Behavior of the earth pressure acting on a retaining wall in a multi-propped excavation

This paper presents the behaviour of the earth pressure acting on a retaining wall in a braced excavation in soft clay by analyzing data obtained from construction site of the Nanjing state Trade Mansion. The earth pressures observed at the soil/wall are smaller than the Rankine earth pressures. The active earth pressure distribution appears to be R-shaped with the depth, and beneath the excavation passive pressures develop with smaller displacement of the wall than those based on Rankine's passive earth pressure theory. The mechanisms of this behavior is demonstrated by using numerical modelling.