Compute the vertical overburden stress and the vertical matrix stress resulting from geostatic load in a normally pressured formation of one the U.S. gulf coast area at depths of: 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, and 8000 ft. assume a water depth of zero.

For a site, there is a layer of sand, 5.3m thick, that lies over a clay layer of 1.2m. The water table is 1.3m below the ground surface. The saturated unit weights of the sand and clay are 21.6 kN/m3 and 18.8 kN/m3, respectively. The unit weight of sand above the water table is 17.2 kN/m3. Determine the total vertical stress, porewater pressure and effective vertical stress at the bottom of each layer. Plot the values found in (a) against the depth below ground level. If the water table rises up to an elevation of 0.7 m above the ground level, what will the total vertical stress, pore water pressure and effective vertical stress at the bottom of the clay layer?