A model considering rolling resistance in particles is introduced into the distinct element method (DEM) for analyzing the earth pressure against a rigid wall subjected to translation movements in the passive state. The evolution of earth pressure with the wall displacement is analyzed together with micro mechanical parameters by comparing the cases with and without considering the rolling resistance of particles in the granular backfill. Results show that the earth pressure increases linearly with the increase of the wall depth regardless of the effect of rolling resistance; and the total thrust acts at approximately one third of the wall height from the base of the wall in both cases. The increase of the resultant earth pressure with displacement is more prominent in the case considering rolling resistance than that neglecting the rolling resistance. The result considering rolling resistance is more close to the classic Coulomb's solution. According to the field of average pure rotation rate

the velocity of soil particles adjacent to the base of the rigid wall is larger

implying a quick energy dissipation taking place at that region

and it becomes even larger in the case considering the rolling resistance than that in the case without considering the rolling resistance.