Amin Keshavarz

This paper attempted to examine the passive lateral earth pressure of axisymmetric retaining walls. The Stress Characteristics Method (SCM) was employed for analysis. The stress equilibrium equations were obtained through the finite difference method along the characteristic lines. Effects of backfill slope, wall angle, and radius of retaining wall on passive stress distribution on the retaining wall were analyzed. Furthermore, the wall was considered frictional and adhesive. Apart from the axisymmetric retaining wall, the analysis covered a wall under plane strain condition. The validity of the results was confirmed through developing and comparing a number of models through the finite element method versus the SCM. This study showed that the level of passive lateral pressure of retaining walls in axial symmetry was higher than that of walls under plane strain condition. Moreover, axial symmetry or plane strain type of wall did not affect the level of unconfined yield stress, which was evident in the finite element model.