The Arch in Soil Arching

Abstract

Soil arching action or “bin effect” is usually quantified by use of a horizontal differential element whose support derives in part from Rankine theory. In the 1940's, Krynine mathematically proved this incorrect. The present analysis substitutes a catenary arch describing the path of the minor principal stress, which thus is complementary to a structural arch, and dips downward instead of upward if supportive. Soil arching action develops in two stages: The first involves rotation of the principal stresses adjacent to a rough wall and causes horizontal wall pressures to significantly exceed those from classical theory simulating a