1.

Using the Rankine theory, determine the total active thrust on a vertical retaining wall 5 m
high if the soil retained has a horizontal surface level with the top of the wall and has the
following properties: ϕ′ = 35°; γ = 19 kN/m3. What is the increase in horizontal thrust if
the soil slopes up from the top of the wall at an angle of 35° to the horizontal?

2. Details of the soil retained behind a smooth wall are given in Figure. Draw the diagram of
the pressure distribution on the back of the wall and determine the total horizontal active
thrust acting on the back of the wall by the Rankine theory.
3. A vertical retaining wall 6 m high is supporting soil which is saturated and has a unit
weight of 22.5 kN/m3. The angle of shearing resistance of the soil, 𝝓′, is 35° and the
surface of the soil is horizontal and level with the top of the wall. A groundwater level has
been established within the soil and occurs at a level of 2 m from the top of the wall. Using
the Rankine theory, calculate the significant pressure values and draw the diagram of
pressure distribution that will occur on the back of the wall.
4. A retaining wall supports a soil as shown in Figure. Sketch the lateral pressure
distribution acting on the back of the wall.
5. Using the Coulomb’s theory, determine the total active thrust on a vertical retaining wall 5
m high if the soil retained has a horizontal surface level with the top of the wall and has
the following properties: 𝝓 ′ = 35°; γ = 19 kN/m3. What is the increase in horizontal thrust
if the soil slopes up from the top of the wall at an angle of 35° to the horizontal? Assume
𝟏
that δ = 𝟐 𝝓′
6. Details of the soil retained behind a smooth wall are given in Figure. Draw the diagram of
the pressure distribution on the back of the wall and determine the total horizontal active
thrust acting on the back of the wall by the Coulomb’s theory. Take δ = ϕ′/2.
7. Determine the maximum thrust on the wall shown in Figure. The properties of the soil are: γ
= 17.4 kN/m3, c′ = 9.55 kPa, δ = ϕ′ = 19°.
8. A smooth-backed vertical wall is 6 m high and retains a soil with a bulk unit weight of 20
kN/m3 and φ′ = 20°. 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 50 kPa. Using the Rankine theory,
determine the total active thrust on the wall/linear metre of wall and its point of
application.
9. A vertical retaining wall is 5 m high and supports a soil, the surface of which is horizontal
and level with the top of the wall and carrying a uniform surcharge of 75 kPa. The
properties of the soil are: φ = 20°; c′ = 10 kPa; γ = 20 kN/m3; δ = φ′/2. Determine the value
of the maximum horizontal thrust on the back of the wall:
(a) by the Culmann line construction;
(b) by the Ka and Kac coefficients of Table 7.1.
 From R.F. Craig’s Book 7th Edition
1. (a) Calculate the total active thrust on a vertical wall 5 m high retaining a sand of unit weight
17 kN/m3 for which φ′ = 350; 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 if the water table rises to a level 2
m below the surface of the sand. The saturated unit weight of the sand is 20 kN/m3.
2. A vertical wall 6 m high, above the water table, retains a 20 0 soil slope, the retained soil
having a unit weight of 18 kN/m3; the appropriate shear strength parameters are c’ = 0 and φ′
= 400. Determine the total active thrust on the wall and the directions of the two sets of failure
planes relative to the horizontal.