07 Print CE311 FALL RETAINING WALLS

ATILIM UNIVERSITY
Civil Engineering
Department
Soil Mechanics
Chapter 7 LATERAL EARTH PRESSURE
1
Introduction
• Lateral earth pressure acts on retaining structures.
• A retaining wall is a structure that is used to provide lateral support
for a vertical or near-vertical slope of soil.
Sheetpile wall
Stone gravity wall Cantilever Walls
Gabion basket wall

Concrete gravity wall
This chapter deals with the magnitude and distribution of lateral
pressure between a soil mass and an adjoining retaining structure.
Conditions of plane strain are assumed, i.e. strains in the longitudinal

direction of the structure are assumed to be zero.
Lateral earth pressure depends on lateral strains in the soil produced by

soil movement.
At Rest
• When lateral strains are «zero», this case is called as «Earth Pressure
At Rest».
• In other words, there is no lateral strain.
𝜎ℎ ′ For normally consolidated clays and sands;
𝐾0 =
𝜎𝑣 ′ 𝐾0 = 1 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛Ø’
= 𝜎𝑣 ′
= 𝜎ℎ ′
Consider now a semi-infinite mass of soil with a
horizontal surface and having a vertical boundary
formed by a smooth wall surface extending to semi-
infinite depth.
The soil is assumed to be homogeneous and
isotropic.
A soil element at any depth z is subjected to a
vertical stress 𝛔z and a horizontal stress 𝛔x and, since
there can be no lateral transfer of weight if the
surface is horizontal, no shear stresses exist on
horizontal and vertical planes.
The vertical and horizontal stresses, therefore, are
principal stresses.
• If there is a movement of the wall away
from the soil, the value of 𝛔x decreases
as the soil dilates or expands outwards,
the decrease in 𝛔x being an unknown
function of the lateral strain in the soil.
• If the expansion is large enough, the
value of 𝛔x decreases to a minimum
value such that a state of plastic
equilibrium develops. Since this state is
developed by a decrease in the
horizontal stress 𝛔x , this must be the
minor principal stress (𝛔3). The vertical
stress 𝛔z is then the major principal
stress (𝛔1).
• Lateral earth pressure will decrease till
failure and minimum possible value will
be the «Active Earth Pressure».
On the other hand, if the wall is moved against
the soil mass, there will be lateral compression of
the soil and the value of 𝛔x will increase until a
state of plastic equilibrium is reached.
For this condition, 𝛔x becomes a maximum value
and is the major principal stress 𝛔1 . The stress 𝛔z,
equal to the overburden pressure, is then the
minor principal stress, i.e. The maximum value 𝛔1
is reached when the Mohr circle through the
point representing the fixed value 𝛔3 touches the
failure envelope for the soil.
In this case, the horizontal stress is defined as the
passive pressure ( Pp) representing the maximum
inherent resistance of the soil to lateral
compression.
Rankine’s Theory
• In order to estimate coefficient of active earth pressure (Ka) and
coefficient of passive earth pressure (Kp), Rankine’s Theory can be
used.
• It is applied to horizontal ground surface and sloping ground surface.
Review of Rankine’s Theory
Assumptions:
1. The earth retaining wall is
vertical.
2. The interface between the
wall and soil is frictionless.
3. The soil surface is horizontal
and no shear stress acts on
horizontal and vertical
boundaries.
4. The wall is rigid and extends
to an infinite depth in a
homogeneous, isotropic soil
mass.
5. The soil is loose and initially
in an at-rest state.
Active State
Lateral stress is smaller than vertical stress.
Major principal stress is vertical.
Minor principal stress is lateral.
𝜎,

 tan 2 (45  )
2
Passive State
Lateral stress is larger than vertical stress.
Major principal stress is lateral.
Minor principal stress is vertical
P
𝜎′H, P 𝜎,
Relationship between lateral strain and lateral
pressure coefficients
𝜎,
13
𝜎𝐻,𝐴 = 𝜎𝑉 𝐾𝑎 − 2𝑐 𝐾𝑎
Note 1
• If a uniformly distributed pressure , q, over the entire surface of soil
mass is applied
• 𝜎𝑣 = 𝞬𝒛 + 𝒒
• 𝜎𝐻,𝐴 = (𝛾𝑧 + 𝑞)𝐾𝑎 − 2𝑐 𝐾𝑎
• 𝜎𝐻,𝑃 = 𝛾𝑧 + 𝑞 𝐾𝑝 + 2𝑐 𝐾𝑝
Note 2
If there is a ground water table and the soil below the water table is in
fully drained condition, lateral earth pressure must be expressed in
terms of effective parameters.
𝜎′𝐻,𝐴 = 𝜎′𝑣 𝐾𝑎 − 2𝑐′ 𝐾𝑎
Total Active Trust;
P=P’A + Pw
where
P’A = Lateral force calculated by Rankine’s Effective Earth Pressure
Pw = Hydrostatic force behind the retaining wall
Note 3
For the undrained condition active and passive pressures are calculated
using cu, 𝞥u and total unit weight.
𝞥u= 0
1−𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛷𝑢
𝐾𝑎 = =1
1+𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛷𝑢
Note 4
• In case of having different soil layers,
Calculate the total active thrust on a 5m high retaining wall;
Coulomb’s Theory
• An alternative method in order to determine the lateral pressure acting on the retaining
structure is Coulomb’s theory.
• Coulomb’s theory (1776) involves consideration of the stability, as a whole, of the wedge
of soil between a retaining wall and a trial failure plane.
• The force between the wedge and the wall surface is determined by considering the
equilibrium of forces acting on the wedge when it is on the point of sliding either up or
down the failure plane, i.e. when the wedge is in a condition of limiting equilibrium.
• Friction between the wall and the adjacent soil is taken into account.
• Wall friction can be assumed as ;
d=Ø/2 to 2Ø/3
• A constant component of shearing resistance or ‘wall adhesion’, can also be assumed.
• When the wall is vertical and wall friction is zero Coulomb’s theory gives same results
with Rankine’s theory.
Coulomb’s theory: active case with c’=0:
(a) wedge geometry, (b) force polygon

If the soil is saturated, there will be additional forces due to pore water
Coulomb’s theory active case with c’>0 (for dry soils)
References
• Das, B., Sobhan, K., Principles of Geotechnical Engineering, 8th
edition, Cengage Learning, Stamford.
• Craig, R.F., Craig’s Soil Mechanics, 7th edition, Taylor and Francis
Group, London and New York.
• Berry, P.L., Reid, D., An Introduction to Soil Mechanics , McGrawhill
Book Company, London.
• Budhu, M., 2007, “Foundations and Earth Retaining Structures,” John
Wiley & Sons.
• Budhu, M., 2015, “Soil Mechanics Fundamentals”, John Wiley & Sons
• CE363 Lecture Notes (METU)
28

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ATILIM UNIVERSITY

Chapter 7 LATERAL EARTH PRESSURE

Gabion basket wall

Conditions of plane strain are assumed, i.e. strains in the longitudinal

Lateral earth pressure depends on lateral strains in the soil produced by

(a) wedge geometry, (b) force polygon

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