It is essential that civil engineers and structural engineers understand the behavior of soil and the forces it exerts on a structure. Active earth pressure is a complex concept that must be considered during design to ensure that any proposed structure can safely withstand earth pressure. In this blog, we will explore AEP in detail and provide a comprehensive introduction to this important concept for civil and structural engineers.
Active earth pressure is the force that the earth exerts on a structure when it is in active motion. This can occur due to a variety of factors, including changes in temperature or humidity, or the weight of the structure itself. Active earth pressure must be considered in the design of any structure built on or near the ground as it has the potential to cause earth pressure. collapse of the structure may occur if not properly taken into account.
Active pressure is a complex concept and there are several theories that try to explain its behavior. The most commonly used theory is Rankine's theory, which was first proposed in the 19th century. Rankine's theory states that soil pressure on a structure can be divided into two components: the active component, which is the pressure exerted by the soil in active movement, and the passive component, which is the pressure exerted by the soil in non-moving motion. active. .
Rankine's theory is the most commonly used theory to explain the behavior of active earth pressure, but it is not the only theory. Coulomb theory is another popular theory that was first proposed in the 18th century. Coulomb's theory states that the soil pressure on a structure is the sum of the shear force and the normal force acting on the structure.
Both Rankine theory and Coulomb theory are useful in predicting ground pressure on a structure, but they are not always accurate. In some cases, the assumption of a homogeneous soil layer is not valid, and in other cases, the soil may not be completely dry. Therefore, these theories are only approximations and should be used as a starting point for further analysis.
Active earth pressure is a complex concept that is essential for civil and structural engineers to understand. There are several theories that try to explain his behavior, but none of them are perfect. It must be carefully considered in the design of any structure built on or near the ground as it can cause the structure to collapse if not properly considered.
The article on lateral earth pressure coefficients For more information in this area, reference can be made to the following.
