Rankine's Earth Pressure Theory

Rankine's Earth Pressure Theory explains how soil exerts lateral pressure on retaining structures like walls. It assumes soil is dry, cohesionless, and slopes are vertical. According to the theory, the pressure increases with depth due to the weight of overlying soil, forming a pressure distribution that is linear with depth. The theory calculates active and passive earth pressures based on soil properties and friction angles, helping engineers design stable retaining walls. Essentially, it predicts how soil pushes against structures, ensuring they are built strong enough to resist failure.