Abstract：In this paper，numerical analyses for passive earth pressure problems of the rigid retaining wall are performed，aiming at improving understanding of the factors governing the magnitudes and distributions of the earth pressures on retaining walls. Passive earth pressure problems are analyzed by using a Mohr-Coulomb constitutive model of soil. A method to describe the frictional behavior between soil and walls is proposed using the elastoplastic joint elements. The computed variations of earth pressure with wall displacement in passive states explain well the influence of the wall friction and the wall movement.
