What is the primary cause of bearing capacity failure in saturated soils?

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Question: What is the primary cause of bearing capacity failure in saturated soils?

Options:

Correct Answer: Increased pore water pressure

Solution:

In saturated soils, increased pore water pressure reduces effective stress, leading to bearing capacity failure.

What is the primary cause of bearing capacity failure in saturated soils?

What is the primary cause of bearing capacity failure in saturated soils?

Step 1: Understand what saturated soils are. Saturated soils are soils that are completely filled with water.
Step 2: Learn about pore water pressure. This is the pressure exerted by water within the soil's pores.
Step 3: Know what effective stress is. Effective stress is the stress that contributes to the strength of the soil, calculated as total stress minus pore water pressure.
Step 4: Realize that when soil is saturated, the pore water pressure increases.
Step 5: Understand that increased pore water pressure reduces effective stress because it pushes against the soil particles.
Step 6: Recognize that lower effective stress means the soil can support less weight.
Step 7: Conclude that when the effective stress is too low, it leads to bearing capacity failure, meaning the soil cannot support the load above it.

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