Inclined Layer Method-Based Theoretical Calculation of Active Earth Pressure of a Finite-Width Soil for a Rotating-Base Retaining Wall

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated the active earth pressure on a retaining wall with a narrow cohesive fill under the rotation about the base mode. Under these conditions, Rankine’s and Coulomb’s earth pressure theories are not strictly effective. To improve the traditional earth pressure calculation methods (Rankine and Coulomb methods) and deduce the active earth pressure under the rotation about the base mode, here, we propose a new calculation method that incorporates the effects of wall displacement, soil arching and soil cohesion using inclined thin-layer elements. The calculation results are in good agreement with the model test data. Based on the parameter analysis, a critical aspect ratio of B/H = cotβ is determined along with a detailed elucidation of the various influencing factors (such as aspect ratio, cohesion and friction angle). The paper presents several solutions to improve the stability and lower the costs of retaining walls.

Pseudo-static Solution of Active Earth Pressure Against Relief Shelf Retaining Wall Rotating Around Heel Under Seismic Load

“…The figure shows that there are many cross distribution phenomena of sliding surfaces in the damaged wedge. Some scholars (Que et al [23] and Zhang et al [22]) refer to these sliding surfaces as sub-sliding surfaces.…”

Estimation of Active Earth Pressure for Narrow Unsaturated Backfills Considering Soil Arching Effect and Interlayer Shear Stress

“…The adjacent underground structures prevent the sliding surface in the backfill from fully developing to the backfill surface, resulting in a Sustainability 2022, 14, 12699 2 of 18 large difference between the earth pressure behind the wall and that in the semi-infinite soil case. Several studies have demonstrated that the active earth pressure acting on the retaining wall decreases with the narrowing of the backfill behind the wall [3,[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. In addition, some scholars have discussed the shape of the slip surface in the soil under the condition of narrow backfill.…”