Compaction of backfill behind a retaining wall is normally affected by the compactors. The
compaction plant can be represented approximately by a surcharge load equal to the weight of
the roller. If a vibratory roller is employed, the centrifugal force due to the vibrating
mechanism should be added to the static weight. After compaction, the lateral stress does not
revert to the basic value (kaγz). At a certain depth, the residual lateral pressure may be high
enough to cause passive failure in the soil behind the retaining wall. The present paper
analyses the effect of compaction of the backfill behind the retaining walls. The values of the
residual lateral earth pressure induced by common compacting equipment the most parts of
the world especially in Egypt are calculated by the classical methods (the method of Canadian
code of Practice). The study compares the method of Canadian Practice results and the results
of the analysis using the finite element to enhance the method of calculation the lateral earth
pressure due to compaction.