A soil deposit exists with a level ground surface. The saturated unit weight of soil in the deposit is 125 pcf. (a) Determine the principal stresses acting at a depth 15 ft below the ground surface if...

A soil deposit exists with a level ground surface. The saturated unit weight of soil in the deposit is 125 pcf.

(a) Determine the principal stresses acting at a depth 15 ft below the ground surface if the lateral pressure is 0.45 times the vertical pressure. The vertical pressure (stress) is the product of the soil unit weight and depth.

(b) What is the magnitude of the maximum shear stress at this depth?