Earth Pressure Acting on Basement Walls

Calculate the resultant force, position, and maximum bending moment due to earth pressure acting on basement walls with 1st floor above or at ground level.

Earth Pressure Acting on Basement Walls

Calculate the forces and moments acting on basement walls due to lateral earth pressure. This tool supports two configurations:

  • 1st Floor above Ground Level: Includes support from basement floor/slab and 1st floor joists
  • 1st Floor at Ground Level: Simpler case with ground level support

Key Parameters

  • hs: Height of backfill soil (m)
  • γ: Specific weight of backfill soil (kN/m³)
  • K: Coefficient of earth pressure at rest
  • ht: Height from basement floor to 1st floor level (m) - only for 1st floor above ground

Typical Values

Poisson's Ratio (μ)

  • Clay: 0.41
  • Sand: 0.29
  • Sandy Clay: 0.37
  • Sandy Loam: 0.31

Soil Densities (kg/m³)

  • Clay, dry: 1600
  • Sand, dry: 1555
Calculator

Inputs

Results

Coefficient of Earth Pressure (K)--
Specific Weight of Soil (γ)-- kN/m³
Resultant Force (Fa)-- kN/m
Acting Position Distance (da)-- m
Maximum Bending Moment (Mmax)-- kNm/m
Position of Maximum Moment (dm)-- m
ParameterSymbolValueUnit
Height of Backfill Soilhs=inputs.hsm
Poisson's Ratioμ=inputs.poisson_ratio-
Soil Densityρ=inputs.soil_densitykg/m³
Acceleration of Gravityag=inputs.gravitym/s²
Coefficient of Earth PressureK=K-
Specific Weight of Soilγ=gammakN/m³
Resultant ForceFa=FakN/m
Acting Position Distanceda=dam
Maximum Bending MomentMmax=MmaxkNm/m
Position of Maximum Momentdm=dmm