Stress Computation in Soil Media

The computation of soil deformations in a state of stress prior to failure, usually done by the theory of elasticity, necessitates a more general and realistic approach to the problem of stress analysis. Instead of a stress-strain relation, the theory presented is based on assumption of a statistical normal distribution of stress in a particulate structure. By means of the spatial conditions of equilibrium the stress caused by a single external force is computed. From this, any type of boundary load may be handled by integration. Second, a rational explanation, in terms of probability, is given to the phenomenon of contact pressure redistribution which has been observed in some tests when the foundation load increases to the point of failure. Third, the state of stress caused by body forces is examined in relation to a local symmetric or antimetric soil expansion. Thus, the variation of the at rest state is analyzed.