The major principal stress in an element of cohesionless soil within the backfill of a retaining wall is________________?

A. vertical if the soil is in an active state of plastic equilibrium
B. vertical if the soil is in a passive state of plastic equilibrium
C. inclined at 45° to the vertical plane
D. none of the above

Correct Answer: vertical if the soil is in an active state of plastic equilibrium ✔

Last Updated: January 13, 2019