Estimation of Active Earth Pressure for Limited Width of Soil Using Nonlinear Failure Criterion

When constructing a retaining wall adjacent to existing basements, the width of the soil mass can be limited. The traditional theories are not suitable for calculating the earth pressure for limited width of soil. Moreover, research achievements and engineering practice in recent years have indicated that most types of soil follow a nonlinear failure criteria. For overcoming such issues, based on a nonlinear failure criterion, an analytical formula was derived in this study by using infinitesimal method; and according to the soil arching theory, the ratio K-awn was introduced to define the ratio of horizontal to vertical stress. Through discussion and case studies, the optimum value of the ratio K-awn was obtained and numerical results showed that this method is feasible for the calculation of active earth pressure for limited width of soil. Finally, the effects of the parameters in the nonlinear failure criterion on active earth pressure were further studied, and results showed the significant effects of the parameters of the height of retaining wall H, unit weight gamma, n (n = delta(t)/phi(t)), surcharge q(0), the primary cohesion c(0), axial tensile stress sigma(t) and the length between the retaining wall and the wall of existing basement L on active earth pressure.