PROBLEMS ON SHEAR

STRENGTH OF SOIL
 Example# 1
Site exploration was done and it was found that a
thin layer of alluvial silt exists at a depth of 10 m
below the surface of the ground. The water table was
at the surface. With the help of undisturbed sampling
the following data were obtained:

cu =0.82 kg/cm2 u=15o cd =0.62 kg/cm2 d =25o

Estimate the shearing resistance of the silt on a
horizontal plane (i) when the shear stress builds up
rapidly and when shear stress builds up slowly. The
average dry density and moisture content may be
taken as 1.8 g/cc , 35% respectively
Contd…
 Contd…
Given:
ρd =1.8 g/cc ,w= 35%, cu =0.82 kg/cm2, φu =15o
cd = 0.62 kg/cm2 φd =25o D = 10 m
Solution:
Bulk density , ρb = ρd (1+w) = 1.8(1+0.35)= 2.43 g/cc

Submerged Density, ρ  = 2.43- 1 = 1.43 g/cc

Normal stress at 10 m depth:

σ10 = 2.43 x 10 x 100/1000 = 2. 43 kg/cm2

Effective stress at 10 m depth

σ′10 = 1.43 x10 x 1000/1000 = 1.43 kg/cm2
(i) Now for rapid build up, un-drained shear strength
and total pressure will be used :
τ = c+σ tan  = 0.82 + 2.43 tan 15o =1.47 kg/cm2
(ii) For slow build up, effective/ drained properties
will be used
τ = c′+σ′ tan ′ = 0.62 + 1.43 tan 25o = 0.62 + 1.43
x 0.466 = 1.288 kg/cm2
 Example# 2
Samples compacted clean dry sand were tested in a
shear box 6cm x 6cm and the following results were
obtained:

Normal load, kg 10 20 30 40
Peak stress load, kg 9 18.1 27 36.2
Ultimate shear load, kg 7.5 15.2 22.7 30

Determine the angle of shearing resistance of the

sand (i) in the dense state (ii) in the loose state

Contd…
 Contd…

 = Dense state = Peak stress in compacted

state
 = Loose state = ultimate shear = loosened
by shearing action
Shear stress/load

42o
37 o

Normal Stress/Load
 Example# 03
An embankment will be constructed of soil
having c′=4.0 kg/cm2 and ′=26O .
Evaluate the shear strength of material
on a horizontal plane at a point 10 m
below the surface of embankment if
bulk density of the soil is 2.3 g/cc and
pore pressure of the point is 1.8
kg/cm2 Contd…
Contd…

Given:
c′= 4.0 kg/cm2 , = 26o
ρb = 2.3 g/cc , u= 1.8 kg/cm2
D = 10 m = ?
Solution :
We know = c+ σ tan
= c′+ (σ-u) tan
σ = Total stress
Shear strength required at 10 m below
Therefore, Normal stress at 10 m
= 2.3 x 10 x 100/1000 = 2.3 kg/cm2

Therefore,  or s = c′+ (σ-u) tan

= 4.0 + (2.3-1.8) x tan26o
= 4.0 + 0.5 x 0.488 = 4.244 kg/cm2
 Example #4
(a) soil are found to have a unit weight of 19.6 kN/m 3 and
an angle of internal friction of 35 O . What is the shearing
strength of the soil on a horizontal plane at a point 4 m
below the ground surface.

Given:
b = 19.6 kN/m3 , φ = 35o , At 4 m τ= ?
Solution:
Formula for = c+ σ tan
Normal stress at 4 m = overburden
pressure:
σn = 4 x 19.6= 78.4 kN/m2
= 0+ 78.4 x tan35o = 54.9 kN/m2
Contd…
Contd…
(b) A proposed structure will cause the
vertical stress to increase by 60 kN/m2 at the
4 m depth. Assume that the weight of the
structure also causes the shearing stress to
increase to 52 kN/m2 on a horizontal plane at
this depth. Does this shearing stress exceed
the shearing strength of the soil. What will
happen if water table rises to the ground
surface.

Contd…
Contd…
Now total vertical stress due to structure (60 kN/m2 and soil
overburden:
σn =60+78.4 = 138.4 kN/m2 .
Shearing strength that can be developed at this depth:
τ = σ tanφ = 138.4 tan 35o = 96.9 kN/m2 .
Shear stress developed due to load = 52 kN/m2
96.9 > 52 kN/m2
Therefore, shear strength of soil is greater than the shear
stress developed in the soil, ok.
If water table rises , the effective soil overburden pressure
will reduce:
σrn = ( 19.6-9.8) 4 = 39.2 kN/m2 .
Total vertical stress = 60+39.2 = 99.2 kN/m2
τ = σrn tanφ = 99.2 tan 35o =69.46 kN/m2, which is
greater than 52 kN/m2 ,then it is ok.