The bearing capacity of cohesion-less soil at the ground surface is __________a)Unityb)Less than onec)Zerod)Greater than oneCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Question

Answer

According to Rankine’s equation bearing capacity of cohesion less soil is zero at the ground surface.

Answer

Bearing Capacity of Cohesion-less Soil

Cohesion-less soil refers to soil that has little or no cohesive strength. It is composed of loose particles such as sand or gravel. The bearing capacity of soil refers to its ability to withstand the pressure or load exerted on it without experiencing excessive settlement or failure.

Definition of Bearing Capacity

Bearing capacity is the maximum load per unit area that the soil can support without failure. It is an important consideration in the design of foundations, as it determines the size and type of foundation required to support a structure.

Factors Affecting Bearing Capacity

The bearing capacity of soil is influenced by various factors, including:

Soil Type: Different types of soil have different bearing capacities. Cohesion-less soils, such as sand and gravel, generally have lower bearing capacities compared to cohesive soils, such as clay.

Soil Density: The denser the soil, the higher its bearing capacity. Compacted soil has a higher bearing capacity compared to loose or uncompacted soil.

Groundwater Level: The presence of groundwater affects the bearing capacity of soil. When the groundwater level is high, it reduces the bearing capacity by reducing the effective stress in the soil.

Angle of Internal Friction: The angle of internal friction is a property of cohesion-less soils that determines their shear strength. A higher angle of internal friction generally results in a higher bearing capacity.

Bearing Capacity of Cohesion-less Soil at Ground Surface

When considering the bearing capacity of cohesion-less soil at the ground surface, it is important to note that cohesion-less soils have zero cohesion. Cohesion is the property of soil particles to stick together due to forces between them.

Since cohesion-less soils lack cohesion, they rely solely on friction between the particles to resist shear forces. At the ground surface, where the soil is not confined, the bearing capacity is essentially zero. This means that cohesion-less soil at the ground surface cannot support any load without experiencing excessive settlement or failure.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question is option 'C' - zero. The bearing capacity of cohesion-less soil at the ground surface is zero.

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