The lateral earth #pressure is the pressure that #soil exerts in the horizontal direction. It is important because it affects the consolidation behavior and strength of the soil and because it is considered in the design of #geotechnicalEngineering structures such as #retainingWalls, #basements, #tunnels, #deepFoundations and braced excavations. The earth pressure problem dates from the beginning of the 18th century, when Gautier listed five areas requiring research.