Abstract: Assuming that the friction angle on different slip plane varies with the angle between the slip plane and bedding plane, an method for active earth pressure estimation accounting for the strength anisotropy of soil was presented based on the method of level-layer analysis. According to four typical examples, the effects of strength anisotropy were discussed. It was shown that the active earth pressure becomes larger and the application point becomes deeper with increasing inclination of the bedding plane of the soils behind the wall. The influence of strength anisotropy becomes stronger with increasing inclination angle of the surface of the backfill.