Numerical simulation of passive earth pressure in sand and comparison with measurements in model tests

In the paper a finite-element-model is presented, adjusted by Hegert [1] to Bartl's model test device and verified in detail by the comparison of the coefficients of mobilised earth pressure, displacements in the limit state, surface displacements, local coefficients of earth pressure and the point of application of the resultant earth pressure. The measurements can be well simulated in consideration of the possibilities and limitations of the hardening soil model. It can be shown, that the approach of DIN 4085 for the coefficient of active and passive earth pressure and the mobilisation functions of Bartl, Besler and Vogt are good approximations. Particularly it could be verified that the coefficients of earth pressure proposed by Pregl [4] and Sokolowski [5] are a good approach for parallel wall movement and that the reduction factors for rotation about the top and rotation about the foot of the wall, proposed in DIN 4085, give realistic results.