LEEDS METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

BUILT ENVIRONMENT MODULAR SCHEME

TUTORIAL Earth Pressures & Retaining Walls

1)
a)

Sketch the pressure diagram giving values of pressure at critical points and calculate the active earth
thrust and the position where it acts, for the following problems:
b)

Sand
= 20 kN/m3
= 300
c = 0 kN/m2

6m

6m

Clay
= 20 kN/m3
= 00
c = 40 kN/m2

2)

Determine the total active thrust and its position of application on a vertical retaining wall 5m high if
the soil retained has a horizontal surface level with the top of the wall and has the following
properties:
=350 =20kN/m3

3)

a) Calculate the total active thrust on a vertical wall 6m high retaining a sand of unit weight 17kN/m3
for which =320 the surface of the sand is horizontal and the water table is below the bottom of the
wall
b) Determine the thrust on the wall per metre run if the water table rises to a level 3m below the
surface of the sand. The saturated unit weight of the sand is 20kN/m3

4)

A smooth vertical wall is 6m high and retains a soil with bulk unit weight of 20kN/m3 and =200.
The top of the soil is level with the top of the wall and its surface is horizontal and carries a
uniformly distributed load of 50kN/m2. Sketch the pressure diagram giving values at critical points
and determine the point of application for each thrust and the total active thrust per m run.

5)

A smooth vertical wall 3m high retains a mass of dry sand with a horizontal upper surface. The sand
has a unit weight of 18kN/m and an angle of internal friction =360
a) Calculate the total active thrust on the wall per metre run.
b) If the water level behind the wall rises to 1.2m below the ground surface and the unit weight of
the saturated sand is 21kN/m3 calculate the magnitude of the total thrust and the line of action of
each thrust.
c) If a uniformly-distributed load of 19kN/m2 were subsequently imposed on the surface of the
sand, what would be the magnitude of the total thrust if the conditions stated in (b) still apply

6)

Sketch the pressure diagram giving values of pressure at critical points and calculate the
total active earth thrust and the line of action of each thrust, for the following problems:
b)
Surcharge 50 kN/m2

a)

3m
6m

Sand = 20 kN/m3
= 300 c = 0 kN/m2
Clay = 20 kN/m3
= 00 c = 40 kN/m2

2m water table
6m

Sand = 20 kN/m3
= 300 c = 0 kN/m2
Surcharge 50 kN/m2

7)

The soil conditions adjacent to a sheet pile wall are given. A surcharge pressure
of 50kN/m2 is being carried on the surface behind the wall. For soil 1, a sand
above the water table c=0kN/m2, =380 and =18kN/m3. For soil 2 a
saturated clay, c=10kN/m2, =280 and sat =20kN/m3. Plot the distributions of
active pressure behind the wall and passive pressure in front of the wall.

Soil 1
6m
1.5m
3m

water table
Soil 2

8)

A retaining wall has a vertical back and is 8 m high. Behind the wall is horizontal sandy
loam which has been compacted the full 8 m depth. A water table is present behind the wall
at a depth of 5m. The unit weight of the moist loam above the water table is 17 kN/m3 and
the saturated unit weight below the water table is 20 kN/m3. Its total stress parameters are Cu
= 73 kN/m2 and u = 10. Neglecting the effect of wall friction, determine the resultant
outward thrust per metre run of wall.

9)

A smooth vertical wall, 3 m high, retains a mass of dry sand with a horizontal upper surface.
The sand has a unit weight of 18 kN/m3 and an angle of friction ' of 360.

10)

(i)

Calculate the total active thrust on the wall per metre run.

(ii)

If the water level behind the wall rises to 1.2 m below the ground surface, and the
unit weight of the saturated sand is 21 kNIm3, calculate the magnitude and line of
action of the total thrust.

(iii)

If a uniformly-distributed load of 19 kN/m2 were subsequently imposed on the

surface of the sand, what would be the magnitude and line of action of the total
thrust f the conditions stated in (ii) still apply?

The cross-section through a cantilever retaining wall which supports a sandy clay is
shown below. The properties of the soil are also below.
Calculate the factor of safety against overturning about the toe of the wall, point 0,
assuming no passive resistance in front of the wall and no water-table behind the
wall.