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Question

Contact pressure in soil body is also called _______.

The correct answer is

Vertical pressure

Contact Pressure in Soil Body

The question asks for another name for contact pressure in a soil body. Contact pressure is a fundamental concept in geotechnical engineering.

Contact Pressure Definition

Contact pressure refers to the pressure exerted by the soil against a foundation or any loaded area that is in contact with the soil surface. When a structure like a building or a footing applies a load onto the soil, the soil reacts to this load, and the pressure developed at the interface between the foundation and the soil is known as the contact pressure.

Direction of Pressure

In most typical scenarios, foundations are placed on a horizontal soil surface, and the primary load from the structure is applied vertically downwards due to gravity. According to the principles of soil mechanics and mechanics of materials, the soil develops a reactive pressure that is normal (perpendicular) to the contact surface. Since the contact surface is typically horizontal, the pressure acting normal to it is in the vertical direction.

Therefore, the contact pressure acting on a horizontal surface of a soil body is essentially the pressure distributed vertically over that area.

Analyzing the Options

  • Horizontal pressure: This is pressure acting parallel to the horizontal plane, usually associated with lateral forces or earth pressure against retaining walls. It is not the primary contact pressure under a vertical load.
  • Vertical pressure: This is pressure acting perpendicular to the horizontal plane, which aligns with the direction of contact pressure under a vertical load on a horizontal surface.
  • Tangential pressure: This refers to shear stress or pressure acting parallel to the contact surface, not normal pressure.
  • Circular pressure: This term is not standard terminology used for contact pressure in soil mechanics.

Based on the definition and direction of contact pressure under typical loading conditions, it is also commonly referred to as vertical pressure.

Thus, contact pressure in a soil body is also called vertical pressure, especially when considering loads applied vertically on a horizontal surface.

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Important Questions from Vertical Stress Distribution

  1. Vertical point load (Q) on the surface is 500 kN, σz (pressure increment) at 10 m depth (Z = 10 m,) directly under the axis of load will be

  2. In Newmark’s influence chart for stress distribution, there are ten concentric circles and ten radial lines. The influence factor of the chart is

  3. The time-dependent deformation on soil is known as?

  4. ______ is a curve or cont our connecting all points below the ground surface of equal vertical pressure.

  5. The intensity of vertical stress (σz) of the soil just below the load point is given by ______, where Z-vertical distance between point load and the stress and Q- point load.

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