Prism Load

PE = wH (quation no 3-1)
PE = vertical soil pressure due to earth load , psf (pound square feet)
w = unit weight of soil, pcf (pound cubic feet)
H = depth of cover, ft
Original Formula Convert Unit
Symbol unit value unit value 1 psi = 144 psf
PE psf 472,4 psi 3,28 1 psf = 0,00694444 psi
w pcf 120
H ft 3,9 mm 1200 <<--Fill Value 1 ft = 304,8 mm
So, Earth load on pipe PE 180mm burried on 1200mm depth cover is 3,28 psi

Timoshenko's Equation

PL = vertical soil pressure due to live load, lb/ft2 , psf

If = impact factor (by table 3-2, or conservatively given value 2)
Ww = wheel load, lb
ac = contact area, ft2
rT = equivalent radius, ft
H = depth of cover, ft

Example of Timoshenko's example formula :

Find the vertical pressure on a 180mm PE pipe burried 1200 mm beneath an unpaved road
when an R-50 off-road truck is over the pipe. The manufacturer lists the truck with a gross
weight of 183.540 lbs on 21x35 E3 tiresm each having a 30,590 lb load over an imprint area
of 370 in2.

Answer/Solution :
Use equations 3-2 and 3-3. since the vehicle is operating on an unpaved road, an impact
factor of 2.0 is appropriate.

Original Formula Convert Unit

Symbol unit value unit value 3,142857143
PL psf 1751,539 psi 12,16 1 psf = 0,00694444 psi
If - 2 -
Ww lb 30590 kg 13.875 1 lb = 0,45359237 kg
ac ft2 2,57 inch2 370 1 ft2= 144 inch2
rT ft 0,9 ft
H ft 3,94 mm 1200 1 ft = 304,8 mm
π - 3,14 -
example calculation of timoshenko's equation

So, vertical pressure on a 180mm PE pipe burried 1200mm beneath unpaved road with live
load as mention above is 1751,5 psf or equal to 12,1 psi