Análise de tensões em solos utilizando o método de boussinesq com base nas cargas de pilares de uma obra na cidade de Natal

Abstract

The analysis of soil stresses is a fundamental step in geotechnical engineering, especially regarding the design of foundations. The behavior of the soil under loads applied by buildings and other civil structures directly influences the stability and safety of constructions, making it essential to understand how these stresses are distributed and dissipated with depth. In a context of growing urbanization and infrastructure development, assessing the stresses induced in the soil becomes essential to prevent settlements and other structural problems. This study aimed to evaluate, through the application of Boussinesq's equation, the distribution of stresses generated by point loads from the structural elements of a warehouse project belonging to the Companhia de Águas e Esgotos do Rio Grande do Norte (CAERN), considering a representative soil profile based on four SPT-type borehole tests. The analysis focused on the concentrated loads from the structural columns. The use of Boussinesq’s equation to analyze stress increases in the soil proved valid and technically appropriate, especially in the context of shallow foundations. The study made it possible to explore soil behavior under structural loads based on field parameters and fundamental concepts of soil mechanics. The results showed that, although Boussinesq’s equation has solid theoretical foundations and is widely used in geotechnical engineering, its consistency depends significantly on the application geometry, particularly the relationship between radius and depth. In the points where the load was applied directly over the columns, such as points B and D, the estimated values were consistent with theoretical behavior, demonstrating the model’s effectiveness. On the other hand, in more distant points, the results showed inconsistencies, highlighting the influence of the radius-todepth ratio on the reliability of the simulation. It is concluded that Boussinesq’s equation is an effective tool for estimating soil stresses, provided it is applied in scenarios involving relatively small radial distances. For applications with greater distances between the load and the analysis point, caution is recommended when interpreting the results.