Vertical Stress Distribution In Soils Due To Applied Loads

Dr N.H Joshi

Importance of stresses in soil due to external loads.

Prediction of settlements of buildings, bridges, Embankments

Stability analysis

Lateral earth Pressure.

Soil stresses are determined using theory of elasticity. Soil is not an ideal elastic material, but a
nearly linear stress-strain relationship exists with limited loading conditions.(considerable factor of
safety to ultimate load). A simplification therefore is made that under these conditions soil can be
treated mathematically during vertical compression as an elastic material. Also considered as
isotropic and homogeneous.

Parameters that affect stress distribution

The extent of the elastic layer below the surface loadings affects stress distribution which may
be any one of the following:

Infinite in the vertical and horizontal directions.

Limited thickness in the vertical direction underlain with a rough rigid base such as a
rocky bed.

The loads at the surface may act on flexible or rigid footings. The stress conditions in the
elastic layer below vary according to the rigidity of the footings and the thickness of the elastic
layer.
Stress-strain characteristics of soil

All the external loads considered are vertical loads only and the vertical stresses(z) are of practical
importance for computing settlements of foundations.

Figure-1: Extent of elastic layer below load Figure-2: Stresses on an soil element
Soil stresses shown in figure-2 are considered positive

Boussinesq formula for point load

3 1
= 2 [1+(/)2 ]5/2 = Boussinesqs stress coefficient

Westergaard's formula for point loads

for =0

Comparison of IB and Iw : The value of Boussinesqs stress coefficient is 0.4775 and Westergaards
stress coefficient is 0.32 at (r/z)=0 i.e exactly below point load, Iw is lower by about 33% than I B.
Upto r/z=1.5, Boussinesq theory gives higher values for vertical stresses and at higher r/z little
higher values obtained with Westergaards theory.

Vertical stress distribution on horizontal line and on vertical line

Pressure isobars-pressure bulb

An isobar is a line which connects all points of equal stress below the ground surface. In other
words, an isobar is a stress contour. We may draw any number of isobars as shown in Fig. for any
given load system.
Each isobar represents a fraction of the load applied at the surface. Since these isobars form closed
figures and resemble the form of a bulb, they are also termed bulb of pressure or simply the
pressure bulb.
Normally isobars are drawn for vertical, horizontal and shear stresses. The one that is most
important in the calculation of settlements of footings is the vertical pressure isobar.

we may draw any number of isobars for any given load system, but the one that is of practical
significance is the one which encloses a soil mass which is responsible for the settlement of the
structure.
The depth of this stressed zone may be termed as the significant depth Ds which is responsible
for the settlement of the structure. Terzaghi recommended that for all practical purposes one
can take a stress contour which represents 20 per cent of the foundation contact pressure q, i.e,
equal to 0.2q.
Terzaghi's recommendation was based on his observation that direct stresses are considered of
negligible magnitude when they are smaller than 20 per cent of the intensity of the applied
stress from structural loading, and that most of the settlement, approximately 80 per cent of the
total, takes place at a depth less than Ds.
The depth Ds is approximately equal to 1.5 times the width of square or circular footings
Example of Pressure bulb.

The theory of point load is extended for other types of loading conditions such as line loads,strip
loads, circular loaded area, rectangular loaded area by mathematical integration
Vertical Stress Below Line Loads

Vertical Stress Below Uniformly Loaded strip

Such conditions are found for structures extended very much in one direction, such as strip and wall
foundations, foundations of retaining walls, embankments, dams and the like.

Uniformly increasing vertical strip loading

z =q.I
1
= ( sin 2)
2

Vertical stresses due to embankment loading

 z =q.I

Principle of superposition
Alternative-I Alternative-II

Alternative-III Alternative-IV

Uniformly distributed load covering half the infinite plane

=.
1
= ( + 2)

Stresses below the corner of rectangular loaded area

z =q.I
Vertical stress below the centre of a uniformly loaded rectangular area

Vertical stress below uniformly loaded rectangular area

When point N is not located exactly below the corner or centre of a uniformly loaded rectangular
area, but if projection of N i.e. N is within rectangle then given loaded area is divided into four
rectangles such that N will be common corner of all sub divided rectangles. The stress due to this four
rectangles now can be determined at point N as it is located below the corners of rectangles and they
are super imposed to get final vertical stress.

When point N is outside the rectangle than the effect of loaded area ABCD is determined by forming
other rectangles as shown in above figure on the right side such that N is the common corner of
rectangles NHCE,NHBF,NGDE and NGAF. Now influence value due to rectangle ABCD at N=
INHCE-INHBF-INGDE+INGAF

Problem: Determine vertical stress below point @ at 4 m depth as shown in figure below, q=100 kPa

Solution: The given foundation plan area is divided into number of rectangles such that @ point is
common corner of rectangles shown in the table below by super imposing the influence values of all
these rectangles give z .
 Vertical stress below the centre of uniformly loaded circular area

1 3/2
= [1 {1+(/)2 } ]

Vertical stress below the loaded area of any shape: Newmark has divised a method using
newmarks influence chart one can determine stress below the loaded area of any shape.Newmarks
influence chart consisting of concentric circles and radiating lines forming area segments in between.

Newmarks influence chart

Fenskes influence chart (Westergaards case)

Similar to Newmarks influence chart which is based on Boussinesqs theory Fenskes

influence chart is based on Westergaards case. The fenskes chart is used similarly as
that of Newmarks influence chart with only difference that the plan of the loaded area
should be drawn to a scale : scale distance = z , where =[(1-2)/(2-2)]1/2

Frohlichs influence chart : For sandy soils compressibility of soil

decreases with depth and it is found that Frohlichs theory for m=4 (=1+1/)
is more appropriate Figure below shows Frohlichs influence chart to be used
exactly as per Newmarks influence chart to find out vertical stress below the
loaded area of any shape.
Which theory to use:
Normally consolidated clays may be considered isotropic ,
homogeneous and therefore, Boussinesq theory is applicable.
Overconsolidated and laminated clays can be expected to exhibit
marked anisotropy. For such clays, Westergaards results may be
used.
Sand deposits exhibit marked decrease in compressibility with
depth. Frohlichs solutions may be used for such deposits.
For variable deposits, the Boussinesqs solutions may be used.