Stress Distribution in Soil

Lectur
e
7
2
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 section of the soil
profile.
3
 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
may undergo
5
 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 the soil bearing the
load
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
• Westergaard’s Formula

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

Boussinesq ’s Formula for Point

Loads

Joseph Valentin Boussinesq (13 March 1842 – 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 Due to a Concentrated Load
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 Due to a Concentrated Load
Stress Due to a Concentrated Load
Assumptions :
• 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 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

∆ ∆

13
Vertical 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 Q is given by
Q

14
Vertical Stress Due to a Concentrated Load

Equation shows that the vertical stress is

• Directly proportional to the load
• Inversely proportional to the depth squared, and
• Proportional to some function of the ratio ( r/z).

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.

15
 Influence FactorIb
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

16
 Influence FactorIb
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

17
 Influence FactorIb
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

18
Limitations of Boussinesq's Solution
 The solution was initially obtained for determination of stresses in elastic solids. Its
application to soils may be questioned, as the soils are far from purely elastic solids.
 However. experience indicates that the results obtained are satisfactory.
 The application of Boussinesq's solution can be justified when the stress changes are
such that only a stress increase occurs in the soil. The real requirement for use of
the solution is not that the soil be elastic (i.e., fully recoverable), but it should have a
constant ratio between stress and strain. When the stress decrease occurs, the
relation between stress and strain is not linear and, therefore, the solution is not
strictly applicable.
 If the stresses induced in the soil are small in comparison with the shear strength of
the soil, the soil behaves somewhat elastically and the Boussinesq solution can be
used.
 For practical cases, the Boussinesq solution can be safely used for homogeneous
deposits of clay, man-made fills and for limited thickness of uniform sand deposits. In
deep sand deposits, the modulus of elasticity increases with an increase in depth and,
therefore, the Boussinesq solution will not give satisfactory results. In this case, the
assumption of proportionality between stress and strain cannot be justified. For such
a case, non-linear elastic solutions or elastic-plastic solutions are required.
 The point loads applied below ground surface cause somewhat smaller stresses than
are caused by surface loads, and, therefore, the Boussinesq solution is not strictly
applicable. However, the solution is frequently used for shallow footings, in which19 z is
measured below the base of the footing.
Vertical Stress Due to a Concentrated Load
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
• The stress isobar

20
Vertical Stress Due to a Concentrated Load
Distribution on a horizontal plane
The vertical stress distribution on a horizontal
plane at depth of z below the ground surface

z1

z2

21
22
23
24
Vertical Stress Due to a Concentrated Load
Distribution on a vertical plane
The vertical stress distribution on a vertical plane
at a distance of r from the point load

25
Vertical 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 = 39.25° ,
approximately, and then decreases with depth.

26
Vertical Stress Due to a Concentrated Load

Stress isobars or Pressure bulb

An isobar is a line which connects

all points of equal stress below the
ground surface.
In other words, an isobar is a
stress contour.
in fact an isobar is a spatial curved,
surface and resembles a bulb in
shape. The curved surface is
symmetrical about the vertical line
passing through the load point 27
Stress isobars or Pressure bulb
Pressure at points inside the bulb are greater than that
at a point on the surface of the bulb and pressures at
points outside the bulb are smaller than that value.

Isobars are useful for determining the effect of the

load on the vertical stresses at various points. the
zone within which the stresses have a significant
effect on the settlement of structure; is known the
pressure bulb. It is generally assumed that an isobar of
0.1 Q forms a pressure bub. The area outside the
pressure bulb is assumed to have negligible stresses.
28
Significant Depth
Terzaghi stressed the importance of the bulb of pressure and its
relationship with the seat of settlement. we may draw any number of
isobars for any given load system, but the one that is of practical
significance is the one which encloses a soil mass which is
responsible for the settlement of the structure. The depth of this
stressed zone may be termed as the significant depth Ds which is
responsible for the settlement of the structure. Terzaghi recommended
that for all practical purposes one can take a stress contour which
represents 20 per cent of the foundation contact pressure q, i.e, equal
to 0.2q. The depth of such an isobar can be taken as the significant
depth Ds which represents the seat of settlement for the foundation.
The depth Ds is approximately equal to 1.5 times the width of square
or circular footings

29
Significant Depth
If several loaded footings are spaced closely enough, the individual
isobars of each footing in question would combine and merge into
one large isobar of the intensity as shown in Fig. The combined
significant depth D is equal to about 1.5 B.

30
31
Vertical Stress in Soil - Stress below a Line Load

The vertical stresses in a soil mass due to a vertical

line load can be obtained using Boussinesq's
solution. let the vertical line load be of intensity q'
per unit length, along the Y-axis , acting on the
surface of a semi-infinite soil mas as shown in Fig.
Let us consider the load acting on a small length y.
The load can be taken as a point load of q' y and
Boussinesq's solution can be applied to determine
the vertical stress at P (x, y, z).

32
Vertical Stress in Soil - Stress below a Line Load

33
 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 vertical
stress at a point caused by a flexible strip load of
width B. Unit length is considered for convenience.
The expression will depend upon whether the point
P lies below the centre of the strip load or not.
34
 Vertical Stress caused by a strip load
(l) Point P below the centre of the strip

Fig. shows a strip load of width B(B= 2b) and

intensity q. Let us consider the load acting on a
small elementary width dx at a distance x from the
centre of the load. this small load of q dx can be
considered as a line load of intensity q'.

35
Vertical Stress caused by a strip load

36
Vertical Stress caused by a strip load
(2) Point P not below the centre or the strip

Fig. shows when the p is not below the centre

of the strip. Centre of the strip make angles of
ß1 and ß2 at p. As in the previous case, the
load q dx acting on a small length dx can
be considered as a line load. vertical stress at P
is given by

37
Vertical Stress caused by a strip load

38
Vertical Stress due to a uniformly loaded
circular area
1) Below the centre : The increase in the vertical stress
( ) at depth z ( point P) under the center of a circular area
of diameter D = 2R carrying a uniform pressure q is
given by

39
40
Vertical Stress Caused by a Rectangular
loaded area

41
Vertical Stress Caused by a Rectangular
loaded area
The increase in the vertical stress ( ) at depth z under a
corner of a rectangular area of dimensions B = m z and
L = n z carrying a uniform pressure q is given by:

42
Vertical Stress Caused by a Rectangular
loaded area

43
vertical stress at any point under a rectangular
area
The equations developed in the preceding section can also
be used for finding the vertical stress at a point which is
not located below the corner. the rectangular area is
subdivided into rectangles such that each rectangles has a
corner at the point where the vertical stress is required.

44
Vertical Stress Caused by a Rectangular loaded
area- 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.

45
 Newmark Method
• The Newmark’s Influence Chart method
consists of concentric circles drawn to scale,
each square contributes a fraction ofthe
stress.
• In most charts each square contributes 1/200
(or 0.005) units of stress. (influence value, I)

46
 Newmark Method
The use of the chart is
based on a factor termed
the influence value,
determined from the
number of units into
which the chart is
subdivided.
A

1 unit
B Influence value
0.005
47
 Newmark Method
Total number of block on chart = 200 and
influence value = 1/200

A B Influence
value =
0.005
48
 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 AB = 30mm,the scale is 1/200).

49
 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 are counted, and the increase in
stress at the depth z is computed as
= 0

Where I is the influence factor of the chart.

0 = ie e e o ℎe e fo io o
e e, = e of i o e ( i i e
e i e ) 50
Approximate methods
The methods discussed in the preceding sections are
relatively more accurate, but are time- consuming.
Sometimes, the engineer is interested to estimate the
vertical stresses approximately for preliminary designs, The
following methods can be used.
(1) Equivalent Point-Load Method.
The vertical stress at a point under a loaded area of any
shape can be determined by dividing the loaded area into
small areas and replacing the distributed load on each small
area by an equivalent point load acting at the centroid of the
area . for eg: in the figure given below, Q = qa for each area.
The total load is thus converted into a number of point loads.
51
(1) Equivalent Point-Load Method
The vertical stress at any
point below or outside the
loaded area is equal to the
sum of the vertical stresses
due to these equivalent point
loads.

52
(2) Two-to-one Load Distribution Method

(2) Two-to-one Load Distribution Method:- The actual

distribution of load can be assumed to spread
approximately at a slope of two (vertical) to one
(horizontal). Thus the vertical pressure at any depth z
below the soil surface can be determined
approximately by constructing a frustum of pyramid
(or cone) of depth z and side slopes (2:1). The pressure
distribution is assumed to be
uniform on a horizontal plane at that depth.

53
(2) Two-to-one Load Distribution Method
The above method gives fairly good
results of the vertical stress if depth
is not less than

54
contact pressure
The upward pressure due to soil on the underside of the
footing is termed as contact pressure. In the derivations of
the preceding sections, it has been assumed that the
footing is flexible and the contact pressure distribution is
uniform and equal to q. Actual footings are not flexible as
assumed. The actual contact pressure distribution, however,
depends upon the flextural rigidity of the footing and the
elastic properties of the sub-grade. In fact, it is a soil-
structure interaction problem .
If the footing is perfectly rigid, the contact pressure
distribution depends upon the type of the subgrade.
55
contact pressure

For a perfectly rigid footing (Kr = ), the contact pressure is

minimum at the centre. With a value of about 0.5q for the
circular footing and 0.67q for the strip footing. The contact
pressure is very large at the edges. In fact, it tends to infinity. For
purely flexible footings (Kr = 0), the contact pressure is uniform
and equal to q. 56
contact pressure on saturated clay

When the footing is flexible, it deforms into the shape of a bowel,

with the maximum deflection at the centre. The contact pressure
distribution is uniform.
If the footing is rigid, the settlement is uniform. The contact
pressure distribution is minimum at the centre and the maximum
at the edges.
57
Contact Pressure on sand

In the case of footings resting on sand, the edges of the flexible

footing undergo a larger settlement than at the centre. The soil at
the centre is confined and, therefore, has a high modulus of elasticity
and deflects less for the same contact pressure. The contact pressure is
uniform.
If the footing is rigid, the settlement is uniform. The contact
pressure increases from zero at the edges to a maximum at the
centre. 58
Contact pressure - Usual Assumption

As discussed above, the contact pressure distribution for

flexible footings is uniform for both clay and sand. The
contact pressure for rigid footing is maximum at the edges
for footings on clay, but for the rigid footings on sand, it is
minimum at the edges. For convenience, the contact
pressure is assumed to be uniform for all types of
footings and all types of soils if load is symmetric. 59