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GATE 2018 CE (CE2) – Question 42

Geotechnical Engineering · Earth pressure theories: Rankine and Coulomb, sheet piles · 2 marks · Multiple choice

A 3 m vertical retaining wall holds dry granular backfill with friction angle 30° and unit weight 20 kN/m³. The wall is prevented from moving. Total horizontal thrust per metre length is ______ kN.

  1. 0
  2. 30
  3. 45
  4. 270

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Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: (C) 45

Explanation

No wall movement implies at-rest pressure: $K_0=1-\sin30^\circ=0.5$. Total thrust is $K_0\gamma H^2/2=0.5(20)(3^2)/2=45$ kN per metre (C).