Does hydrostatic pressure receive a Rankine earth coefficient?

Does hydrostatic pressure receive a Rankine earth coefficient?

• A. Yes, always
• B. No, it does not
• C. Only in special cases
• D. Yes, if it is applied vertically

Answer: (B)

Hydrostatic pressure does not receive a Rankine earth coefficient because the Rankine earth pressure theory is specifically applicable to lateral earth pressures acting on retaining structures due to the weight of soil. This theory is derived under the assumption that the soil is in a state of active or passive equilibrium and focuses on horizontal stresses resulting from the weight of the soil and its interaction with structural walls. Hydrostatic pressure, on the other hand, arises solely due to the weight of water and is applied vertically. While hydrostatic pressure is indeed important in the context of retaining structures and various civil engineering applications, it does not involve the same principles governing lateral earth pressures that the Rankine earth pressure theory describes. Hence, hydrostatic pressure is treated independently without a direct application of the Rankine earth coefficients. This distinction is critical for understanding how different forces act on structures in civil engineering contexts.

Hydrostatic pressure does not receive a Rankine earth coefficient because the Rankine earth pressure theory is specifically applicable to lateral earth pressures acting on retaining structures due to the weight of soil. This theory is derived under the assumption that the soil is in a state of active or passive equilibrium and focuses on horizontal stresses resulting from the weight of the soil and its interaction with structural walls.

Hydrostatic pressure, on the other hand, arises solely due to the weight of water and is applied vertically. While hydrostatic pressure is indeed important in the context of retaining structures and various civil engineering applications, it does not involve the same principles governing lateral earth pressures that the Rankine earth pressure theory describes. Hence, hydrostatic pressure is treated independently without a direct application of the Rankine earth coefficients. This distinction is critical for understanding how different forces act on structures in civil engineering contexts.