Stress Field under Slipping Rigid Wheel

A theoretical approach is used to predict the stress field under a slipping rigid wheel. The soil is considered to be in a state of limiting equilibrium. The Mohr-Coulomb criterion is assumed valid. The analysis takes into account the stress distribution in the soil mass of cohesive-frictional material in a dry, saturated or submerged state. A mathematical model is constructed to represent the pattern of soil flow underneath the wheel. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the construction of the slip lines network. The radial and tangential stress distributions at the soil-wheel interface is also presented. This method of approach predicts the critical stress state at limiting equilibrium condition.