THEORY

In an unconsolidated undrained test the loads are applied quickly, and the sample is not
allowed to consolidate during the test. The sample is compressed at a constant rate (straincontrolled).Drainage is not allowed during the consolidation stage (Unconsolidated) by
keeping the drainage valves closed. Drainage is not allowed during the shearing stage
(Undrained) by keeping the drainage valves closed. Pwp developed in the sample can be
expressed by the Skempton pwp equation.

. The shear strength of soil is expressed by the Mohr Coulomb failure criteria given below
Where

s shear strength of the soil

n Normal stress on the shearing plane
c, and Soil strength parameters

The above relationship may be expressed in terms of the effective stress or total stress. In the
design of foundations, earth retaining structures, analysis of the stability of earth slopes etc.,
shear strength parameters of the soil are very essential.
It can be shown that the deviator stress at failure is the same irrespective of the confining
pressure. The failure envelope for total stress Mohrs circles become a horizontal line and
hence, this is called = 0 condition.

Figure 1: Mohr's Circles at Failure