Abstract: The unloading (load reduction) platforms are usually placed behind the gravity walls in order to reduce the active earth pressures. Using a new earth pressure theory, the location of the unloading platform that resulting in the minimum overturning bending moment is optimized in the paper. The factors of safety for gravity walls with and without unloading platform are compared throughout the examples. The range of the location of the unloading platform behind the gravity walls are recommended in the paper.

Key words: Retaining Walls, Unloading Platforms, Position；Factor of Safety