effective stress In soil, pressure between grains at points of contact; it is at equilibrium in saturated soil. Effective stress equals total pressure minus the neutral pressure of water in pores. During consolidation, effective stress increases and reaches maximum at complete consolidation before shear failure occurs.

effective stress In soil, the pressure between grains at their points of contact; it is at equilibrium in saturated soil. Effective stress equals total pressure minus the neutral pressure of water in pores. During consolidation, effective stress increases and reaches a maximum at complete consolidation before shear failure occurs.