Static Earth Pressures with Various Wall Movements

Abstract

In this paper the writers first present experimental results obtained for the distribution of the active stresses due to a sand backfill behind a rigid wall rotating about the top. The experimental evidence shows that the stress distribution is nonlinear and that, due to arching, the stress near the top of the wall increases beyond the level of the at‐rest stress. Consequently, the point of application of the lateral thrust is much higher than one‐third from the wall base. Arching effects increase with increasing soil density. Secondly, comparisons of the active earth pressure distributions are made for three different wall movement modes: (1) Rotation about top; (2) rotation about heel; and (3) translation. Total active resultant forces and the points of application of these forces are summarized.