G5

DIRECT SHEAR TEST

GENERAL

In a direct shear test a square prism of soil is laterally restrained and sheared along a predetermined horizontal plane while being subjected to a pressure applied normal to that plane. The shearing resistance offered by the soil, as one portion is made to slide on the other, is measured at regular intervals of displacement. Failure occurs when the shearing resistance reaches the maximum value which the soil can sustain.

By carrying out set of tests on a set of (usually three sets) same soil sample under different normal pressures, the relationship between measured shear stress at failure and normal applied stress can be obtained. The shearbox apparatus is only suitable for carrying out drained tests for the determination of effective shear strength parameters. There is no control of drainage and the procedure cannot be used for undrained tests.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the test is to determine the parameters of shear strength of soil (i.e. cohesion, c and angle of shearing resistance, ) by direct shear.

APPARATUS 1. 2. 3. 4. Specimen cutter Shearbox apparatus (see Fig. G5-1) Hanger weights Weighing balance

G5-1

G5-2
Fig. G5-1 Details of shearbox

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES

1. 2. 3.

Weigh the specimen cutter nearest to 0.1 g. Obtain and trim a specimen from soil sample using cutter and trimmer. Weigh the specimen in the cutter nearest to 0.1 g, and calculate the initial mass (Mo) of the specimen.

4.

Rest the cutter on the top surface of the assembled shearbox with its inside faces in exact alignment with the inside faces of the shearbox.

5.

Push the specimen out of the cutter and into the shearbox, keeping its upper face horizontal, until it is bedded on to the lower porous plate.

6.

Place the upper porous plate firmly on the specimen. Ensure that there is an equal clearance all around the edges of the plates.

7.

Position the carriage on its bearings on the machine bed, and adjust the drive unit to the correct starting point of the shear test. Secure the horizontal displacement gauge in position.

8.

Assemble the loading system so that the loading yoke is supported by ball seating on top of the load cap.

9.

Shear the specimen to failure using the rate of shear displacement of 40mm/hr.

10.

Start the test and at the same instant start the timer. Record readings of the force measuring device, the horizontal displacement gauge, the vertical deformation gauge and elapsed time, at regular intervals of horizontal displacement (every 1 minute) such that at least 20 readings are taken up to the maximum load (peak shear strength).
NOTE. Intervals of horizontal displacement of 0.1mm meet this requirement. For brittle specimens such as dense sand, sets of data should be recorded at frequent intervals of force, instead of displacement, to ensure that enough readings are taken. For plastic materials the intervals may be greater than normal.

11.

Take additional readings as the maximum horizontal force is approached, so that if the peak occurs it can be clearly defined.

12.

Continue shearing and taking readings beyond the maximum force, or until the full travel of the apparatus has been reached if there is no defined peak, then stop the test.

13.

Reverse the direction of travel of the carriage and return the two halves of the shearbox to their original alignment.

G5-3

14. 15.

Remove the vertical force and loading yoke from the specimen. Transfer the specimen from the shearbox to a small tray, taking care not to lose any soil. Remove any free water with tissue.

16. 17.

Weigh the specimen on tray nearest to 0.1 g. Dry the soil in an oven at 105 0C to 110 0C for a period of 12 hours and determine its dry mass (Ms) to 0.1 g, and its final moisture content.

18.

Repeat the process from (1) to (17) for two more soil specimens using hanger weights of 1.25 kg, 2.5 kg, and 3.75 kg respectively.

NOTES

If shear strength of a soil can be described by the Mohr-Coulomb equation: =c+ where = shear strength c = cohesion
n n

tan

(G5-1)

= normal stress

= angle of shear resistance

Shear stress,

=c+

tan

c Normal stress,

G5-4

CALCULATIONS

1.

For general data, calculate the initial water content, wo (in %), from the equation wo = where, Mo is the initial mass of the specimen (in g); Ms is the final dry mass of the specimen (in g).

Mo - Md x 100 Ms

(G5-2)

2.

From each set of data obtained during the shear test calculate the horizontal shear force, P (in N), applied to the specimen.

3.

Calculate the shear stress on the surface of shear, readings from equation = where, A is the initial plan area of the specimen (in mm2)

(in kPa), for each set of

P A x 1000

(G5-3)

4.

The normal stress, equation

n

(in kPa), applied to the specimen is given by the

9810M A

(G5-4)

where, M is the mass of the hanger and hanger weights (or equivalent mass if a lever-arm loading system is used) applied to the loading cap (in kg).

G5-5