Lecture 6

 Boussinesq 1885 proposed to solve stress distribution at

certain depth in soil as a result of point load acting at ground
surface
 The assumption:
◦ 1. The soil mass is elastic, isotropic, homogeneous and semi-infinite.
◦ 2. The soil is weightless.

◦ 3. The load is a point load acting on the surface.

Vertical displacement

Radial displacement
 Westergaard, a British Scientist, proposed (1938) a formula for the
computation of vertical stress by a point load, P, at the surface as
follow:

where
 Westergaards 1938
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. Q/m
Q/m
mh

nh

z h Px
sZ
sX Earth-retaining structure
X
x
Stresses due to line load Lateral pressure due to line load
sx = 2Q m2n
ph (m2 + n2)2 px = 4Q m2n
ph (m2 + n2)2
sz = 2Q z3
p (x2 + z2)2 The total thrust on the structure
txz = 2Q z3 Px = 2Q 1
p (x2 + z2)2 p m2 + 1
DUE TO UNIFORM PRESSURE ON STRIP AREA
B
q Contours of equal vertical stress

B
q
z
0.8q
a b sZ 0.6q
sX
X 0.4q B

Stresses due to uniform pressure

0.2q
2B
sz = q {a + sin a cos(a + 2b)} The bulb of pressure
p
3B
sx = q {a - sin a cos(a + 2b)}
p
txz = q {sin a sin(a + 2b)}
p
DUE TO LINEARLY INCREASING PRESSURE ON STRIP AREA

x
Stresses due to linearly incresing pressure
B
sz = q (x a - ½ sin 2b)
q
p B

R2
sx = q (x a - z ln R12 + ½ sin 2b)
R1 p B B R22
z
a b sZ txz = q (1 + cos 2b - 2za)
2p B
sX
X
DUE TO UNIFORM PRESSURE ON CIRCULAR AREA
Vertical stress under the center of the area
(at depth z, diameter D = 2R) :
1.0

0.9
0.8
0.7
sz = q 1 - 1 3/2 = q Ic 0.6
1 + (R/z)2
Ic 0.5
sz = q Ic
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
D/z
DUE TO UNIFORM PRESSURE ON RECTANGULAR AREA
B
q

0.8q
0.6q
0.4q

0.2q
B
The bulb of pressure

2B

3B

Contours of equal vertical stress

 FADUM’S DIAGRAM
Vertical stress under a corner of the area
(at depth z, dimensions mz and nz) :

sz = q Ir

The factors m and n are interchangeable

For a strip area, it is considered as a
rectangular area of infinite length

Ir

Reproduced from R.E Fadum (1948) Proceedings 2nd

International Conference SMFE
NEWMARK’S INFLUENCE CHART
Vertical stress at any point below an area of any shape carrying a uniform
pressure q (m=10, n=20, α = 1/(mxn)= 0.005)

sz = α N q

The length of the scale line on the

chart represents the depth z
The point at which the vertical
stress is required is at the center of
the chart
N is the number of influence areas
covered by the scale drawing of the
loaded area

z
Reproduced from N.M Newmark (1942) Influence Charts for
Computation of Stresses in elastic Foundations
  1 
1 - 
s z/q =
 
 1  r / z 2 
3/ 2 

η

sz = qη
r = ~  sz= q
r = 0  s z= 0

z 1 - n 
-2 / 3
ri = -1

ηi = 1 / η I ηi ri / z
0 0.0 0.000
ratio ri / z untuk η = 10 : 1 0.1 0.270
2 0.2 0.400
3 0.3 0.518
4 0.4 0.637
5 0.5 0.766
6 0.6 0.918
7 0.7 0.110
8 0.8 1.387
9 0.9 1.908
10 1.0 ~
 Influence coefficient : α = 1/(m n)
σz = q α N
where :
N = numbers of Newmark circular
sectors influence coefficient
q = uniformly distributed load
m = sector

(m=20 ; n=10)
Problem
A rectangular foundation 4 m x 6 m transmits a stress of 100 kPa on the
surface of a soil deposit. Plot the distribution of increases of vertical stresses
with depth under points A, B, and C up to a depth of 20 m. At what depth is
the increase in vertical stress below A less than 10% of the surface stress?
PROBLEM

A water tank, 15 m in diameter and 10 m high, is proposed for a site where there is an existing
pipeline (Figure P7.26). Plot the distribution of vertical and lateral stress increases imposed by
the water tank on the pipeline along one-half the circumference nearest to the tank.
The empty tank’s weight (deal load) is 350 kN. Assume the water tank is fi lled to its capacity.