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Effect of Overburden Pressure

Environmental Engineering · FE Reference Handbook section

Environmental Engineering
6 formulas
10 exam-style examples
~57 min
All Environmental Engineering lectures

Core formulas for this FE topic

Definitions, applicability, units, assumptions and worked examples for each relation.

Worked exam-style examples

The four ways this section is written on the real exam — thoughts first, then equations, then substitution.

Example 1
Effect of Overburden Pressure — solve for overburden pressure — Effect of Overburden Pressure

effect of overburden pressure on compacted landfill waste settlement Given unit weight of waste/cover (gamma) = 14.5000 kN/m^3; depth of overburden (z) = 30.5000 m, determine the overburden pressure (sigma_v) in kPa.

Given

  • unitweightofwaste/cover(gamma)=14.5000kN/m3unit weight of waste/cover (gamma) = 14.5000 kN/m^3
  • depthofoverburden(z)=30.5000mdepth of overburden (z) = 30.5000 m

Find

overburden pressure (sigma_v), in kPa

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Effect of Overburden Pressure.
  • Everything except sigma_v is given, so isolate sigma_v symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The effect of overburden pressure on landfill waste is estimated as the vertical stress from the overlying waste and cover depth.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    σv=γ×z\sigma_v = \gamma \times z
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for sigma_v:

    σv=γz\sigma_{v} = \gamma z
  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:unitweightofwaste/cover(gamma)=14.5000kN/m3,depthofoverburden(z)=30.5000mList the givens: unit weight of waste/cover (gamma) = 14.5000 kN/m^3, depth of overburden (z) = 30.5000 m
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    σv=14.500030.5000\sigma_{v} = 14.5000 30.5000
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    σv=442.3 kPa\sigma_{v} = 442.3\ \text{kPa}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning sigma_v = 442.3 kPa to

    σv=γ×z\sigma_v = \gamma \times z

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
σv=442.3 kPa\sigma_{v} = 442.3\ \text{kPa}

Why the other options are there

  • 884.5 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 221.1 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 486.5 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Effect of Overburden Pressure

Example 2
Effect of Overburden Pressure — solve for unit weight of waste/cover — Effect of Overburden Pressure (2)

overburden pressure at the base of a landfill cell Given depth of overburden (z) = 19.5000 m; overburden pressure (sigma_v) = 98.0000 kPa, determine the unit weight of waste/cover (gamma) in kN/m^3.

Given

  • depthofoverburden(z)=19.5000mdepth of overburden (z) = 19.5000 m
  • overburdenpressure(sigmav)=98.0000kPaoverburden pressure (sigma_v) = 98.0000 kPa

Find

unit weight of waste/cover (gamma), in kN/m^3

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Effect of Overburden Pressure.
  • Everything except gamma is given, so isolate gamma symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The effect of overburden pressure on landfill waste is estimated as the vertical stress from the overlying waste and cover depth.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    σv=γ×z\sigma_v = \gamma \times z
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for gamma:

    γ=σvz\gamma = \dfrac{\sigma_v}{z}
  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:depthofoverburden(z)=19.5000m,overburdenpressure(sigmav)=98.0000kPaList the givens: depth of overburden (z) = 19.5000 m, overburden pressure (sigma_v) = 98.0000 kPa
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    γ=σv19.5000\gamma = \dfrac{\sigma_v}{19.5000}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    \gamma = 5.0256\ \text{kN/m^3}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning gamma = 5.0256 kN/m^3 to

    σv=γ×z\sigma_v = \gamma \times z

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
\gamma = 5.0256\ \text{kN/m^3}

Why the other options are there

  • 10.0513 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 2.5128 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 5.5282 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Effect of Overburden Pressure

Example 3
Effect of Overburden Pressure — solve for depth of overburden — Effect of Overburden Pressure (3)

effect of overburden pressure on waste density with increasing depth Given unit weight of waste/cover (gamma) = 14.3000 kN/m^3; overburden pressure (sigma_v) = 138.0 kPa, determine the depth of overburden (z) in m.

Given

  • unitweightofwaste/cover(gamma)=14.3000kN/m3unit weight of waste/cover (gamma) = 14.3000 kN/m^3
  • overburdenpressure(sigmav)=138.0kPaoverburden pressure (sigma_v) = 138.0 kPa

Find

depth of overburden (z), in m

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Effect of Overburden Pressure.
  • Everything except z is given, so isolate z symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The effect of overburden pressure on landfill waste is estimated as the vertical stress from the overlying waste and cover depth.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    σv=γ×z\sigma_v = \gamma \times z
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for z:

    z=σvγz = \dfrac{\sigma_v}{\gamma}
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: unit weight of waste/cover (gamma) = 14.3000 kN/m^3, overburden pressure (sigma_v) = 138.0 kPa.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    z=σv14.3000z = \dfrac{\sigma_v}{14.3000}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    z=9.6503 mz = 9.6503\ \text{m}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning z = 9.6503 m to

    σv=γ×z\sigma_v = \gamma \times z

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
z=9.6503 mz = 9.6503\ \text{m}

Why the other options are there

  • 19.3007 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 4.8252 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 10.6154 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Effect of Overburden Pressure

Example 4
Effect of Overburden Pressure — solve for overburden pressure (case 2) — Effect of Overburden Pressure (4)

effect of overburden pressure on compacted landfill waste settlement Given unit weight of waste/cover (gamma) = 11.6000 kN/m^3; depth of overburden (z) = 19.0000 m, determine the overburden pressure (sigma_v) in kPa.

Given

  • unitweightofwaste/cover(gamma)=11.6000kN/m3unit weight of waste/cover (gamma) = 11.6000 kN/m^3
  • depthofoverburden(z)=19.0000mdepth of overburden (z) = 19.0000 m

Find

overburden pressure (sigma_v), in kPa

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Effect of Overburden Pressure.
  • Everything except sigma_v is given, so isolate sigma_v symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The effect of overburden pressure on landfill waste is estimated as the vertical stress from the overlying waste and cover depth.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    σv=γ×z\sigma_v = \gamma \times z
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for sigma_v:

    σv=γz\sigma_{v} = \gamma z
  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:unitweightofwaste/cover(gamma)=11.6000kN/m3,depthofoverburden(z)=19.0000mList the givens: unit weight of waste/cover (gamma) = 11.6000 kN/m^3, depth of overburden (z) = 19.0000 m
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    σv=11.600019.0000\sigma_{v} = 11.6000 19.0000
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    σv=220.4 kPa\sigma_{v} = 220.4\ \text{kPa}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning sigma_v = 220.4 kPa to

    σv=γ×z\sigma_v = \gamma \times z

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
σv=220.4 kPa\sigma_{v} = 220.4\ \text{kPa}

Why the other options are there

  • 440.8 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 110.2 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 242.4 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Effect of Overburden Pressure

Example 5
Effect of Overburden Pressure — solve for unit weight of waste/cover (case 2) — Effect of Overburden Pressure (5)

overburden pressure at the base of a landfill cell Given depth of overburden (z) = 10.5000 m; overburden pressure (sigma_v) = 256.0 kPa, determine the unit weight of waste/cover (gamma) in kN/m^3.

Given

  • depthofoverburden(z)=10.5000mdepth of overburden (z) = 10.5000 m
  • overburdenpressure(sigmav)=256.0kPaoverburden pressure (sigma_v) = 256.0 kPa

Find

unit weight of waste/cover (gamma), in kN/m^3

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Effect of Overburden Pressure.
  • Everything except gamma is given, so isolate gamma symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The effect of overburden pressure on landfill waste is estimated as the vertical stress from the overlying waste and cover depth.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    σv=γ×z\sigma_v = \gamma \times z
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for gamma:

    γ=σvz\gamma = \dfrac{\sigma_v}{z}
  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:depthofoverburden(z)=10.5000m,overburdenpressure(sigmav)=256.0kPaList the givens: depth of overburden (z) = 10.5000 m, overburden pressure (sigma_v) = 256.0 kPa
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    γ=σv10.5000\gamma = \dfrac{\sigma_v}{10.5000}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    \gamma = 24.3810\ \text{kN/m^3}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning gamma = 24.3810 kN/m^3 to

    σv=γ×z\sigma_v = \gamma \times z

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
\gamma = 24.3810\ \text{kN/m^3}

Why the other options are there

  • 48.7619 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 12.1905 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 26.8190 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Effect of Overburden Pressure

Example 6
Effect of Overburden Pressure — solve for depth of overburden (case 2) — Effect of Overburden Pressure (6)

effect of overburden pressure on waste density with increasing depth Given unit weight of waste/cover (gamma) = 9.1000 kN/m^3; overburden pressure (sigma_v) = 498.0 kPa, determine the depth of overburden (z) in m.

Given

  • unitweightofwaste/cover(gamma)=9.1000kN/m3unit weight of waste/cover (gamma) = 9.1000 kN/m^3
  • overburdenpressure(sigmav)=498.0kPaoverburden pressure (sigma_v) = 498.0 kPa

Find

depth of overburden (z), in m

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Effect of Overburden Pressure.
  • Everything except z is given, so isolate z symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The effect of overburden pressure on landfill waste is estimated as the vertical stress from the overlying waste and cover depth.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    σv=γ×z\sigma_v = \gamma \times z
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for z:

    z=σvγz = \dfrac{\sigma_v}{\gamma}
  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:unitweightofwaste/cover(gamma)=9.1000kN/m3,overburdenpressure(sigmav)=498.0kPaList the givens: unit weight of waste/cover (gamma) = 9.1000 kN/m^3, overburden pressure (sigma_v) = 498.0 kPa
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    z=σv9.1000z = \dfrac{\sigma_v}{9.1000}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    z=54.7253 mz = 54.7253\ \text{m}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning z = 54.7253 m to

    σv=γ×z\sigma_v = \gamma \times z

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
z=54.7253 mz = 54.7253\ \text{m}

Why the other options are there

  • 109.5 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 27.3626 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 60.1978 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Effect of Overburden Pressure

Example 7
Effect of Overburden Pressure — solve for overburden pressure (case 3) — Effect of Overburden Pressure (7)

effect of overburden pressure on compacted landfill waste settlement Given unit weight of waste/cover (gamma) = 18.0000 kN/m^3; depth of overburden (z) = 1.0000 m, determine the overburden pressure (sigma_v) in kPa.

Given

  • unitweightofwaste/cover(gamma)=18.0000kN/m3unit weight of waste/cover (gamma) = 18.0000 kN/m^3
  • depthofoverburden(z)=1.0000mdepth of overburden (z) = 1.0000 m

Find

overburden pressure (sigma_v), in kPa

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Effect of Overburden Pressure.
  • Everything except sigma_v is given, so isolate sigma_v symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The effect of overburden pressure on landfill waste is estimated as the vertical stress from the overlying waste and cover depth.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    σv=γ×z\sigma_v = \gamma \times z
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for sigma_v:

    σv=γz\sigma_{v} = \gamma z
  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:unitweightofwaste/cover(gamma)=18.0000kN/m3,depthofoverburden(z)=1.0000mList the givens: unit weight of waste/cover (gamma) = 18.0000 kN/m^3, depth of overburden (z) = 1.0000 m
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    σv=18.00001.0000\sigma_{v} = 18.0000 1.0000
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    σv=18.0000 kPa\sigma_{v} = 18.0000\ \text{kPa}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning sigma_v = 18.0000 kPa to

    σv=γ×z\sigma_v = \gamma \times z

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
σv=18.0000 kPa\sigma_{v} = 18.0000\ \text{kPa}

Why the other options are there

  • 36.0000 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 9.0000 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 19.8000 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Effect of Overburden Pressure

Example 8
Effect of Overburden Pressure — solve for unit weight of waste/cover (case 3) — Effect of Overburden Pressure (8)

overburden pressure at the base of a landfill cell Given depth of overburden (z) = 9.5000 m; overburden pressure (sigma_v) = 462.0 kPa, determine the unit weight of waste/cover (gamma) in kN/m^3.

Given

  • depthofoverburden(z)=9.5000mdepth of overburden (z) = 9.5000 m
  • overburdenpressure(sigmav)=462.0kPaoverburden pressure (sigma_v) = 462.0 kPa

Find

unit weight of waste/cover (gamma), in kN/m^3

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Effect of Overburden Pressure.
  • Everything except gamma is given, so isolate gamma symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The effect of overburden pressure on landfill waste is estimated as the vertical stress from the overlying waste and cover depth.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    σv=γ×z\sigma_v = \gamma \times z
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for gamma:

    γ=σvz\gamma = \dfrac{\sigma_v}{z}
  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:depthofoverburden(z)=9.5000m,overburdenpressure(sigmav)=462.0kPaList the givens: depth of overburden (z) = 9.5000 m, overburden pressure (sigma_v) = 462.0 kPa
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    γ=σv9.5000\gamma = \dfrac{\sigma_v}{9.5000}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    \gamma = 48.6316\ \text{kN/m^3}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning gamma = 48.6316 kN/m^3 to

    σv=γ×z\sigma_v = \gamma \times z

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
\gamma = 48.6316\ \text{kN/m^3}

Why the other options are there

  • 97.2632 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 24.3158 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 53.4947 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Effect of Overburden Pressure

Example 9
Effect of Overburden Pressure — solve for depth of overburden (case 3) — Effect of Overburden Pressure (9)

effect of overburden pressure on waste density with increasing depth Given unit weight of waste/cover (gamma) = 10.6000 kN/m^3; overburden pressure (sigma_v) = 405.0 kPa, determine the depth of overburden (z) in m.

Given

  • unitweightofwaste/cover(gamma)=10.6000kN/m3unit weight of waste/cover (gamma) = 10.6000 kN/m^3
  • overburdenpressure(sigmav)=405.0kPaoverburden pressure (sigma_v) = 405.0 kPa

Find

depth of overburden (z), in m

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Effect of Overburden Pressure.
  • Everything except z is given, so isolate z symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The effect of overburden pressure on landfill waste is estimated as the vertical stress from the overlying waste and cover depth.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    σv=γ×z\sigma_v = \gamma \times z
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for z:

    z=σvγz = \dfrac{\sigma_v}{\gamma}
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: unit weight of waste/cover (gamma) = 10.6000 kN/m^3, overburden pressure (sigma_v) = 405.0 kPa.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    z=σv10.6000z = \dfrac{\sigma_v}{10.6000}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    z=38.2075 mz = 38.2075\ \text{m}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning z = 38.2075 m to

    σv=γ×z\sigma_v = \gamma \times z

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
z=38.2075 mz = 38.2075\ \text{m}

Why the other options are there

  • 76.4151 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 19.1038 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 42.0283 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Effect of Overburden Pressure

Example 10
Effect of Overburden Pressure — solve for overburden pressure (case 4) — Effect of Overburden Pressure (10)

effect of overburden pressure on compacted landfill waste settlement Given unit weight of waste/cover (gamma) = 15.0000 kN/m^3; depth of overburden (z) = 6.0000 m, determine the overburden pressure (sigma_v) in kPa.

Given

  • unitweightofwaste/cover(gamma)=15.0000kN/m3unit weight of waste/cover (gamma) = 15.0000 kN/m^3
  • depthofoverburden(z)=6.0000mdepth of overburden (z) = 6.0000 m

Find

overburden pressure (sigma_v), in kPa

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Effect of Overburden Pressure.
  • Everything except sigma_v is given, so isolate sigma_v symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The effect of overburden pressure on landfill waste is estimated as the vertical stress from the overlying waste and cover depth.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    σv=γ×z\sigma_v = \gamma \times z
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for sigma_v:

    σv=γz\sigma_{v} = \gamma z
  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:unitweightofwaste/cover(gamma)=15.0000kN/m3,depthofoverburden(z)=6.0000mList the givens: unit weight of waste/cover (gamma) = 15.0000 kN/m^3, depth of overburden (z) = 6.0000 m
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    σv=15.00006.0000\sigma_{v} = 15.0000 6.0000
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    σv=90.0000 kPa\sigma_{v} = 90.0000\ \text{kPa}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning sigma_v = 90.0000 kPa to

    σv=γ×z\sigma_v = \gamma \times z

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
σv=90.0000 kPa\sigma_{v} = 90.0000\ \text{kPa}

Why the other options are there

  • 180.0 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 45.0000 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 99.0000 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Effect of Overburden Pressure

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