CE 3121: Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory

Class 6

Shear Strength
(Direct Shear Test)

Sources:

Soil Mechanics – Laboratory Manual, B.M. DAS (Chapter 15)

Soil Properties, Testing, Measurement, and Evaluation, C. Liu, J. Evett

Civil Engineering - Texas Tech University

Mohr-Coulomb Failure Criteria
 This theory states that a material fails
because of a critical combination of normal
stress and shear stress, and not from their
either maximum normal or shear stress
alone.
 The relationship between normal stress and
shear is given as
s = shear strength
s = c′ + σ ′ tan φ ′ c′ = cohesion
φ ′ = angle of internal friction

Civil Engineering - Texas Tech University

Mohr-Coulomb Failure Criterion

Shear
Strength,S
φ = φ′

C′

Normal Stress, σn = σ′ = γ h
Civil Engineering - Texas Tech University
General State of Stress

σ1 major principle stress

σ3 σ3
Minor principle stress
Confining stress

σ1

Civil Engineering - Texas Tech University

State of Stresses in Soils

Consider the following situation: Normal stress σn

- A normal stress is applied vertically
and held constant
- A shear stress is then applied until Shear
failure
stress σ3 σ3

σ1

Civil Engineering - Texas Tech University

Determination of Shear Strength
Parameters
 The shear strength parameters of a soil are
determined in the lab primarily with two types of tests;
 Direct Shear Test
Normal stress σ n
 Triaxial Shear Test

σ1 Shear stress σ3
Soil

σ3

Civil Engineering - Texas Tech University

Direct Shear Test
 Direct shear test is Quick and Inexpensive
 Shortcoming is that it fails the soil on a
designated plane which may not be the
weakest one
 Used to determine the shear strength of both
cohesive as well as non-cohesive soils
 ASTM D 3080

Civil Engineering - Texas Tech University

Direct Shear Test (cont.)
 The test equipment consists of
a metal box in which the soil Normal stress σn
specimen is placed
 The box is split horizontally
into two halves Shear stress σ 3

 Vertical force (normal stress) Soil

is applied through a metal
platen
 Shear force is applied by
moving one half of the box
relative to the other to cause
failure in the soil specimen
Civil Engineering - Texas Tech University
Direct Shear Test

Civil Engineering - Texas Tech University

Direct Shear Test

Civil Engineering - Texas Tech University

Civil Engineering - Texas Tech University
Direct Shear Test

Civil Engineering - Texas Tech University

Direct Shear Test Data
Shear stress
Peak Strength

Residual Strength

Civil Engineering - Texas Tech University

Direct Shear Test Data
Volume change

∆H

Civil Engineering - Texas Tech University

Direct Shear Test (Procedure)
1.Measure inner side or diameter of shear box and find the area
2.Make sure top and bottom halves of shear box are in contact and
fixed together.
3.Weigh out 150 g of sand.
4.Place the soil in three layers in the mold using the funnel.
Compact the soil with 20 blows per layer.
5.Place cover on top of sand
6.Place shear box in machine.
7.Apply normal force. The weights to use for the three runs are
2 kg, 4 kg, and 6 kg if the load is applied through a lever arm, or 10
kg, 20 kg, and 30 kg, if the load is applied directly.

Note: Lever arm loading ratio 1:10 (2kg weight = 20 kg)

Civil Engineering - Texas Tech University

Direct Shear Test (Procedure)
8. Start the motor with selected speed (0.1 in/min) so that the
rate of shearing is at a selected constant rate
9. Take the horizontal displacement gauge, vertical displacement
gage and shear load gage readings. Record the readings on
the data sheet.
10. Continue taking readings until the horizontal shear load peaks
and then falls, or the horizontal displacement reaches 15% of
the diameter.

Civil Engineering - Texas Tech University

Calculations
1. Determine the dry unit
weight, γd
Gsγ w
2. Calculate the void e= −1
ratio, e γd
N V
3. Calculate the normal σ= ; τ=
stress & shear stress A A

Civil Engineering - Texas Tech University

Figures

Peak Stress
s3
Shear stress, s

s2

s1 N3 = 30 kg

N2 = 20 kg

N1 = 10 kg

Horizontal displacement, ∆H

Civil Engineering - Texas Tech University

Figures (cont)
Shear Stress, s (psf)

(σ2,s2)
(σ3,s3)
φ

(σ1,s1)

C′

Normal Stress σ, psf

Civil Engineering - Texas Tech University
Figures (cont)
Vertical displacement

Sample contracts during sheared

(Sample memampat selama di-uji geser)

Sample dilates during sheared

Sample mengembang selama di-uji geser

Horizontal displacement

Civil Engineering - Texas Tech University

ROTATION OF PRINCIPAL STRESSES IN
DIRECT SHEAR TEST DURING SHEARING (1)

Civil Engineering - Texas Tech University

ROTATION OF PRINCIPAL STRESSES IN
DIRECT SHEAR TEST DURING SHEARING (2)

Civil Engineering - Texas Tech University