Nonlinear Failure Criterion and Passive Thrust on Retaining Walls

Abstract

The effect of nonlinearity of the failure criterion on the passive thrust on smooth and rough vertical retaining walls is studied theoretically. Limit analysis upper bound estimates based on block-type failure mechanisms are constructed. An alternative, a priori linearization, approach is discussed. It is shown that for smooth walls both approaches, as well as the Rankine-type slip line solution, yield similar results. For rough walls, however, the ambiguity in the a priori linearization makes it difficult to compare the results. This deficiency is absent in the limit analysis nonlinear solutions.