Because soil resists applied stresses in the x, y, and z directions, the ratio of horizontal to vertical stresses, K, determines the soil stress distribution. The dilatometer test predicts the unit weight of the soil and the horizontal stress ratio at rest, K, providing the necessary input to determine the stress increase applied to the soil. The Boussinesq stress distribution assumes the soil has a linear elastic stress-strain relationship. This distribution has no input from the soil’s material properties. Harr (1977) proposed using the normal probability distribution with K input to more accurately compute stress distribution. The author shows the Harr stress distribution for different values of K and compares them with the Boussinesq stress and Westergaard stress distributions. The author also presents some case studies of stress distribution measurements and proposes modern instrumentation needed for additional research.