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= =
= =
(6)
Step three: Calculation of (Total) Vertical Stress
2
15.88 2 20 3 91.76 /
v
kN m = + = (7)
Step four: Calculation of Pore Water Pressure
3 10 30 /
w
u kN m = = (8)
Step five: Calculation of Effective Vertical Stress
91.76 30 61.76 /
v v w
u kN m = = = (9)
3.2.2.b)Example Effects of groundwater
7
level changes
Initially a 50 m thick deposit of a clayey soil has a groundwater level 1 m below the surface. Due to
groundwater extraction the regional groundwater level is lowered by 2 m. By considering the
changes in effective stress at a depth, z, in the clay investigate what will happen to the ground
surface.
Due to decreasing demands for water the groundwater rises (possible reasons include de-
industrialisation and climate changes due to the greenhouse effect
8
) back to the initial level. What
will happen now to the ground surface?
7
nappe souterraine
8
effet de serre
Soil Mechanics Effective Stress and Pore Water Pressure page 6
Assume
bulk
is constant with depth
bulk
is the same above and below the water table (clays may remain saturated for many metres
above the groundwater table due to capillary suctions)
The vertical total and effective stresses at depth z are given in the Table below.
Initial GWL Lowered GWL
v
z
bulk
z
bulk
u
) 1 ( z
w
) 3 ( z
w
v
( )
bulk w w
z +
w w bulk
z + 3 ) (
At all depths the effective stress increases and as a result the soil compresses. The cumulative
effect throughout the clay layer can produce a significant settlement of the soil surface.
When the groundwater rises the effective stress will return to its initial value, and the soil will swell
9
and the ground surface heave
10
(up). However, due to the inelastic nature of soil, the ground
surface will not, in general, return to its initial position.
3.3 Exercises
1. Calculate the total vertical stress, the pore water pressure and the effective vertical stress at a
depth of 5 m in a soil where the water table is located :
(1) at a height h above the ground level;
(2) at the ground level ;
(3) at a depth of 2.5m.
Assume a constant
bulk
= 18 kN/m in the soil whatever the water table level could be
2. A stratum of sand 2.5 m thick overlies a stratum of saturated clay 3 m thick. The water table is
1 m below the surface. For the sand, G
s
= 2.65, e = 0.50 and for the clay G
s
= 2.72, e = 1.1.
Calculate the total and effective vertical stresses at depths of 1 m, 2.5 m and 5.5 m below the
surface assuming that the sand above the water table is completely dry.
3. The same soil stratum
11
as in the previous question lies 2 m below the surface of a lake. Taking
the properties to be the same as before, calculate the total and effective vertical stresses at
depths of 1 m, 2.5 m and 5.5 m below the soil surface.
4. In a deep deposit of clay the water table lies 3 m below the soil surface. Calculate the effective
stresses at depths of 1 m, 3 m and 5 m below the surface. Assume that the soil remains fully
saturated above the water table, and that
sat
= 16.5 kN/m
3
.
9
gonfler
10
se soulever
11
couche