Civil Engineering MCQAE Level Civil Engineering
For a point load Q at the surface, the Boussinesq vertical stress σ_z at depth z directly below the load is:
Soil MechanicsStress Distribution BoussinesqMEDIUM
Choose the correct answer
A
3Q/(2πz²)
B
3Q/(2πz³)
C
3Qz³/(2πR⁵) where R=√(x²+y²+z²)
D
Q/(πz²)
Correct Answer
A. 3Q/(2πz²)
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Boussinesq equation: σ_z = (3Q/2πz²)×[1/(1+(r/z)²)]^(5/2). Directly below the load (r=0): σ_z = 3Q/(2πz²). This assumes a semi-infinite homogeneous isotropic elastic half-space.
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