Mohrs Circle Analyses

Geotechnical Engineering 2
(GEOENG2)
Jonathan Rivera Dungca
Stress Acting on Other Planes
Some problems may require computation of the
stresses on other planes

We can obtain these stresses using a graphical
representation called a Mohrs circle, which
was developed by the German engineer Otto
Mohr (1835-1918)
Mohrs Circle
It describes the two
dimensional stresses
at a point in a material
It considers the
stresses acting on
each side of a two
dimensional element
and plots them on a o
vs. t diagram
Mohrs Circle
Each point on the
circle represents
the normal and
shear stresses
acting on one
side of an
element oriented
at a certain angle
Principal Stresses
If the soil element is
rotated to a certain
angle, the shear
stresses will be zero
The planes on each
side of this element
are known as
principal planes
Principal Stresses
The stresses acting
on them are known
as principal
stresses
The major principal
stress, o
1
, is also
the greatest normal
stress that acts on
any plane
Principal Stresses
The minor principal
stress, o
3
, is the smallest
normal stress that acts on
any plane
These two stresses act at
right angles to each other
In a 3D analysis, there
would also be an
intermediate principal
stress, o
2
which are at right
angles to both o
1
and o
3
Magnitudes of o
1
and o
3
2
2
3
2 2
zx
z x z x
t
o o o o
o +
(

+
=
2
2
1
2 2
zx
z x z x
t
o o o o
o +
(

+
+
=
Angle between o
z
and o
1
|
|
.
|

\
|

=

3 1
3 1
1
2
cos
2
1
o o
o o o
u
z
z
where:
o
1
= major principal stress
o
3
= minor principal stress
o
x
= horizontal stress
o
z
= vertical stress
t
zx
= shear stress acting on a
horizontal plane
u
z
= angle between o
z
and o
1
Principal Stresses Beneath a
Circular Loaded Area
Mohrs Circle that represents the
combined effects of both the
Geostatic and the Induced Stress
To develop such a circle, compute the
geostatic o
x
and o
z
and the induced o
x
, o
z
,
and t
zx
, then add them by superposition
and use the combined values to develop
the Mohrs Circle. Do not attempt to
combine o
1
and o
3
values by
superposition
Stresses on Other Planes
After constructing the Mohrs circle, we can obtain
the normal and shear stresses that act on any
plane through that point
u
o o o o
o 2 cos
2 2
3 1 3 1

+
+
=
u
o o
t 2 sin
2
3 1

=
Greatest Shear Stress, t
max
It occurs on the plane G
and H in the figure. These
planes are oriented at 45
0

angles from the principal
planes, and the shear
stress acting on them is
equal to the radius of the
Mohrs Circle
2
3 1
max
o o
t

=
Mohrs Circle
for Effective
Stress
Same diameter as that for the total stress
But it is offset horizontally by a distance equal
to the pore water pressure
The shear stress on a given plane has the same
value on both circles because the pore water
cannot carry a static shear stress, so the solid
particles must carry all of the shear
Procedure to compute the stresses
on a given plane

1. Draw a soil element that is
aligned with the x and z
axes.
2. Compute o
x
, o
z
, t
xz
and t
zx

and mark these stresses on
the soil element.
3. Plot the points o
x
, t
xz
and
o
z
, t
zx
on an o, t diagram
then use these points to
draw the Mohrs circle. The
center of the circle is at



2
z x
o o
o
+
=
Procedure to compute the stresses
on a given plane

4. Compute o
1
and o
3

5. Compute the angle u
z
between o
z
and o
1

6. Compare the positions of
the points on the Mohrs
circle that represents o
z
and o
1
to determine if u
z

extends clockwise or
counter-clockwise from o
z
.


Procedure to compute the stresses
on a given plane

7. Draw another soil element
that is rotated at an angle
u
z
from the first soil
element. The sides of this
element are the principal
planes. Mark the stresses
o
1
and o
3
on this soil
element. Since the sides
of this element are the
principal planes, the shear
stresses are zero.
Procedure to compute the stresses
on a given plane

8. Compute for the value of
t
max
(if required). It acts on
the planes oriented 45
0

from the principal planes.
9. Draw a third soil element
with one of its sides
oriented in the direction of
the plane on which the
stresses are to be
computed. Mark the
stresses as o

and t on this
element

Procedure to compute the stresses
on a given plane

10. Determine the angle u
between o

and o
1
, then
locate the point on the
Mohrs circle that
represents the plane. This
point is located at an angle
2u from the point that
represents o
1
. Be sure to
follow the sign convention:
angles measured
clockwise from o
1
are
positive.
Procedure to compute the stresses
on a given plane

11. Compute for o

and t.
Example
The horizontal and vertical stresses at a certain
point in a soil are as follows:
o
x
= 2100 lb/ft
2
, o
z
= 3000 lb/ft
2
, t
zx
= -300lb/ft
2

a. Determine the magnitudes and directions of the
major and minor principal stresses.
b. Determine the magnitude and directions of the
maximum shear stress.
c. Determine the normal and shear stresses acting
on a plane inclined at 35
0
clockwise from the x-
axis
Example
Example
Solution (a):
2
2
2
2
2
1
/ 3091
) 300 (
2
3000 2100
2
3000 2100
2 2
f t lb
xz
z x z x
=
+
(

+
+
=
+
(

+
+
= t
o o o o
o
2
2
2
2
2
3
/ 2009
) 300 (
2
3000 2100
2
3000 2100
2 2
f t lb
xz
z x z x
=
+
(

+
=
+
(

+
= t
o o o o
o
Example
Solution (a) Continued :
0
1
3 1
3 1
1
17
2009 3091
2009 3091 ) 3000 ( 2
cos
2
1
2
cos
2
1
=
|
.
|

\
|

=
|
|
.
|

\
|

o o
o o o
u
z
z
Example
Example
Solution (b):
2
3 1
max
/ 541
2
2009 3091
2
ft lb =

=
o o
t
Example
Solution (c):
| |
2
3 1 3 1
/ 2419
) 35 17 ( 2 cos
2
2009 3091
2
2009 3091
2 cos
2 2
f t lb =

+
+
=

+
+
= u
o o o o
o
| |
2
3 1
/ 525
) 35 17 ( 2 sin
2
2009 3091
2 sin
2
f t lb =

= u
o o
t
Example