Effective Stress is the grain to grain contact of soil particles. the higher the effective stress, the stronger the soil. effective stress at a certain depth is calculated as follows: Effective stress = total stress - pore water pressure the pore water pressure is often taken as water table. pore water pressure has a negative effectice on effective stress, as it hinders grain to grain contact.

The effective stress analysis refers to the force that keeps the collection of the particles rigid.

The total and effective stress analysis is used for the short term problems like the temporary evacuations.

Effective Stress at Ground Water Table = Total Stress minus the Pore water stress, but the pore water stress is negative, therefore = Total Stress plus the water pressure in capillary zone.

-kelvinbrbTSU

The latter is more effective.