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Lateral Earth Pressure is the horizontal pressure applied by or to soil when it is against standing structures like basements (buildings) and retaining walls. The lateral earth pressure (\( \sigma_h’ \)) at any depth is a factor (K) of the vertical effective stress (\( \sigma_v’ \)) and cohesion (c):

Active: $$ \sigma_h’ = K_a \sigma_v’ – 2c \sqrt{K_a}$$

Passive: $$ \sigma_h’ = K_a \sigma_v’ + 2c \sqrt{K_p}$$

At Rest: $$ \sigma_h’ = K_o \sigma_v’$$ Click here to continue reading →