CE336: Geotechnical Engineering Lab II Dept. of Civil Engg.

, IIT Bombay

Name: - Yogendra Choudhary Roll no. 190040136

Direct Shear Test

Abstract: -

Objective: -
To determine a sandy soil specimen's drained shear strength parameters (c', 𝜙') by direct shear test.

IS Codes: -
IS 2720-13 (1986): Methods of test for soils, Part 13: Direct shear test [CED 43: Soil and Foundation Engineering

Procedure: -
1. The specimen is placed in the shear box in 3 layers by temping each layer with a hand tamper before placing
the next layer, and the dial gauges are set. The specimen is then normally loaded.
2. After applying normal stress, the specimen is sheared. The dial gauge readings and the proving ring readings
are taken. The load is removed at the end of the test.
3. The sample is loaded at two more normal stress values, and the same procedure is repeated.
4. Shear strength is obtained using the proving ring readings at different strain values.
5. The peak shear strength is noted down for each of the three normal stress values, and the Mohr-Coulomb
envelope is obtained for the given soil sample by fitting the best line in all three peak readings.
6. The Mohr-Coulomb envelope gives the drained shear strength parameters.

Measured Data: -
Box size = 6 × 6 × 2 cm3 Area of box = 36 cm2
Specimen thickness = 2 cm
Proving ring constant = 0.555 + 0.136 = 0.691 kg/div
Least count of dial gauge measuring vertical deflection = 0.01 mm
Least count of dial gauge measuring horizontal deflection = 0.01 mm

Observation: -
Data table 50 kPa normal stress
Strain in horizontal direction Normal stress = 50 kPa
Horizontal dial reading
% PR dial reading Shear Stress kPa Vertical dial reading
0 0 0 0.000 0
30 1.5 11 20.713 2
60 3 16 30.128 3

190040136 Report No. 2

CE336: Geotechnical Engineering Lab II Dept. of Civil Engg., IIT Bombay

90 4.5 20 37.660 3
120 6 23 43.308 2
150 7.5 26 48.957 0
180 9 29 54.606 -3
210 10.5 31 58.372 -5
240 12 31 58.372 -7
270 13.5 29 54.606 -8
300 15 27 50.840 -9
330 16.5 25 47.074 -10
360 18 23 43.308 -10
390 19.5 22.5 42.367 -10
420 21 22 41.425 -10
450 22.5 21.5 40.484 -10
480 24 21 39.542 -10
510 25.5 21 39.542 -10
540 27 21 39.542 -10
570 28.5 20.5 38.601 -10
600 30 20.5 38.601 -10
630 31.5 20.5 38.601 -10
660 33 20.5 38.601 -10
690 34.5 20.5 38.601 -10
720 36 20.5 38.601 -10

Data table 100 kPa normal stress

Strain in horizontal direction Normal stress = 100 kPa
Horizontal dial reading
% PR dial reading Shear Stress kPa Vertical dial reading
0 0 0 0.000 0
30 1.5 25 47.074 1
60 3 36 67.787 3
90 4.5 40 75.319 5
120 6 42 79.085 6
150 7.5 43 80.968 8
180 9 44 82.851 9
210 10.5 44.5 83.792 9
240 12 45 84.734 10
270 13.5 45 84.734 10
300 15 45 84.734 10
330 16.5 45 84.734 11
360 18 45 84.734 11
390 19.5 45 84.734 11
420 21 45 84.734 11
450 22.5 45 84.734 11
480 24 43.5 81.909 11
510 25.5 42 79.085 11
540 27 41.5 78.143 10

190040136 Report No. 2

CE336: Geotechnical Engineering Lab II Dept. of Civil Engg., IIT Bombay

570 28.5 41 77.202 10

600 30 41 77.202 10
630 31.5 41 77.202 10
660 33 40.5 76.260 10
690 34.5 40.5 76.260 10
720 36 40 75.319 10

Data table 150 kPa normal stress

Strain in horizontal direction Normal stress = 150 kPa
Horizontal dial reading
% PR dial reading Shear Stress kPa Vertical dial reading
0 0 0 0.000 0
30 1.5 31 58.372 2
60 3 41 77.202 4
90 4.5 46 86.617 6
120 6 49 92.266 8
150 7.5 51 96.032 10
180 9 54 101.681 11
210 10.5 54.5 102.622 12
240 12 56.5 106.388 13
270 13.5 57 107.330 13
300 15 58.5 110.154 14
330 16.5 59 111.096 14
360 18 59.5 112.037 14
390 19.5 60 112.979 14
420 21 60 112.979 14
450 22.5 61 114.861 14
480 24 61 114.861 14
510 25.5 61 114.861 14
540 27 62 116.744 14
570 28.5 61 114.861 14
600 30 60.5 113.920 14
630 31.5 60 112.979 14
660 33 59 111.096 14
690 34.5 58.5 110.154 14
720 36 58.5 110.154 14

Calculations: -
Thickness = 2 cm = 20 mm
Length of sample (L) = 6 cm = 60mm
∆l
Axial strain (𝜀a) = l
For horizontal strain reading of 30,
∆𝑙 = Dial gauge reading × Least count = 30 × 0.01 = 0.3 mm
190040136 Report No. 2
CE336: Geotechnical Engineering Lab II Dept. of Civil Engg., IIT Bombay

∆l 0.3
Axial strain (𝜀a) = l
= 20 = 1.5%
Proving ring reading × Proving ring constant
Shear stress (𝜏) =
Area of box

For 2nd reading of 50 kPa load,

11×0.691
Shear stress (𝜏) = 36
= 0.211 kg/cm2 = 20.713 kPa

For 2nd reading of 100 kPa load,

25×0.691
Shear stress (𝜏) = 36
= 0.480 kg/cm2 = 47.074 kPa

For 2nd reading of 150 kPa load,

31×0.691
Shear stress (𝜏) = 36
= 0.595 kg/cm2 = 58.372 kPa

Shear Stress vs Axial Strain Curve for all 3 Data sets

Shear Stress vs Axial Strain (σn=50kPa)

70

60

50
Shear Stress τ (kPa)

40

30

20

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Horizonatl strain %

190040136 Report No. 2

CE336: Geotechnical Engineering Lab II Dept. of Civil Engg., IIT Bombay

Shear Stress vs Axial Strain (σn=100kPa)

90

80

70

60
Shear Stress τ (kPa)

50

40

30

20

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Horizonatl strain %

Shear Stress vs Axial Strain (σn=150kPa)

140

120

100
Shear Stress τ (kPa)

80

60

40

20

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Horizonatl strain %

190040136 Report No. 2

CE336: Geotechnical Engineering Lab II Dept. of Civil Engg., IIT Bombay

Normal Displacement vs Shear Displacement Curve for all 3 Data Set

Normal Displacement v/s Shear Displacement (σn=50 kPa)

0.2

0.1

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

-0.1
Vertical Strain

-0.2

-0.3

-0.4

-0.5

-0.6
Horizontal Strain

Normal Displacement v/s Shear Displacement (σn=100 kPa)

0.6

0.5

0.4
Vertical Strain

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Horizontal Strain

190040136 Report No. 2

CE336: Geotechnical Engineering Lab II Dept. of Civil Engg., IIT Bombay

Normal Displacement v/s Shear Displacement (σn=150 kPa)

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5
Vertical Strain

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Horizontal Strain

For Constant Volume

Values of Shear Stress I choose to calculate the shear parameter as the maximum repeated value around the Critical
Volume. From the Above observation table, we get: -
σ (kPa) τ (kPa)
50 38.60099
100 77.20198
150 114.8615

𝝓 For All separate values

I have taken that all envelopes are going to pass through origin.

For 50 kPa
𝝓c = tan-1((38.6-0)/(50-0))= 37.6681° = 38°

For 100 kPa

𝝓c = tan-1((77.20-0)/(100-0))= 37.6681° = 38°

For 150 kPa

𝝓c = tan-1((114.8615-0)/(150-0))= 37.4428° = 37°

190040136 Report No. 2

CE336: Geotechnical Engineering Lab II Dept. of Civil Engg., IIT Bombay

Best Fit Line

Mohr-Coulomb Envelope For Constant Volume

180

160
y = 0.7626x + 0.6277
140
150, 114.861
120
Shear Stress τ (kPa)

100
100, 77.202
80

60 50, 38.601

40

20

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
Normal Stres σ (kPa)

Mohr Circle for σf=50kPa Mohr Circle for σf=100kPa Mohr Circle for σf=150kPa Linear (Mohr-Coulomb Envelope )

Equation of line obtained

𝜏 = 0.7626𝜎 + 0.6277
C = 0.6277 kPa
𝜙 = tan-1 (0.7626) = 37.33°
However, the angle of friction is supposed to be a whole number.
∴ 𝝓 = 37°

By calculating individual values and best fit line we are getting approximately same values of 𝜙.

For Peak Value

From the above graphs, the peak shear strength is obtained
σ (kPa) τ (kPa)
50 58.37
100 84.73
150 116.74

190040136 Report No. 2

CE336: Geotechnical Engineering Lab II Dept. of Civil Engg., IIT Bombay

Mohr-Coulomb Envelope For Peak

200

180 y = 0.5837x + 28.245

160

140 150, 116.74

Shear Stress τ (kPa)

120
100, 84.73
100

80 50, 58.37

60

40

20

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
Normal Stres σ (kPa)

Mohr Circle for σf=50kPa Mohr Circle for σf=100kPa Mohr Circle for σf=150kPa Linear (Failure Envelope)

Equation of line obtained

𝜏 = 0.5837𝜎 + 28.245
Cp = 28.245 kPa
𝜙p = tan-1 (0.5837) = 30.27°
However, the angle of friction is supposed to be a whole number.
∴ 𝝓p = 30°

Justification of 𝝓 independent of the normal stress in a constant volume

In the Constant volume, we get a very low value of cohesion, indicating that it passes through the origin almost, and the
value of 𝝓 for all 3 data sets individual is also close to best fit 𝝓. Because when the soil reaches the ultimate shear stress,
the interrelationship between particle breakdown and dilation commences as shown in the below image, resulting in
a very low value of C, which makes the 𝝓 independent of the normal stress.

190040136 Report No. 2

CE336: Geotechnical Engineering Lab II Dept. of Civil Engg., IIT Bombay

Result: -
We don't have the pore water pressure, so we cannot calculate the effective stress. If pore water pressure can be
measured by installing a piezometer, we can carry out effective stress analysis, and C' & 𝝓' can be found. If the Pore
water pressure is considered zero, then the total stress and effective stress parameter will be the same.

For Peak: -
Cp = 28.245 kPa
𝝓p = 30°

For Constant Volume: -

C = 0.6277 kPa
𝝓 = 37°

Discussion: -
1. Generally, this test is carried out for those soil that is completely drained. In that case, total and effective stress
parameters will be the same.
2. Shear is applied at a constant rate of strain. The magnitude of the shear load is measured by proving the ring.
Shear deformation & Vertical deformation are measured using a dial gauge during the test. Shear stress &
Normal stress are found by dividing the shear & normal load by the nominal area of the specimen.
3. As drainage cannot be controlled in this test, the rate of loading should be such that pore water pressure does
not develop. That is, it will be a drained condition testing. This test is good for free-draining soil like sand &
gravel. This test cannot be used for clays because drainage cannot be controlled.
4. As the specimen fails along a predetermined plane, hence this test is useful for conditions where the soil has
predetermined cracks.
5. Advantages & Disadvantages of Direct shear test:
Advantage: -
o it is quick, economical, simple and easy to prepare the sample.
Disadvantage: -
o No control over drainage
o Pore water pressure cannot be measured
o The failure plane is predetermined
o The stress distribution is not uniform on the failure plane
o Stress conditions are known only at failure; hence difficult to draw Mohr circle
o Due to normal and shear load application, the volume and area change, but the only nominal area is
considered giving inaccurate results during calculation.
6. Sources of error: -
Many points are discussed in the above discussion, but there are some more possibilities of error that are: -
o Because of eccentricity in the applied load
o There can be parallax error while taking readings
o The proving ring may not be perfectly aligned

Inference: -
The following inferences can be drawn from the experiment: -
• The given soil sample is sandy silty since the cohesion value is non-zero.
• The given sample’s angle of friction is great 30° which suggest that the given sample is sand.
190040136 Report No. 2
CE336: Geotechnical Engineering Lab II Dept. of Civil Engg., IIT Bombay

• The given soil sample is over-consolidated since normally consolidated soils are generally cohesionless.
• The given soil sample is dense for 𝜎n = 50kPa since the soil sample undergoes dilation as it is sheared.
• For 𝜎n = 100kPa and 𝜎n = 150kPa, the soil sample can be interpreted to behave like loose soil since there is no
dilation.

Reference-
• Geotechnical Engineering Lab 2 Manual
• Geotechnical Engineering Lab 2 Lab Videos
• Geotechnical Engineering 1 Lecture Videos

Declaration: -
I have read and understood the guidelines for report preparation, and I attest for the originality of this report.

Yogendra Choudhary
190040136

190040136 Report No. 2