This lesson introduces the concept of lateral earth pressures and how geotechnical engineers compute them using lateral earth pressure coefficients. The differences between active, passive, and atrest cases are explained. Rankine passive and active earth pressure coefficients are derived for cohesionless soil, and an example retaining wall problem is solved.

Learning Objectives:

1) Explain the differences between passive, active, and atrest lateral earth pressure.

2) Compute the Rankine active and/or passive lateral pressure coefficient(s) for a given cohesionless soil.

3) Solve the equivalent lateral earth force (active or passive) acting on a wall, including the possibility for multiple soil layers, water behind the wall, and a surcharge on top of the wall.