1. Stresses in the Ground

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is total stress?

   Hint

   Remember the formula involving weight and depth.

2. 2.

   Define pore water pressure.

   Hint

   Consider how it relates to water level.

3. 3.

   What defines total stress in soil?

   • Only the weight of the soil
   • Weight of soil
   • water
   • and loads
   • Only surface loads

   Hint

   Think about all components that contribute to stress.

4. 4.

   True or False: Pore water pressure is zero at the water table.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Recall where the water table sits in relation to pressure.

5. 5.

   If soil total stress is 100 kPa and the pore water pressure is 30 kPa, what is the effective stress?

   Hint

   Use the effective stress formula.

6. 6.

   A soil layer has a unit weight of 20 kN/m³. Calculate the total stress at 15 meters depth and the change in effective stress if the total stress increases by 25 kPa and pore water pressure increases initially by 10 kPa.

   Hint

   Identify total stress first, then apply changes based on load and drainage!