New Insight into Developing Mathematical Models for Predicting Deformation-Dependent Lateral Earth Pressure

Abstract

All existing mathematical models for predicting deformation-dependent lateral earth pressure assume the at-rest state as the turning point for the relationship between lateral earth pressure and soil deformation. However, this assumption lacks rigorous consideration of the physical meaning of the turning point. In this study, the physical implications of the turning point in a general relationship between lateral earth pressure and soil deformation are analyzed. A simple hyperbolic model is subsequently developed and then validated using experimental results from plane strain loading tests. It is found that it is more appropriate to take the isotropic stress state as the turning point, because the principal stress orientation begins to rotate at this point. This finding is helpful and constructive for developing mathematical models that predict deformation-dependent lateral earth pressure. The proposed simple hyperbolic model can be used to describe well the measured nonlinear relationship between lateral earth pressure and soil deformation.