Külgsurve

Külgsurve, often translated as lateral pressure, refers to the horizontal force exerted by a soil mass or fluid on a retaining structure or a subsurface element. This pressure is a fundamental concept in geotechnical engineering and plays a crucial role in the design of various structures such as retaining walls, tunnels, and underground storage tanks.

In soils, külgsurve arises from the weight of the soil above and its internal friction. The magnitude of this pressure is influenced by factors like the soil's density, its angle of internal friction, and the presence of any external loads. Different states of külgsurve are considered in engineering: active pressure, which occurs when the retaining structure moves away from the soil, resulting in the minimum horizontal pressure; passive pressure, which occurs when the structure moves into the soil, creating the maximum horizontal pressure; and at-rest pressure, which is experienced when there is no movement of the structure relative to the soil.

For fluids, külgsurve is directly proportional to the depth of the fluid and its density, as described by the hydrostatic pressure equation. This pressure acts equally in all directions at a given depth. Understanding and accurately calculating külgsurve is essential for ensuring the stability and safety of structures that interact with soil or fluid environments, preventing failures like overturning, sliding, or collapse.