Chapter 9

Earth Pressure Theories

CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS

☞ Introduction ☞ Rankine’s earth pressure theory

☞ Definition of lateral earth pressure ☞ Coulomb’s wedge theory
☞ Types of lateral earth pressure ☞ Rehbann’s method

Introduction • At rest pressure, soil mass is not subjected to any

lateral yielding or movement.
The present chapter outlines the concept of determination
• At rest pressure, the retaining wall is firmly fixed
of magnitude and location of the lateral earth pressure pro-
its top without any lateral movement or rotation.
posed by various theories. The magnitude of lateral earth
• At rest pressure, elastic equilibrium condition
pressure is very important in the design of retaining wall
prevails.
and it also depends on various factors, such as the move-
ment of wall, the flexibility of the wall, the properties of the Examples:
soil and the drainage conditions. 1. Basement retaining walls which are restrained against
the movement by basement slab at their tops.
DeFinition oF Lateral 2. Bridge abutment wall which is restrained at its top by
Earth Pressure bridge slab.
Lateral earth pressure is the force exerted by the soil mass • Theory of elasticity is used for analysis.
upon an earth retaining structure, such as retaining wall. At rest earth pressure,
σn = K0σv
TyPes oF Lateral Earth Pressure
Depending upon the movement of wall with respect to soil Where
retained (known as backfill) there are three types of lateral K0 = Coefficient of earth pressure at rest
earth pressures. These are:
= Ratio of intensity of earth pressure at rest to the
1. At rest earth pressure vertical stress at a specified depth
2. Active earth pressure σv = Vertical stress = g ⋅ z
3. Passive earth pressure
µ
At Rest Pressure K0 =
1− µ
• The lateral earth pressure is called at rest pressure when
K 0 = 1 − sin φ
there is no movement of wall with respect to backfill soil.

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Where Earth
µ = Poisson’s ratio of a soil Pressure
f = Angle of shearing resistance or angle of internal C
friction
Active Pressure B
•• The state of active pressure exists when a retaining wall
moves away from the backfill. Passive
( pp)
•• In case of active pressure, soil mass yields and it tends to A At rest
stretch horizontally. ( po)
•• In active pressure case, plastic equilibrium condition pre-
vails as the entire soil mass is on verge of failure. Active Movement
•• In this case, failure wedge or sliding wedge moves down- − O +
wards and outwards. Movement away Movement towards
from fill fill
•• The lateral earth pressure exerted on the wall is minimum No
as compared to the other lateral pressures. movement
Variation of pressure
σ v =σ 1
Rankine’s Earth Pressure Theory
σ h=σ 3 Rankine earth pressure theory is based on the equilibrium
of a soil element with in a soil mass.
Wall
movement Assumptions
Failure plane
1. Soil is homogeneous, semi-infinite, dry and
ϕ cohesionless.
45° + 2
2. The ground surface is plane, which may be horizontal
Active state or inclined.
•• In active state, failure plane is inclined at an angle 3. The retaining wall back is smooth and vertical.
 φ
 45° + 2  with horizontal. 4. The soil element is in a state of plastic equilibrium.
 
Passive Pressure
•• The state of passive pressure exists when a retaining wall Plastic Equilibrium
moves towards the backfill. At plastic equilibrium, the following equation is used:
•• In case of passive pressure, the soil mass tends to com-
press horizontally. σ1 = σ3 tan2af + 2ctan af
•• In case of passive pressure also, plastic equilibrium con-
dition prevails. Where tan2af = flow ratio (Nf)
•• In this case, failure wedge or sliding on the wall is maxi- φ
mum as compared to other lateral pressures. α f = 45° + .
2
•• In passive case, failure plane is inclined at an angle
If the stresses in soil mass satisfy the above failure criterion,
 φ
 45° − 2  with horizontal. the soil mass is said to be in state of plastic equilibrium and
  the failure is imminent at this condition.
1. Active earth pressure:
σ v =σ 1 •• Horizontal pressure is given by,
sh = σa = Kaσv
σ v =σ 3
Where
Wall Ka = Coefficient of active earth pressure
movement
Failure plane 1 − sin φ  φ
⎛ ϕ⎛
Ka = = tan 2  45 − 
⎜45° − ⎜
1 + sin φ  2
⎝ 2⎝

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σv = Vertical stress at a depth ‘z’ = g z

G2

σ v =σ 1
z
D

σh Z σ h = pa
=σ 3
90 − ϕ

σv ϕ
45 + 2 ϕ
45 − 2
ϕ
τ O σv C pp

Passive earth pressure ( pp) is given by,

                                                                                                                                      

pp = kpσv
pp = Kp ⋅ g ⋅ z

Where, Kp = Coefficient of passive earth pressure,

given by:

1 + sin φ  φ
Kp = = tan 2  45 + 
1 − sin φ  2
ϕ
ϕ 90 + z
45 + 2 1
ϕ
σ Kp =
σ h or pa σv Ka

s3 and σ1 are minor and major principal stresses.  φ

•• The failure plane makes an angle of  45 + 
 φ  2
•• Failure plane is inclined at an angle  45° + 
 2 with the major principal plane which is vertical and
with horizontal.  φ
makes an angle of  45 −  with horizontal, i.e.,
2. Passive earth pressure:  2
•• As the wall is moving towards the backfill in pas- with respect to minor principal plane.
sive case, it laterally compresses the soil. Due to
this, the horizontal stress is increased, whereas the
vertical stress remains constant. Rankine’s Earth Pressure When Surface is
•• In this case, major principal stress develops in hori- Inclined
zontal direction while minor principal stress devel-
ops in vertical direction.
•• The following figure shows the stress element and
Mohrs circle at passive case.
i

σ v =σ 3
Cohesion less fill
z

H pa
σh Z σ h = pp
i
=σ 1
(unit weight : γ )

σv

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i = Angle of inclination of soil surface (unit weight) with 3. If water table is at a depth H1 from GL:
horizontal
Active case: H1 Moist sand (γ ) kaγ H 1
∇
pa = Ka g ⋅ H
Where Saturated
Sand (γ sat)
 cos i − cos 2 i − cos 2 φ  H2
K a = cos i  
 cos i + cos 2 i − cos 2 φ 

Passive case: kaγ H1 kaγ ′H γw H 2

pp = kpgH
The resultant pressure P acting on the wall is
Where
determined from pressure distribution diagram.
 cos i + cos 2 i − cos 2 φ  4. Effect of uniform surcharge:
K p = cos i  
 cos i − cos 2 i − cos 2 φ  q

Pressure Distribution Diagrams

Active Case Cohesion less
backfill (unit
H
1. Dry cohesion less soil: weight:γ )

Wall way from back fill

Kaq Kaγ H
H Cohesion Kaγ H 2
less soil Pa =
2
(unit H
weight: γ ) 3 NOTE
The pressure distribution diagrams are same for pas-
Kaγ H sive and at rest cases also, except replace ka by kp and k0,
respectively.

2. Effect of submergence: In case of saturated or

submerged backfill, lateral earth pressure will be due Earth Pressure in Cohesive Soils
to the submerged unit weight of the backfill and also
•• It is an extension of Rankine’s theory for cohesionless
due to pore water.
soil by Resal and Bell.
∇ W .T •• The basic difference is that the failure envelope has a
cohesion intercept in case of cohesive soil, whereas it is
zero in case of cohesionless soil.

Cohesion
Active Case
H less Active pressure,
soil
(unit pa = K aγ z − 2c K a
weight: γ )

[Hint: The above equation is obtained by substituting σ1

= σv and σ3 = pa in plastic equilibrium condition.]
Ka γ ′H γ wH •• The Mohr’s circle for active case for cohesive soils is
shown in the following figure.

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The pressure distribution diagram is shown in the follow-

ing figure:

2c √ ka
z
σ 1=σ v

zc
z σ 3 = pa
Hc = 2 zc
H

Stress Conditions
τ
(Kaγ H − 2c √ ka )

Total active force:

1. Before the formation of tensile crack;

γH2
Pa = ka − 2C K a
2
ϕ
ϕ 90 + ϕ
C 45 + 2 [Equal to total area of pressure diagram.]
σ1 2. After the occurrence of tensile crack,
σv
⎛σ 1 − σ 3
⎛
pa ⎜ ⎜
⎝ 2 ⎝ γH2 2c 2
Pa = ka − 2C K a H +
2 γ
⎛σ 1 + σ 3
⎛
⎜ ⎜
⎝ 2 ⎝
[Neglect tensile stress.]
 H − zc 
•• It acts at a height of  .
 3 
Mohr’s Circle for Active Case Critical height or unsupported vertical cut (Hc):
Pressure distribution: At top z = 0; pa = - 2C K a •• The depth up to which the total earth pressure is zero is
•• The negative sign shows that pressure is negative (ten- known as critical height.
sion) and this tensile stress decrease with an increase in •• Hc = 2zc
depth and becomes zero at zc.
 2C 
•• The depth zc is known as depth of tensile crack. = 2 
At z = zc; pa = 0 ⇒ 0 = kag (zc) - 2Cka γ K 
 a 

4C
2C Hc =
zc = γ Ka
γ ka

•• For a purely cohesive soil (f = 0), For pure cohesive soil (f = 0),

2C 4C
zc = Hc =
γ γ

•• It is the depth up to which the soil can withstand without

At bottom, z = H; pa = ka gH - 2Cka any lateral movement.

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τ
SOLVED EXAMPLE

Example 1
An unsupported excavation is made to the maximum pos-
sible depth a clay soil having gt =18 kN/m3, C = 100 kN/m2,
f =30°. The active earth pressure, according to Rankine’s
theory, at the base level of excavation is: [GATE, 2004]
(A) 115.47 kN/m2 (B) 54.36 kN/m2
(C) 27.18 kN/m 2 (D) 13 kN/m2 ϕ

C ϕ 90 + ϕ
Solution 45 + 2
Given, σ
pp
gt = 18 kN/m3, C = k/m2, f =30°. σv

Critical height or depth of unsupported vertical cut (Hc). ⎛σ 1 − σ ⎛

3
⎜ ⎜
2C ⎝ 2 ⎝
Hc =
γ ka
⎛σ 1 + σ 3
⎛
1 − sin φ ⎜
⎝ 2
⎜
⎝
Where, Ka =
1 + sin φ
1 − sin 30°
= φ
1 + sin 30° •• The failure plane makes an angle of  45° +  with hori-
1  2
Ka = zontal (minor principal plane).
3
2 × 100 Pressure distribution: At top z = 0, pp = + 2C k p
∴ Hc =
1
18 ×
3 At Bottom z = H; pp = g ⋅ Hkp + 2C k p
Hc = 38.5 m
Active earth pressure is given by
pa = kagHc - zc K a 2C √Kp
pa = (0.333) (18) (38.5) - 2 × 100 × 0.333
pa = 115.4 kN/m2
Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Passive Case
H Cohesive fill
Passive pressure for a cohesive soil can be determined by
the following expression

p p = γ zk p + 2C k P
[Hint: The above expression can be derived by substituting
σ1 = pp and σ3 = σv in plastic equilibrium condition]. γ Hkp + 2C √Kp
The mohr’s circle for passive case for cohesive soils is
shown in the following figure:
•• The pressure, unlike active case, is positive throughout
the depth.
σ 3=σ v The total passive force on the retaining wall of height
z ‘H’ is given by,

σ 1 = pp γ H2
z pp = k p + 2C K p H
2

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NOTE 6. In case of Coulombs active pressure in cohesionless

The effect of cohesion is to reduce active pressure every- soils, the sliding wedge is in equilibrium under three
where by 2C K p and to increase the passive pressure by forces, i.e., weight of wedge (W), reaction R on the
slip surface and reaction pa from the wall whereas
2C K p . the coulombs active earth pressure in cohesive soil,
in addition to the above, two additional forces acts
on the failure wedge.
Coulomb’s Wedge Theory
Coulomb carried out the analysis by considering the equi-
librium of sliding wedge as a whole.

Assumptions
i
1. The backfill is dry, cohesionless, homogeneous,
isotropic and ideally, plastic material.
2. The slip surface is a plane which passes through the w
heel of the wall. Normal
3. The wall surface is rough. The resultant earth pressure ϕ
α
on wall is inclined at an angle ‘d’ normal to the wall,
where ‘d’ is the angle of friction between the wall and
the backfill. Normal
R
4. The sliding wedge itself acts as a rigid body. δ

β
Important Points pa

1. In Coulomb’s theory, a plane trial failure surface is (a) Coulomb’s active pressure in cohesionless soil
assumed and the trial surface which gives the largest
force for the active case and the smallest force for
the passive case is the actual failure surface.
2. This method readily accommodates the friction
between the wall and the backfill, irregular backfill,
sloping wall, surcharge loads, etc.
i
3. Coulomb’s theory is more general than Rankine
theory as it is used for wet soils and cohesive soils
c
as well.
w
4. The wall friction angle is determined by means of
directs shear test. The approximate values of ‘d’ are ϕ
R
given below.
2φ
(a) For concrete walls, δ =
3 Ca
δ
φ
(b) For smooth walls, δ = P1
3
(c) For rough walls with well drained backfill (b) Coulombs active pressure in cohensive soil
3φ
δ=
4
(d) Backfill subjected to vibrations, d = 0
5. Coulomb’s method does not give the point of Rehbann’s Method
application of resultant earth pressure. But, •• This is a graphical method, also known as Poncelet’s
however it is assumed that the pressure distribution method.
diagram is hydrostatic on the back of the wall and •• Used for the determination of total active pressure accord-
resultant pressure pa is assumed to act at one-third ing to Coulomb’s theory.
of the height of the wall from the base.

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Exercises

1. Coulomb’s theory of earth pressure is based on (C) lateral earth pressure at the base.
(A) the theory of elasticity. H
(B) the theory of plasticity. (D) lateral earth pressure at a height from the base.
3
(C) empirical rules. 6. The total active thrust on a vertical wall 3 m high
(D) wedge theory. retaining a horizontal sand backfill (unit weight γt =20
2. The depth of tension crack in a soft clay (ϕu = 0) is kN/m3, angle of shearing resistance = ϕ′ = 30°) when
4Cu 2Cu the water table is the bottom of the wall, will be
(A) (B) (A) 30 kN/m (B) 35 kN/m
γ γ
(C) 40 kN/m (D) 45 kN/m
Cu Cu 7. To have zero active pressure intensity at the tip f a wall
(C) (D)
γ 2γ in cohesive soil, one should apply a uniform surcharge
intensity of
3. In cohesive soils the depth of tension crack (Zcr) is (A) 2c tan α (B) 2c cot α
likely to be (C) −2c tan α (D) −2c cot α
2C  φ 8. Consider the following statements:
(A) Zcr ≥ tan  45° − 
γ  2 I. Coulomb’s earth pressure theory does not take the
2C  φ roughness of wall into consideration.
(B) Zcr ≥ tan  45° +  II. In case of non-cohesive soils, the coefficients of
γ  2
active earth pressure and earth pressure at rest are
4C  φ equal.
(C) Zcr ≥ tan  45° − 
γ  2 III. Any movement of retaining wall away from the fill
4C  φ corresponds to active earth pressure condition.
(D) Zcr ≥ tan  45° + 
γ  2 Which of these statements is/are correct?
(A) I alone (B) I and II
4. Cohesion in soil (C) II alone (D) III alone
(A) decreases active pressure and increases passive
9. Given that c = 2t/m , ϕ = 0° and γ = 2t/m2, the depth
2
resistance.
of tension crack developing in a cohesive soil backfill
(B) decreases both active pressure and passive
would be
resistance.
(A) 1 m (B) 2 m
(C) increases the active pressure and decreases the
(C) 3 m (D) 4 m
passive resistance.
(D) increases both active pressure and passive 10. The correct sequence of the given parameters in
resistance. descending order of earth pressure intensity is
(A) active, passive, at rest.
5. Figure given below shows a smooth vertical gravity
(B) passive, active, at rest.
retaining wall cohesion less soil backfill having an
(C) passive, at rest, active.
angle of internal friction ϕ. In the graphical representa-
(D) at rest, passive, active.
tion of Rankine’s active earth pressure for the retaining
1
wall shown in figure, length OP represents 11. If the coefficient of active earth pressure is , then what
3
β t is the value of the coefficient of passive earth pressure?
1 1
Mohr’s
(A) (B)
9 3
envelope P (C) 3 (D) 1
H Sand Ground line 12. The earth pressure behind a bridge abutment is
(A) active
(B) passive
ϕ (C) at rest
σ (D) constant always and everywhere
O
13. An unsupported excavation is made to the maximum
(A) vertical stress at the base.
H possible depth in a clay soil having γt = 18 kN/m3,
(B) vertical stress at a height from the base. c = 100 kN/m2, ϕ = 30°. The active earth pressure,
3

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according to Rankine’s theory, at the base level of the earth pressure diagram detailing the values at critical
excavation is points. Also estimate the resultant thrust on the wall
(A) 115.47 kN/m2 (B) 54.36 kN/m2 and its position.
(C) 27.18 kN/m 2 (D) 13 kN/m2
10 kN/m2
14. A retaining wall of height 8 m retains dry sand. In the
initial state, the soil is loose and has a void ratio of 0.5,
γd = 17.8 kN/m3 and ϕ = 30°. Subsequently, the backfill
is compacted to a state where void ratio is 0.4 γd = 18.8
kN/m3 and ϕ = 35°. The ratio of initial passive thrust γ = 15 kN/m3;
to the final passive thrust, according to Rankine’s earth 3m ϕ′ = 30°
pressure theory, is C=0
(A) 0.38 (B) 0.64
(C) 0.77 (D) 1.55
15. A 3 m high retaining wall is supporting a saturated
sand (saturated due to capillary action) of bulk density
18 kN/m3 and angle of shearing resistance 30°. The γ = 20 kN/m3 ;
3m ϕ′ = 10°
change in magnitude of active earth pressure at the base C = 10 kN/m2
due to rise in ground water table from the base of the
footing to the ground surface shall (γw = 10 kN/m3)
(A) increase by 20 kN/m2.
(B) decrease by 20 kN/m2. 21. Under active pressure condition the failure wedge
(C) increase by 30 kN/m2. moves
(D) decrease by 30 kN/m2. (A) towards right.
16. Compute the intensity of passive earth pressure at (B) towards left.
a depth of 8 m in a cohesion less sand with an angle (C) towards upward.
of internal friction of 30° when water table rises to (D) towards downward.
the ground level. Saturated unit weight of sand is 21 22. Westergaard’s theory is applicable for which type of
kN/m3, gw = 9.81 kN/m3. soils?
17. A vertical excavation was made in a clay deposit hav- (A) Sandy soils (B) Startified soils
ing unit weight of 22 kN/m3. It caved in after the dig- (C) Humus soils (D) Gravel
ging reached 4 m depth. Assuming ϕ = 0, calculate the 23. The unsupported vertical cut of the embankment if C
magnitude of cohesion. = 40 kN/m2, γ = 30 kN/m3 and ka = 1 is
Direction for questions 18 and 19: (A) 5.23 m (B) 5.33 m
For the retaining wall shown in the given figure assume that (C) 5.43 m (D) 5.53 m
the wall can yield sufficiently to develop active stage. Use 24. A retaining wall of height 10 m retains dry sand. The
Rankine’s active earth pressure theory and determine: soil is loose and has a void ratio of 0.8, γd = 18.8 kN/m3
and ϕ = 50°. The backfill is compacted to a state of 0.5,
γd = 20.8 kN/m3 and ϕ = 65°. The ratio of initial passive
γ = 16 kN/m3; ϕ′ = 30° thrust to the final passive thrust according to Rankine’s
C1 = 0 3m earth pressure theory is
(A) 0.35 (B) 2.9
Z (C) 0.33 (D) 2.7
25.    I. In Rankine’s theory the retaining wall is assumed
to be smooth and vertical.
3m
rsat = 16 kN/m3; ϕ2 = 36°
  II. In Coulomb’s wedge theory the retaining wall is
C2 = 0
assume to be rough.
(A) I is true, II is false.
(B) I is false, II is true.
(C) I and II are true.
18. Active force per metre of the wall. (D) I and II are false.
19. The location of the resultant line of action. 26. The term mobilized shear strength is referred to as
20. A retaining wall with a stratified backfill and a sur- (A) shear strength.
charge load is shown in the following figure. Draw the (B) maximum shear stress.

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(C) applied shear stress. thick layer of the back fill is sand having an angle of
(D) None of these internal friction ϕ = 30° while the bottom is 2 m thick
27. If uniform surcharge of 120 kN/m2 is placed on the clay with cohesion, C = 15 kPa. Assure unit weight for
backfill with ϕ = 30°, the increase in pressure is (in both sand and clay as 20 kN/m3. The total active earth
kN /m2) pressure per unit length of wall (in kN/m) is _______.
σn (A) 130 (B) 150
28.
(C) 160 (D) 175
31. An electric pole of 5 m high is fixed into the
Pressure foundation. It carries a wire at the top and is free to
move sideways. The effective length of the pole is
(3) (A) 3.25 m (B) 4.0 m
(C) 5.0 m (D) 10.0 m
32. The active pressure caused by a cohesionless backfill
(2)
(1)
on a smooth vertical retaining wall may be reduced by
_______.
(A) providing surcharge on the backfill
Wall movement (B) compacting the backfill
(C) saturating the backfill with water
Identify the correct one from the following: (p0, pa, (D) All of these
pp indicates at rest, active and passive earth pressures
33. A retaining wall of height 6 m retains dry sand. In ini-
respectively)
tial state, the soil is loose and has a void ratio of 0.5, γd
(A) (1) – p0, (2) – pa, (3) – pp = 17.8 kN/m3 and ϕ = 30°. Subsequently, on compac-
(B) (1) – pa, (2) – p0, (3) – pp tion of backfill if the void ratio becomes 0.4, γd becomes
(C) (1) – pp, (2) – p0, (3) – pa 18.8 kN/m3 and ϕ becomes 35°. What will be the ratio
(D) (1) – p0, (2) – pp, (3) – pa of initial passive thrust to final passive thrust?
29. A vertical wall of 5 m high above the water table, retains (A) 0.38
a 20° soil slope, the retained soil has a unit weight of 20 (B) 0.64
kN/m3, the appropriate shear strength parameters are C (C) 0.77
= 0 and ϕ = 30°. The coefficient of active earth pressure (D) 1.55
to be used in estimating the active pressure acting on 34. A 8 m thick layer of saturated clay of γ =19 kN/m3 is
the wall is _______ (upto two decimal). underlain by a layer of sand. The sand is under a arte-
(A) 0.5 sian pressure of 5 m. Calculate the maximum depth of
(B) 0.31 cut that can be made without causing a heave.
(C) 0.42 (A) 4.32 m
(D) 0.65 (B) 5.42 m
30. A 5 m high retaining wall having a smooth vertical (C) 6.72 m
back face retains a layered horizontal backfill. Top 3 m (D) 8 m

Previous Years’ Questions

1. When a retaining wall moves away from the backfill, σh σ h′
the pressure exerted on the wall is termed as  (A) (B)
σv σ v′
 [GATE, 2008]
(A) passive earth pressure. σv σ v′
(B) swelling pressure. (C) (D)
σh σ h′
(C) pore pressure.
(D) active earth pressure. 3. A smooth rigid retaining wall moves as shown in
2. If σh, σv, σ h′ and σ v′ represent the total horizontal the sketch causing the backfill material to fail. The
stress, total vertical stress, effective horizontal stress backfill material is homogeneous and isotropic, and
and effective vertical stress on a soil element, obeys the Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion. The major
respectively, the coefficient of earth pressure at rest is principal stress is  [GATE, 2012]
given by [GATE, 2010]

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Initial wall Final wall m thick layer of the backfill is sand, having an angle
position position of internal friction, ϕ = 30°, while the bottom layer is
3 m thick clay with cohesion, c = 20 kPa. Assume unit
weight for both sand and clay as 18 kN/m3. The total
active earth pressure per unit length of the wall (in
kN/m) is [GATE, 2015]
Dry granular (A) 150 (B) 216
cohesionless
backfill with (C) 156 (D) 196
top surface 7. A vertical cut is to be made in a soil mass having
cohesion c, angle of internal friction ϕ, and unit
weight γ. Considering Ka and Kp as the coefficients
of active and passive earth pressures, respectively,
the maximum depth of unsupported excavation is
 [GATE, 2016]
(A) parallel to the wall face and acting downwards.
(B) normal to the wall face. 4c 2c K p
(A) (B)
(C) oblique to the wall face and acting downwards. γ Kp γ
(D) oblique to the wall face acting upwards.
4 c Ka 4c
4. Two different types (soil 1 and soil 2) soil are used as (C) (D)
γ γ Ka
backfill behind a retaining wall as shown in the figure,
where γt is total unit weight, and c′ and ϕ′ are effective 8. A homogeneous gravity retaining wall supporting a
cohesion and effective angle of shearing resistance. cohesionless backfill is shown in the figure. The lat-
The resultant active earth force per unit length (in eral active earth pressure at the bottom of the wall is
kN/m) acting on the all is [GATE, 2013] 40 kPa. [GATE, 2016]

Retaining wall

Cohesionless
Gravity 6m backfill
retaining
Soil 1: Wall
2m γ 1 = 15 kN/m3; c′ = 0; ϕ ′ = 30°

4m
2m Soil 2:
γ 1 = 20 kN/m3; c′ = 0; ϕ ′ = 40° The minimum weight of the wall (expressed in kN
per m length) required to prevent it from overturning
about its toe (Point P) is
(A) 120 (B) 180
(A) 31.7 (B) 35.2 (C) 240 (D) 360
(C) 51.8 (D) 57.0 9. The results of a consolidation test on an undisturbed
5. Surcharge loading required to be placed on the hori- soil, sampled at a depth of 10 m below the ground
zontal backfill of a smooth retaining vertical wall so level are as follows.  [GATE, 2016]
as to completely eliminate tensile crack is
Saturated unit weight : 16 kN/m3
 [GATE, 2015]
Pre-consolidation pressure : 90 kPa
(A) 2c (B) 2cka
2c The water table was encountered at the ground level.
(C) 2c ka (D) Assuming the unit weight of water as 10 kN/m3, the
ka
over-consolidation ratio of the soil is
6. A 6 m high retaining wall having a smooth vertical (A) 0.67 (B) 1.50
back face retains a layered horizontal backfill. Top 3 (C) 1.77 (D) 2.00

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 3.528 | Part III ■ Unit 7 ■ Geotechnical Engineering

10. The soil profile at a site consists of a 5 m thick sand

1m 1m γ bulk = 16.5 kN/m3
layer underlain by a c-ϕ soil as shown in the figure.
The water table is found 1 m below the ground level.
The entire soil mass is retained by a concrete retain- γ sat = 19 kN/m3 γ w = 9.81 kN/m3
ing wall and is in the active state. The back of the wall 4m
is smooth and vertical. The total active earth pressure ϕ = 32°
(expressed in kN/m2) at point A as per Rankine’s theory
is _________.  [GATE, 2016]
c-ϕ soil

3m γ sat = 18.5 kN/m3, γ w = 9.81 kN/m3

cʹ = 25 kN/m3 , ϕ ʹ = 32°
A

Answer Keys

Exercises
1. D 2. B 3. B 4. A 5. A 6. A 7. A 8. D 9. B 10. C
11. C 12. C 13. A 14. C 15. A 16. 347 kN/m2 17. 22 kN/m2
18. 113.46 kN/m2 19. 1.80 m from bottom 20. 161.67 kN/m, 1.83 m 21. D 22. B
23. B 24. C 25. C 26. C 27. 40 28. B 29. C 30. A 31. D 32. B
33. C 34. B

Previous Years’ Questions

1. D 2. B 3. B 4. A 5. D 6. 150 7. D 8. A 9. B
10. 69.65

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