Abstract:

Based on the limit equilibrium theory for axially symmetric condition, the active earth pressure of circular pit obtained with slip-line method was extended to non-uniform surcharge loading. By analyzing the influence of the radius of pit and soil parameters to the active earth pressure distribution, it was achieved that the influence is identical to Rankine theory. The comparison of slip-line field and active earth pressure distribution under non-uniform and uniform surcharge loading was made, it is show n that the surcharge loading at some region only affects the earth pressure at some specific area. So, it is easy to estimate earth pressure distribution qualitatively according to the distribution of surcharge loading.

Key words: circular pit, active earth pressure, non-uniform surcharge loading