Basement walls with restricted horizontal movement at the top should be designed for which type of pressure?

When basement walls are designed with restricted horizontal movement at the top, it indicates that the wall is restrained and cannot move outward. In this scenario, the correct type of pressure to consider is the at-rest pressure.

At-rest pressure occurs when the soil behind the wall exerts a force on the wall when there is no movement. This type of pressure is essential in situations where the wall is fixed in place because it reflects the lateral earth pressure exerted without any wall displacement. In contrast, active pressure would apply if the wall were allowed to move or yield, while passive pressure refers to the resistance offered by the soil when a wall moves into the soil, leading to increased resistance. Dynamic pressure typically relates to loads that vary over time, such as seismic or vibrational forces, which is not the focus here.

In summary, recognizing the at-rest pressure as the correct choice in this scenario reflects the need to account for the horizontal pressures acting on the wall when it is fixed in its position. This ensures proper structural integrity and safety of the basement walls.