GATE CE 2018 Set 2 — Question 19

MCQ+1 / -0.33MediumContact PressureShallow FoundationsGeotechnical Engineering

Geotechnical Engineering → Shallow Foundations → Contact Pressure

Last updated 5 September 2026

Question

The contact pressure and settlement distribution for a footing are shown in the figure. The figure corresponds to a

Correct answer (A) rigid footing on granular soil Solution For a rigid footing, the settlement is uniform across the entire width of the footing, regardless of the soil type. This is represented by the straight horizontal dashed line in the figure. The contact pressure distribution, however, depends on the soil type: 1. Granular Soil (Sand) : The contact pressure is maximum at the center and zero at the edges. This occurs because the soil at the edges lacks confinement and can yield laterally, reducing its resistance. 2. Cohesive Soil (Clay) : The contact pressure is minimum at the center and maximum at the edges. The given figure shows a contact pressure distribution (indicated by the arrows) that is maximum at the center and decreases to zero at the edges. Therefore, it corresponds to a rigid footing on granular soil . Turn this into a strength. Explore AI-powered practice and doubt support with Success Tracker.

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Correct answer (A) rigid footing on granular soil Solution For a rigid footing, the settlement is uniform across the entire width of the footing, regardless of the soil type. This is represented by the straight horizontal dashed line in the figure. The contact pressure distribution, however, depends on the soil type: 1. Granular Soil (Sand) : The contact pressure is maximum at the center and zero at the edges. This occurs because the soil at the edges lacks confinement and can yield laterally, reducing its resistance. 2. Cohesive Soil (Clay) : The contact pressure is minimum at the center and maximum at the edges. The given figure shows a contact pressure distribution (indicated by the arrows) that is maximum at the center and decreases to zero at the edges. Therefore, it corresponds to a rigid footing on granular soil .

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