SURFACE SETTLEMENT DUE TO SHEAR STRESSES AT DEPTH

Mindlin's solution for surface vertical displacement due to a horizont al force at depth is first examined and then integrated for shear stre sses acting on a long rectangular reinforcing strip. Four types (const ant, linear decrease, power-law decrease, and triangular) of shear str ess variations, are considered. These variations arc possible as a res ult of interaction between a reinforcement strip and the soil. The con stant variation of shear stress corresponds to full mobilization, wher eas the triangular one corresponds to a linearized approximation of Bi nquet and Lee's shear-stress variation. Results presented quantify the effects of length. depth, and distance of the loaded area from the su rface point; and of the Poisson's ratio of the soil on the displacemen t of the surface point. The heave or the settlement reductions are not ed to be largest if the reinforcement strip on which shear-stress vari ations are considered has a length 2.5 to 3.0 times the width of the s urface load or is located at a depth 0.25 to 0.375 times the width of the same. The results are useful in estimating settlement reduction du e to strip reinforcement of soil beneath surface loads.