All questions of Stress Distribution in Soils for Civil Engineering (CE) Exam

The assumption made by Boussinesq in the solutions is by the ______
  • a)
    theory of plasticity
  • b)
    theory of elasticity
  • c)
    yield point
  • d)
    failure point
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Sanya Agarwal answered
Boussinesq in 1885 studied and solved the problems of stress distribution in soils due to a concentrated loads acting at the ground surface, by assuming a suitable stress function. The assumptions made are based on theory of elasticity.

The assumption of Boussinesq equation is that the soil is _____
  • a)
    non-homogeneous
  • b)
    homogeneous
  • c)
    plastic
  • d)
    semi-plastic
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Ameya Sen answered
Homogeneity Assumption in Boussinesq Equation
The assumption of the Boussinesq equation is that the soil is homogeneous. This assumption plays a crucial role in simplifying the analysis of stress distribution in soil under a loaded area.

Homogeneous Soil
- Homogeneous soil implies that the soil properties such as density, stiffness, and strength remain constant throughout the soil mass.
- This assumption allows for the application of simplified equations to analyze the stress distribution without considering variations in soil properties.

Importance of Homogeneity
- The assumption of homogeneity simplifies the mathematical modeling of stress distribution, making it easier to predict soil behavior under load.
- It allows engineers to use the Boussinesq equation, which provides a quick and accurate estimation of stresses at a certain depth below a loaded area.
- By assuming homogeneity, variations in soil properties are neglected, leading to a more straightforward analysis that still provides valuable insights into soil behavior.
In conclusion, the assumption of homogeneity in the Boussinesq equation is essential for simplifying the analysis of stress distribution in soil. While actual soil conditions may exhibit variations in properties, the homogeneity assumption allows for a more straightforward and accurate estimation of stresses, making it a valuable tool in geotechnical engineering.

The assumption of Boussinesq equation is that the soil is ____
  • a)
    semi-infinite
  • b)
    infinite
  • c)
    finite
  • d)
    semi- finite
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Assumption of Boussinesq equation:
The Boussinesq equation is a widely used analytical solution in geotechnical engineering to estimate the stresses and displacements in soil due to surface loads. One of the main assumptions of the Boussinesq equation is that the soil is semi-infinite.

Explanation:
The assumption of semi-infinite soil means that the soil layer extends infinitely in the horizontal direction but has a finite depth. This assumption is valid for many practical scenarios where the depth of the soil layer is significantly greater than the width or length of the loaded area.

Reasoning:
The Boussinesq equation is derived based on the theory of elasticity and assumes that the soil behaves as an isotropic and homogeneous medium. By assuming semi-infinite soil, it neglects the effects of boundaries and assumes that the soil extends infinitely in the horizontal direction. This assumption simplifies the mathematical calculations and allows for the development of a closed-form solution for stress and displacement calculations.

Advantages:
The assumption of semi-infinite soil allows engineers to estimate the stresses and displacements at any point within the soil layer without considering the boundaries. It simplifies the problem and provides a convenient solution for practical engineering applications. Additionally, the semi-infinite assumption is suitable for scenarios where the loaded area is relatively small compared to the depth of the soil layer.

Limitations:
While the assumption of semi-infinite soil is widely used and provides reasonable estimates in many practical situations, it does have some limitations. In reality, soil layers are often finite and have boundaries such as foundations, retaining walls, or slopes. Ignoring the boundaries can lead to errors in the calculated stresses and displacements. Therefore, engineers should exercise caution when applying the Boussinesq equation and consider the specific characteristics of the soil and loading conditions.

Conclusion:
The assumption of semi-infinite soil is a key assumption in the Boussinesq equation. It simplifies the problem and allows for the estimation of stresses and displacements within a soil layer. However, engineers should be aware of the limitations of this assumption and consider the specific boundaries and characteristics of the soil in their calculations.

The Boussinesq equation representing the tangential stress is ____
  • a)
  • b)
  • c)
  • d)
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Sanvi Kapoor answered
Boussinesq showed that the polar radial stress is given by, 
Boussinesq’s tangential stress σz is given by,
 where, τrz is the tangential stress
Q is the point load acting at the ground surface
r is the radial horizontal distance
z is the vertical distance.

The Boussinesq influence factor is given by _______
  • a)
  • b)
  • c)
  • d)
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Lavanya Menon answered
The Boussinesq influence factor is given by,  where the K= Boussinesq influence factor which is a function of r/z ratio which is a dimensionless factor.

The Boussinesq equation representing the vertical stress is ______
  • a)
  • b)
  • c)
  • d)
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Sanya Agarwal answered
Boussinesq showed that the polar radial stress is given by, 
Boussinesq’s vertical stress σz is given by, σz = σRcos2 β
 where, σz is the vertical stress
Q is the point load acting at the ground surface
r is the radial horizontal distance
z is the vertical distance.

The problems due to stress distribution in soils due to a concentrated load was studied by ______
  • a)
    G.B Airy
  • b)
    Terzaghi
  • c)
    Darcy
  • d)
    Boussinesq
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Sanvi Kapoor answered
Boussinesq in 1885 studied and solved the problems of stress distribution in soils due to a concentrated loads acting at the ground surface. Darcy gave the law of flow of water through soils. The stress function was introduced by G.B Airy in 1862.

The assumption of Boussinesq equation is that the soil is ______
  • a)
    elastic
  • b)
    semi-elastic
  • c)
    plastic
  • d)
    semi-plastic
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Sanya Agarwal answered
Boussinesq solved the problems of stress distribution in soils due to a concentrated loads acting at the ground surface. The assumptions made are based on theory of elasticity. Therefore, the soil is considered to be elastic.

The Boussinesq equation representing the polar radial stress is ______
  • a)
  • b)
  • c)
  • d)
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Sanvi Kapoor answered
Boussinesq showed that the polar radial stress is given by,  where σR is the polar radial stress
cosβ = (z/R)
R is the polar radial coordinate = √(r2+z2).

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