GATE CE 2017 Set 2 — Question 44
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Geotechnical Engineering → Stress Distribution in Soils → Boussinesq's Theory
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Question
Consider a square-shaped area ABCD on the ground with its centre at M as shown in the figure. Four concentrated vertical loads of kN are applied on this area, one at each corner.
The vertical stress increment (in kPa, up to one decimal place) due to these loads according to Boussinesq's equation, at a point 5 m right below M, is ___________

Correct answer
187 to 192
Solution
According to Boussinesq's equation, the vertical stress increment at a depth and radial distance from a point load is given by:Given:
- Load at each corner, kN
- Depth, m
- Side of the square area, m
- The point is directly below the center . The radial distance from any corner to the center is half the diagonal of the square:
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