213

*Shear strength01: Maximum shear on the failure plane.

(Revision: Oct-08)
A consolidated un-drained triaxial test was performed on a specimen of saturated clay with a
chamber pressure
3 2
2.0
kg
cm
= . At failure,
1 3 2 2
2.8 , 1.8 57
kg kg
u and the failure plane angle
cm cm
= = = .
Calculate (1) the normal stress and (2) shear stress on the failure surface and (3) the
maximum shear stress on the specimen.
Solution:
1
2
3
2
2.8 2.0 4.8
2.0
kg
cm
kg
cm

= + =
=
Shear stress
1 3
2
4.8 2
sin 2 sin114 1.27
2 2
kg
cm



= = =


Normal stress
1 3 1 3
2
4.8 2 4.8 2
cos 2 cos114 2.83
2 2 2 2
kg
cm


+ +
= + = + =


Maximum shear
1 3
2
4.8 2
sin 2 1.4
2 2
MAX
kg
cm



= = =


at 45 =
214
*Shear strength02: Why is the maximum shear not the failure shear?
(Revised Oct-09)
Using the results of the previous Problem 01, and
2
24 , ' 0.80
kg
c
cm
= = , show why the sample
failed at 57 grades instead of the plane of maximum shear stress.
Solution:
On failure plane
( )
2
57 2
' 2.83 1.8 1.03
' ' tan 0.8 (1.03tan 24 ) 1.27
kg
u
cm
kg
S c
cm

= = =
= + = + =
Compare that to = 1.27 kg/cm from the previous problem, and note that they are equal, and so for
both,
57 57
failed. S

= .
Now at the plane of maximum shear stress 45 =
2
2
45 2
4.8 2 4.8 2
cos90 3.4
2 2
' 3.4 1.8 1.6
' ' tan 0.8 (1.60tan 24 ) 1.51
kg
cm
kg
cm
kg
s c
cm

+
= + =


= =
= + = + =
The shear strength at 45 is much larger than at 57, therefore failure does not occur.
215
*Shear strength03: Find the maximum principal stress
1
.
(Revised Oct-09)
Continuing with the data from the two previous problems, the same soil specimen is now loaded
slowly to failure in a drained test, that is u = 0, with
3 2
2.0
kg
cm
= . What will be the major principal
stress at failure?
Solution:
a) Analytically, in a drained test u = 0; at failure
3 3 2
' 2
kg
cm
= = , on the failure plane 57 = .
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
1 1
1
1
1
1 2 2 2
' 2 ' 2
' ' tan 0.80 cos114 tan 24 1.426 0.132 '
2 2
' 2
sin114 0.457 ' 0.914
2
' 7.31 ; 3.6 2.38
s c
and
At failu
kg kg k
re s
g
and
cm cm cm

+
= + = + + = +



= =


= = = =
b) Graphically,
216
*Shear strength04: Find the effective principal stress.
(Revised Oct-09)
A drained triaxial test on a normally consolidated clay showed that the failure plane makes an
angle of 58 with the horizontal. If the sample was tested with a chamber confining pressure of
103.5 kN/m
2
, what was the major principal stress at failure?
Solution:
45 58 45 26
2 2

= + = + =

Using the equation that relates the major principal stress
1
to the minor principal stress
3
, and with c =
0 (the value of cohesion for a normally consolidated clay),
( )
2 2
1
2
1 3
26
' ' tan 45 103.5 tan 45 26
2 2
5
kN
m

= + = + =



217
*Shear strength05: Using the p-q diagram.
(Revised Oct-09)
Triaxial tests performed on samples from our Miami Pamlico formation aeolian sand, showed the
peak stresses listed below. Plot these values on a p-q diagram to find the value of the internal angle
of friction.

1
= 76 psi for
3
= 15 psi p = 45.5, q = 30.5 psi (1)

1
= 148 psi for
3
= 30 psi p = 89.0, q = 59.0 psi (2)

1
= 312 psi for
3
= 60 psi p = 186.0, q = 126.0 psi (3)

1
= 605 psi for
3
= 120 psi p = 362.5, q = 242.5 psi (4)
Solution:
Remember that p = (
1
+
3
)/2 and q = (
1

3
)/2
From the p-q diagram:
4
4
2 4 2 . 5
t a n 0 . 6 6 8
3 6 2 . 5
s i n t a n 0 . 6 6 8 4 2
q
p

= =
= = =
q (psi)
300
4
3
2
1
200
100
=34
100 200 300 400
p(psi)
218
**Shear strength06: Consolidated-drained triaxial test.
(Revised Oct-09)
A consolidated-drained triaxial test was conducted on a normally consolidated clay. The results
are as follows: ( )
3 2 2
' 276 276
d
f
kN kN
m m
= =
Determine:
(a) The angle of friction ;
(b) The angle that the failure plane makes with the major principal plane, and
(c) The normal stress and shear stress
f
on the failure plane.
Solution:
For normally consolidated soil the failure envelope equation is:
' t a n
f
= because c = 0
For the triaxial test, the effective major and minor principal stresses at failure are as follows:
( )
1 1 3 2
' 276 276 552
d
f
kN
m
= = + = + = and
3 3 2
' 276
kN
m
= =
Part A.
The Mohr circle and the failure envelope are shown in the figure below, from which:
1 3
1 3
1 3
1 3
' '
' ' 552 276
2
sin 0.333
' '
' ' 55
19.45
2 276
2
AB
OA

= = = = =
+
+ +
=
219
Part B.
19.45
45 45 54.7
2 2

= + = + =
Part C.
1 3 1 3
( )
' ' ' '
' cos 2
2 2
on the failure plane


+
= +
and
1 3
' '
sin 2
2
f

=

Substituting the values of
1 3 2 2
' 552 , ' 276
kN kN
m m
= = and 54.7 = in the preceding
equations,
( )
( )
2
2
552 276 552 276
' cos 2 54.7
2 2
552 276
sin 2 54
36
.
8
130 7
2
f
kN
m
N
m
and
k

+
= + =

= =
220
**Shear strength07: Triaxial un-drained tests.
(Revised Oct-09)
Triaxial un-drained tests were performed on clay samples taken from the stratum shown below.
The tests were taken with pore water pressure measurements, and
2
' 20 , 24
kN
c and
m
= =
(a) Find the clay shear strength at its mid-stratum, and
(b) Find the effective and total stresses at the same level acting on a vertical face of a soil element.
Solution:
(a) For the gravel:
( )
( )
3
1
3 3 3 2
1 1 1
3 2
1
2 3 2
16 0.3 10 19
4 16 9 19 3.5 17.6 297
' (9 3.5) 297 10 12.5 173
' ' tan ' 20 173 tan 2 6 4 96.
sat d w
w
kN
n x
m
kN kN kN kN
For m m
m m m m
kN kN
For u m
m m
kN kN
S c
m m
kN
m

= + = + =

= + = =



= = + = =


= + = + =
221
(b) Since the clay is saturated,
( )
( )
2
3 1 1
2
3 3
2 3
' ' 0.5 ' 0.5 173 86
' 86 13 3.5 10 251
o
kN
K
m
kN kN
and u m m
k
m m m
N


= = = =
= + = + + =
222
**Shear strength-08: Consolidated and drained triaxial test.
(Revised Oct-09)
Two similar clay soil samples were pre-consolidated in triaxial equipment with a chamber
pressure of 600 kN/m
2
. Consolidated-drained triaxial tests were conducted on these two
specimens. The following are the results of the tests:
Specimen 1: Specimen 2:
( )
3 2
2
100
410.6
d
f
kN
m
kN
m

=
=
( )
3 2
2
50
384.37
d
f
kN
m
kN
m

=
=
Find the values of the cohesion c and the angle of internal friction .
Solution:
For Specimen 1, the principal stresses at failure are,
( )
3 3 1 1 3
2 2
' 100 ' 100 410.6 510.6
d
f
kN kN
and
m m
= = = = + = + =
Similarly, the principal stresses at failure for specimen 2 are
( )
3 3 1 1 3
2 2
' 50 ' 50 384.4 434.4
d
f
kN kN
and
m m
= = = = + = + =
223

These two samples are over-consolidated. Using the relationship given by equation
2
1 1
1 3
' ' tan 45 2 tan 45
2 2
c



= + + +



Thus, for specimen 1
( ) ( )
2 1 1
510.6 100 tan 45 2 tan 45
2 2
c


= + + +



and for specimen 2
( ) ( )
2 1 1
434.4 50 tan 45 2 tan 45
2 2
c


= + + +



Subtracting both equations ( ) ( )
1
2 1
76.2 50 ta 45 1 n
2
2

= +

Substituting
1
into the equation,
( ) ( )
2
2
12 12
510.6 100 tan 45 2 tan 45
2 2
510.6 15 14 2.5 2.47 5
kN
c
m
c
c

= + + +


= = +

224
***Shear strength-09: Plots of the progressive failure in a shear-box.
(Revised Oct-09)
A soil test is performed in the shear-box shown below. The test data lists the stresses and
displacements. Assign positive normal stresses to compression and positive shear stresses are
counter-clockwise. Plot the Mohr circles of stress for each stage.
DISPLACEMENTS(mm)
Stage
x y

XX
(kpa)

YY
(kpa)

xy
(kpa)

yx
(kpa)
a 0 0 30 70 0 0
b 0.30 -0.50 71 70 31.0 -31.3
c (peak) 2.50 -0.60 145 70 43.3 =49.0
d 3.00 -0.82 - - - -
e 10.00 1.50 90.6 70 24.5 -32.0
Solution:
For small displacements, the x and y planes remain perpendicular. Use a compass to locate by trial and
error the center of the Mohr circle. The center of the circle must lie on the axis, and it must be
equidistant from the two stress points
( ) ( )
' , ' ,
xx xy yy yx
and .
TABLE OF VALUES
STAGE
1 3
' '
'
2
S
+
=
kPa
1 3
' '
2

=
kPa
' S

Change in angle between

x + y plan (in degrees)
a 50 20 0.40 0
b 70.5 31.2 0.44 0
c (peak) 103 60 0.58 5.25
e 70 32 0.46 21
225
226
227
**Shear strength-10: Shear strength along a potential failure plane.
(Revision Oct-09)
An engineer is evaluating the stability of the slope in the figure below, and considers that the
potential for a shear failure occurs along the shear surface shown. The soil has an angle
= 30 ' and no cohesive strength. Compute the shear strength at point A along this surface when
the groundwater table is at level B, then compute the new shear strength if it rose to level C. The
unit weight of the soil is 120 lb/ft
3
above the WT and 123 lb/ft
3
below.
Solution:
When the groundwater table is at B:
2 2 3 3
2 3
4332 1248 ) 20 ( 123 ) 26 ( 120 '
1248 ) 20 ( 4 . 62
ft
lb
ft
lb
ft
ft
lb
ft
ft
lb
u H
ft
lb
ft
ft
lb
z u
z
w z
=

= =
=

= =

The potential shear surface is horizontal, so

z
' ' =
2 2
' tan ' 4332 tan 3 25 1 0 0
lb
s
f t t
lb
f


= = =


When the groundwater table is at C:
2 2 3 3
2 3
3619 1997 ) 32 ( 123 ) 14 ( 120 '
1997 ) 32 ( 4 . 62
ft
lb
ft
lb
ft
ft
lb
ft
ft
lb
u H
ft
lb
ft
ft
lb
z u
z
w z
=

= =
=

= =

2 2
' tan ' 3619 tan 3 20 9 0 8
lb
s
f t t
lb
f


= = =


Potential shearing surface
C
B
A
228
***Shear strength-11: Use of the Mohr-Coulomb failure envelope.
(Revised Oct-09)
Samples have been obtained from both soil strata shown in the figure below. A series of shear
strength tests were then performed on both samples and plotted in diagrams below. The c and
values obtained from these diagrams are shown in the figure below. Using this data, compute the
shear strength on the horizontal and vertical planes at points A, B, and C.
Solution:
Point A - Horizontal plane:
kPa kPa kPa c s
kPa
m
m
kN
m
m
kN
m
m
kN
u H
z
6 . 41 28 tan ) 5 . 59 ( 10 ' tan ' '
8 . 59 '
) 1 . 1 )( 8 . 9 ( ) 1 . 1 )( 5 . 17 ( ) 0 . 3 )( 0 . 17 (
3 3 3
'
= + = + =
=
+ = =

Point A - Vertical plane:
kPa kPa kPa c s
kPa kPa K
z z
1 . 27 28 tan ) 1 . 32 ( 10 ' tan ' '
1 . 32 ) 5 . 59 )( 54 . 0 ( ' '
= + = + =
= = =


229
Using similar computations:
Point B vertical plane s = 57.2 kPa
Point B horizontal plane s = 35.5 kPa
Point C vertical plane s = 68.1 kPa
Point C horizontal plane s = 54.4 kPa
Commentary
At each point the shear strength on a vertical plane is less than that on a horizontal plane because
K < 1. In addition, the shear strength at point B is greater than that at point A, because the
effective strength is greater. The strength at point C is even higher than at point B because it is in
a new strata with different c, , and K values. Thus, the strength would increase gradually with
depth within each stratum, but change suddenly at the boundary between the two strata.
Draw the shear strength envelope for the ML stratum and then plot the upper half of the Mohr
circle for point A on this diagram. Assume the principal stresses act vertically and horizontally.
Failure envelope and Mohrs circle
230
***Shear strength-11b: Use of the Mohr-Coulomb failure envelope.
(Revised Oct-09)
Samples have been obtained from both soil strata shown in the figure below. A series of shear
strength tests were then performed on both samples and plotted in diagrams below. The c and
values obtained from these diagrams are shown in the figure below. Using this data, compute the
shear strength on the horizontal and vertical planes at points A, B, and C.
Solution:
Point A - Horizontal plane:
kPa kPa kPa c s
kPa
m
m
kN
m
m
kN
m
m
kN
u H
z
6 . 41 28 tan ) 5 . 59 ( 10 ' tan ' '
8 . 59 '
) 1 . 1 )( 8 . 9 ( ) 1 . 1 )( 5 . 17 ( ) 0 . 3 )( 0 . 17 (
3 3 3
'
= + = + =
=
+ = =

Point A - Vertical plane:
kPa kPa kPa c s
kPa kPa K
z z
1 . 27 28 tan ) 1 . 32 ( 10 ' tan ' '
1 . 32 ) 5 . 59 )( 54 . 0 ( ' '
= + = + =
= = =


231
Using similar computations:
Point B vertical plane s = 57.2 kPa
Point B horizontal plane s = 35.5 kPa
Point C vertical plane s = 68.1 kPa
Point C horizontal plane s = 54.4 kPa
Commentary
At each point the shear strength on a vertical plane is less than that on a horizontal plane because
K < 1. In addition, the shear strength at point B is greater than that at point A, because the effective
strength is greater. The strength at point C is even higher than at point B because it is in a new strata
with different c, , and K values. Thus, the strength would increase gradually with depth within each
stratum, but change suddenly at the boundary between the two strata.
Draw the shear strength envelope for the ML stratum and then plot the upper half of the Mohr circle for
point A on this diagram. Assume the principal stresses act vertically and horizontally.

Failure envelope and Mohrs circle

232
sandy gravel
n= 0.30
=16
kN
/
m
3
clay =17.6
kN
/
m
3

Impermeable rock stratum
H=4
H= 13m
H= 7m

3

**Shear strength-12: Triaxial un-drained tests.
(Revised Oct-09)
Triaxial un-drained tests were performed on clay samples taken from the stratum shown below.
The test were taken with pure water pressure measurements and yield a c` = 20
kN
/
m
3
, and =
24

.Find (1) the clay shear strength at mid-stratum, and (2) the effective and total stresses at that
same level acting on a vertical face of a small element.
Solution:
For the gravel:
sat
=
sat
+ n
w
= [16 + (0.3)10] = 19
kN
/
m
3

For the clay:
1
= (4m)(16
kN
/
m
3
)+ (9m)(19
kN
/
m
3
)+ (3.5m)(17.6
kN
/
m
3
)= 297
kN
/
m
3

1

=
1
u =
1

w
(9 + 3.5) = 297 - 10
kN
/
m
3
[12.5m] = 172
kN
/
m
3
S = c

+
1

tan = (20
KN
/
m
3
+ 172
kN
/
m
3
tan 24

) = 96.6
NM
/
m
3

Since the clay is saturated,
3

= k
1

= 0.5(172) = 86
kN
/
m
3

3
=
3

+ u = 86
kN
/
m
3
+ (86m + 86m) 10
kN
/
m
3
= 251
kN
/
m
3


`
= 24

.
C` = 20
KN
/
m
3

S= 96.6
kN
/
m
3

233
**Shear strength-12b: Triaxial un-drained tests.
(Revised Oct-09)
Triaxial un-drained tests were performed on clay samples taken from the stratum shown below.
The test were taken with pure water pressure measurements and yield a c` = 20
kN
/
m
3
, and =
24

.Find (1) the clay shear strength at mid-stratum, and (2) the effective and total stresses at that
same level acting on a vertical face of a small element.
Solution:
For the gravel:
sat
=
sat
+ n
w
= [16 + (0.3)10] = 19
kN
/
m
3

For the clay:
1
= (4m)(16
kN
/
m
3
)+ (9m)(19
kN
/
m
3
)+ (3.5m)(17.6
kN
/
m
3
)= 297
kN
/
m
3

1

=
1
u =
1

w
(9 + 3.5) = 297 - 10
kN
/
m
3
[12.5m] = 172
kN
/
m
3
S = c

+
1

tan = (20
KN
/
m
3
+ 172
kN
/
m
3
tan 24

) = 96.6
NM
/
m
3

Since the clay is saturated,
3

= k
1

= 0.5(172) = 86
kN
/
m
3

3
=
3

+ u = 86
kN
/
m
3
+ (86m + 86m) 10
kN
/
m
3
= 251
kN
/
m
3

`
= 24

.
C` = 20
KN
/
m
3
S= 96.6
kN
/
m
3

H=
H=
H=4
Clay =17.6
kN
/
m
3

1
3
3
Sandy
gravel
n= 0.30
=16
kN
/
m
3
234
**Shear strength-13: Determine the principal stresses of a sample.
(Revised Oct-09)
A clay layer, 20 feet thick is covered by a 40 foot sandy gravel stratum with a porosity of 30%, and
a dry unit weight of 103 pcf. Tests on the un-drained samples of the clay gave c = 2.9 psi,
SAT
=
112 psf and ' = 24
o
. Find:
(a) the soil shear strength s = c + 'tan' at the clay's midlevel (point A), and
(b) the effective and total stress acting on the vertical face of a soil element at the clay midlevel
(point A).
Solution:
(a) In order to find s, it

is required to know the
sat
of the sand.
n 0.30 0.30
e = = = =0.429
1- n 1- 0.30 0.70
and
d
S
W
(1+e) 103(1+0.429)
= = = 2.36
G
62.4

S
W
sat
( +e) (2.36 +0.429)62.4
G
= = =122pcf
1+e 1.429

*Assume that the clay was normally consolidated to find ' at midlevel in the clay (point A),
that is c = 0.
d=13'
H
1
=40'
H
2
=20' A

d
= 103 pcf
n = 30%
c = 2.9 psi

sat
= 112 pcf
' = 24
o

235
( )( ) ( )( ) ( )( )
( )( )
0.103 13 0.122 0.0624 27 0.122 0.0624 10 3.4
tan
tan
The pore water pressure is,
10 27 0.0624 2
A S S C
A
2
o
2 2 2 3
= + + ksf
h h h
and
s = c+

lb kip 144 k
in
s = 2.9 x x +3.44 ( )=0.42ksf +1.53ksfs =1.95ksf
24
lb ft ft in 10
u
u


= + + =

= + =
'
A
.3
Therefore, the toatl stre
5
ss is,
3 . . 2.3 7 4
A
k
s
u f
k f
s = + = + =
(b) To find the stress on the vertical face of the soil element at A, we find through a graphical solution
as follows,
o
o o o o
24
= + = + = _2 =
45 45 57 114
2 2

tan tan
1
o
c 0.42
= = =0.939ksf
x

24

tan tan
2
o
s 1.95
= = =4.38ksf
x

24

tan tan
o o
3
= s( )=1.95( )=0.868ksf
x 24 24
236
cos cos
o
s 1.95
R= = = 2.13ksf

24

3
= x
2
+ x
3
- x
1
- R = 4.38 + 0.868 - 0.939 - 2.13= 2.18 ksf

1
= 2.18 + 2R = 2.18 + 2(2.13) = 6.44 ksf

3
=
3
+ u = 2.18 + 2.31 = 4.5 ksf
237
**Shear strength-13b: Determine the principal stresses of a sample.
(Revised Oct-09)
A clay layer, 20 feet thick is covered by a 40 foot sandy gravel stratum with a porosity of 30%, and
a dry unit weight of 103 pcf. Tests on the un-drained samples of the clay gave c = 2.9 psi,
SAT
=
112 psf and ' = 24
o
. Find (1) the soil shear strength s = c + 'tan' at the clay's midlevel (point A),
and (2) the effective and total stress acting on the vertical face of a soil element at the clay midlevel
(point A).
Solution:
In order to find s, it

is required to know the
sat
of the sand.
n 0.30 0.30
e = = = =0.429
1- n 1- 0.30 0.70
and
d
S
W
(1+e) 103(1+0.429)
= = = 2.36
G
62.4

S
W
sat
( +e) (2.36 +0.429)62.4
G
= = =122pcf
1+e 1.429

* Assume that the clay was normally consolidated to find ' at midlevel in the clay (point A), that is c =
0.
Clay
Rock
Sand
H= 20
H=40
D=13

d=
103 pct
n= 30%

sat=
103 pct
c = 2.9 psi
' = 24
o
A
238
( )( ) ( )( ) ( )( )
( )( )
0.103 13 0.122 0.0624 27 0.122 0.0624 10 3.4
tan
tan
The pore water pressure is,
10 27 0.0624 2
A S S C
A
2
o
2 2 2 3
= + + ksf
h h h
and
s = c+

lb kip 144 k
in
s = 2.9 x x +3.44 ( )=0.42ksf +1.53ksfs =1.95ksf
24
lb ft ft in 10
u
u


= + + =

= + =
'
A
.3
Therefore, the toatl stre
5
ss is,
3 . . 2.3 7 4
A
k
s
u f
k f
s = + = + =
To find the stress on the vertical face of the soil element at A, we find through a graphical
solution as follows,
o
o o o o
24
= + = + = _2 =
45 45 57 114
2 2

tan tan
1
o
c 0.42
= = =0.939ksf
x

24

tan tan
2
o
s 1.95
= = =4.38ksf
x

24

tan tan
o o
3
= s( )=1.95( )=0.868ksf
x 24 24
239
cos cos
o
s 1.95
R= = = 2.13ksf

24

3
= x
2
+ x
3
- x
1
- R = 4.38 + 0.868 - 0.939 - 2.13= 2.18 ksf

1
= 2.18 + 2R = 2.18 + 2(2.13) = 6.44 ksf

3
=
3
+ u = 2.18 + 2.31 = 4.5 ksf
240
**Shear strength-14: Formula to find the maximum principal stress.
(Revised Oct-09)
Derive the general formula that gives the value of the major principal stress 1 as a function of the
minor principal stress 3, the cohesion c and the angle of internal friction .
Solution:
From the figure,
(1)
fa = fo + oa = (c) cot +
2
3 1
+
tan =
fo
c

c
fo
= cot fo = (c)(cot )
Using the properties of the Mohr circle,
oa =
3
+
2
) (
3 1

oa =
2
) (
3 1
+
fa = (c) cot +
2
) (
3 1
+
(2)
Introducing (1) into (2): sin =
2
) (
cot ) (
2
) (
3 1
3 1

+
+

c
(sin )[(c) cot +
2
3 1
+
] =
2
3 1

sin =
fa
ad
2
c

d
h
f
o a
3

1
= 45 +
2

2 = 90 +
ad =
2
3 1

2

45
241
[(c) sin cot ] + [
2
3 1
+
sin ] =
2
3 1

(c) sin cot = [
2
3 1

] - [
2
3 1
+
sin ]
(2) [(c) sin cot ] = [
1
(sin )(
1
)] [
3
+ (sin )(
3
)]
(2) [(c) sin

sin
cos
] =
1
[1 (sin )]
3
[1 + (sin )]
) sin 1 (
) sin 1 (
) (
) sin 1 (
cos ) ( 2
3

+
+

c
=
1
Since

sin 1 (
cos

tan (45 +
2

) and
) sin 1 (
) sin 1 (

+
tan
2
(45 +
2

)

2
1 3
tan 45 2 tan 45
2 2
c



= + + +