E)ffiRCISE 1

Direct Slrear Test

Objective:
Discussion:
T,he Direct shear Test ib one of the oldest tests used to

determine the shearing stress of soil' During the palt years'

however,

it had
been
replaced

by
the
Triaxiat
Test
because

there
are

eeveral

defects

in the test

itself.
This
test
is

one

ofthe
simplest
methods
ofdetermining
tJre

shear

strength
ofcohesive
and noncohesive
soile,

Apparatus:
1.. Direct Shear testing machine

2. Specimen trirnmer and accessories

3. Oven

;.

ilil"'
sheet

5. SPoon

6. Contoiners

?. Timer

Procedure: Preparation of Sample for Cohesive Soil

A. Undisturbed SamPle

l".MeasuretlreheightandfiameteroftJrespecimen
rings and calcrrlate their weight' Clamp the riiigs
together with three bolts.

2. Fromthe sample tube exirude a sample approximate

ly 3 in" long. Cut the soil d'ith a wire saw'

S.UsetJrespecimentrimmertotrirnthesoilsampleto
a diameter of 2-ll2in
A.Place the specimen into tJre specimen rings'

5iTlim both the top and bottom faces of the specimen

flush with the rings.
70

6.'Weigh the rings and specimen together to obtain the

specimen weight.

?. From the soil trimmings, obtain at least two repre

sentative specimens for water content deterrniiration.

B. Remolded sample
1. Immediately after shearingthe undisturbed specimen,

quickly rernove it frorn the machine. Wrap it in a rub

ber sheet, and remold thoroughly with the fingers. Thi.e

should be done quickly with every precautiontaken

to prevent loss of rnoisture from the soil"
2. Bolt the two rings together (the rings should be proper

ly cleaned). Work the rennolded soil into the rings. If

the soil is nbt enough, a small amount of tlre same
re'molded soil maybe added.

3. Tlino the top and bottom faces flush with the rings.
')

Shearing Test:
The procedure for the shear test are the same for both undis

turbed aud remolded specimens.

1. For undrained test, place a thinpiece of plast-ic sheet

at thebottom of the chamber on top oftheporous

stone.

2. Set the rings (with specimen) Iirmly in the grocve on

the base of the immersion chamber. Bolt heads should

be up.

3. Insert bolts in the three threaded holes remaining in

the upper ring turning them until theybear lirrrly
against the lower rin$.

4. Setthe upper-ring-stop firmly ontheupper sample

ring, and move the aesembly so that the ring stop lugs
bear against the base lugs.

'5. Place the solid lucite block and loading block on top

of the specimen, then replace the loadingbeam. Ad-

7l l*
lF
IH
lBr
I lr''

il
jpst the load beam with the four knurled nuts until it
barely touches the loading block.

6. Take the'play out of the shear d.rive system by turn.

I

ing the knurled nut bearing against the immersion

chamber lug. DO NOT put apy shear load on the

sample rings.
7.

8.

Loosen the clamp on the load ring (proving ring) ex'

,
tension shaft, and clamp it so that it bears against the
;

shear strain d.ial indicator in its extended position.

Place the vertical strain dial indicator on top of the

pin in the load arm, so that half of its movement

is registered.

9. Zero all dial indicators.

t0. il;;r""

it"*ln"
"*tftrution
chart the air pressure.
to give the desired normal
load.

11. Make sure all valves are closed including the air
rpgulator and relief valve.

12, Crack open the compressed-air tank. One of the two

r

gauges on the tank indicates the pressure of the air in

the tank, the other indicates delivery pressure (the

one with smaller pressure range.) Increase-the

delivery pressure to desired amountby siowlyturning

the screw-control.

13. Slowly open the air regulator on the machine (black

knob) until the desired normal pressure is indicated in

the pressure gaugdb in-front'of the machine. The

normal Ioad is now applied.

14, Caiefully remove the three clamping bolts from the

r

sample rings. Turn each of tlre three remaining bolts

1/4 turn clockwise to provide clearance between the

rings, then rernove these bolts.

L5. From the speed calibration chart, determine the con

troller reading for desired shearing speed. T\rrn the

selecting knob G to the selected reading.

16. For unconsolidated undrained test, start the shearing

action immediately, by turning on the motors switch I.

Be sure the sw'itch H-is on itslorward position.

tD
u,ltt

h,
n:
\
72

73
SHBARINC}

l.'oRcE

17. Take readings of time, proving ring dial (ghear force)

and shear displacement dial at intervals of every

.
0.0005 in. displacement. These intervals may be

' doubled when the shearing speed used is high.

18.

At the completion
of the shear

test,
stop
the motor,

' shut offthe

air regulator
P and
open

the relief
valve
N to remove the normal load.

19. Shut off the supply of compressed air by closing B.

Relieve the residual pressure.

20. To return the threaded drive shaft to,its initial posi

tion at the eompletion of a test, remov-e tJre shear pin
from the shaft support, insert the small ball crank
handle provided in the hole in tJ:e back of the drive
shaft and rotate the handle.

21. After lsstring the remolded specimen, take the entire

specimen for water contenf, determination.