GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING: Module 3

RANKINE ACTIVE AND PASSIVE PRESSURE with SLOPING BACKFILL

RANKINE ACTIVE AND PASSIVE PRESSURE with SLOPING BACKFILL

In the previous modules we considered retaining walls with vertical backs and horizontal backfills. In some cases, however, the
backfill may be continuously sloping at an angle 𝛼 with the horizontal, as shown in the figure for active pressure case. In such
cases, the direction of Rankine’s active or passive pressures is no longer horizontal. Rather, they are inclined at an angle 𝛼 with
the horizontal.

Where
𝐾𝑎 = 𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑒 ′ 𝑠 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡

cos 𝛼 − √cos 2 𝛼 − cos 2 𝜙′

= cos 𝛼
cos 𝛼 + √cos 2 𝛼 − cos 2 𝜙′

𝐾𝑝 = 𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑒 ′𝑠 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡

cos 𝛼 + √cos 2 𝛼 − cos 2 𝜙′

= cos 𝛼
cos 𝛼 − √cos 2 𝛼 − cos 2 𝜙′

Sample Problems:

1. A frictionless vertical retaining wall has a height of 6m. The backfill is

sloping at angle as shown.
a. Calculate the Rankine active pressure coefficient
b. Compute the Rankine active force on the retaining wall
c. Compute the moment due to the active force acting on the wall.

2. From the figure shown:

a. Determine the Rankine active pressure coefficient
b. Compute the Rankine Active force on the retaining wall
c. Compute the moment due to the active force acting on the wall