Reduced passive earth pressure

Evolution of passive earth pressure σ_p corresponds to the maximal displacement of a structure pushed into the soil. Such a displacement might not, however, occur (e.g. in the case of fixed sheeting structures) and the structure is loaded by the reduced passive earth pressure σ_ps. The value of reduced passive earth pressure σ_ps can range from the value of earth pressure at rest σ_r (in the case of zero deformation) up to the value of passive earth pressure σ_p. Figure shows the dependence of values of earth pressure of a cohesionless soil (soil resistance) on the actual displacement d to maximal displacement d_max ratio (when activating passing earth pressure σ_p).

Dependence of earth pressure values on the ratio of actual structure deformation