ =^^ =1.9,andr/RQ =0.FromFig. 6.11,7Z=0.3
35.12
Therefore, cr =0.3q=0.3 x3133=940 lb/ft2.

6.8

VERTICAL STRESS BENEATH LOADED AREAS OF IRREGULAR

SHAPE

Newmark's Influence Chart

Whenthefoundationconsistsofalargenumberoffootingsorwhentheloadedmatsorrafts arenot
regular in shape, a chart developed by Newmark (1942) is more practical than the methods
explained before. Itisbased onthefollowingprocedure.The verticalstress cr,below thecenterof
acirculararea ofradiusRwhichcarries uniformly distributedloadqisdeterminedperEq.(6.21).
Itmaybeseen from Eq.(6.21)thatwhenRlz=,az/q=l, thatis cr,=q.Thisindicatesthat
iftheloadedareaextendstoinfinity,theverticalstressinthesemiinfinitesolidatanydepthzisthe
sameasunitloadqatthesurface.IftheloadedareaislimitedtoanygivenradiusR\itispossibleto
determine from Eq. (6.21)theratiosRlz forwhichtheratioof Gjq may haveanyspecifiedvalue,
say0.8 or0.6. Table 6.1givestheratiosofRlz fordifferent valuesof <j/q.
Table6.1maybeusedforthecomputation ofverticalstress <J7atanydepthzbelowthecenter
ofacircularloaded areaofradiusR.Forexample,atanydepthz,theverticalstress o^=0.8qifthe
radius of the loaded area at the surface isR = 1.387 z.At the same depth, the vertical stress is
cr =0.7qifR=1.110z.Ifinsteadofloadingthewholearea,ifonlytheannularspacebetween the
circles of radii 1.387 zand 1.110zare loaded, the verticalstress at z at the centerof the circle is
ACT =0.8q0.7q=0.lq.Similarlyiftheannularspacebetween circlesofradii l . l l O zand 0.917
zare loaded, theverticalstress atthesame depthzis ACT,=0.7q0.6q=0.1q.Wemay therefore
drawaseriesofconcentric circles onthesurfaceofthegroundinsuchawaythatwhentheannular
space between anytwoconsecutivecirclesisloaded withaloadqper unitarea, theverticalstress
ACT produced at any depth z below the center remains a constant fraction of q. We may write,
therefore,
Aaz =Cq

(6.22)

where Cisconstant. Ifanannularspacebetween anytwoconsecutive concentriccirclesisdivided

intonequalblocksandifanyonesuchblockisloadedwithadistributedloadq,theverticalstress
produced atthecenteris,therefore,

Stress Distribution in Soils due to Surface Loads

Table 6.1

AaL
n
n

189

Values of Rlz for different values of a' Iq

ajq

Rlz

<V<7

Rlz

0.00
0.10
0.20
0.30
0.40
0.50
0.60
0.70

0.000
0.270
0.401
0.518
0.637
0.766
0.917
1.110

0.80
0.90
0.92
0.94
0.96
0.98
1.00

1.387
1.908
2.094
2.351
2.748
3.546

C
n

'

oo

(6.23)

z
=Cl when<7=l.

Aloadq=1coveringoneoftheblocks willproduceaverticalstress C.Inotherwords,the

'influence value' ofeachloadedblockisC(.IfthenumberofloadedblocksisN,andiftheintensity
ofloadisqperunitarea,thetotalverticalstressatdepthzbelowthecenterofthecircleis
ot =CNq

(6.24)

Thegraphicalprocedureforcomputingtheverticalstress GZ duetoanysurfaceloadingisas
follows.
Select some definitescaletorepresent depth z.Forinstance a suitablelengthAB incmas
shown in Fig. 6.12 to represent depth z in meters. In such a case, the scale is
1cm=zlABmeters.Thelength oftheradius RQgwhichcorrespondstoajq =0.8isthenequal to
1.387xABcm,andacircleofthatradiusmaybedrawn.Thisproceduremayberepeatedforother
ratiosofajq, forinstance,forojq =0.7, 0.5etc.showninFig.6.12.
Theannularspacebetweenthecirclesmaybedividedintonequalblocks,andinthiscasen
=20.TheinfluencevalueC.isthereforeequalto0.1/20=0.005.Aplanofthefoundationisdrawn
on atracingpaper toascale suchthatthedistanceAB onthechart corresponds tothedepthzat
whichthestress c?zistobecomputed.Forexample,iftheverticalstressatadepthof9misrequired,
andifthelengthABchosenis3cm,thefoundationplanisdrawntoascaleof1cm=9/3=3m.In
casetheverticalstressatadepth12misrequired,anewfoundationplanonaseparatetracingpaper
isrequired.Thescaleforthisplanis 1cm= 12/AB=12/3=4m.
Thismeansthatadifferent tracinghastobemadeforeachdifferent depthwhereasthechart
remains the same for all.Fig. 6.12(b)givesafoundationplan,whichisloaded witha uniformly
distributed load q per unit area. It is now required to determine the vertical stress &z at depth
verticallybelowpoint Oshowninthefigure. Inorder todetermine crz,the foundation planislaid
overthechart in suchawaythatthe surfacepointOcoincides with thecenter O'of thechart as
showninFig.6.12.Thenumberofsmallblockscoveredbythefoundationplanisthencounted.Let
thisnumberbeN.Then the valueof GZatdepthzbelow Ois
az=CiNq,whichisthesameasEq.(6.24).

190

Chapter 6

Influence value=C.=0.005

(a)

Figure 6.12

(b)

Newmark's influence chart

Example 6.9
Aringfooting ofexternal diameter 8mandinternal diameter4mrestsatadepth2mbelowthe
groundsurface. Itcarriesaloadintensityof150kN/m2.Findtheverticalstressatdepthsof2,4and
8malongtheaxisofthefootingbelowthefootingbase. Neglect theeffectoftheexcavationonthe
stress.
Solution

From Eq. (6.21)wehave,

3/2

whereq=contactpressure 150kN/m2,/.,=Influencecoefficient.
The stress o_ atanydepthzonthe axisoftheringisexpressed as
o;Z=cr.
U,<2 =q(I,i /,<2 )
^i

where cr, =stress duetothecircularfootingofdiameter 8m,and/, =I7 andRQ/z =

cr =stress duetothefootingofdiameter4 m , /,=/ andRJz = (RJz).

Stress Distribution in Soils due to Surface Loads

191

The valuesof/.,may be obtained from Table6.1for various valuesof/?0/z.The stress cr at

depths2,4and8maregivenbelow:
(/ I2 )q = az kN/m 2

Depth (m)

R^lz

0.911

1.0

0.697

39.6

1.0

0.647

0.5

0.285

54.3

0.5

0.285

0.25

0.087

29.7

R2/z

'*,

lz

Example 6.10
A raft foundation of the size given in Fig. Ex. 6.10 carries a uniformly distributed load of
300kN/m2.Estimate theverticalpressure atadepth9mbelowthepointOmarked inthefigure.
Solution

Thedepthatwhich &zrequiredis9m.
UsingFig. 6.12, the scale ofthefoundationplan isAB =3cm=9mor 1cm=3m.The
foundation plan is required to be made to a scale of 1cm = 3m on tracing paper. This plan is
superimposed on Fig. 6.12 with Ocoinciding withthecenter of the chart. The plan is shownin
dotted linesinFig. 6.12.
Numberofloaded blocks occupied bytheplan,N=62
Influence value, Cf =0.005,q=300kN/m2
Theverticalstress, crz=C{Nq 0.005x62x300=93kN/m2.

18m

6m

1
3m=

16.5 m
O

3m
=x

[ 9m|
Figure Ex. 6.10

6.9

EMBANKMENT LOADINGS

Longearthembankmentswithslopingsidesrepresenttrapezoidalloads.Whenthetopwidthofthe
embankment reduces to zero, the load becomes a triangularstrip load. The basic problem is to
determinestresses duetoalinearlyincreasingverticalloadingonthesurface.

192

Chapters

Linearly Increasing Vertical Loading

Fig. 6.13(a)shows alinearlyincreasing vertical loading starting from zeroatA toafinitevalueq
perunitlength atB.Consider anelementary stripofwidthdbatadistance bfromA.Theload per
unitlength may be writtenas

dq (q/d) bdb
Ifdq isconsidered asalineloadonthesurface, the vertical stressdcr,atP [Fig. 6.13(a)]
due to dq may be written from Eq. (6.4) as
dcr,=\\
'

Therefore,
b=a

2q

er

[(x-,
/9

onintegration, oz =77" ~~asm20\ =07z

2/T\ a

(6.25)

where 7 isnondimensional coefficientwhose valuesfor various valuesofxlaandzlaaregivenin

Table 6.2.
If thepointPliesintheplaneBC [Fig. 6.13(a)],then j8 =0atjc=a.Eq.(6.25)reducesto
vz=(a)
< n

(6.26)

Figs. 6.13(b) and (c) show the distribution of stress er on vertical and horizontal sections
under the action of a triangular loading as a function ofq. The maximum vertical stress occurs
below thecenter ofgravityofthetriangularload asshown inFig. 6.13(c).
Vertical Stress Due to Embankment Loading
Many times it may be necessary to determine the vertical stress er beneath road and railway
embankments, and also beneath earth dams. The vertical stress beneath embankments may be
Table 6.2

/ for triangular load (Eq. 6.25)

x/a

1.500
1.00
0.00
0.50
0.75
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50

2/fl

0.00

0.5

1.0

1.5

0.00
0.00
0.00
0.50
0.75
0.50
0.00
0.00
0.00

0.002
0.003
0.127
0.410
0.477
0.353
0.056
0.017
0.003

0.014
0.025
0.159
0.275
0.279
0.241
0.129
0.045
0.013

0.020
0.048
0.145
0.200
0.202
0.185
0.124
0.062
0.041

0.033
0.061
0.127
0.155
0.163
0.153
0.108
0.069
0.050

0.051
0.060
0.075
0.085
0.082
0.075
0.073
0.060
0.049

0.041
0.041
0.051
0.053
0.053
0.053
0.050
0.050
0.045

193

Stress Distribution in Soils due to Surface Loads

0.2 0.4 0.6 O.i

3a
(a)Triangularloading

(b)Verticalstress onvertical sections

A t z = l.Ofl
(c)Verticalstressonhorizontalsections

Figure 6.13

Stresses in a semi-infinite mass due to triangular loading on the

surface

determined eitherbythemethodofsuperpositionbymakinguseofEq.(6.26)orbymakinguseof
asingleformulawhichcanbedeveloped from first principles.
crz by Method of Superposition
ConsideranembankmentgiveninFig. 6.14.a atPmaybecalculatedasfollows:
The trapezoidal section ofembankmentABCD, maybe dividedintotriangularsections by
drawingaverticallinethroughpointPasshowninFig. 6.14.Wemaywrite
ABCD =AGE+FGB EDJFJC

(6.27)

If <rr <Tz2,Gzyand <7z4aretheverticalstresses atpointPduetotheloadingsoffigures AGE,

FGB,EDJ and FJC respectively, the vertical stress o"zdue tothe loadingoffigureABCD may be
writtenas
o=o

Z2

-o

-o

(6.28)

By applying the principle of superposition for each of the triangles by making use of
Eq.(6.26), weobtain

194

Chapter 6

//VCVC<\XX\V

GG

0,.

Figure 6.14 Vertical stress due to embankment

(6.29)

K\

(6.30)

a=ql=f(a/z,b/z)

where/ istheinfluence factorforatrapezoidalloadwhich isafunctionofa/zandbiz.

The values of/, for various valuesof a/z and biz are given inFig.6.15.(After Osterberg,
1957)
a^ from a Single Formula for Asymmetrical Trapezoidal Loading
Asingleformulacanbedeveloped fortrapezoidal loadingforcomputingCTZatapointP(Fig. 6.16)
byapplyingEq.(6.26).The originofcoordinatesisasshowninthefigure.The final equationmay
beexpressedas
(a,

(a,+

X
(!
a

(6.31)

where ar a2,and3are the angles subtended atthepoint P in the supporting medium bythe
loadingandR=a,/a^.WhenR=1,thestresses areduetothatofasymmetricaltrapezoidal loading.

Stress Distribution in Soils due to Surface Loads

195

0.50

0.40

0.30

0.20

0.10

0.01

4 6 80.1

4 6 8 1.0

4 6 8 10

Figure 6.15 A graph to determine compressive stresses from a load varying by

straight line law (After Osterberg, 1957)

b
a2^

Figure 6.16

Trapezoidal loads

196

Chapter 6

When thetopwidthiszero, i.e,whenb=0,a2=0,theverticalstress <r willbeduetoatriangular

loading.The expression fortriangularloadingis

(6.32)
Eq. (6.31)andEq.(6.32)canbeusedtocompute cr atanypoint inthesupporting medium.
The angles a{, cc2, anda3mayconvenientlybe obtained by a graphical procedure where these
angles areexpressed asradians intheequations.
Example 6.11
A3mhighembankment istobeconstructed asshowninFig. Ex.6. 11.Iftheunitweightofsoil
usedintheembankmentis19.0kN/m3,calculatethevertical stressduetotheembankmentloading
atpointsP I;P2,andPy

3.0
\ y=19kN/m

f
'3.0
i

Note:Alldimensions arein metres

P2

P^

Figure Ex. 6.11

Vertical stresses at Pv P2 &

Solution
q=yH =19x3=57kN/m2,z=3m
Theembankment isdividedintoblocks asshowninFig.Ex.6.11formakinguseofthegraph
giveninFig. 6. 15.Thecalculations arearranged asfollows:
Point

Block

b
(m)

a
(m)

p{

ACEF

HKC

1.5
4.5
0
7.5
0

MLDB

10.5

MACL

1.5

3
3
1.5
3
1.5
3.0
3.0

EDBF
P2

AGH
GKDB

PI

biz
0.5
1.5
0
2.5
0
3.5
0.5

alz
1
1
0.5
1.0
0.5
1.0
1.0

'
0.39
0.477
0.15
0.493
0.15
0.498
0.39

Stress Distribution in Soils due to Surface Loads

197

Verticalstress <Jz
Atpoint P,,

cr, =

(0.39+0.477) x57=49.4 kN/m2

At point P2,

CF.

0. 15x(57/2)+0.493x57 0.15 x(57/2)=28. 1kN/m2

Atpoint Py

&z =

6.10

(0.498 0.39)57=6.2kN/m2

APPROXIMATE METHODS FOR COMPUTING o2

Twoapproximatemethodsaregenerallyusedforcomputingstresses inasoilmassbelow loaded

areas.Theyare
1. Use ofthepointloadformulassuchasBoussinesq'sequation.
2. 2 : 1methodwhichgivesanaverageverticalstress <r atanydepthz.Thismethodassumes
that the stresses distributefrom the loaded edge points at an angle of 2 (vertical) to 1
(horizontal)
Thefirstmethodifproperlyappliedgivesthepointstressatanydepthwhichcompares fairly
well with exact methods, whereas the second does not give any point stress but only gives an
averagestress cratanydepth.Theaveragestresscomputedbythesecondmethodhasbeen found
tobeinerrordependinguponthedepthatwhichthestressisrequired.

Point Load Method

Eq.(6.1)maybeusedforthecomputationofstressesinasoilmassduetopointloadsactingatthe
surface.Sinceloadsoccupyfiniteareas,thepointloadformulamaystillbeusedifthefootingsare
divided into smaller rectangles or squares and a series of concentrated loads of valueq dA are
assumedtoactatthecenterofeach squareorrectangle.Here dAistheareaofthe smaller blocks
andqthepressureperunitarea.Theonlyprincipletobefollowedindividingabigger areainto
smallerblocks isthatthewidthofthesmallerblockshouldbelessthanonethirdthedepthzofthe
pointatwhichthestressisrequiredtobecomputed.Theloadsactingatthecenters ofeach smaller
area may be considered as point loads and Boussinesq's formula may then be applied. The
difference between the point load method and the exact method explained earlier is clear from

z/B

Figure 6.17

cr by point load method

Chapter 6

198

Figure 6.18

cr 2 : 1 method

Fig.6.17.In this figure the abscissa of the curveCl represents the vertical stress (7.,at different
depthszbelowthecenterofasquareareaBxBwhichcarries asurchargegperunitareaoratotal
surcharge loadofB2q.Thiscurveisobtainedbytheexact methodexplainedunderSect.6.6.The
abscissa ofthecurveC2representsthecorrespondingstresses duetoaconcentrated load Q=B2q
actingatthecenterofthesquarearea.Thefigureshowsthatthedifferencebetweenthetwocurves
becomes very small for valuesof z/B in excess of three. Hence in a computation of the vertical
stress cr,atadepthzbelowanarea,theareashouldbedividedintoconvenientsquaresorrectangles
suchthattheleast widthofanyblockisnotgreater thanz/3.
2 : 1 Method
In this method, the stress is assumed to be distributed uniformly over areas lying below the
foundation.The sizeoftheareaatanydepthisobtainedbyassumingthatthestresses spreadoutat
anangleof2(vertical)to 1(horizontal)from theedges oftheloadedareas showninFig.6.18.The
average stressatanydepthz is

Q
(B+z)(L

(6.33)

The maximum stress om by an exact method below the loaded area is different from the
average stressa atthesame depth.Thevalueofcr/tr reaches amaximumofabout 1.6atzlb=
05, whereb=halfwidth.
6.11

PRESSURE ISOBARS

Definition
An isobar is a line whichconnects all points of equal stress below the ground surface. In other
words, anisobarisastresscontour.Wemaydraw anynumberofisobarsasshowninFig.6.19for
any givenload system.Each isobar representsafraction ofthe load applied atthe surface.Since
these isobars formclosed figuresand resemble the form of abulb,they are also termed bulb of
pressureorsimplythepressure bulb.Normallyisobars aredrawnforvertical,horizontalandshear
stresses.Theonethatismost importantinthecalculationofsettlements offootings isthevertical
pressure isobar.

199

Stress Distribution in Soils due to Surface Loads

Significant Depth
In his opening discussion on
settlement of structures at the
First International Conference
on Soil Mechanics and
FoundationEngineering(heldin
Linesof
1936 at Harvard University in
equalvertical
pressureor
Cambridge,
Mass, USA),
isobars
the
Terzaghi
stressed
importance of the bulb of
pressure and its relationship
with the seat of settlement. As
stated earlier we may drawany
Figure 6.19 Bulb of pressure
numberofisobars for anygiven
load system, but the one that is
of practical significance is the
onewhichencloses asoilmasswhichisresponsibleforthesettlementofthestructure.Thedepthof
thisstressed zonemaybetermed asthesignificant depthDSwhichisresponsible forthesettlement
ofthestructure.Terzaghirecommendedthatforallpracticalpurposesonecantakeastress contour
whichrepresents 20percentofthefoundationcontactpressureq,i.e,equaltoQ.2q.Thedepthof
suchanisobar canbetakenasthesignificant depthDswhichrepresents theseatofsettlement for
the foundation.Terzaghi'srecommendation wasbased onhis observation thatdirect stressesare
considered ofnegligible magnitudewhentheyaresmallerthan20percentoftheintensityofthe
appliedstressfrom structuralloading,andthatmostofthesettlement,approximately 80percentof
thetotal,takesplace atadepthlessthanDs.ThedepthDsisapproximatelyequalto 1.5timesthe
width of squareor circular footings [Fig.6.20(a)].
If several loaded footingsarespaced closely enough,theindividualisobars ofeachfooting
in question would combine and merge into one large isobar of the_intensity as shown in
[Fig.6.20(b)].The combined significant depth D isequalto about 1.5 B.

az=Q.2q

D<=\.5B\ Stressedzone
Isobar
Isobar
Combinedstressedzone
(a)Significantdepthofstressedzone
forsinglefooting

(b)Effect ofcloselyplaced footings

Figure 6.20

Significant depth of stressed zone

200

Chapter 6

Pressure Isobars for Footings

Pressure isobars of square, rectangular and circular footings may conveniently be used for
determining verticalpressure, (Jz, atanydepth,z,belowthebaseofthefootings.The depthszfrom
the ground surface, and the distance r (or jc) from the center of the footing are expressed as a
function ofthewidthofthefootingB.Inthecase ofcircularfootingBrepresents the diameter.
The following pressure isobars are given based on either Boussinesq or Westergaard's
equations
1. Boussinesq isobarsfor squareandcontinuousfootings,Fig. 6.21.
2. Boussinesq isobar forcircularfootings,Fig. 6.22.
3. Westergaard isobarsforsquareandcontinuousfootings,Fig. 6.23.

B/2=b BI2=b
Continuous
25

Figure 6.21

Pressure isobars based on Boussinesq equation for square and

continuous footings

Stress Distribution in Soils due to Surface Loads

Figure 6.22

201

Pressure isobars based on Boussinesq equation for uniformly loaded

circular footings

B/2=b

B/2=b

IB

Continuous
2B

35

5b

6b

Figure 6.23

Pressure isobars based on Westergaard equation for square and

continuous footing

202

Chapter 6

Example 6.12
A single concentrated load of 1000 kN acts at the ground surface. Construct an isobar for
<7 =40 kN/m2by makinguse of theBoussinesqequation.
Solution

From Eq.(6.la)wehave
3(2

Wemay nowwritebyrearranginganequationfortheradial distance ras

Now for Q=1000kN, cr,=40 kN/m2, we obtain the valuesofr p r2,ry etc.for different
depthsz,,z2,zv etc.Thevaluessoobtainedare
z(m)
0.25
0.50

1.0
2.0
3.0
3.455

r(m)
1.34
1.36
1.30
1.04
0.60
0.00
g=1000kN

a,=40kN/mJ

Isobar

3.455
Figure Ex. 6.12

Stress Distribution in Soils due to Surface Loads

203

The isobar for crz = 40 kN/m2 may be obtained by plotting z against r as shown in
Fig.Ex. 6.12.

6.12

PROBLEMS

6.1 Acolumnofabuildingtransfersaconcentratedloadof225kipstothesoilincontactwith
the footing.Estimate the vertical pressure at the followingpoints by makinguse of the
BoussinesqandWestergaardequations.
(i) Verticallybelowthecolumnloadatdepthsof5, 10,and 15ft.
(ii) Atradialdistancesof5, 10and 20ftand at adepthof 10ft.
6.2 Threefootingsareplacedatlocationsforminganequilateraltriangleof13ftsides.Eachof
thefootingscarries avertical loadof112.4kips.Estimatetheverticalpressuresbymeans
oftheBoussinesqequationatadepthof9ftatthefollowinglocations:
(i) Verticallybelowthecentersofthe footings,
(ii) Belowthecenterofthetriangle.
6.3 Areinforced concrete watertankof size25 ft x 25ft and resting on the ground surface
carries a uniformly distributed load of 5.25 kips/ft2. Estimate the maximum vertical
pressures atdepthsof37.5 and60ftbypointload approximationbelow thecenter ofthe
tank.
6.4 Twofootingsofsizes 13x 13ftand 10x 10ftareplaced30ftcentertocenterapartatthe
same level and carry concentrated loads of 337 and 281 kips respectively. Compute the
verticalpressureatdepth 13ftbelowpointCmidwaybetweenthecenters ofthefootings.
6.5 A and B are two footings of size 1.5 x 1.5 m each placed in position as shown in
Fig.Prob.6.5. Each of the footings carries acolumn load of400 kN. Determine by the

2.5m
A

Sx?Xs\
1

//X\N

1 '

'ft ^ m

Q400kN

[* 1.5m ~ H '
m

(2
1

(*- 1.5

Figure Prob. 6.5

Boussinesq method,theexcess load footingBcarriesduetothe effect ofthe load on A.

Assumetheloadsatthecentersoffootingsactaspointloads.
6.6 IfbothfootingsAandBinFig.Prob.6.5areatthesamelevelatadepthof0.5mbelowthe
groundsurface,computethestressd,midwaybetweenthefootingsatadepthof3mfrom
thegroundsurface.Neglecttheeffect ofthesizeforpointload method.
6.7 ThreeconcentratedloadsQl=255kips,Q2=450kipsand<23=675kipsactinonevertical
planeandtheyareplaced intheorderQlQ2~QyTheirspacingsare 13ft10 ft.Determine

204

6.8

6.9

6.10

6.11

6.12

6.13

6.14

6.15

6.16

6.17
6.18
6.19

6.20

Chapter 6
theverticalpressure atadepthof5ftalong thecenter lineoffootingsusing Boussinesq's
point load formula.
A square footingof 13x 13ft is founded at a depth of 5 ft below the ground level. The
imposed pressure at the base is 8732 lb/ft2. Determine the vertical pressure at adepthof
24ftbelow thegroundsurfaceonthe centerlineofthefooting.
A long masonry wall footing carries a uniformlydistributed load of 200 kN/m 2. If the
widthofthefootingis4m,determinetheverticalpressures atadepthof3mbelow the(i)
center, and (ii)edge of thefooting.
Alongfoundation0.6mwidecarries alineloadof 100kN/m. Calculate thevertical stress
cr, at a point P,the coordinates of which are x =2.75 m, and z = 1.5 m, where the x
coordinate isnormaltothelineload fromthecentrallineofthefooting.
A strip footing 10 ft wide is loaded on the ground surface with a pressure equal to
4177 lb/ft2. Calculate verticalstresses atdepths of 3, 6, and 12ft underthe center of the
footing.
Arectangularfootingofsize25x40ftcarries auniformlydistributedload of5200 lb/ft2.
Determine theverticalpressure20ftbelowapointOwhichislocated atadistanceof35ft
from the center of the footing on its longitudinalaxis by making use of the curves in
Fig.6.8.
Thecenterofarectangulararea atthegroundsurfacehascartesiancoordinate (0,0) andthe
corners have coordinates (6,15). All dimensions are in foot units. The area carries a
uniform pressure of 3000 lb/ft2. Estimate the stresses at a depth of 30 ft below ground
surface ateach ofthefollowinglocations:(0,0), (0,15), (6,0).
Calculatetheverticalstressatadepthof50ftbelow apoint 10ftoubide thecorner (along
the longer side) of a rectangular loaded area 30 x 80 ft carrying a uniform load of
2500 lb/ft2.
Arectangularfooting6x3mcarries auniformpressure of300kN/m2onthesurface ofa
soilmass. Determinetheverticalstress atadepthof4.5mbelow thesurfaceonthe center
line 1.0minsidethe longedge ofthefoundation.
Acircularringfoundationforanoverhead tanktransmitsacontactpressure of300kN/m2.
Itsinternaldiameteris6mandexternaldiameter 10m.Compute theverticalstress onthe
center line of the footing due to the imposed load at a depth of 6.5 m below the ground
level.The footingisfoundedatadepthof2.5m.
InProb.6.16,ifthefoundationforthetankisaraft ofdiameter 10m,determine thevertical
stress at6.5mdepthonthecenter lineofthefooting.Alltheotherdataremain the same.
How far apart must two 20 m diameter tanks be placed such that their combined stress
overlap is not greater than 10%of the surface contact stress at adepth of 10m?
Awater towerisfoundedonacircularringtypefoundation.The widthofthering is4m
and its internal radiusis8m.Assuming thedistributed loadper unit areaas300kN/m2,
determine theverticalpressure atadepth of6mbelow thecenter ofthefoundation.
An embankment for road traffic is required to be constructed with the following
dimensions:
Topwidth=8m,height=4m,side slopes= I V : 1.5Hor
The unitweightof soil undertheworstconditionis21kN/m3.The surcharge load onthe
road surfacemay betaken as50kN/m2. Compute the vertical pressure atadepth of 6m
below theground surfaceatthefollowing locations:
(i) On thecentrallongitudinal planeof theembankment,
(ii) Below the toesoftheembankment.

Stress Distribution in Soils due to Surface Loads

205

6.21 IfthetopwidthoftheroadgiveninProb.6.20isreducedtozero,whatwouldbethechange
intheverticalpressureatthesamepoints?
6.22 A square footing of size 13x 13ft foundedon the surface carries adistributed load of
2089lb/ft2. Determinetheincrease inpressureatadepthof 10ftbythe2:1method
6.23 A load of 337 kips is imposed on afoundation 10ft square at a shallow depth in asoil
mass. Determine the vertical stress at a point 16ft below the center of thefoundation
(a)assuming the load isuniformlydistributedover the foundation,and (b) assumingthe
load actsasapointload atthecenter ofthefoundation.
6.24 Atotalload of900kNisuniformlydistributedoverarectangularfootingofsize3x2m.
Determine the vertical stress at a depth of 2.5 m below the footing at point C
(Fig.Prob. 6.24), under one corner and D under the center. If another footing of size
3x 1mwithatotalload of450kNisconstructed adjoiningthepreviousfooting,whatis
theadditionalstress atthepointCatthesamedepthduetotheconstructionofthesecond
footing?

2m

D
3m

3m

1m

h imH

Figure Prob. 6.24

6.25 Refer to Prob. 6.24. Determine the vertical stress at a depth of 2.5 m below point Ein
Fig. Prob.6.24.AlltheotherdatagiveninProb. 6.24 remainthe same.