Abstract
In a previous paper, we proposed a new method for setting the earth pressure on the back side and equilibrium and passive earth pressures on the excavated side, and the coefficient of subgrade reaction on the excavated side in regard to clayey soil. These are the elements for the ground spring method employed widely in the design of earth-retaining structures.
This paper proposes extending the above-mentioned method to cover the case in which hard ground exists below the excavated bottom. This paper also demonstrates the result of a study on applicability of the earth pressures and the coefficient of subgrade reaction derived in this and previous papers. On the basis of these studies, we propose a rational and practical method to set earth pressures and the coefficient of subgrade reaction for use as input items in the ground spring method for ordinary earth-retaining structures in clayey soil.
