Chap.

9: In Situ Stresses

Poor Bearing
Capacity
Good Bearing Capacity Poor Bearing Capacity

1
 Learning Objectives

1. Explain the effective stress principle

2. Calculate the total stress, effective stress, and pore pressure under
hydrostatic condition
3. Calculate the total stress, effective stress, and pore pressure under
vertical seepage (upward or downward)
4. Explain the effect of particle size on capillary rise in soil
5. Explain why soil in capillary zone has higher strength and
stiffness

2
 Stresses in Saturated Soil without
Seepage
The total stress at the elevation of A is:

𝜎 = 𝐻𝛾𝑤 + 𝐻𝐴 − 𝐻 𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡

1. H is the height water table from the

top of the soil column
2. 𝐻𝐴 is the distance between point A
and the water table
3. 𝛾𝜔 is the unit weight of water
4. 𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 is the saturated unit weight of
the soil

3
 Stresses in Saturated Soil without
Seepage
The total stress can be divided into two
parts:

1. The stress carried by water through

the void spaces

2. The stress carried by the soil solids

at their points of contact

The sum of the vertical force components

at the soil solids points of contact per
unit area is the effective stress

4
 Stresses in Saturated Soil without
Seepage
• The total stress can be approximated by:

𝜎 = 𝜎′ + 𝑢

𝜎′ is the effective stress

𝑢 = 𝐻𝐴 𝛾𝑤 and is referred to as the pore water pressure

• Effective stress is approximately the stress carried by the soil skeleton

• The principle of effective stress is one of the most important concepts in
geotechnical engineering
• The compressibility and shearing resistance of a soil largely depend on the
effective stress

5
Capillary Rise in Soils
7
Capillary Rise in Soils

8
The capillary tubes formed in soils
have variable cross sections because
of the continuity of voids

An approximation for the capillary

rise is:
𝐶
ℎ1 (mm) =
𝑒𝐷10
1. 𝐷10 is the effective size
2. 𝐶 is a constant that varies from 10
to 50 mm2
9
Capillary Effect and Practice

10
Vertical Stresses in Soil Without Seepage
Vertical Stresses in Soil Without Seepage
Example 1
Example 1
Example 1
Example 1

16
Vertical Stresses in Soil without Seepage

Closed
Vertical Stresses in Soil with Vertical Seepage
19
20
21
22
23
 Example 2
H1 = 1.5 m, H2 = 2.5 m, h = 1.5 m, z = 1.25 m

k = 0.12 cm/s, cross sectional area = 0.45 m2

𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 = 18.6 kN/m3

Datum

24
 Example 2
H1 = 1.5 m, H2 = 2.5 m, h = 1.5 m, z = 1.25 m

k = 0.12 cm/s, cross sectional area = 0.45 m2

𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 = 18.6 kN/m3

Datum

25
 Example 2
H1 = 1.5 m, H2 = 2.5 m, h = 1.5 m, z = 1.25 m

k = 0.12 cm/s, cross sectional area = 0.45 m2

𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 = 18.6 kN/m3

Datum

26
27
 “This is one small step for
a man, one giant leap for
mankind.”

“Yes, the surface is fine and powdery. I can kick it up loosely with
my toe. It does adhere in fine layers, like powdered charcoal, to the
sole and sides of my boots. I only go in a small fraction of an inch,
maybe an eighth of an inch, but I can see the footprints of my boots
and the treads in the fine, sandy particles.
1
 Learning Objectives
1. Define coefficient of compressibility
2. Define swell index, compression index, and preconsolidation pressure
3. Define normally consolidated (NC) clay and overconsolidated (OC) clay
4. Evaluate overconsolidation ratio (OCR) of a soil sample when its stress history is known
5. Construct field consolidation curve based on laboratory consolidation test data
6. Calculate consolidation settlement of a NC clay layer
7. Calculate consolidation settlement of an OC clay layer
8. Perform sublayer analysis for consolidation settlement
9. Explain how total stress, effective stress, and pore pressure change with time during
consolidation
10. Explain Terzaghi’s 1-D consolidation governing equation
11. List the assumptions behind Terzaghi’s 1-D consolidation governing equation
12. Explain the effect of hydraulic conductivity and coefficient of compressibility on rate of
consolidation
13. Explain the difference between single-drained and double-drained boundary conditions
14. Determine Cv from consolidation test data using the log-t method
15. Predict consolidation settlement at a given time
16. Predict time needed to achieve a given settlement 2
 Chap. 11: Compressibility of Soil

• The deformation happens in

three stages:
• Initial compression (I)

• Primary consolidation as pore

water is expelled (II)

• Secondary consolidation as the

soil fabric readjusts plastically
(III)

3
 1-D Field: Initial Condition

Ho  vo eo

Field

4
 1-D Field: After Loading

 v

Ho  vo eo e

Field

5
from 1-D Field to 1-D Lab: Sampling, Oedometer Tests

porous stone

Ho  vo undisturbed soil

specimen metal ring
eo Dia = 50-75 mm (oedometer)

Height = 20-30 mm

Field
Lab

6
 from 1-D Field to 1-D Lab: Apply initial Pressure

 vo
porous stone

Ho  vo undisturbed soil

specimen metal ring
eo Dia = 50-75 mm (oedometer)

Height = 20-30 mm

Field
Lab

7
 from 1-D Field to 1-D Lab: Apply External Loading

e
 v  vo +  v
porous stone

Ho  vo undisturbed soil

specimen metal ring
eo e Dia = 50-75 mm (oedometer)

Height = 20-30 mm

Field
Lab

8
 e -  v plot from lab tests
Coefficient of compressibility av

Linear Scale
9
e -  v plot from lab tests
Rebound
av Curve (Field)
Cs
1 Virgin
Lab Consolidation
Consolidation Curve (Field)
Curve 1

Cc
Lab rebound
Curve

 c

Log Scale
10
e -  v plot from lab tests
Rebound
av Curve (Field)
Cs
1 Virgin
Lab Consolidation
Consolidation Curve (Field)
Curve 1

Cc
Lab rebound
Curve

 c

Log Scale
11
e -  v plot from lab tests
Rebound
av Curve (Field)
Cs
1 Virgin
Lab Consolidation
Consolidation Curve (Field)
Curve 1

Cc
Lab rebound
Curve

 c

Log Scale
12
 Normally Consolidated vs. Overconsolidated Clays
 c
Overconsolidation Ratio: OCR =

 c : preconsolidation pressure of a specimen
  : present effective vertical pressure

Factors that cause overconsolidation:

13
14
Determine preconsolidation pressure of a specimen

4 Lines

15
Determine Cc: NC Clay

16
Determine Cc and Cs: OC Clay

17
 Example 1
Pressure
Void Ratio (kPa)
0.708 25
0.691 50
0.670 100
2m  d = 16.5 kN/m3 0.632 200
Sand
2m  sat = 19 kN/m3 0.632 100
0.650 25
2m Gs = 2.7 0.646 50
Clay 0.623 200
w = 28% 0.574 400
0.510 800
Sand 0.445 1600
0.460 400
0.492 100
0.530 25
18
 Example 1
0.80

0.70

0.60
Void Ratio

0.50

0.40

0.30

0.20
10 100 1000 10000
Vertical Effective Stress (kPa)
 Example 1
0.80

0.70

0.60
Void Ratio

0.50

0.40

0.30

0.20
10 100 1000 10000
Vertical Effective Stress (kPa)
 Example 1
0.80

0.70

0.60
Void Ratio

0.50

0.40

0.30

0.20
10 100 1000 10000
Vertical Effective Stress (kPa)
 Example 1
0.80

0.70

0.60
Void Ratio

0.50

0.40

0.30

0.20
10 100 1000 10000
Vertical Effective Stress (kPa)
 Example 1
0.80

 c  140 kPa
0.70

0.60
Void Ratio

0.50

0.40

0.30

0.20
10 100 1000 10000
Vertical Effective Stress (kPa)
 Example 1
0.80
 c  140 kPa
0.70

0.60
Void Ratio

0.50

0.40

0.30

0.20
10 100 1000 10000
Vertical Effective Stress (kPa)
 Example 1
0.80
 c  140 kPa
0.70

0.60
Cs
Void Ratio

0.50

0.40

0.30

0.20
10 100 1000 10000
Vertical Effective Stress (kPa)
 Example
Pressure
Void Ratio (kPa)
0.708 25
0.691 50
0.670 100
2m  d = 16.5 kN/m3 0.632 200
Sand
2m  sat = 19 kN/m3 0.632 100
0.650 25
2m Gs = 2.7 0.646 50
Clay 0.623 200
w = 28% 0.574 400
0.510 800
Sand 0.445 1600
0.460 400
0.492 100
0.530 25
26
 eo = 0.756 Example
0.80
 vo = 70.4 kPa

0.70

0.60
Cs
Void Ratio

0.50

0.40

 c  140 kPa
0.30

0.20
10 100 1000 10000
Vertical Effective Stress (kPa)
 eo = 0.756 Example
0.80
 vo = 70.4 kPa

0.70

0.60
Cs
Void Ratio

0.50

0.40

 c  140 kPa
0.30

0.20
10 100 1000 10000
Vertical Effective Stress (kPa)
 eo = 0.756 Example
0.80
 vo = 70.4 kPa  c  140 kPa

0.70

0.60
Cs
Void Ratio

0.50

0.40

0.4eo = 0.30
0.30

0.20
10 100 1000 10000
Vertical Effective Stress (kPa)
 eo = 0.756 Example
0.80
 vo = 70.4 kPa  c  140 kPa

0.70

0.60
Cs
Void Ratio

0.50

0.40

0.4eo = 0.30
0.30

0.20
10 100 1000 10000
Vertical Effective Stress (kPa)
 eo = 0.756 Example
0.80
 vo = 70.4 kPa  c  140 kPa

0.70

0.60
Cs
Cc
Void Ratio

0.50

0.40

0.4eo = 0.30
0.30

0.20
10 100 1000 10000
Vertical Effective Stress (kPa)
 Example
Pressure
Void Ratio (kPa)
0.708 25
0.691 50
0.670 100
2m  d = 16.5 kN/m3 0.632 200
Sand
2m  sat = 19 kN/m3 0.632 100
0.650 25
2m Gs = 2.7 0.646 50
Clay 0.623 200
w = 28% 0.574 400
0.510 800
Sand 0.445 1600
0.460 400
0.492 100
0.530 25
32
 How to Calculate Consolidation Settlement ?
Ho
Sc = e NC Clay
1 + eo
 v  c =  vo
e
Virgin Consolidation
Ho  vo e
Curve

eo e
 vo 1
Cc
 v
 vo +  v
e = Cc  log
 vo
 v (log scale) 33
 How to Calculate Consolidation Settlement ?
Ho
Sc = e OC Clay
1 + eo
 v  vo
 c   vo
Cs
e  c
e
 v Virgin
Ho  vo Consolidation
Curve

eo e 1
Cc
Case I

 vo +  v  vo +  v   c
e = Cs  log
 vo
 v (log scale) 34
 How to Calculate Consolidation Settlement ?
Ho
Sc = e OC Clay
1 + eo
 v  vo
 c   vo
Cs
e  c
e Virgin
Ho  vo Consolidation
Curve

eo e  v
1
Cc

 c Case II
e = Cs  log
 vo  vo +  v   c
 vo +  v
+ Cc  log
 c  v (log scale) 35
 Example 2

Δ𝜎𝑣 = 300 kPa

2m  d = 16.5 kN/m3
Sand
2m  sat = 19 kN/m3
2m Gs = 2.7
Clay 4m
w = 28%

Sand

36
37
 Example 3
 v = 2000 psf Given:

 c  2000 psf
10  d = 97.3 pcf
Sand Cc = 0.2
10  sat = 123 pcf Cs = 0.02

Clay 7.5
15  sat = 118 pcf
eo = 0.90

38
39
 Example 4
 v = 8000 psf Given:

 c  6300 psf
10  d = 97.3 pcf
Sand Cc = 0.2
10  sat = 123 pcf Cs = 0.02

Clay 7.5
15  sat = 118 pcf
eo = 0.90

40
41
 Example 5
 v = 8000 psf Given:

 c  6300 psf
10  d = 97.3 pcf
Sand Cc = 0.2
10  sat = 123 pcf Cs = 0.02

Clay 7.5
15  sat = 118 pcf
eo = 0.90

42
43
Excavation Dewatering

44
Excavation Dewatering

45
Sublayer Analysis

46
 Example 6
 v = 8000 psf Given:

10  d = 97.3 pcf

Sand
10  sat = 123 pcf
 sat = 118 pcf
Clay 7.5
 c  6300 psf Cc = 0.2 Cs = 0.02 eo = 0.90
25 10
 c  6400 psf Cc = 0.25 Cs = 0.03 eo = 0.88
 sat = 120 pcf
47
 Example 6
 v = 8000 psf Given:

10  d = 97.3 pcf

Sand
10  sat = 123 pcf
 sat = 118 pcf
Clay 7.5 Cs = 0.02
 c  6300 psf
Cc = 0.2 eo = 0.90
25 10
 c  6400 psf Cc = 0.25 e = 0.88
o
Cs = 0.03
 sat = 120 pcf 48
 Example 6
 v = 8000 psf Given:

10  d = 97.3 pcf

Sand
10  sat = 123 pcf
 sat = 118 pcf
Clay 7.5
 c  6300 psf 12.5 Cs = 0.02 e = 0.90
Cc = 0.2 o
25 10
 c  6400 psf 12.5 Cc = 0.25 eo = 0.88
Cs = 0.03
 sat = 120 pcf 49
50
51
 Example 6
 v = 8000 psf

10  d = 97.3 pcf

Sand
10  sat = 123 pcf
 sat = 118 pcf
Clay 7.5
 c  6300 psf 12.5 Cs = 0.02 e = 0.90
Cc = 0.2 o
25 10
 c  6400 psf 12.5 Cc = 0.25 eo = 0.88
Cs = 0.03
 sat = 120 pcf 52
 Load Distribution between Soil Skeleton and Pore Water

Total Load: P

Soil Skeleton: Spring Ps

Pore Water: Incompressible Pw

P = Ps + P w

Distribution ?
53
Variation of total stress, pore
pressure, and effective stress

Drainage: Top and Bottom

 = u +  = u +  

Distribution ?

54
 Example 7

 v = 500 psf

5  d = 110 pcf
Sand
5  sat = 120 pcf
5
Clay  sat = 125 pcf

Sand

55
 Rate of Consolidation

u u 2 z
= cv 2
t z
cv : Coefficient of Consolidation (L2/T)

k (1 + eo )
cv =
 w av

57
58
 Rate of Consolidation

u u 2 z
= cv 2
t z
cv : Coefficient of Consolidation (L2/T)

k (1 + eo )
cv =
 w av
Assumptions:

59
 cv t
Time Factor (Dimensionless) Tv = 2
H dr

Maximum Length of Drainage Path: H dr

St
Average Degree of Consolidation: U =  100%
Sc
62
 U vs. Tv

T90 = 0.848

T50 = 0.197
63
SD vs. DD
SD vs. DD
Log-t Method to Determine Cv

66
 Example 3 (continued)
Given:
 v = 2000 psf
 c  2000 psf
Cc = 0.2
10  d = 97.3 pcf Cs = 0.02
Sand
Lab Consolidation Tests:
10  sat = 123 pcf
Double drained

Clay 7.5 Initial: ht = 1

15  sat = 118 pcf
eo = 0.90 When ht = 0.95
t50 = 36.3 min
Rock
67
71
Methods for Accelerating Consolidation Settlement

72
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTGa0fG9HWY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbrBqep6IhE
Water coming out of PVD at 2:30 time mark

73
Chapter 17: Subsoil Exploration

1
 Learning Objectives

1. What are the four main types of drilling?

2. What is the main difference between hollow stem auger drilling and solid
stem auger drilling? Which one is more suitable for drilling through a loose
sand layer?
3. Which drilling method is for rock?
4. Are split-spoon samplers used to retrieve distributed or undisturbed soil
samples?
5. What are recorded during a SPT test? How is SPT blow count determined?
6. Are thin-walled Shelby tubes used to retrieve distributed or undisturbed soil
samples?
7. What are recorded in CPT tests?
8. Do you retrieve soil samples from CPT tests?

2
Goals of Site Investigation?

3
Groundwater in State College

4
Case History

5
Case History: Leaning Tower of Pisa

6
Case History: Leaning Tower of Pisa

7
Example: Leaning Tower of Pisa
North South

8
Case History: Leaning Tower of Pisa

9
Case History: Leaning Tower of Pisa

10
 Factors Controlling Site Investigation
o Structure to be Supported
(1) Size and Importance
(2) Depth of Influence of
Foundations
o Type and Method of
Construction
o Nature of Soil:
weak vs. strong
permeable vs. impermeable
o Geology
11
 Types of Site Investigation Methods

• Pits
• Trenches
• Borings – cylindrical
vertical holes made in
the ground
• In situ Testing (SPT,
CPT, etc.)
• Geophysical Tests

12
 How Many Borings?
• Depends on the importance of the project
• Minimum 3
• 5 for a rectangular plot – Get “Profiles”
• More required for sites with highly variable profiles
• Experience often helps
• Decide as you proceed !

13
 Depth of Boring
• Borings should be extended to a
minimum depth at which
induced additional effective
stress have diminished to
(i) ~10% of the stresses applied
at the base of the foundation
(ii) ~5% of the geostatic stress
present at that depth

• A few borings must extend to

bedrock or to a competent (hard)
layer
14
15
 How are Boreholes Made?
• By Drilling (with Drill Bits Wash Boring
or Continuous Flight
Auger)
• Wash Boring/Mud Rotary

Drilling 16
Drill Bits and Augers

17
 Drilling with
Continuous Flight Auger

18
Split-spoon Sampler

19
In-Situ Test: Standard Penetration Test (SPT)

• Most widely used

In-situ Test

• Crude – Hammer a
Sampler into the
Ground, Record the
Resistance

• Done Intermittently
with Drilling of Bore
Holes

20
Standard Penetration Test (SPT)

21
Standard Penetration Test (SPT)

22
SPT Blow Count N
(or NSPT)

23
 SPT
Specifications

• Sampler (ASTM - 1586):

– Outer Diameter = 2 in (51mm)
– Inner Diameter = 1.375in (35mm) with liner
• Hammer: 140lb (63.5kg)
• Fall height: 30in (76cm)
• Borehole Diameter – 66 to 115 mm
24
SPT Sampler

25
 When should SPT be stopped?

• 50 blows required for any 15-cm (6-in) interval

• 100 blows required for a 30-cm (12-in) interval

• 10 successive blows produce no

advance/penetration

26
 Limitations of SPT
• Lack of Standardization
• Different hammers produce different driving
energy
• Operator dependent (quality of operation,
method of hammer release affects N)
• Conditions of rope, sampler, cathead affect N
• Sampler type also affects N
• Total string length, tightness of rod
connections affect N
• Borehole diameter affects N

27
 Elimination of Uncertainties:
Blow Count Corrections
N60 = ChhrhshbN

• N60 is the (energy) corrected blow count

• Ch is hammer correction = hh/60
• hr is rod length correction
• hs is sampler correction
Use values in this
• hb is borehole diameter correction note in addition to
values given in
• N is measured blow count value in field the Textbook
(Table 2.5 )

28
 Hammer Types and Energy Imparted
• Ideally: E = mhammergh
• Pin-weight Hammer: ~70% Efficiency or Energy
Ratio ER (i.e., energy imparted = 0.7 mhammergh)
• Safety Hammer: ~60% ER (standard)
• Donut Hammer: ~45% ER

29
 Hammer Correction

ER hammer type ER hammer type

Ch = =
ER safety hammer 60%

ER = Hammer efficiency = hh

30
 Interpretations of SPT Blow Count

• Two Approaches: Direct and Indirect

• Direct Interpretation: N is related directly to

foundation capacity (bearing capacity)

• Indirect Interpretation: N is related to soil

variables like , DR , su etc. which, in turn, is
related to foundation capacity
31
Interpretations of SPT Blow Count

32
Interpretations of SPT Blow Count

33
 Undisturbed Sampling – Shelby Tube

• Clay – “Undisturbed” Samples

• Sands – Disturbed Samples

34
Typical Boring
Log with SPT
Blow Count

35
Cone Penetration Test
• A “cone” penetrometer is pushed in
the ground at a constant penetration
rate of 2 cm/s

• Resistance is recorded

• Advantages
– Speed of performance
– Simplicity
– Continuous profiling
– Reliability
36
 Cone Specifications
• Cone diameter = 3.57cm
• Cone projected area = 10cm2
• Cone sleeve area = 150cm2
• Cone apex angle = 60o

37
CPT Cone

38
 CPT Rigs
• Three types
– Truck-mounted
– Crawler-mounted
– Trailer-mounted

39
Quantities Measured
• Cone tip resistance qc = (Force
acting on Cone)/(Projected Cone
Area)
• Sleeve Resistance fs = (Shear
Force on Cylindrical
Sleeve)/(Sleeve Area)
• Pore pressure (piezocone)
• Shear Wave (seismic cone)
• Temperature
• Chemical Analysis (Envirocone)

40
 Interpretation of CPT Data

• Friction Ratio fs/qc indicates soil type

• Better to rely on soil boring for soil type

• qc related to Relative Density and Lateral Stress

for Sands

• qc related to Undrained Shear Strength for

Clays

41
42
 Shear failure of soils
Soils generally fail in shear

Embankment

Strip footing

Failure surface

Mobilized shear
resistance

At failure, shear stress along the failure surface (mobilized

shear resistance) reaches the shear strength.
1
 Shear failure of soils
Soils generally fail in shear

Mobilized
Retaining
shear
wall
resistance

Failure
surface

At failure, shear stress along the failure surface (mobilized

shear resistance) reaches the shear strength.
2
Shear failure mechanism

failure surface

The soil grains slide

over each other along
the failure surface.

No crushing of
individual grains.

3
 Shear failure mechanism

At failure, shear stress along the failure surface () reaches the
shear strength (f).
4
 Learning Objectives
1. Calculate the normal and shear stresses on an arbitrary plane when the stress
state is known
2. Draw Mohr’s circle and identify the stress point representing a physical
plane when the stress state is known
3. Explain Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria
4. Judge whether failure occurs at a given stress state
5. Locate the orientation of failure surface
6. Calculate the FOS against shear failure for a plane
7. Explain the difference in their behaviors between dense sand and loose sand
under shear
8. Explain the difference in their behaviors between NC clay and OC clay
under shear
9. Analyze direct shear test data to obtain shear strength parameters
10.Analyze triaxial test data to obtain shear strength parameters
Normal and Shear Stresses: Sign Conventions
Normal and Shear Stresses on a Plane

7
Special Case: n = 0

8
Special Case: n = 0

9
Mohr’s circle

Plane BF

Plane EB

10
11
Special Case

12
Example 1
Given:

 x = 120 kPa
 y = 300 kPa
 = 40 kPa
 = 20
Determine:

1 3 n n
Direction of n
13
 Example 1
Given:

 x = 120 kPa
n  y = 300 kPa
 = 40 kPa
 = 20
Determine:

1 3 n n
Direction of n
15
Example 2

16
 Example 2
C

 kPa

 kPa
O

17
 Example 2
C

 kPa

 kPa
O

P (100, -45)
Plane AC 18
 Example 2
C

Q (60, 45)
 kPa Plane BC

 kPa
O

P (100, -45)
Plane AC19
 Example 2
C

Q (60, 45)
 kPa Plane BC

 kPa
O

P (100, -45)
Plane AC20
 Example 2
C

Q (60, 45)
 kPa Plane BC

 kPa
O

P (100, -45)
Plane AC21
 Example 2
C

Q (60, 45)
 kPa Plane BC

 kPa
O

60
P (100, -45)
Plane AC22
 Example 2
C

Q (60, 45)
 kPa Plane BC

 kPa
O

60
Plane AB
P (100, -45)
Plane AC23
 Example 2
C

Q (60, 45)
 kPa Plane BC

 kPa
O

60
Plane AB
P (100, -45)
Plane AC24
 Example 3

 kPa
C

 kPa
O

25
 Example 3

 kPa
C

 kPa
O

P (80, -30)
Plane AC
26
 Example 3

 kPa
C
Q (150, 30)
Plane BC

 kPa
O

P (80, -30)
Plane AC
27
 Example 3

 kPa
C
Q (150, 30)
Plane BC

O1  kPa
O

P (80, -30)
Plane AC
28
 Example 3

 kPa
C
Q (150, 30)
Plane BC

O1  kPa
O

P (80, -30)
Plane AC
29
 Example 3

 kPa
C
Q (150, 30)
Plane BC

O1  kPa
O
3 1

P (80, -30)
Plane AC
30
 Example 3

n
 kPa
C
Q (150, 30)
Plane BC

O1  kPa
O
3 1

80
P (80, -30)
Plane AC Plane AB
31
Mohr-Coulomb Failure Criterion


f
Cohesion Friction angle

c

Mohr Circles & Failure Envelope


Failure surface  f = c +   tan  

Y
X
Y X


Soil elements at different locations
34
Mohr Circles & Failure Envelope

 v
Y  h
 h  v
Mohr Circles & Failure Envelope


 
 v
Y  h
 h  v
Mohr Circles & Failure Envelope


 
 v
Y  h
 h  v  
Mohr Circles & Failure Envelope


 f
 v
Y  h
 h  v  f
 Orientation of Failure Plane
 1
Failure envelope

 3
’
 3 



 1   + 90 


 3 
 1
Principle Stresses at Failure
Factor of Safety (FOS) Against Shear Failure

 v
Y  h
Factor of Safety (FOS) Against Shear Failure

 v
f
Y  h 
 FOS on Different Planes

 v
Y  h 
 FOS on Different Planes
 1
Failure envelope

 3
’
 3 



 1  + 90 


 3 
 1
FOS on Different Planes

45
 Example 4

 v Dry Sand Specimen:   = 35 c = 0

Initial Condition:  h =  v = 200 psf

 h


46
47
Laboratory tests
Field conditions

A representative
soil sample
z z
vc vc + 

hc hc hc hc

vc vc + 

Before construction After and during

48 construction
 vc + 
Laboratory tests
Simulating field conditions hc hc
in the laboratory
0 vc vc + 

vc
0 0 hc hc


0 vc 

Representative Step 1 vc

soil sample Set the specimen in Step 2
taken from the the apparatus and Apply the
site apply the initial corresponding field
stress condition stress conditions
49
Shear Strength of Soil: Direct Shear Test

50
Shear Strength of Soil: Direct Shear Test

51
52
Loose

53
Dense

54
 Determine Friction Angle of Sand
from DS Tests

 n ,1  peak

f

ult


 n ,1  n,2  n ,3 n

55
Shear Stress vs. Strain: Clay

56
Failure Envelope for Clay
58
Triaxial Shear Test
Piston (to apply deviatoric stress)

Failure plane
O-ring

impervious
membrane
Soil sample Soil
at failure sample
Porous
Perspex stone
cell
Water

Cell pressure
Back pressure Pore pressure or
volume change
pedestal

59
 How to determine strength parameters c and 
(d)fc
1 = 3 + (d)f
Deviator stress, d

Confining stress = 3c

Confining stress = 3b

(d)fb Confining stress = 3a 3

(d)fa

Axial strain


Shear stress, 

Mohr – Coulomb
failure envelope

c  or ’
3a 3b 3c1a 1b 1c
(d)fa (
60
d)fb
61