Lateral earth pressure – At-rest, active and passive earth

pressures – Practical examples Rankine’s and Coulomb’

theories[no derivation required]-Influence of surcharge, inclined
backfill and water table on earth problems Earth pressure on
retaining walls with layered backfill- numerical problems.
What is Lateral earth pressure

What are the theories used to develop lateral

earth pressure-
Suppose, there is a natural
slope… and if we cut it at the
section XX, we’ll get the 2nd fig.

So, if we want to make a road

here… we have to protect the
soil above the cut portion…
as it has a tendency to fall
down… which is undesirable.

So we need to provide some

retaining structure or use some
other measures to protect it….
The pressure with which this
earth moves down is known as
lateral earth pressure.
So, if we provide a retaining wall in the
portion XX… the soil above is creating
a lateral pressure which will be resisted
by this retaining structure… that is
why it is called a retaining structure.
So, a retaining wall is a structure which
retains soil or water any other
material from falling down.
So, the ret struc will fn properly if the
lateral earth pressure is estimated
properly.
Importance of estimating Lat earth
pressure.
If the lateral earth pressure is minimum, we
don’t have to construct a big structure.
If its magn higher, we need to go for a
higher c/s.
Some technical terms
Backfill
Soil which has to be retained by the ret wall
is called backfill soil.
Retaining wall
A retaining wall is a structure which retains
soil or water any other material from falling
down
Lateral earth pressure
The force exerted by the backfill on the
retaining wall is called lateral EP.
1. Lateral Earth pressure at rest Retaining wall -H
retaining a backfill soil.
RW is restrained from moving.

Let σh be the pressure

exerted by the soil on the RW
at rest condition
 EARTH PRESSURE AT REST
● When the wall is rigid and
unyielding, the soil mass is in a
state of rest and there are no
deformations and displacements.
The earth pressure
corresponding to this state is
called the earth pressure at rest.

EP at rest at the base of the Ret wall

of height H will be σh =K0σv
=K0ϒH
K0 = coefft of earth pressure at rest.
Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Govt. Engg. College, Kozhikode
EP at rest for any depth z will be K0 .
 EP (when wall moves away
2. Active Earth pressure
from the ret wall )at the base
of the Ret wall of height H
will be σh =Kaσv
=KaϒH
Ka = coefft of active earth
pressure.
EP when wall moves away
from RW for any depth z will
be Ka.ϒ.z

Lat EP developed at the when

wall moves away from the
ret wall
 ACTIVE EARTH PRESSURE
● If the wall rotate above its toe,
ie. The wall moving away from
the backfill, the soil mass
expands, resulting in decrease
of earth pressure which
continues until at a certain
amount of displacement, failure
will occur in the backfill and a slip
surface .
This least lateral force is called
as Active Earth Pressure.

● Major Principal Stress σ1 = σv and σ3 = σh

Dr. K. M. Kouzer, Govt. Engg. College, Kozhikode
AT REST CONDITION
ACTIVE EARTH PRESSURE

σh=Ka σv =
KaϒH
For finding active earth pressure, Ko should be changed to Ka
PASSIVE EARTH PRESSURE

σh=KP σv =
KPϒH
For finding PASSIVE earth pressure, Ko should be changed to Kp
 =Ka ϒ Z

N.B. General equation is

A rigid ret wall six m high is resrained from yielding. The backfill consists of cohesionless
soil having phi=26degree, Y = 19kN/m3. Compute the total earth pressure per metre
length of the wall.

Po= 1/2 KoYH2

Ko=1-sin26=0.5616
Po= 192.1kN/m
 A retaining wall 8m high retains a cohesionless backfill having φ=
30⁰ and γ = 18 kN/m3. Compute the intensities of active &
passive earth pressure and total active and passive earth
pressure / m run and point of application
Soln:
Total active pressure/m run =

Total passive pressure / m run =

Pa=192 kN/m Pp =1728 kN/m

48 kN/m2 432 kN/m2

2. Effect of surcharge

σh=Ka σv =
KaϒH

Effect of uniform surcharge on lateral earth pressure

2. Effect of surcharge ….contd

pa = Kaq+ KaYH
The lateral earth pressure
due to surcharge –
same at every point along
the depth of the ret wall
Does not vary with depth
The height of fill He,
equivalent to the uniform
surcharge intensity is given
by,
KaYHe = Kaq
He = q/Y
Q. A wall mass is retained by a smooth vertical wall of 6m height. The soil has a bulk
unit weight of 20kN/m3 and φ = 16 ο. The top of the soil is level with the top of the wall
and is horizontal. If the soil surface carries a udl of 4.5kN/m2, determine the intensity of
active earth pressure acting on the wall. Also determine the resultant earth pressure
per unit length of the wall.
Ans: Given H= 6m
ϒ = 20kN/m3
φ = 16ο
q = 4.5kN/m2
Q. A wall mass is retained by a smooth vertical wall of 6m height. The soil has a bulk
unit weight of 20kN/m3 and φ = 16 ο. The top of the soil is level with the top of the wall
and is horizontal. If the soil surface carries a udl of 4.5kN/m2, determine the intensity of
active earth pressure acting on the wall. Also determine the resultant earth pressure
per unit length of the wall.
Ans: Given H= 6m
ϒ = 20kN/m3
φ = 16ο
q = 4.5kN/m2

=(=1-Sin 16o)/(1+Sin 16o) = 0.568.

Q. A wall mass is retained by a smooth vertical wall of 6m height. The soil has a bulk
unit weight of 20kN/m3 and φ = 16 ο. The top of the soil is level with the top of the wall
and is horizontal. If the soil surface carries a udl of 4.5kN/m2, determine the intensity of
active earth pressure acting on the wall. Also determine the resultant earth pressure
per unit length of the wall.
Ans: Given H= 6m
ϒ = 20kN/m3
φ = 16ο
q = 4.5kN/m2

=(=1-Sin 16o)/(1+Sin 16o) = 0.568.

Active earth pressure at any depth H=pa

= Ka q + Ka ϒ H
=0.568 x 4.5 + 0.568 x 20 x 6
=2.55 + 68.16
=70.71 kN/m2
Total active earth pressure or resultant earth pressure per unit length of the wall=
=2. 55x 6 +1/2x 6 x 68.16 = 15.3 + 204.48= 219.78 kN/m
Total active earth pressure or resultant earth pressure per unit length of
the wall=2. 55x 6 +1/2x 6 x 68.16 = 15.3 + 204.48= 219.78 kN/m

To get point of application h, equate moment of the resultant and

components about base of the wall
Pa * h =( P1 * h1 )+ (P2 * h2)
219.78 x h = (15.3 x 6/2 ) + (204.48 x 6/3)
219.78 x h = (15.3 x 3 ) + (204.48 x 2)
h= 2.07m
H= 7m, phi =18, Y =18, q= five
 3. Submerged backfill
Lateral pressure is due to 2 components
• Due to submerged weight of soil
• Due to water
Water table at ground level
Soil is in submerged condition with submerged unit weight γ ʹ.
Let γw be unit wt of water
pa = Ka γ ʹ H + γwH
pp = Kp γ ʹ H + γwH

Due to soil Due to

water
1. A retaining wall 6m high retains a3 cohesionless backfill
having φ= 30⁰ and γ = 16 kN/m . Compute the total
active earth pressure / m run and point of application

p1 =Ka γ ʹ H= p2 =γwH=
Q. A retaining wall 6m high retains
3
a cohesionless backfill
having φ= 30⁰ and γ = 16 kN/m . Compute the total active
earth pressure / m run and point of application
Soln:
Ka= 1/3 , H = 6m
γ ʹ = γ – γw = 16 -10 = 6kN/m3

p1 =Ka γ ʹ H= p2 =γwH=
=1/3* 6 * 6 = 12 = 10 * 6= 60
Intensity of earth pressure at any depth 6m
p1 =Ka γ ʹ H=1/3* 6 * 6 = 12 kN/m2
p2 =γwH = 10 * 6 = 60 kN/m2
A retaining wall 6m high retains a cohesionless backfill having φ= 30⁰ and γ = 16
kN/m3. Compute the total active earth pressure / m run and point of application

Total active earth pressure

P1 = ½ * 12* 6 = 36 kN/m
P2 = ½ * 60 * 6 = 180 kN/m
p2 =γwH=
Pa = 36 +180 = 216 kN/m p1 =Ka γ ʹ H=
=1/3* 6 * 6 = 12 = 10 * 6= 60
To get point of application h, equate moment of the resultant and components about base of
the wall
Pa * h =( P1 * h1 )+ (P2 * h2)
216 * h = 36 * 6/3 + 180 * 6/3
h = 2m from base of wall
2. A retaining wall 10m high retains a cohesionless backfill having φ= 30⁰
and γ = 15.7 kN/m3 γsat = 19.8 kN/m3. Compute the total active earth
pressure / m run and point of application

γ ʹ = γsat – γw = 19.8 -10 = 9.8kN/m3

2. A retaining wall 10m high retains a cohesionless backfill having
φ= 30⁰ and γ = 15.7 kN/m3 γsat = 19.8 kN/m3. Compute the total
active earth pressure / m run and point of application

γ ʹ = γsat – γw = 19.8 -10 = 9.8kN/m3

 To get total active pressure

pressure Magnitude (kN/m) Point of application from base of

wall

P1 ½ * 20.93*4 = 41.86 4/3 + 6 = 7.33

P2 20.93 * 6 = 125.58 6/2 = 3
P3 ½ * 19.6 * 6 = 58.8 6/3 = 2
P4 ½ * 60 * 6 = 180 6/3 = 2
Total Pa 406.24 kN/m
To get point of application,
406.24 * h = 41.86 *7.33 + 125.58 * 3 + 58.8 * 2 + 180* 2
h = 2.86 m
3.
Q2. Compute the intensity of active earth pressure at depth of 8m in dry cohesionless
sand with an angle of internal friction of 30 degrees and unit weight of 18kN/m3. What
will be the active earth pressure if the water level rises to the ground level? Ysat= 22
kN/m3. Also find the total active earth pressure per m run of the retaining wall.
Dry soil
=1/3=0.333

pa = Ka YH=1/3 x 18 x 8 = 48kN/m2
Total active earth pr per m run= 1/2 x 8 x 48
=192N/

Submerged soil

=1/3=0.333

Y’ = Ysat – Yw = 22 - 9.81 =12.19kN/m3

pa = Ka Y’H + Yw H
= 1/3 x 12.19 x 8 +9.81 x 8
= 32.5 + 78.48 =111kN/m2
32.5 78.48
Q3. A wall mass is retained by a smooth vertical wall of 4m height. The soil has a bulk unit
weight of 18kN/m3 and phi = 30 degree. The top of the soil is level with the top of the
wall and is horizontal. If the soil surface carries a udl of 36kN/m2, determine the intensity
of active earth pressure acting on the wall. Also calculate the total force acting on the
wall.
Ans: Given H= 4m
ϒ = 18kN/m3
φ = 30ο
q = 36kN/m2

=(1-Sin 30o)/(1+Sin 30o) = 1/3

Active earth pressure=pa

= Ka q + Ka ϒ H
=1/3 x 36 + 1/3 x 18 x 4
KaYHe = Kaq
=12+24 He = q/Y=36/18 =2 m H’ = 4+2 =6m
= 36 kN/m2 Pa = Ka x Y x H’ =1/3 x 18 x 6 =36kN/m2
Total force acting= area of the pressure diagram

P1= 12 x 4 =48kN/m
Acting at a depth 4/2 =2m from the bottom.

P2=1/2 x 24 x 4=48kN/m
Acting at a depth 4/3=1.33m from the bottom.

Total force acting is, P= 48 + 48=96kN/m length

of the wall.

Depth at which it is acting is z

= (P1 x 2 + P2 x 1.33)/( P1 +P2)
=(48 x 2 + 48 x 1.33)/(48+48)
=1.67m
HW
H = 5m, udl=30kN/m2

P= kN/m
Z= m
4.

KaϒH
2

KaϒH2
Q4. In the above example Q3,H= 4m, Y=18kN/m3, if the WT rises
behind the wall to an elevtion 1.5m below the top, determine the
total active pressure and its point of application. Take submerged
unit wt as 12 kN/m3.φ =30o. q = 36kN/m2

Given H= 4m, Y=18kN/m3,

Soln: p1=lateral pressure due to surcharge
p2=lateral pressure due to dry soil
p3 = For the bottom soil, the weight of the above soil will
act as the surcharge… along with the actual surcharge
load.
= p2 here
p4=lateral pressure due to submerged soil
p5=lateral pressure due to water
p1=Ka.q= 1/3 x 36 =12kN/m3
P2=KaYH1= 1/3 x 18 x 1.5 = 9kN/m3
P3=same as p2
P4= KaY’H2 = 1/3 x 12 x 2.5 = 10kN/m3
P5=YwH=9.81 x 2.5 = 24.5kN/m3
P1= 12 x 4 = 48kN/m acting at 4/2 = 2m from base.
P2= ½ x 9 x 1.5 =6.75 kN/m acting at 2.5 +(1.5/3) = 3m from
the base.
P3 = 9 x 2.5 = 22.5kN/m acting at 2.5/2 = 1.25m from the
base.
P4 = ½ x 10 x 2.5 = 12.5kN/m acting at 2.5/3 = 0.833 m from
the base.
P5 = ½ x 24.53 x 2.5 = 30.66kN/m acting at 2.5/3 = 0.833m
from the base.
Total force = 48+6.75+22.5+12.5+30.66 = 120.41 kN/m
Ht above the base where the force acts = moment of all the
forces/Total force =( 48 x 2 + 6.75x3 + 22.5 x 1.25 + 12.5 x
0.833 +30.66x 0.833)/120.41
=1.5m.

Do HW with WT rises to 3m above base of RW.

P=131.14kN/m z=
5.

Ka ϒ H2
Q.5 Determine the active pressure on the RW shown in Fig. Yw= 10kN/m3.
 p1 above B = Ka1YH1 = 0.271 x 17 x 2.5 = 11.51kN/m2
p1 just below B = Ka2YH2 = 0.238 x 17 x 2.5 =10.115kN/m2
At C
p3 = Ka2Y’H2 = 0.238x (18-10) x 2.5 Pressure Magnitude (kN/m) Pt of application
=4.76kN/m2 P1 ½ x 11.52 x 2.5 = 14.4 (2.5/3) + 2.5 = 3.33
P4 =YwH2 = 10 x 2.5 =25kN/m2 P2 10.11 x 2.5= 25.275 2.5/2= 1.25
To get point of application P3 ½ x 4.88 x 2.5 = 6.1 2.5/3 = 0.83
77.02 x h = 14.4 x3.33 + 25.275 x 1.25 + 6.1 x 0.83 + 31.25 x 0.83 P4 ½ x 25 x 2.5 =31.25 0.83
h= 1.44 m
Total P = 77 .02 kN/m
6.
4. Sloping backfil

α or β
A retaining wall 6m high retains a cohesionless backfill having
φ= 30⁰, γ = 20 kN/m3 .If surface of the backfill slope upwards
at 15⁰ to the horizontal .Compute the total active earth
pressure / m run
α = 15⁰
φ= 30⁰

Ka = 0.3729
Pa = ½ * ka* γ * H2
= ½ * 0.3729 * 20 * 62
= 134.2 kN/m
Cohesive soils -Active earth pressure (Rankines theory contd)
Bells equation

• Consider a retaining wall with a smooth

vertical back retaining a cohesive
horizontal backfill
• Active earth pressure,
where =
At z =0, pa =

The negative sign shows that the pressure is

tensile.
As z increases, this tensile stress decreases.
(from fig) At depth z = zo, it becomes 0.
 HH––zzoo
+

Because of negative pressure, cracks

do develop in the soil near the top of
the wall.. The depth z0 is known as
the depth of tension crack.
Assuming that the compressive force balances the
tensile force(-), the total depth where tensile and
compressive force neutralizes each other is 2z0.

This depth is known as critical depth of an

unsupported cut in cohesive soil.

In cohesive soil , a vertical cut can be made upto

depth of 2 zo without providing any lateral support.
 Total active pressure /m

P1

H –Hz–o z Active force before

o
formation of
+ P2 tension crack = P1 +P2

Ka γ H

Total lateral thrust or active pressure force /m after formation of tension crack
= P2
= Area of pressure distribution diagram between H and zo ( shaded area)
 Numerical example
• A retaining wall 35m high retains a backfill having cohesion = 20 kN/m 2, φ= 0⁰
and γ = 18 kN/m . Compute the total active earth pressure / m run and point of
application.
• Soln

When φ= 0⁰. Sin φ= Sin 0⁰ =0,

Ka=1
At z = 0, pa = - 2x 20 x1 = - 40 kN/m2
At z = 5 m, pa = 18 x 5 x1 – 2 x 20 x 1 = 50 kN/m2
Depth of tension crack ,
= (2 x 20 )/(18 x 1)= 2.22 m

Total active pressure force/m = Area of shaded area

= ½ x 50 x (5- 2.22)= 69.5 kN/m
Height of action of force = 2.78/3
• An unsupported excavation is to be made in a clay layer 7 m thick . cohesion = 17 kN/m2, φ= 0⁰ and
γ = 16 kN/m3. Calculate a) Depth of tension cracks b) Active force before formation of tension
cracks c) Active force after formation of tension cracks
Soln :
φ= 0⁰ , Ka =1
a) Depth of tension crack ,
= 2 x17 x1 /16 = 2.125 m

b) At z = 0, pa = - 2x 17 x1 = - 34 kN/m2
At z = 7 m, pa = 16 x 7 x1 – 2 x 17 x 1 = 78 kN/m2
Active force before formation of tension crack = P1 +P2
= - ( ½ x 34x 2.125 ) + ½ x 78 x 4.875 = - 36.125 + 190.125
= 154 kN/m
c) Active force after formation of tension crack = P2
= 190.125 kN/m
A 5m high ret wall shown in fig. Determine the Rankine active pressure on he wall. (a) Before
formation of crack. (b) After the formation of crack.( Please refer text book uploaded… Page
510-511)

=
=1-sin30/1+sin30 =0.333

Pa = 0.333 x 17.5x Z– 2 x 5 0.333 0.5

=5.83Z -5.77.
Pa =-5.77kN/m2
Before formation of crack
Net Pa = 44.02kN.
After formation of crack
Pa = 46.88kN
 Layered soil
Q.Determine the
total active pressure
Soln. k =1/3, ka2= 0.49
a1

Depth Intensity of pressure Remarks

Due to soil At z= 0 p1= ka1 x q = 1/3 x 100 = 33.33
At interface z= 3m p2 =ka1 [(Y1xH1) + q]
(considering soil above the =0.333 [(24 x3) + 100]= 24 +33.33= 57.33
interface)
At interface z= 3m p3 = ka2 [(Y1xH1) + q] -2 c (ka2 )1/2 Here, surcharge load, q and backfill of upper part
(considering soil below the = 0.49 x [ (24x3)+100] - 2 x 20 x (0.49)1/2 is taken as 1st term in calculating p3. Then
interface) = 56.28 equation for cohesive soil as 2nd term.
p3 1 = ka2 [(Y1xH1) + q]
p32 = γ z ka2 - 2 c (ka2 )1/2 [z=0 here]
At z = 6 m [ie, 3m downward P4 = 0.49 x [ (24x3)+100] + 18 x 0.49 x 3 -2 x p4 1 = ka2 [(Y1xH1) + q]
of clay part] 20 x (0.49)1/2 p42 = γ z ka2 - 2 c (ka2 )1/2 [z=3 here]
= 82.74
 Pressure Magnitude Point of application

P1 33.33 x 3= 99.99 1.5+3= 4.5

P2 ½ x (57.33-33.33) x3 = 36 1+3 = 4

P3 56.28 x 3= 168.84 1.5

P4 ½ * (82.74-56.28)*3 = 39.69 1

Total P = 344.52 kN/m

To get point of application

344.52 x h = 99.99 x 4.5 + 36 x 4 + 168.84 x1.5 + 39.69 x 1
Cohesive soils -Passive earth pressure (Rankines theory )
Cohesive soils -Passive earth pressure (Rankines theory )
a
COULOMB’S THEORY OF EARTH PRESSURE
Assumptions
• Backfill is dry ,cohesionless, homogeneous ,isotropic .
• Wall surface is rough ie. wall friction considered (δ is the angle of friction
between the wall and the backfill) ( Rankine’s- smooth, wall friction neglected)

• Sliding wedge is considered to be a rigid body and earth pressure is

obtained by considering the limiting equilibrium of the wedge as a
whole (Rankine’s- as a soil element))
• Backfill surface can be horizontal or inclined.

• Failure surface is assumed as a plane surface (actually curved) which

passes through the heel of the wall(Rankine’s- allows only a plane
failure surface)

• Position and line of action of earth pressure are known. Earth pressure
is inclined at an angle of δ to the normal to the back of the wall ( where δ
is the angle of friction between the wall and the backfill) and acts at lower third point of
the wall. (Rankine’s- Resultant parallel to ground surface )
The Fig shows a retaining wall with an inclined back face and a
sloping dry granular backfill. In active case, the sliding wedge
ABD moves downward.
Direction of active & passive pressure
RW
RW

p
a 90 o Normal to the
δ Normal to the
back of the wall back of the wall
δ
90 o
Pp

Active case Passive case

Coulomb’s theory
• Consider a RW with inclined back
• Ground surface inclined at α or i to
the horizontal
Qn: Determine the total active & passive pressure using
Coulomb’s theory

i = α = 15⁰
Passive pressure