Active Earth Pressure Characteristics of Light Weight Soil with EPS Particles Behind Rigid Retaining Wall

To explore the active earth pressure characteristics of light weight soil with EPS particles behind a rigid retaining wall, the variation law of the earth pressure of light weight soil with the rotation displacement of the retaining wall is analyzed through model tests. In addition, we have discussed the applicability of Rankine’s active earth pressure theory in the calculation of the active earth pressure of light weight soil. The results show that when the retaining wall rotates around the bottom of the wall, the vertical earth pressure of light weight soil with EPS particles is approximately linear with increase in the filling depth. At the same filling depth, the vertical earth pressure of light weight soil basically remains constant with increase in the rotation displacement of the retaining wall. The lateral earth pressure of light weight soil increases linearly with increased filling depth. However, at the height of 120 cm, the lateral soil pressure of light weight soil is significantly reduced due to the earth arch effect. With increase in the rotation displacement of the retaining wall, the lateral soil pressure of light weight soil at different depths decreases rapidly at first, then decreases slowly, and gradually approaches a stable value. The lateral earth pressure coefficient of light weight soil has no evident change with increase in filling depth, but fluctuates within a certain range. The lateral earth pressure coefficient decreases rapidly at first and then tends to be stable with increase in rotation displacement of the retaining wall. Its rate of decrease gradually decreases with increase in filling depth. Thus, in practical engineering, the Rankine active earth pressure theory can be used to calculate the active earth pressure of light weight soil with EPS particles.