Yes / Arching in soils has received great attention due to its significance on the soil–underground structure interaction. The state of stress on underground structures as a result of cycles of active and passive arching was neither explored nor systematically assessed. In the present study, comprehensive investigation was carried out to examine: i. the effects of displacement direction to induce active or passive arching, ii. the behaviour of subsequent arching, iii. the effect of magnitude of initial displacement on the formation of arching and iv. the influence of soil height on sequential active and passive arching. The results showed that alternating the displacement of the underground inclusion exacerbated the formation of active and passive arching leading to a substantial reduction in shear resistance and stress redistribution. It is noted that sequentially alternating displacement of the underground inclusion was detrimental to the formation of full active and passive arches irrespective of the burial height.