Abstract：In the past 50 years, differential stratum equilibrium has been the basis of calculation theory research of earth pressure against retaining walls at home and abroad, but a common problem is that the change law of the lateral earth pressure coefficient with the friction angle between wall back and soil was contrary to the coulomb’s resultant force, that is, the assumptions on coefficient of lateral earth pressure are different, the assumed coefficient of lateral earth pressure and coefficient of resultant force of lateral earth pressure are actually the same physical variable and they differ only in the definition and concept, but they are contrary to each other. Based on the mathematical principle for lateral earth pressure distribution formula derived from differential stratum, it is disclosed that the achievement obtained from differential stratum that the curved distribution of earth pressure shall be the necessary result due to the self-contradiction in assumption and result of lateral earth pressure coefficients, leading to a mistake which is contrary to classical theoretic law. Based on the research method for non-limit state earth pressure and the deformation and stress results from FEM simulation, it is shown that the real distribution curve of earth pressure against retaining walls is remarkably different from the calculating result by using differential stratum method, especially at the bottom of wall and the vertical part. Furthermore, it is clarified that the differential stratum equilibrium method can not be used for studying the distribution curve of earth pressure against retaining walls when considering the frictional force behind wall， otherwise, the mistake may occur due to the self-contradiction in assumption and conclusion and the severe deviation of earth pressure at the part close to the bottom of wall, which shall be attributed to the difference between mathematical principle of differential stratum equilibrium and simplification of mechanical model.
孙建生 王银梅. 基于微分层平衡挡土墙土压力曲线分布计算理论研究的谬误[J]. 土木工程学报, 2017, 50(5): 114-122.
Sun Jiansheng Wang Yinmei. Mistake in calculation theory for earth pressure against retaining walls based on differential stratum equilibrium. 土木工程学报, 2017, 50(5): 114-122.
