STRESSES FROM SURFACE LOADS AND

THE PRINCIPLE OF EFFECTIVE

STRESS

FOUNDATION ENGINEERING LECTURE II

DEFINITION OF • STRESS – the intensity of load per unit area.
TERMS • EFFECTIVE STRESS (σ’) – is the stress
carried by the soil particles.
• TOTAL STRESS (σ) – is the stress carried by
the soil particles and the liquids and gases in
the voids.
• STRESS (STRAIN) STATE at a point – is a set
of stress (strain) vectors corresponding to all
planes passing through that point. Mohr’s
circle is used to graphically represent stress
(strain) state for two-dimensional bodies.
DEFINITION OF • POREWATER PRESSURE (u) – is the
pressure of the water held in the soil pores.
TERMS
• ISOTROPIC – means the material properties
are the same in all directions, and also the
loadings are the same in all directions.
• ELASTIC MATERIALS – are ideal materials
that return to their original configuration on
unloading and obey Hooke’s Law.
 VERTICAL STRESS The distribution of stresses within a soil
INCREASE IN SOILS from applied surface loads or stresses is
FROM SURFACE
determined by assuming that the soil is a
LOADS
semi-infinite, homogenous, linear,
isotropic, elastic material.

A semi-infinite mass is bounded on one

side and extends infinitely in all other
directions; this is also called an elastic
half-space. For soils, the horizontal
surface is the bounding side.
 VERTICAL STRESS Because of the assumption of a linear
INCREASE IN SOILS elastic soil mass, we can use the principle
FROM SURFACE
of superposition. That is, the stress
LOADS
increases at a given point in a soil mass
from different surface loads can be added
together.
 VERTICAL STRESS Surface loads are divided into two general
INCREASE IN SOILS classes: finite and infinite. However, these
FROM SURFACE
are qualitative classes, and they are
LOADS
subject to interpretation.

Examples of finite loads are:

• Point loads
• Circular loads
• Rectangular loads
 VERTICAL STRESS Examples of infinite loads are:
INCREASE IN SOILS
• Fills
FROM SURFACE
LOADS • Surcharges

The relative rigidity of the foundation (a

system that transfers the load to the soil) to
the soil mass influences the stress
distribution within the soil. The elastic
solutions presented are for flexible loads
and do not account for the relative rigidity
of the soil foundation system.
 VERTICAL STRESS If the foundation is rigid, the stress
INCREASE IN SOILS increases are generally lower (15% to 30%
FROM SURFACE
less for clays and 20% to 30% less for
LOADS
sands) than those calculated from the
elastic solutions presented herein.
Traditionally, the stress increases from the
elastic solutions are not adjusted because
soil behavior is nonlinear and it is better
to fall on the conservative side.
 VERTICAL STRESS The increases in soil stresses from surface
INCREASE IN SOILS loads are total stresses. These increases in
FROM SURFACE
stresses are resisted initially by both the
LOADS
porewater and the soil particles.
 REGULAR SHAPED Joseph Valentin Boussinesq (1885)
SURFACE LOADS ON A
presented a solution for the distribution of
SEMI-INFINITE HALF-
SPACE stresses for a point load applied on the soil
surface. Boussinesq’s solution was
subsequently integrated to give solutions
for distributed loads. A summary of the
increase in vertical stresses on a
homogenous linearly elastic soil from
some common types of surface loads is
presented herein.
POINT LOAD
Example: TRANSMISSION POLE
Equation:

I – Boussinesq’s vertical stress coefficient

POINT LOAD
Example: TRANSMISSION POLE
Equation:
SAMPLE PROBLEM 1

A Meralco electric power transmission pole is 12m above ground level and embedded 3m into
the ground. The butt diameter is 450mm and the tip diameter (the top of the pole) is 300mm.
The weight of the pole, cross arms, and wires is 35kN. Assume that the pole transmits the load
as a point load with the soil surface at the embedded base.

Determine the stress increase at a depth of 1m below the embedded base of the pole:

a) along the center and

b) at 1m from the center.

SAMPLE PROBLEM 1

a) Along the center, 1m depth:

x = 0, y = 0, z = 1m, Q = 35kN
SAMPLE PROBLEM 1

b) 1m from center, 1m depth:

x = 1m, y = 0, z = 1m, Q = 35kN

How to justify the decrease in ‘stress increase’ in b compared in a?

SAMPLE PROBLEM 2

A concentrated load of 1200kN is applied at the ground surface at a point A which coordinate is
(0,0,0).

a) Determine the vertical stress increase in kPa at a point 2m directly below A.

b) Determine the vertical stress increase in kPa at a point which coordinate is (1.5, 0, 2).

c) Determine the vertical stress increase in kPa at a point which coordinate is (1.5,1.2, 2).
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2

a) Determine the vertical stress increase in kPa at a point 2m directly below A.

x = 0, y = 0, z = 2m, Q = 1200 kN
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2

b) Determine the vertical stress increase in kPa at a point which coordinate is (1.5, 0, 2).

x = 1.5m, y = 0, z = 2m, Q = 1200 kN

SAMPLE PROBLEM 2

b) Determine the vertical stress increase in kPa at a point which coordinate is (1.5,1.2, 2).

x = 1.5m, y = 1.2m, z = 2m, Q = 1200 kN

LINE LOAD
Example: FOUNDATION OF A FENCE
Equation:
SAMPLE PROBLEM 3

A line load acting on the ground surface has a value of 100kN/m. Determine the vertical stress
increase at a point with 3m distance perpendicular from the line load and 3m below the ground
surface.
SAMPLE PROBLEM 3

Determine the vertical stress increase at a point with 3m distance perpendicular from the line
load and 3m below the ground surface.

x = 3m, z = 3m, qL = 100 kN/m

CIRCULAR LOAD
Example: TANK FOUNDATION
Equation:
under center:
SAMPLE PROBLEM 4

The total vertical load on a ring foundation shown in the figure is 4000kN. (a)Determine the
plotting parameters for the vertical stress increase with depth of 8m under the center of the
ring, (b) determine the maximum vertical stress increase and its location.
SAMPLE PROBLEM 4

(a)Determine the plotting parameters for the vertical stress increase with depth of 8m under
the center of the ring.

Q = 4000 kN, rlarge = 5m, rsmall = 2.5m

Calculate the imposed surface stress, qs

SAMPLE PROBLEM 4

Create two solid circular foundations, and subtract the smaller from the larger circle.

LARGE SMALL Δσz

z Idiff
r/z Ic r/z Ic qs x Idiff
1 5.00 0.99 2.50 0.95 0.04 2.97
2 2.50 0.95 1.25 0.76 0.19 13.08
3 1.67 0.86 0.83 0.55 0.32 21.54
4 1.25 0.76 0.63 0.39 0.37 24.85
5 1.00 0.65 0.50 0.28 0.36 24.58
6 0.83 0.55 0.42 0.21 0.33 22.62
7 0.71 0.46 0.36 0.16 0.30 20.13
8 0.63 0.39 0.31 0.13 0.26 17.64
SAMPLE PROBLEM 4

(b) determine the maximum vertical stress increase and its location.

Based from the table, the largest vertical stress increase is 24.85kPa and it is at 4m depth.
RECTANGULAR LOAD
Example: COLUMN FOUNDATION
Equation:
under corner:
RECTANGULAR LOAD
Example: COLUMN FOUNDATION
APPROXIMATE METHOD
Equation:
under center of loaded area:

The approximate method is reasonably

accurate when z > B
SAMPLE PROBLEM 5

A rectangular concrete slab, 3m by 4.5m, rests on

the surface of a soil mass. The load on the slab is
2025kN. Determine the vertical stress increase at a
depth of 3m a) under the center of the slab; b) under
the center of one of its 4.5m length sides; c) at a
distance of 1.5m from a corner perpendicular to
4.5m length side.
SAMPLE PROBLEM 5

Determine the vertical stress increase at a depth of 3m a) under

the center of the slab.
4.5m
Divide the rectangle, so that the center is the corner.

z = 3m, B = 1.5m, L = 2.25m 2.25m

SAMPLE PROBLEM 5

Determine the vertical stress increase at a depth of 3m b) under

the center of one of its 4.5m length sides.
4.5m
Divide the rectangle, so that the point B is the corner.
2.25m
z = 3m, B = 3m, L = 2.25m
SAMPLE PROBLEM 5

Determine the vertical stress increase at a depth of 3m c) at a

distance of 1.5m from a corner perpendicular to 4.5m length side.

You have to extend the rectangle to C.

Large rectangle: z = 3m, B = 4.5m, L = 4.5m

Small rectangle: z = 3m, B = 1.5m, L = 4.5m

SAMPLE PROBLEM 5

Determine the vertical stress increase at a depth of 3m c) at a

distance of 1.5m from a corner perpendicular to 4.5m length side.

You have to extend the rectangle to C.

THE PRINCIPLE OF The deformations of soils are similar to the
EFFECTIVE STRESS
deformations of structural framework such
as a truss. Deformations of the truss are
independent of hydrostatic pressure. The
same is for soils.
THE PRINCIPLE OF Let us consider an element of a saturated
EFFECTIVE STRESS
soil subjected to a normal stress σ applied
on the boundary. The stress σ is called the
total stress, and for compliance with
Newton’s 3rd law, the stresses in the soil
must be equal and opposite to the applied
σ. The resistance or reaction of soil
element σ is provided by a combination of
the stresses from the solids, called
effective stress σ’, and from water in the
pores called porewater pressure (pw).
THE PRINCIPLE
OF EFFECTIVE
STRESS
THE PRINCIPLE OF The equilibrium equation is
EFFECTIVE STRESS

therefore,

The latter equation is called the principle

of effective stress and was first recognized
by Terzaghi in the mid-1920s during his
research into soil consolidation.
THE PRINCIPLE OF “The principle of effective stress is the
EFFECTIVE STRESS
most important principle in soil
mechanics. Deformations of soils are a
function of effective stresses, not total
stresses. The principle of effective stresses
applies only to normal stresses and to
shear stresses and to saturated soils.”
THE PRINCIPLE OF • The porewater cannot sustain shear
EFFECTIVE STRESS
stresses, and therefore, the soil solids
must resist the shear forces.
• Soils cannot sustain tension.
Consequently, the effective stress
cannot be less than zero.
• Porewater pressure can be positive or
negative (suction pressure).
THE PRINCIPLE OF • For soils with certain degree of
EFFECTIVE STRESS
saturation, the effective stress (Bishop et
al., 1930)

Where: pa = pore air pressure

χ = is a factor depending on S
 EFFECTS OF In silts and fine sands, the soil above the
CAPILLARY ACTION
groundwater can be saturated by capillary
action. Thus, the height of soil at which
water will rise in will experience TENSION
or SOIL SUCTION (negative porewater
pressure). Therefore, providing a greater
value of effective stress for the soil
sample.
EFFECTS OF SEEPAGE As water flows through soil, it exerts a
frictional drag on the soil particles,
resulting in head losses. The frictional drag
is called SEEPAGE FORCE in soil
mechanics.
If the seepage occurs downward, the
seepage stresses are in the same direction
as the gravitational effective stresses.
Resulting to an increase in resultant
vertical effective stress.
EFFECTS OF SEEPAGE If the seepage occurs upward, the seepage
stresses are in the opposite direction as
the gravitational effective stresses.
Resulting to a decrease in resultant vertical
effective stress.