EXAMPLES:

PROBLEM 1: The wet mass of one of the standard

Proctor test samples is 1806 grams at a water
content of 8%. The volume of the standard Proctor
test sample is 9.44 x10-4 m3. Determine the bulk and
dry unit weights.
PROBLEM 3 – FIELD DENSITY TEST
EXAMPLE: At one point in a soil mass, the minor
principal stress is 1,000 psf. What is the maximum
value possible for the major principal stress at this
point if the shear stress cannot exceed 2,000 psf?
EXAMPLE1:GIVEN: Q = 100KN, z = 5m, r = 0m
DET: Vertical stress increase
SOLUTION: (using boussinesq)

3
Q
∆ σ v= x
z 2 2 π 1+
r
2
2 5¿
[ ( )]
3
100
∆ σ v= x
5 2 2 π 1+
1.91 KPa
0
2
2 5¿
=

[ ()]
EXAMPLE2:GIVEN: Q = 100KN, z = 5m, r = 5m
DET: Vertical stress increase SOLUTION: (using westergaard)

SOLUTION: (using boussinesq)

Q
∆ σ v=
Q
3
[ ( )]
π z 2 1+2
r
2 3¿
∆ σ v= x
z 2 2 π 1+
r
2
2 5¿
[ ( )] ∆ σ v=
100
z

100
3
π (5)2 1+2
[ ( )] 0
2 3¿
=

∆ σ v= x
5 2 2 π 1+
0.135 KPa
5
2
2 5¿
=

[ ( )] 1.27 KPa
5

EXAMPLE4:GIVEN: Q = 100KN, z = 5m, r = 5m

DET: Vertical stress increase
EXAMPLE3: GIVEN: Q = 100KN, z = 5m, r = 0m SOLUTION: (using westergaard)

DET: Vertical stress increase

 Q
∆ σ v=

[ ( )]
π z 2 1+2
r
z
2 3¿

100
∆ σ v=

0.25 Kpa
[
π (5)2 1+2 ( 55 )2] 3 ¿ =