Module 38 / Topic 29

‘CONTROLLED YIELDING TECHNIQUE’ FOR THE REDUCTION OF

LATERAL EARTH PRESSURE
In the case of an R.C. cantilever retaining wall, designing the stem for active earth
pressure – which is the lowest value of pressure from the backfill – is justifiable on the
assumption that the corresponding stem design which would therefore be the thinnest,
will deflect sufficiently under the earth pressure to bring about active pressure
conditions (Sec.4.8). Such a design would indeed be unsafe if active conditions do not
develop, the same being the lowest value of earth pressure.

There is, however, a group of rigid structures which are called upon to retain soil,
in whose case designing for active soil pressure would be unsafe because of a
possible lack of yielding of the structure, which is to be anticipated. Examples are
basement walls, bridge abutments, box culverts, etc. whose rigidity prevents the lateral
yielding of the soil. In such cases it would be realistic and necessary to use the
coefficient of earth pressure at rest (K0) which is much higher than the corresponding
value of Ka (see Sec.4.4).

An ingenious solution, however, is available whereby the soil can be made to yield
to the active state. This involves the placement of a soft compressible mediumat the
interface between the structure and the soil. Fig.29.1 illustrates this principle in
respect of a box culvert. This method whereby active earth pressure can be realised
is called the controlled yielding technique.

The term controlled implies designing the thickness of the soft layer to give the
required value of compression, which is a function of the stiffness and the stress-strain
relationship of the material apart from its thickness. It would indeed be ideal if this
compressible layer can additionally serve as a drainage layer so that it can serve dual
functions in one shot.

The innovative technique of controlled yielding was employed successfully to

reduce the lateral earth pressures on rigid box culverts, typically 3 to 6 m in height
over a stretch of 9 km along the new alignment of a highway project in the State of
Gujarat in India, with a view to economising the structural design of these culverts.
Purnanandam and Rajagopal (2008) describe the experimental and analytical studies
undertaken by them in relation to this project.

Reference

Purnanandam, K. And Rajagopal, K. (2008), “Lateral earth pressure reduction due to

controlled yielding technique,” Indian Geotechnical Journal, Vol. 38, No. 3, pp. 317-
333.