GATE CE 2024 Set 1 — Question 41
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Geotechnical Engineering → Earth Pressure → Rankine Theory
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Question
A vertical smooth rigid retaining wall is supporting horizontal ground with dry cohesionless backfill having a friction angle of . The inclinations of failure planes with respect to the major principal plane for Rankine’s active and passive earth pressure conditions, respectively, are
Correct answer
(B) 60^ and 60^
Solution
According to Rankine's theory, the failure plane in a soil mass makes an angle of with the major principal plane.
.
Thus, for both active and passive conditions, the inclination with respect to the major principal plane is . Correct option is (B).
- In the Active state: The vertical stress is the major principal stress (). The major principal plane is the horizontal plane. The failure plane makes an angle of with the horizontal.
- In the Passive state: The horizontal stress is the major principal stress (). The major principal plane is the vertical plane. The failure plane makes an angle of with the vertical.
.
Thus, for both active and passive conditions, the inclination with respect to the major principal plane is . Correct option is (B).
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