The 'Bousinesq equation' for stress in soil is used to find:
Choose the correct answer
Surface runoff from a soil surface
Vertical stress increase at depth in soil due to surface loads — used for settlement analysis
Bearing capacity of footings
Pore water pressure in embankment
Correct Answer
B. Vertical stress increase at depth in soil due to surface loads — used for settlement analysis
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Boussinesq (1885): vertical stress increase Δσz below a point load Q on elastic half-space: Δσz = (3Q/2π) × z³/(r²+z²)^(5/2). For distributed load: integrated. Isobar (pressure bulb) at 10% of surface pressure extends to depth ≈ 2B (B = foundation width). Used to estimate foundation settlement by predicting Δσz for input to consolidation theory.
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