SHEAR STRENGTH

OF SOIL
The shear strength of a soil mass is its maximum resistance to shear stresses
just before failure. It is the internal resistance per unit area that the soil mass
can offer to resist failure and sliding along any plane inside it. Shear strength
is the principal engineering property which controls the stability of a soil mass
under loads.

The factors governing the shear strength of a soil are :

(i) internal friction, i.e., the resistance due to particle interlocking
(ii) cohesion, i.e., the resistance due to the internal structural bond
which tends to hold the particles together
MOHR–COULOMB FAILURE CRITERION

𝝉𝝉𝒇𝒇 = 𝒄𝒄 + 𝝈𝝈 𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕(∅)
where 𝝉𝝉𝒇𝒇 = shear stress at failure plane
c = cohesion (sand, silt and normally consolidated
clays, c=0)
𝝈𝝈 = normal stress at failure plane (effective stress)
∅ = angle of internal friction
COMMON LABORATORY TESTS TO DETERMINE SHEAR STRENGTH

1. Direct Shear Test

The direct shear test is the oldest and simplest form of shear test arrangement. The test
equipment consists of a metal shear box in which the soil specimen is placed. The box is split
horizontally into halves. Normal force on the specimen is applied from the top of the shear
box. The normal stress on the specimens can be as great as 1050 kN/m2. Shear force is
applied by moving one-half of the box relative to the other to cause failure in the soil
specimen.
1. Direct Shear Test

Failure Envelope:
Example 1
A series of direct shear tests was performed on a soil sample. Each test was
carried out until the soil specimen experienced shear failure. The test data
are listed next. Find the soil’s cohesion and angle of friction.

Specimen Normal Stress (psf) Shearing Stress (psf)

1 604 1522
2 926 1605
3 1248 1720
Example 2
Specimens of a soil are subjected to the direct shear
test in the laboratory in a shear box of 6 cm x 6 cm size.The normal load and
the corresponding shear forces at failure are shown below :

Normal load 10 20 30
(kg)
Shear load 9.9 15.41 20.88
(kg)
Example 3
Following data are given for a direct shear test conducted on dry sand:
• Specimen dimensions: 63 mm x 63 mm x 25 mm (height)
• Normal stress: 105 Kpa
• Shear force at failure : 300 N

Determine:
a. The angle of friction
b. For a normal stress of 180 kPa, what shear force is required to cause
failure?
COMMON LABORATORY TESTS TO DETERMINE SHEAR STRENGTH

2. Triaxial Shear Test

The triaxial shear test is one of the most reliable methods available for
determining shear strength parameters. It is used widely for research and
conventional testing. In this test, a soil specimen is encased by a thin rubber
membrane and placed inside a plastic cylindrical chamber that usually is filled
with water or glycerine. The specimen is subjected to a confining pressure by
compression of the fluid in the chamber. To cause shear failure in the
specimen, one must apply axial stress (sometimes called deviator stress).
3 standard types of triaxial
shear test:
1. Consolidated-undrained
test (CU test)
2. Consolidated-drained
test or drained test (CD
test)
3. Unconsolidated-
undrained test or
undrained test (UU test)
• 𝜎𝜎3 - chamber pressure
- confining pressure
- lateral pressure
- radial pressure
- cell pressure
- minimum principal stress
• ∆𝜎𝜎𝑑𝑑 - additional pressure
- deviator pressure
- plunger stress
• 𝜎𝜎1 = 𝜎𝜎3 + ∆𝜎𝜎𝑑𝑑
- maximum principal stress
- axial stress
- normal stress
- vertical pressure
• Consolidated-undrained test (CU test)
The consolidated undrained (CU) test is performed by placing the specimen in
the chamber and introducing lateral pressure. The sample is then allowed to
consolidate under the lateral pressure by leaving the drain lines open. The drain lines
are then closed and axial stress is increased without allowing further drainage.
• Consolidated-drained test (CD test)
The consolidated drained test is similar to CU test, except that the specimen is
allowed to drain as the axial load is applied so that high excess pore pressures do not
develop.
• Unonsolidated-undrained test (UU test)
In unconsolidated-undrained tests, drainage from the soil specimen is not permitted
during the application of chamber pressure. The test specimen is sheared to failure by the
application of deviator stress, and drainage is prevented. Because drainage is not
allowed at any stage, the test can be performed quickly.
Example 4
A consolidated-drained triaxial test was conducted on a normally consolidated clay.
The results are as follows:
• 𝜎𝜎3 = 276 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
• ∆𝜎𝜎𝑑𝑑 𝑓𝑓 = 276 kPa

Determine:
a. Angle of friction
b. Angle that the failure plane makes with the major principal plane
c. Normal stress and shear stress on the failure plane
d. Effective normal stress on the plane of maximum shear stress
Example 5
The equation of the effective stress failure envelope for normally consolidated
clayey soil is 𝜏𝜏𝑓𝑓 = 𝜎𝜎 ′ tan(30). A drained triaxial test was conducted with the
same soil at a chamber-confining pressure of 69 kN/m2. Calculate the
deviator stress at failure.
Example 6
A specimen of saturated sand was consolidated under an all-around
pressure of 105 kN/m2. The axial stress was then increased and
drainage was prevented. The specimen failed when the axial deviator
stress reached 70 kN/m2. The pore water pressure at failure was 50
kN/m2. Determine

a. Consolidated-undrained angle of shearing resistance

b. Drained friction angle
Example 7
A clay sample was consolidated in a triaxial test chamber under an all-around
confining pressure of 152 kN/m2. The sample was then loaded to failure in
undrained condition by applying an additional axial stress of 193 kN/m2. A
pore water pressure sensor recorded an excess pore pressure of -27.6 kN/m2
at failure. Determine the undrained and drained friction angles for the soil.
Example 8
Results of two consolidated-drained triaxial tests on a clayey soil are as
follows:

Test no. 𝜎𝜎3 (kPa) 𝜎𝜎1 (kPa)

1 104 320
2 207 517