A flexible rectangular area 3m by 2m is subjected to a uniformly distributed load of q = 200 kN/m2. Determine the increase in vertical stress at the center at a depth of z = 3 m.

Methods to Determine Vertical Stress

The load applied to the soil is transferred to the underground. The presence of water at soil pores and solid grains above the soil are the primary components that are responsible for the effective load transfer. Due to the load acting, the internal component of the soil or the underground formations undergoes deformations or a tectonic shift. The amount of deformation depends upon the amount of load acting on the soil surface, which indeed, depends on the weight of everything present above the soil. Due to this, the underground soil element develops internal stresses which try to resist the tectonic changes.