Bilal Azhar 2015-CIV-91 Section B
EXPERIMENT NO. 3
To determine the shear strength parameters (ϕ) and (c) of the given
soil sample with the help of a direct shear test.
Apparatus:
Direct shear machine with proving ring and appropriate dial gage
Direct shear box and shear box cart
Balance or scale sensitive to 0.001g
Horizontal dial gage sensitive to 0.001 in per division
Objective:
The main objective of this experiment is to find out the shear strength of the give soil sample
in both saturated and unsaturated condition. Shear strength of the soil sample tells about the
maximum load that a soil sample can take before failure or shearing.
Reference:
ASTM D-3080- Standard test method for carrying out the direct shear test on the given
soil sample.
Related Theory:
Shear Strength:
The shear strength of a soil is a measure of its resistance to deformations by continuous
displacement of its individual soil particles. Soil shear strength is an important
consideration in foundation bearing capacity analysis, highway and airfield design and
construction, slope stability of earth, embankments and retaining wall construction.
Basic Components of the Shear Strength:
The shear strength of the soil is derived from the three components. The three main
components are:
a) Resistance to displacement due to the interlocking of individual particle within the
soil mass.
b) Resistance to translation of the particles because of the friction between individual
soil particles.
c) Cohesion between the surfaces of the soil particles.
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Bilal Azhar 2015-CIV-91 Section B
Cohesion less Soil:
A cohesionless soil is a soil that possesses little or no cohesion. Usually, soils that classify
as sands or gravels are considered to be cohesion less.
Cohesive Soil:
A cohesive soil on the other hand, is usually a fine-grained soil containing greater
percentages of clay particles. True cohesion can be developed between fine-grained soil
particles that have been in stationary 'contact' over a long period.
Coulomb’s Hypothesis on Shear Strength of Soil:
The first hypothesis on the shear strength of the soil was give presented by Coulomb.
Coulomb hypothesized that the shear strength of the soil particles is mainly depend upon
two factors. The first one is the cohesion between the particles and the other one is the
friction between the particles.
τ = c + σ tan (ϕ)
Where: τ = Shear Strength of the Soil
c = Cohesion between the Soil particles
σ = Normal Stress on the Shear Plane
ϕ = Angle of friction between the soil particles
Direct Shear Test:
A direct shear test is a test that is use to find out the shear strength of both cohesive and
cohesionless soil. However, we will confine our self to the determination of the shear
strength of the cohesion-less soils only. Figure (3.3.7a) describes a direct test shear box, its
component parts, and its carriage device, Figure (3.3.7b) depicts a soil specimen confined
in a shear box undergoing shear testing. The upper half of the shear box is being displaced
to the right. The arrangement shown is for strain controlled test. From this figure the
shearing stress τ can be determined as:
F
τ=
A
Where: F = force causing displacement (shearing force)
A = cross-sectional area over which the shearing force is acting)
The normal stress σn is similarly defined as:
N
σn =
A
Where: N = normal force (the force perpendicular to the shearing plane).
The greatest resistance to shearing occurs when the angle ɑ becomes a maximum (See
Figure (3.3.7b). The maximum value of ɑ is termed the angle of internal friction ϕ.
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Bilal Azhar 2015-CIV-91 Section B
Procedure:
Assemble the Shear Box:
Place the upper half of the shear box on the lower half.
Place two clamping screw in their proper holes to hold the two shear box halve in place.
Turn the separation screws counter clockwise until they no longer extend beyond the
base of the upper shear box half.
Place the assembled shear Box in the shear box cart making certain that it is pointed in
the correct direction.
Place the lower gripper plate (grid plate) in the shear box with the grippers extending
upward. The gripper vanes should be perpendicular to the direction of travel during
shear.
Preparation of the Soil Sample:
Firstly measure the dimension of the shear box which is used to calculate the volume
of the box.
Now, add the sample into the shear box carefully and compact the sample by using a
flat metal or wooden rod. Also rod is use to flat the surface of the soil sample.
Now, place the upper plate of the shear box on the top of the shear box.
Now, tighten the bolts on the top plate.
Place the shear box in the shear cart.
Then, took the shear box and place the box in the direct shear machine.
After that, untighten the bolts to allow the movement of the plate..
Add some amount of water into the soil to make the sample saturated.
Now, apply the normal load of magnitude 10, 20 and 30 pounds on the top plate of the
shear box.
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Bilal Azhar 2015-CIV-91 Section B
Set the load dial gauge (LDG) and deformation dial gauge (DDG) to zero.
Apply the horizontal load on the lower plate of the shear box with the help of a
machine or manually.
Note the load dial gauge (LDG) reading after 20 division with respect to the
deformation dial gauge (DDG).
Note the reading until load dial gauge (LDG) gives the same value for different
deformation dial gauge (DDG).
Repeat the same procedure on the other two samples under saturated conditions.
After that repeat the whole experiment for the un-saturated soil sample and compare
the results of the results of saturated sample and un- saturated samples. And draw the
failure envelope for both the cases.
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Bilal Azhar 2015-CIV-91 Section B
Remove the sample after failure.
When the failure had occurred, and the last measurement recorded, stop the motor.
And reverse the applied load. Continue to withdraw the load until the load cart can be
removed.
Remove the soil from the shear box. Repeat the test at least two more times with
same density and different normal loads to provide at least three points on the shear
stress versus normal stress plot.
Correction for Cross Sectional Area
As τ = c + σ tan (ϕ)
σ = Normal Stress = Normal load (P) / Cross sectional area of sample
τ = Shear Stress = Shear resistance developed at the sliding surface (F) / Cross sectional
area of sample
But cross-sectional area of the sample changes with the horizontal displacement Pressure
Plate
Therefore, Ac = b x (b – ΔH)
Ac = b2 – b. ΔH (Ao = b x b = b2)
Ac = Ao – b.ΔH
Ac = Corrected area
Ao = Original area
b = width
Δh = sample deformation
b - ΔH
Diagram:
b ΔH
Observations and Calculations
Test Specimen = Saturated
Volume of the sand = 6 x 6 x 2 = 72 cm3
Original cross-sectional area = Ao = 6 x 6 = 36 cm2 = 3600 mm2
Weight of the sample = Ws = 115 g
Weight of hanger = 8 lb 15 ounce = 8.94 lb (l lb = 16 ounce)
DDG constant = 0.01 mm/div.
LDG constant = 0.0001 in/div
Proving ring constant = 0.8 lb/div
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Bilal Azhar 2015-CIV-91 Section B
SAMPLE #1
Normal load = 10 lb
Total normal load = 10 + weight of hanger = 10 + 8.94 = 18.94 lb
Normal Stress
Ac = Ao - b ΔHCorrected Area
Shear Stress
DisplacementHorizontal
Shear ForceHorizontal
Load Dial Reading
Horizontal D/R
Sample #
Normal
Load
F
N Ac
Ac
τ=
lb N Div. mm mm2 lb N kN/m2 kN/m2
σn =
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
18.94 82.862 0.0 0.0 3600 0.0 0.0 0.0 23.01 0.0
18.94 82.862 20 0.2 3588 7.5 5.6 24.5 23.09 6.82
18.94 82.862 40 0.4 3576 9 6.8 29.75 23.17 8.31
18.94 82.862 60 0.6 3564 11 8 35 23.24 9.82
18.94 82.862 80 0.8 3552 12 8.8 38.5 23.32 10.83
1
18.94 82.862 100 1.0 3540 12.5 9.2 40.25 23.40 11.37
18.94 82.862 120 1.2 3528 13 9.6 42 23.48 11.90
18.94 82.862 140 1.4 3516 13 9.6 42 23.56 11.94
18.94 82.862 160 1.6 3504 13 10 43.75 23.64 12.48
18.94 82.862 180 1.8 13
SAMPLE #2
Normal load = 20 lb
Total normal load = 20 + weight of hanger = 20 + 8.94 = 28.94 lb
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Bilal Azhar 2015-CIV-91 Section B
Normal Stress
Ac = Ao - b ΔHCorrected Area
Shear Stress
DisplacementHorizontal
Shear ForceHorizontal
Load Dial Reading
Horizontal D/R
Sample #
Normal
Load
F
N Ac
Ac
τ=
lb N Div. mm mm2 lb N kN/m2 kN/m2
σn =
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
28.94 126.61 0.0 0.0 3600 0.0 0.0 0.0 35.1694 0.0
28.94 126.61 20 0.2 3588 9.5 8.0 35 35.2877 9.7547
28.94 126.61 40 0.4 3576 11 11.2 49 35.4062 13.7025
28.94 126.61 60 0.6 3564 15 12.4 54.25 35.5254 15.2217
28.94 126.61 80 0.8 3552 16.5 13.6 59.5 35.6454 16.7511
28.94 126.61 100 1.0 3540 19 14.8 64.75 35.7662 18.2910
2 28.94 126.61 120 1.2 3528 19.5 15.2 66.5 35.8879 18.8492
28.94 126.61 140 1.4 3516 20 16 70 36.0104 19.9090
28.94 126.61 160 1.6 3504 20.5 16 70 36.1337 19.9772
28.94 126.61 180 1.8 3492 21 16 70 36.2579 20.0458
28.94 126.61 200 2.0 3480 21.5 16.8 73.5 36.3829 21.1207
28.94 126.61 220 2.2 3468 22 16.8 73.5 36.5088 21.1938
28.94 126.61 240 2.4 3456 22 16.8 73.5 36.6356 21.2674
28.94 126.61 260 22
28.94 126.61 280 22
28.94 126.61 300 22
SAMPLE #3
Normal load = 30 lb
Total normal load = 30 + weight of hanger = 30 + 8.94 = 38.94 lb
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Bilal Azhar 2015-CIV-91 Section B
Normal Stress
Ac = Ao - b ΔHCorrected Area
Shear Stress
DispalcementHorizontal
Shear ForceHorizontal
Load Dial Reading
Horizontal D/R
Sample #
Normal
Load
F
N Ac
Ac
τ=
lb N Div. mm mm2 lb N kN/m2 kN/m2
σn =
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
38.94 170.36 0.0 0.0 3600 0.0 0.0 0.0 47.3222 0.0
38.94 170.36 20 0.2 3588 16 9.6 42 47.4812 11.7057
38.94 170.36 40 0.4 3576 19 12.8 56 47.6405 15.6600
38.94 170.36 60 0.6 3564 22 15.2 66.5 47.8009 18.6588
38.94 170.36 80 0.8 3552 25 16.8 73.5 47.9624 20.6926
38.94 170.36 100 1.0 3540 26 18 78.75 48.1250 22.2458
38.94 170.36 120 1.2 3528 28 19.2 84 48.2887 23.8095
3
38.94 170.36 140 1.4 3516 28 19.6 85.75 48.4535 24.3885
38.94 170.36 160 1.6 3504 28.5 20 87.5 48.6194 24.9715
38.94 170.36 180 1.8 3492 29 20.8 91 48.7865 26.0596
38.94 170.36 200 2.0 3480 29 20.8 91 48.9547 26.1494
38.94 170.36 220 2.2 3468 29 21.2 92.75 49.1241 26.7445
38.94 170.36 240 2.4 3456 29 21.2 92.75 49.2947 26.8374
38.94 170.36 260 2.6 3444 29 21.6 94.5 49.4665 27.4390
Graph between Shear Stress (τ) and Shear Displacement (ΔH):
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Bilal Azhar 2015-CIV-91 Section B
Graph b/w Shear Force and Shear Displacement
30
25
20
Sample
τ 15 1
(kN/m2 ) Sample
2
10
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
ΔH (mm)
Shear Stress at Normal Stress
Failure τf (kPa) σn (kPa)
13.11 23.89
20 36.2579
26.0596 48.7865
Graph b/w Shear Stress and Normal Stress
30
25 f(x) = 0.55 x
Shear Stress τf (kPa)
20 Mohr Coulomb
Faliure Envelope
15 Linear (Mohr
Coulomb Faliure
Envelope)
10
0
20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55
Normal Stress σn (kPa)
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Bilal Azhar 2015-CIV-91 Section B
Test Specimen = Un-saturated
SAMPLE #1:
Normal load = 10 lb
Total normal load = 10 + weight of hanger = 10 + 8.94 = 18.94 lb
Ac = Ao - b ΔHCorrected Area
Normal Stress
Shear Stress
DispalcementHorizontal
Shear ForceHorizontal
Load Dial Reading
Horizontal D/R
Sample #
Normal
Load
F
N Ac
Ac
τ=
lb N Div. mm mm2 lb N kN/m2 kN/m2
σn =
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
18.94 82.862 0.0 0.0 3600 0.0 0.0 0.0 23.0186111 0
18.94 82.862 20 0.2 3588 7 5.6 25.116 23.0955964 7
18.94 82.862 40 0.4 3576 9 7.2 32.292 23.1730984 9.030201
18.94 82.862 60 0.6 3564 10 8 35.880 23.2511223 10.06734
18.94 82.862 80 0.8 3552 11 8.8 39.468 23.3296734 11.11149
1
18.94 82.862 100 1.0 3540 11.5 9.2 41.262 23.4087571 11.65593
18.94 82.862 120 1.2 3528 12 9.6 43.056 23.4883787 12.20408
18.94 82.862 140 1.4 3516 12.5 10 44.850 23.5685438 12.75597
18.94 82.862 160 1.6 3504 12.5 10 44.850 23.649258 12.79966
18.94 82.862 180 1.8 3492 12.5 10 44.850 23.7305269 12.84364
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Bilal Azhar 2015-CIV-91 Section B
SAMPLE #2
Normal load = 20 lb
Total normal load = 20 + weight of hanger = 20 + 8.94 = 28.94 lb
Ac = Ao - b ΔHCorrected Area
Normal Stress
Shear Stress
DispalcementHorizontal
Shear ForceHorizontal
Load Dial Reading
Horizontal D/R
Sample #
Normal
Load
F
N Ac
Ac
τ=
lb N Div. mm mm2 lb N kN/m2 kN/m2
σn =
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
28.94 126.61 0.0 0.0 3600 0 0.0 0.0 35.1722222 0
28.94 126.61 20 0.2 3588 14 11.48 50.225 35.2898551 14
28.94 126.61 40 0.4 3576 16 13.12 57.4 35.4082774 16.05369
28.94 126.61 60 0.6 3564 16.5 13.53 59.194 35.5274972 16.61111
28.94 126.61 80 0.8 3552 17 13.94 60.987 35.6475225 17.1723
2
28.94 126.61 100 1.0 3540 18 14.76 64.575 35.7683616 18.24407
28.94 126.61 120 1.2 3528 18.5 15.17 66.368 35.8900227 18.81463
28.94 126.61 140 1.4 3516 19 15.58 68.162 36.0125142 19.38908
28.94 126.61 160 1.6 3504 19 15.58 68.162 36.1358447 19.45548
28.94 126.61 180 1.8 3492 19 15.58 68.162 36.2600229 19.52234
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Bilal Azhar 2015-CIV-91 Section B
SAMPLE #3
Normal load = 30 lb
Total normal load = 30 + weight of hanger = 30 + 8.94 = 38.94 lb
Ac = Ao - b ΔHCorrected Area
Normal Stress
Shear Stress
DispalcementHorizontal
Shear ForceHorizontal
Load Dial Reading
Horizontal D/R
Sample #
Normal
Load
F
N Ac
Ac
τ=
lb N Div. mm mm2 lb N kN/m2 kN/m2
σn =
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
38.94 170.36 0.0 0.0 3600 0 0.0 0.0 47.325 0
38.94 170.36 20 0.2 3588 16 13.12 57.408 47.4832776 16
38.94 170.36 40 0.4 3576 20 16.4 71.76 47.6426174 20.06711
38.94 170.36 60 0.6 3564 22 18.04 78.936 47.8030303 22.14815
38.94 170.36 80 0.8 3552 24 19.68 86.112 47.964527 24.24324
38.94 170.36 100 1.0 3540 25 20.5 89.7 48.1271186 25.33898
3
38.94 170.36 120 1.2 3528 26 21.32 93.288 48.2908163 26.44218
38.94 170.36 140 1.4 3516 26.5 21.73 95.082 48.4556314 27.04266
38.94 170.36 160 1.6 3504 27 22.14 96.876 48.6215753 27.64726
38.94 170.36 180 1.8 3492 27.5 22.55 98.67 48.7886598 28.25601
38.94 170.36 200 2.0 3480 27.5 22.55 98.67 48.9568966 28.35345
38.94 170.36 220 2.2 3468 27.5 22.55 98.67 49.1262976 28.45156
Graph between Shear Force (τ) and Shear Displacement (ΔH):
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Bilal Azhar 2015-CIV-91 Section B
Graph b/w Shear Force and Shear Displacement
30
25
20
τ 15
Sample
(kN/m2 ) 1
10 Sample
2
5
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2
ΔH (mm)
Shear Stress at Normal Stress
Failure τf (kPa) σn (kPa)
12.84 23.73
19.52 36.26
28.45 49.13
Graph b/w Shear Stress and Normal Stress
30
25 f(x) = 0.56 x
Shear Stress τf (kPa)
20 Mohar Coulmb
Faliure Envelope
15 Linear (Mohar
Coulmb Faliure
Envelope)
10
0
20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55
Normal Stress σn (kPa)
Precautions:
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Bilal Azhar 2015-CIV-91 Section B
Placing of the soil sample in shear box is done with great care.
Place the shear plate perpendicular to the direction of the applied horizontal load.
Set the LDR and DDG before the application of the load to zero.
Note down the least count of LDR and DDG before the start of the experiment.
Comments:
The experiment gives the shear stress of the soil sample under both saturated and un-saturated
state by direct shear test. Experiment shows that the shear strength of the granular soil is more in
case of un-saturated condition as compared to the shear strength of the granular soil in saturated
soil. The shear stress value obtained from the direct shear test is not the actual value of shear
stress to shear the soil because direct shear test is along the predetermined which may not be the
weakest plane of the soil to shear.
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