For research the relationship between pressure and displacement of retaining structure, a method for calculating the non-limited active earth pressure of retaining structures under the influence of the external wall of basement was proposed. Based on the unloading path, the mechanical parameters of soil and the displacement relationship and the non-limited active earth pressure coefficient were deduced. Then, the stress state method and the forces equilibrium method were used to solve the non- limited active earth pressure, and by comparing indoor physics experiments, the results of the stress state law were relatively closer to reality than forces equilibrium method. Based on the variation of active earth pressure of retaining structure, the influence of displacement ratio, two walls pacing, wall friction angle and cohesive force on earth pressure distribution, resultant force and overturning moment were discussed. The comparison between the results of the physical experiments and numerical examples and theoretical calculation method of the soil pressure and torque showed that the calculation method is reasonable and feasible, which provides a basis for further study of the non-limited active earth pressure theory.
