Distribution of Stresses Under a Foundation

The question of the distribution of stress in the ground under a foundation has engaged the attention of engineers for many years. The problem has been studied both theoretically and experimentally and it is the purpose of this paper to compare theory and experiment and to indicate several important factors which must be considered when problems of this kind are being analyzed. The symbols in this paper are introduced in the text as they occur and are summarized for reference in the Appendix. An effort has been made to conform essentially with "Symbols for Mechanics, Structural Engineering, and Testing Materials, compiled by a Committee of the American Standards Association, with Society representation, and approved by the Association in 1932.