ASSIGNMENT 3 Horizontal Stresses From Dr Nurlys Book

3.1. A wall is required to retain a cut on a cohesionless soil which has a unit
weight of 18.4 kN/m3 and effective internal friction angle of 25o. The height
of the cut is 3 m. If the wall is very rigid and the soil is in at rest condition (a)
Draw the diagram of lateral pressure behind the wall (b) Calculate the
magnitude and point of application of the thrust force on a wall

3.2. An excavation was to be made on a cohesive soil with unit weight b =

19.2 kN/m3; c = 10 kPa, and '= 10o. Calculate the depth of unsupported
excavation. Plot the active earth pressure diagram if the excavation was to be
made up to 9 m deep, and calculate the resulting force and point of application.

3.3. A vertical wall retaining a 3 m high dry sand with unit weight 18 kN/m 3,
and internal friction angle = 36o. What is the thrust force working on the wall
if uniform surcharge load of 10 kN/m2 was placed on the surface of the soil
behind the wall.

3.4. A retaining wall as shown in figure Q3.4 retains soil for a depth of 12 m.
The soil mass consists of two layers with soil properties given in the figure.
Water table coincide the interface between layer 1 and 2. (a) determine the
magnitude and point of application of the active thrust; (b) determine also the
hydrostatic pressure working on the back of the wall.

c = 0
7.0 m = 28o
b = 18 kN/m3

c = 0
5.0 m = 34o
sat = 20 kN/m3
Figure Q3.4

3.5. A concrete wall is designed to retain a cohesionless soil with the

following properties: = 20.4 kN/m3; = 35o; c = 0, = 20o. Determine the
active thrust force acting on the wall if the height of the wall is 4.6 m and the
backfill soil form an angle of 10o to the horizontal.

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3.6. A vertical wall is retaining a 5 m high soil fill with unit weight of 20
kN/m , = 32o, = 20o. A line load P = 75 kN/m is working on the soil surface
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parallel to the wall. What is (a) the distance between the line load and the back
of the wall so the load will not give additional stress to the wall, (b) the thrust
force on the wall if the line load is working 2 m behind the wall.

3.7. A gravity wall 10 m high is retaining a soil with horizontal surface. The
saturated unit weight of the sand is 22 kN/m3 and the internal friction angle of
the soil is 35o. The wall friction angle is 20 o. Ground water table is at the
surface and there is no drainage to dry the soil quickly. Calculate the total force
applied to the back of the wall.

3.8. For the retaining wall shown in Figure Q3.8, calculate the factor of safety
against overturning, sliding, and bearing capacity failure. Use the Rankine
equation to compute the earth pressures.

Figure Q3.8

0.3m
18o

Backfill soil
5.4m = 18 kN/m3
= 35o

0.9m
0.6m
0.45m Coefficient of base friction = 0.58
0.9m 1.65m

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3.9. A cantilever sheet pile wall is required to support 5 m depth of soil with
strength parameters c = 0, = 35o, and = 20.8 kN/m3. Determine the length
of pile required for a safety factor of 1.5 applied to passive pressure.

3.10. A retaining wall shown in Figure Q3.10 is to be constructed of concrete

with unit weight of 23.5 kN/m3. The backfill soil has the following properties:
= 18 kN/m3, c = 0, and = 30o. The friction between the soil and the concrete
wall is given by = 20o. The coefficient of base friction is 0.55 and the soils
ultimate bearing capacity is 620 kN/m2.

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 Figure Q3.10

15o 0.60 m
1.20 m

6.0 m
0.60 m

95o 0.50 m

3m

3.11. A sheet-pile wall is used to retain a cut to a depth of 6.5 m. An anchor

was placed at depth of 1.65 m below the ground surface (see figure Q3.11). Use
the free earth support method to calculate the depth of embedment of the sheet
pile for a factor of safety with respect to passive pressure of 2.5. Estimate the
force on the anchor.

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 q = 10 kN/m2

1.65 m

Loose sand
6.5 m = 16.5 kN/m3
' = 23o

Dense sand
d? = 18.5 kN/m3
= 33o
Figure Q3.11

3.126 m high reinforced earth wall is to be constructed using granular soil

with unit weight of 17.2 kN/m3, and angle of internal friction of 34o as
backfill material. The steel strip of width 75 mm will be used for
reinforcement. Following the size of facing unit, the vertical and
horizontal spacing of the strips are 0.3 m and 1.0 m respectively. The
allowable stress of the steel is 140,000 kN/m2. Determine (a) the total
length of strip required for a factor of safety against pullout 1.5, and (b)
the required thickness of strip.
3.13 A quay wall as shown in Figure Q3.13 is to be constructed using anchored
sheet piling as shown in figure below. The unit weight of the soil is
17kN/m3 above ground water table, and the saturated unit weight is
20kN/m3 below. The shear strength parameters are c = 0: and = 36o.
For a factor of safety of 2.0 with respect to passive resistance, determine
the required depth of embedment and the force in each tie if they are
spaced at 2 m. Design a continuous anchor to support the ties.

1.50 m
da
A T b
6.40 m

GWT

2.40 m

d
Figure Q 3.13

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3.14 A sheet pile wall is as shown in Figure Q3.14 is retaining a soil with =
18 kN/m3, sat = 21 kN/m3, c = 0, and = 33o. Using a factor of safety
2.0 for passive resistance, (a) determine the required depth of embedment
and the force in the tie rod, and (b) design the size and the length of tie
rod if the strength of the steel rod is 140,000 kN/m2.

1.1 A smooth, unyielding wall retains loose sand (see Figure 1.1). Assume that no lateral
movement occurs in the soil mass, and the at-rest condition prevails. Draw the diagram of
earth pressure against the wall and find the total lateral force acting on the wall if the
groundwater table is located 2 m below the ground surface, as shown in Figure 1.1

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 Cohesionless Soil
=16.50 kN/m3
2m =30

3m

G.W.T

1m

Figure 1.1

1-2. A vertical retaining wall 8 m high supports a deposit of sand having a level
backfill. Soil properties are as follows:

= 18.84 kN/m 3
= 35
c=0

Calculate the total active earth pressure per meter of wall and its point of
application, by Rankine theory.

1-3. A vertical retaining wall 7.62 m high supports a deposit of sand with a sloping
backfill. The angle of sloping backfill is 10. Soil properties are as follows:

= 18.85 kN/m 3
= 35
c=0

Calculate the total active earth pressure per meter of wall and its point
of application, by Rankine theory.

1-4. What is the total active earth pressure per meter of wall for the wall shown in
Figure 1-4, using Rankine theory?

7
 =15

=19.6 kN/m3
5m =30
c=0

100

FIGURE 1-4

1-5. A vertical wall 7.5 m high supports a level backfill of clayey sand. The samples of
the backfill soil were tested, and the following properties were determined:
= 20, c = 12.5 kN/m 2 and = 19.6 kN/m 3 . Draw the active earth pressure
diagram, using Rankine theory.

1-6. What is the total active earth pressure per meter of wall for the retaining
wall in Problem 1-2, with an angle of wall friction between backfill
and wall of 20, using Coulomb theory?

1-7. What is the total active earth pressure per meter of wall for the retaining wall in Problem
1-4, with an angle of wall friction between backfill and wall of 25, using Coulomb
theory?

1-8. A vertical wall 6.0 m high supports a cohesionless backfill with a horizontal surface. The
backfill soil's unit weight and angle of internal friction are 17.2 kN/m3 and 31 ,
respectively, and the angle of wall friction between backfill and wall is 20'. Using Figure
12-21, find the total active earth pressure against the wall.

1-9. A smooth, vertical wall is 7.5 m high and retains a cohesionless soil with - = 18 kN/m3
and = 30. The top of the soil is level with the top of the wall, and the soil surface
carries a uniformly distributed load of 25 kN/m2. Calculate the total active earth pressure
on the wall per linear foot of wall, and determine its point of application, by Rankine
theory.

1-10. Solve Problem 1-7 by Culmann's graphic solution.

1-11. Solve Problem 1-9 by Culmann's graphic solution.

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Figure 1.8 Coefficients for computation of active earth pressure for vertical walls supporting
cohesionless backfill with a horizontal surface

1-12. A braced sheet pile to be used in an open cut in sand is shown in Figure 1-12. Assume
that the sheet piles are hinged at strut levels B and C. Struts are spaced longitudinally at
2.5-m center-to-center spacing. Draw the lateral earth pressure diagram for the braced
sheet pile system and compute the loads on struts A, B, C, and D.

Figure 1-12

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1.1 A smooth, unyielding wall retains loose sand (see Figure 1.1). Assume that no lateral
movement occurs in the soil mass, and the at-rest condition prevails. Draw the diagram of
earth pressure against the wall and find the total lateral force acting on the wall if the
groundwater table is located 2 m below the ground surface, as shown in Figure 1.1

Cohesionless Soil
=16.50 kN/m3
2m =30

3m

G.W.T

1m

Figure 1.1
Solution

Ko =1 - sin 30

2m

(0.5)(16.50)(2)=16.50 kN/m2
1m
16.50+(0.5)(16.50-9.81)(1)=19.85 kN/m2

(a) Lateral earth pressure

2m

1m
(9.81)(1)=9.81 kN/m2

(b) Lateral water pressure

10
 2m

16.50 kN/m2

1m
19.85 + 9.81 = 29.66 kN/m2

(c) Total earth pressure

P0
16.50 2 16.50 29.66 1 39.58 kN per meter of wall
2 2

1-2. A vertical retaining wall 8 m high supports a deposit of sand having a level
backfill. Soil properties are as follows:

= 18.84 kN/m 3 , = 35, c=0

Solution

Ka
1 sin 35 0.271

1 sin 35

1
18.84 8 0.271 163 kN per m of wall
2
Pa
2
H 8
2.67 m
Point of application 3 3 above base

1-3. A vertical retaining wall 7.62 m high supports a deposit of sand with a sloping
backfill. The angle of sloping backfill is 10. Soil properties are as follows:

= 18.85 kN/m 3
= 35
c=0

Calculate the total active earth pressure per meter of wall and its point
of application, by Rankine theory.

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Solution

cos10
cos 2 10 cos 2 35
cos10 cos 10 cos 35
K a cos10 0.2818
2 2

1
18.85 7.62 0.2818 154.2 kN
2
Pa
2 per meter of wall
H 7.62
2.54 m
Point of application 3 3 above base of wall

1-4. What is the total active earth pressure per meter of wall for the wall shown in
Figure 1-4, using Rankine theory?

=15

=19.6 kN/m3
=30
5m c=0

100

FIGURE 1-4
Solution

h=0.24 m

C =15
A
B

10

5m

80

90

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 AB
tan 10
5 AB=0.88 m
BC h
tan 15
AB 0.88 h=0.24 m

1
Pa 19.6 5.24 0.373 100.2 kN
2

2 per meter of wall

W
AB H 19.6 0.88 5 0.24 45.2 kN
2 2 per m of wall

Ph Pa cos 100.2 cos15 96.8kN per m of wall

Pv Pa sin 100.2 sin 15 25.9 kN per m of wall

V W P v 45.2 25.9 71.13 kN

per m of wall

H P h 96.8 kN
per m of wall

Pa V H
2 2
71.13 2 96.8 2 120 kN
per m of wall

1-5. A vertical wall 7.5 m high supports a level backfill of clayey sand. The samples of
the backfill soil were tested, and the following properties were determined:
= 20, c = 12.5 kN/m 2 and = 19.6 kN/m 3 . Draw the active earth pressure
diagram, using Rankine theory.

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Solution

17.5 kN/m2

7.5 5.68 m=1.82 m

7.5 m

x=5.68 m

y = 1.89 m

54.56 kN/m2

20
2c tan( 45 ) 2 12.5 tan 45 17.5kN / m 2
2 2

H tan 2 45 2c tan 45
2 2
20 20
19.6 7.5 tan 2 45 2 125 tan 45 54.56kN / m 2
2 2
2c

2125 1.82m
20

tan 45
19.6 tan 45

2 2
or
17.5 75 x
; 17.5x 54.56 75 x
54.56 x x=5.68

1
54.56 5.68 155kN / m
Resultant = 2

x 5.68
y 1.89m
3 3 above the base of wall

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1.6. What is the total active earth pressure per meter of wall for the retaining wall in
Problem 1-2, with an angle of wall friction between backfill and wall of 20,
using Coulomb theory?

Solution

1
sin 35

20 sin 35 0
Bracket sin 90

20 sin 90 0 =1.707

Ka

sin 2 90 35

sin 2 90 sin 90 20 1.707 =0.245
2

1
18.84 8 0.245 147
2
Pa
2 kN per m of wall

1.7. What is the total active earth pressure per meter of wall for the retaining wall in Problem
1-4, with an angle of wall friction between backfill and wall of 25, using Coulomb
theory?

Solution

1
sin 30

25 sin 30 15
Bracket sin 80

25 sin 80 15 =1.510

Ka

sin 2 80 30

sin 2 80 sin 80 25 1.510 =0.487
2

1
Pa 19.6 5 2 0.487 47.7
2 per m of wall

1.8. A vertical wall 6.0 m high supports a cohesionless backfill with a horizontal surface.
The backfill soil's unit weight and angle of internal friction are 17.2 kN/m3 and 31 ,
respectively, and the angle of wall friction between backfill and wall is 20'. Using
Figure 12-21, find the total active earth pressure against the wall.

Solution

With =90, =0, and =20,

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