Abstract: The earth pressure is the major loading for the design of the deep excavation supporting system. Therefore, it is essential to accurately estimate the earth pressures along the supporting piles in order to safeguard the excavation construction. This paper presents the prelimit state earth pressure distribution along the pile. The earth pressures were back analyzed from the horizontal displacement supporting piles. The results indicated that the earth pressures acting on the piles are between the atrest and active earth pressure theories. This result is consistent with the prelimit state earth pressure distribution assumptions. The actual earth pressures at greater depths are predicted based on the back analysis results.

Key words: Rankin earth pressure theory, Coulomb earth pressure theory, Lateral deflection of piles, Prelimit state Earth Pressures