Overburden Pressure Calculator

This calculator computes the overburden pressure at a given depth in a soil or rock layer based on the unit weight of the material and depth.

Input Parameters

Calculation Results

Calculation Formula

σ = γ × h + Pw

Where:
σ = Overburden Pressure (kPa)
γ = Unit Weight of Material (kN/m³)
h = Depth (meters)
Pw = Water Pressure at Depth (kPa)

Result

Overburden Pressure (σ): -- kPa

Overburden Pressure Calculator Usage Guide

Learn how to use the Overburden Pressure Calculator and its working principles

What is Overburden Pressure?

Overburden pressure is the stress exerted by the weight of overlying rock or soil. It increases with depth and is an important consideration in geotechnical engineering, particularly in foundation design and excavation work.

How to Use the Calculator

  1. Enter the Depth in meters at which you want to calculate the overburden pressure.
  2. Enter the Unit Weight of Material in kN/m³. This is the weight of the soil or rock per cubic meter.
  3. If applicable, enter the Water Pressure at Depth in kPa. This accounts for hydrostatic pressure in saturated soil.
  4. Click the Calculate button to compute the overburden pressure.

Example Calculation

For example, if you are calculating the overburden pressure at a depth of 10 meters in soil with a unit weight of 18 kN/m³ and a water pressure of 50 kPa, the calculation would be:

σ = 18 kN/m³ × 10 m + 50 kPa = 180 kPa + 50 kPa = 230 kPa

Applications

This calculator is useful for:

  • Foundation design
  • Excavation and tunneling
  • Geotechnical investigations
  • Understanding soil stability