SUMMARY
Coulomb's Wedge Theory primarily addresses limit active (k_a) and passive (k_p) lateral earth pressures, neglecting the concept of earth pressure at rest (k_o). The discussion highlights that k_o, which for non-compacted dense sand with an internal friction angle of 30 degrees is approximately 0.5, receives less attention in literature compared to k_a (0.33) and k_p (3.0). This oversight is attributed to the fact that small deflections in retaining walls or foundations lead to k_a and k_p dominating the behavior of lateral loads, thus minimizing the relevance of k_o in practical applications.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of Coulomb's Wedge Theory
- Knowledge of lateral earth pressure coefficients (k_a, k_p, k_o)
- Familiarity with soil mechanics and internal friction angles
- Basic principles of retaining wall design
NEXT STEPS
- Research the derivation of earth pressure at rest coefficients (k_o)
- Study the implications of lateral earth pressures on retaining wall design
- Examine case studies involving non-compacted dense sand and its behavior under lateral loads
- Explore advanced soil mechanics concepts related to earth pressure theories
USEFUL FOR
Civil engineers, geotechnical engineers, and students studying soil mechanics who are interested in understanding the nuances of earth pressure theories and their applications in foundation design.