Lateral Earth

Pressure
 Lateral Support
In geotechnical engineering, it is often
necessary to prevent lateral soil
movements.

Tie rod
Anchor

Sheet pile

Cantilever Braced excavation Anchored sheet pile

retaining wall
2
 Lateral Support
We have to estimate the lateral soil pressures
acting on these structures, to be able to design
them.

Soil nailing
Gravity Retaining Reinforced earth wall
wall
3
Retaining Walls - Applications

Road
Train

4
Retaining Walls - Applications

highway

5
 Retaining Walls - Applications

High-rise
building

basement wall

6
 Gravity Retaining Walls
plain concrete or
cement mortar stone masonry

cobbles

Theyrely
They relyon
on their
theirself
selfweight
weightto
to
supportthe
support thebackfill
backfill

7
Cantilever Retaining Walls

Reinforced;
smaller
section than
gravity walls

Theyact
They actlike
likevertical
vertical cantilever,
cantilever,
fixed to
fixed tothe
theground
ground
8
Sheet Pile

Sheet piles marked for driving

9
Sheet Pile

Sheet pile wall

10
 Sheet Pile

During installation Sheet pile wall

11
 Lateral Support
Reinforced earth walls are increasingly becoming
popular.
geosynthetics

12
 Lateral Support
filled with
Crib Walls have been used in soil

Queensland.
Good drainage & allow plant
growth. Interlocking
stretchers and
Looks good. headers

13
 Lateral Earth Pressure
Theories

Outline:
• Earth pressure at rest

• Rankine’s theory for active and

passive earth pressures

• Coulomb’s theory for active and

passive earth pressures

17
Earth Pressure at Rest
In a homogeneous natural soil
deposit,
σv’
σh ’
X

the ratio σh’/σ

σv’ is a constant known as
Coefficient of earth pressure at rest (K0).

Importantly, at K0 state, there are no

lateral strains.
18
Earth Pressure at Rest

Coefficient of earth pressure at rest, Ko
σ 'h
Ko =
σ 'o
where
σ’o = γz
σ’h = Ko(γz)

Note:
Ko for most soils ranges between 0.5 and 1.0

19
 Earth Pressure at Rest (Cont.)

For coarse-grained soils K o = 1 − sin φ ′

where φ’ - drained friction angle
(Jaky, 1944)

For fine-grained, normally consolidated soils

(Massarch, 1979)
 PI (%) 
K o = 0.44 + 0.42  
 100 

20
 Earth Pressure at Rest (Cont.)

For over-consolidated clays

K o (OC ) = K o ( NC ) OCR

where Pc
OCR =
σ 'o
pc is pre-consolidation pressure

21
 Earth Pressure at Rest (Cont.)

Distribution of earth pressure at rest is

shown below

Total force per unit length, P0

1
P0 = K 0γH 2 H
2

22
 Earth Pressure at Rest (Cont.)

Partially submerged soil

Pressure on the wall can be found from
effective stress & pore water pressure
components
σ h' = K 0γz
- Variation of σ’h with depth is
z ≤ H1: shown by triangle ACE
- No pore water pressure component
since water table is below z

23
Earth Pressure at Rest (Cont.)

24
 Earth Pressure at Rest (Cont.)
z ≥ H1: '
σ = k0 [γH1 + γ ' ( z − H1 )]
h

Lateral pressure from water

u = γ w ( z − H1 )

- Variation of σh’ with depth is shown by CEGB

- Variation of U with depth is shown by IJK

Total Lateral pressure is

'
σh =σ +uh

25
Earth Pressure States
- retaining walls

“At rest” – an intermediate state

Active Passive
Both are failure states
 The 3 States:
At Rest
Shear stress

Active Passive state

state
σ′1o
Normal stress
The 3 States – consider a vertical
retaining wall

σ′H/σ′
σ′z Kp

KO

Ka
Wall movement
NB: Passive needs LARGE strains
Active/Passive Earth Pressures
- in granular soils

Wall moves
away from
soil
Wall moves A
towards soil
B

smooth wall

Let’s look at the soil elements A and B during

the wall movement.
29
Active Earth Pressure
- in granular soils

σ v’ = γ z
Initially, there is no lateral
movement.
∴σh’ = K0 σv’ = K0 γz
As the wall moves away from the
soil, σv’ remains the same; and

σh’ decreases till failure

occurs.
Active
Active
state
state
30
Active Earth Pressure
- in granular soils

As the wall moves away from the

τ soil,

e
velop
en
ai l ure
f Initially (K0 state)
Failure (Active
state)

σv’ σ
active
earth decreasing
pressure σ h’
31
Active Earth Pressure
- in granular soils
τ
e
elop
env
i l ure
fa

WJM Rankine
(1820-1872)
φ
σh’]activ
[σ σ v’ σ
e
[σ h ' ]active = K Aσ v '
Rankine’s coefficient of
1 − sin φ active earth pressure
KA = = tan 2 ( 45 − φ / 2)
1 + sin φ
32
Active Earth Pressure
- in granular soils
τ Failure plane is at
45 + φ/2 to σv’
horizontal lo pe
ve
en σh ’
45 +
fai l ure A
ϕ/2

φ 90+ϕ
ϕ

σh’]acti
[σ σ v’ σ
ve

33
Active Earth Pressure
- in granular soils

As the wall moves away from the

soil, σh’ decreases till failure occurs.

σ h’

wall movement

34
Active Earth Pressure
- in cohesive soils

Follow the same steps

as for granular soils.
Only difference is that
c ≠ 0.

[σ h ' ]active = K Aσ v '−2c K A

Everything else the same as

for granular soils.

35
 Rankine’s Active Earth Pressure
∆L
A' A

'
σ o' z
σ'o

σ
σ

A
B ∆z
a ''L

σ a'

B' B

Frictionless wall

Before the wall moves the stress condition is given by circle “a”

State of Plastic equilibrium represented by circle “b”. This is the
“Rankine’s active state”

Rankine’s active earth pressure is given by 36
 Rankine’s Active Earth Pressure
(Cont.)

With geometrical manipulations we get:

' 1 − sin φ ′
' cos φ ′
σ =σ
a o − 2c'
1 + sin φ ′ 1 + sin φ ′

( ) (
σ 'a = γz tan 2 45 − φ2′ − 2c' tan 45 − φ2′ )
 For cohesionless soil, c’=0
φ'
σ a' = σ 0' tan 2 (45 − )
2

37
 Rankine’s Active Earth Pressure
(Cont.)
Rankine’s Active Pressure Coefficient, Ka

The Rankine’s active pressure coefficient is

given by:
σ a'
(
K a = ' = tan 2 45 − φ2′
σo
)

The angle between the failure planes /slip
planes and major principal plane (horizontal) is:

(
± 45 + φ2′ )
38
Rankine’s Active Earth Pressure
(Cont.)

ofa'
The variation σ
The slip planes:
with depth:

39
ACTIVE EARTH PRESSURE
COEFFICIENT
  K +1 c
R= A  γ z +
 2  tan φ
1− KA 
r=  γ z = R sin φ
 2 
1− K A   KA +1 c
  γ z =   γ z sin φ + ⋅ sin φ
 2   2  tan φ
2c
1 − K A = K A sin φ + sin φ + cos φ
γz
2c
− K A − K A sin φ = − 1 + sin φ + cos φ
γz
2c
K A (1 + sin φ ) = 1 − sin φ − cos φ
γz
 1 − sin φ  2c  cos φ 
KA =  −  
 1 + sin φ  γz  1 + sin φ 
 2c 
K A = tan 2
( 45 − φ
2)−
γ z
 tan 45 − φ
(
2 )
 NOTE:
cos φ 1 − sin 2 φ
=
1 + sin φ 1 + sin φ
(1 − sin φ )(1 + sin φ )
=
1 + sin φ

=
(1 − sin φ )
(1 + sin φ )
(
= tan 45 − φ
2 )
Thus, the active earth pressure coefficient is as shown on the
previous page and the active earth pressure is


PA = γ z tan 45 −

φ
(2

− 2c tan 45 −

φ
2 ) ( )
Passive Earth Pressure
- in granular soils

Initially, soil is in K0 state.

As the wall moves towards the soil,
σv’ remains the same, and
σv’
σh’ increases till failure
σh ’ occurs.
B
Passive state

43
Passive Earth Pressure
- in granular soils

As the wall moves towards the soil,

τ
Initially (K0 state)
e
Failure (Active velop
en
state)
ai l ure
f
passive earth
pressure

σv’ σ

increasing
σ h’
44
Passive Earth Pressure
- in granular soils
τ
e
elop
env
i l ure
fa

φ
σ v’ σh’]passive
[σ σ

[σ h ' ] passive = K Pσ v '

Rankine’s coefficient of
1 + sin φ passive earth pressure
KP = = tan 2 ( 45 + φ / 2)
1 − sin φ
45
Passive Earth Pressure
- in granular soils
τ Failure plane is at
45 - φ/2 to σ v’
lo pe
horizontal en ve
σ h’
45 - ϕ/2
fai l ure A

φ 90+ϕ
ϕ

σh’]passive
[σ σ
σ v’

46
Passive Earth Pressure
- in granular soils

As the wall moves towards the soil,

σh’ increases till failure
occurs.
σ h’
σ v’
σ h’
B

wall movement

47
Passive Earth Pressure
- in cohesive soils

Follow the same steps

as for granular soils.
Only difference is that
c ≠ 0.

[σ h ' ] passive = K Pσ v '+2c K P

Everything else the

same as for granular
soils.
48
Earth Pressure Distribution
- in granular soils
[σh’]active
PA and PP are the
resultant active
and passive
thrusts on the
wall
σh’]passive
[σ H

PA=0.5 KAγH2

PP=0.5 KPγh2

KPγh KAγH
49
 σ h’
Passive state

Active state
K0 state

Wall movement
(not to scale)
Rankine’s Earth Pressure
Theory
[σ h ' ]active = K Aσ v '−2c K A

[σ h ' ] passive = K Pσ v '+2c K P

 Assumes smooth
wall
 Applicable only on vertical
walls

51
PASSIVE EARTH PRESSURE
COEFFICIENT
  K +1 c
R =  P γ z +
 2  tan φ
 KP −1
r =  γ z = R sin φ
 2 
 KP −1   KP +1  c
 γ z =   γ z sin φ + ⋅ sin φ
 2   2  tan φ
2c
K P − 1 = K P sin φ + sin φ + cos φ
γz
2c
K P − K P sin φ = 1 + sin φ + cos φ
γz
2c
K P (1 − sin φ ) = 1 − sin φ − cos φ
γz
 1 + sin φ  2c  cos φ 
KP =  +  
 1 − sin φ  γ z  1 − sin φ 
 2c 
2
K P = tan 45 + (
φ
)
+   tan 45 + φ
2 γ z  2 ( )
 NOTE:
co s φ 1 − sin 2 φ
=
1 − sin φ 1 − sin φ
(1 + sin φ )(1 − sin φ )
=
1 − sin φ

=
(1 + sin φ )
(1 − sin φ )
= (
tan 2 4 5 + φ
2 )
(
= tan 4 5 + φ
2 )
Thus the passive pressure is,
PP = K Pγ z
 2c 
( )
=  tan 45 + φ −  tan 45 + φ γ z
 2 γ z 2 ( )
( )
PP = γ z tan 45 + φ + 2c  tan 45 + φ
 2  2 ( )
 Rankine’s Passive Earth Pressure
∆L
A A’

'
σ o' z
σ p

B B’

Frictionless wall

Circle “a” gives initial state stress
condition

“Rankine’s passive state” is
represented by circle “b”

Rankine’s passive earth pressure is
'
given by σ p
55
 Rankine’s Passive Earth Pressure
(Cont.)

Rankine’s passive pressure is given by:

' 1 + sin φ ′
' cos φ ′
σ =σ
p o + 2c '
1 − sin φ ′ 1 − sin φ ′

σ = γz tan (45 +
'
p
2 φ′
2
)+ 2c' tan(45 + )
φ′
2

 For cohesionless soil, c’=0

φ'
σ 'p = σ 0' tan 2 (45 + )
2

56
 Rankine’s Passive Earth Pressure
(Cont.)

Rankine’s Passive Pressure Coefficient Kp

The Rankine’s passive pressure coefficient is
'
given by: σ
(
K p = ' = tan 2 45 + φ2′
p

σo
)

 The angle between the failure planes /slip

planes and major principal plane (horizontal)
is:
(
± 45 −φ′
2
)
57
Rankine’s Passive Earth Pressure
(Cont.)
'

The variation of σ p
The slip planes:
with depth:

58
 Lateral Earth Pressure Distribution
Against Retaining Walls

There are three different cases considered:

◦ Horizontal backfill
 Cohesionless soil
 Partially submerged cohesionless soil with surcharge
 Cohesive soil
◦ Sloping backfill
 Cohesionless soil
 Cohesive soil
◦ Walls with Friction

59
 Lateral Earth Pressure Distribution
Against Retaining Walls (Cont.)
Horizontal backfill with Cohesionless soil
1. Active Case

σ a = K aγz
1 2
Pa = K aγH
2

60
 Lateral Earth Pressure Distribution
Against Retaining Walls (Cont.)
Horizontal backfill with Cohesionless soil

2. Passive Case

σ p = K pγz
1
Pp = K pγH 2
2

61
 Lateral Earth Pressure Distribution
Against Retaining Walls (Cont.)
Horizontal backfill with Cohesionless, partially
submerged soil
1. Active Case

σ a' = K a [q + γH 1+γ ' ( z − H1 )]

62
 Lateral Earth Pressure Distribution
Against Retaining Walls (Cont.)
Horizontal backfill with Cohesionless, partially submerged soi
1. Passive Case

σ 'p = K p [q + γH 1+γ ' ( z − H1 )]

63
Lateral Earth Pressure Distribution
Against Retaining Walls (Cont.)
Horizontal backfill with Cohesive soil
1. Active Case
σ a = K aγz − 2c ' K a

64
 Lateral Earth Pressure Distribution
Against Retaining Walls (Cont.)
Horizontal backfill with Cohesive soil

The depth at which the active pressure becomes equal to zero
(depth of tension crack) is '
2c
z0 =
γ Ka

For the undrained condition, φ = 0, then Ka becomes 1
(tan245°° = 1) and c=cu . Therefore,
2cu
z0 =
γ

Tensile crack is taken into account when finding the total
active force. i.e., consider only the pressure distribution
below the crack

65
 Lateral Earth Pressure Distribution
Against Retaining Walls (Cont.)

Horizontal backfill with Cohesive soil

Active total pressure force will be
'2
1 2c
Pa = K aγH 2 − 2 K a c ' H +
2 γ

Active total pressure force when φ = 0

1 2 2cu2
Pa = γH − 2cu H +
2 γ

66
 Lateral Earth Pressure Distribution
Against Retaining Walls (Cont.)
Horizontal backfill with Cohesive soil
2. Passive Case

Pressure
1
Pp = K pγH 2 + 2 K p c ' H
2
σ p = K pγz + 2c ' K p

Passive force

Passive force when φ = 0

1 2
Pp = γH + 2cu H
2
67
Lateral Earth Pressure Distribution
Against Retaining Walls (Cont.)
Sloping backfill, cohesionless soil

1. Active case (c’=0)

σ a' = K aγz
1
Pa = K aγH 2
2
This force acts H/3 from bottom and inclines α to the horizontal
cos α − cos 2 α − cos 2 φ ′
K a = cos α ⋅
cos α + cos 2 α − cos 2 φ ′

68
Lateral Earth Pressure Distribution
Against Retaining Walls (Cont.)
Sloping backfill, cohesionless soil

2. Passive case (c’=0)

σ 'p = K pγz
1
Pp = K pγH 2
2
This force acts H/3 from bottom and inclines α to the horizontal
cos α + cos 2 α − cos 2 φ ′
K p = cos α ⋅
cos α − cos 2 α − cos 2 φ ′

69
 Lateral Earth Pressure Distribution
Against Retaining Walls (Cont.)
Sloping backfill, cohesive soil (Mazindrani & Ganjali,
1997)
1. Active case σ a' = γzKa = γzKa" cosα
Ka 2c' 1 + sin φ '
K = " z0 =
a
cos α γ 1 − sin φ '
Depth to the tensile crack is given by

70
 Lateral Earth Pressure Distribution
Against Retaining Walls (Cont.)
Sloping backfill, cohesive soil
' " "
Kp
2. Passive case σ = γzK p = γzK cos α
p p K =p
cos α
1   c '
 
" "
Ka , K p = 2
* 2 cos α + 2  cosφ ' sin φ '
2

cos φ '   γz  
  2
 
1   c'   c'  
± 
cos2 φ ′ 
( )
4 cos2 α cos2 α − cos2 φ ' + 4  cos2 φ '+8  cos2 α sin φ ' cosφ ' 
  γz   γz   
 

K " c'
(Table 11.4 in page 361 gives variation of p and with α, and Φ’)
γz

71