Numerical Study of Passive Earth Pressure on Retaining Walls

Abstract

The determination of passive earth pressure by a vertical rigid wall on a horizontal backfill made up of cohesion less material is studied. Two types of movement were considered to generate the limit equilibrium of passive earth: translation movement, and rotation around the top of the rigid wall. Analysis consisted of series of 2D finite difference FLAC code. Parametric study included the effect of type of wall movement, soil-wall interface friction angle for analyzing the distribution of passive pressure and the location of resulting passive. Predicted results were found in good agreement with measurements obtained from scaled test models and full-scale retaining structure. When the translation movement is assumed, the distribution of passive earth pressure is overall linear with depth. In turn, when the mode of rotation around the top is considered, the variation of passive pressure with depth is rather non-linear. Further, the respective resultant force of passive pressure exerted on the retaining wall are located at different depth which are both lesser than one-third of the height of the wall. The location of passive force is also depending on the soil-wall interface friction angle.