Lesson 4.

1: Categories of Lateral Earth Pressure

The at rest pressure develops when there is no lateral movement the wall experiences. This
occurs when the wall is not allowed to move such as in basement wall that is prevented by a
slab at the bottom and by a floor framing system at the top before the placement of the backfill
against the wall.

If a retaining structure does not move either to the right or to the left of its initial position, the soil
mass will be in a state of elastic equilibrium, which means that the horizontal strain is zero. With
no wall movement the soil in contact with the wall does not undergo lateral strain and does not
develop its full shearing resistance. The rate of the horizontal stress to the vertical stress is
called the coefficient of earth pressure at rest, K o.

𝜎ℎ 𝜎′ℎ
𝐾𝑜 = or 𝐾𝑜 = (eq. 01)
𝜎𝑣 𝜎′𝑣

It has been observed in experiments that Ko is dependent on the angle of friction of soil and its
plasticity index. Its value depends also upon the relative density of the sand, the process by
which it is formed, and the stress history.
The coefficient of lateral earth pressure at rest ranges from 0.4 for loose sand to 0.6 for dense
sand.
The coefficient of at rest pressure for sand (coarse-grained soil) and normally consolidated soil
can be determined by using the empirical formula (Jacky, J):
𝐾𝑜 = 1 − sin ∅ (eq. 02)
For dense sand backfill:
𝛾𝑑
𝐾𝑜 = (1 − sin ∅) + [𝛾 − 1] 5.5 (eq. 03)
𝑑 𝑚𝑖𝑛

where 𝛾𝑑 = actual compacted dry unit weight of the sand behind the wall
𝛾𝑑 𝑚𝑖𝑛 = dry unit weight of the sand in the loosest state

For normally consolidated clays (Alpan, I.)

𝐾𝑜 = 0.19 + 0.233 log 𝑃𝐼 (eq. 04)

For fine-grained normally consolidated soils:

𝐾𝑜 = 0.44 + 0.42(𝑃𝐼%⁄100) (eq. 05)

For normally consolidated clays with known PI (Brooker and Ireland)

For plasticity index between 0 to 40

 𝐾𝑜 = 0.4 + 0.007 (𝑃𝐼) (eq. 06)

For plasticity index between 40 to 80

𝐾𝑜 = 0.64 + 0.001 (𝑃𝐼) (eq. 07)

For overconsolidated clays (Mayne and Kulhawy):

𝐾𝑜(𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑) = 𝐾𝑜(𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑) √𝑂𝐶𝑅 (eq. 08)

𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒
𝑂𝐶𝑅 = 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑛 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 (eq.09)

After computing the coefficient of at rest lateral earth pressure, we can now determine the
lateral earth pressure and the total force acting on the structure. With reference to the figure
below:

𝜎ℎ = 𝐾𝑜 𝛾 𝐻 (eq. 10)
1
𝑃𝑜 = 2
𝐾𝑜 𝛾 𝐻2 (eq. 11)

Sample Problem 01.

A retaining wall 6.5 m high is restrained from yielding. The backfill is cohesionless soil having
the following properties: angle of friction is 30o and unit weight is 18.5 kN/m3. What is the at rest
earth pressure? Determine the resultant force per meter length of wall.
Given: H = 6.5 m; ∅ = 30𝑜 ; 𝛾 = 18.5 𝑘𝑁/𝑚 3
Req’d: 𝜎ℎ , 𝑃𝑜
Sol’n.:
Calculate coefficient of earth pressure for sand:
𝐾𝑜 = 1 − sin ∅ = 1 – sin 30o = 0.5
Solve for lateral earth pressure:
𝜎ℎ = 𝐾𝑜 𝛾𝐻 = 0.5 (18.5) (6.5)
𝝈𝒉 = 𝟔𝟎. 𝟏𝟐𝟓 𝒌𝑵/𝒎𝟐
Solve for the force per meter length of wall:
 1 1
𝑃𝑜 = 2
𝐾𝑜 𝛾 𝐻2 = 2
(0.5)(18.5)(6.5)2

𝑷𝒐 = 𝟏𝟗𝟓. 𝟒 𝒌𝑵/𝒎

Sample Problem 02.

A smooth unyielding wall retains a dense cohesionless soil with no lateral movement of soil.
Draw the lateral pressure against the wall and determine the total lateral force acting on the
wall.
Sol’n.:

Solve for coefficient of lateral earth pressure, K o

𝐾𝑜 = 1 − sin ∅ = 1 − sin 39𝑜 = 0.371
Solve for the pressure at different depths:
At a depth of 1.5 m, ℎ1 = 1.5 𝑚
𝜎1 = 𝐾0 𝛾ℎ1 = 0.371 (18.56)(1.5)
𝜎1 = 10.33 𝑘𝑁/𝑚 2
At a depth of 3.5 m (at the base of the wall), ℎ2 = 2.0 𝑚
𝜎2 = 𝐾𝑜 𝛾ℎ1 + 𝐾𝑜 𝛾 ′ ℎ2 + 𝛾𝑤 ℎ𝑤
𝜎2 = 0.371(18.56)(1.5) + 0.371 (18.56 − 9.81)(2.0) + 9.81 (2)
𝜎2 = 36.44 𝑘𝑁/𝑚 2
Draw the pressure diagram:

Solve for the total force acting on the wall

 1 1
𝑃𝑜 = 𝑝 ℎ
2 1 1
+ 2 (𝑝1 + 𝑝2 )ℎ2
1 1
𝑃𝑜 = (10.33)(1.5) + (10.33 + 36.44)(2.0)
2 2

𝑷𝒐 = 𝟓𝟒. 𝟓𝟐 𝒌𝑵/𝒎 of wall

Sample Problem 03:

A 5.0 m retaining wall restrained from yielding is supporting a horizontal backfill having a unit
weight of 16.6 kN/m3 and a saturated unit weight 19.8 kN/m3. The water table is located 2.25 m
blow the ground surface. The drained friction angle of the backfill is 28 o and the soil has an
overconsolidation ratio of 2.0. (a) Compute the magnitude and location of the total force acting
on the wall. (b)
Sol’n.:

Solve for at rest coefficient of lateral earth pressure:

𝐾𝑜 = 1 − sin ∅ = 1 − sin 28𝑜 = 0.531
Solve for the soil pressure at different depths
At a depth of 2.25 m, ℎ1 = 2.25 𝑚
𝜎1 = 𝐾𝑜 𝛾ℎ1 = 0.531(16.6)(2.25) = 19.83 𝑘𝑁/𝑚2
At a depth of 5.0 m, ℎ2 = 2.75 𝑚
𝜎2 = 𝐾𝑜 𝛾ℎ1 + 𝐾𝑜 𝛾 ′ ℎ2 = 19.83 + 0.531(19.8 − 9.81)(2.75)
𝜎2 = 34.42 𝑘𝑁/𝑚2
Solve for the water pressure at the bottom of wall, ℎ𝑤 = 2.25𝑚
𝜎𝑤 = 𝛾𝑤 ℎ𝑤 = 9.81 (2.25) = 22.07 𝑘𝑁/𝑚 2

Draw the pressure diagram and solve for the magnitude and location of the total force.
Magnitude of the total force:
1 1
𝑃1 = 𝜎ℎ = (19.83)(2.25) = 22.31 𝑘𝑁
2 1 1 2

𝑃2 = 𝜎1 ℎ2 = 19.83 (2.75) = 54.53 𝑘𝑁

1 1
𝑃3 = (𝜎2 − 𝜎1 )(ℎ2 ) = (34.42 − 19.83)(2.75) = 20.06 𝑘𝑁
2 2
1 1
𝑃4 = 𝛾𝑤 ℎ𝑤 = (9.81)(2.75) = 13.49 𝑘𝑁/𝑚 2
2 2

𝑃𝑇 = 𝑃1 + 𝑃2 + 𝑃3 + 𝑃4 = 22.31 + 54.53 + 20.06 + 13.49

𝑷𝑻 = 𝟏𝟏𝟎. 𝟑𝟗𝒌𝑵 𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒎 𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒍
Location of the total force:
𝑃𝑇 𝑦̅ = ∑ 𝑃𝑦
2.25 2.75 2.75 2.75
22.31(2.75+ )+54.53( )+20.06( )+13.49( )
3 2 3 3
𝑦̅ = 110.39

̅ = 𝟏. 𝟔𝟕 𝒎 from the base

𝒚

Sample Problem 04:

A vertical retaining wall 5.5 m high is supporting a horizontal backfill having a unit weight of 18.5
kN/m3. The backfill is an overconsolidated clay with a plasticity index of 28 and an
overconsolidation ratio of 2.0. (a) Compute the lateral force per unit length of wall. (b)
Determine the magnitude and location of the total lateral force if there is a surcharge of 60 kPa.
Sol’n:
(a) Lateral force per unit length of wall
Solve for Ko of normally consolidated clay using Brooker and Ireland formula:
𝐾𝑜 = 0.40 + 0.007 𝑃𝐼 = 0.40 + 0.007(28)
𝐾𝑜 = 0.596

Solve for Ko of overconsolidated clay:

𝐾𝑜 = 𝐾𝑜𝑁𝐶𝐶 √𝑂𝐶𝑅 = 0.596 √2.0
𝐾𝑜 = 0.843

Solve for lateral earth pressure:

𝜎1 = 𝐾𝑜 𝛾ℎ = 0.843 (18.5)(5.5)
𝜎1 = 85.78 𝑘𝑁/𝑚 2
Solve for lateral force:
 1 1
𝑃𝑜 = 𝜎1 ℎ = (85.78)(5.5)
2 2
𝑷𝒐 = 𝟐𝟑𝟓. 𝟖𝟗𝟓 𝒌𝑵 𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒎 𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒍

(b) Magnitude and location of total force if there is surcharge:

P1
5.5 m

P2

Solve for the lateral pressure due to surcharge:

𝜎1 = 𝑞𝐾𝑜 = 60(0.843) = 50.58 𝑘𝑁/𝑚2
Lateral pressure due to overconsolidated soil:
𝜎2 = 𝐾𝑜 𝛾ℎ = 0.843(18.5)(5.5) = 85.78 𝑘𝑁/𝑚2
Solve for the lateral force:
𝑃1 = 𝜎1 ℎ = 50.58 (5.5) = 278.19 𝑘𝑁/𝑚
1 1
𝑃2 = 𝜎2 ℎ = (85.78)(5.5) = 235.895 𝑘𝑁/𝑚
2 2

𝑃𝑇 = 278.19 + 235.895
𝑷𝑻 = 𝟓𝟏𝟒. 𝟎𝟖𝟓 𝒌𝑵/𝒎
Solve for the location of the total force:
𝑃𝑇 𝑦̅ = ∑ 𝑃𝑦
5.5 5.5
278.19( )+235.895
2 3
𝑦̅ = 514.085

̅ = 𝟐. 𝟑𝟑 𝒎 from the bottom

𝒚