Question

For the determination of earth pressure, Coulomb's wedge theory assumes that

• A. the back of wall is smooth and vertical
• B. the soil is non homogeneous and anisotropic
• C. the slip surface is circular
• D. the wall surface is rough

Answer 1

The correct option is D the wall surface is rough

Coulomb's theory assumes that the wall surface is rough.


Note: Other assumptions made in coulomb's theory

(i) The backfill is dry, cohesionless, isotropic

(ii) Back of wall can be inclined.

(iii) Backfill can be inclined.

(iv) There would be friction between the wall and the soil

(v) Failure plane is assumed to be a plane surface.

(vi) Sliding wedge is assumed to be a rigid body.