Question

Surcharge angle β is ____________

(a) inclination of surcharge to the vertical

(b) inclination of surcharge to the normal of the wall

(c) inclination of surcharge to the horizontal

(d) inclination of surcharge to the tangent to the wall

I got this question during an interview.

I want to ask this question from Earth Pressure Introduction topic in division Failure Envelopes & Earth Pressure of Geotechnical Engineering II

Answer 1

Correct answer is (c) inclination of surcharge to the horizontal

For explanation: The surcharge is a load which is imposed upon the surface of the soil close enough to the excavation to cause a lateral pressure to act on the system in addition to the basic earth pressure. Its inclination to the horizontal is known as Surcharge angle β.