Upper Bound Limit Analysis of Passive Earth Pressure of Cohesive Backfill on Retaining Wall

Abstract

In view of the shortage of using classical earth pressure theories to calculating passive earth pressure of cohesive soil on retaining wall under complex conditions. Based on the planar slip surface and the back of retaining wall was inclined and rough assumption, the calculation model of passive earth pressure of cohesive backfill under uniformly distrubuted loads was presented, in which the upper bound limit analysis was adopted. Meanwhile it was proven that the prevailing classical Rankine’s earth pressure theory was a special example simlified under the condition of its assumptions. For it’s difficult to determine the angle of slip surface , a relatively simple method for calculating the angle was proposed by example. And the influence of angle of wall back , friction angle of the interface between soil and retaining wall, cohesion force and internal friction angle of backfill soil to planar sliding surface and passive earth pressure were analyzed. Some good calculation results were achieved, these analysis can provide useful reference for the design of retaining wall.