STRESSES FROM SURFACE LOADS &

THE PRINCIPLE OF EFFECTIVE STRESS

I. VERTICAL STRESS INCREASE IN SOILS FROM SURFACE LOADS

1.1 VERTICAL STRESS INCREASE DUE TO AN ELECTRIC POWER TRANSMISSION POLE

Problem 1.1.1. A Meralco electric power transmission pole is 12m above

ground level and embedded 3m into the ground. The butt diameter is
450mm and the tip diameter (the top of the pole) is 300mm. The weight
of the pole, cross arms, and wires is 35kN. Assume that the pole
transmits the load as a point load with the soil surface at the embedded

CE 522 FOUNDATION ENGINEERING PROBLEM MANUAL

base. Determine the stress increase at a depth if 1m below the embedded
base of the pole a) along the center and b) at 1m from the center.

Problem 1.1.2. A concentrated load of 1200kN is applied at the ground

surface at a point A which coordinate is (0,0,0).

A)Determine the vertical stress increase in kPa at a point 2m

directly below A.

B)Determine the vertical stress increase in kPa at a point which

coordinate is (1.5, 0, 2).

C)Determine the vertical stress increase in kPa at a point which

coordinate is (1.2,1.5,2).

1.2 VERTICAL STRESS INCREASE DUE TO A RING LOAD

Problem 1.2.1. The total vertical load on

a ring foundation shown in the figure is
4000kN. (a)Determine the plotting
parameters for the vertical stress increase
with depth of 8m under the center of the
ring, (b) determine the maximum vertical
stress increase and its location.

1.3 VERTICAL STRESS INCREASE DUE TO LINE LOAD

Problem 1.3.1. A line load acting on the ground surface has a value of
100kN/m. Determine the vertical stress increase at a point with 3m
distance perpendicular from the line load and 3m below the ground
surface.

PREPARED BY: ENGR. WENDHEL Q. LUBAY

SOURCE: M.Budhu,Soil Mechanics Fundamentals Metric Version 2015 1 st Ed.

John Wiley & Sons Ltd., United Kingdom

1.4 VERTICAL STRESS INCREASE DUE TO RECTANGULAR LOAD

Problem 1.4.1. A rectangular

concrete slab, 3m by 4.5m,
rests on the surface of a
soil mass. The load on the
slab is 2025kN. Determine the
vertical stress increase at a
depth of 3m a) under the
center of the slab; b) under
the center of one of its 4.5m

CE 522 FOUNDATION ENGINEERING PROBLEM MANUAL

length sides; c) at a
distance of 1.5m from a
corner perpendicular to 4.5m
length side.

1.5 VERTICAL STRESS INCREASE DUE TO AN IRREGULAR LOADED AREA

Problem 1.5.1. The plan of a foundation of uniform thickness for a

small monument is shown in the figure. Determine the vertical stress
increase at a depth of 4m below the centroid. The foundation applies
a vertical stress of 200kPa on the soil surface.