Chapter 9 Stresses in A Soil Mass

Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE

F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte – 4600, Philippines
College of Engineering
CE7a/b – Geotechnical EngineeringSumm
1 (Soil Mechanics) (Lecture & Laboratory)
Second Semester, AY 2019-2020
Finals
Chapter 9 – Stresses in a Soil Mass

In analysing problems involving embankments, lateral earth pressure, bearing capacity of foundations, slope
stability, and compressibility of soil, it is important to know the nature of stress distribution along a soil cross section.
The normal stress in a given depth of soil is carried by the water in the void spaces and the solid particles of the soil.
Stresses in Saturated Soil Without Seepage

The total stress, σ is the sum of the effective stress σ’, and the neutral stress, u. The effective stress or
intergranular stress results from the particle-to-particle contact of soil while the neutral stress or pore water pressure is
induced by water pressures. Note that for soils above the ground water table, the pore water pressure is equal to zero.
𝛔 = 𝛔’ + 𝐮
Example Problem:
For the soil profile shown in the figure,
calculate the total stress, pore water pressure and
effective stress at points A, B, C, and D.
Solution:
Solving for the unit weight of dry sand and
saturated clay, we get 16.43kN/m3 and 18.69kN/m3
respectively.
Point A:
σ=0
u=0
σ’ = 0
Point B:
σ = 2m(16.43kN/m3 ) = 32.86kN/m2
u = 0kN/m2
σ′ = 32.86kN/m2 − 0kN/m2 = 32.86kN/m2
Point C:
σ = 4m(16.43kN/m3 ) = 65.72kN/m2
u = 0kN/m2
σ′ = 65.72kN/m2 − 0kN/m2 = 65.72kN/m2
Point B:
σ = 4m(16.43kN/m3 ) + 8m(18.69kN/m3 ) = 215.24kN/m2
u = 8m(9.81kN/m3 ) = 78.48kN/m2
σ′ = 215.24kN/m2 − 78.48kN/m2 = 32.86kN/m2
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Stresses in Saturated Soil Seepage

When there is seepage of water in the soil mass, the effective stress will decrease or increase, depending on
the direction of seepage.
Upward Seepage
Consider the given figure of a soil sample subjected to upward seepage. The total stress, effective stress and
neutral stress at different points can be calculated as:
The effective stress at stress at a point C located at a depth z

below the top of the soil surface can be calculated as:
Note that h/H2 is the hydraulic gradient, i.
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When the effective stress becomes zero, the soil losses its stability. This is referred to as boiling or quick
condition. The hydraulic gradient is critical.
𝛾,
𝑖𝑐𝑟 =
𝛾𝑤
Downward Seepage
Now, let as have a soil subjected to downward
seepage. The hydraulic gradient is i = h/H2. The total stress,
effective stress and pore water pressure at any point C is
given by:
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Finals
Vertical Stress Increase Due to Various Types of Loading
A. Stress Caused by a Point Load
According to Boussinesq, the normal stresses at a point A caused by the point load P is:
𝑷 𝟑𝒙𝟐 𝒛 𝒙𝟐 − 𝒚 𝟐 𝒚𝟐 𝒛
𝜟𝝈𝒙 = { 𝟓 − (𝟏 − 𝟐𝝁𝒔 ) [ 𝟐 + 𝟑 𝟐 ]}
𝟐𝝅 𝑳 𝑳𝒓 (𝑳 + 𝒛) 𝑳 𝒓
𝑷 𝟑𝒚𝟐 𝒛 𝒚 𝟐 − 𝒙𝟐 𝒙𝟐 𝒛
𝜟𝝈𝒚 = { 𝟓 − (𝟏 − 𝟐𝝁𝒔 ) [ 𝟐 + 𝟑 𝟐 ]}
𝟐𝝅 𝑳 𝑳𝒓 (𝑳 + 𝒛) 𝑳 𝒓
𝟑𝑷𝒛𝟑 𝟑𝑷𝒛𝟑 𝑷
𝜟𝝈𝒛 = 𝟓
= 𝟐 𝟐 𝟓/𝟐
= 𝟐 𝑰𝟏
𝟐𝝅𝑳 𝟐𝝅(𝒓 + 𝒛 ) 𝒛
where:
𝑟 = √𝑥 2 + 𝑧 2
𝐿 = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = √𝑟 2 + 𝑧 2
𝜇𝑠 = 𝑃𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑛′ 𝑠 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜
3
𝐼1 = [(𝑟/𝑧)2 5/2 𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑏𝑒 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑:
2𝜋 +1]
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Finals
B. Vertical Stress Caused by a Line Load
The vertical stress increase due to a line load of infinite

length and intensity q is given by:
𝟐𝒒𝒛𝟑
𝜟𝝈 =
𝝅(𝒙𝟐 + 𝒛𝟐 )𝟐
C. Vertical Stress Caused by a Strip Load (Finite Width and Infinite Length)
𝒒
𝜟𝝈 = [𝜷 + 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜷 𝒄𝒐𝒔 (𝜷 + 𝟐𝜹)]
𝝅
Note that the angles are measure in counter-clockwise

direction are taken as positive.
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D. Vertical Stress Below a Uniformly Loaded Circular Area
𝟏
𝜟𝝈 = 𝒒 𝟏− 𝟑/𝟐
𝑹 𝟐
[( ) + 𝟏]
{ 𝒛 }
E. Vertical Stress Caused by a Rectangularly Loaded Area
The increase in the stress, at point A caused by the rectangularly loaded area is given by:
𝜟𝝈 = 𝒒 𝑰𝟑
where:
I3 can be obtained by using:
1 2𝑚𝑛 √𝑚2 + 𝑛2 + 1 𝑚2 + 𝑛2 + 2
𝐼3 = [ ( )
4𝜋 𝑚2 + 𝑛2 + 𝑚2 𝑛2 + 1 𝑚2 + 𝑛2 + 1
2𝑚𝑛 √𝑚2 + 𝑛2 + 1
+ tan−1 ( 2 )]
𝑚 + 𝑛2 − 𝑚2 𝑛2 + 1
where
𝐵
𝑚= 𝑧
𝐿
𝑛= 𝑧
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Finals
The value of I3 can also be obtained by using the given table:
Note that the formula above is only applicable for a point directly below the corner of the rectangular
loading. To solve for the vertical stress increase in any point below the rectangular loading, divide the rectangle
into smaller rectangles such that the point is at the corners of each rectangle. The vertical stress increase is
equal to the sum of the vertical stress increase caused by the smaller rectangularly loaded area.
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If one is solving for the vertical stress increase below the center of the rectangularly loaded area, one can use:
𝜟𝝈 = 𝒒 𝑰𝟒
where:
2 𝑚1 𝑛1 1+ 𝑚12 + 𝑛12 𝑚1
𝐼4 = [ + sin−1 ]
𝜋 (1+ 𝑛12 )(𝑚12 + 𝑛12 )
√1+ 𝑚12 + 𝑛12 √𝑚12 + 𝑛12 √1 + 𝑛12
𝐿
𝑚1 =
𝐵
𝑧
𝑛1 =
𝐵
𝐵
𝑏=
2
I4 can also be obtained using the given table:
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Finals
Example problem:
Determine the increase in vertical

stress at the given point if P=5kN,
x=3m, y=4m, and z=20m. Use the
given table for the value of I1.
Solution:
𝑟 = √(3𝑚)2 + (4𝑚)2 = 5𝑚
I1 = 0.4103
5kN
Δσz = (0.4103) = 0.0051K/m2
(20m)2
Example Problem:
Determine the increase of stress at point A.
Solution:
Δσz = Δσz(1) + Δσz(2)
2(500𝑙𝑏/𝑓𝑡)(4𝑓𝑡)3 2(1000𝑙𝑏/𝑓𝑡)(4𝑓𝑡)3
Δσz = 2 2 2
+
𝜋((5𝑓𝑡) + (4𝑓𝑡) ) 𝜋((10𝑓𝑡)2 + (4𝑓𝑡)2 )2
Δσz = 15.15𝑙𝑏/𝑓𝑡 2
Example Problem:
Determine the vertical stress increase at a depth of 4m below point A’.

Use the table for the variation of I3.
Solution:
In order to determine the vertical stress increase at point A, we can add and subtract rectangular
loads of the same magnitude so that point A’ is located at the corners of the two rectangles.
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Finals
Δσz = Δσz(1) − Δσz(2)
For Δσz(1) :
m = 2m/4m = 0.5
n = 4m/4m = 1
I3 = 0.1202
For Δσz(2) :
m = 1m/4m = 0.25
n = 2m/4m = 0.5
I3 = 0.0473
Δσz = Δσz(1) − Δσz(2)
Δσz = 150𝑘𝑁/𝑚2 (0.1202) − 150𝑘𝑁/𝑚2 (0.0473)
Δσz = 10.94𝑘𝑁/𝑚2
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Chapter 9 Stresses in A Soil Mass

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Republic of the Philippines

CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE

Chapter 9 – Stresses in a Soil Mass

Stresses in Saturated Soil Without Seepage

Stresses in Saturated Soil Seepage

The effective stress at stress at a point C located at a depth z

Note that h/H2 is the hydraulic gradient, i.

Vertical Stress Increase Due to Various Types of Loading

A. Stress Caused by a Point Load

B. Vertical Stress Caused by a Line Load

The vertical stress increase due to a line load of infinite

Note that the angles are measure in counter-clockwise

D. Vertical Stress Below a Uniformly Loaded Circular Area

E. Vertical Stress Caused by a Rectangularly Loaded Area

I3 can be obtained by using:

The value of I3 can also be obtained by using the given table:

I4 can also be obtained using the given table:

Determine the increase in vertical

Determine the increase of stress at point A.

Δσz = Δσz(1) + Δσz(2)

Determine the vertical stress increase at a depth of 4m below point A’.

Δσz = Δσz(1) − Δσz(2)

Δσz = Δσz(1) − Δσz(2)

Δσz = 150𝑘𝑁/𝑚2 (0.1202) − 150𝑘𝑁/𝑚2 (0.0473)

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