• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.801-813
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• 2017

Passive force acting on the kicker block used to support a raker is different dependent on soil's type. The passive force incorporating a factor of safety is considered for design of the retaining wall. However, an actual passive force developing on the kicker block is overestimated and it may lead to an unsafe design. In this study, the actual passive forces acting on the kicker block in soil ground are evaluated using 3-D Finite Element Program, PLAXIS. Soft and weathered soils are selected as a soil ground. The relation curves between horizontal displacement and actual passive force of the kicker block for each soil ground are obtained through numerical analyses. From the curves, the actual passive forces are determined as a yielding point, which are about 55.5% and 66% of Rankine's passive forces in soft and weathered soils, respectively.