Lateral Earth Pressure Coefficient and Lateral Earth Pressure against Retaining Walls

According the Coulomb earth pressure theory, it is obtained that, for normally consolidated soils, the lateral pressure coefficient of a soil at rest is equal to 1, and it is independent of the soil type, either granular or cohesive; or that the material is in a loose or compact state; hard or a soft cohesive soil. Also, a methodology to calculate the earth pressure for intermediate states between at rest condition and the active pressure is presented. In addition, a methodology to calculate the earth pressure for intermediate states between at rest condition and the passive pressure is presented. Two practical examples are presented: one for a frictionless wall; and another for a coarse wall. Practical recommendations are given for the use of the lateral earth pressure coefficient for different applications.