A generalised analytical framework for active earth pressure on retaining walls with narrow soil

Géotechnique, vol. 74, pp. 1127–1142

Abstract

Active earth pressure on retaining structures supporting a narrow column of soil cannot be properly analysed using Coulomb's theory. Finite-element limit analysis (FELA) shows that the soil forms multiple failure surfaces if the soil column is sufficiently narrow. This paper proposes a framework for active earth pressure estimation for narrow soils by combining an arched differential element method and a sliding wedge method. The analytical framework considers both soil friction and cohesion, soil arching effects and shear stress between adjacent differential elements. The solution obtained is validated against experimental data and FELA results. Through parametric studies, the effects on the active earth pressure of the aspect ratio, soil friction, soil cohesion and wall–soil interface roughness are examined. To facilitate the use of the proposed framework in design, a modified active earth pressure coefficient and an application height of active thrust are provided.

Authors 4

1. Fengwen Lai corresponding

   Southeast University · Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, Southeast University, P. R. China; also Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands

2. Ningning Zhang Aachen Institute of Geomechanics and Underground Technology

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Geomechanics and Underground Technology, RWTH Aachen University, Germany

3. Songyu Liu

   Southeast University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, Southeast University, P. R. China

4. Dayu Yang

   Southeast University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, Southeast University, P. R. China