Dr.

J Shaikh
Assistant Professor
Geotechnical Engineering 2 ⇒ Assignment 1 Department of Civil Engineering

Assignment 1 on Unit 1 (Theory of Earth Pressure)

[Answers]
Q.1. Short answer type questions:
a) Illustrate the movement of retaining wall with respect to its backfill for active and passive condition.
Answer: ⇒ Figure 1 illustrates the movement of retaining wall with respect to its backfill for active condition.
Whereas the figure 2 shows the movement of retaining wall with respect to its backfill for active condition.
Movement of backfill material:
Vertically downward
Movement of backfill material:
Vertically downward

Movement of earth retaining wall:

Away from the backfill
Movement of earth retaining wall:
Away from the backfill

Figure 1: Movement of retaining wall under the condition of active earth pressure
MovementMovement
of backfillofmaterial:
backfill material:
Vertically Vertically
Upward Upward

Movement of earthof
Movement retaining wall: wall:
earth retaining
TowardsTowards
the backfill
the backfill

Figure 2: Movement of retaining wall under the condition of passive earth pressure
b) Define coefficient of earth pressure. Mention their types.
Answer: ⇒ Coefficient of earth pressure (K) is defined as the ratio of horizontal stress (𝜎ℎ ) to vertical stress (𝜎𝑣 ).
𝜎ℎ
Mathematically, 𝑲 = 𝜎𝑣
There are three types of coefficients of earth pressure that is (1) Coefficient of earth pressure at rest (𝐾0 ), (2)
Coefficient of active earth pressure (𝐾𝑎 ), (3) Coefficient of passive earth pressure (𝐾𝑝 ).
∅ 1−sin ∅ ∅ 1+sin ∅
Mathematically, 𝐾0 = 1 − sin 𝜑, 𝐾𝑎 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 (45 − 2) = 1+sin ∅, 𝐾𝑝 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 (45 + 2) = 1−sin ∅
where φ is the angle of internal friction.

(Vertical stress)

𝑲= (Horizontal stress) (Horizontal stress)

(Vertical stress)

Page 1 of 6
 Dr. J Shaikh
Assistant Professor
Geotechnical Engineering 2 ⇒ Assignment 1 Department of Civil Engineering

c) Calculate three different types of earth pressure coefficient for a backfill having 30° as the internal angle of friction.
Answer: ⇒ According to Jaky (1944), a good approximation for 𝐾0 is shown in the following equation.
𝐾0 = 1 − sin 𝜑, where φ is the angle of internal friction.
⇒ 𝐾0 = 1 − sin 30° = 1 − 0.5 = 0.5 (Ans.)
∅ 1−sin ∅ 1−sin 30° 𝟏
Also, we know 𝐾𝑎 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 (45 − ) = = 1+sin 30° = 𝟑 (Ans.)
2 1+sin ∅
∅ 1+sin ∅ 1+sin 30° 3
And 𝐾𝑝 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 (45 + 2) = 1−sin ∅ = 1−sin 30° = 1 = 𝟑 (Ans.)

d) Determine coefficient of earth pressure at rest (𝐾0 ) for a backfill having Poisson’s ratio of 0.4.
Answer: ⇒ From elastic theory, for the soil having Poisson's ratio μ, we know
μ 0.4 0.4 2
K 0 = 1−μ = 1−0.4 = 0.6 = 3 = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟕(Ans.)

e) Arrange three different types of earth pressure coefficient (𝐾0 , 𝐾𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐾𝑝 ) in ascending order of their values.
Answer: ⇒ Arranging 𝐾0 , 𝐾𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐾𝑝 in ascending order of their values, we get 𝑲𝒂 < 𝑲𝟎 < 𝑲𝒑
f) Write down the important assumptions for Rankine’s theory of earth pressure.
Answer: ⇒ The followings are some important assumptions for Rankine’s theory of earth pressure:
(1) The backfill is homogeneous, dry and cohesionless and semi-infinite. (2) The surface of the backfill is plane and
horizontal. (3) The back of the retaining wall is vertical and smooth so that there is no friction between wall and backfill
when the wall moves away from the backfill. (4) The shear strength of the backfill is governed by Coulomb’s equation.
g) Compute coefficient of earth pressure at rest (𝐾0 ) for a normally consolidated clay having plasticity index (𝐼𝑃 ) of 90%.
Answer: ⇒ For Normally Consolidated Clay (NC Clay), we know
𝐾0 = 0.19 + 0.233 log(𝐼𝑝 ) = 0.19 + 0.233 × log(90) = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟒𝟓 (Ans.)
h) Evaluate angle of internal friction (∅) of a backfill having coefficient of active earth pressure (𝐾𝑎 ) of 0.3.
∅ 1−sin ∅
Answer: ⇒ We know 𝐾𝑎 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 (45 − 2) = 1+sin ∅ = 0.3
∅ ∅ ∅ ∅
⇒ 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 (45 − ) = 0.3 ⇒ (45 − ) = tan−1 √0.3 ⇒ (45° − ) = 28.73° ⇒ = 45° − 28.73° = 16.27
2 2 2 2

° ⇒ ∅ = 16.27 × 2 = 𝟑𝟐. 𝟓𝟒° (Ans.)

i) Describe the important assumptions for Coulomb’s Wedge theory of earth pressure.
Answer: ⇒ The followings are some important assumptions for Rankine’s theory of earth pressure:
(1) The backfill is dry, cohesionless, homogeneous, isotropic and elastically deformable. (2) The slip surface is plane
which passes through the heel of the wall (3) The sliding wedge itself acts as a rigid body and the value of earth pressure
is obtained by considering the limitations of the sliding wedge as a whole. (4) The position and direction of the resultant
earth pressure are known. It acts on the back of the wall at one-third height of the wall from the base and it is inclined at
an angle 𝛿 (angle of wall friction) to the normal of the back of the wall.
j) Determine coefficient of active and passive earth pressure if the coefficient of earth pressure at rest is 0.5.
Answer: ⇒ We know, 𝐾0 = 1 − sin 𝜑, where φ is the angle of internal friction. ⇒ 1 − sin 𝜑 = 0.5 ⇒ sin 𝜑 = 0.5
1−sin ∅ 1−sin 30° 𝟏
⇒ ∅ = sin−1 (0.5) = 30°. Hence, we get 𝐾𝑎 = = 1+sin 30° = 𝟑 (Ans.)
1+sin ∅
1+sin ∅ 1+sin 30° 3
And 𝐾𝑝 = 1−sin ∅ = 1−sin 30° = 1 = 𝟑 (Ans.)

Page 2 of 6
 Dr. J Shaikh
Assistant Professor
Geotechnical Engineering 2 ⇒ Assignment 1 Department of Civil Engineering

Q.2 Long answer type questions:

a) A rigid retaining wall, 6 m high is restrained from yielding. The backfill consists of cohesionless soil having ∅ = 26°
and 𝛾 = 19 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3. Compute the total earth pressure per meter length of the wall and determine its point of application.
Also determine Poisson’s ratio of the soil.
Solution to Numerical Problem: ⇒
The wall will be subjected to earth pressure at rest (𝑃0 ) since the wall is restrained from yielding
1
𝑃0 = 2 𝐾0 𝛾𝐻 2

Where, 𝐾0 = 1 − sin ∅ = 1 − sin 26° = 0.562, 𝛾 = 19 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3, H = 3 m

1
⇒ 𝑃0 = 2 × 0.562 × 19 × 62 = 𝟏𝟗𝟐. 𝟐𝟏 kN (Ans.)
2 2
The point of application of 192.21 kN will be of height of the retaining wall = × 6 = 4 m from its base
3 3
μ μ
K 0 = 1−μ ⇒ 0.562 = 1−μ ⇒ 𝜇 = 0.36, Hence Poisson’s ration = 𝜇 = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟔 (Ans.)

b) Compute the intensities of active and passive earth pressure at the depth of 8 metres in dry cohesionless sand with an
angle of internal friction of 30° and unit weight of 18 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3. What will be the intensities of active and passive earth
pressure if the water level rises to the ground level? Saturated unit weight of sand is 22 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3.
Solution to Numerical Problem: ⇒
For dry soil:
1−sin ∅ 1−sin 30° 1−0.5 1 1+sin ∅ 1+sin 30° 1+0.5
K a = 1+sin ∅ = 1+sin 30° = 1+0.5 = 3 and K p = 1−sin ∅ = 1−sin 30° = 1−0.5 = 3
1
Pa = K a γH = × 18 × 8 = 48 𝑘𝑁/𝑚2 (Ans.)
3

Pp = K p γH = 3 × 18 × 8 = 432 𝑘𝑁/𝑚2 (Ans.)

For submerged backfill:
γsub = γsat − γw = 22 − 9.81 = 12.19 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3
1
Pa = K a γsub H + γw H = 3 × 12.19 × 8 + 9.81 × 8 = 111 𝑘𝑁/𝑚2 (Ans.)

Pp = K p γsub H + γw H = 3 × 12.19 × 8 + 9.81 × 8 = 371 𝑘𝑁/𝑚2 (Ans.)

c) A retaining wall, 4 m high supports a backfill (𝑐 = 20 𝑘𝑁/𝑚2, ∅=30°; 𝛾=20 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3) with horizontal top. Compute the
total passive pressure on the wall and its point of application. Also determine the total passive pressure on the wall and
its point of application if the backfill carries a surcharge of 20 𝑘𝑁/𝑚2.
Solution to Numerical Problem: ⇒ Given: 𝑐 = 20 𝑘𝑁/𝑚2, ∅=30°; 𝛾=20 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3, and Wall height = H = 4 m
Case 1 (Without surcharge): The passive pressure intensity due to backfill = 𝑝 = 𝑝2 + 𝑝3 = 2𝑐√𝑁∅ + 𝛾𝐻𝐾𝑝

𝑝2 = 2 × 20√3 = 69.28 𝑘𝑁⁄𝑚2 (due to soil cohesion)

𝑝3 = 𝛾𝐻𝐾𝑝 = 20 × 4 × 3 = 240 kN⁄m2 (due to backfill)
Passive thrust due to soil cohesion = 𝑃2 = 𝑝2 × 𝐻 = 69.28 × 4 = 277.1 kN⁄𝑚 acting 2 m above the base of the wall.
1 1 4
Passive thrust due to backfill= 𝑃3 = 2 × 𝑝3 × 𝐻 = 2 × 240 × 4 = 480 kN⁄𝑚 acting 3 m above the base of the wall.

Total passive thrust = 𝑃 = 𝑃2 + 𝑃3 = 277.1 + 480 = 𝟕𝟓𝟕. 𝟏 𝐤𝐍⁄𝒎 (Ans.)

4
277.1×2+480×
And point of application = 𝑍̅ = 3
= 𝟏. 𝟓𝟖 m (Ans.)
757.1

Page 3 of 6
 Dr. J Shaikh
Assistant Professor
Geotechnical Engineering 2 ⇒ Assignment 1 Department of Civil Engineering

Following figure shows the pressure distribution diagram for the entire retaining wall for case 1.

∅ = 𝟐 × 𝟐𝟎 𝟑
= 𝟔𝟗. 𝟐𝟖 𝐤𝐍⁄ 𝟐

𝑲𝒑 = 𝟐𝟎 × 𝟒 × 𝟑
𝒑𝟐 = 𝟐
= 𝟐𝟎 𝐤𝐍⁄ 𝟐

= 𝟐𝟒𝟎 𝐤𝐍⁄ 𝟐
𝟏 = 𝟔𝟗. 𝟐𝟖 × 𝟒
4m ∅ = 𝟑𝟎° = 𝟐𝟕𝟕. 𝟏𝟐 𝐤𝐍⁄𝒎

𝒑𝟑 =
= 𝟐𝟎 𝐤𝐍⁄ 𝟑
= 𝟐+ 𝟑

= 𝟕𝟓𝟕. 𝟏 𝐤𝐍⁄𝒎 𝟏
𝟑 =
× 𝟒 × 𝟐𝟒𝟎
𝟐
= 𝟒𝟖𝟎 𝐤𝐍⁄𝒎
Base
𝟔𝟗. 𝟐𝟖 𝐤𝐍⁄ 𝟐 𝟐𝟒𝟎 𝐤𝐍⁄ 𝟐

𝒑𝟐 𝒑𝟑

Case 2 (With surcharge):

The passive pressure intensity due to surcharge = 𝑝1 = 𝐾𝑝 × 𝑞 = 3 × 20 = 60 kN⁄m2

The passive pressure intensity due to soil cohesion = 𝑝2 = 2 × 20√3 = 69.28 𝑘𝑁⁄𝑚2
The passive pressure intensity due to backfill = 𝑝3 = 𝛾𝐻𝐾𝑝 = 20 × 4 × 3 = 240 kN⁄m2
⸫ Passive thrust due to surcharge = 𝑃1 = 𝑝1 × 𝐻 = 60 × 4 = 240 kN⁄𝑚 acting 2 m above the base of the wall.
Passive thrust due to soil cohesion = 𝑃2 = 𝑝2 × 𝐻 = 69.28 × 4 = 277.1 kN⁄𝑚 acting 2 m above the base of the wall.
1 1 4
Passive thrust due to backfill= 𝑃3 = 2 × 𝑝3 × 𝐻 = 2 × 240 × 4 = 480 kN⁄𝑚 acting 3 m above the base of the wall.

Total passive thrust = 𝑃 = 𝑃1 + 𝑃2 + 𝑃3 = 240 + 277.1 + 480 = 𝟗𝟗𝟕. 𝟏 𝐤𝐍⁄𝒎 (Ans.)

4
240×2+277.1×2+480×
And point of application = 𝑍̅ = 997.1
3
= 𝟏. 𝟔𝟖 m (Ans.)

Following figure shows the pressure distribution diagram for the entire retaining wall for case 2.
∅ = 𝟐 × 𝟐𝟎 𝟑
= 𝟑 × 𝟐𝟎

= 𝟔𝟗. 𝟐𝟖 𝐤𝐍⁄ 𝟐
𝟐
𝒑𝟏 = 𝑲𝒑 ×
= 𝟔𝟎 𝐤𝐍⁄

𝑲𝒑 = 𝟐𝟎 × 𝟒 × 𝟑
𝒑𝟐 = 𝟐

= 𝟐𝟎 𝐤𝐍⁄ 𝟐
= 𝟐𝟒𝟎 𝐤𝐍⁄ 𝟐

𝟏 = 𝟔𝟎 × 𝟒 𝟏 = 𝟔𝟗. 𝟐𝟖 × 𝟒
4m ∅ = 𝟑𝟎° = 𝟐𝟒𝟎 𝐤𝐍⁄𝒎 = 𝟐𝟕𝟕. 𝟏𝟐 𝐤𝐍⁄𝒎
𝒑𝟑 =

𝟑 = 𝟏 + 𝟐+ 𝟑 = 𝟗𝟗𝟕. 𝟏 𝐤𝐍⁄𝒎
= 𝟐𝟎 𝐤𝐍⁄

𝟏
𝟑 =
× 𝟒 × 𝟐𝟒𝟎
𝟐
= 𝟒𝟖𝟎 𝐤𝐍⁄𝒎
Base
𝟐 𝟔𝟗. 𝟐𝟖 𝐤𝐍⁄ 𝟐 𝟐𝟒𝟎 𝐤𝐍⁄ 𝟐
𝟔𝟎 𝐤𝐍⁄
𝒑𝟏 𝒑𝟐 𝒑𝟑

Page 4 of 6
 Dr. J Shaikh
Assistant Professor
Geotechnical Engineering 2 ⇒ Assignment 1 Department of Civil Engineering

d) A 5 m high rigid retaining wall has to retain a backfill of dry cohesionless soil having the following properties: ∅ =
30°, 𝑒 = 0.74, 𝐺 = 2.68, 𝜇 = 0.36. Plot the distribution of lateral earth pressure on the wall. Determine the magnitude
and point of application of the resultant thrust. Compute the percentage change in lateral thrust if the water table rises
from great depth to the top of the backfill.
Solution to Numerical Problem: ⇒ Given data: ∅ = 30°, 𝑒 = 0.74, 𝐺 = 2.68, 𝜇 = 0.36 and wall height = H = 5 m
Case 1 (without ground water table):
𝐺𝛾𝑤 2.68×9.81
⸫Bulk density of the dry backfill = 𝛾𝑑 = 1+𝑒
= 1+0.74
= 15.1 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3
𝜇 0.36
And ⸫coefficient of earth pressure at rest = 𝐾0 = = = 0.56
1−𝜇 1−0.36

Lateral earth pressure exerted by the backfill is earth pressure at rest as the wall is rigid
Earth pressure at the top of the wall = 𝑝0 = 0
Earth pressure at the base of the wall = 𝑝0 = 𝐾0 𝛾𝐻 = 0.56 × 15.1 × 5 = 42.28 kN⁄m2
The following figure shows the distribution of lateral earth on the wall.
1
Hence, the resultant thrust on the wall = 𝑃 = 2 × 5 × 42.28 = 𝟏𝟎𝟓. 𝟕 𝐤𝐍⁄𝒎 (Ans.)
5
The resultant thrust will act at a height of 3 = 𝟏. 𝟔𝟕m (Ans.)

= 𝟎 𝐤𝐍⁄ 𝟐
= 𝟏𝟓. 𝟏 × 𝟓 × 𝟎. 𝟓𝟔
𝟐
= 𝟒𝟐. 𝟐𝟖 𝐤𝐍⁄

∅ = 𝟑𝟎°
𝑲𝟎

=0.74
𝒑=

H=5m

= 𝟐. 𝟔𝟖
= 𝟏. 𝟔𝟕 𝒎

= 𝟎. 𝟑𝟔
Rigid wall

𝟏
× 𝟓 × 𝟒𝟐. 𝟐𝟖 =
𝟐
𝟓
𝟑

= 𝟏𝟎𝟓. 𝟕 𝐤𝐍⁄𝒎
=

𝟒𝟐. 𝟐𝟖 𝐤𝐍⁄ 𝟐
Base
𝒑𝟑
Case 1 (with ground water table):
If the ground water table rises to top of the backfill, the soil will get fully submerged,
(𝐺−1)𝛾𝑤 (2.68−1)×9.81
𝛾𝑠𝑢𝑏 = 1+𝑒
= 1+0.74
= 9.47 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3
1 1 1 1
⸫ The result thrust = 2 𝐾0 𝛾𝑠𝑢𝑏 𝐻 2 + 2 𝛾𝑤 𝐻 2 = 2 × 0.56 × 9.47 × 52 + 2 × 9.81 × 52 = 𝟏𝟖𝟖. 𝟗𝟐 𝐤𝐍⁄𝒎 (Ans.)
188.92−105.7
Hence, the percentage increase in lateral thrust 105.7
× 100 = 𝟕𝟖. 𝟕𝟐% (Ans.)

Page 5 of 6
 Dr. J Shaikh
Assistant Professor
Geotechnical Engineering 2 ⇒ Assignment 1 Department of Civil Engineering

e) A retaining wall with a smooth, vertical back face has to retain a sand backfill up to a height of 4.5 m. A uniform
surcharge of 50 kN/m2 is placed over the backfill. The water table is at 2 m below G.L. The specific gravity of soil
solids and the void ratio of the backfill are 2.68 and 0.82 respectively. The soil above the water table has a degree of
saturation of 10%. The angle of internal friction of the soil, both above and below water table, is 30°. Calculate the
magnitude and point of application of the resultant active thrust on the wall.
Solution to Numerical Problem: ⇒ Given data: G = 2.68, e = 0.82, S = 10% and surcharge = q = 50 kN/m2
(𝐺+𝑒𝑆)𝛾𝑤 (2.68+0.82×0.1)×9.81
Bulk unit weight = 𝛾𝑏 = 1+𝑒
= 1+082
= 14.88 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3
(𝐺−1)𝛾𝑤 (2.68−1)×9.81
Submerged unit weight = 𝛾𝑠𝑢𝑏 = 1+0.82 1+𝑒
= = 9.05 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3
1−sin ∅ 1−sin 30° 1−0.5 1
Coefficient of active earth pressure = K a = 1+sin ∅ = 1+sin 30° = 1+0.5 = 3
1
Active earth pressure due to surcharge = 𝑝1 = 𝐾𝑎 × 𝑞 = 3 × 50 = 16.67 kN⁄m2
1
Active earth pressure due to moist soil above water table = 𝑝2 = 𝐾𝑎 × 𝛾𝑏 × 𝐻1 = 3 × 14.88 × 2 = 9.92 kN⁄m2
1
Active earth pressure for submerged soil below water table = 𝑝3 = 𝐾𝑎 × 𝛾𝑠𝑢𝑏 × 𝐻2 = 3 × 9.05 × 2.5 = 7.5 kN⁄m2
Lateral pressure due to water in backfill soil = 𝑝4 = 𝛾𝑤 × 𝐻2 = 9.81 × 2.5 = 24.53 kN⁄m2

A B

= 𝟗. 𝟗. 𝟎𝟏 𝐤𝐍⁄𝒎
= 𝟏𝟎%
𝟐
=2m

= 𝟕𝟓. 𝟎𝟏 𝐤𝐍⁄𝒎

= 𝟎 𝐤𝐍⁄ 𝟐
𝑍2 = 3.17 𝑚
𝟏

∅ = 𝟑𝟎°
H = 4.5 m

C
𝟏

𝑃3 = 18.75 kN⁄𝑚

=0.82
P
= 𝟐. 𝟐𝟓 m

= 𝟐. 𝟔𝟖
= 2.5 m

= 𝟏. 𝟕𝟑 𝒎
Rigid wall

𝑍3 = 1.25 m

𝑃4 = 61.32 kN⁄𝑚
𝟐
𝟐

𝑍4 = 0.833 m
E D
𝟐 9.9 𝐤𝐍⁄ 𝟐 𝟐
Base 16.67 𝐤𝐍⁄ 7.5 𝐤𝐍⁄ 24. 𝟓𝟑 𝐤𝐍⁄ 𝟐

𝒑𝟏 𝒑𝟐 𝒑𝟑 𝒑𝟒

Lateral thrust due to surcharge

4.5
= 𝑃1 = 𝑝1 × 𝐻 = 16.67 × 4.5 = 75.01 kN⁄𝑚 acting at 𝑍1 = 2
= 2.25 m
Lateral thrust due to moist soil above water table
1 1 2
= 𝑃2 = × 𝑝2 × 𝐻1 = × 9.92 × 2 = 9.92 kN⁄𝑚 acting at 𝑍2 = 2.5 + = 3.17 𝑚
2 2 3
Lateral thrust due to submerged soil below water table
2.5
= 𝑃3 = 9.92 × 𝐻2 = 9.92 × 2.5 = 24.8 kN⁄𝑚 acting at 𝑍3 = 2
= 1.25 m
Lateral thrust due to water in backfill soil
1 1 2.5
= 𝑃4 = 2 × (𝑝3 + 𝑝4 ) × 𝐻2 = 2 × 32.03 × 2.5 = 40.04 kN⁄𝑚 acting at 𝑍4 = 3
= 0.833 m
⸫ The resultant thrust = 𝑃 = 𝑃1 + 𝑃2 + 𝑃3 + 𝑃4 = 75.01 + 9.92 + 24.8 + 40.04 = 𝟏𝟓𝟐. 𝟗𝟒 𝐤𝐍⁄𝒎 (Ans.)
𝑃 𝑍 +𝑃 𝑍 +𝑃 𝑍 +𝑃 𝑍
The point of application of this resultant thrust above the base = 𝑍̅ = 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 𝑃
75.01×2.25+9.92×3.17+24.8×1.25+40.04×0.833
⇒ 𝑍̅ = = 𝟏. 𝟕𝟑 m (Ans.)
152.94

Page 6 of 6