PE Civil Practice: Rankine vs. Coulomb Pressure

NCEES Civil PE Specification III.A.: Lateral earth pressure

Problem

In the context of geotechnical engineering, the Rankine and Coulomb theories are utilized to determine active earth pressure on retaining structures. Which of the following statements accurately compares the Rankine and Coulomb theories for active earth pressure calculation?

Select an Answer:

A) Rankine theory considers the effects of wall friction and backfill slope, while Coulomb theory does not.
B) Coulomb theory accounts for wall friction, backfill slope, and cohesion of soil, whereas Rankine theory assumes vertical walls with no wall friction and horizontal backfill.
C) Both Rankine and Coulomb theories consider the cohesion of soil, but only Coulomb theory accounts for wall friction and backfill slope.
D) Rankine theory is applicable only to cohesive soils, while Coulomb theory is used for both cohesive and cohesionless soils.

Practice Question: Rankine vs. Coulomb Pressure

👋 Finding this Page Helpful? Please leave us some feedback!