Analysis on soil arching behind retaining wall

Considering the effect of the angle of internal friction on the inclination of the sliding plane of soils behind retaining wall, the shape of the minor principal stress arch was theoretically analyzed. Average vertical earth pressures were computed according to the shape of the minor principal stress arch, and consequently the coefficient of earth pressures versus the angle of internal friction and the angle of wall friction was obtained. Using the coefficient in the method of horizontal differential element to compute active earth pressures on the retaining wall, the theoretical formulae of the unit earth pressures, the resultant earth pressures and the points of application of resultant earth pressures were obtained.The formula presented were compared with Coulomb's formula and some experimental observations.The results show that the unit earth pressures are non-linear and agree well with those of the experimental observations. The resultant earth pressures are equal to that determined by Coulomb's theory.