LAS CRUCES GEOTECHNICAL INC.

(Quality & Speed)

1615 E University Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88001
Tel: 575-000-1111
Fax: 575-111-222

October 10, 2014

Dr. Paola Bandini Siller

New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM 88001

Dear Dr. Bandini:

It is stated that upon your kind request, please find attached herewith the laboratory report
of Direct Shear Test on Sand, due October 30, 2014. The experimental data collected and
analyzed on October ___ at Soil Mechanics Lab, New Mexico State University. The context
of this report is based upon the Direct Shear Test on the given soil sample. The report is
made with best efforts but still if you need any help you can contact me at XXX-201-3374.

Sincerely,

Rick Perry
Geotechnical Engineer
Enclosure: Direct Shear test on Sand Report
Lab 8: Direct Shear Test on Sand

Submitted to

Paola Bandini, Ph.D., P.E.

Submitted by

Rick Perry

Section 1, CE 357 Soil Mechanics Lab

Department of Civil Engineering

New Mexico State University

Las Cruces, NM 88003

October 30th , 2011

Executive Summary

This report is used to determine the shear strength of soil by the following equation
s = c + σtanф
Where;
s= shearing strength
c = cohesion
σ = normal stress
ф = angle of internal friction
For each specimen the following were plotted;
 Shear stress Vs shear displacement
 Normal displacement Vs shear displacement
 Void ratio Vs shear displacement
The graph of shear strength Vs normal stress for the three specimens was used to calculate the
shear strength parameters of the soil tested.
The report includes a brief but accurate description of the test procedure and all the above
mentioned graphs. Also it includes a discussion of the followings;
 Importance of the shear strength in soil
 The normal displacement behavior of the specimen during shearing
 Different types of shear tests.
 Discussion on the results
Table of Contents
Lab 16.........................................................................................................................................................5
Introduction.............................................................................................................................................5
Objective.................................................................................................................................................5
Procedure.................................................................................................................................................6
Results and Calculations..........................................................................................................................7
Discussion.............................................................................................................................................10
References.............................................................................................................................................11

List of Tables
Table 1. (Void Ratio Calculation- Direct Shear Test on Sand) 07

Table 2. (Stress and Displacement Calculation) 07

Table 3.Normal & Peak Shear Stress 10

List of Graphs
Graph 1. (Shear Stress vs Horizontal Displacement 09

Graph 2. (Vertical Displacement vs Horizontal Displacement 09

Graph 3.Normal & Peak Shear Stress 10

Lab 16
Introduction
The strength of a soil depends of its resistance to shearing stresses. It is made up of basically the
components;
1. Frictional – due to friction between individual particles.
2. Cohesive - due to adhesion between the soil particles
The two components are combined in Colulomb’s shear strength equation,
τf = c + σf tan ø
Where τf = shearing resistance of soil at failure
c = apparent cohesion of soil
σf = total normal stress on failure plane
ø = angle of shearing resistance of soil (angle of internal friction)

This equation can also be written in terms of effective stresses.

τf = c’ + σ’f tan ø’
Where c’ = apparent cohesion of soil in terms of effective stresses
σ'f = effective normal stress on failure plane
ø’ = angle of shearing resistance of soil in terms of effective stresses
σ'f = σf - uf
uf = pore water pressure on failure plans

Objective
The shear box test is used to determine the shear stress at failure to the applied normal stress.
The objective of the test is to determine the shear strength parameters for a given soil such as
cohesion ‘c’ and angle of internal friction ‘Ф’. These values are used to determine the bearing
capacity of the soil and stability of the slopes.
Procedure
1. The silicon grease or petroleum jelly was applied to the inside faces of the shear box
2. Assemble the shear box apparatus was assembled and the base plate and porous plate was
placed if necessary
3. The sample was carefully transferred into shear box and compacted in mould after bringing it
to optimum moisture condition.
4. The shear box was placed on the machine bed and the measuring gauges was adjusted to zero
value.
5. the loading system was adjusted on the soil sample placed in the shear box apparatus
6. the normal stress was applied on the specimen to obtain the desired vertical stress as
smoothly and rapidly as possible without jolting
7. The vertical displacement and the elapsed time was recorded carefully.

9. Take readings of

a) Shear load from the proving ring

b) Shear displacement (i.e. Horizontal displacement)
c) Vertical displacement at every 10 division increment in horizontal dial gauge

8. Plot the graph between the vertical displace as ordinate and the square root of the elapsed tie
as abscissa

10. Stop the test when the shear load starts to reduce or remains constant for at least three
readings
11. Remove the soil and repeat the procedure with different normal loads at least for another two
samples.
Results and Calculations
Table 1. (Void Ratio Calculation- Direct Shear Test on Sand)

Item Quantity
1. Specimen length, L (in.) 4
2. Specimen width, B (in.) 4
3. Specimen height, H (in.) 1.442
4. Mass of porcelain + dry sand (before use), M 1 (g) 670.8
5. Mass of porcelain + dry sand (after use), M2 (g) 667.1
6. Dry unit weight of specimen, γd (lb/ft3) = (M1-M2)(g)3.808/LBH(in3.) 0.61
7. Specific gravity of soil, Gs 2.65
8. Void ratio, e = (Gsγw/γd)-1 269.78

Correction for specimen height = 1.535 in - 0.093 = 1.442 in

Table 2. (Stress and Displacement Calculation)

Normal Load = 50 kg

Normal Stress σ' Horizontal Vertical Shear Force Shear Stress τ'
(lb/in2) Displacement (in.) Displacement (in.) S (lb) (lb/in.2)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
0 0 0 0 0.00
6.89 0.13 -0.0033 17.10 1.07
6.89 0.14 -0.0032 73.249 4.58
6.89 0.15 -0.0039 93.445 5.84
6.89 0.16 -0.0057 104.73 6.55
6.89 0.17 -0.0075 111.55 6.97
6.89 0.18 -0.0098 116.36 7.27
6.89 0.19 -0.0126 118.89 7.43
6.89 0.20 -0.0146 120.27 7.52
6.89 0.21 -0.0175 118.96 7.44
6.89 0.22 -0.0203 117.96 7.37
6.89 0.23 -0.0227 118.89 7.43
6.89 0.24 -0.0252 116.58 7.29
6.89 0.25 -0.0276 115.24 7.20
6.89 0.26 -0.0301 113.55 7.10
6.89 0.27 -0.0317 112.39 7.02
6.89 0.28 -0.0343 108.86 6.80
Normal Load = 70 kg

Normal Stress σ' Horizontal Vertical Shear Force Shear Stress τ'
(lb/in2) Displacement (in.) Displacement (in.) S (lb) (lb/in.2)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
9.64 0.13 (0.28) 5.596 0.35
9.64 0.14 0.06 74.312 4.64
9.64 0.15 0.06 119.360 7.46
9.64 0.16 0.06 147.000 9.19
9.64 0.16 0.06 159.660 9.98
9.64 0.17 0.06 168.630 10.54
9.64 0.18 0.06 170.450 10.65
9.64 0.19 0.05 173.040 10.82
9.64 0.20 0.05 175.200 10.95
9.64 0.21 0.05 173.950 10.87
9.64 0.22 0.04 171.920 10.75
9.64 0.23 0.04 169.660 10.60
9.64 0.24 0.04 168.760 10.55
9.64 0.25 0.04 166.510 10.41
9.64 0.26 0.03 163.760 10.24
9.64 0.27 0.03 160.190 10.01
9.64 0.28 0.03 158.660 9.92
9.64 0.29 0.03 154.880 9.68
9.64 0.30 0.03 150.280 9.39
Normal Load = 90 kg

Normal Stress σ' Horizontal Vertical Shear Force Shear Stress τ'
(lb/in2) Displacement (in.) Displacement (in.) S (lb) (lb/in.2)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
12.40 0.119 0.01 11.16 0.70
12.40 0.120 0.01 24.64 1.54
12.40 0.128 0.01 89.38 5.59
12.40 0.138 0.01 126.80 7.93
12.40 0.148 0.01 148.41 9.28
12.40 0.164 0.01 168.82 10.55
12.40 0.179 0.01 177.61 11.10
12.40 0.189 0.01 181.92 11.37
12.40 0.199 0.01 184.33 11.52
12.40 0.209 0.01 184.17 11.51
12.40 0.219 0.01 182.04 11.38
12.40 0.230 0.01 179.01 11.19
Graph 1. (Shear Stress vs Horizontal Displacement

14.00

12.00

10.00
Shear Stress (lb.in2)

8.00

6.00

4.00 Normal Load = 50 kg =

110.2 lb
Normal Load = 70 kg =
2.00 154.3 lb

0.00
10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
Horizontal Displacement (in.) x10-2

Graph 2. (Vertical Displacement vs Horizontal Displacement

0.1000

0.0500

0.0000
0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20 0.22 0.24 0.26 0.28 0.30
Vertical Displacment (in.)

-0.0500

-0.1000
Normal Load = 50 kg
= 110.2 lb
-0.1500 Normal Load = 70 kg
= 154.3 lb

-0.2000

-0.2500

-0.3000
Horizontal Displacement (in.)
Table 3.Normal & Peak Shear Stress

Peak Shear Stress τ'

Normal Stress σ' (lb/in2)
(lb/in.2)
6.89 7.52
9.64 10.92
12.40 11.50

Graph 3.Normal & Peak Shear Stress

Discussion
From the plot of vertical vs horizontal displacement it can be observed that the 50 kg sample was in loose
state as compared to 70 and 90 kg samples. The compressive behavior of 50 kg sample and expansion in
70 and 90 kg samples. It has also been validated that for the cohesion-less soils for which c=0 the curve
passes through the origin coordinates having some value of ф between the range of pure sand. It has also
been proved that for cohesion-less soils the shear strength of soil is directly proportional to the normal
stress applied.

The compressive behavior of sand has been observed at 50 kg as shown by the. From that same graph the
expansion has been observed at higher loads i.e 70 and 90 kg which indicates that the soil was not fully
compressed and was comparatively in dense state at higher loads 70 and 90 kg respectively. On the side
of cohesion i.e. c=0 which is the characteristic of sand, the failure envelope passes through the origin of
coordinates so as it was assumed that c=0 it was correct. The shear strength of soil for cohesion-less soils
is directly proportional to the normal stress applied.
References
 Mayne, P. W., Christopher, B. R., Berg, R. R., and DeJong, J. (2002). “Subsurface investigations
—Geotechnical site characterization.” FHWA-NHI-01-031, National Highway Institute, Federal
Highway Administration, Washington, D.C., 301.
 Meyerhof, G. G. (1956). “Penetration test and bearing capacity of cohesionless soils.” J. Soil
Mech. and Found. Div., 82(1), 1–19.
 Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC). (1982). Soil mechanics, NAVFAC DM
7.01, Alexandria, VA.
 Parkin, A. K., Holden, J., Aamot, K., Last, N., and Lunne, T. (1980). “Laboratory investigation of
CPT’s in sand.” Rep. 52108-9, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, Oslo, Norway.
 Peck, R. B., Hansen, W. E., and Thornburn, T. H. (1974). Foundation Engineering, 2nd Ed.,
Wiley, New York.
 Robertson, P. K., and Campanella, R. G. (1983). “Interpretation of cone penetration tests: Part I
—Sands; Part II—Clays.” Can. Geotech. J., 20(4), 718–733.
 Salgado, R., Bandini, P., and Karim, A. (2000). “Shear strength and stiffness of silty sand.” J.
Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng., 126(5), 451–462.
 Schmertmann, J. H. (1975). “Measurement of in-situ shear strength.” Proc., In-Situ Measurement
of Soil Properties, Vol. 2, ASCE, New York, 57–138.