Stress Distribution

Stress Distribution
20.1 Elastic Theory (Continuum)
Three-Dimensional Systems
•
Two-Dimensional Systems
20.2 Particulate Medium
Two-Dimensional Systems
•
Three-Dimensional System
•
Distributed Vertical Loads at Surface
From a microscopic point of view, all soil bodies are composed of discrete particles that are connected
to each other by forces of mutual attraction and repulsion. Given an initial state of equilibrium, if an
additional force system is applied, deformations may occur; particle arrangements may be altered; and
changes in the distribution of the resultant forces may take place. Although the intensity of the generated
forces may be high at points of contact, their range of influence is very short. Generally, effects extend
only over a distance of molecular size or
in the very near vicinity
of the particles. The internal forces
generated at these points by the induced loadings are called
stresses.
Because stresses reflect distributional changes induced by boundary loadings, they can be thought of
as providing a measure of the transmission of induced energy throughout the body. The transformation
from real soil bodies, composed of discrete particles, into a form such that useful deductions can be
made through the exact processes of mathematics is accomplished by introducing the abstraction of a
continuum,
or
continuous medium,
and pleading
statistical macroscopic equivalents
through the introduction
of
material properties
. In concept, the soil is assumed to be continuously distributed in the region
of space under consideration. This supposition then brings the continuous space required by mathematical
formulations and the material points of real bodies into conformity.
This chapter will present some basic solutions for increases in vertical stresses due to some commonly
encountered boundary loadings. Solutions will be presented both from the linear theory of elasticity and
from particulate mechanics. Special efforts have been made to present the results in easy-to-use form.
Many solutions can also be found in computer software packages.
20.1 Elastic Theory (Continuum)
Three-Dimensional Systems
Soil in the neighborhood of a point is called
isotropic
if its defining parameters are the same in all
directions emanating from that point. Isotropy reduces the number of elastic constants at a point to two:
E
, the
modulus of elasticity;
and
m
,
Poisson’s ratio
[Harr, 1966]. If the elastic constants are the same at all
points within a region of a soil body, that region is said to be
homogeneous.
Invoking
linear constitutive
equations produces
Milton E. Harr
Purdue University
20
-2
The Civil Engineering Handbook, Second Edition
(20.1)
where
e
i
and
s
i
are the normal
strains
and stresses, respectively, and
g
i
and
t
i
are the shearing strains
and stresses in the
i
=
x
,
y
,
z
directions, respectively.
Force Normal to Surface (Boussinesq Problem)
Assuming that the
z
direction coincides with the direction of gravity, the vertical stress under a concentrated
load
P
as shown in Fig. 20.1(a), where
R
2
=
x
2
+
y
2
+
z
2
, is [Boussinesq, 1885]
(20.2)
It should be noted that the vertical normal stress (
s
z
) is independent of the so-called elastic parameters.
Equation (20.2) can also be written as
(20.3)
FIGURE 20.1
Concentrated force acting at and normal to surface;
s
z
=
I
B
P
/
z
2
.
(b)
1.0 0.10
0.8
IB
0.08
0.6 0.06
0.4 0.04
0.2
0
0.1 0.2
0.1 2.0
0.3 0.4 0.5
3.0
0.6 0.7
4.0
0.8 0.9
5.0
1.0
0.02
0 1 rz
1 rz
1 rz
rz
rz
3
2π IB = 1 + 2
−5 . 2
0 1 rz
z
x
y
P
R
sz
r
z
(a)


ex
1
E
-- sx m sy sz = [ – ( – )]
ey
1
E
-- sy m sx sz = [ – ( – )]
ez
1
E
-- sz m sx sy = [ – ( – )]
g yz
2(1 + m)
E
--------------------tyz =
g xz
2(1 + m)
E
--------------------txz =
g xy
2(1 + m)
E
--------------------txy =
sz
3Pz3
2pR5
= ------------
sz IB
P
z2
= ----
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Stress Distribution
20
-3
where
A plot of the
influence factor
I
B
is given in Fig. 20.1(b).
Because superposition is valid, the effects of a number of normal forces acting on the surface of a
body can be accounted for by adding their relative influence values.
Example 20.1
Find the vertical stress at point M in Fig. 20.2 due to the three loads shown acting in a line at the surface.
Solution. For the 200 lb force r/z = 0 and, from Fig. 20.1(b), IB = 0.478. For the 100 lb forces, r/z =
20/10 = 2, IB = 0.009. Hence, the corresponding vertical stress at point M is
By applying the principle of superposition, the increased stress due to distributed loadings over flexible
areas at the surface can be obtained by dividing the loading into increments (see Fig. 20.3) and treating
each increment as a concentrated force.
For a concentrated force parallel to the boundary surface (Fig. 20.4), the vertical stress [Cerruti, 1882] is
(20.4)
By combining Eqs. (20.2) and (20.4), the increase in vertical stress, consistent with the assumptions
of linear elasticity, can be determined for a concentrated force at the surface with any inclination.
FIGURE 20.2 Example 20.1.
FIGURE 20.3 Distributed loads.
100 Ib 200 Ib 100 Ib
20' 20'
10'
M
y
Plan
x
y
Profile
z
IB
3
2p
------ 1 r
zË-- ¯
Ê ˆ2
+
–5/2
=
sz
200(0.478)
100
-------------------------- 2(100)(0.009)
100
+ ---------------------------------- 0.974 lb/ft2 = =
sz
3Qxz2
2pR5
= ---------------
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20-4 The Civil Engineering Handbook, Second Edition
Uniform Flexible Load over Rectangular Area
The vertical stress under the corner of a flexible, uniformly loaded, rectangular area with sides a by b, as
in Fig. 20.5(a), is
(20.5)
FIGURE 20.4 Concentrated force parallel to surface.
FIGURE 20.5 Normal uniform load over rectangular area. Source: After Steinbrenner, W. 1936 A rational method
for the determination of the vertical normal stresses under foundations. Proc. 1st Int. Conf. Soil Mech. Found. Eng., Vol. 2.
x
y
z
Q 0
z
b
a
(a)
m =
m = 10
,n =
q
sz
sz = qIR
a
b
z
b
0.24
0.22
0.20
0.18
0.16
0.14
0.12
0.10
IR
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0
1 2 3 4 5
(b)
n
6 7 8 9
1 2 3 4
1.4
6
10
sz
q
2p
------ mn
1 m2 n2 + +
------------------------------- 1 m2 2n2 + +
1 n2 ( + ) m2 n2 ( + )
------------------------------------------ sin –1 m
m2 mn2 + 1 n2 +
= + ----------------------------------------------
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Stress Distribution 20-5
where m = a/b and n = z/b. This can also be written as
where IR is a dimensionless influence factor. Figure 20.5(b) gives a plot of IR as a function of the
dimensionless ratios m and n. This form of the solution was given by Steinbrenner [1936].
By superposition, the distribution of vertical stress can be obtained anywhere under uniformly loaded,
flexible, rectangular loadings. Two cases will be examined.
Vertical Stress for a Point Interior to a Loaded Area
For this case, Fig. 20.6(a), the influence factor IR is determined from Fig. 20.5(b) for each of the rectangular
areas (Roman numerals) with their corresponding m and n values and add them to obtain
Vertical Stress for a Point Exterior to a Loaded Area
For a point such as B in Fig. 20.6(b), the stress is computed as
Influence Chart Normal Load
Although the above procedure can also be used to approximate irregularly shaped loadings, an influence
chart, developed by Newmark [1942] greatly reduces the work required. Such a chart is shown in Fig. 20.7.
To use the chart, the shape of the loading is drawn (generally on tracing paper) to scale so that the length
AB on the chart represents the depth z at which the vertical stress is desired. The scaled drawing is then
oriented so that the point under which the stress is sought is directly over the center of the circles on
the chart. The number of blocks covered by the area of loading multiplied by the influence value (each
square is 0.001q for this chart) yields, for the vertical stress, that part of the uniformly distributed load.
By repeating this procedure and varying the size of the drawings, the complete distribution of vertical
stresses can be found with depth. A separate drawing of the area is required for each depth. Although
the chart was developed for uniform loadings over the whole area, the effects of varying loads can be
treated as a series of uniform loadings.
Two-Dimensional Systems
In soil mechanics and foundation engineering, problems such as the analysis of retaining walls or of
continuous footings and slopes generally offer one dimension very large in comparison with the other
two. Hence, if boundary forces are perpendicular to and independent of this dimension, all cross sections
will be the same. In Fig. 20.8 the y dimension is taken to be large, and it is assumed that the state of
affairs existing in the xz plane holds for all planes parallel to it. These conditions are said to define the
state of plane strain.
FIGURE 20.6 Vertical stress. (a) Interior. (b) Exterior.
I
I
II
II
III IV III
(a) (b)
IV
A
B
sz qIR =
szA q IRI IRII – IRIII IRIV = ( + + )
szB q IRI + III IRII + IV IRIII – IRIV = ( + – )
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20-6 The Civil Engineering Handbook, Second Edition
Infinite Line Load Normal to Surface (Flamant Problem)
Figure 20.9(a) shows a semi-infinite plane with a concentrated load (line load) of intensity P (per unit
run) normal to the surface. The solution, given by Flamant [1892], is
(20.6)
In Fig. 20.9(b) is given a plot of this equation taken as sz = Isz(P/z). Also plotted are the influence
factors for Isx and the tangential stress, It.
Example 20.2
Find the vertical normal stress at a depth corresponding to point A in Fig. 20.10, due to the three normal
line forces N1, N2 and N3.
Solution. The influence curve is oriented so that the origin (point O) is directly above point A (as shown).
The magnitude of the force multiplied by the ordinate of the sz curve immediately under it for P = 1
(such as under N1) gives that part of the stress at point A due to the particular force. By superposition
the total vertical stress at point A is obtained as the algebraic sum of the contributions of each of the
FIGURE 20.7 Influence chart for uniform vertical normal stress. Source: After Newmark, N. M. 1942. Influence
charts for computation of stresses in elastic foundations. Univ. of Illinois Bull. 338.
Scale distance = depth z
Influence value = 0.001
A B
O
sz
2Pz3
p x2 z2 ( + )2
= -------------------------
B1C1
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Stress Distribution 20-7
FIGURE 20.8 Examples of plane strain models.
FIGURE 20.9 Infinite line load, normal to surface.
O O
y
x
(b)
(c)
Retaining wall
Continuous footing
z
y
x
(a)
O
Slope
y
x
z
z
Iσz
Iσz
σz
σx
Iσx
Iτ
Iσx
Iτ
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
0.5 1.0 1.5
(b)
2.0 2.5 x /z
(a)
x
z
z
x
M
P, line load
Iσz σz = Pz
Pz
Pz
σx = Iσx
τxz = Iτ
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
20-8 The Civil Engineering Handbook, Second Edition
forces. Thus, for the three forces N1, N2, and N3, the increase in vertical stress at point A is szA =
.
Superposition also permits the determination of the stress under any distribution of flexible surface
loading. For example, to obtain the vertical stress at point A in Fig. 20.10 under the distributed line load
q(x), the load is first divided into a number of increments, and each increment is then treated, as just
described, as a concentrated force.
Infinite Strip of Width b
An influence chart [Giroud, 1973] provides the stress sz at point P(x, z) in Fig. 20.11, due to the
distributed vertical load q over a flexible strip of width b in the form
(20.7)
Plots of this equation as well as the influence factor Isx are also shown.
20.2 Particulate Medium
Two-Dimensional Systems
Infinite Line Load Normal to Surface
On the basis of a probabilistic model, Harr [1977] gave the expression for the vertical stress due to a
concentrated load (line load) of intensity P (per unit run) normal to the surface (see Fig. 20.9) as
(20.8)
The symbol –sz will be used to designate the vertical normal stress for the probabilistic model. The
overlaid bar implies that this is the expected value of the stress. The customary symbol sz will be reserved
for the linear theory of elasticity. Harr called the parameter n (Greek nu) the coefficient of lateral stress
and showed that it can be approximated by the conventional coefficient of lateral earth pressure, K. For
comparisons with the linear theory of elasticity, n ª 1/3.
Example 20.3
Compare the distribution of the vertical normal stress of the particulate theory with that given by the
theory of elasticity, Eq.(20.6), using n = Kactive = 1/3.
Solution. Some numerical values of these two functions are given in Table 20.1. The correspondence is
seen to be very good.
FIGURE 20.10 Example 20.2.
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
Stress / (P/z)
0.2
2.0 1.8 1.6 1.4
1.2 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 A 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0
txz
sx
sz
O
P
q (x )
N2 N3
x
z
C1
N1
C3
C2
B2 B3 B1
N1 B1C1 ( ) N2 B2C2 ( ) N3 B3C3 ( + + ( ))
sz = Isz ◊ q
sz
P
z 2np
---------------- exp x2
2nz2
= – ----------
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Stress Distribution 20-9
Infinite Strip of Width b
The counterpart of Eq. (20.7), Fig. 20.11, for the particulate model is
(20.9a)
and under the center line (x = 0),
(20.9b)
FIGURE 20.11 Stresses under infinite strip loading. Source: Giroud, J. P. 1973. Tables pour le Calcul des Fondations.
2 Vols. Dunod, Paris.
σz
σx
‘ = ∞
P
z
x
z
b
(a)
z
x
q
b2
x /
Iσz, Iσx
σz = q . Iσz
σx = q . Iσx
b
2z m =
1.0
m=5
m=2
m=1
m=5
m=2.5
m=2
m=0.33
m=0.25
m=0.2
m=1
m=0.1
m=0.5
m=0.33
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
1 2 3 4
(b)
5
sz q y x + b/2
z n
---------------- y x – b/2
z n
– ----------------
Ó ˛
Ì ˝
Ï ¸
=
sz(0) 2qy b
2z n
= -------------
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
20-10 The Civil Engineering Handbook, Second Edition
Values of the function y [ ] are given in Table 16.3 of Chapter 16. For example, y[0.92] = 0.321. In
Fig. 20.12 a plot of –sz/q is given for a range of values (compare with Fig. 20.11 for n = 1/3).
Example 20.4
Find the expected value for the vertical normal stress at point x = 2 ft, z = 4 ft for a uniformly distributed
load q = 100 lb/ft2 acting over a strip 8 ft wide. Take n = p/8.
Solution. Equation (20.9a) becomes for this case
TABLE 20.1 Comparison of Particulate and Elastic Solutions
(Infinite Normal Line Load)
0.0 0.69 0.64
0.1 0.68 0.62
0.2 0.65 0.59
0.3 0.60 0.54
0.4 0.54 0.47
0.5 0.47 0.41
0.6 0.40 0.34
0.8 0.26 0.24
1.0 0.15 0.16
1.2 0.08 0.11
1.5 0.02 0.06
1.8 0.01 0.04
2.0 0.004 0.03
FIGURE 20.12 Uniform normal load over strip.
x
z
-- zsz § P 1
2np
Ë----------¯
Ê ˆ1/2 x2
2n z2
= exp – ----------- zsz P § 2p
Ë---¯
Ê ˆ 1 x2
z2
+ ----
–2
=
(a)
b
q
x
z
x
P(x, z )
O
sz /q
1.00
0.90
0.80
0.70
0.60
0.50
0.40
0.30
0.20
0.10
(b)
b /2 b 1.5b 2b
0 x
z÷ 2v = 2.5b
z÷ 2v = 1.5b
z÷ 2v = b
z÷ 2v = b/2
z÷ 2v = b/4
sz 100 y 2 4 +
4(0.63)
----------------- y (2 – 4)
4(0.63)
– -----------------
Ó ˛
Ì ˝
Ï ¸
=
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Stress Distribution 20-11
From Table 16.3 of Chapter 16,
The theory of elasticity gives for the vertical stress in this case, from Fig. 20.11, sz = 73 lb/ft2.
Multilayer System
Given a system with N layers in which the i th layer has thickness hi and coefficient of lateral stress ni,
Fig. 20.13, Kandaurov [1966] showed that the equivalent thickness for the upper N – 1 layers can be
found as
(20.10)
Hence, the expected vertical normal stress in the N th layer (zN is the vertical distance into the N th
layer as measured from its upper boundary), for a line load P normal to the layers, will be
(20.11)
Example 20.5
A three-layer system is subjected to a line load of 9000 lb/ft with the following information: h1 = 1 ft,
n1 = 0.4; h2 = 2 ft, n2 = 0.3; n3 = 0.2, h3 is unbounded. Find the expected value for the vertical normal
stress 3 ft into the third layer immediately under the line load.
Solution. From Eq. (20.10), the equivalent thickness is
Thus, from Eq. (20.11) the expected vertical normal stress at a depth of 3 ft in the third layer,
immediately under the line load (x = 0), is
FIGURE 20.13 Multilayer system.
1
2
3
h1
h2
z2
z3
h3
O
P
sz (x, h1)
x
sz 100{0.4916 + 0.2881} 78.0 lb/ft2 = =
hN – 1 h1
n1
nN
----- h2
n2
nN
----- L hN – 1
nN – 1
nN
= + + + -----------
sz(x, z) P
hN – 1 zN +
---------------------- 1
2pnN
------------ exp x2
2nN hN – 1 zN ( + )2
= – ---------------------------------------
h 1 0.4
0.2
------ 2 0.3
0.2
= + ------ = 3.86 ft
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20-12 The Civil Engineering Handbook, Second Edition
The theory of elasticity would give for this case, assuming a single homogeneous layer, Eq. (20.6), sz =
954.9 lb/ft2.
Three-Dimensional System
Force Normal to Surface
The probabilistic counterpart of the Boussinesq solution, Eq. (20.2), for the expected vertical normal
stress is
(20.12)
where r2 = x2 + y2.
Example 20.6
Find the coefficient n in Eq. (20.12) that would yield the same value for the maximum expected value
of normal vertical stress as that given by the theory of elasticity.
Solution. For the theory of elasticity Eq. (20.2) gives as the maximum vertical stress
Equation (20.12) gives
Equating the two produces v = 1/3.
Example 20.7
Compare the lateral attenuation of vertical normal stress for the probabilistic theory with that given by
the theory of elasticity (for three dimensions) using v = 1/3.
Solution. Substituting v = 1/3 into Eq. (20.12) obtains
The theory of elasticity, Eq. (20.2), yields sz = 3P/2pz2(1 + r2/z2)–5/2. Some values of the two functions
are given in Table 20.2. In Fig. 20.14 a nomograph of the expected vertical normal stress is given for a
range of n values.
Example 20.8
Find the expected value of the vertical normal stress at the point r = 6 ft, z = 10 ft if v = 1/5 under a
concentrated vertical force of 100 lb.
Solution. The arrow in Fig. 20.14 indicates that for the given conditions vz2–sz/P = 0.06. Hence, the
expected value of the vertical normal stress is –sz = 0.065(100)(5)(1/100) = 0.33 lb/ft2. The theory of
elasticity gives for this case, Fig. 20.1, sz = 0.22 lb/ft2.
sz
9000
3.86 + 3
------------------- 1
2p(0.2)
------------------ 1169.7 lb/ft2 = =
sz
P
2pnz2
-------------- exp r2
2nz2
= – ----------
szmax
3P
2pz2
= -----------
szmax
P
2pnz2
= --------------
sz 3P/2pz2 exp 3r2/z2 = [– ]
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Stress Distribution 20-13
Distributed Vertical Loads at Surface
Normal Uniform Load over a Rectangular Area
The probabilistic counterpart of Eq. (20.5) for the expected vertical normal stress under the corner of a
rectangular area with sides a by b, as in Fig. 20.5(a), is
(20.13)
Values of the function y [ ] are given in Table 16.3 of Chapter 16.
FIGURE 20.14 Expected value of vertical stress, particulate model.
TABLE 20.2 Comparison of Particulate
and Elastic Solutions (Normal Point Load)
r/z z2 –sz/P z2sz/P
0.0 0.48 0.48
0.1 0.47 0.47
0.2 0.45 0.43
0.4 0.38 0.33
0.6 0.28 0.22
0.8 0.18 0.14
1.0 0.11 0.08
1.2 0.06 0.05
1.5 0.02 0.03
2.0 0.001 0.01
sz (r, z)
r /zv = 1/3
r /zv = 1/4
r /zv = 1/5
r /zv = 1/6
r /zv = 1/7
r /zv = 1/8
x
P
r
z
y
0.18
1
5 v = ,r / z = 0.6
0.14
0.12
0.10
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0
1/3
1/4
1/5
v 1/6
1/7
1/8
0
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8
0.9
1.0
1.1
1.2
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4
0.16
vz2sz
P
sz §q y a
z n
--------- y b
z n
= ---------
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20-14 The Civil Engineering Handbook, Second Edition
Example 20.9
A uniformly distributed vertical load of magnitude 25 lb/ft2 acts over an area 4 ft by 8 ft at the surface
of a particulate medium. Find the expected vertical normal stress 6 ft below the center of the area. Take
v = 1/3.
Solution. From Eq. (20.13), taking the 4 ¥ 8 ft area as four areas, each with sides 2 ¥ 4 ft, we have
and –sz = 8.2 lb/ft2. The theory of elasticity, as shown in Fig. 5(b), yields for this case sz = 7.3 lb/ft2.
Uniform Normal Load over Circular Area
The expected vertical normal stress under the center of a circular area, of radius a, subject to a uniform
normal load q was obtained by Kandaurov [1959] as
(20.14)
The theory of elasticity gives for this case [Harr, 1966]
(20.15)
The influence chart shown in Fig. 20.15 was prepared using Eq. (20.14). The chart is used in the same
way as was previously explained in reference to Fig. 20.7. For layered systems, the equivalent depth hN–1+ zN,
Eq. (20.10) can be substituted for z.
Example 20.10
Compare Eqs. (20.14) and (20.15) for v = 1/3.
Solution. Some values are given in Table 20.3. Again we see that for v = 1/3 the correspondence between
the two is very good for the special value of the coefficient of lateral stress.
FIGURE 20.15 Influence chart.
0
A B
Influence value = 0.005
AB = z÷ 2n
sz 4(25)y 2
6 1/3
--------------- y 4
6 1/3
= --------------- = 100y[0.58]y[1.15] = 100(0.219)(0.375)
sz(z) q 1 exp a2
2nz2
Ë– ----------¯
= – Ê ˆ
sz(z) q 1 1
(a § z )2 [ + 1]3/2
= – -----------------------------------
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Stress Distribution 20-15
Parabolic Loading over Circular Area
The parabolic form of the loading on the surface is defined as
(20.16a)
For the special, but important, case under the center of the loading (r = 0), the expected vertical stress
reduces to the expression
(20.16b)
Tangential (Horizontal Force at Surface)
For a concentrated force of intensity Q parallel to the boundary surface (the equivalent of Cerruti’s
solution, Fig. 20.4), Muller [1962] obtained the expression
(20.17)
Example 20.11
Compare the expression for the vertical stress in Eq. (20.17) with that given by Cerruti (Eq. 20.4) for the
line y = 0, z = 1.
Solution. Cerruti obtained sz = 3Qxz2/2 pR5 where R2 = x2 + y2 + z2. From Eq. (20.17) for y = 0, z = 1,
It can be shown that limx Æ 0
–sz = 0. Some numerical values for two values of n are given in Table 20.4.
It is seen that the vertical stresses for the developed theory are smaller than those given by the theory of
elasticity in the near vicinity of the applied load. However, the general patterns of the distributions are
quite similar away from the point of loading.
TABLE 20.3 Comparison of Particulate
and Elastic Solutions (Normal Vertical
Distributed Load)
a/z –sz/q sz/q
0.2 0.06 0.06
0.4 0.21 0.20
0.6 0.42 0.37
0.8 0.62 0.52
1.0 0.78 0.65
1.2 0.88 0.74
1.4 0.95 0.80
2.0 1.00 0.91
sz(r, 0)
q 1 r2
a2
Ë – ----¯
Ê ˆ 0 £ r £ a
0 r > a
Ó Ô Ì Ô Ï
=
sz(0, z) q 1 2nz2
a2
---------- 1 exp a2
2nz2
Ë– ----------¯
– – Ê ˆ
Ó ˛
Ì ˝
Ï ¸
=
sx
Q
2pnx2
-------------- exp y2 z2 +
2nx2
= – ---------------
2p sz
Q
---------- 1
nx2
-------- exp 1
2nx2
= –-----------
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
20-16 The Civil Engineering Handbook, Second Edition
Defining Terms
Homogeneous — Having elastic parameters the same at all points in a region of a body.
Influence factor — A dimensionless cluster of factors generally obtained from a graphical presentation.
Isotropic — Having defining parameters the same in all directions emanating from a point.
Plane strain — A two-dimensional simplification used when there is little or no variation in strain in
the direction normal to the plane.
Strain — Changes in displacements due to changes in stress.
Stress — Intensity of internal forces within a soil body induced by loadings. In the classical theory of
elasticity stress is single-valued. The particulate theory deals with a distribution, the best measure
of which is the expected (mean) value.
References
Ahlvin, R. G., and Ulery, H. H. 1962. Tabulated values for determining the complete pattern of stresses,
strains, and deflections beneath a uniform circular load on a homogeneous half space. Highway
Res. Board Bull. 342.
Barksdale, R., and Harr, M. E. 1966. An influence chart for vertical stress increase due to horizontal shear
loadings. Highway Res. Board Rec. 108.
Boussinesq, J. 1885. Applications des Potentiels à l’Étude de l’Équilibre et Mouvement des Solides Élastiques.
Gauthier-Villard, Paris.
Carothers, S. D. 1920. Direct determination of stresses. Proc. R. Soc., Series A, 97.
Cerruti, V. 1882. Ricerche intorno al’equilibrio de’ corpi elastici isotropi, Reale Accademia dei Lincei, serie 3a
Memoria della Classe di scienze fisiche …, Vol. XIII, Rome.
Egorov, K. E. 1940. Distribution of stresses in base under rigid strip footing. Mauchn. Issled, Stantsiya
Fundamentstroya, no. 9.
Fadum, R. E. 1948. Influence values for estimating stresses in elastic foundations. Proc. 2nd Int. Conf.
Soil Mech. Found. Eng., Vol. 3. The Netherlands.
Flamant, A. 1892. Comptes Rendus, Vol. 114, p. 1465.
Florin, V. A. 1959. Fundamentals of Soil Mechanics. 2 Vols. Gosstroiizdat, Moscow.
Giroud, J. P. 1973. Tables pour le Calcul des Fondations. 2 Vols. Dunod, Paris.
Harr, M. E. 1966. Foundations of Theoretical Soil Mechanics. McGraw-Hill, New York.
Harr, M. E. 1977. Mechanics of Particulate Media: A Probabilistic Approach. McGraw-Hill, New York.
Harr, M. E. 1987. Reliability-Based Design in Civil Engineering. McGraw-Hill, New York.
Harr, M. E., and Lovell, C. W., Jr, 1963. Vertical stresses under certain axisymmetrical loading. Highway
Res. Board Rec. 39.
Highway Research Board. 1962. Stress distribution in earth masses. Highway Res. Board Bull. 342.
TABLE 20.4 Comparison of Particulate and
Elastic Solutions (Concentrated Force Parallel
to Boundary Surface)
2p –sz/Q
x 2psz /Q v = 1/3 v = 1/2
0 0 0.00 0.00
0.25 0.64 0+ 0+
0.5 0.86 0.03 0.15
0.75 0.74 0.37 0.60
1.0 0.53 0.67 0.74
1.5 0.24 0.68 0.57
2.0 0.11 0.52 0.39
2.5 0.05 0.38 0.27
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
Stress Distribution 20-17
Kandaurov, I. I. 1959. Theory of Discrete Distribution of Stress and Deformation … Izd. VATT (in Russian).
Kandaurov, I. I. 1966. Mechanics of Discrete Media and Its Application to Construction. Izd. Liter. po
Stroitel’stvu (in Russian). Translated into English by Zeidler, R. B. A. A. Balkema, Rotterdam, 1991.
Kandaurov, I. I. 1988. Mekhanika Zernistykh Sred i Yeye Primeneniye v Stroitel’stve. Stroyizdat, Leningrad.
Love, A. E. H. 1944. A Treatise on the Mathematical Theory of Elasticity. Dover Publications, Inc., New York.
Michell, J. H. 1900. The stress distribution in an aeotropic solid with infinite boundary plane. Proc.
London Math. Soc., 32.
Mindlin, R. D. 1936. Force at a point in the interior of a semi-infinite solid. Physics 7.
Muller, R. A. 1962. Statistical theory of transformation of stress in granular soil bases. Bases, Foundations,
and Soil Mechanics, no. 4.
Muller, R. A. 1963. Deformation of granular soil. Proc. All-Union Sci.-Res. Mining Inst., Leningrad.
Newmark, N. M. 1940. Stress distributions in soils. Proc. Purdue Conf. on Soil Mech. and Its Appl., Lafayette,
IN, July.
Newmark, N. M. 1942. Influence charts for computation of stresses in elastic foundations. Univ. of Illinois
Bull. 338.
Newmark, N. M. 1947. Influence charts for computation of vertical displacements in elastic foundations.
Univ. of Illinois, Eng. Exp. Stn. Bull. 45.
Perloff, W. H., Galadi, G. Y., and Harr, M. E. 1967. Stresses and displacements within and under long
elastic embankments. Highway Res. Rec. 181.
Poulos, H. G., and Davis, E. H. 1974. Elastic Solutions for Soil and Rock, John Wiley & Sons, New York.
Reprinted in 1991 by Centre for Geotechnical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006,
Australia.
Reimbert, M. L., and Reimbert, A. M. 1974. Retaining Walls. Transactions Technological Publishing, Bay
Village, OH.
Steinbrenner, W. 1936. A rational method for the determination of the vertical normal stresses under
foundations. Proc. Int. Conf. Soil Mech. Found. Eng. Vol. 2.
Timoshenko, S. P. 1953. History of Strength of Materials. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York.
Todhunter, I., and Pearson, K. 1960. A History of the Theory of Elasticity and of the Strength of Materials.
Dover Publications, Inc., New York (first published by Cambridge University Press, London,
1886–1893).
Turnbull, W. J., Maxwell, A. A., and Ahlvin R. G. 1961. Stresses and deflections in homogeneous soil
masses. Proc. 5th Intl. Conf. Soil Mech. Found. Eng., Paris.
Westergaard, H. M. 1938. A problem of elasticity suggested by a problem in soil mechanics: soft material
reinforced by numerous strong horizontal sheets. In Contributions to the Mechanics of Solids,
Dedicated to S. Timoshenko by His Friends on the Occasion of His Sixtieth Birthday Anniversary. The
MacMillan Company, New York.
Further Information
Many compilations of elastic solutions are available in the literature; primary among these is that of
Poulos and Davis [1974], which has recently been reprinted (see references). Historical background can
be found in Timoshenko [1953], Todhunter and Pearson [1960], and Love [1944]. Many particulate
solutions can be found in Kandaurov [1988] and Harr [1977