When a soil mass is retained at a higher level by a retaining wall, the retained mass of the soil tends to slide and assume a flat slope for equilibrium, which is resisted by the retaining wall. This exerts pressure on the retaining wall, which is known as lateral earth pressure. Usually, the retaining wall is constructed first and then [...]
In this article we have compiled three main theories given by Coulomb for studying earth pressure. The theories are: 1. Coulomb's Wedge Theory for Earth Pressure 2. Coulomb's Theory of Active Earth Pressure 3. Coulomb's Theory for Passive Earth Pressure. 1. Coulomb's Wedge Theory for Earth Pressure: Coulomb (1776) developed the wedge theory for determination of lateral earth pressure on [...]
Rankine (1857) considered the equilibrium of a soil element at any depth (h) in the backfill behind a retaining wall and determined the active earth pressure. Rankine assumed that the soil element is subjected to only two types of stresses: i. Vertical stress (σz) due to the weight of the soil above the element. ii. Lateral earth pressure (pa). Dry [...]