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GATE 2024 CE (CE2) – Question 22

Geotechnical Engineering · Stress distribution in soils, Boussinesq theory, pressure bulbs · 1 mark · Multiple choice

The contact pressure distribution shown in the figure belongs to a

a footing on the ground with arrows showing the soil pressure, which is large at the two edges and small under the centre.
  1. rigid footing resting on a cohesionless soil.
  2. rigid footing resting on a cohesive soil.
  3. flexible footing resting on a cohesionless soil.
  4. flexible footing resting on a cohesive soil.

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Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: (B) rigid footing resting on a cohesive soil.

Explanation

A rigid footing settles uniformly, so on a cohesive soil the pressure is highest at the edges (where the soil can carry high stresses by its shear strength) and lowest in the middle. On sand a rigid footing gives the opposite shape, with a maximum at the centre and zero at the edges, where there is no confinement. A flexible footing gives a uniform pressure.