GATE CE 2023 Set 2 — Question 42
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Geotechnical Engineering → Earth Pressure → Coulomb Theory
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Question
The figure shows a vertical retaining wall with backfill consisting of cohesive-frictional soil and a failure plane developed due to passive earth pressure. The forces acting on the failure wedge are: as the reaction force between the wall and the soil, as the reaction force on the failure plane, as the cohesive force along the failure plane and as the weight of the failure wedge. Assuming that there is no adhesion between the wall and the wedge, identify the most appropriate force polygon for the wedge.
Correct answer
(C) [figure]
Solution
In the passive earth pressure state, the wall moves towards the backfill, pushing the failure wedge upwards and outwards.
1.Weight (): Acts vertically downwards.
2.Passive Force (): Since there is no adhesion, acts horizontally from the wall towards the wedge.
3.Cohesion (): Acts along the failure plane. Since the wedge moves up relative to the plane, acts downwards along the failure plane to resist this motion.
4.Reaction (): The resultant reaction from the soil below the failure plane acts at an angle to the normal of the failure plane.
The force polygon must close for equilibrium. Option (A) correctly shows downwards, horizontal to the right, downwards along the failure plane, and closing the polygon.Continue learning with Success Tracker
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