CVNG 2009
SOIL MECHANICS II
Lecture 5
Soil Behavior in Shear
Craig’s Soil Mechanics
by J.A. Knappett & R.F. Craig, 8th ed, Spon Press, 2012
Soil Behavior in Shear
Main Goals: In this chapter we understand how soil may be
modelled as a continuum, and how its mechanical behavior
(strength and stiffness) may be adequately described using
constitutive models
Course Outcomes:
- Understand how soil may be modelled as a continuum,
and how its mechanical behavior (strength & stiffness)
may be adequately described using elastic & plastic
material (constitutive) models
- Understand the method of operation of standard laboratory
testing apparatus & derive strength & stiffness properties
of soil from these tests for use in subsequent geotechnical
analyses
Soil Behavior in Shear
Course Outcomes (continue):
- Appreciate different strength characteristics of soils
- Understand the critical state concept
- Use simple empirical correlations to estimate strength
properties of soil based on the results of index tests (Ch.1 )
Contents
1. Introduction to Continuum Mechanics
2. Simple Models of Soil Elasticity and Plasticity
3. Laboratory Shear Tests
4. Shear Strength of Coarse-grained & Fine-grained Soils
5. Critical State Framework
6. Estimating Strength Parameters from Index Tests
Laboratory Shear Tests
- Determine shear stiffness (G), strength parameters (c΄, ϕ΄, cu)
• The direct shear test
• The triaxial test
only normal stress applied, no shear stress. normal stress is principle stress
Minor
• Interpretation of triaxial test data: strength
- Stress conditions & Mohr circle for a 2D element
- Stress invariant
s′ = ½(σ′ +σ′ )
1 3
t = ½(σ′ – σ′ )
1 3
- Stress conditions & Mohr circle for a 3D element
- Stress invariant
- Stress invariant (axial
symmetry, σ2= σ3 = σr ;
σ1= σa)
mean stress mean effective stress
deviatoric stress
Two dimensional stress invariant
3 dimensional stress invariant
(a) Direct shear condition
(b) 2D condition
(c) Triaxial compression (σa > σr )
(c’) Triaxial extension (σa < σr )
• Interpretation of triaxial test data: stiffness
- Deviatoric shear strain within a triaxial cell
for undrained conditions, εs = εa. A plot of q versus εa for an un drained
test will thus have a gradient equal to 3G. Undrained triaxial testing is
therefore extremely useful for determining shear modulus.
• Types of triaxial test
1) UU: Unconsolidated-Undrained
2) CU: Consolidated-Undrained
3) CD: Consolidated-Drained
• other tests: Unconfined compression test, laboratory vane,
simple shear apparatus