Active Thrust Due to Backfill Subject to Lines of Surcharge

Abstract

The thrust on retaining walls, when a set of lines of surcharge act on the backfill, is often calculated using analytical solutions partially based on the elasticity theory. Coulomb’s method, which is able to give a numerical solution, is, in contrast, seldom used. This technical note presents the analytical solution of the active thrust on retaining walls based on the approach of Coulomb. It is also usable in seismic conditions, when analyzed by the pseudostatic method of Mononobe and Okabe.