Abstract: Based on the logarithmic spiral failure mechanism of the retaining wall and  the nonlinear Hoek-Brown strength criterion, the earth gravity power, internal energy dissipation rate and active earth pressure power of the retaining wall are calculated by the upper limit analysis method. The analytic formula of active earth pressure of the retaining wall is derived based on the virtual power principle, and the optimal upper limit solution of the active earth pressure is solved by Matlab software. The influence of Hoek-Brown strength criterion, retaining wall and soil parameters on the active earth pressure and stability of the retaining wall are analyzed. The results show that with the increase of disturbance factor, wall back angle, retaining wall height, and soil bulk density, the active earth pressure increases nonlinearly, and the stability of the retaining wall decreases. As the geological strength index, rock mass constant, external friction angle, and uniaxial compressive strength increase, the active earth pressure nonlinearly decreases, and the stability of the retaining wall increases.

Key words: retaining wall, Hoek-Brown strength criterion, upper limit method of limit analysis, active earth pressure