ARCHING IN SOILS

Abstract

In this investigation, the phenomenon of arching in cohesionless soils has been studied by model tests, The model consisted of a box measuring inside lOOxliOx11O cm with a trap door in the bottom, Door sizes were kept L Qx5 , L OxlO , ' CiO x 15 and Lb x 20 cm, Tests were conducted on Ranipur sand compacted at relative density 75% , The investigation included the study on (i) Rupture surface and (ii) Pressure Distribution, It is found that the shape of rupture surface is dependent on the height of the fill, The pressure distribution above the, trap door was found to be the function of (i) Trap Door Movement and (ii) Height of the Fill, The results were found to agree reasonably with Terzaghi's theory of arching when adequate movement of door has occurred. Hence there is a nee8. for generalizing tn.is theory to account for trap door movement,