Vertical Stress at Any

Point below a Uniformly

Loaded Circular Area
Palma, Jess Ivanho D.
BSCE 5C
Terminology, Definition of Terms,
Symbols Used
1. 𝛥𝜎𝑧 - Vertical Stress produced at any point in a homogeneous, elastic, and
isotropic medium as a result of various types of load applied on the surface of
an infinitely large half-space.
2. R – Radius of the uniformly circular area
3. z – depth
4. q – uniform load
5. A’ and B’ – Functions of z/R and r/R, Respectively
Discussion
 A detailed tabulation for calculation of vertical stress below a uniformly
loaded flexible circular area was given by Ahlvin and Ulery (1962). (eq. 10.27)

Δ𝜎𝑧 = 𝑞 𝐴′ + 𝐵′

 Below is a figure of the ff. values

Vertical stress at any point below
a uniformly loaded circular area
 Where :
𝜟𝝈𝒛 - Vertical stress at any point
below a uniformly loaded circular area
𝒒 - Uniform load
A’ and B’ – Functions of z/R and r/R,
respectively.

Below is a table of values of A’ and B’

as functions of z/R and r/R,
respectively.
Variation of A’ with z/R and r/R (Table
10.7
Variation of A’ with z/R and r/R (Table
10.7) (cont.)
Variation of B’ with z/R and r/R (Table
10.8)
Variation of B’ with z/R and r/R (Table
10.8) (cont.)
Plot of 𝛥𝜎𝑧 /𝑞
with r/R and
z/R using
equation 10.27
Sample Problem

Consider a uniformly loaded flexible circular area on the ground surface,

as shown in Fig. 10.23. Given: R = 3 m and uniform load q = 100 kN/m^2.
Calculate the increase in vertical stress at depths of 1.5 m, 3 m, 4.5 m,
6 m, and
12 m below the ground surface for points at (a) r = 0 and (b) r = 4.5 m.
Solution
Given: R = 3m, q = 100 kN/m^2, ra = 0, rb = 4.5, z= 1.5m, 3m, 4.5m, 6m,
and 12m.
Find: the increase in vertical stress at depths of 1.5 m, 3 m, 4.5 m, 6 m, and
12m below the ground surface
1. Find the values of ra/R and rb/R
𝑟𝑎 0 𝑟𝑏 4.5
= = 0; =
𝑅 3 𝑅 3
2. Find the values of z/R
𝑧 1.5
= = .5
𝑅 3
𝑧 3
= =1
𝑅 3
𝑧 4.5
= = 1.5
𝑅 3
𝑧 6
= =2
𝑅 3
𝑧 12
= =4
𝑅 3
Solution
 Tabulating the Results:
 Table A (r/R = 0)

Depth, z (m) z/R A’ B’ 𝛥𝜎𝑧 𝑘𝑁Τ𝑚2

1.5 0.5
3 1.0
4.5 1.5
6 2.0
12 4.0
Solution
 Table B (r/R = 1.5)

Depth, z (m) z/R A’ B’ 𝛥𝜎𝑧 𝑘𝑁Τ𝑚2

1.5 0.5
3 1.0
4.5 1.5
6 2.0
12 4.0
Solution
From equation (10.27);

Δ𝜎𝑧 = 𝑞(𝐴′ + 𝐵′ )

We can prepare the following for table a and table b. Note

that r/R = 0 for table A, r/R = 1.5 for table B. (A’ and B’ are
values are from Tables 10.7 and 10.8)
For Table A (r/R = 0) (Values of A’)

Use values r/R = 0

For Table A (r/R = 0) (Values of B’)

Use values r/R = 0

For Table B (r/R = 1.5) (Values of A’)

Use values r/R = 1.5

For Table B (r/R = 1.5) (Values of B’)

Use values r/R = 1.5

Solution
 Using equation 10.27 and the values of A’ and B’

Δ𝜎𝑧 = 𝑞(𝐴′ + 𝐵′ )
 We get the values:
 Table A:

Depth, z (m) z/R A’ B’ 𝛥𝜎𝑧 𝑘𝑁Τ𝑚2

1.5 0.5 0.553 0.358 91.1
3 1.0 0.249 0.354 64.7
4.5 1.5 0.168 0.256 42.4
6 2.0 0.106 0.179 28.5
12 4.0 0.030 0.057 8.7
Solution
 Table B:

Depth, z (m) z/R A’ B’ 𝛥𝜎𝑧 𝑘𝑁Τ𝑚2

1.5 0.5 0.095 -0.035 6.0
3 1.0 0.098 0.028 12.6
4.5 1.5 0.08 0.057 13.7
6 2.0 0.063 0.064 12.7
12 4.0 0.025 0.040 6.5