EXAMPLE 3.

3 1

q s =20 kPa
For the frictionless wall shown in Fig. E3.2, determine the following:

 sat =19 kN/m3

H1=2 m a) The active lateral earth pressure distribution with depth.
 ' 250 b) The passive lateral earth pressure distribution with depth.
c’ = 0 c) The magnitude and location of the active and passive forces.
d) The resultant force.
 sat =20 kN/m 3
e) The ratio of passive moment to active moment.
H2=4 m  ' 300
c’ = 0

Fig. E3.2

SOLUTION 3.3
Step 1: Calculate the active & passive pressure coefficients.

1  sin  ' ' 25 0

Top layer (0 – 2 m) k a   tan (45  )  tan (45 
2 0 2 0
)  0.41
1  sin  ' 2 2

1  sin  ' ' 30 0 1

Bottom layer (2 – 6 m) k a   tan (45  )  tan (45 
2 0 2 0
) ; kp  3
1  sin  ' 2 2 3
 2
Step 2: Calculate the active & passive lateral earth pressures.
Use a table or a spreadsheet.
Active z (m) u (kPa) z (kPa) 'z =z – u a = ka'z
(kPa) (kPa)
Surcharge 0-2 – 20 20 0.41×20=8.2
2-6 – 20 20 1/3×20=6.7
Soil 0 0 0 0 0
2– 0 ×H1=19×2=38 38 0.41×38=15.6

2+ 0 ×H1=19×2=38 38 1/3×38=12.7

6 w×H2=9.8×4=39.2 ×H1+×H2=38+20×4=118 78.8 1/3×78.8=26.3

Passive z (m) u (kPa) z (kPa) 'z =z – u a = kp'z

(kPa) (kPa)
Soil 0 0 0 0 0
4 w×H2=9.8×4=39.2 ×H2=20×4=80 40.8 3×40.8=122.4

8.2
0m
1
3
0m 15.6 2- m
12.7 2+ m
Surcharge

Water
Soil
Passive 2 4
Water

Active
Soil

5 6
8 7

4m 6m
39.2 122.4 6.7 12.7 13.6 39.2
Step 3: Calculate the hydrostatic force. 3

Pw  12  w H 22  12  9.8  4 2  78.4 kN
Or
Pw  12  39.2  4  78.4 kN
Step 4: Calculate the resultant lateral forces & their locations.
Use a table or a spreadsheet for calculation. Active moments are
assumed to be negative.

…Next slide…
Active Depth Force Moment arm Moment
Area (m) (kN) from base (m) (kN ・ m)
1 0–2 8.2×2 = 16.4 4+1=5 -16.4×5 = -82
2 2–6 6.7×4 = 26.8 4/2 = 2 -26.8×2 = -53.6
3 0–2 0.5×15.6×2 = 15.6 4+2/3 = 4.67 -15.6×4.67 = -72.9
4 2–6 12.7×4 = 50.8 4/2 = 2 -50.8×2 = -101.6
5 2–6 0.5×13.6×4 = 27.2 4/3 -27.2×4/3 = -36.3
6 (water) 2–6 　　　　　　　 78.4 4/3 -78.4×4/3 = -104.5
 of active lateral forces = 215.2  of active moments = -450.9

Passive Depth Force Moment arm Moment

Area (m) (kN) from base (m) (kN ・ m)
7 2–6 0.5×122.4×4 = 244.8 4/3 244.8×4/3 = 326.4
8 (water) 2–6 78.4 4/3 78.4×4/3 = 104.5
 of passive lateral forces = 323.2  of passive moments = 430.9

Location of resultant lateral active force

za 
 active moments

450.9
 2.09 m
 active forces 215.2

Location of resultant lateral passive force zp  4

3 1.33 m
4
 Step 5: Calculate the lateral resultant force.

R  Pp  Pa  323.2  215.2  108 kN

Step 6: Calculate the ratio of moments.

Ratio of moments 
 passive moments  430.9  0.96
 active moments 450.9
※ 　 Since the active moment is greater than the
　 passive moment the wall will rotate.