This course describes how the lateral forces are combined with vertical forces to calculate the factor of safety with respect to sliding, overturning, and bearing capacity. Calculating lateral earth pressure is necessary for designing structures when retaining walls, bridge abutments, bulk heads, temporary earth support system, and foundations. Lateral earth pressure is also discussed. This course material is based on Earth Pressure and Retaining Wall Basics for Non-Geotechnical Engineers.

At the conclusion of this course, the learner should have a better understanding about the influence of lateral earth pressure on retaining wall structures, as well as an understanding of the following topics:

• Categories of lateral earth pressure
• Basic methods of calculating lateral earth pressure
• Effect of wall movement on wall pressure
• Calculating the total active earth pressure force
• Calculating the vertical effective overburden pressure