ABSTRACT
Based on the relationship between lateral earth pressure and displacement of retaining wall, a formula has been introduced for the calculation of lateral earth pressure. Then the formula was testified by monitored data from centrifuge test and realistic project. Furthermore, the formula was applied to the calculation of lateral earth pressure for finite soils where the width of soils behind retaining wall is limited. With field data from a deep excavation in Shanghai, the characteristics of lateral earth pressure for finite soils were acquired in consideration of wall displacement s, width of finite soils, d, and friction angle between soils and wall, δ. The results show that (1) the lateral earth pressure in finite soils was smaller than Rankine active earth pressure; (2) the influence of wall displacement on lateral earth pressure varied in different soils; (3) both d and δ played a key role in the distribution of lateral earth pressure but within a certain scope.
