Boussinesq Stress Calculator (Point Load)
Vertical stress at any depth/offset from a surface point load.
Directly under the load, stress dies with 1/zยฒ; offset one z sideways and it's already down ~70%. Elastic half-space, 1885 โ still the seed of every influence chart in the business.
Formula
Boussinesq Stress Calculator (Point Load) is a free boussinesq for geotechnical engineers and foundation designers โ instant, accurate and 100% client-side, with the governing formula and reference shown next to the result so the number can be defended, not just quoted.
About Boussinesq Stress Calculator (Point Load)
Vertical stress at any depth/offset from a surface point load. The calculation implements ฮฯ_z = 3P/(2ฯzยฒ)ยท[1/(1+(r/z)ยฒ)]^2.5 (Boussinesq (1885); Poulos & Davis). Directly under the load, stress dies with 1/zยฒ; offset one z sideways and it's already down ~70%. Elastic half-space, 1885 โ still the seed of every influence chart in the business.
How to use Boussinesq Stress Calculator (Point Load)
- 1Enter Point load in kN.
- 2Enter Depth in m.
- 3Enter Horizontal offset in m.
- 4Read Vertical stress ฮฯ_z instantly โ no submit button needed.
- 5Need US units? Flip the SI/Imperial toggle and every field converts.
Why use Boussinesq Stress Calculator (Point Load)?
- โImplements the standard formula โ ฮฯ_z = 3P/(2ฯzยฒ)ยท[1/(1+(r/z)ยฒ)]^2.5
- โReference cited on-page: Boussinesq (1885); Poulos & Davis
- โOne-click SI โ Imperial toggle โ values convert in place, physics stays in SI
- โLive worked example: the substitution recomputes from your numbers
- โRuns entirely in your browser โ nothing uploaded, free forever
Frequently asked questions
What formula does the Boussinesq Stress Calculator (Point Load) use?+
It computes ฮฯ_z = 3P/(2ฯzยฒ)ยท[1/(1+(r/z)ยฒ)]^2.5, per Boussinesq (1885); Poulos & Davis. The formula is displayed under the result along with a worked example substituted with your own inputs.
What should I keep in mind when using this calculator?+
Directly under the load, stress dies with 1/zยฒ; offset one z sideways and it's already down ~70%. Elastic half-space, 1885 โ still the seed of every influence chart in the business.
Can this replace a soil investigation?+
No calculator replaces boreholes and lab tests โ but with investigated parameters in hand, this gives you the standard-method result instantly, with the formula shown so reviewers can check it.
Is the Boussinesq Stress Calculator (Point Load) free to use?+
Yes โ completely free, no sign-up, no limits. It runs client-side in your browser, so inputs stay private and results are instant even on slow connections.
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