Affiliation(s)
Department of Civil and Mining Engineering, University of Sonora, Hermosillo, Sonora 83000, México
ABSTRACT
According the Coulomb earth pressure theory, it is obtained that, for normally consolidated
soils, the lateral pressure coefficient of a soil at rest is equal to 1, and it
is independent of the soil type, either granular or cohesive; or that the
material is in a loose or compact state; hard or a soft cohesive soil. Also, a
methodology to calculate the earth pressure for intermediate states between at
rest condition and the active pressure is presented. In addition, a methodology
to calculate the earth pressure for intermediate states between at rest
condition and the passive pressure is presented. Two practical examples are
presented: one for a frictionless wall; and another for a coarse wall.
Practical recommendations are given for the use of the lateral earth pressure
coefficient for different applications.
KEYWORDS
Lateral earth pressure at rest, retaining wall, active thrust, passive
thrust, Rankine, Coulomb, lateral earth pressure coefficient, lateral earth
pressure coefficient at rest.
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