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GGU-CANTILEVER: Passive earth pressure

The coefficient of passive earth pressure can be calculated using several methods:

  • DIN 4085:2017,
  • DIN 4085: 2017 planar slip surfaces,
  • Streck,
  • Caquot/Kerisel,
  • DIN 4085:2017 planar slip surfaces/Caquot/Kerisel,
  • Culmann.

The earth pressure after Culmann is acquired by varying the slip surface angle (see Piling Handbook 1977). The forces at the earth pressure wedge are calculated using a slice method.

DIN 4085:2017 stipulates that planar slip surfaces may be adopted for analysis up to a friction angle ≤ 35° and a wall friction angle ≤ -2/3 phi. This returns more favourable earth pressure coefficients.