4.1 Effective Stress Concept - CE 304-CE31S8 - Geotechnical Engineering 1
4.1 Effective Stress Concept - CE 304-CE31S8 - Geotechnical Engineering 1
4.1 Effective Stress Concept - CE 304-CE31S8 - Geotechnical Engineering 1
c
Effective Stress Concept
Introduction to the Topic:
Understanding the principles on which stress determinations are based is very essential. This is for the reason that
the properties and behavior of Soil Engineering are strongly influenced by stresses and Stress History. Here we will
discuss what is the differences among total pressure, pore or effective soil pressure and water pressure.
1. familiar with total pressure and pore or effective soil pressure; and
2. solve problems related to effective stress.
EFFECTIVE STRESS
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The sum of the vertical components of the forces developed at the points of contact of the solid particles per
unit cross-sectional area of the soil mass.
where:
At the bottom.
PT = γ1 h 1 + γ2 h 2
Pw = γw h w
Po = γ1 h 1 + (γ2 − γw ) h 2
Po = PT − Pw
PT − Total pressure
Pw − Water pressure
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Example 1:
The soil profile consist of 10 m layer of sand underlain by a 20 m layer of clay. The location of water table is 4 m
from the ground surface. The unit weight of sand above the water table is 19.05 kN/m^3 and below the saturated
unit weight of sand is 20.11 kN/m^3. The clay has a saturated unit weight of 18.73 kN/m^3.
c. If the effective pressure at the bottom of sand is 81.9 kpa, what height above this point the water will rise in
the piezometer?
Solution:
Graph.
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a. At point A
PT = γ1 h 1 + γ2 h 2 + γ3 h 3
PT = 571.46 kpa
b. At point A
Po = γ 1 h1 + (γ 2 − γ w ) h2 + (γ 3 − γ w ) h3
Po = 316.4 kpa
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OR
Po = PT − Pw
Po = 316.4 kpa
c. At point B
Pw = γ w h w = PT − Po
PT = γ 1 h 1 + γ 2 h 2
PT = 196.86 kpa
Thus,
Pw = 196.86 − 81.9
Pw = 114.96 kpa
Therefore,
114.96 = 9.81 h w
h w = 11.72 m
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Example 2:
The figure shows a granular soil in the tank having a downward seepage. The water level in the tank is held
constant by adjusting the supply from the top and outflow at the bottom.
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Solution:
a. At the bottom
PT = γ1 h 1 + γ2 h 2
(Gs +e)γ
w
γ2 = γsat =
1+e
(2.68+0.47)(9.81)
γ2 =
1+0.47
kN
γ2 = 21.02 3
m
PT = 135.93 kpa
b. At the bottom
Pw = γ w h w
Pw = 9.81 (6.1)
Pw = 59.84 kpa
c. At the bottom
Po = PT − Pw
Po = 135.93 − 59.84
Po = 76.09 kpa
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End of Discussion.
(https://tip.instructure.com/courses/24098/files/7871336/download?wrap=1)
(https://tip.instructure.com/courses/24098/files/8467939/download?download_frd=1)
Here are some links that might be useful for your studies:
(https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/soil/effective-stress-in-soil-development-
importance-and-principles/45446)
Effective Stress Principle in Soil Engineering
(https://theconstructor.org/geotechnical/effective-stress-principle-soil-
engineering/36199/)
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9/25/21, 8:22 AM 4.1 Effective Stress Concept: CE 304-CE31S8 - Geotechnical Engineering 1
Summary:
where:
At the bottom.
PT = γ1 h 1 + γ2 h 2
Pw = γw h w
Po = γ1 h 1 + (γ2 − γw ) h 2
Po = PT − Pw
PT − Total pressure
Pw − Water pressure
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Reference:
Ishibashi, Isao (2015). Soil mechanics fundamentals and applications Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press
Das, Braja M. (2013). Fundamentals of geotechnical engineering New Zealand: Cengage Learning
Murthy, V. N. S. (2002). Geotechnical engineering principles and practices of soil mechanics and foundation
engineering: CRC Press
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"Life is an echo. What you send out, comes back. What you sow,
you reap. What you give you get. What you see in others exists
in you."
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- Zig Ziglar
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