water tables affect on stress

[abuh11]

Am I right in assuming that increasing the water table in the short terms has little effect on effective stress, but increasing the water table in the long term would decrease effective stress.

Thanks

 

[BigH]

If the water table rises, the effective stress decreases below the water table. Short term and long term. Fluctuating water levels (such as wet/dry season) causes fluctuating effective stresses. (As well, increase in porewater pressure - say from a loading) will decrease the effective stress. Total stresses not affected.)