Question

The assumption of Boussinesq equation is that the soil is ______________

(a) non-homogeneous

(b) homogeneous

(c) plastic

(d) semi-plastic

This question was addressed to me during an interview.

Enquiry is from Stress Distribution in section Stress Distribution of Geotechnical Engineering I

Answer 1

Right option is (b) homogeneous

The best I can explain: Boussinesq solved the problems of stress distribution in soils due to a concentrated loads acting at the ground surface. The assumptions made are based on theory of elasticity. Therefore, the soil is considered to be elastic and of homogeneous nature.