CTMG 321: SOIL MECHANICS

Assignment Questions on Stress Distributions

12/2014

Q1. How far apart must two 18 m diameter tanks be placed such that their stress overlap is not greater than 10%
of the contact stress at a depth of 10?

Q2. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a freestanding bell tower of the cathedral of the Italian city of Pisa, known
worldwide for its unintended tilt to one side. The structure weighs about 154x103 KN and is supported by a
circular base having a diameter of 20 m. Construct an isobar for z = 100, 200, 300 and 400 kN/m2 .

Q3. A 2m x 2m foundation carries a load of 400 kPa. Calculate the stress increment at a point 5 m directly
below the center of the foundation using,

(a) the 2:1 approximate method,

(b) the point load approximation with four equivalent point loads,
(c) formulas for a uniformly loaded rectangular area, and
(d) charts for a uniformly loaded rectangular area.
Q4. (a) Calculate the stress distribution with depth at an external point 3.5 m from the corner (along the longest
side) of a rectangularly loaded area 15 by 35 m with a uniform load of 75 kPa.
(b) Compare the results of (a) with those of the 2:1 method.

Q5. An earth embankment (Fig. 1) is 2.5 m high and has a slope of 2 horizontal to 1 vertical. If the base of the
embankment is 20 m, find the vertical stress component at a point on the centre line at a depth of 7 m (measures
from the base). The unit weight of the embankment material is 18 kN/m3.

Fig. 1

Q6. (a) Construct a Newmark’s Influence chart using 16 rays and values of σ /q = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, ..., 1.0.
z
Assume z = 10m.

(b) A footing shaped as right angled triangle with sides 3m and 4m is loaded with a uniform load of 600KPa.
Determine the pressure at a point located 5m directly under the middle of the hypotenuse. Use Newmark’s
chart of (a).

1
Q7. Four bearing walls of a building shown in Fig. 2 are assumed to produce a line load with an intensity of
150KN/m. Determine the vertical stress directly under point A at a depth of 5m.

Fig. 2

Q8. A flexible rectangular area 8m long by 4m wide with some void space applies a uniform pressure of 60KPa
to the surface of a thick saturated clay layer. Calculate the increase in total vertical stress at a depth of 5m in the
clay below point C of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3
.

The assignment has to be

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 Done in groups (5 students/Group)
 Submitted 2 weeks after delivered