UPSC Civil Service Exam Questions - Engineering

Q1:

According to Boussinesq's theory, the vertical stress at a point in a semi-infinite soil mass depends upon

A point load, coordinates of the point and modulus of elasticity of soil

B point load, coordinates of the point, modulus of elasticity of soil and its Poisson's ratio

C point load and coordinates of the point

D point load, coordinates of the point, modulus of elasticity of soil and its density.

ANS:C - point load and coordinates of the point

It depends only on point load Q, a point below ground level where stress has to be calculated [coordinates] Z and radial distance R.