GATE CE 2026 Set 2 — Question 44

MSQ+2 / -0MediumContact PressureShallow FoundationsGeotechnical Engineering

Geotechnical Engineering → Shallow Foundations → Contact Pressure

Last updated 5 September 2026

Question

A shallow footing is subjected to a vertical load. Within the elastic limit of the underlying soil, the TRUE statement(s) is/are:

Correct answer (A) Vertical displacement below a rigid shallow footing is uniform in clay as well as sand.; (D) Vertical contact pressure below a flexible shallow footing is uniform in clay as well as sand. Solution The behavior of shallow footings depends on their rigidity: 1. Rigid Footing: By definition, a perfectly rigid footing must settle uniformly to maintain its shape. Therefore, the vertical displacement is uniform regardless of the soil type (Statement A is TRUE). However, the contact pressure distribution is non-uniform and depends on the soil type (e.g., higher at edges for clay, higher at center for sand). 2. Flexible Footing: A flexible footing transmits the applied load directly, resulting in a uniform contact pressure distribution (Statement D is TRUE). However, the settlement profile is non-uniform and depends on the soil type (e.g., maximum at center for clay, maximum at edges for sand). Turn this into a strength. Explore AI-powered practice and doubt support with Success Tracker.

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Correct answer (A) Vertical displacement below a rigid shallow footing is uniform in clay as well as sand.; (D) Vertical contact pressure below a flexible shallow footing is uniform in clay as well as sand. Solution The behavior of shallow footings depends on their rigidity: 1. Rigid Footing: By definition, a perfectly rigid footing must settle uniformly to maintain its shape. Therefore, the vertical displacement is uniform regardless of the soil type (Statement A is TRUE). However, the contact pressure distribution is non-uniform and depends on the soil type (e.g., higher at edges for clay, higher at center for sand). 2. Flexible Footing: A flexible footing transmits the applied load directly, resulting in a uniform contact pressure distribution (Statement D is TRUE). However, the settlement profile is non-uniform and depends on the soil type (e.g., maximum at center for clay, maximum at edges for sand).

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