An experimental and analytic study of earth loads on rigid retaining walls

Abstract

Experimental and analytic investigations were performed to examine the influences of wall height, backfill behavior, and compaction on the magnitudes of backfill loads on rigid retaining walls.

Measurements of lateral and vertical backfill loads were made during tests using the Virginia Tech instrumented retaining wall facility. The tests were performed with two soils, moist Yatesville silty sand and dry Light Castle sand. Two hand-operated compactors, avibrating plate compactor and a rammer compactor, were used to compact the backfill . The backfill height was 6.5 feet in all of the tests.