Lateral Earth Pressure Examples

Prepared by:
Engr. Kenny B. Cantila
Example 1: A 7-m high cantilever retaining wall retains sand. The properties
of the sand are: 𝑒 = 0.5, ∅ = 30𝑜 , and 𝐺𝑠 = 2.7. Using Rankine’s theory
determine the active earth pressure at the base when the backfill is a) dry, b)
saturated, and c) submerged, and also the resultant active force in each case.
In addition determine the total water pressure under the submerged condition.
http://www4.hcmut.edu.vn/~cnan/Principles%20of%20geotechnical%20engineering%20(Fifth%20Edition,%20Das)/364-419.PDF

Gs Gs + 𝑒
γd = γ γsat = γ
1+e w 1+e w γsub = γsat − γw
2.7 2.7 + 0.5
γd = 9.81 γsat = 9.81 γsub = 20.93 − 9.81
1 + 0.5 1 + 0.5
kN kN γsub = 11.12 kN/m3
γd = 17.66 3 γsat = 20.93 3
m m
Part a
Sand
Dry
Backfill e = 0.5
7m Gs = 2.7
∅ = 30o
kN Fa
γd = 17.66 3
m
𝐏𝐚

1 − sin ∅ Lateral Earth Pressure Lateral Force

Ka =
1 + sin ∅
1 − sin 30o Pa = K a γd H 1
Ka = Fa = Pa H 1
1 + sin 30o 1 2
Pa = (17.66)(7) 1
𝟏 3 Fa = (41.21)(7)(1)
𝐊𝐚 = 𝐏𝐚 = 𝟒𝟏. 𝟐𝟏 𝐤𝐏𝐚 2
𝟑
𝐅𝐚 = 𝟏𝟒𝟒. 𝟐𝟒 𝐤𝐍
Part b
Sand
Saturated
Backfill e = 0.5
7m Gs = 2.7
∅ = 30o
kN Fa
γsat = 20.93 3
m
𝐏𝐚

Lateral Earth Pressure Lateral Force

Pa = K a γsat H 1
Fa = Pa H 1
1 2
Pa = (20.93)(7) 1
3 Fa = (48.84)(7)(1)
𝐏𝐚 = 𝟒𝟖. 𝟖𝟒 𝐤𝐏𝐚 2
𝐅𝐚 = 𝟏𝟕𝟎. 𝟗𝟒 𝐤𝐍
 GWT
Part c
Sand
Submerged
Backfill e = 0.5
Gs = 2.7
+
7m
∅ = 30o
kN Fa Fw
γsub = 11.12 3
m
𝐏𝒂 𝐏𝐰

Lateral Earth Pressure Lateral Force

Pas = Pa + Pw Fas = Fa + Fw
Pas = K a γsub H + γw H 1 1
1 Fas = K a γsub H 1 + γw H 2 (1)
2
2 2
Pas = 11.12 7 + 9.81(7) 1 1 1
3 Fas = 11.12 7 2 + (9.81)(7)2
𝐏𝐚𝐬 = 𝟗𝟒. 𝟔𝟐 𝐤𝐏𝐚 2 3 2
𝐅𝐚𝐬 = 𝟑𝟑𝟏. 𝟏𝟔 𝐤𝐍
Example 2: A 6-m high retaining wall is shown below. Determine the
following:

a. The Rankine active force per unit length of the wall and the location of
the resultant.
b. The Rankine passive force per unit length of the wall and the location of
the resultant.

∅ = 36o
6m
γ = 15 kN/m3

http://www4.hcmut.edu.vn/~cnan/Principles%20of%20geotechnical%20engineering%20(Fifth%20Edition,%20Das)/364-419.PDF
 0

Rankine’s Active force

∅ = 36o 1
Fa = K a yH 2 (1)
6m 2
γ = 15 kN/m3 Fa 1 2
Fa = 0.26 15 6
2
𝑥 𝐅𝐚 = 𝟕𝟎. 𝟐 𝐤𝐍
Pa

Active Lateral Earth Pressure

Active Rankine’s Earth Pressure Coefficient Location of Fa

H
x=
1 − sin ∅ 3
Ka = 6
1 + sin ∅ x=
1 − sin 36o 3
Ka = 𝐱=𝟐𝐦
1 + sin 36o
𝐊 𝐚 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟔
 0

Rankine’s Active force

∅ = 36o 1
Fp = K p yH 2 (1)
6m 2
γ = 15 kN/m3 Fp 1 2
Fp = 3.85 15 6
2
𝑥 𝐅𝐩 = 𝟏, 𝟎𝟑𝟗. 𝟓 𝐤𝐍
Pp

Passive Lateral Earth Pressure

Passive Rankine’s Earth Pressure Coefficient Location of Fp

H
x=
1 + sin ∅ 3
Kp = 6
1 − sin ∅ x=
1 + sin 36o 3
Kp = 𝐱=𝟐𝐦
1 − sin 36o
𝐊 𝐩 = 𝟑. 𝟖𝟓
Example 3: For the retaining wall shown below, determine the force per unit
width of the wall for Rankine’s active state. Also find the location of the
resultant force.

γ = 16 kN/m3
3m ∅ = 30o
GWT z

γsat = 18 kN/m3
3m ∅ = 35o

http://www4.hcmut.edu.vn/~cnan/Principles%20of%20geotechnical%20engineering%20(Fifth%20Edition,%20Das)/364-419.PDF
 γ = 16 kN/m3
H1 = 3 m ∅ = 30o Fa1
GWT z K 𝑎1 γH1

H2 = 3 m
γsat = 18 kN/m3
∅ = 35o
Fa2
Fa3
+ Fa4

K 𝑎2 γH2 K 𝑎2 γ𝑠𝑢𝑏 H2 γ𝑤 H2

1 − sin ∅ 1 − sin ∅
K a1 = K a2 =
1 + sin ∅ 1 + sin ∅
1 − sin 30o 1 − sin 35o
K a1 = K a2 =
1 + sin 30o 1 + sin 35o
1 K a2 = 0.271
K a1 =
3
Pa1 = K a1 γH1 Pa3 = K a2 γ𝑠𝑢𝑏 H2
1 Pa3 = 0.271 (18 − 9.81)(3)
Pa1 = (16)(3)
3 𝐏𝐚𝟑 = 𝟔. 𝟔𝟔 𝐤𝐏𝐚
𝐏𝐚𝟏 = 𝟏𝟔 𝐤𝐏𝐚

Pa2 = K a2 γH2 Pa4 = γ𝑤 H2

Pa2 = 0.271 (16)(3) Pa4 = (9.81)(3)
𝐏𝐚𝟐 = 𝟏𝟑. 𝟎 𝐤𝐏𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝟒 = 𝟐𝟗. 𝟒𝟑 𝐤𝐏𝐚

1 2
Fa1 = K a1 γH1 2 x1 = H1
2 3
1 1 2 2
Fa1 = 16 3 x1 = 3
2 3 3
𝐅𝐚𝟏 = 𝟐𝟒 𝐤𝐍 𝐱𝟏= 𝟐 𝐦
 2
1
Fa2 = K a2 γH2 x2 = H1 + H2
2 2
Fa2 = 0.271 16 3 1
𝐅𝐚𝟐 = 𝟑𝟗. 𝟎𝟐 𝐤𝐍 x2 = 3 + 3
2
𝐱 𝟐 = 𝟒. 𝟓 𝐦

1 2
Fa3 = K a2 γsub H2 2 x3 = H1 + H2
2 3
1 2 2
Fa3 = 0.271 18 − 9.81 3 x3 = 3 + 3
2 3
𝐅𝐚𝟑 = 𝟗. 𝟗𝟗 𝐤𝐍 𝐱 𝟑 = 𝟓. 𝟎 𝐦

1 2
Fa4 = γw H2 2 x4 = H1 + H2
3
2
1 2
Fa4 = 9.81 3 2 x4 = 3 + 3
2 3
𝐅𝐚𝟒 = 𝟒𝟒. 𝟏𝟓 𝐤𝐍 𝐱 𝟒 = 𝟓. 𝟎 𝐦
 Resultant Load

Fat = Fa1 + Fa2 + Fa3 + Fa4

Fat = 24 + 39.02 + 9.99 + 44.15
𝐅𝐚𝐭 = 𝟏𝟏𝟕. 𝟏𝟔 𝐤𝐍

Location of Resultant Load

Fat z = Fa1 x1 + Fa2 x2 + Fa3 x3 + Fa4 x4

117.16z = 24(2) + 39.02(4.5) + 9.99(5) + 44.15(5)
𝐳 = 𝟒. 𝟐𝟐 𝐦 (from the top)
Example 4: A frictionless vertical retaining wall has a height of 4 m and
retains a surcharge of 10 kPa. Unit weight of backfill is 15 kN/m3 and angle
of friction of 20o. Determine the active earth pressure at the bottom as well as
the resultant active force and its location from the bottom.

q = 10 kPa

γs = 18 kN/m3
4m ∅ = 20o
 q = 10 kPa

γ = 18 kN/m3
4m ∅ = 20o
Fa1
+ Fa2

z
Kaq K a γH
surcharge active pressure

1 − sin ∅ Pa1 = K a q = 0.49 10 = 4.90 kPa

Ka =
1 + sin ∅
1 − sin 20o Pa2 = K a γH = 0.49 18 4 = 35.28 kPa
Ka =
1 + sin 20o
K a = 0.49 P = Pa1 + Pa2 = 4.90 + 35.28 = 40.18 kPa
 Fa1 = Pa1 H(1) = 4.90 4 (1) = 19.6 kN

1 1
Fa2 = Pa2 H(1) = 35.28 4 (1) = 70.56 kN
2 2

Resultant Load

F = Fa1 + Fa2 = 19.6 + 70.56 = 90.16 kN

Location of Resultant Load

Fz = Fa1 x1 + Fa2 x2
1
90.16z = 19.6 2 + 70.56 4
3
𝐳 = 𝟏. 𝟒𝟕𝟖 𝐦 (from the base)
Example 5: A vertical retaining wall has a height of 5.5 m. It supports a soft
backfill with a unit weight of 15.5 kN/m3 and has a cohesion of 16.6 kN/m2.
The undrained angle of friction is 0o. Determine the following:

• The maximum depth of tensile

crack

• The lateral force before tensile c = 16.6 kPa

5.5 m
cracks occur. γs = 15.5 kN/m3

• The lateral force after the tensile Soft clay

crack occurs.

Besavilla, I.V. (2010). Basic Fundamentals of Foundation Engineering, p-253. VIB Publisher, Cebu City: Philippines. ISBN 971-8510-91-9
 Pressure Diagram
0 −Pa2

H – Fa2
=

H−z
Fa1

Pa1 P𝑎2
active pressure cohesion P𝑎1 − Pa2

1 − sin ∅ 1 − sin 0𝑜
Ka = = =1
1 + sin ∅ 1 + sin 0o

Pa1 = K a γsH = 1 15.5 5.5 = 85.25 kPa

Pa2 = 2c K a = 2 16.6 1 = 33.2 kPa
 −Pa2
Maximum depth of tensile crack
𝑧
By ratio and proportion:

z H−z
=

H−z
−P𝑎2 P𝑎1 − Pa2
z 5.5 − z
=
−33.2 85.25 − 33.2
𝐳 = 𝟐. 𝟏𝟒 𝐦
P𝑎1 − Pa2
Lateral force before tensile crack occurs:

1 1
Fa1 = Pa1 H = 85.25 5.5 = 234.44 kN/m
2 2

Fa2 = Pa2 H = 33.20 5.5 = 182.60 kN/m

Fa = Fa1 − Fa2 = 232.44 − 182.60 = 𝟓𝟏. 𝟖𝟒 𝐤𝐍/𝐦

Lateral force after tensile crack occurs:

1
Fa = (P𝑎1 − Pa2 )(H − z)
2
1
Fa = (52.05)(5.5 − 2.14)
2
𝐅𝐚 = 𝟖𝟕. 𝟒𝟒 𝐤𝐍/𝐦
Example 6: A frictionless vertical retaining wall has a height of 4 m and
retains a surcharge of 10 kPa. Unit weight of backfill is 15 kN/m3 with a
cohesion of 8 kPa and an angle of friction of 26o.

q = 10 kPa

• Compute the maximum depth of tensile

crack.

• Compute the active force after the tensile c = 8 kPa

4m
cracks occurs γs = 15 kN/m3
∅ = 26o
• Compute the passive resistance per unit
width of wall.

Besavilla, I.V. (2010). Basic Fundamentals of Foundation Engineering, p. 456. VIB Publisher, Cebu City: Philippines. ISBN 971-8510-91-9
 q Pressure Diagram for Active Force
Pa1 − Pa3
0
𝑧

F𝑎1
4m + – =

H−z
Fa2 Fa3

Pa1 Pa2 Pa3

surcharge active pressure cohesion Pa1 + Pa2 − Pa3

1 − sin ∅ Pa1 = K a q = 0.39 10 = 3.90 kPa

Ka =
1 + sin ∅
1 − sin 26o Pa2 = K a γs H = 0.39 15 4 = 23.40 kPa
Ka =
1 + sin 26o
K a = 0.39 Pa3 = 2c K a = 2 8 0.39 = 9.99 kPa
 Maximum depth of tensile crack Pa1 − Pa3

𝑧
By ratio and proportion:

z H−z
=
Pa1 − Pa3 Pa1 + Pa2 − Pa3

H−z
z 4−z
=
3.90 − 9.99 3.90 + 23.40 − 9.99
𝐳 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟒 𝐦
Pa1 + Pa2 − Pa3

Active force after tensile crack occurs:

1
Fa = P + Pa2 − Pa3 H − z
2 a1
1
Fa = 3.90 + 23.40 − 9.99 4 − 1.04
2
𝐅𝐚 = 𝟐𝟓. 𝟔𝟐 𝐤𝐍/𝐦
 q Pressure Diagram for Passive Force
0 Pp1 + Pp3

Fp1 Fp3
4m + Fp2
+ =
Pp1 Pp2 Pp3
surcharge passive pressure cohesion Pp1 + Pp2 + Pp3

1 + sin ∅ Pp1 = K p q = 2.56 10 = 25.60 kPa

Kp =
1 − sin ∅
1 + sin 26o Pp2 = K p γs H = 2.56 15 4 = 153.60 kPa
Kp =
1 − sin 26o
K p = 2.56 Pp3 = 2c K p = 2 8 2.56 = 25.60 kPa
 Passive Resistance of Wall:

1
Fp = H 2Pp1 + pp2 + 2pp3
2
1
Fp = 4 2 25.6 + 153.6 + 2 25.6
2
𝐅𝐩 = 𝟓𝟏𝟐 𝐤𝐍/𝐦
Example 7: A frictionless retaining wall has a vertical height of 6 m with a
non-cohesive backfill. Angle of friction of the backfill is ∅ = 32o, with a
unit weight of 15 kN/m3. Compute the following:

a. Weight of the failure wedge per meter width due to active pressure on
the wall if it has a horizontal backfill.

b. Weight of the failure wedge per meter width due to active pressure on
the wall if it has a sloping backfill which makes an angle of 12o with the
horizontal.

c. Normal active force on the wall if the backfill is sloping at an angle of

12o with the horizontal.

Besavilla, I.V. (2010). Basic Fundamentals of Foundation Engineering, p. 463. VIB Publisher, Cebu City: Philippines. ISBN 971-8510-91-9
 Part a

Angle of failure plane Width of failure wedge

x
θ = 45o + ∅/2 x = H tan(90o − θ )
θ = 45o + 32o /2 x = 6 tan(90o − 61o )
𝛉 = 𝟔𝟏𝐨 𝐱 = 𝟑. 𝟑𝟑 𝐦

Volume of wedge Weight of wedge 6m

per unit length: per unit length:

V = (1/2)Hx W = γV
V = (1/2)(6)(3.33) 1 W = 15 10 𝜃
𝐕 = 𝟏𝟎 𝐦𝟑 𝐖 = 𝟏𝟓𝟎 𝐤𝐍
 Part b

Width of failure wedge

sin 29o a
a=6 49o
sin 49o 12o
𝐚 = 𝟑. 𝟖𝟓𝟒 𝐦

Volume of wedge per unit length:

V = (1/2)aH sin θ × 1
V = (1/2)(3.854) 6 (sin 102o ) 6m
𝐕 = 𝟏𝟏. 𝟑𝟏 𝐦𝟑

Weight of wedge per unit length:

β
W = γV
W = 15 11.31
𝐖 = 𝟏𝟔𝟗. 𝟔𝟓 𝐤𝐍
 Part c

Rankine’s Active Earth Pressure Coefficient

a
cos β − cos 2 β − cos 2 ∅
K a = cos β 12o
cos β + cos 2 β − cos 2 ∅
o 2 12o − cos 2 32
cos 12 − cos
K a = cos 12o
cos 12o + cos2 12o − cos2 32
𝐊 𝐚 = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟐𝟕𝟓
6m Fa
Rankine’s Active Force
1
Fa = K a yH 2 Fah
2
1 2
Fa = 0.3275 15 6
2
𝐅𝐚 = 𝟖𝟖. 𝟒𝟐𝟓 𝐤𝐍/𝐦
Normal active force

Fah = Fa cos α
Fah = 88.425(cos 12o )
𝐅𝐚𝐡 = 𝟖𝟔. 𝟒𝟗 𝐤𝐍/𝐦

Moment caused by normal active force

H
Mh = Fah
3
6
Mh = (86.49)
3
𝐌𝐡 = 𝟏𝟕𝟐. 𝟗𝟗 𝐤𝐍 ∙ 𝐦
Example 8: A vertical retaining wall 6 m high with a cohesionless
horizontal backfill having a unit weight of 15.5 kN/m3 . The backfill has an
angle of internal friction of 30o. Compute the following:

a) Active static force on the wall if it is frictionless

b) Active static force if there is a friction between soil and the wall.
Coefficient of friction is 0.268

a) Difference in moment at the base of the wall if the wall is frictionless

and when there is friction between soil and wall.

Besavilla, I.V. (2010). Basic Fundamentals of Foundation Engineering, p. 460. VIB Publisher, Cebu City: Philippines. ISBN 971-8510-91-9
 Part a
1 − sin ∅ 1
K a1 = Fa1 = K a1 yH 2
1 + sin ∅ 2
1 − sin 30o 1 1
K a1 = Fa1 = (15.5)(6)2
1 + sin 30o 2 3
𝟏 𝐅𝐚𝟏 = 𝟗𝟑 𝐤𝐍
𝐊 𝐚𝟏 =
𝟑

Part b

tan 𝛿 = 0.268 (coefficient of friction) δ = 15o (angle of friction)

sin2 (90 + ∅)
Ka = 2
sin ∅ + δ sin ∅
sin 90 − δ 1 +
sin 90 − δ
 sin2 (90 + 30)
K a2 = 2
sin 30 + 15 sin(30)
sin 90 − 15 1 +
sin 90 − 15
𝐊 𝐚𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟎𝟏𝟒

Active Force
1 1
Fa2 = K a2 yH 2 = 0.3014 (15.5)(6)2 = 𝟖𝟒. 𝟎𝟗 𝐤𝐍
2 2

Part c
Difference in Moment
H H 6 6
∆M = Fa1 − Fa2 = 93 − 84.09 = 𝟏𝟕. 𝟖𝟐 𝐤𝐍 ∙ 𝐦
3 3 3 3