Earth Pressure Envelope for Retaining Wall in Jointed Rock Ground

Earth pressure against a retaining wall in a jointed rock ground are an important factor for design and construction. A physical model test, extensive numerical studies, and field observations were conducted and comprehensively analyzed. All of the results were integrated and analyzed to develop an earth pressure envelope for the design of retaining walls in a jointed rock ground. For this purpose, the rock mass conditions and induced earth pressures were systematically investigated for different analysis cases. The rock mass conditions were classified using the slope mass rating (SMR) method and divided into six rock mass classes. The induced earth pressures of cases in the same rock mass class were plotted together, and an earth pressure envelope that covers the induced earth pressures in each rock mass class was developed. The developed envelope was compared with field observations, which show that the field results are generally consistent with the developed envelope in the same rock mass class. The study results and developed earth pressure envelope could help to provide a better understanding and design of retaining walls in a jointed rock ground.