GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING: Module 2

LATERAL EARTH PRESSURE RANKINE’s THEORY

RANKINE’s THEORY OF ACTIVE PRESSURE

If a wall is allowed to move away from the soil mass gradually, the horizontal principal stress will decrease. Ultimately a state
will be reached when the stress condition in the soil element, the state of plastic equilibrium and failure of the soil will occur.
The phrase plastic equilibrium in soil refers to the condition where every point in a soil mass is on the verge of failure. This
situation represents Rankine’s active state, and the effective pressure on the vertical plane (which is a principal plane) is
Rankine’s active earth pressure.

The ratio of 𝜎𝑎′ to 𝜎𝑜′ is called the coefficient of Rankine’s active earth pressure and is given by

𝝈′𝒂 𝝓
𝑲𝒂 = = 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝟐 (𝟒𝟓 − )
𝝈′𝒐 𝟐
Note: This formula is only true if the slope of the retained soil with respect to the horizontal is equal to 0.

And subsequently due to the effects of the cohesion, 𝜎𝑎′ is now given as

𝝈′𝒂 = 𝑲𝒂 𝝈′𝒐 − 𝟐𝒄√𝑲𝒂

RANKINE’s THEORY OF PASSIVE PRESSURE

If a wall is gradually pushed into the soil mass, the horizontal principal stress will increase. Ultimately a state will be reached
when the stress condition in the soil element, the state of plastic equilibrium and failure of the soil will occur. This situation
represents Rankine’s passive state.

The ratio of 𝜎𝑝′ to 𝜎𝑜′ is called the coefficient of Rankine’s passive earth pressure and is given by

𝝈′𝒑 𝝓
𝑲𝒑 = ′
= 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝟐 (𝟒𝟓 + )
𝝈𝒐 𝟐
Note: This formula is only true if the slope of the retained soil with respect to the horizontal is equal to 0.

And subsequently due to the effects of the cohesion, 𝜎𝑎′ is now given as

𝝈′𝒑 = 𝑲𝒑 𝝈′𝒐 + 𝟐𝒄√𝑲𝒂

Sample Problems

1. A 6-m-high retaining wall is to support a soil with unit weight 𝛾 = 17.4 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3, soil friction angle 𝜙 = 26𝑜, and cohesion
𝑐 = 14.36 𝑘𝑁/𝑚2 . Determine the Rankine active force per unit length of the wall both before and after the tensile
crack occurs, and determine the line of action of the resultant in both cases.

2. From the figure shown: Surcharge is applied at the ground surface. Take q = 50 kPa.
1. Determine the total lateral pressure at the base of the wall.
2. Determine the total active force acting on the wall.
3. Determine the total active moment acting on the wall
𝑘𝑁
Soil 1: 𝐻1 = 3𝑚; 𝛾 = 18 𝑚3 ; 𝜙1 = 25𝑜

𝑘𝑁
Soil 2: 𝐻2 = 4𝑚; 𝛾 = 20 𝑚3 ; 𝜙1 = 31𝑜

3. From the figure shown: Surcharge is applied at the ground surface. Take q =
60 kPa.
1. Determine the tension crack depth
2. Determine the total lateral force per meter length of the wall after the
tensile crack occurs
3. Determine the total moment acting on the wall after tensile crack occurs
4. Determine the location of lateral force from the base of the wall
𝑘𝑁
Soil 1: 𝐻1 = 4.5𝑚; 𝛾 = 15.6 𝑚3 ; 𝜙1 = 25𝑜 ; 𝑐 = 8𝑘𝑃𝑎 𝐻3 = 5.50𝑚

𝑘𝑁
Soil 2: 𝐻2 = 8𝑚; 𝛾 = 18.3 𝑚3 ; 𝜙1 = 29𝑜 ; 14𝑘𝑃𝑎

4. From the figure shown: Surcharge is applied at the ground surface. Take q=120kPa.
1. Determine the tension crack depth.
2. Determine the total active lateral force per meter length of the wall after the tensile crack occurs.
3. Determine the total lateral force. 18. Determine the total active moment acting on the wall.
4. Determine the total moment acting on the wall
5. Determine the location of total lateral force from the base of the wall.

References
Das, Braja M., Principles of Geotechnical Engineering 8th Edition
“Engr. Jaeus M. Segundo’s Notes”