The at-rest earth pressure coefficient prediction using simple elasto-plastic constitutive models

The paper deals with the theoretical prediction of the at-rest earth pressure coefficient for normally consolidated soils (k0(NC)) using simple elasto-plastic constitutive models. In the first part of the work, the k0(NC) expressions derived from critical state soil mechanics models are critically discussed. It is shown that, adopting typical values of the models parameters, the experimental k0(NC) values are usually over-predicted. In the second part, a possible modification of the critical state model formulation, which allows to predict lower k0(NC) values for a fixed angle of shearing resistance, is considered. Finally, a discussion of the results and some brief conclusions are proposed. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.