Newmark’s Influence chart

Vertical stress at any point, under any shape of surface loading or an area with irregular

boundaries, or be discontinuous can be estimated using a graphical method proposed

by Newmark based on Boussinesqu’s equation.

The vertical normal stress at any depth ‘Z’ in the interior of an elastic, homogeneous
and isotropic medium caused by uniformly loaded surface area is

σz = If q

where

‘q ‘ is the uniform surface pressure and

If is an influence factor which depends on the shape of the loaded area, depth at which
stresses are to be found and orientation of the loaded area.

Newmarks’ chart consists of an array of concentric circles (m) and equally spaced radial
lines (n). Each area unit causes equal vertical stress at the centre the Newmark’s chart.

Influence factor of each sector is 1/(mXn)

A uniformly loaded circular area with load intensity ‘q’ and radius ‘r1’ divided into 20
sectors causes a vertical stress of σz at a depth z below the centre of the circular
loading is given as q/(mXn) =0.005q

= If q
Equating If = 0.005 an arbitrary influence value

First circle radius OA1 is found by equating

= 0.005q

=----- R should be replaced with r1

r1/Z = 0.27

This implies that if a circle is drawn with radius r1 equal to 0.27z and the circular area is
divided into 20 sectors, each area unit of sector will produce a vertical stress equal to
0.005 q at a depth z below the centre.

Second circle radius is found by equating the pressure due to sector OA1A1B2B1O

= 0.005qX2 q should be q/20

R2/z =

Similarly 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th,9th circle radii are found

Radius of 10th circle total pressure due to the area

= 0.005qX10 q should be q/20

R10 = Infinity

Circle No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

r/z 0.27 0.4 0.52 0.64 0.77 0.92 1.11 1.39 1.91 ∞

Construction of Newmark’s chart

To estimate the vertical stress using this method, a Newmark’s chart must be created
using the following procedure:

Draw 10 concentric circles with radius, mentioned in Table……..

In Newmark’s chart if the length of one unit is z, then radius is r

Divide the concentric circles into 20 sectors with equi spaced radial lines (Each radial line
makes an angle 180 with the other).

Influence value (I f ) = 1/ no.of area units

=1/ (number of circles x number of radial lines) = 1/(10 x 20) = 0.005

Determination of vertical stress at any depth Z of loaded area with load intensity q
 Plot the plan of the loaded area on a tracing paper with a scale of z equal to the
unit length of the chart (AB).

 Place the plan on the Newmark’s influence chart such that the point below which
the stress is to be determined coincides with the centre of the chart.

 Count the number of sectors (N) of the chart enclosed by the plan of the loaded
area.

 Vertical Stress is determined as σz = If q N

.
σz = If n q

For an arbitrary influence value, If = 0.005

If = Influence value = 0.005

q = intensity of the loading

= 0.005 q

= 2 x 0.005 q
2 x 0.005 q =

= 10 x 0.005 q
Influence value (If) = 1/ no.of area units
=1/ (number of circles x number of radial lines) = 1/(10 x 20) = 0.005

each area unit 'O A1 B1' produces stress

sigma z/20

at the point of consideration

assume right hand side an arbitrary value

0.005 q

total stress considering area units O A1 B1 and A1 A2 B1 B2

to determine radius of 2nd circle, r2 extend radial lines

Circular area of radius 'r1' divided into 20 area units

Circular area of radius 'r1' divided into 20 area units

10th circle radius,r10 infinity, can’t be drawn