Title: Shear Strength – Direct Shear Test

Theory:

It is important to determine the shear strength of soil since it is one of the crucial
engineering properties that is required whenever a structure is dependent on the soil’s shearing
resistance. In determining shear strength of soils, several test can be conducted includes direct
shear test, unconfined compression strength (UCS) test, laboratory vane shear test and triaxial
test (unconsolidated undrained, UU). For direct shear test, the specimens used are normally in
square or rectangular shape. This is because the calculation of magnitude of shear stress along
the surface of the square or rectangular specimen will be easier compared to circular shape
(Direct shear test, n.d.) By placing the foundation material in the bottom half with the soil
sample on top of it, the shear strength parameters at the interface of soil and foundation material
can be determined.

Objective: To determine the shear strength parameter of soil using direct shear test.

Apparatus / Material: Weight, Metal box, Soil sample (Clay), Direct shear test machine,
Moisture can

Procedure:

Figure 1

Firstly, 5kg of soil sample (clay) were prepared where 3kg were fully filled with water
(fully saturated) in the pail and 2kg were dry in the tray. The soil sample were prepared and
left 24 hours before the test were conducted. The inner side or diameter of shear box were
measured and the area were calculated. Then, the top and bottom halves of the shear box were
ensured to be in contact and fixed together. Next, a cover was placed on top of the clay. The
shear box was then placed in the machine. All dial gauges were positioned and the readings
were set to zero as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2

The alignment screws that hold the two halves of the shear box together were removed. The
two remaining screws which are diagonally opposite were tighten. For the first sample, normal
stress which is 20kPa was applied. The motor was started with selected speed (0.05 mm/min)
so that the rate of shearing was at the selected constant rate. After that, the reading of horizontal
gauge, vertical gauge and the PR reading were taken and recorded on the data sheet. The test
was stopped when the shear loads started to reduce or remains constant. The soil were removed
and the procedures were repeated with different applied normal stress which are 40kPa and
80kPa. Finally, the soil that were tested were placed in moisture can and left in the oven dry
for 24 hours to get the moisture content.

Result:

Shear box mass = 1.152kg

Internal diameter of shear box = 59.29mm = 60mm

External diameter of shear box = 69.9mm = 70mm

Height of shear box = 30.80mm

 Area = (60 x 60) mm = 3600mm² = 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ m²

Test 1 (Sample 1)

Initial Normal Stress = 20kPa Sedimentation = 1.85

Height with sample = 8.98mm Weight with sample = 1.276kg

Mass of load required = 0.737kg Rate of shearing = 0.05mm/min

Horizontal Horizontal Vertical Vertical PR Shear Area (m²) Shear

gauge displacement gauge displacement reading force (N) stress,
(div) (mm) (div) (mm) (div) Fh
(kPa)

20 0.2 92.0 0.920 2.0 0.002756 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 0.766

40 0.4 84.0 0.840 4.0 0.005512 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 1.531

60 0.6 87.0 0.870 5.0 0.006890 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 1.914
80 0.8 85.5 0.855 5.5 0.007579 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 2.105
100 1.0 82.5 0.825 6.5 0.008957 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 2.488
120 1.2 81.0 0.810 7.0 0.009646 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 2.679
140 1.4 80.0 0.800 8.0 0.011024 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 3.062
160 1.6 78.5 0.785 8.5 0.011713 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 3.254
180 1.8 77.5 0.775 8.5 0.011713 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 3.254
200 2.0 76.0 0.760 9.0 0.012402 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 3.445

220 2.2 75.0 0.750 10.0 0.013780 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 3.828

240 2.4 74.0 0.740 10.0 0.013780 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 3.828

260 2.6 73.0 0.730 10.0 0.013780 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 3.828

280 2.8 72.5 0.725 10.0 0.013780 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 3.828

300 3.0 72.0 0.720 10.0 0.013780 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 3.828

 Test 2 (Sample 2)

Initial Normal Stress = 40kPa Sedimentation = 1.31

Height with sample = 7.04mm Weight with sample = 1.301kg

Mass of load required = 1.468kg Rate of shearing = 0.05mm/min

Horizontal Horizontal Vertical Vertical PR Shear Area (m²) Shear

gauge displacement gauge displacement reading force (N) stress,
(div) (mm) (div) (mm) (div) Fh
(kPa)

20 0.2 80.0 0.800 2.0 0.002756 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 0.766

40 0.4 74.0 0.740 3.0 0.004134 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 1.148

60 0.6 60.0 0.600 4.0 0.005512 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 1.531
80 0.8 69.0 0.690 5.5 0.007579 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 2.105
100 1.0 64.0 0.640 6.0 0.008268 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 2.297
120 1.2 60.0 0.600 6.5 0.008957 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 2.488
140 1.4 56.5 0.565 6.5 0.008957 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 2.488
160 1.6 53.0 0.530 6.5 0.008957 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 2.488
180 1.8 48.0 0.480 7.0 0.009646 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 2.679
200 2.0 44.5 0.445 7.5 0.010335 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 2.871

220 2.2 41.0 0.410 7.5 0.010335 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 2.871

240 2.4 40.0 0.400 8.0 0.011024 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 3.062

260 2.6 38.5 0.385 9.0 0.012402 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 3.445

280 2.8 36.0 0.360 9.5 0.013091 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 3.636

300 3.0 34.0 0.340 9.5 0.013091 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 3.636

320 3.2 30.0 0.300 10.0 0.013780 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 3.828

340 3.4 28.0 0.280 10.0 0.013780 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 3.828

360 3.6 26.0 0.260 10.5 0.014469 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 4.019

380 3.8 24.0 0.240 11.0 0.015158 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 4.211

400 4.0 22.0 0.220 11.0 0.015158 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 4.211

420 4.2 20.0 0.200 11.5 0.015847 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 4.402

440 4.4 19.0 0.190 11.5 0.015847 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 4.402

460 4.6 18.0 0.180 12.0 0.016536 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 4.593

480 4.8 17.0 0.170 12.0 0.016536 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 4.593

500 5.0 15.0 0.150 12.0 0.016536 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 4.593

520 5.2 12.0 0.120 12.0 0.016536 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 4.593

540 5.4 10.0 0.100 12.0 0.016536 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 4.593

560 5.6 9.5 0.950 12.0 0.016536 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 4.593

Test 3 (Sample 3)

Applied Normal Stress = 80kPa Sedimentation = 2.10

Height with sample = 6.91mm Weight with sample = 1.298kg

Mass of load required = 2.217kg Rate of shearing = 0.05mm/min

Horizontal Horizontal Vertical Vertical PR Shear Area (m²) Shear
gauge displacement gauge displacement reading force (N) stress,
(div) (mm) (div) (mm) (div) Fh
(kPa)

20 0.2 48.0 0.480 18.0 0.024804 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 6.890

40 0.4 49.0 0.490 18.0 0.024804 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 6.890

60 0.6 49.0 0.490 18.0 0.024804 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 6.890
80 0.8 50.0 0.500 18,5 0.025493 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 7.081
100 1.0 50.0 0.500 18.5 0.025493 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 7.081
120 1.2 50.5 0.505 18.0 0.024804 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 6.890
140 1.4 51.0 0.510 19.0 0.026182 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 7.273
160 1.6 51.0 0.510 19.0 0.026182 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 7.273
180 1.8 51.0 0.510 19.0 0.026182 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 7.273
200 2.0 50.5 0.505 18.5 0.025493 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 7.081

220 2.2 51.0 0.510 18.5 0.025493 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 7.081

240 2.4 51.5 0.515 19.0 0.026182 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 7.273

260 2.6 52.0 0.520 19.5 0.026871 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 7.464

280 2.8 52.0 0.520 19.5 0.026871 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 7.464

300 3.0 52.0 0.520 19.5 0.026871 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 7.464

320 3.2 52.0 0.520 20.0 0.027560 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 7.656

340 3.4 52.5 0.525 20.0 0.027560 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 7.656

360 3.6 52.5 0.525 20.5 0.028249 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 7.847

380 3.8 53.0 0.530 21.0 0.028938 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 8.038

400 4.0 53.0 0.530 21.5 0.029627 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 8.230

420 4.2 54.0 0,540 21.5 0.029627 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 8.230

440 4.4 54.5 0.545 21.0 0.028938 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 8.038

460 4.6 54.0 0.540 21.0 0.028938 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 8.038

480 4.8 55.0 0.550 22.0 0.030316 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 8.421

500 5.0 55.5 0.555 22.0 0.030316 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 8.421

520 5.2 55.5 0.555 22.0 0.030316 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 8.421

540 5.4 55.5 0.555 22.5 0.031005 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 8.613

560 5.6 56.0 0.560 22.5 0.031005 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 8.613

580 5.8 56.0 0.560 23.0 0.031694 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 8.804

600 6.0 56.5 0.565 23.0 0.031694 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 8.804

620 6.2 57.0 0.570 22.5 0.031005 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 8.613

640 6.4 57.5 0.575 23.0 0.031694 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 8.804

660 6.6 58.0 0.580 23.5 0.032383 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 8.995

680 6.8 58.0 0.580 24.0 0.033072 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 9.187

700 7.0 58.0 0.580 24.0 0.033072 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 9.187

720 7.2 58.0 0.580 24.0 0.033072 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 9.187

740 7.4 58.0 0.580 24.0 0.033072 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 9.187

760 7.6 58.0 0.580 24.0 0.033072 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 9.187

780 7.8 58.0 0.580 24.0 0.033072 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³ 9.187

Moisture can = 28.0 g

Moisture can + soil = 99.0 g

Moisture can + dry soil = 75.38 g

Moisture content = 49.85%

Calculation:

Horizontal gauge (div): Reading from gauge

Horizontal displacement (mm): Reading from gauge x 0.01mm (Scale from machine)

Vertical gauge (div): Reading from gauge

Vertical displacement (mm): Reading from gauge x 0.01mm (Scale from machine)

PR reading (div): Reading from gauge

Shear force: Reading from gauge x 0.002 x 0.689kN

Shear stress: Shear force / Area

Normal Stress (kPa) Shear Stress At Failure (kPa)

20 3.828
40 4.593
80 9.187

Peak

Ϭ₁= 20kPa, Ʈp₁ = 3.828kPa

Ϭ₂ = 40kPa, Ʈp₂ = 4.593kPa

Ϭ₃ = 80kPa, Ʈp₃ = 9.187kPa

Mohr coulomb model, Ʈp = cp + Ϭ tan ϕp

Between Ϭ₂ and Ϭ, tan ϕp = (Ʈp₂ - Ʈp₁)/ (Ϭ₂ - Ϭ₁) = (4.593 – 3.828) / (40 -20) = 0.0383

Between Ϭ₃ and Ϭ, tan ϕp = (Ʈp₃ - Ʈp₁)/ (Ϭ₃ - Ϭ₁) = (9.187 – 3.828) / (80 -20) = 0.0893

Average tan ϕp = (0.0383 + 0.0893) / 2 = 0.0638

ϕp = tan ̄ ˡ (0.0638) = 3.65˚

Put the slope (tan ϕp) into equation and choose any dataset to get c. For example, use Ϭ₁ =
20kPa where Ʈp₁ = 3.828kPa.

Ʈp = cp + Ϭ tan ϕp

3.828 = cp + (20) (0.0638)

3.828 = cp +1.276

3.828 – 1.276 = cp

cp = 2.552

Hence, formulation of shear strength parameter at peak, Ʈp = 2.552 + 0.0638 Ϭ.

Since the peak value and the residual value for the three sample are the same, it can be
concluded that the shear strength parameter at residual is also Ʈp = 2.552 + 0.0638 Ϭ.
The graph shown below is the graph of the shear stress (kPa) against horizontal
displacement (mm) for the three soil samples.

Shear Stress (kPa) Vs Horizontal Displacement (mm)

10

7
Shear Stress (kPa)

5 20kPa

4 40kPa

3 80kPa

0
0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6 2 2.4 2.8 3.2 3.6 4 4.4 4.8 5.2 5.6 6 6.4 6.8 7.2 7.6
Horizontal Displacement (mm)

Graph 1

The graph shown below is the graph of the shear stress (kPa) against normal stress (kPa)
failure envelope for the three soil samples.

Shear Stress (kPa) Vs Normal Stress (kPa)

Failure Envelope
10
9
8
Shear Stress (kPa)

7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
20 40 80
Normal stress (kPa)

Graph 2
Below is the Mohr Coulomb failure envelope for the soil samples.

Mohr coulomb failure envelope

C (intercept of failure envelope) = 2.552

ɸ (slope of the failure envelope) = 3.65˚ ɸ

Graph 3

Discussion:

In this experiment, we were conducting the direct shear test to determine the shear
strength of soil and its parameter. There were three soil samples (clay) that were tested and
each of them were applied with different normal stress which are 20kPa, 40kPa and 80kPa for
sample 1, sample 2 and sample 3 respectively. The rate of shearing for the three samples are
the same which are 0.05mm/min. As the normal stress increases from sample 1 to sample 3,
the mass of load required also increases which are 0.737kg, 1.468kg and 2.717kg for sample
1, sample 2 and sample 3 respectively to balance the reading of the gauge obtained for each
normal stress applied.

Based on the graph failure envelope, it can be obviously seen that when the normal
stress on the samples increases, the shear stress also increases and which means the shear
strength also increases. Failure occurs as the shear stress exceeds the limiting shear stress
(strength). This means that the shear strength of soil are higher for sample 3 as it has higher
normal stress applied on it. The drainage of pore water from the sample tested were less in time
as specimens used in the shear box were thin. Since direct shear is easier and faster to conduct,
the shear strength parameters can be predicted quickly by plotting the Mohr coulomb failure
envelope.
 The cohesion of the soil (intercept of failure envelope), c and the slope of the failure
envelope, ϕ was obtained by taking the peak or maximum shear stress at failure of the soil
samples into the Mohr coulomb model, Ʈp = cp + Ϭ tan ϕp and compared between the three
samples. After calculating, the c obtained is 2.552 while the ϕ is 3.65˚ which can be clearly
seen in Graph 3. Since the peak value of shear stress is the same with the residual value of
shear stress, it can be concluded that the cohesion and the internal friction angle for both peak
and residual are similar.

A graph of shear stress (kPa) against horizontal displacement (mm) for the three soil
samples was plotted to show how the shear stress strengthen as the applied normal stress also
increases and it was clearly shown in Graph 1. The shear stress for each reading was obtained
by dividing the shear force with the area of the sample which is 3.6 x 10 ̄ ³m². After the test,
some of the soil sample were placed in the moisture can and then placed in the oven dry for 24
hours to obtain the moisture content. The moisture content that was obtained is 49.85%.

In order to get an accurate result, our group had taken some precautions to minimize
the error. Some of the precautions taken by us is weighing process of the soil is done quickly
to avoid instant evaporation due to the surrounding temperature. Besides, our group has
allocated each member on different gauge when the test was running so that everyone can be
concentrating on the reading and take it correctly.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the shear strength parameter can be found by the direct shear test as a
result of the peak and residual of the shear stress. Based on the data, the cohesion, c and the
internal friction angle that were obtained are 2.552 and 3.65˚ and it was clearly portrayed on
Graph 3. The cohesion and the internal friction angle are the measures of shear strength and
the higher the value, the higher the shear strength will be. From the results obtained, the
experiment was a success and the objective of the experiment was achieved. Since direct shear
test has a lot of advantage, it is used to predict the parameters quickly. As the normal stress on
the samples increases, the shear strength also increases.