ANJUMAN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

MANGALWARI BAZAAR ROAD, SADAR, NAGPUR - 440001.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

UNIT – IV
Stress Distribution: Stress distribution in soil Mass, Boussinesque equation, point load and uniformly
distributed load over rectangular & circular areas, Use of Newmarks charts.

Prof. Rashmi G. Bade, Department of Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering – I 1

 ANJUMAN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
MANGALWARI BAZAAR ROAD, SADAR, NAGPUR - 440001.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

1.1 INTRODUCTION
At a certain point within the soil mass, the stresses are caused due to both surface loadings as
well as due to self-weight of soil above it. The stress components due to both these loadings (i.e.,
self-weight and surface loads) can be found separately, and then added algebraically to get the final
stresses at the points.

1.2 CONCENTRATED FORCE : BOUSSINESQ EQUATIONS

Boussinesq (1885) solved the problem of stress distribution in soils due to a concentrated
load acting at the ground surface, by assuming a suitable stress function. The following assumptions
are made in the solution by the theory of elasticity:
1) The soil mass is an elastic medium, for which the modulus of elasticity E is constant.
2) The soil mass is homogeneous, that is, all its constituent parts or elements are similar and it has
identical properties at every point in it in identical directions.
3) The soil mass is isotropic, that is, it has identical elastic properties In all directions through any
point of it.
4) The soil mass is semi-infinite, that is, it extends infinitely in all directions below a level surface.

Prof. Rashmi G. Bade, Department of Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering – I 2

 ANJUMAN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
MANGALWARI BAZAAR ROAD, SADAR, NAGPUR - 440001.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Fig.1. Concentrated load: Boussinesq analysis.

Let a point load (single concentrated vertical load) act at the ground surface, at a point ‘o’
which may be taken as the origin of the x, y and z axes as shown. Let us find the stress components
at a point ‘P’ in the soil mass, having coordinates x, y and z, or having a radial horizontal distance ‘z’
from the point ‘O’.
Using the logarithmic stress function, Boussinesq showed that the polar radial stress σR may
be expressed as

where R = polar radial coordinate of point P

In the cylindrical coordinates the corresponding vertical stress σz and tangential stress τrz are
given by:

and

It should be emphasized that although both the vertical normal stress and shearing stress are
independent of the elastic constants (E and μ) they are very much dependent on the assumptions of
linear elasticity.

Prof. Rashmi G. Bade, Department of Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering – I 3

 ANJUMAN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
MANGALWARI BAZAAR ROAD, SADAR, NAGPUR - 440001.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

It may be written as

where KB = Boussinesq influence factor

1.3 VERTICAL PRESSURE UNDER A UNIFORMLY LOADED CIRCULAR AREA

The loads applied to soil surface by footings are not concentrated loads. These are usually
spread over a finite area of the footing. It is generally assumed that the footing is flexible and the
contact pressure is uniform.
Let us determine the vertical stress at the point ‘P’ at depth ‘z’ below the centre of a
uniformly loaded circular area. Let the intensity of the load be ‘q’ per unit area and ‘R’ be the radius
of the loaded area. Boussinesq’s solution can be used σz. The load on the elementary ring of radius ‘r’
and width ‘dr’ is equal to ‘q (2  r) dr. The load acts at a constant radial distance ‘r’ from the point
‘P’.

The vertical stress due to entire load is given by

Let r2 + z2 = u. Therefore, 2rdr = du

Equation (a) becomes;

Fig.2.

where Ic is the influence coefficient for the circular area, and is given by

Prof. Rashmi G. Bade, Department of Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering – I 4

 ANJUMAN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
MANGALWARI BAZAAR ROAD, SADAR, NAGPUR - 440001.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

1.4 ISOBAR DIAGRAM

An isobar is a curve joining the points of equal stress intensity. In other words, an isobar is a
contour of equal stress. An isobar is a spatial curved surface of the shape of an electrical bulb or a n
onion. The curved surface is symmetrical about the vertical axis passing through the load point.

Taking σz = 0.1 Q

………….(a)

For different depths z, the value of IB is computed from Eq. (a). The values of r/z for
computed values of IB are obtained. Once the values of r/z have been determined, the radial distance
‘r’ can be obtained. It may be observed that ‘r’ is zero at the load point, and it attains a maximum
value at r/z = 0.75 and again decreases. As the isobar is symmetrical about the load axis, the other
half can be drawn from symmetry. The shape of an isobar approaches a leminscate curve (not circle).
Fig. shows the pressure bulb of intensity 0.1 Q.

Fig.3. Isobar of 0.1 Q.

Table 1 Calculations for Isobar of 0.1 Q.

Prof. Rashmi G. Bade, Department of Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering – I 5

 ANJUMAN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
MANGALWARI BAZAAR ROAD, SADAR, NAGPUR - 440001.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Isobars are useful for determining the effect of the load on the vertical stresses at various
points. The zone within which the stresses have a significant effect on the settlement of structures is
known as the pressure bulb. It is generally assumed that as isobar of 0.1 Q forms a pressure bulb. The
area outside the pressure bulb is assumed to have negligible stresses.
1.5 VERTICAL PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION ON A HORIZONTAL PLANE
The vertical stresses at various points on a horizontal plane at a particular depth ‘z’ below the
ground surface, due to a concentrated load, is given by,

where ‘z’ is a known depth. Selecting different values of horizontal distance ‘r’, IB can be found
from table 1, hence σz can be computed. Below the load, the vertical pressure will be equal to 0.4775
Q/z2, and it decreases very rapidly with the increase in the value of ‘r’, as is evident from table2.
Table 2 Calculations of vertical stress.

Let us determine the stresses at a depth 2m. therefore,

Fig.4. Vertical stress on horizontal plane.

Fig.4 shows the vertical stress distribution diagram. The diagram is symmetrical about the
vertical axis. The maximum stress occurs just below the load (r=0), and it decreases rapidly as the
distance ‘r’ increases.
The vertical stress distribution diagram on a horizontal plane can also be obtained graphically
if the isobars of different intensity are available. The horizontal plane is drawn on the isobars
diagrams. The points of intersection of the horizontal plane with the isobar of a particular intensity
give that vertical stress.

Prof. Rashmi G. Bade, Department of Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering – I 6

 ANJUMAN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
MANGALWARI BAZAAR ROAD, SADAR, NAGPUR - 440001.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

1.6 VERTICAL STRESS AT ANY POINT UNDER A RECTANGULAR AREA

The equations developed in the preceding section can also be used for finding the vertical stress at a
point which is not located below the corner. The rectangular area is subdivided into rectangles such
that each rectangles has a corner at the point where the vertical stress is required. The vertical stress
is determined using the principle of superposition.
Point anywhere below the rectangular area:- Fig.5 (a) shows the location of the point’P’ below
the rectangular area ABCD. The given rectangle is subdivided into 4 small rectangles AEPH, EBFP,
HPGD and PFCG, each having one corner at ‘P’. The vertical stress at ‘P’ due to the given
rectangular load is equal to that from the four small rectangles. Therefore, using equation,

where (IN)1, (IN)2, (IN)3 and (IN)4 are Newmark’s influence factors obtained from table 3 for the four
rectangles marked (1), (2), (3) and (4).

Fig.5. Vertical stresses under rectangular area.

Prof. Rashmi G. Bade, Department of Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering – I 7

 ANJUMAN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
MANGALWARI BAZAAR ROAD, SADAR, NAGPUR - 440001.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Table 3 Influence coefficients IN for Rectangular area.

1.7 EQUIVALENT POINT LOAD METHOD

This is an approximate method of calculating the vertical stress at any point due to any loaded
area. The entire area is divided into a number of small area units and the total distributed load over a
unit area is replaced by a point load of the same magnitude acting at the centroid of the area unit.
Thus, the distributed loads over the whole area are replaced by a number of point loads situated at
the centroids of the various area units. The influence factors for each of these load positions can be
found with respect to the point ‘P’ where σz is to be determined. The vertical stress is then given by

Fig.6. Equivalent point load.

This is an approximate method or calculating the vertical stress at any point due to any loaded
area. The entire area is divided into a number of small area units and the total distribution load over a
unit area is replaced by a point load of the same magnitude acting at the centroid of the area unit.
Thus, the distributed loads situated at the centroids of the various area units. The influence factors for

Prof. Rashmi G. Bade, Department of Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering – I 8

 ANJUMAN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
MANGALWARI BAZAAR ROAD, SADAR, NAGPUR - 440001.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

each of these load positions can be found with respect to the point ‘P’ where σz is to be determined.
The vertical stress is then given by

If all the point loads are of equal magnitude Q’

where ∑KB = sum of the individual influence factors for the various area units.
The accuracy of the result will depend upon the size of the area unit chosen. If the length of
the side of the small area unit is less than one-third of the depth at which vertical pressure is required,
the error involved in the result is within 3 percent.

1.8 NEWMARK’S INFLUENCE CHART

A more accurate method of determining the vertical stress at any point under a uniformly
loaded area of any shape is with the help of influence chart or influence diagram originally suggested
by Newmark (1942). A chart, consisting of a number of circles and radiating lines, is so prepared that
the influence of each area unit (formed in the shape of a sector between two concentric circles and
two adjacent radial lines) is the same at the centre of the circles, i.e., each area unit causes the equal
vertical stress at the centre of the diagram.

Fig.7. Preparation of influence chart.

Let a uniformly loaded circular area of radius r1 cm be divided into 20 sectors (area units) as
shown in fig.1.7. If ‘q’ is the intensity of loading, and σz is the vertical pressure at a depth ‘z’ below
the centre of the area, each area unit such as OA1B1 exerts a pressure equal to σz/20 at the centre.

Prof. Rashmi G. Bade, Department of Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering – I 9

 ANJUMAN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
MANGALWARI BAZAAR ROAD, SADAR, NAGPUR - 440001.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Hence,

Where if = influence value

Prof. Rashmi G. Bade, Department of Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering – I 10