Influences of nonlinear fallure criterion on active earth pressure

The nonlinear failure criterion is employed to determine the active earth pressure and the position of slip surface in this paper. Firstly, the variables C-t and phi(t). are created by tangents method, then C-t and phi(t). corresponding to different potential slip surfaces are calculated by iteration method and the active earth pressure is obtained by using generalized Coulomb soil pressure theory. The slip surface, which has the maximum active earth pressure, should be the most dangerous slip surface, and the maximum active earth pressure is also what we desired. After comparing with the research results by Mohr-Coulomb linear failure criterion, it is concluded that the active earth pressures behind the rigid retaining walls, which are calculated by the nonlinear failure criterion, will be more practical and accurate, while adopting the Mohr-Coulomb linear failure criterion will provide a lower active earth pressure values, therefore, will cause insecurity in real project.