Active and passive soil pressure
Active and passive soil pressure
(OP)
Hi all
We had a discussion at the office today regarding active and passive soil pressure. Does anybody know why it is called "active" and "passive"?
I have to admit that I never really thought about it. But now I can't stop wondering
, and Google only explains what it is. At least that is all I have found.
Regards
Thomas
We had a discussion at the office today regarding active and passive soil pressure. Does anybody know why it is called "active" and "passive"?
I have to admit that I never really thought about it. But now I can't stop wondering
, and Google only explains what it is. At least that is all I have found.Regards
Thomas






RE: Active and passive soil pressure
RE: Active and passive soil pressure
Active pressure is the soil actively pushing against the wall as the soil wedge tries to slide away from itself.
Passive pressure is the wall pushing against the passive soil in front of it, i.e., plowing through undisturbed, otherwise passive, soil.
That's why passive pressure is usually more than the active pressure. It's the difference between trying to hold back an avalanche or pushing over a mountain...on a much smaller scale.
RE: Active and passive soil pressure
www.PeirceEngineering.com
RE: Active and passive soil pressure
Interesting comments.
The reason the discussion started was this. When you move a wall towards the soil and "activate" the soil, the pressure is called "passive". One of my collegues thought that active pressure was when the wall moved towards the soil.
I just know what it is but have never before thought about the origin for the expressions. Perheps the origin for the terms is Germany or France
So far I think i like PEinc explanation best
Thomas
RE: Active and passive soil pressure
Here is what I found by the inventor of the term, Rankine
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_John_Macquor...
RE: Active and passive soil pressure
I actually did a Google search but your result was much better.
Thank you
Thomas