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Question No. 2
For the retaining wall shown below, using Rankine’s and Coulomb earth pressure
theories determine the horizontal component of the active thrust per linear meter and its
point of application.

Given
Height of retaining wall (H) = 9m
Unit weight of Soil () = 21kN/m3
Angle of internal Friction (ϕ) = 32o
Wall friction (δ) = 10o
Wall inclination from horizontal (β) = 60o
Backfill is sloping at an angle (i) = 20o
Required
A) Horizontal component of the active thrust and point of application of Rankine’s
B) Horizontal component of the active thrust and point of application of Coulomb’s
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Solution
A) Using Rankine earth pressure theory
In case of cantilever walls, Pa is the active pressure acting on the vertical section AB
passing through the heel of the wall.

h h
tan 20  
H tan 30 9 tan 30
h  9 tan 30 tan 20  1.89m
Total height (H’) =H+h =9+1.89=10.89m
Rankine lateral earth pressure coefficients

cos i  cos 2 i  cos 2 

K aR  cos i
cos i  cos 2 i  cos 2 

cos 20  cos2 20  cos2 32

KaR  cos 20
cos 20  cos2 20  cos2 32

cos 20  cos2 20  cos2 32

KaR  cos 20
cos 20  cos2 20  cos2 32
KaR  0.374
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Coulomb’s active earth pressure Pa as

1
Pa  K aR H 2
2
1
Pa  (0.374)(21)(10.89) 2  465.71kN / m
2
The point of application of these forces is H’/3 from the base of the wall and inclined
with angle i =20o with horizontal:
Location Pa =H’/3= 10.89/3= 3.63m
The horizontal component of the active thrust is
Pah = Pa cos (i) =Pa cos (20o)
= 465.711 cos 20o =437.63 kN/m

B) Using Coulomb earth pressure theory

Using Coulomb's limit equilibrium approach, obtained expressions for Kac for cases
where wall friction (δ) is present, the wall face is inclined at an angle  to the vertical,
and the backfill is sloping at an angle β.
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The coefficient of Active earth pressure for inclined backfill is given by:

sin 2 (    )
K aC  2
  sin(   )sin(  i) 1/2 
sin  sin(    ) 1  
2
 
  sin(    )sin(   i)  

sin 2 (60  32)

K aC  2
  sin(32  10)sin(32  20) 1/2 
sin 60 sin(60  10) 1  
2
 
  sin(60  10)sin(60  20)  

KaC = 0.851
Coulomb’s active earth pressure Pa as
1
Pa  K ac H 2
2
1
Pa  (0.851)(21)(9) 2  723.77kN / m
2
The point of application of these forces is H/3= (3m) from the base of the wall and
inclined at 10o to the normal on the sloping wall face.

The horizontal component of the active thrust is

Ph = Pa cos (10o+30o) =Pa cos (+)
= 732.77 cos 40o =561.33 kN/m
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Conclusion
The have different bases Coulomb based on Sliding wedges and Rankine based on state
of failure. In addition to that Coulomb’s considers a frictional retaining wall. In other
words, the interface between the soil and the retaining wall is not assumed frictionless.
That being said, it is typically considered that Rankine under predicts the true
orientation of failure surface, whereas Coulomb over predicts the orientation. In that
sense, you could use both method, and use the two solutions to bound what will likely
occur. From the result obtained here the coulomb (561.33 kN/m) have high active
pressure than that of Rankine (437.63kN/m). The True Horizontal component of the
active thrust between 561.33 kN/m and 437.63kN/m.