Application of Kinematically Admissible Solutions to Passive Earth Pressure Problems

Abstract

The application of kinematically admissible mechanisms for the description of typical passive pressure soil mechanics boundary value problems has been presented. First, basic relations concerning material behavior along velocity discontinuity lines are discussed. Then the block equilibrium method is presented and two material models are considered. The originally presented solution for a linear Mohr–Coulomb material is compared with the solution obtained for a nonlinear material. The sensitivity of the soil failure mechanisms to material parameters is discussed. In fact, different kinematic mechanisms of soil deformation occurred for the same test conditions. Finally, a numerical example based on the method is presented for the multiple failure switches resulting from an advanced earth moving tool displacement.