Variational analysis of earth pressure on a rigid earth-retaining wall

Based on a combination of the conventional limit equilibrium approach and Lagrange's indeterminate multiplier procedure, a generalized limit equilibrium method is developed by using the variational technique. The fundamental simultaneous equations finally obtained define the critical limit state, and its corresponding earth pressure on a rigid earth-retaining wall is established. The developed formulations are verified by comparing the computed results with those computed by traditional approaches that are based on the limit condition in the backfill. Numerical results are given to demonstrate the present method. Comments are made relating this method to the most widely used methods in design practice.