Section 4: Soil and Water Conservation Engineering
Soil Mechanics
Subtopic: Mohr's circle of stress
Question Statement:
In a two-dimensional stressed soil element, the major and minor principal stresses are $\sigma_1 = 180\text{ kPa}$ and $\sigma_3 = 60\text{ kPa}$, respectively. The maximum shear stress ($\tau_{max} = \frac{\sigma_1 - \sigma_3}{2}$) in $\text{kPa}$ is ________ (answer in integer).
Answer Key:
60
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
From Mohr's circle analysis, the radius of the stress circle equals the maximum shear stress:
$\tau_{max} = \frac{\sigma_1 - \sigma_3}{2}$
$\tau_{max} = \frac{180 - 60}{2} = \frac{120}{2} = 60\text{ kPa}$