Shear Strength of soils

Shear strength of soil is the ability of soil to resist displacement along internal surfaces ( weakest planes) in
the soil mass

Shear strength is mobilized only in presence of a NORMAL Force, that is compressive forces
Shear strength of the soil is due to
(a) Interlocking ( Angularity) - φ
(b) Intermolecular attraction ( cohesion) –C

“Φ” – Angle of internal friction and “C” – Cohesion are called shear parameters
 Law
governing
shear
strength
To visualize the normal and shear stresses acting on any plane within the soil sample, a graphical
representation of stresses called the Mohr circle is obtained by plotting the principal stresses

Draw a line inclined at angle ϴ with the horizontal through the pole of the Mohr circle so as to
intersect the circle. The coordinates of the point of intersection are the normal and shear stresses
acting on the plane, which is inclined at angle ϴ within the soil sample

Plotting of Mohr’s Circle

O P B
C E

𝜎 = 𝑂𝐸 = 𝑂𝐶 + 𝐶𝐸

𝜎1+𝜎3 𝜎1−𝜎3
= + cos 2ϴ
2 2

𝜎1−𝜎3
𝜏 = 𝐷𝐸 = sin 2ϴ
2
Failure plane angle

Failure occurs when shear strength (𝜏) 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠 the failure strength
(S= 𝜏f)

ⅆ
It occurs on a plane where (𝜏f - 𝜏) = 0
ⅆ𝜃

ⅆ 𝜎1−𝜎3
(C+𝜎 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅ − ( ) sin 2ϴ) =0
ⅆ𝜃 2

Solving

Tan ∅ = - Cot 2ϴ

Cot 2ϴ = Cot (90 + ∅)

ϴ=45 + ∅/2
 Observations in MOHR’S Circle
• Principal planes are free of shear stresses

𝜎1−𝜎3
• Maximum shear stress = radius of Mohr’s circle =
2

𝜎1+𝜎3
• The normal stress on plane of maximum shear is equal to
2

• Shear stresses on planes at right angles to each other are numerically equal and opposite in
direction and are called Conjugate stresses

• When 𝜎1 = 𝜎3, Mohr’s circle reduces to zero and shear stresses does not exist, such a point
is called ISOTROPIC point

• According to Mohr’s theory the stress condition given by any circle with in the Mohr’s
envelope represents a condition of stability

• The stress condition beyond Mohr’s circle does not exist

Tests to determine shear strength

1. Direct shear test

2. Triaxial shear test /Triaxial compression test

3. Unconfined compression test

4. Vane shear test

Stages in shear tests

To simulate field conditions, the shear tests are conducted in 2 stages

(a)Consolidation stage
(b)Shear stage

In consolidation stage 𝜎1 = 𝜎3 is applied and the sample is allowed to

consolidate

In shearing stage 𝜎1 is increased keeping 𝜎3 constant

Drainage conditions in shear tests

Based on the drainage facility provided for escape of pore waters different
conditions of testing arise

1. Unconsolidated – Undrained condition (UU test) or (Q test)

2. Consolidated – Undrained condition (CU test) or (R test)

3. Consolidated – Drained condition (CD test) or (S test)

Unconsolidated – Undrained condition (UU test) or (Q test)

No drainage is allowed in both consolidation and shear stages

No time is given to allow consolidation or dissipate excess pore water

pressure

Conducted quickly so called Q test

Since pore waters are not allowed to go out, they can be measured in both
stages and hence effective stress parameters are possible (UU’ or UU test is
possible)
Consolidated – Undrained condition (CU test) or (R test)

Drainage is allowed in Consolidation stage only

Drainage is not allowed in shear stage

Time is given to allow consolidation BY dissipating excess pore water

pressures in the first stage

Called R test

Since pore waters are not allowed to go out in shear stage, they can be
measured and hence effective stress parameters are possible (CU’ or CU test
is possible)
Consolidated – Drained condition (CD test) or (S test)

Drainage is allowed in both consolidation and shear stages

Consolidation by dissipating excess pore water pressure is alllowed

It takes a lot of time so called S test

Since pore waters are allowed to go out, they cannot be measured and
hence effective stress parameters are not possible
DIRECT SHEAR TEST
Size of laboratory shear box– 6cmX6cmX5cm

Size of sample – 6cmX6cmX2.5cm

Bottom half of the box moves

The sample is forced to fail in horizontal direction (instead of weakest plane)

It is basically a CD test as it is very difficult to measure pore water pressure parameters

With difficulty all drainage conditions are possible

The test is more suitable for SANDY soils and GRAVELS ; rate of shear is 0.2mm/min

The test can also be conducted on clay soils but the rate of strain should be 0.005 to 0.02 mm/min
Results of a Direct shear test

Normal stress Vs Shear stress

 Shear stress Vs Strain

Ultimate stress of loose sand and dense sand are same

Failure strain is 2 to 4% for dense sand (over consolidated clay) and 12 to 16% for loose sand
( Normally consolidated clay)
 ∈

Volume of dense sand first decreases and then increases as strain increases

Volume of loose sand decreases as strain increases

Void ratio of initially loose sand decreases as strain increases

Void ratio of initial dense sand increases as strain increases

The void ratio at which there is no change in volume with increase in strain is known as CRITICAL VOID RATIO
Merits and Demerits of Direct shear test

1. Mainly applicable for Cohesion less soils

2. Difficult to measure pore water pressure

3. Stress conditions are known only at failure

4. Orientation of failure plane is fixed ( Horizontal) and not the weakest plane
Change in Area of sample as test progresses

𝐴𝑜 = 𝑙 2

𝐴1 = 𝑙 − 𝛿𝑙 𝑙

𝐴1 𝑙−𝛿𝑙
= = 1-∈
𝐴0 𝑙

𝐴1 = 𝐴𝑜 (1-∈)
Triaxial compression test
The triaxial test is carried out in a cell on a cylindrical soil sample having a length to diameter ratio of 2.

The usual sizes are 76 mm x 38 mm and 100 mm x 50 mm.

Three principal stresses are applied to the soil sample, out of which two are applied water pressure
inside the confining cell and are equal. The third principal stress is applied by a loading ram through the
top of the cell and is different to the other two principal stresses

The soil sample is placed inside a rubber sheath which is sealed to a top cap and bottom pedestal by
rubber O-rings.

For tests with pore pressure measurement, porous discs are placed at the bottom, and sometimes at the
top of the specimen.

Filter paper drains may be provided around the outside of the specimen in order to speed up the
consolidation process.

Pore pressure generated inside the specimen during testing can be measured by means of pressure
transducers.
The triaxial compression test consists of two stages:

First stage: In this, a soil sample is set in the triaxial cell and confining pressure is then
applied.

Second stage: In this, additional axial stress (also called deviator stress) is applied which
induces shear stresses in the sample. The axial stress is continuously increased until the
sample fails.

During both the stages, the applied stresses, axial strain, and pore water pressure or change
in sample volume can be measured
The triaxial test has many advantages over the direct shear test:

• The soil samples are subjected to uniform stresses and strains.

• Different combinations of confining and axial stresses can be applied.
• Drained and undrained tests can be carried out.
• Pore water pressures can be measured in undrained tests.
• The complete stress-strain behavior can be determined.
All Mohr circles for UU test plotted in terms of total stresses have the same diameter.
The failure envelope is a horizontal straight line and hence
It can be represented by the equation:
 CU & CD Tests:

For tests involving drainage in the first stage, when Mohr circles are plotted in terms of total stresses,
the diameter increases with the confining pressure. The resulting failure envelope is an inclined line
with an intercept on the vertical axis.

cCU  cCD and fCU  fCD

For identical soil samples tested under different triaxial conditions of UU, CU and CD tests,
the failure envelope is not unique
If the same triaxial test results of UU, CU and CD tests are plotted in terms of effective stresses
taking into consideration the measured pore water pressures, it is observed that all the Mohr
circles at failure are tangent to the same failure envelope, indicating that shear strength is a
unique function of the effective stress on the failure plane.
1. ( 𝜎1 − 𝜎3 ) = 𝜎𝑑 is called deviator stress

2. 𝜎3 is called as all-round pressure / cell pressure/ confining pressure/ minor principal stress

3. 𝜎1 𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑗𝑜𝑟 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑝𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠

4. ( 𝜎1 − 𝜎3 ) at failure is called compressive strength of the sample

5. 3 samples are tested at different 𝜎3 values to plot the graph

( peak strength – ultimate strength)

6. Brittleness =
ultimate strength

7. Failure patterns in triaxial test can be Brittle , semi plastic and plastic as shown
Change in Area of sample as test progresses

𝐴1 ∗ ℎ1 = 𝐴𝑂 ∗ ℎ𝑂

𝐴𝑂 ∗ ℎ𝑂
𝐴1 =
ℎ1

𝐴𝑂 ∗ ℎ𝑂
𝐴1 =
ℎ0 − ∆𝑙

𝐴𝑂 ∗ℎ𝑂 𝐴𝑂
𝐴1 = ∆𝑙 =
1−ℎ 1−∈
0
Unconfined Compression Test
Place the specimen on the bottom plate of the compression machine. Adjust the upper
plate to make contact with the specimen.

Adjust the dial gauge and the proving ring gauge to zero.

Apply the compression load to cause an axial strain at the rate of ½ to 2% per minute.

Record the dial gauge reading, and the proving ring reading every thirty seconds up to
a strain of 6%. The reading may be taken after every 60 seconds for a strain between
6%, 12% and every 2minutes or so beyond 12%.

Continue the test until failure surfaces have clearly developed or until an axial strain of
20% is reached.

Measure the angle between the failure surface and the horizontal, if possible.

Take the sample from the failure zone of the specimen for the water content
determination.
Unconfined compressive value (UCC) =

Cohesion = Undrained Shear strength

 ∅ ∅
𝜎1 = 𝜎3 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 45 + 2 + 2C 𝑡𝑎𝑛 45 + 2

Since ∅ =0 for clay and 𝜎3 =0 and 𝜎1 =qu (UCC)

UCC =2C

C= 𝑞𝑢/2 = Cohesion also called as undrained shear strength

Vane shear test
ADVANTAGE OF VANE SHEAR TEST

i. The test is simple and quick.

ii. It is ideally suited for the determination of the undrained shear strength of non-
fissured fully saturated clay.

iii. The test can be conveniently used to determine the sensitivity of clay soils.

iv. The test can be conducted in soft clays situated at a great depth, samples of
which are difficult to obtain.

DISADVANTAGE OF VANE SHEAR TEST

The test cannot be conducted on the clay containing sand or silt laminations or the
fissured clay.
PROCEDURE FOR VANE SHEAR TEST

The following steps are involved:

1. Push into the clay, the vane and rod below the bottom of the bore hole, ensuring the
verticality of the central rod.

2. Rotate the vanes at a constant speed of one degree per minute by suitable equipment.

3. The test can be conveniently used to determine the sensitivity of the soil.

The shear strength of the soil under undrained conditions is equal to the apparent cohesion.
The vane shear test can be used to determine the sensitivity of the soil. After the initial test, the
vane is rotated rapidly through several revolutions such that the soil becomes remoulded. The
test is repeated on the remoulded soils and the shear strength in remoulded condition is
determined. Thus Sensitivity
Let = unit shear strength of the soil

T= maximum torque at failure in kg.cm

H = height of vanes in cm and d = diameter of vane tester in cm

Shear strength at failure along the cylindrical surface

Shearing resistance on an elementary ring of radius ‘r’=

Total shear resistance on the top and bottom of the surface of the cylinder

Equating the torque T to the total shear resistance, we get

d/2 + 2 r
1. Drained tests are required on cohesion-less soils

2. Drained tests on cohesive soils examine long term stability of the soil

3. Undrained tests help in determination of initial stability of footing, embankment,

slopes , cuts and bored excavations

4. Interlocking contributes to 30% of peak strength

5. Ultimate angle of internal friction is angle of repose

6. Ultimate angle of friction is practically constant and is independent of denseness and

looseness
The property of expansion of dense sand deposit on
application of shear stresses under undrained condition is
called dilatant property

Under dynamic loading shear strength in case of loose

sands decrease to such an extent that it tends to behave
as it is a liquid, this property is called LIQUEFACTION