FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

GEOTECHNIQUES (ECG553) TUTORIAL 2A

Vertical Stresses

QUESTION 1

Three parallel strip foundations, each 2 m wide and spaced at 4 m centre to centre and founded at
1.0 m depth transmit contact pressures of 250 kPa, 150 kPa and 200 kPa respectively. Using the
appropriate influence factors, calculate the intensity of the increase in vertical stresses due to the
combined loads beneath the centre of each footing at a depth of 3.0 m from the ground surface.

QUESTION 2

Four column loads of 800 kN, 750 kN, 350 kN and 600 kN respectively are located at the corners
of a square of 4 m side on the surface of a soil mass. A culvert passes diagonally across the
square, directly under the 800 kN and 350 kN loads, and at a depth (to its top) of 3 m. Calculate
the increase in vertical stresses imposed on the culvert due to the four loads at two points; under
the 800 kN load and under the 350 kN load.

The formula for the influence factors is :

5/2
3  1 
Ip =  2
2 1 + (r / z ) 

where r and z have their usual meanings.

QUESTION 3

In Figure Q3 the cross-section of a proposed embankment is shown. Calculate the increase in

vertical stress that will follow the completion of the embankment at a depth of 4 m at points A and
B as shown. Assume a uniform maximum pressure imposed by the embankment as 120 kN/m2.

q = 120 kN/m2

4m 4m 4m 4m
4m

A B Figure Q3

NFH/ECG553/OCT2020
QUESTION 4

Figure Q4 shows the plan of a large circular raft foundation; the centre (shaded) area transmits a
contact pressure of 150 kPa and the outer annulus area transmits a contact pressure of 250 kPa.
Using the influence factors for circular foundation, calculate the intensity of vertical stress induced
at points in the soil mass 4 m below A, B and C.

A B C

A B

8m Figure Q4

16 m

QUESTION 5

Figure Q5 shows the plan of a rectangular raft foundation, which transmits uniform contact
pressure as shown. Determine the intensity of vertical stress induced at points 5 m directly below
A and B. Point A is at the centre of the central square and point B is at mid-point of one of its side.

5m

250 kPa
5m
5m

A
B 5m

300 kPa 250 kPa

Figure Q5

NFH/ECG553/OCT2020
QUESTION 6

(a) Briefly explain the followings in relation to stresses in soil:

(i) Major and minor principal stresses

(ii) Normal and shear stresses.
(iii) Stress bulbs under a loaded foundation.

(b) An L-shaped raft foundation is to carry superstructure loads with net loading intensity of 600
kN/m2 and 1200 kN/m2 as shown in Figure Q6.

10 m

600 kN/m2

30 m 1200 kN/m2

A B 10 m

30 m

Figure Q6

Using Fadum’s chart, determine the net increase in vertical stress 4 metres below points
A, B and C.

(Note: A is at the centre of the square, B is at mid-point of the side and C is at the corner of
the rectangle).

NFH/ECG553/OCT2020
 -x

No.

T.aloAr AL l.A : VEB-i t oAL STAESSE5

at. Tl, r s+-i d qtio ns e ced ql l+m cc^*"e to gga*re

nd de q* l.O r" *rqa s rnit coni qcl s o{ r5o bfq o l'c?q a.nA \oQ tLPq

ctiv Atrt tl"e 'ole in{ oi iacr eq sc

b duo r,o*bin ed loqds beneoth the. centre of, eac|. 4oO1;

qtqd +t"e q(o\l^ 2z 3'l z2 b= )./, = I

gu r'for c

Li-
{m

poin-i da= 1Is

(ur,rf.rr 1 C t.trt /"')

l++-gG

lt1.+5
 I Artrn

ar colqmn loqds o{ goOk{'{ 50 uj\j tr9o i.At a^ d b (cf rv

of

tLa gO LN a.d 35o \,I{ loads

(t" ;+r t ) of ?,i..-
7-

Cqlculq+e *ha ln(r96 in v0rfioql inwo ed

lvor* d-le +o +h € +o ur locl dS qt

r4n d iho L"N 0kN

lby urrng tqble!

l-ood,e1r<nr ) I =C-) Ada CkN ln ")

o.o ]12 1.+tt+

Forrn.llot j

L + Cr"/e)a

ai\ i * C'r/))*

o"i.++15 (o,oqT"6, )
: o. o3+t

a6-'goo lP
Z. z'

?oo Lo .o?11 ) )9o (o-olal)

3' 1'
: ) ' l.qg r^N /"^1 t-rt+? kN ln""
 \

Tarikh

al. l^ Fi ed embqnkm

iacreq 4\ e,

q1

n \,c qe qs lro kN /,n a

n: llo irrrl /m^

Loqd CkNi^l 46z : +r- (H")

Loqd Cknl/rna) 46 2 = !,15

To*ql v grticql s'lres: q't ?oint 5.rZ+ 5-52. rq8.t6

Iog .ao kN lm
r

I"*ql s&r*ica\ strgis qt Poia* O + rn.og + io.og

f C. t6 kN Im'
 Tarikh No.

q+- $ro Qr{ Slow fho )qn oF q \q eireqlur rq['t fuundo]'on *\e, cen+rg L;\,td<,a)

iq O [P6t ond ri.s ol1

^u\,,1

f ?,5 svre, o* '250 v?q u t' n9 *ho inf lu ence, f qc*o fur oiria,ltQh Sound
z
cqlo^\41s t\a iniensit o{ y er -},
col S+cO55 in d.,roed o* poin*: in *1.e, t uts 4rn beloW

l+l em
lOm

P oinl Io I La"= qL"

ckpo) (Ar s) (LN lr"^)

116 .(:5

- lQt.50

lQ.-O\5

1l I .25
 \

Tarikh No.

Fi qlure e+h clatro n which frqnsrnifs

. Det th e in te6 s;1 of r |i go1

telow A Point A i ol *La cer.tr€ of *hs

eentr4l qnd + B ir at mid.- oint o€ ooe. o 1b si AZ
(u)

Poin-t

1hqP.7 uoqd Ct-Pa) A6, = ql7 CkPo)

a5c v?a

7ols1l vgrl;<ql ,1,.:s ai A : [ ,r-ro + 32-+o -(ar .ooxZ) + 2g.to ] "*

lq+ - + wPct
77*

Tarikh

Point

Shop€ f, ;eq4 (kPcr) A6z E Xlr ([po)

25o KPor

ri?riiccal strc55 )o.o5 11-7 5 + t"ro ( )o.os x: ) )c. oL

8a'1o
L?A
 Tarikh

(.l la. cc[) 6rie p ty e 1 +re, {-911ow,^}s rglqtr on fo S+ressei i. soil :

ti) hA c,'ror q^d rninor oriri (/i c)cegs es

nM \,. /r^ v al U e of norrn a l tf r<.5 whida

o n +he,

c IV\lnor o{ norh -hict"

s+resr Cd") ;: +hq ,-es S (6i) wHle +h e, I

'q'q

stre5

Cii ) No"rnql qnd cs+ 5Set.

.- Nor-orl StArS D when q (oc<.e qc+e e^dic"al qe €ocz of
ct, It aded +or c

will o ;n ten e,5 9: o

.wh topce to +h< 6urfsc

Sh eqr giresg wil\ vs rv q Th€

(fi) Stre s s q loade {a.rnda

S trei 6 ss Bobqc,
crntour
wh; Qnrved

re5

)
F

Tarikh

Cb) An L-sh<r e d rqtl {ouodcil \s *a cc, gseef5Jrqc,?ure lo.l nst loo d:

rn t en git o{ Goo irN lrna ond l2oo kN/rna a5 5}rown in Fi

lom

600 u.N/m'

3om
z
qtin F adqrn's ghcr.t det i^ P. *ha he+ inr,cgate' 'tn veriicot 5lr <.55 4 *a+oY5 bclcw

h,6 ond t' CNotc,: X qf ccniro o[ 5qurrre r0 it o* mic) of $da qnd C qr Jhs @r^er )
Point A :
Shcrpe ) Loqd A6 z. = c1l' Ctr{v/m")

6os 'rNImr

lloo krrtlm*

Totql vel"tiscil (ir1 -llt t z2.g ) li +

9l a t"pa
 \

Tarikh

Poinl b',

g^qps f Leqd 46z : XLr Ctd/m")

6o0 kN j.."

600 t"NIinla

iloo kNir"-

Toic/ | v€rt;cc.l Sfrals qt ntb= Itl + ( teq x]) -116-6t cus:"2 xa)
+e+.? k9q
7-

Tarikh

Poi^ t
Snopa f, Lo.rd Lr I ta= = c1,Ir citN /rn= )

60o kJ',I Im'

6OO kNlma

6oo t<N f*I

l2'oo r<N f ,r.,3

lzoo kN l-'

Tofc,rl S*€55 l4g-'a z1z -3

l49. 2 w?"t