6.

0 RESULTS AND CALCULATIONS

Specimen No.: 1

Loading: 1.75 kg

Displacement Proving Ring

Shear Stress
Strain
(kN/m²)
Dial Gauge ∆L (mm) Dial Gauge Load, P (kN)

20 0.2 0 0 0 0.0033
40 0.4 12 0.02448 6.80 0.0067
60 0.6 35 0.0714 19.83 0.0100
80 0.8 52 0.10608 29.47 1.0133
100 1.0 58 0.11832 32.87 0.0167
120 1.2 63 0.12852 35.70 0.0200
140 1.4 67 0.13668 37.97 0.0233
160 1.6 70 0.14280 39.67 0.0267
180 1.8 71 0.14484 40.23 0.0300
200 2.0 71 0.14484 40.23 0.0333
220 2.2 71 0.14484 40.23 0.0367
Specimen No.: 2
Loading: 2.5 kg

Displacement Proving Ring

Shear Stress
Strain
(kN/m²)
Dial Gauge ∆L (mm) Dial Gauge Load, P (kN)

20 0.2 33 0.06732 18.70 0.0033

40 0.4 58 0.11832 32.87 0.0067
60 0.6 71 0.14484 40.23 0.0100
80 0.8 82 0.16728 46.47 1.0133
100 1.0 92 0.18768 52.13 0.0167
120 1.2 99 0.20196 56.10 0.0200
140 1.4 101 0.20604 57.23 0.0233
160 1.6 102 0.20808 57.80 0.0267
180 1.8 105 0.21420 59.50 0.0300
200 2.0 105 0.21420 59.50 0.0333
220 2.2 105 0.21420 59.50 0.0367
Specimen No.: 3
Loading: 3.25 kg

Displacement Proving Ring

Shear Stress
Strain
(kN/m²)
Dial Gauge ∆L (mm) Dial Gauge Load, P (kN)

20 0.2 0 0 0.00 0.0033

40 0.4 41 0.08364 23.23 0.0067
60 0.6 67 0.13688 37.97 0.0100
80 0.8 80 0.16320 45.33 1.0133
100 1.0 89 0.18156 50.43 0.0167
120 1.2 95 0.1938 53.83 0.0200
140 1.4 101 0.20604 57.23 0.0233
160 1.6 105 0.21420 59.50 0.0267
180 1.8 109 0.22236 61.77 0.0300
200 2.0 110 0.22440 62.33 0.0333
220 2.2 111 0.22644 62.90 0.0367
240 2.4 113 0.23052 64.03 0.0400
260 2.6 113 0.23052 64.03 0.0433
280 2.8 113 0.23052 64.03 0.0467
Example of calculations:

1. Displacement, ∆L (mm)
= 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒 × 0.01
= 20 × 0.01
= 0.2
2. Proving ring load, P (kN)
= 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒 × 0.00204
= 12 × 0.00204
= 0.02488
3. Shear Stress (kN/m²)
𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒 × 0.00204
=
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎
12 × 0.00204
=
0.06 × 0.06
= 6.80
4. Strain, ɛ (%)
𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒 × 0.01
=
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
20 × 0.01
=
60
= 0.0033
5. Normal stress, 𝝈𝒏
i. = 2.725𝑊
= 2.725 × 1.75 𝑘𝑔
= 4.8 𝑘𝑁/𝑚2

ii. = 2.725𝑊
= 2.725 × 2.5 𝑘𝑔
= 6.8 𝑘𝑁/𝑚2

iii. = 2.725𝑊
= 2.725 × 3.25 𝑘𝑔
= 8.9 𝑘𝑁/𝑚2
a. Graph of shear stress vs strain

Shear Stress vs Strain

70

60
Shear Stress, τ (kN/m²)

50

40

1.75 kg
30
2.5 kg
20 3.25 kg

10

Strain, ɛ (%)
b. Graph of shear stress vs normal stress

c. Find c and ∅ value

Cohesion, c = 12 kN/m² (graph intersect)
Friction angle
𝜏 = 𝑐 + 𝜎𝑛 tan ∅
64.03 − 40.23
tan ∅ =
8.9 − 4.8
tan ∅ = 5.80488
∅ = 80.23°
7.0 DISCUSSION

The direct shear test is well suited for determining the shear strength of soil in a
relatively short period of time, as well as for determining the cohesion value and the
angle of friction. We plotted the graph of shear stress vs strain at the conclusion of the
result. Additionally, we can observe from the graph that the shear stress of each sample
varied due to the load applied to each sample being different. The dial gauge's readings
indicated a direct increase. This is because the time indicated by the dial gauge has
increased. As the sample of soil used is sand, the cohesiveness of the soil is 12 kN/m2.
As previously stated, sand is a coarse-grained soil that has a low degree of cohesiveness.
Additionally, we can deduce the friction angle, which is 80.230, from the graph. The
collapse occurs along a single surface, like slips or shear failures observed in natural
soils.

8.0 CONCLUSION

The direct shear test is a text-based system used in geotechnical design and examination
that is intended to determine the shear strength of soil. Students can determine the
ultimate stress in this laboratory by drawing a shear stress versus normal stress graph
and the shear stress to normal stress ratio for at least three samples. Thus, the
laboratory's objective was accomplished.

9.0 QUESTIONS AND ANSWER

QUESTION 1
a. Why the perforated plate in this test has a tooth?
The use of a plate with teeth increases fiction and generates grip forces between the
plate and the sample, which aids in evenly distributing the shear stress. The plate is
moving in the opposite direction due to friction.

b. What is the maximum value of displacement before terminating the test?

The maximum displacement value before stopping the test is when the values from
the dial gauge remain constant for at least three consecutive times or when there are
no more increase data, as well as when the incline value suddenly drops, at which
point the test is stopped.

QUESTION 2
a. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a direct shear test?
Advantages: Simple sample preparation. Convenient and straightforward test.
Disadvantages: The constant decrease in the contact surface between the two
halves during the test results in a small error in the shear and normal stresses,
which affects the Mohr-Coulomb failure envelope.

b. Why do we use fixing screws in this test? What will happen of you do not
remove them during the test?
Fixing screws hold the upper and lower halves together. It's difficult to hold the
top and bottom halves apart when the fixing screws aren't removed during the
test.