CIVE1129 - Lecture Notes - Shear Strength PDF

19/08/2014
Geotechnical Engineering 2
CIVE1129
RMIT Academic staff:
Offering Coordinator: Dilan Robert (PhD)
Course Coordinator: Abbas Mohajerani (PhD)
shear strength of soils

Basic concepts
Textbook: Soil Mechanics and Foundations, Muni Budhu,3rd edition, 2011
Reference: Das, B.M. 2013. Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering, 4th ed.,
Cengage Learning., Chapter 10
https://equella.rmit.edu.au/rmit/file/afc52271-a79b-4b02-a65e-b5076537c0f9/1/140318_3_013r.pdf
The materials used in these 42 slides are copyright and are from the textbooks “Fundamentals of Geotechnical
Engineering “, by Das, B.M, 4th edition, 2013 with copy right Cengage Learning, and “Soil Mechanics and
Foundations”, by Muni Budhu, 3rd. edition, 2011, with copyright John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (as outlined in the
books). They are produced for the teaching staff and they should be made available only as a PDF file in a
protected local directory to students who have enrolled in Geotechnical Engineering 2 (CIVE1129).
2
Learning outcomes
• Understand the concept of shear strength of soils.

• Understand the differences between drained and undrained shear
strength.
RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129
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3
Importance
• The safety of any geotechnical structure is dependent on the strength of

the soil.
• If the soil fails, a structure founded on it can collapse, endangering lives
and causing economic damage.
• The strength of soils is therefore of paramount importance to geotechnical
engineers.
• The word strength is used loosely to mean shear strength, which is the
internal frictional resistance of a soil to shearing forces.
• Shear strength is required to make estimates of the load-bearing capacity
of soils and the stability of geotechnical structures, and in analyzing the
stress–strain characteristics of soils.
4
Practical situation
• A home in a precarious position

because the shear strength of
the soil within the slope was
exceeded.
• Would you like this home to be
yours?
• The content of this series of
lectures on shear strength of
soils will help you to understand
the shear behavior of soils so
that you can prevent
catastrophe like this.
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5
Key terms
• Shear strength of a soil is the maximum internal resistance to applied

shearing forces.
• Undrained shear strength, su, is the shear strength of a soil when sheared
at constant volume.
• Critical state is a stress state reached in a soil when continuous shearing
occurs at constant shear stress to normal effective stress ratio and constant
volume.
• Dilation is a measure of the change in volume of a soil when the soil is
distorted by shearing.
6
KEY POINTS: LOOSE SAND, NORMALLY AND LIGHTLY
OVERCONSOLIDATED CLAYS
• Type I soils—loose sands,

normally consolidated and
lightly overconsolidated clays
(OCR<2)—are observed to:
– Show gradual increase in shear
stresses as the shear strain
increases (strain-hardens) until Dense
an approximately constant soil
Loos
shear stress (Figure a), which e soil
we will call the critical state

shear stress.
– Compress, that is, they become
denser (Figure b) until a
constant void ratio, which we Loose
soil
will call the critical ratio, is Dense

soil
reached (Figure c).
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7
KEY POINTS: DENSE SAND AND HEAVILY OVERCONSOLIDATED
CLAYS
• Type II soils—dense sands and

heavily overconsolidated clays
(OCR>2)—are observed to:
– Show a rapid increase in shear
stress reaching a peak value, at
low shear strains (compared to
Type I soils) and then show a
decrease in shear stress with
increasing shear strain (strain-
softens), ultimately attaining a
critical state shear stress (Figure
a).
– Compress initially (attributed to
particle adjustment) and then
expand, that is, they become
looser (Figure b, c) until a critical
void ratio (the same void ratio as
in Type I soils) is attained.
8
KEY POINTS: EFFECTS OF OVERCONSOLIDATION RATIO
• The initial state of the soil dictates

the response of the soil to
shearing forces.
• For example, two
overconsolidated, fine-grained,
homogeneous soils with different
overconsolidation ratios but the
same mineralogical composition
would exhibit different peak shear
stresses and volume expansion.
• The higher overconsolidated soil
gives a higher peak shear strength
and greater volume expansion.
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9
KEY POINTS: EFFECTS OF DRAINAGE OF EXCESS POREWATER
PRESSURE
• A soil with a tendency to compress

during drained loading will exhibit an
increase in excess porewater
pressure (positive excess porewater
pressure under undrained condition)
resulting in a decrease in effective
stress.
• A soil that expands during drained
loading will exhibit a decrease in
excess porewater pressure
(negative excess porewater
pressure) under undrained
condition, resulting in an increase in
effective stress.
• These changes in excess porewater
pressure occur because the void
ratio does not change during
undrained loading; that is, the
volume of the soil remains constant.
10
KEY POINTS
• Volume changes that occur –a soil with an

under drained condition are expansion tendency
suppressed under undrained during drained
condition. condition will respond
–a soil with a compression with negative excess
tendency under drained porewater pressures
condition will respond with during undrained
positive excess porewater condition.
pressures during
undrained condition
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CIVE1129
SHEAR STRENGTH OF SOILS -2

MODELS TO INTERPRET THE SHEAR STRENGTH OF SOILS
TEXTBOOK: SOIL MECHANICS AND FOUNDATIONS, MUNI BUDHU,3RD
EDITION, 2011
12
Learning outcomes
• Understand the soil models: Coulomb and Mohr-

Coulomb
• Know how to interpret soil shear strength test
data
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13
Importance
• Shear strength of a soil is the maximum internal

resistance to applied shearing forces.
• The response of soils to shear stress depends on many
factors including the drainage condition and the history
of loading.
14
COULOMB’S SOIL MODEL
• Soils, in particular granular soils,

are endowed by nature with slip
planes.
• Each contact of one soil particle
with another is a potential micro-
slip plane.
• Loadings can cause a number of
these micro slip planes to align in
the direction of least resistance.
• Thus, we can speculate that a
possible mode of soil failure is slip
on a plane of least resistance.
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15
MODELS TO INTERPRET SHEAR STRENGTH
• A soil model is an
idealized representation
of the soil to allow us to
understand its response
to loading and other
external events. Simple
• Two of the most popular

soil models are:
–Coulomb see CH 11 of
–Mohr-Coulomb textbook
Describe Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria

What are failure conditions at A, B and C?
RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129 16
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KEY POINTS
• Soil states above the peak shear strength boundary are

impossible.
• Soil states within the peak shear strength boundary and
the failure line (critical state) are associated with brittle,
discontinuous soil responses and risky design.
• Soil states below the failure line lead to ductile
responses and are safe.
Major principal stresses and the inclination of failure

plane
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Mohr’s circle and failure envelope

Describe failure envelope and soil strength parameters.
©2001 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning™ is a trademark used herein under license.
20
MOHR–COULOMB (MC) FAILURE CRITERION
• Failure stresses for

uncemented soils
1 3 1 3

(n ) f   sin
2 2
1 3
f  cos
2
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MC FAILURE CRITERION
• Uncemented soils
– at critical state
    

sincs = 1 3  cs  1 3 coscs
1 3 cs 2
– At peak state
      
sinp = 1 3  p= 1 3  cosp
 1 3 p  2 p
22
KEY POINTS: MC FAILURE CRITERION
• Coupling Mohr’s circle with • The maximum shear stress is

Coulomb’s frictional law allows not the failure shear stress.
us to define shear failure
• Information on the deformation
based on the stress state of
or the initial stress state of the
the soil.
soil is not needed to interpret
• Failure occurs, according to soil strength using the MC
the Mohr–Coulomb failure failure criterion.
criterion, when the soil reaches
the maximum principal
effective stress obliquity.
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CIVE1129

INTERPRETATION OF THE SHEAR STRENGTH OF SOILS FOR THIS
COURSE
BOOK CHAPTER: 10
SECTION: 10.6 PAGES: 280 TO 286
24
Learning outcomes
• Understand the soil parameters that can be extracted

from test data using the appropriate soil model and their
significance.
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EXAMPLE: Application of Mohr–Coulomb Failure
Criterion
A cylindrical soil sample was • Determine the friction angle and

subjected to axial principal effective the inclination of the slip plane to
stresses, ′1, and radial principal the horizontal.
effective stresses, ′3. The soil
• Determine the stresses on the
could not support additional
failure plane.
stresses when ′1 = 300 kPa and ′3 =
100 kPa. • Determine the maximum shear
stress.
• Is the maximum shear stress
equal to the failure shear stress?
Assume no significant dilational
effects.
26
SOLUTION
Because there is no significant dilational effects, we can assume critical state has been achieved.
′1 = 300 kPa
Step 1: Find cs.
(1)cs (3 )cs 300100 2 1
sincs    
(1)cs (3 )cs 300100 4 2
cs 30
′3 = 100 kPa
Step 2: Find θ
cs 30
cs  45  45 60
2 2
Step 3: Calculate the stresses on the failure plane.

       300100 300100 
(n )cs  1 3  1 3 sincs    sin30 150kPa
 2 2  cs  2 2 cs
     300100
cs   1 3  coscs   cos3086.6kpa
 2 cs  2 
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SOLUTION
Step 4: Calculate the maximum shear stress.

     300100
max   1 3    100kpa
 2   2 
Step 5: Check if the maximum shear stress is equal to the failure shear
stress.
max 100 kPa cs  86.6 kPa
The maximum shear stress is greater than the failure shear stress.
CIVE1129

LABORATORY TESTS TO DETERMINE THE SHEAR STRENGTH OF
SOILS
Muni Budhu "Soil Mechanics and Foundations," Third Ed., John Wiley &
Developed by: Professor Muniram Budhu
University of Arizona
Email: budhu@email.arizona.edu Sons, NY, NY 2011. Copyright 2011 Muniram Budhu. All rights reserved.
14
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29
Learning outcomes
• Know the common type of lab tests to determine the shear strength
of soils.
• Know the limitations of each test.
• Know how to select the appropriate soil model to interpret the test
data.
• Know the soil parameters to extract using the selected model and
their significance.
30
Importance
• The main purpose of lab tests is to determine the

behavior of soils and to extract soil parameters for
design and construction by replicating the expected field
conditions. There are many lab tests to determine the
shear strength of soils. Each set has own set of
limitations. As a geotechnical engineer, you are
expected to specify the appropriate lab test and interpret
the test data.
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LABORATORY TESTS TO DETERMINE THE SHEAR STRENGTH
PARAMETERS
–Direct shear test

–Triaxial test
32
DIRECT SHEAR
• Direct shear ASTM D 3080

– Constant vertical load applied
followed by increasing the horizontal
force or displacement at a rate
between between 0.0001 to 0.04
in/min)
• Best used for coarse grained soils • Sample shape http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A
http://www.wfi.co.uk/immagini/produ
– Square box (see above)
Nd9GcTQhIwKvuF7QWXm9JPJjSEty
ct_zoom/WF-compon-ssb.jpg
• Parameter obtained: p, cs UOOxWffqCSGqg5Fx8oYB3TQ5Mgf
– Circular
• Advantages: simple, fast, low cost
• Disadvantages: Predetermined failure
plane, uncontrolled drainage, strains
cannot be calculated
• Soil model: Coulomb IPAD Web Browser
• Blackboard link for the direct shear test

May be used for fine-grained soils to obtain su if the
guidelines loading rate is fast.
https://equella.rmit.edu.au/rmit/file/c7a9f176-f89f-4691-bf5b-1d0f6ccbd521/1/140818_3_001.pdf
Video duration: 0.29 minute
Size: 583.3 KB
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TRIAXIAL TEST
• Triaxial Test ASTM D 4747, D 2850

– Test cylindrical soil sample in a
chamber
– Soil sample enclosed in a
waterproof membrane
– Control vertical and radial
stresses independently
• Used for all soil types
• Parameter obtained: p, cs, su,
Young’s modulus, E http://www.inotech.com.vn/Uploa
d/Images/Product/2009.11/medi
• Advantages: Versatile, relatively a/1d6b712a-e8c0-4e18-a87d-
b6d3c3348103_soil_soil_strengt
simple h_image.jpg
• Disadvantages: Only two stresses

can be applied independently,
principal stress axis is fixed.
• Soil model: Mohr-Coulomb
34
TYPES OF TRIAXIAL TEST
Type of test Soil Type Consolid Drainage Durati Practical Use
ation Condition on
Unconfined Fine-grained No. Undrained Quick Analysis of short term stability of

Compression slopes, foundations, retaining
Excess
(UC) walls, excavations, and other
porewater
earthworks.
pressure, u,
greater than or Compare the shear strengths of
less than zero. soils from a site to establish soil
Usually not strength variability quickly and
measured. cost-effectively.
Determine the stress–strain
characteristics under fast
loading conditions.
Consolidated All Yes. Undrained Quick Analysis of both short term and
Undrained (CU) long term stability of slopes,
Excess
foundations, retaining walls,
porewater
excavations, and other
pressure, u,
earthworks.
greater than or
Determine the stress–strain
less than zero.
characteristics. Soil stiffness can
be calculated.
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35
TYPES OF TRIAXIAL TEST
Type of test Soil Type Consolid Drainage Durati Practical Use
ation Condition on
Consolidated All Yes. Drained Long Same as for CU except the

Drained (CD) results apply only to long term
Excess
condition.
porewater
pressure, u = 0
Unconsolidated Fine-grained No. Undrained Quick Same as UC

Undrained (UU)
Excess
porewater
pressure, u,
greater than or
less than zero.
Consolidated-
drained (CD)
triaxial test: (a)

specimen under
cell confining
pressure; (b)
deviator stress
application
RMIT University©Sep. Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129 36
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Effective stress failure envelope from drained tests on
sand and normally consolidated clay.
Total and effective stress failure envelopes for

Consolidated Undrained triaxial tests, for normally
consolidated saturated clay.
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Total stress Mohr’s circles and failure envelope obtained from
Unconsolidated-Udrained
o triaxial tests on fully saturated cohesive
soil
Unconfined compression test.
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Unconfined
compression strength
for undisturbed and
remolded clay
21

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19/08/2014

shear strength of soils

• Understand the concept of shear strength of soils.

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129

• The safety of any geotechnical structure is dependent on the strength of

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129

• A home in a precarious position

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129

• Shear strength of a soil is the maximum internal resistance to applied

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129

• Type I soils—loose sands,

an approximately constant soil

we will call the critical state

will call the critical ratio, is Dense

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129

• Type II soils—dense sands and

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129

• The initial state of the soil dictates

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129

• A soil with a tendency to compress

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129

• Volume changes that occur –a soil with an

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129

SHEAR STRENGTH OF SOILS -2

• Understand the soil models: Coulomb and Mohr-

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129

• Shear strength of a soil is the maximum internal

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129

• Soils, in particular granular soils,

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129

• Two of the most popular

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129

Describe Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129 16

• Soil states above the peak shear strength boundary are

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129

Major principal stresses and the inclination of failure

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129 18

Mohr’s circle and failure envelope

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129 19

• Failure stresses for

1 3 1 3

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129

    

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129

• Coupling Mohr’s circle with • The maximum shear stress is

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129

SHEAR STRENGTH OF SOILS -2

• Understand the soil parameters that can be extracted

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129

A cylindrical soil sample was • Determine the friction angle and

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129

Step 3: Calculate the stresses on the failure plane.

Step 4: Calculate the maximum shear stress.

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129

SHEAR STRENGTH OF SOILS -2

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129

• The main purpose of lab tests is to determine the

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129

–Direct shear test

RMIT University©Sep. 2014 Geotechnical Engineering 2, CIVE1129

• Direct shear ASTM D 3080

• Blackboard link for the direct shear test