Coefficient charts for active earth pressures under combined loadings

Abstract

Rankine's theory of earth pressure cannot be directly employed to c-<TEX>${\phi}$</TEX> soils backfill with a sloping ground subjected to complex loadings. In this paper, an analytical solution for active earth pressures on retaining structures of cohesive backfill with an inclined surface subjected to surcharge, pore water pressure and seismic loadings, are derived on the basis of the lower-bound theorem of limit analysis combined with Rankine's earth pressure theory and the Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion. The generalized active earth pressure coefficients (dimensionless total active thrusts) are presented for use in comprehensive design charts which eliminate the need for tedious and cumbersome graphical diagram process. Charts are developed for rigid earth retaining structures under complex environmental loadings such as the surcharge, pore water pressure and seismic inertia force. An example is presented to illustrate the practical application for the proposed coefficient charts.