Unit 1

Stresses due to applied loads

(Geotechnical Engineering II)

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

 Introduction
Stresses are induced in a soil mass sue to weight of overlying soil
and due to applied loads. They are in accordance to the stress-strain
characteristic of the soil.

Importance/ Requirement
 For stability analysis of soil mass
 For settlement analysis of foundation
 Determination of earth pressure
 Lateral Pressure

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

 Stress Strain Parameters

 Basic parameters required for the

application of plastic theories are
modulus of elasticity (E)and Poisson's
ratio (v).
 Unconsolidated-undrained test for
saturated, cohesive soil.
 Consolidated test for cohesive soil
 Poisson’s ratio varies from 0-0.5
Note: Effect of Poisson’s ratio is
insignificant
Stress strain curve

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018
 Boussinesq Analysis

Boussinesq gave the

theoretical solution for the
stress distribution in an
elastic medium subjected
to concentrated load on its
surface.
The solution are commonly
used to obtain the stresses
in a soil mass due to
externally applied loads.

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava Joseph Valentin Boussinesq
21/01/2018
 Assumptions by Boussinesq

 The soil mass in an elastic

continuum, having a constant value
of (E) and (v)
 The soil is homogeneous
 The soil is isotropic
 The soil mass is semi infinite
 The Soil is weightless and is free
from residual stresses before the
application of load

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

 Boussinesq Analysis : Concentrated load
Using log stress functions for the solution of elasticity problem,
Boussinesq proved that the polar stress σR at point P(x,y,z) is
given by
𝟑𝑸 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜷
𝝈𝑹 =
𝟐𝝅 𝑹𝟐

R= polar distance between the origin O and point P

ngle which the line OP makes with the vertical

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

 Boussinesq Analysis : Concentrated load..

3𝑄 cos 𝛽
𝜎𝑅 = 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑅 = 𝑟2 + 𝑧2 𝑟2 = 𝑥2 + 𝑦2
2𝜋 𝑅2
sin 𝛽 = 𝑟Τ𝑅 cos 𝛽 = 𝑧/𝑅
The vertical stress(𝜎z) at point P is given by
3𝑄 cos 𝛽
𝜎𝑧 = 𝜎𝑅 cos2β = (𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝛽
2𝜋 𝑅2
3𝑄 1 𝑧5
𝜎𝑧 =
2𝜋 𝑧 2 𝑟2+𝑧2 5/2
𝑄
𝜎𝑧 = 𝐼𝐵 2
𝑍
3 𝑧5
where, 𝐼𝐵 = 𝑟 +𝑧 5/2 2 2
2𝜋
Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018
IB is known as Boussinesq influence coefficient for vertical stresses
 Boussinesq Analysis: Horizontal and shear stress
( 𝜎𝑥 , 𝜎𝑦 , 𝜏𝑥𝑦=𝑦𝑥 , 𝜏𝑦𝑧=𝑧𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜏𝑧𝑥=𝑥𝑧

3𝑄 𝑥 2 𝑧 (1 − 2𝑣) 1 2𝑅 + 𝑧 𝑥 2 𝑧
𝜎𝑥 = + − −
2𝜋 𝑅5 3 𝑅(𝑅 + 𝑧) 𝑅3 𝑅 + 𝑧 2 𝑅3

3𝑄 𝑦 2 𝑧 (1 − 2𝑣) 1 2𝑅 + 𝑧 𝑦 2 𝑧
𝜎𝑦 = 5
+ − 3 2
− 3
2𝜋 𝑅 2 𝑅(𝑅 + 𝑧) 𝑅 𝑅 + 𝑧 𝑅

3𝑄 𝑥𝑦𝑧 (1 − 2𝑣) 2𝑅 + 𝑧 𝑥𝑦
𝜏𝑥𝑦 = 5
−
2𝜋 𝑅 2 𝑅3 𝑅 + 𝑧 2

3𝑄 𝑥𝑦2 3𝑄 𝑥𝑧2
𝜏𝑦𝑧 = 𝜏𝑧𝑥 =
2𝜋 𝑅5 2𝜋 𝑅5

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

 Boussinesq Analysis : Cylindrical Coordinates

Sometimes it is more convenient to use

cylindrical coordinates (r, 𝜃, z) in place of
Cartesian coordinates (x, y, z)

Cylindrical Coordinates

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

 Points worth noting
 σz does not depent upon (E)and (v)

 when r/z=0 (below the load point), I=3π/2=.4775

 σz decreases rapidly with an increase in r/z ratio

 At surface (z=0) σz is theoretically infinite. However, in an
actual case, the soil under the load yields due to very high
stresses. Therefore only finite stresses develops.
 In actual practice, foundation loads are not applied directly.
However Boussinesq solution can be applied to shallow
foundation.
 Boussinesq solution can be used for negative (upward) loads.
 Field measurement indicates that the actual stresses are
Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

smaller than that obtained by Boussinesq method.

 Limitation of Boussinesq Solution
 Initially obtained for elastic solids, hence, its application to soil may be
questionable
 Applicable only for when stress increase occur in the soil
 Stress strain ratio of soil is not constant, as assumed by Boussinesq. (It
is not fully recoverable on unloading)
 Applicable only to soils with low stresses and homogeneous deposits of
clay
 Not applicable to deep foundation
 Doesn’t give economical results

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

 Isobar Diagram
 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.
We may draw any number of isobars as shown in Fig. for any given
load system.
 Each isobar represents a fraction of the load applied at the surface.
Since these isobars form closed figures and resemble the form of a
bulb, they are also termed bulb of pressure or simply the pressure
bulb.
 Normally isobars are drawn for vertical, horizontal and shear
stresses. The one that is most important in the calculation of
settlements of footings is the vertical pressure isobar.
 An isobar is a spatial curved surface of the shape of an electrical
bulb or an onion
Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018
 Isobar Diagram of 𝝈𝒛 = 0.1 Q

𝑄
𝜎𝑧 = 𝐼𝐵 2
𝑍
𝑄
0.1𝑄 = 𝐼𝐵 2
𝑍
𝐼𝐵 = 0.1𝑧 2

The areaLecture
outside the
Notes: 'Unit pressure
1 - Stresses bulb
in Soil' by Dr. is assumed to have negligible stresses
Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018
Vertical Stress distribution on horizontal plane

Vertical stress distribution for Z=2m

 The diagram is symmetrical about the vertical axis

 Maximum stress occurs just below the load (r=0)
 Stress decreases rapidly as the distance r increases
Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018
 Influence diagram

 Vertical stress distribution at a given depth for unit load is

called Influence diagram
 Useful in determination of stresses due to number of
concentrated load (or line load via integration)
Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018
 Vertical stress distribution on a vertical plane

 Vertical stress distribution

for a constant radial
distance r and variable
depth is as shown in
figure.
 Vertical stresses first
increases and then
decreases

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

Vertical stresses due to Line loads

By applying the principle

of the Boussinesq
solution for point load,
the stresses at any point
in the mass due to a line
load of infinite extent
acting at the surface may
be obtained.

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

 Cont…
The vertical 𝜎𝑧 stress at point P due to point load Q may be written as
3𝑄 1 𝑧5
𝜎𝑧 =
2𝜋 𝑧 2 𝑟2+𝑧2 5/2

Replacing 𝜎𝑧 with ∆𝜎𝑧 and Q with q’𝛿y (where q’ is the

intensity of loading and 𝛿y is the elementary depth) we get
3𝑞′𝛿𝑦 1 𝑧5
∆𝜎𝑧 = Where r2=x2+y2
2𝜋 𝑧 2 𝑟2+𝑧2 5/2

Integrating both side from -∞ to +∞ we get

2𝑞′ 1
𝜎𝑧 = 1+(𝑥Τ𝑧)2
𝜋𝑧
 where, / z is the influence factor equal to 0.637 at x/z =0.
Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018
 Vertical stress due to Strip loads
 Such conditions are found for structures extended very much in one
direction, such as strip and wall foundations, foundations of retaining
walls, embankments, dams and the like.

Case 1

Case 2

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

Case 1 Point P below the centre of strip

Using the concept of Line load

2𝑞 𝑑𝑥 1
∆𝜎𝑧 = 1+(𝑥Τ𝑧)2
𝜋𝑧

Integrating both side from -b to +b we get

𝑞
𝜎𝑧 = 2𝜃 + sin 2𝜃
𝜋

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

Case 2 Point P not below the centre of strip

Using the concept of Line load

2𝑞 𝑑𝑥 1
∆𝜎𝑧 = 1+(𝑥Τ𝑧)2
𝜋𝑧
Making the following substitution
x=z tanβ
dx= zsec2β.dβ
we get,

𝑞
𝜎𝑧 = (𝛽2 − 𝛽1) + (sin 𝛽2 cos 𝛽1 − sin 𝛽1 cos 𝛽2
𝜋

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

 Vertical stresses under circular area
3𝑄 1 𝑧5
𝜎𝑧 =
2𝜋 𝑧 2 𝑟2+𝑧2 5/2
Taking an elementary ring of thickness 𝑑𝑟
we get 𝑄 = 2𝜋𝑟. 𝑑𝑟
𝑅
3. 2𝜋𝑟. 𝑑𝑟 1 𝑧5
𝜎𝑧 = න
2𝜋 𝑧2 𝑟2+𝑧2 5/2
0
3/2
1
𝜎𝑧 = 𝑞 1 − 𝑟
1+ 2
𝑧
𝜎𝑧 = 𝐼𝐶. 𝑞

where IcLecture
is the Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava
influence coefficient for circular area 21/01/2018
Isobar for circular loaded area

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

 Vertical stress under a corner of rectangular area
Using Boussinesq’s solution, the stress at depth z is given by taking 𝑑𝑄 = 𝑞. 𝑑𝐴 = 𝑞. 𝑑𝑥. 𝑑𝑦

3 𝑞 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑧3 1
∆𝜎𝑧 =
2𝜋 𝑥2+𝑦2 +𝑧2 5/2

𝐿
𝐵
3 𝑞 𝑧3 1
𝜎𝑧 = නන 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
2𝜋 𝑥2+𝑦2 +𝑧2 5/2
0
0

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

 …Newmarks result
𝑞 𝑚𝑛 𝑚2 + 𝑛 2 + 2 −1
𝑚𝑛
𝜎𝑧 = . 2 + sin
2 𝑚2 + 𝑛2 + 1 𝑚 + 𝑛2 + 𝑚2𝑛2 + 1 𝑚2 + 𝑛2 + 𝑚2𝑛2 + 1
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑚 = 𝐵/𝑧 and 𝑛 = 𝑙/𝑧

𝝈𝒛 =INq

𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝐼𝑁 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑁𝑒𝑤𝑚𝑟𝑘 ′ 𝑠

𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

m
 Vertical stresses at any point under a Rectangular Area

𝜎𝑧 = 𝑞 𝐼𝑁1 + 𝐼𝑁2 + 𝐼𝑁3 + 𝐼𝑁4

𝜎𝑧 = 𝑞 𝐼𝑁1 − 𝐼𝑁2 − 𝐼𝑁3 + 𝐼𝑁4

𝜎𝑧 = 𝑞 𝐼𝑁1 + 𝐼𝑁2
The equation developed by Newmark 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 the point is located
Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018
at
the corner of each rectangle. Then principal of superposition is applied.
 Newmark’s Chart

Newmark’s chart is
based on the concept
of the Boussinesq’s
Solution. It is
extremely useful in
finding stresses under
a uniformly loaded
area of any irregular
shape.

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

 Newmark’s chart procedure
Step 1: Determine the depth, z, where you wish to calculate the
stress increase
Step 2: Adopt a scale as shown in the figure
Step 3: Draw the footing to scale and place the point of interest over
the center of the chart
Step 4: Count the number of elements that fall inside the footing,
nStep 5: Calculate the stress increase as:
𝜎𝑧 = 𝐼 ∗ 𝑛 ∗ 𝑞
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝐼 = 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑛𝑡

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

Newmark’s Chart
Point of
stress
calculation

Depth = z2

Depth = z1

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

 Point to remember
 The fractions of unit area should be counted and properly
accounted for.
 If the plan of the loaded area extends beyond the 9 ½th
circle, it may be assumed to approach the 10th circle for
the purpose of counting the unit area.
 The point in consideration may be anywhere within or
outside the loaded area
 If the depth is changed, a fresh plan is required

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

 Westergaard's solution for applied loads on soil mass
 Actual soil is neither isotropic nor homogenous but anisotropic
 Westergaard, a British Scientist, proposed (1938) a formula for
the computation of vertical stress σz
 It was based on the assumption that there are thin sheets of
rigid materials sandwiched in a homogeneous soil mass
 These sheets are closely spaced and are of infinite rigidity
 Only downward displacement is possible in the soil mass as a
whole
 Westergaard’s solution represents actual sedimentary deposits

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

 Westergaard's solution for point load

in which µ, is Poisson's ratio. If µ, is taken as zero for all practical purposes,

Important Note:
 The value of Iw at r/z = 0 is 0.32 which is less than that of IB by 33 per cent.
 Geotechnical engineers prefer to use Boussinesq's solution as this gives
conservative results.
Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018
Variation of IB or Iw

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

 Westergaard’s influence Chart

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

 Approximate Methods
The elastic methods are relatively more accurate, but are
time consuming. Also to estimate the vertical stresses
approximately for preliminary designs, following method
can be used:

 Equivalent Point-Load Method.

 Two-to-One Load Distribution Method
 Sixty Degree Distribution

(60°method is similar to Two-to-one method, the pressure

distribution is assumed along lines making angle of 60°
1
with horizontal instead of 63 °)
2
Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018
 Equivalent Point–Load Method

The vertical stress at a point under a loaded area

Note : Method is fairly accurate if
the side “a” is equal to or less then
one third of depth “z”
of any shape can be determined by dividing the
loaded area into small areas & replacing the
distributed load on each small area by an
equivalent point load acting at the centroid of the
area
For e.g. : Q= 𝑞𝑎2 ( 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑓𝑖𝑔. )
The vertical stress at an point below or outside
the area is :

[𝑄1 𝐼𝐵 1 + 𝑄2 𝐼𝐵 2 + … … … . +𝑄𝑛 𝐼𝐵 𝑛]
𝜎𝑧 =
𝑧2
OR
Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 𝑛 21/01/2018
1
𝜎𝑧 = ෍ 𝑄𝑖 𝐼𝐵 𝑖
 Two-to-One Load Distribution Method
The actual distribution of load with depth is
complex, it can be assumed to spread approximately
at a slope of 2(vertical) to 1(horizontal). Thus
vertical pressure at any depth z can be determined
approximately by constructing a frustum of pyramid.

The average vertical stress 𝜎𝑧 depends upon the

shape of loaded area, as given below :

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

Note : method is fairly accurate if depth z is less than 2.5 times the width of the
loaded area
 Contact Pressure and Settlement distribution

Cohesive Soil - Flexible Footing Granular Soil Flexible Footing

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

Cohesive Soil - Rigid Footing Granular Soil - Rigid Footing

 Limitations of elastic theories

 The soil mass is never truly isotropic and homogeneous

 The soil mass is not elastic as the particles do not return
to the original position on unloading
 The stress-strain ratio for most soils is not constant
(A difference of 20-30% between the theoretical and
measured value may occur)

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018

Lecture Notes: 'Unit 1 - Stresses in Soil' by Dr. Neha Shrivastava 21/01/2018