25/08/2023

FOUNDATION
ENGINEERING

Part 2
(Effective Stress)

Part 2 – Geotechnical Properties of Soils

1. Effective Stress
 A measure of the loading transmitted by the soil structure.
 The total stress at a given point in a soil mass can be expressed as:

 The effective stress, σ’ is the vertical component of forces at solid-to-solid contact

points over a unit cross-sectional area.

σ’ = σ - u

Where :γ’= effective or submerge unit weight

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Part 2 – Geotechnical Properties of Soils

1. Effective Stress
Problem
a) From the given soil profile, determine the total stress, pore water pressure and
effective stress at A, B, C, and D.

Part 2 – Geotechnical Properties of Soils

1. Effective Stress
Problem
b) From the previous problem 1, if the ground water table rises to 1.2 meters below the
ground surface, what will be the change in the effective stress.

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Part 2 – Geotechnical Properties of Soils

2. Consolidation
 In the field, when the stress on a saturated clay layer is increased the pore water
pressure in the clay will increase.

 Because the hydraulic conductivity of clay is very small, some time will be required for
the excess pore water pressure to dissipate and the increase in stress to be
transferred to the soil skeleton.

 This gradual increase in the effective stress in the clay layer will cause settlement over
a period of time and is referred to as consolidation.

 Three parameters necessary for calculating settlement in the field can be determined.

• The preconsolidation pressure, is the maximum past effective overburden pressure to

which the soil specimen has been subjected. The preconsolidation pressure with
liquidity index is presented in the following form:
Stas and Kulhawy (1984) Wood (1983)

Part 2 – Geotechnical Properties of Soils

2. Consolidation
Skempton (1944)
 The compression index, Cc

• The swelling index

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Part 2 – Geotechnical Properties of Soils

2. Consolidation
 The one-dimensional primary consolidation settlement (caused by an additional load)
of a clay layer (Figure) having a thickness Hc may be calculated as

Part 2 – Geotechnical Properties of Soils

2. Consolidation
 Time Rate of Consolidation

• To obtain ∆u as a function of time t with the following boundary conditions:

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Part 2 – Geotechnical Properties of Soils

2. Consolidation
• The average degree of consolidation of the clay layer can be defined as;

Part 2 – Geotechnical Properties of Soils

2. Consolidation
Problem
a) For a normally consolidated clay, the following is given;

Determine the following

1. The compression index Cc
2. The void ratio corresponding to pressure of 200 kN/m2.

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Part 2 – Geotechnical Properties of Soils

2. Consolidation
Problem
b) For a normally consolidated clay, the following is given;
Thickness = 3.7 m
Void ratio = 0.82
Liquid Limit = 42
Average effective stress on the clay layer = 110 kN/m2
How much consolidation settlement would the clay undergo if the average effective
stress on the clay layer is increased to 155 kNm2 as the result of the construction
of a foundation?

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