J. E.

LABANEN, 2021

MODULE 9

I. Learning Outcome: This module is about Shear Strength of Soil

Topics: Shear Strength in Soil

A. Definition of ShearStrength in Soil
B. Mohr-Coulomb Theory
a. Failure Criteria
b. Mohr’s Circle
C.Triaxial Shear Test (Single Test)
a. Cohesionless Soil
b. Cohesive Soil
D. Drained and Undrained Triaxial Test
E. Problem Solving
F. Problem
G. Instructions
(Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering by Diego Gillesania)

Time Factor: 6 hours (1 weeks)

II. Shear Strength in Soil

Shear strength is a term used in soil mechanics to describe the magnitude of
the shear stress that a soil can sustain. The shear resistance of soil is a result of friction and
interlocking of particles, and possibly cementation or bonding at particle contacts.
(www.slideshare.net>samirsinhparmar>shear-strength)

Three Basic Components of Shear Strength of Soil:

1. Frictional resistance to sliding between solid particles
2. Cohesion and adhesion between particles
3. Interlocking and bridging of solid particles to resist deformation

III. Mohr-Coulomb Theory

Mohr–Coulomb theory is a mathematical model describing the response of brittle
materials such as concrete, or rubble piles, to shear stress as well as normal stress. In
geotechnical engineering it is used to define shear strength of soils and rocks at different
effective stresses. (en.wikipedia.org>wiki>Mohr-Coulomb-theory)
 A. Mohr-Coulomb Failure Criteria
A material fails because of critical combination of normal stress and shearing
stress, and not from either maximum normal or shear stress alone. This theory was
presented by Alexander Mohr.

Mohr's circle, two-dimensional graphical representation of the state of stress at a

point. 
This is the soil mass exposed to stresses
The arrows perpendicular to the soil mass are called normal stresses, σ,
and are represented in the Mohr’s Circle as the horizontal distances
or values along the x-axis.(Minor to Major)
The arrows parallel to the surface of the soil mass are called the shearing
stress, τ, and are represented in the Mohr’s Circle as the vertical
distances or values along the Y-axis
Minor Principal Stress
Maximum Shearing Stress
Major Principal Stress

Deviator Stress or the Plunger Stress

Also the Diameter of the Mohr’s Circle

IV. Triaxial Shear Test

A triaxial shear test is a common method to measure the mechanical properties of many
deformable solids, especially soil (e.g., sand, clay) and rock, and other granular materials or
powders. (en.wikipedia.org>wiki>Triaxial_shear_test)
 A. Cohesion Soil
For this soil type, plane of failure always starts from the origin. These soils are
sandy and gravelly soils. Angle of internal friction always starts from the origin.

Φ represents the angle of internal friction, which

is twice called the chamber confining pressure or
cell pressure or lateral stresses the value of the
normal shear angle

Plane of
Failure

Radius, R

are the same, called the pore water pressure

Called the chamber confining pressure or cell pressure or lateral stress

B. Cohesive Soil
For this type of soil, the plane of failure does not start from the origin.Therefore,
the vertical distance of the plane of failure from the origin of cohesion. This value is
only found in cohesive soils as in clay. Angle of Internal Friction always starts from
the left side of the y-axis.
V. Drained and Undrained Triaxial Test
As you all know in drained condition, the pore water can easily drain out from the soil
matrix while in undrained condition the pore water is unable to drain out or the rate of loading is
much quicker than the rate at which the pore water is able to drain out.
(geotechsimulation.com>2018/05/18>soil-drained-undrained)

VI. Problem Solving

1. A soil element shown is subjected to the following stresses:

σx = 120 KPa σy = 300 KPa
τ = 40 Kpa ϴ = 20 ̊

Calculate the normal and shear stress on plane AB in KPa.

Solution:
a) First make the soil mass with the shear stress and the normal stress
σy = 300 KPa
τ = 40 KPa

σx = 120 KPa

σx = 120 KPa
ϴ= 20 ̊
τ = 40 KPa

σy = 300 KPa

Get the coordinates: (σ , τ )

(300, 40) and (120, 40)

Plot these coordinates in the x-axis and the y-axis

Observe that the angle is going counter clockwise from the x-axis.
( above the horizontal line)
 b.Draw your Mohr’s Circle

y- axis
R = 98.49 R = 98.49

(300, 40)
2ϴ
R=
R
40

x-axis

(120, 40)

210 -98.49 = 111. 51 (minor principal stress)23.96 ̊ + 2ϴ = 23.96 + 40 = 63.96 ̊

180/2 = 90 90

120 300 - 120 = 180

300

120 + 90 = 210

210 + 98.49 = 308.49 KPa (major principal stress)

From the fig:

40
tan α=¿ ¿
α 90
40
α = 23.96 ̊
90

Radius, R = √ 902 +40 2=98.49

Isolate the Triangle:

σ
R = 98.49 cos 63.96=¿ ¿
98.49
τ σ = 43.24 KPa
63.96 ̊
τ
sin 63.96=¿ ¿
98.49

σ 180 -63.96 = 116.04 ̊ τ = 88.49 KPa ( Shear Stress)

 2. In a triaxial test for a soil sample, when the principal stresses are 270 KPa and 40 Kpa,
the soil fails along a plane making an angle of 68 ̊ with the horizontal. What is the
cohesion of the soil in KPa?

Solution:
a) The angle of internal friction 68 ̊ is multiplies always twice making it 136 ̊
b) Plot the principal stresses and the angle. See the red for solved values.

R = 115

2ϴ = 136 ̊
A φ C 44 ̊

O C

OA 40 270
(270-40)/2 = 115 = R

40 + 115 = 155

270

φ = 90-44 = 46 ̊ from the triangle, solve for X

115
sin 46=¿ ¿
X

X = 159.87
From fig, OA = 159.87 – 155 = 4.87

C
φ C tan 46=¿ ¿
4.87
 4.87 C = 5.04 KPa, cohesion

VII. Problems
1. A triaxial shear test was performed on a well-drained sand sample. The normal stress
on the failure plane and the shear stress on the failure plane, at failure were
determined to be 6,300 psf and 4200 psf at P, respectively.
a) Determine the angle of internal friction of the sand?
b) Determine the angle of the failure plane?
c) Determine the maximum principal stress?
d) Plot to justify the solutions.

2. A consolidated undrained (CU) compression test was conducted on a saturated clay

soil by isotropically consolidating the soil using a cell pressure of 150 Kpa and then
incrementally applying loads on the plunger while keeping the cell pressure constant.
Failure was observed when the stress exerted by the plunger (deviator Stress) was 160
KPa and the pore water pressure recorded was 54 KPa.
a) Determine the undrained shear strength of the clay.
b) Determine the undrained friction angle.
c) Determine the drained friction angle.
d) Illustrate to justify your solutions.

VIII. Instructions

Use the same instructions as the previous modules.

 CE 312 – Soil Mechanics
Module 9
Worksheet 9.1

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