Estimation of passive earth pressure against a battered rigid retaining wall in cohesive-frictional backfill

Typically, the earth pressure against rigid retaining walls is calculated using the classical Coulomb and Rankine theories resulting in a linear distribution. However, many experimental results have shown that the earth pressure distribution on a wall is nonlinear due to the arching phenomenon. The concept of arching phenomenon in soil was realized experimentally by Terzaghi using some trap door tests. He observed that when a part of the support yields, the soil on that part moves towards the yielding support. The relative movement of the soil leads to the mobilization of the frictional resistance in the soil, and as a result, a part of the weight of the yielded area is transferred to the adjacent stable areas. Considering this phenomenon and the limit equilibrium condition, a theoretical solution is proposed to predict the vertical and horizontal passive earth pressures of cohesive soils behind inclined retaining structures under translational movement. Parametric analyses investigate the influence of some parameters, including surcharge load, cohesion, internal friction angle, the interaction between the soil wall, and wall inclination on the distribution of passive earth pressure. Finally, the resultant passive lateral thrust on the wall and its application height are compared with the well-known classical theories of Coulomb and Rankine.

Keywords:

Retaining wall , Arching effect , Theoretical solution , Passive earth pressure