FACULTY OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL

ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND
GEOMATIC ENGINEERING

GEOTECHNICS LAB

GROUP REPORT
Code of Subject BFC 31901
Code of Experiment
Title of Experiment
Date of Experiment
Session/ Group No.
Name of Group Leader
Members of Group 1. MUHAMAD ZULFAHMI BIN MOHD ZAIN
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Lecturer/Instructor/Tutor
Date of Submission
C 1 2 3 4 5 S W T
ri C T S
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D · Data is not · Data lacks · Good · Accurate · Accurate
at represente precision representa representati representa
a d or is not · Greater tion of the on of the tion of the
accurate than 20% data using data using data using
difference tables tables tables
with and/or and/or and/or
accepted graphs graphs graphs
6
values · Less than · Data is fairly · Graphs and
15% precise tables are
difference · Less than labeled and
with 10% titled
accepted difference · Data is
values with precise
· Precision is accepted with less
acceptable values than 5%
difference
with
accepted
values
R · Trends/ · Trends/ · Trends/ · Trends/ · Trends/
es patterns patterns patterns patterns are patterns are
ul are not are not are logically logically
ts analyzed analyzed logically analyzed analyzed
& · Questions · Answers to analyzed · Questions · Questions
A are not questions for the are are 6
n answered are most part answered in answered
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is relevant inconsistent answered · Analysis is complete
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D · No · A · A · Accurate · Accurate
is discussion discussion discussion discussion discussion
c and statement statement statement statement
us conclusion and and and and
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o included or of the of the of the of the
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n the hypothesis hypothesis
hypothesis · Possible · Possible
sources of sources of
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and lesson
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the
experiment
was
discussed
and
concluded
Name of Accessor: Signature: Date: Total Score

/
1
0
0
Comment by Assessor Acknowledgement of
Receive

1.0 OBJECTIVE
To determine the shear strength parameters of the soil such as cohesion, C and
friction angle,

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOME

At the end of this experiment, students are able to:
-Perform the direct shear test efficiently.
- Determine the shear strength parameter of the soil

3.0 THEORY

4.0 TEST EQUIPMENTS

5.0 PROCEDURES

1. Verify internal measurement using vernier calipers. The length of the sides, L
and the overall depth, B.
2. Fix base plate inside the shear box. Then put the porous plate on the base
plate. Fit perforated grid plate over porous so that the grid plates should be at
right angles to the direction shear.
3. Fix two halves of the shear box by means of fixing screws
4. For cohesive soils, transfer the soil sample from square specimen cutter to the
shearbox by pressing down on the top grid plate. For sandy soil, compact soil in
layers to the required density in shear box
5. Mount the shear box assembly on the loading frame
6. Set the dial of the proving ring to zero
7. Place the loading yoke on the loading pad and carefully lift the hanger onto the
top of the loading yoke.
8. Apply the correct loading to the hanger pad.
9. Carefully remove the screws clamping the upper half to the lower half
10. Conduct the test by applying horizontal shear load to failure. Rate strain
should be 0.2mm/min
11. Record readings of horizontal and force dial gauges at regular intervals.
12. Conduct test on three identical soil samples under different vertical
compressive stresses, 1.75kg, 2.5kg and 3.25kg

6.0 RESULTS AND CALCULATIONS

Specimen No. : 1
Loading: 1.75 kg
Area: 6 cm × 6 cm = 36 c m2 = 3.6 ×1 0−3 m 2

Table 6.1: Test Result for Specimen 1

Displacement Proving Ring Shear Strain, ε

Dial Gauge 𝚫L (mm) Dial Gauge Load, P (kN) Stress
(kN/m 2)

20 0.20 1 0.0021 0.58 0.00333

40 0.40 6 0.0124 3.44 0.00667

60 0.60 15 0.0311 8.64 0.01000

80 0.80 30 0.0621 17.25 0.01333

100 1.00 41 0.0849 23.58 0.01667

120 1.20 50 0.1035 28.75 0.02000

140 1.40 58 0.1201 33.36 0.02333

160 1.60 64 0.1325 36.81 0.02667

180 1.80 67 0.1387 38.53 0.03000

200 2.00 71 0.1470 40.83 0.03333

220 2.20 74 0.1532 42.55 0.03667

240 2.40 74 0.1532 42.55 0.04000

260 2.60 77 0.1594 44.28 0.04333

280 2.80 77 0.1594 44.28 0.04667

300 3.00 77 0.1594 44.28 0.05000

320 3.20 76 0.1573 43.69 0.05333

340 3.40 73 0.1511 41.97 0.05667

360 3.60 73 0.1511 41.97 0.06000

380 3.80 74 0.1532 42.55 0.06333

400 4.00 76 0.1573 43.69 0.06667

420 4.20 75 0.1553 43.14 0.07000

 440 4.40 74 0.1532 42.55 0.07333

460 4.60 70 0.1449 40.25 0.07667

480 4.80 74 0.1532 42.55 0.08000

500 5.00 71 0.1470 40.83 0.08333

520 5.20 71 0.1470 40.83 0.08667

540 5.40 71 0.1470 40.83 0.09000

560 5.60 71 0.1470 40.83 0.09333

580 5.80 71 0.1470 40.83 0.09667

600 6.00 71 0.1470 40.83 0.10000

620 6.20 71 0.1470 40.83 0.10333

640 6.40 71 0.1470 40.83 0.10667

660 6.60 71 0.1470 40.83 0.11000

680 6.80 71 0.1470 40.83 0.11333

Normal stress, σ n= 2.725w

= 2.725 × 1.75 × 9.81
= 46.78 kN/m 2

Specimen No.: 2
Loading: 2.5kg
Area: 6 cm × 6 cm = 36 c m2 = 3.6 ×1 0−3 m 2

Table 6.2: Test Result for Specimen 2

Displacement Proving Ring Shear Strain, ε

𝚫L (mm)
Stress
Dial Gauge Dial Gauge Load, P (kN)
 (kN/m 2)
20 0.20 2 0.0041 1.14 0.00333

40 0.40 46 0.0952 26.44 0.00667

60 0.60 90 0.1863 51.75 0.01000

80 0.80 99 0.2049 56.92 0.01333

100 1.00 103 0.2132 59.22 0.01667

120 1.20 103 0.2132 59.22 0.02000

140 1.40 109 0.2256 62.67 0.02333

160 1.60 110 0.2277 63.25 0.02667

180 1.80 110 0.2277 63.25 0.03000

200 2.00 110 0.2277 63.25 0.03333

220 2.20 110 0.2277 63.25 0.03667

240 2.40 120 0.2484 69.00 0.04000

260 2.60 110 0.2277 63.25 0.04333

280 2.80 109 0.2256 62.67 0.04667

300 3.00 108 0.2236 62.11 0.05000

320 3.20 106 0.2194 60.94 0.05333

340 3.40 105 0.2174 60.39 0.05667

360 3.60 102 0.2111 58.64 0.06000

380 3.80 102 0.2111 58.64 0.06333

400 4.00 99 0.2049 56.92 0.06667

420 4.20 99 0.2049 56.92 0.07000

 440 4.40 99 0.2049 56.92 0.07333

460 4.60 99 0.2049 56.92 0.07667

480 4.80 99 0.2049 56.92 0.08000

500 5.00 99 0.2049 56.92 0.08333

520 5.20 99 0.2049 56.92 0.08667

540 5.40 99 0.2049 56.92 0.09000

560 5.60 99 0.2049 56.92 0.09333

580 5.80 99 0.2049 56.92 0.09667

Normal stress, σ n= 2.725w

= 2.725 × 2.5 × 9.81
= 66.83 kN/m 2

Specimen No.: 3
Loading: 3.25kg
Area: 6 cm × 6 cm = 36 c m2 = 3.6 ×1 0−3 m 2

Table 6.3: Test Result for Specimen 3

Displacement Proving Ring Shear Strain, ε

𝚫L (mm)
Stress
Dial Gauge Dial Gauge Load, P (kN)
(kN/m 2)

20 0.20 54 0.1118 31.06 0.00333

40 0.40 80 0.1656 46.00 0.00667

60 0.60 96 0.1987 55.19 0.01000

80 0.80 108 0.2236 62.11 0.01333

100 1.00 115 0.2381 66.14 0.01667

120 1.20 121 0.2505 69.58 0.02000

140 1.40 125 0.2588 71.89 0.02333

160 1.60 129 0.2670 74.17 0.02667

180 1.80 131 0.2712 75.33 0.03000

200 2.00 134 0.2774 77.06 0.03333

220 2.20 137 0.2836 78.78 0.03667

240 2.40 138 0.2857 79.36 0.04000

260 2.60 141 0.2919 81.08 0.04333

280 2.80 140 0.2898 80.50 0.04667

300 3.00 139 0.2877 79.92 0.05000

320 3.20 140 0.2898 80.50 0.05333

340 3.40 143 0.2960 82.22 0.05667

360 3.60 141 0.2919 81.08 0.06000

380 3.80 140 0.2898 80.50 0.06333

400 4.00 142 0.2939 81.64 0.06667

420 4.20 140 0.2898 80.50 0.07000

440 4.40 135 0.2795 77.64 0.07333

460 4.60 134 0.2774 77.06 0.07667

480 4.80 138 0.2857 79.36 0.08000

500 5.00 136 0.2815 78.19 0.08333

520 5.20 129 0.2670 74.17 0.08667

540 5.40 130 0.2691 74.75 0.09000

 560 5.60 131 0.2712 75.33 0.09333

580 5.80 130 0.2691 74.75 0.09667

600 6.00 130 0.2691 74.75 0.10000

620 6.20 130 0.2691 74.75 0.10333

640 6.40 130 0.2691 74.75 0.10667

660 6.60 130 0.2691 74.75 0.11000

680 6.80 130 0.2691 74.75 0.11333

700 7.00 130 0.2691 74.75 0.11667

720 7.20 130 0.2691 74.75 0.12000

740 7.40 130 0.2691 74.75 0.12333

760 7.60 130 0.2691 74.75 0.12667

Normal stress, σ n= 2.725w

= 2.725 × 3.25 × 9.81
= 86.88 kN/m 2

Graph of Shear Stress (kN/m 2) Versus Strain

Graph of Shear Stress Versus Normal Stress

Table 6.4: Results of Maximum Shear Stress and Respective Normal

Stress

Specimen No. Shear Stress (kN/m 2) Normal stress, σ n(kN/m 2)

1 40.83 46.78

2 56.92 66.83

3 74.75 86.88

Graph of Shear Stress Versus Normal Stress

 56.92−0
Tan φ=
66.83−0

Soil Friction Angle, φ = 40.42°

Cohesion of soil, c = 0

7.0 DICUSSION
8.0
We performed a shear box test in this laboratory activity. The shear box test is
used to determine shear strength parameters in both cohesion and cohesionless
soils. It's also a quick and cheap test. This test is also known as the direct shear
test because it measures the normal shear stress on the failure plane directly.
Shear strength is a term used in soil mechanics to describe the amount of shear
stress that a soil can withstand. Soil shear resistance results from particle friction
and interlocking, as well as possibly cementation or bonding at particle contacts.
There are two shear strength parameters: friction angle (ø) and cohesion (c).
These two parameters can be calculated using the graph of shear stress at
 failure versus normal stress. Other data, such as normal and shear stress, can
be calculated using the following formulas:

𝑁𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠, 𝜎 (𝑘𝑃𝑎) = 𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 (𝑘𝑁)

𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛 (𝑚2)

𝑆ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠, 𝜏 (𝑘𝑃𝑎) = 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 (𝑘𝑁)

𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛 (𝑚2)

Next, there are three loads used in this laboratory activity: 1.75 kg, 2.5 kg, and
3.25 kg. Next, we determined the normal stress for each load. The normal stress for
a 1.75 kg load is 46.78 kPa, followed by 2.5 kg and 3.25 kg loads at 66.83 kPa and
86.88 kPa, respectively. Shear stress at failure of 40.83 kPa occurred at 120 mm
displacement for a 1.75 kg load, as well as 56.92 kPa at 120 mm displacement for a
2.5 kg load. For a 3.25 kg load, the shear stress at failure was 74.75 kPa at 150 mm
displacement.

9.0 QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1
a. Why perforated plate in this test has a tooth?
b. What is the maximum value of displacement before terminating the
test?

Answer

a) -To prevent soil sliding or movement

- To improve shear resistance

b) In a Direct Shear Test, the maximum value of displacement before
terminating the test is typically defined by the standard testing procedure
or specific project requirements.

QUESTION 2

a. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a direct shear test?

b. Why do we use fixing screws in this test? What will happen if you do not
remove them during the test?

Answer

a) The advantages of direct shear test is :

1.Simplicity and ease of use

- The Direct Shear Test is relatively simple to set up and perform

compared to other advanced tests like the Triaxial Shear Test.

2.Quick result

- The test can be completed relatively quickly, which is beneficial when

you need shear strength data in a short time.

3.Cost effective

- Compared to more complex tests like the Triaxial Test, the Direct Shear
Test is much more affordable and requires less specialized equipment.

The disadvantages of direct shear test is :

1. Limited Stress Conditions

- The test provides a two-dimensional shear failure along a single plane,

while in real-world conditions, the soil may experience a three-
dimensional stress state.

2. Edge Effects

- Friction between the soil and the walls of the shear box (edge effects) can influence
the test results, especially for fine-grained soils.
b) Preventing Lateral movement
- Fixing screws are used to secure the shear box components (top and bottom) and
the soil sample in place.
What Happens If Fixing Screws Are Not Removed During the Test?
Removing the fixing screws before starting the test is a critical part of the procedure.
If you fail to remove the screws during the test, several issues can arise:
Inaccurate shear stress measurement
- If the screws are not removed, the upper portion of the shear box may be unable to
respond freely to the applied shear force. This would affect the shearing process and
most likely result in incorrect shear stress readings because the sample's intended
shear displacement would be restricted.

10.0 CONCLUSION

In summary, we were able to determine the shear strength characteristics of soil

using the shear box test. Next, we'll learn how to use the direct shear box apparatus
properly. Finally, the maximum shear stress for each load has been calculated to be
9.26 kPa for a 0.5 kg load, 21.88 kPa for a 1.0 kg load, and 30.30 kPa for 1.5 kg
load.
10.0 APPENDIX