6.

6 Modified Boussinesq load distribution

In addition to the method earlier described of converting a strip load into lateral
pressure, the vertical pressure increase was calculated using Boussinesq theory
specific for vertical pressure. This additional vertical pressure was then multiplied by
the earth pressure coefficient of the different soil models to get the horizontal
pressure, see equation 3.30. This resulted in a curve with an entirely different
character compared to the previous Boussinesq-method, see Figure 28. For this load
the concentration point is about two thirds down compared to the previous Boussinesq
method where the concentration point was approximately one third down.

Load distribution
0
Load

2
Depth [m]

3 3 3
0 110 210 310

Pressure [Pa]
Figure 28 Load distribution from Boussinesq's solution for vertical pressure

This method of calculating gives approximately 8-10 kPa additional horizontal thrust
from the strip load.

CHALMERS, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Masters Thesis 2012:69

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