EXAMPLE 3.
3 1
q s =20 kPa
For the frictionless wall shown in Fig. E3.2, determine the following:
γ sat =19 kN/m3
H1=2 m a) The active lateral earth pressure distribution with depth.
φ ' =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.
γ sat =20 kN/m
3
e) The ratio of passive moment to active moment.
H2=4 m φ ' =300
c’ = 0
Fig. E3.2
SOLUTION 3.3
Step 1: Calculate the active & passive pressure coefficients.
1 − sin φ ' φ' 25 0
Top layer (0 – 2 m) k a = = tan (45 − ) = tan (45 −
2 0 2 0
) = 0.41
1 + sin φ ' 2 2
1 − sin φ ' φ' 30 0 1
Bottom layer (2 – 6 m) k a = = tan (45 − ) = tan (45 −
2 0 2 0
)= ; kp = 3
1 + sin φ ' 2 2 3
2
Step 2: Calculate the active & passive lateral earth pressures.
Use a table or a spreadsheet.
Active z (m) u (kPa) σz (kPa) σ'z =σ
σz – u σa = ka σ'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 γ1×H1=19×2=38 38 0.41×38=15.6
2+ 0 γ1×H1=19×2=38 38 1/3×38=12.7
6 γw×H2=9.8×4=39.2 γ1×H1+ γ2×H2=38+20×4=118 78.8 1/3×78.8=26.3
Passive z (m) u (kPa) σz (kPa) σ'z =σ
σz – u σa = kp σ'z
(kPa) (kPa)
Soil 0 0 0 0 0
4 γw×H2=9.8×4=39.2 γ2×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
2
Passive 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 γ 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
Σ of active lateral forces = 215.2 Σ 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
Σ of passive lateral forces = 323.2 Σ 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 =1.33m
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.