Passive Earth Pressure

Definition

Passive earth pressure is the lateral pressure exerted by soil against a structure when the soil is allowed to expand or move, typically as a result of movement or displacement of the retaining structure. This pressure acts to resist the movement and is crucial in the design and stability of earth retaining structures. Understanding this concept is essential for ensuring that these structures can safely support the weight of the soil and any additional loads while maintaining their integrity over time.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Passive earth pressure can be mobilized during events such as earthquakes or when structures move outward, allowing soil to expand behind them.
2. The calculation of passive earth pressure often involves factors such as wall friction, soil properties, and the geometry of the retaining wall.
3. The coefficient of passive earth pressure can be derived from Rankine's theory, which states that $$K_p = \frac{1 + \sin(\phi)}{1 - \sin(\phi)}$$, where $$\phi$$ is the angle of internal friction of the soil.
4. In cases where a wall is rigidly anchored, the passive earth pressure can provide significant resistance against overturning forces.
5. Designing for passive earth pressure ensures that retaining walls can safely handle lateral loads without experiencing failure or excessive deformation.

Review Questions

• How does passive earth pressure differ from active earth pressure in terms of soil behavior and structural response?
  • Passive earth pressure occurs when soil is allowed to expand against a structure, creating a lateral force that resists movement. In contrast, active earth pressure happens when the soil pushes against a structure without external restraint, often leading to different values of lateral pressures due to changes in soil conditions. The main difference lies in how the soil reacts to structural movement; passive pressure develops as a response to displacement, while active pressure represents the condition when no movement occurs.
• Discuss how Rankine's theory can be applied to determine passive earth pressure and its importance in design calculations.
  • Rankine's theory provides a simplified approach to calculate passive earth pressures by assuming a planar failure surface and horizontal backfill conditions. This theory allows engineers to derive coefficients for both active and passive pressures efficiently. By applying these calculations during design, engineers can ensure that retaining structures are adequately sized and constructed to withstand potential lateral pressures without failure, thus improving safety and stability.
• Evaluate the implications of neglecting passive earth pressure considerations in the design of retaining walls and potential failure modes that may arise.
  • Neglecting passive earth pressure in retaining wall design can lead to serious structural issues such as wall instability, excessive deformation, or even catastrophic failure. If a wall is designed without accounting for passive forces, it may not adequately resist lateral loads from soil expansion or seismic events, increasing the risk of overturning or sliding. Understanding and incorporating passive earth pressure into design practices is critical for maintaining structural integrity and ensuring long-term safety in civil engineering projects.

Related terms

Active Earth Pressure: The lateral pressure exerted by soil against a structure when the soil is allowed to consolidate without additional lateral support, causing it to push against the structure.

Rankine's Theory: A theory that provides a method to calculate earth pressures based on a simple model considering horizontal backfill and no wall friction.

Cohesion: The internal molecular attraction between soil particles, which affects the strength and stability of the soil mass.