CE 162

Lecture #8
STRESSES IN SOIL
BACKGROUND
Recall:

Stress - intensity of loading, load per unit area

Strain – intensity of deformation, change in a

dimension with respect to the original dimension
Recall:

SHEAR STRESS
Recall:

Angle at which shear stress is zero

will give two angles that are 90 degrees︎ apart. This means that there are two planes that are at
right angles to each other on which the shear stress is zero. Such planes are called principal planes.
Recall:
The normal stresses that act on the principal planes are referred to as principal stresses
Recall:
compressive normal stresses
are taken as positive

shear stresses are considered

positive if they act on opposite faces
of the element in such a way that
they tend to produce a
counterclockwise rotation.
Recall:
Pole Method of Finding Stresses Along a Plane
we draw a line from a known point on the Mohr’s circle parallel to the plane on which
the state of stress acts. The point of intersection of this line with the Mohr’s circle is
called the pole.
Pole Method of Finding Stresses Along a Plane
The line MP is drawn parallel to AB.
So point P is the pole

If we need to find the stresses on a plane

EF, we draw a line from the pole parallel
to EF.
The point of intersection of this line
with the Mohr’s circle is Q

The coordinates of Q give the stresses

on the plane EF.
Example:
Example:

NP is the line drawn parallel to the plane CD.

P is the pole. PQ is drawn parallel to AE

The coordinates of point Q give the

stresses on the plane AE
 STRESSES IN SOIL

 The pressure transmitted through grain to grain

at the contact points through a soil mass is
termed as inter-granular or EFFECTIVE STRESS

If the pores of a soil mass are filled with water

and if a pressure induced into the pore water,
tries to separate the grains, this pressure is
termed as pore water pressure (u) or neutral
stress
 Stresses in Saturated Soil without Seepage
The total stress at the elevation of point A can
be obtained from the saturated unit weight of
the soil and the unit weight of water above it.

The total stress, σ, can be divided into two parts:

1.  A portion is carried by water in the continuous void spaces. This portion acts with
equal intensity in all directions.
2.  The rest of the total stress is carried by the soil solids at their points of contact. The
sum of the vertical components of the forces developed at the points of contact of the
solid particles per unit cross-sectional area of the soil mass is called the effective stress.
Stresses in Saturated Soil without Seepage
The total stress at the elevation of point A can
be obtained from the saturated unit weight of
the soil and the unit weight of water above it.

σ =total stress
σ’ =effective stress
u = pore water pressure

The effective stress is approximately the force per unit area carried by the soil skeleton.
The effective stress in a soil mass controls its volume change and strength. Increasing the
effective stress induces soil to move into a denser state of packing.
Stresses in Saturated Soil without Seepage
STRESSES IN SATURATED SOIL WITH UPWARD SEEPAGE
If water is seeping, the effective stress at any point in a soil mass will differ from that in
the static case. It will increase or decrease, depending on the direction of seepage.
The rate of water supply is kept constant. The loss of head caused by upward seepage
between the levels of A and B is h. The total stress at any point in the soil mass is due
solely to the weight of soil and water above it.
STRESSES IN SATURATED SOIL WITH UPWARD SEEPAGE

STATIC CASE:
STRESSES IN SATURATED SOIL WITH DOWNWARD SEEPAGE

STATIC CASE:
SEEPAGE FORCE