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DETERMINATION OF SHEAR STRENGTH OF SOIL BY

DIRECT SHEARBOX APPARATUS

1. GENERAL
This test method covers the determination of the consolidated drained shear strength
of a soil material in direct shear. The test is performed by deforming a specimen at a
controlled rate on or near a single shear plane determined by the configuration of the
apparatus. Generally, three or more specimens are tested, each under a different
normal load, to determine the effects upon shear resistance and displacement, and
strength properties such as Mohr strength envelope.
Shear stresses and displacements are non-uniformly distributed within the specimen.
An appropriate height cannot be defined for calculation of shear strain. Therefore,
stress-strain relationships or any associated quantity such as modulus, cannot be
determined from this test.
The determination of strength envelope and the development of criteria to interpret
and evaluate test results are left to the engineer or office requesting the test.
Test conditions including normal stress and moisture environment are selected which
represent the field conditions being investigated. The rate of shearing should be slow
enough to ensure drained conditions.

2. TERMINOLOGY
Relative lateral displacement the horizontal displacement of the top and bottom
shear box halves relative to each other.

Failure the stress condition at failure for a test specimen. Failure corresponds to the
maximum shear stress attained or the shear stress at 15-20 percent relative lateral
displacement. Depending on soil behavior and field application, other suitable criteria
may be defined.

3. SUMMARY OF TEST METHOD
This test method consists of
- placing the test specimen in the direct shear device,
- applying a predetermined normal stress,
- wetting or draining of the test specimen, or both,
- consolidating the specimen under the normal stress,
- unlocking the frames that hold the test specimen,
- displacing one frame horizontally with respect to the other at a constant rate of
shearing deformation
- measuring the shearing force and horizontal displacement as the specimen is
sheared.

4. SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The direct shear test is suited to the relatively rapid determination of the consolidated
drained strength properties because the drainage path thought the test specimen are
short, thereby allowing excess pore pressure to be dissipated more rapidly than with
other drained stress test. The test results are applicable to assessing strength in a field
situation where complete consolidation has occurred under the existing normal stress.
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During the direct shear test, there is a rotation of the principal stress, which may or
may not model field conditions. Moreover, failure may not occur on the weak plane
since failure is forced to occur on or near a horizontal plane at the middle of the
specimen. Shear stresses and displacements are non-uniformly distributed within the
specimen and an appropriate height is not defined or calculating shear strains of any
associated engineering quantity.
The range in normal stress, rate of shearing, and general test conditions should be
selected to approximate the specific soil conditions being investigated.


5. APPARATUS
- Shear Device a device to hold the specimen securely between two porous
inserted in such a way that torque is not applied to the specimen. The shear
device shall provide a means of applying a normal stress to the faces of the
specimen.
- Shear Box the shear box is either circular or square. The box is divided by a
horizontal plane into two halves of equal thickness which are fit together with
alignment screws. The shear box is also fitted with gap screws, which control the
space between the top and bottom halves of the shear box.
- Device for Shearing the Specimen the device shall be capable of shearing the
specimen at a constant rate of displacement


6. PROCEDURES
1. Assemble the shear box and load the specimen into the shear box. Make sure that the
alignment screws are screwed through the top half of the shear box into the bottom
half of the shear box and the gap screws are screwed into the top half of the shear box
and touching the bottom half of the shear box.
2. Place the shear box into the shearing device.
3. Adjust the hanger retaining screw so that the hanger is in horizontal position.
4. Place a normal load to the loading hanger.
5. Set the reading of vertical dial gauge to zero.
6. Release the hanger retaining screw and record the reading of the vertical dial gauge
according to time interval in one-dimensional consolidation testing until the reading
of the vertical dial gauge ceased.
7. Remove the alignment screws from the shear box.
8. Turn the gap screws a half turn clock wise and then tow turns counter clockwise. This
should increase the gap between the two halves of the shear box.
9. Set the shearing device the advance at a rate of 0.50 mm/min.
10. Set the reading of horizontal dial gauge and proving ring dial gauge to zero.
11. Start the shearing device
12. Read and record the reading of horizontal dial gauge in the interval, for example
every 25 divisions and take the corresponding reading of proving ring dial gauge.
13. Continue recording until the proving ring dial gauge is constant or drops for three
consecutive readings.
14. Stop the shearing machine.
15. Perform the test with other normal loads.


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7. CALCULATIONS
- Calculate the nominal shear stress, acting on the specimen as follows:
A
F
=
where:
t = nominal shear stress
F = shearing force
A = initial cross sectional area of the specimen, 60mm x 60mm

- Calculate the normal stress action on the specimen
A
N
=
where:
o = normal shear stress
N = normal vertical force acting on the specimen.

- Estimate the friction angle, |, for the specimen by assuming the shear stress at failure
is t the maximum shear stress.



























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Direct Shear Testing
Sampel dimensions :-
Length, L mm
Thickness, t mm
Cross-sectional area, A m
2

Normal Load kN
Normal Stress kN/m
2

Proving ring S/N
Load
factor N/div
Final Vertical dial gauge reading mm
Reading
of Horizontal Shear Reading of Shear Shear
horizontal Displacement Strain Proving Ring Force, Stress
gauge c = oL/L dial gauge F o =F/A
(Div) (mm) (%) (Div) (kN) (kN/m2)


















No of Normal Stress Shear Stress Shear Strain Remark
Test o
n
(kN/m
2
) at Failure at Failure
t (kN/m
2
) c %

1
2
3
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