Question

The assumption made by Boussinesq in the solutions is by the ____________

(a) theory of plasticity

(b) theory of elasticity

(c) yield point

(d) failure point

The question was posed to me during an online interview.

My question is based upon Stress Distribution in division Stress Distribution of Geotechnical Engineering I

Answer 1

Right answer is (b) theory of elasticity

To elaborate: Boussinesq in 1885 studied and solved the problems of stress distribution in soils due to a concentrated loads acting at the ground surface, by assuming a suitable stress function. The assumptions made are based on theory of elasticity.