Calculation of the nonlimiting pressure of the finite soil behind a retaining wall based on the curved sliding surface

Calculation of earth pressure of the finite soil between the retaining wall and structure surface is difficult for stability calculation of the retaining wall. Thus, a novel method to calculate the nonlimiting pressure of cohesionless soil having finite width behind a retaining wall was developed to investigate the relationship between soil parameters and the earth pressure of the finite soil. The backfill was assumed to have a cycloidal slip surface through the heel of the wall under the translational mode, and the principal stress deflection caused by the arching effect of the soil was considered. Subsequently, the calculation methods for the nonlimited earth pressure distribution, resultant force, and height of its action point were obtained. In addition, the correctness and rationality of the proposed method were verified by comparing the obtained values to those of previously reported experiments. Results show that the active pressure of the finite soil presents a drum distribution along the retaining wall. The critical sliding surface of the finite soil becomes closer to the retaining wall as the internal friction angle of the soil increases and moves further away from the retaining wall as the soil/wall friction angle increases. The obtained conclusions provide a significantly reference for the design of retaining walls adjacent to buildings. Keywords: Retaining wall; Finite soil; Nonlimited earth pressure; Curved sliding surface; Critical sliding surface