cohesion

1
2
3
At failure:
 1' −  3'  1' +  3'  1' −  3' 𝜙′
f = Sin 2  =
'
f + Cos 2 𝜃 = 45° +
2 2 2 2

   1' +  3'    1' −  3' 

c' Cot '+  Sin ' =  
  2   2 
( '
1 ) ( )
−  3' =  1' +  3' Sin '+2c' Cos '
 1' (1 − Sin ') =  3' (1 + Sin ') + 2c' Cos '

 1' =  3'
(1 + Sin ') + 2c' Cos '
(1 − Sin ') (1 − Sin ')
 '   ' 
 1' =  3' Tan 2  45 +  + 2c' Tan 45 + 
 2  2

4
Angle of Internal Friction (φ or φ’)
Cohesion (c or c’)

Pure dry sands have no cohesion (i.e. c=0))

Pure clays depend only on cohesion (i.e. φ =0)

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5
 Normal load
Top platen

Motor Load cell to measure

drive Shear Force
Soil

Porous plates

Rollers

6
 Porous plates

Components of the shear box Preparation of a sand specimen

Pressure plate

Leveling the top surface of specimen Specimen preparation completed

7
 Steel ball
Test procedure P
Pressure plate

Porous
plates

Proving ring to
measure shear
force

8
 Normal Stress,  Shear Stress, 𝜏
(psi) (psi)
10.0 6.5
25.0 11.0
40.0 17.5

20

c = 2.5 psi
Max. Shear Stress (psi)

15

(20 − 2.5)
tan   = = 0.365
10 48
  = tan −1 (0.365) = 20
5

0
0 10 20 30 40 50
Normal Stress (psi)

9
10
 Sampling tubes
Sample extruder

Edges of the sample are carefully Setting up the sample in the triaxial
trimmed cell

11
Sample is covered with a rubber Cell is completely filled with
membrane and sealed water

Proving ring to measure the

deviator load

Dial gauge to measure

vertical displacement

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➢ UNDRAINED test:
➢ DRAINED test:

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 Unconsolidated for not allowing the water drain when applying
cell pressure

𝜎1 − 𝜎3
𝜏𝑓 = 𝑐𝑢 =
2
• 𝑐𝑢 is known as undrained shear strength, also referred to as short
term strength.

14
Consolidated for allowing the water drain when applying cell
pressure

Consolidated for allowing the water drain when applying cell

pressure

15
 1 

𝜎3 is constant

Vert.
plane

3 3 1

Radius of Mohr circle

increases

16
➢

17
 3 1 - 3 uf
(KPa) (KPa) (KPa)
200 650 50
400 770 200
600 880 350

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3  1 -  3 σ 1 = σ 3+ σ 1- σ 3

200 650 850

400 770 1170
600 880 1480

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 ’3 ’1
200-50=150 850-50=800

400-200=200 1170-200=970

600-350=250 1480-350=1130

20
1
Failed test
sample

3=0

21