Earth pressure is one of the traditional research subjects in geotechnical engineering. With respect to the structural loess

shear strength and tensile strength are two aspects of structural loess strength characteristics. Therefore

the impact of tensile strength of loess on the earth pressure calculation needs to be evaluated reasonably. Based on the theory of joint strength considering tension and shear properties of loess simultaneously

a new formula of active earth pressure is derived to analyze equilibrium of active limit stress state. The formula is verified and compared with Rankine’s active earth pressure. Result shows that the active earth pressure based on the joint strength theory is larger than Rankine’s active earth pressure determined by traditional Mohr-Coulomb theory

and the tensile crack depth of soil behind wall is relatively small. Due to the overestimation of the tensile strength in Mohr-Coulomb strength theory

the value of Rankine’s active earth pressure is underestimated. However

the theory of joint strength based on tensile strength of loess can reasonably calculate the active earth pressure.