Consider the below statements with respect to retaining walls subjected to earth pressure and identify the correct answer. (Assume identical conditions for the soil)

Statement A: Active earth pressure is developed when the wall moves away from the backfill.

Statement B: The active earth pressure is greater than the earth pressure at rest.

Statement A: This statement is correct

•  Active earth pressure arises when the retaining wall moves away from the soil, allowing the soil to expand. This results in a decreased earth pressure against the wall compared to the at-rest condition.

Statement B: This statement is incorrect.

• In reality, the active earth pressure is less than the earth pressure at rest. The earth pressure at rest is the pressure exerted by the soil when there is no movement of the retaining wall, i.e. it's neither moving towards nor away from the backfill.
• When the wall moves away from the soil (leading to active conditions), the pressure against the wall decreases.