Bearing stress control in dams: limiting base stress against permissible soil stress For a masonry/gravity dam, to prevent crushing of masonry at the base, compare the maximum base stress with the soil’s permissible compressive stress. Choose the correct relation.
Mechanical Engineering
Strength of Materials
Difficulty: Easy
Choose an option
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AGreater than the permissible stress
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BEqual to the permissible stress
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CLess than or equal to the permissible stress
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DUnrelated to the permissible stress
Answer
Correct Answer: Less than or equal to the permissible stress
Explanation
ConceptFoundation safety requires that the maximum compressive stress at the dam base must not exceed the allowable bearing capacity (permissible compressive stress) of the supporting soil/rock and masonry.
Design checkσmax, base ≤ σperm.
Final AnswerLess than or equal to the permissible stress.