FIELD MEASUREMENTS OF LATERAL EARTH PRESSURES ON A CANTILEVER RETAINING WALL

This paper presents results from a research study on determination of lateral earth pressure for use in retaining wall design. The broad objective of the study is to develop improved design procedures for retaining walls. The limited objective of the phase of the study covered in this paper is to measure the pressure acting on a typical cantilever retaining wall and to compare the measured pressures with theoretical pressures determined by Rankine and Coulomb theories. Tarra Tec pneumatic and Geonor vibrating wire pressure cells were used to measure lateral earth pressures. Procedures used to calibrate the pressure cells are presented. Measurements of the lateral movement of the wall were made during and after backfilling. Data covering a period of 14 months are presented. These data include graphs of earth pressure and wall movement versus time and graphs of pressure distribution versus depth. Engineering properties of the backfill materials are presented. Computed earth pressures based on the Rankine and Coulomb active case are compared with measured pressures. A significant finding is that the measured pressures near the base of the wall are higher than the active pressures. They are nearly equal to the at-rest pressures that are possible as a result of the small movements that occurred at the base of the wall.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1974/517/517-002.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • http://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=FIELD+MEASUREMENTS+OF+LATERAL+EARTH+PRESSURES+ON+A+CANTILEVER+RETAINING+WALL&author=H.+Coyle&author=R.+Bartoskewitz&author=L.+Milberger&author=H.+Butler&publication_year=1974
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03611981
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Foundations of Bridges and Other Structures. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

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  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Coyle, H M
  • Bartoskewitz, R E
  • Milberger, L J
  • Butler, H D
• Conference:
  • 53rd Annual Meeting of the Highway Research Board
  • Location: Washington District of Columbia, United States
  • Date: 1974-1-21 to 1974-1-25
• Publication Date: 1974

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 16-29
• Monograph Title: PERFORMANCE OF EARTH RETAINING STRUCTURES AND PILE FOUNDATIONS
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 517
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Backfilling; Calibration; Cantilevers; Design; Earth pressure; Field tests; Graphics; Load cells; Properties of materials; Retaining walls
• Uncontrolled Terms: Data; Field measurements; Graphical analysis; Lateral pressure
• Old TRIS Terms: Backfills; Design information
• Subject Areas: Design; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00084124
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309023610
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Apr 22 1975 12:00AM