Shear St r engt h of Soi l s Shear St r engt h of Soi l s

CEL 610 Foundation Engineering

St r engt h of di f f er ent
mat er i al s
St eel
Conc r et e
Soi l
Tensi l e
st r engt h
Compr essi ve
st r engt h
Shear
st r engt h
st r engt h
st r engt h
st r engt h
Presence of pore water
Complex
behavior behavior
Shear f ai l ur e of soi l s
Soils generally fail in shear
Embankment Embankment
Strip footing
Failure surface
Mobilized shear
resistance
At failure, shear stress along the failure surface
(mobilized shear resistance) reaches the shear strength.
Shear f ai l ur e of soi l s
Soils generally fail in shear
Retaining
wall
Shear f ai l ur e of soi l s
Soils generally fail in shear
Retaining
wall
Mobilized
shear
resistance
Failure
surface
resistance
At failure, shear stress along the failure surface
(mobilized shear resistance) reaches the shear strength.
Shear f ai l ur e mec hani sm Shear f ai l ur e mec hani sm
failure surface
The soil grains slide
over each other along
the failure surface.
No crushing of No crushing of
individual grains.
Shear f ai l ur e mec hani sm Shear f ai l ur e mec hani sm
At failure, shear stress along the failure surface (t)
reaches the shear strength (t
f
). g (
f
)
Mohr -Coul omb Fai l ur e Cr i t er i on
( ) (i n t er ms of t ot al st r esses)
t
| o t tan + = c
f
|
Cohesion
Friction angle
c
t
f
t is the maximum shear stress the soil can take without
o
o
t
f
is the maximum shear stress the soil can take without
failure, under normal stress of o.
Mohr -Coul omb Fai l ur e Cr i t er i on
( ) (i n t er ms of ef f ec t i ve st r esses)
t
' tan ' ' | o t + = c
f
'
|
u = o o
'
u=porewater
Effective
cohesion
Effective
f i ti l
u pore water
pressure

c
friction angle
t
f

t is the maximum shear stress the soil can take without

o
o
t
f
is the maximum shear stress the soil can take without
failure, under normal effective stress of o.
Mohr -Coul omb Fai l ur e Cr i t er i on
Shear strength consists of two
components: cohesive and frictional. p
t
' tan ' ' | o t c + tan| o t
f f
c + =
t
f
o
f
tan|
frictional
|
c c
o
f
tan |
component
o
f
o'
c and | are measures of shear strength c and | are measures of shear strength.
Higher the values higher the shear strength Higher the values, higher the shear strength.
Mohr Ci r cl e of st r ess
o
1
o
3
o
3
o
Soil element
u
t
o
1
Resolving forces ino andt directions
u
o o
t 2
'
3
'
1
Sin

=
Resolving forces ino andt directions,
2
2
u
o o o o
u t
2
2
2
'
3
'
1
'
3
'
1
'
C
Sin
+
=
2
'
3
'
1
2
'
3
'
1
' 2
2 2
|
|
.
|

\
|

=
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
+
o o
o o
o t
u o 2
2 2
3 1 3 1
Cos + =
2 2
|
.

\
|
.

\
Mohr Ci r cl e of st r ess
o
1
o
o
1
o
1
o o
Soil element
o
3
o
3
u
o
t
Soil element Soil element
o
3
o
3
o
3
o
3
u
o
t
uu
o
t
Soil element
o
1
u
Soil element Soil element
o
1
o
1
uuu
2
2
t
2
'
3
'
1
2
'
3
'
1
' 2
2 2
|
|
.
|

\
|

=
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
+
o o
o o
o t
2
'
3
'
1
o o
2 2
|
.

\
|
.

\
o
2
'
3
'
1
o o +
'
3
o
'
1
o
Mohr Ci r cl e of st r ess
o
1
o
o
1
o
1
o o
Soil element
o
3
o
3
u
o
t
Soil element Soil element
o
3
o
3
o
3
o
3
u
o
t
uu
o
t
Soil element
o
1
u
Soil element Soil element
o
1
o
1
uuu
2
2
t
(o, t)
2
'
3
'
1
2
'
3
'
1
' 2
2 2
|
|
.
|

\
|

=
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
+
o o
o o
o t
2
'
3
'
1
o o
u
2 2
|
.

\
|
.

\
o
2
'
3
'
1
o o +
'
3
o
'
1
o
P
D
= Pole w.r.t. plane
Mohr Ci r cl es & Fai l ur e Envel ope p
Failure surface
t
' tan ' ' | o t + = c
f
|
f
X
X
Y
Y
Soil elements at different locations
o
X ~failure
Y ~ stable
X ~ failure
Mohr Ci r cl es & Fai l ur e Envel ope p
The soil element does not fail if
the Mohr circle is contained the Mohr circle is contained
within the envelope
GL
Ao
GL
Y
o
c
o
c
o
c
Initially, Mohr circle is a point
o
c
+Ao
Ao
Mohr Ci r cl es & Fai l ur e Envel ope p
As loading progresses, Mohr
circle becomes larger
GL GL
Ao
Y
o
c
o
c
o
c
.. and finally failure occurs
when Mohr circle touches the
envelope envelope
Or i ent at i on of Fai l ur e Pl ane
o
1
o
1
Failure envelope
(o, t
f
)
o
3
o
3
o
t
o
3
o
3
o
t
o
1
u
o
1
uu
(90 u)
o '
3
'
1
o o +
'
3
o
'
1
o
u
|
2
P
D
= Pole w.r.t. plane
Therefore,
u = 45 + |/2
90 u + | = u
u 45 + | /2
Mohr c i r cl es i n t er ms of t ot al & ef f ec t i ve st r esses
o
v

u
o
v
=
X
o
h

X
u
+
X
o
h
+
tt
effective stresses
total stresses
o
v
o
h
o
v
o
h
o or o
v h
u
v h
Fai l ur e envel opes i n t er ms of t ot al & ef f ec t i ve
st r esses st r esses
o
v

u
o
v
=
X
o
h

X
u
+
X
o
h
+
tt
If X is on
failure
|
Failure envelope in
terms of total stresses
|
Failure envelope in terms
of effective stresses
effective stresses
total stresses
|
|
o
v
o
h
o
v
o
h
o or o
c
c
v h
u
v h
Mohr Coul omb f ai l ur e c r i t er i on w i t h Mohr c i r cl e
of st r ess of st r ess
o
v
= o
1
t
Failure envelope in terms
of effective stresses
X
o
h
= o
3
effective stresses
|
c
(o
1
o
3
)/2
X is on failure
o
1
o
3 o
|
c
c Cot|
(o
1
+ o
3
)/2
c Cot|
(o
1
+ o
3
)/2
| |
(
| |
' ' ' '
Therefore,
|
|
.
|

\
|

=
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
+
+
2
'
2
' '
'
3
'
1
'
3
'
1
o o
|
o o
| Sin Cot c
. \

. \
Mohr Coul omb f ai l ur e c r i t er i on w i t h Mohr c i r cl e
of st r ess of st r ess
|
|
|

|

=
(
(

|
|
|

|
+
+ ' ' '
'
3
'
1
'
3
'
1
o o
|
o o
| Sin Cot c
|
|
.

\
=
(

|
|
.

\
+
2 2
| | Sin Cot c
( ) ( ) ' ' 2 '
' ' ' '
| | C S ( ) ( ) ' ' 2 '
3 1 3 1
| | o o o o Cos c Sin + + =
( ) ( ) ' ' 2 ' 1 ' 1
' '
| | o | o Cos c Sin Sin + + = ( ) ( ) 2 1 1
3 1
| | o | o Cos c Sin Sin + + =
( ) '
' 2
' 1
' '
| |
o o
Cos
c
Sin
+
+
=
( )
( ) ( ) ' 1
2
' 1
3 1
| |
o o
Sin
c
Sin
+

=
|
|

|
+ +
|
|

|
+ =
'
45 ' 2
'
45
2 ' '
| |
o o Tan c Tan
|
.

\
+ +
|
.

\
+ =
2
45 2
2
45
3 1
o o Tan c Tan
Det er mi nat i on of shear st r engt h par amet er s of
soi l s (c | or c |) soi l s (c , | or c , | )
Laboratory tests on
Field tests
Laboratory tests on
specimens taken from
representative undisturbed
Field tests
samples
M t l b t t t
1 V h t t
Most common laboratory tests
to determine the shear strength
parameters are,
1. Vane shear test
2. Torvane
3. Pocket penetrometer
1.Direct shear test
2.Triaxial shear test
4. Fall cone
5. Pressuremeter
6. Static cone penetrometer
Other laboratory tests include,
Direct simple shear test, torsional
i h t t l t i t i i l
p
7. Standard penetration test
ring shear test, plane strain triaxial
test, laboratory vane shear test,
laboratory fall cone test
Labor at or y t est s
Field conditions
A representative
z
o
vc
A representative
soil sample
z
o
vc
+ Ao
o
hc
o
hc
o
hc
o
hc
o
hc hc
o +Ao o
vc
Aft d d i
o
vc
+ Ao
Before construction
After and during
construction
Labor at or y t est s
o
vc
+ Ao
Simulating field conditions
in the laboratory
o
hc
o
hc
o
vc
0
o
vc
+ Ao
o
hc
o
hc
0
0
o
vc
o
vc
0
t
t
Step 1
Representative
soil sample
St 2
o
vc
Set the specimen in
the apparatus and
l th i iti l
soil sample
taken from the
site
Step 2
Apply the
apply the initial
stress condition
corresponding field
stress conditions
Di r ec t shear t est
S h t i di f t h di t h t Schemat i c di agr am of t he di r ec t shear appar at us
Di r ec t shear t est
Di t h t t i t i t bl f l i d t d d i d t t
Pr epar at i on of a sand spec i men
Di r ec t shear t est i s most sui t abl e f or c onsol i dat ed dr ai ned t est s
spec i al l y on gr anul ar soi l s (e.g.: sand) or st i f f cl ays
Pr epar at i on of a sand spec i men
Porous Porous
plates
Components of the shear box Preparation of a sand specimen
Di r ec t shear t est
Pr epar at i on of a sand spec i men
Pressure plate
L li h f Leveling the top surface
of specimen
Specimen preparation
completed
Di r ec t shear t est
St l b ll
Test pr oc edur e
Pressure plate
Steel ball
P
Porous
plates
S
Proving ring
tto measure
shear force
Step 1: Apply a vertical load to the specimen and wait for consolidation
Di r ec t shear t est
St l b ll
P
Test pr oc edur e
Pressure plate
Steel ball
Porous
plates
S
Proving ring
tto measure
shear force
Step 1: Apply a vertical load to the specimen and wait for consolidation
Step 2: Lower box is subjected to a horizontal displacement at a constant rate
Di r ec t shear t est
Shear box
Dial gauge to
measure vertical
displacement displacement
Proving ring
to measure
Loading frame to
Dial gauge to
shear force
g
apply vertical load
g g
measure horizontal
displacement
Di r ec t shear t est
f Anal ysi s of t est r esul t s
sample the of section cross of Area
(P) force Normal
stress Normal = = o
sample the of section cross of Area
(S) f lidi h d l d i Sh
sample the of section cross of Area
(S) surface sliding at the developed resistance Shear
stress Shear = = t
Note: Cross-sectional area of the sample changes with the horizontal
displacement d sp ace e t
Direct shear tests on sands
Stress-strain relationship
e
s
s
,
t
Dense sand/
OC l
p
e
a
r

s
t
r
e
OC clay
t
f
Loose sand/
S
h
e
NC clay
t
f
Shear displacement
i
o
n
Dense sand/OC Clay

h
e
i
g
h
t

m
p
l
e
E
x
p
a
n
s
i
Loose sand/NC Clay
h
a
n
g
e

i
n
t
h
e

s
a
m
s
s
i
o
n
Shear displacement
y
C
h
o
f

C
o
m
p
r
e
s
Direct shear tests on sands
How to determine strength parameters c and | How to determine strength parameters c and |
s
,
t
Normal stress = o
1
e
a
r

s
t
r
e
s
s
Normal stress = o
2
Normal stress = o
3
t
f1
Normal stress o
1
S
h
e
t
f2
t
f3
Shear displacement
r
e
,
t
f
s

a
t

f
a
i
l
u
|
Mohr Coulomb failure envelope
a
r

s
t
r
e
s
s
|
S
h
e
a
Normal stress, o
Direct shear tests on sands
Some important facts on strength parameters c and | of sand Some important facts on strength parameters c and | of sand
Direct shear tests are
Sand is cohesionless
hence c = 0
Direct shear tests are
drained and pore water
pressures are
dissipated hence u = 0 dissipated, hence u = 0
Therefore,
| = | and c = c = 0
Direct shear tests on clays
In case of clay, horizontal displacement should be applied at a very
slow rate to allow dissipation of pore water pressure (therefore, one
test would take several days to finish)
Failure envelopes for clay from drained direct shear tests
test would take several days to finish)
e
,
t
f
Overconsolidated clay (c 0)
a
t

f
a
i
l
u
r
e
Normally consolidated clay (c = 0)
y ( )
r
s
t
r
e
s
s

a
|
S
h
e
a
r

Normal force, o
Interface tests on direct shear apparatus
I f d ti d i bl d t i i ll bl it In many foundation design problems and retaining wall problems, it
is required to determine the angle of internal friction between soil
and the structural material (concrete, steel or wood)
PP
Soil
S
Soil
S
Foundation material Foundation material
o o t tan ' + =
a f
c
Where,
dh i
a f
c
a
= adhesion,
o = angle of internal friction
Tr i ax i al Shear Test
Piston (to apply deviatoric stress)
Failure plane
O-ring
Soil sample
impervious
membrane
Soil
Soil sample
at failure
Porous
stone
Perspex
Soil
sample
cell
Water
pedestal
Cell pressure
Back pressure
Pore pressure or
volume change
Tr i ax i al Shear Test
Spec i men pr epar at i on (undi st ur bed sampl e)
Sampling tubes
Sample extruder
Tr i ax i al Shear Test
Spec i men pr epar at i on (undi st ur bed sampl e)
Edges of the sample
are carefully trimmed
Setting up the sample
in the triaxial cell y
Tr i ax i al Shear Test
Spec i men pr epar at i on (undi st ur bed sampl e)
Sample is covered
with a rubber
Cell is completely
with a rubber
membrane and sealed
p y
filled with water
Tr i ax i al Shear Test
Spec i men pr epar at i on (undi st ur bed sampl e)
Proving ring to Proving ring to
measure the
deviator load
Dial gauge to
measure vertical measure vertical
displacement
Types of Tr i ax i al Test s
deviatoric stress
(Ao = q)
o
c
Step 1
( q)
Step 2
o
c
o
c
o
c
o
c
o
c
+ q
Under all-around cell pressure o
c
o
c
Shearing (loading)
o
c
q
Is the drainage valve open?
Is the drainage valve open?
yes
no
Consolidated
U lid t d
yes no
D i d U d i d
Consolidated
sample
Unconsolidated
sample
Drained
loading
Undrained
loading
Types of Tr i ax i al Test s
Under all aro nd cell press re
Step 1
Sh i (l di )
Step 2
Under all-around cell pressure o
c
Shearing (loading)
Is the drainage valve open?
yes
no
Is the drainage valve open?
yes no
Consolidated
sample
Unconsolidated
sample
yes no
Drained
l di
Undrained
loading
sample
sample
loading loading
CD test
CU test
UU test
CU test
Consolidated- drained test (CD Test)
Total, o
=
Neutral u Effective o
+
Step 1: At the end of consolidation
o
VC
Total, o
=
Neutral, u Effective, o
+
o
VC
= o
VC VC
o
hC
0
VC VC
o
hC
=
Drainage
0
Step 2: During axial stress increase
o
hC
A
A
Drainage
o
VC
+ Ao
o
o
V
= o
VC
+ Ao =
o
1

o
hC
0
o
h
= o
hC
= o
3
Drainage
Step 3: At failure Step 3: At failure
o
VC
+ Ao
f
o
Vf
= o
VC
+ Ao
f
= o
1f
o
hC
0
o
hf
= o
hC
= o
3f
Drainage
Consolidated- drained test (CD Test)
o
1
= o
VC
+ Ao o
1
o
VC
+ Ao
o
3
= o
hC
Deviator stress (q or Ao
d
) = o
1
o
3
Volume change of sample during consolidation
Consolidated- drained test (CD Test)
g p g
o
f

t
h
e

x
p
a
n
s
i
o
n
c
h
a
n
g
e

o
E
x
Time
V
o
l
u
m
e

c
s
a
m
p
l
e
s
s
i
o
n
Vs
C
o
m
p
r
e
s
Stress-strain relationship during shearing
Consolidated- drained test (CD Test)
s
,
A
o
d
Dense sand
or OC clay
p g g
r

s
t
r
e
s
s
or OC clay
(Ao
d
)
f
Loose sand
D
e
v
i
a
t
o
or NC Clay
(Ao
d
)
f
D
Axial strain
i
o
n
Dense sand
or OC clay
h
a
n
g
e

m
p
l
e
E
x
p
a
n
s
i
y
L d
o
l
u
m
e

c
h
t
h
e

s
a
m
s
s
i
o
n
Axial strain
Loose sand
or NC clay
V
o
o
f

C
o
m
p
r
e
s
CD tests
How to determine strength parameters c and |
d
(Ao
d
)
fc
= + (A )
r
e
s
s
,
A
o
d
C fi i t
(
d
)
fc
Confining stress = o
3c
o
1
= o
3
+ (Ao
d
)
f
v
i
a
t
o
r

s
t
r
(Ao )
Confining stress = o
3a
(Ao
d
)
fb
Confining stress = o
3b
o
3
D
e
v
Axial strain
|
(Ao
d
)
fa
e
s
s
,
t
|
Mohr Coulomb
failure envelope
e
a
r

s
t
r
efailure envelope
S
h
e
o or o
o
o
o o o o
o
3c
o
1c
o
3a
o
1a
(Ao
d
)
fa
o
3b
o
1b
(Ao
d
)
fb
CD tests
St th t d | bt i d f CD t t Strength parameters c and | obtained from CD tests
Since u = 0 in CD
tests o = o
Therefore, c = c
and | = |
tests, o = o
| |
c
d
and |
d
are used
to denote them
CD tests Failure envelopes
For sand and NC Clay, c
d
= 0
s
,
t|
d
M h C l b
s
t
r
e
s
s
Mohr Coulomb
failure envelope
S
h
e
a
r

S
o or o
o
3a
o
1a
(Ao ) (Ao
d
)
fa
Therefore, one CD test would be sufficient to determine |
d
Therefore, one CD test would be sufficient to determine |
d
of sand or NC clay
CD tests Failure envelopes
For OC Clay, c
d
0
t
OC
NC
t
|
OC
NC
c
o or o
o
3
o
1
(Ao
d
)
f
c
o
c
(Ao
d
)
f
Some practical applications of CD analysis for
clays clays
1. Embankment constructed very slowly, in layers over a soft clay
deposit
Soft clay
t
t = in situ drained
shear strength
Some practical applications of CD analysis for
clays clays
2. Earth dam with steady state seepage
t
Core
t = drained shear
strength of clay core strength of clay core
Some practical applications of CD analysis for
clays clays
3. Excavation or natural slope in clay
t
t = In situ drained shear strength
Note: CD test simulates the long termcondition in the field.
Thus, c
d
and |
d
should be used to evaluate the long
termbehavior of soils
Consolidated- Undrained test (CU Test)
Total, o
=
Neutral u Effective o
+
Step 1: At the end of consolidation
o
VC
Total, o
=
Neutral, u Effective, o
+
o
VC
= o
VC VC
o
hC
0
VC VC
o
hC
=
Drainage
0
Step 2: During axial stress increase
o
hC
A
Drainage
o = o + Ao Au = o
o
VC
+ Ao
o
No
o
V
= o
VC
+ Ao Au = o
1
A
o
hC
Au
Step 3: At failure
drainage
o
h
= o
hC
Au = o
3
Step 3: At failure
o
VC
+ Ao
f
N
o
Vf
= o
VC
+ Ao
f
Au
f
= o
1f
o
hC
No
drainage
Au
f
o
hf
= o
hC
Au
f
= o
3f
Volume change of sample during consolidation
Consolidated- Undrained test (CU Test)
g p g
o
f

t
h
e

x
p
a
n
s
i
o
n
c
h
a
n
g
e

o
E
x
Time
V
o
l
u
m
e

c
s
a
m
p
l
e
s
s
i
o
n
Vs
C
o
m
p
r
e
s
Stress-strain relationship during shearing
Consolidated- Undrained test (CU Test)
s
,
A
o
d
Dense sand
or OC clay
p g g
r

s
t
r
e
s
s
or OC clay
(Ao
d
)
f
Loose sand
D
e
v
i
a
t
o
or NC Clay
(Ao
d
)
f
D
Axial strain
+
Loose sand
/NC Clay
+
Dense sand
A
u
-
Axial strain
Dense sand
or OC clay
CU tests
How to determine strength parameters c and |
d
(Ao
d
)
fb o
1
= o
3
+ (Ao
d
)
f
r
e
s
s
,
A
o
d
(
d
)
fb
Confining stress = o
3b
o
1
o
3
+ (Ao
d
)
f
Confining stress = o
v
i
a
t
o
r

s
t
r
o
3
(Ao )
Confining stress = o
3a
D
e
v
Axial strain
t
|
Total stresses at failure
(Ao
d
)
fa
s
t
r
e
s
s
,
|
cu
Mohr Coulomb
failure envelope in
terms of total stresses
h
e
a
r

s
S
o or o
o
o o o
c
cu
o
3b
o
1b
o
3a
o
1a
(Ao
d
)
fa
CU tests
How to determine strength parameters c and |
o
1
= o
3
+ (Ao
d
)
f
- u
f
Mohr Coulomb failure
envelope in terms of
o
3
= o
3
- u
f
u
f
s
s
,
t
|
Mohr Coulomb
f il l i
p
effective stresses
|
Effective stresses at failure
a
r

s
t
r
e
s
|
cu
failure envelope in
terms of total stresses
|
S
h
e
a
o or o
o
o o o
c
cu
o
3b
o
1b

C

u
fa
u
fb
(Ao
d
)
fa
o
3b
o
1b
o
3a
o
1a
(Ao
d
)
fa
o
3a
o
1a
CU tests
St th t d | bt i d f CD t t Strength parameters c and | obtained from CD tests
Shear strength
Shear strength
parameters in terms
Shear strength
parameters in terms
of effective stresses
p
of total stresses are
c
cu
and |
cu
are c and |
c = c
d
and | = |
d d
| |
d
CU tests Failure envelopes
F d d NC Cl d 0 For sand and NC Clay, c
cu
and c = 0
Mohr Coulomb failure
l i t f
t|
Mohr Coulomb
|

envelope in terms of
effective stresses
r
e
s
s
,
t|
cu
Mohr Coulomb
failure envelope in
terms of total stresses
|
h
e
a
r

s
t
S
h
o or o
o
3a
o
1a
o
3a
o
1a
Therefore one CU test would be sufficient to determine
3a 1a
(Ao
d
)
fa
3a 1a
Therefore, one CU test would be sufficient to determine
|
cu
and |(= |
d
) of sand or NC clay
Some practical applications of CU analysis for
clays clays
1. Embankment constructed rapidly over a soft clay deposit
Soft clay
t
t = in situ undrained
shear strength
Some practical applications of CU analysis for
clays clays
2. Rapid drawdown behind an earth dam
t
Core
t = Undrained shear
strength of clay core strength of clay core
Some practical applications of CU analysis for
clays clays
3. Rapid construction of an embankment on a natural slope
t

t
Note: Total stress parameters fromCU test (c
cu
and |
cu
) can be used for
t = In situ undrained shear strength
p (
cu
|
cu
)
stability problems where,
Soil have become fully consolidated and are at equilibrium with
the existing stress state; Then for some reason additional
stresses are applied quickly with no drainage occurring
Unconsolidated- Undrained test (UU Test)
Data analysis Data analysis
Initial specimen condition
Specimen condition
during shearing
o
C
= o
3
o
C
= o
3
No
drainage
o
3
+ Ao
d
No
drainage
o
C
o
3 drainage
o
3
drainage
I i i l l f h l A H Initial volume of the sample = A
0
H
0
Volume of the sample during shearing = A H
Since the test is conducted under undrained condition,
AH =A
0
H
0
A H A
0
H
0
A (H
0
AH) = A
0
H
0
A
A =
1
0
A (1 AH/H
0
) = A
0
z
c 1
Unconsolidated- Undrained test (UU Test)
Step 1: Immediately after sampling Step 1: Immediately after sampling
0
00
Step 2: After application of hydrostatic cell pressure
= +
o
C
= o
3
o
C
= o
3
Au
o
3
= o
3
- Au
c
o = o - Au
No
drainage
= +
Au = B A
C 3
Au
c
o
3
= o
3
- Au
c
drainage
Au
c
= B Ao
3
Increase of pwp due to
Increase of cell pressure
Increase of pwp due to
increase of cell pressure
Skemptons pore water
pressure parameter, B
Note: If soil is fully saturated, then B = 1 (hence, Au
c
= Ao
3
)
Unconsolidated- Undrained test (UU Test)
Step 3: During application of axial load
o
3
+ Ao
d
No
o
1
= o
3
+ Ao
d
- Au
c
Au
d
3 d
o
3
No
drainage
o
3
= o
3
- Au
c
Au
d

= +
Au
c
Au
d
Au
d
=ABAo
d
Increase of pwp due to
increase of deviator stress
Increase of deviator
stress
Skemptons pore water
pressure parameter, A
Unconsolidated- Undrained test (UU Test)
Combining steps 2 and 3,
Au
c
= B Ao
3
Au
d
=ABAo
d
Total pore water pressure increment at any stage, Au
Au= Au
c
+ Au
d
Au= B [Ao
3
+ AAo
d
]
Skemptons pore
water pressure
ti
Au= B [Ao
3
+ A(Ao
1
Ao
3
]
equation
Unconsolidated- Undrained test (UU Test)
Total, o
=
Neutral u Effective o
+
Step 1: Immediately after sampling
0
Total, o
=
Neutral, u Effective, o
+
o
V0
= u
r
0
-u
r
Step 2: After application of hydrostatic cell pressure
o
h0
= u
r
o = o + u o = u
Step 2: After application of hydrostatic cell pressure
o
C
o
C
-u
r
+ Au
c
= -u
r
+ o
c
No
drainage
o
VC
= o
C
+ u
r
- o
C
= u
r
o
h
= u
r
(S
r
= 100%; B = 1)
Step 3: During application of axial load
o + Ao
o
V
= o
C
+ Ao + u
r
- o
c
Au
o
C
+ Ao
o
C
No
drainage
-u
r
+ o
c
Au
o
h
= o
C
+ u
r
- o
c
Au

Step 3: At failure
o
Vf
= o
C
+ Ao
f
+ u
r
- o
c
Au
f
= o
1f
o
C
+ Ao
f
No
o
hf
= o
C
+ u
r
- o
c
Au
f
= o
3f

-u
r
+ o
c
Au
f
o
C
No
drainage
Unconsolidated- Undrained test (UU Test)
Total, o
=
Neutral u Effective o
+
Total, o
=
Neutral, u Effective, o
+
Step 3: At failure
o
Vf
= o
C
+ Ao
f
+ u
r
- o
c
Au
f
= o
1f
o
C
+ Ao
f
No
o
hf
= o
C
+ u
r
- o
c
Au
f
= o
3f

-u
r
+ o
c
Au
f
o
C
C f
No
drainage
Mohr circle in terms of effective stresses do not depend on the cell
pressure.
Therefore, we get only one Mohr circle in terms of effective stress for
different cell pressures
t
o o
o
3
o
1 Ao
f
Unconsolidated- Undrained test (UU Test)
Total, o
=
Neutral u Effective o
+
Total, o
=
Neutral, u Effective, o
+
Step 3: At failure
o
Vf
= o
C
+ Ao
f
+ u
r
- o
c
Au
f
= o
1f
o
C
+ Ao
f
No
o
hf
= o
C
+ u
r
- o
c
Au
f
= o
3f

-u
r
+ o
c
Au
f
o
C
C f
No
drainage
Mohr circles in terms of total stresses
t
Failure envelope, |
u
= 0
u
a
u
b
c
u
o
3b
o
1b
o
3a
o
1a Ao
f
o
3
o
1
o or o
Unconsolidated- Undrained test (UU Test)
Effect of degree of saturation on failure envelope
t
S < 100% S > 100%
o o
o o
o o o or o o
3b
o
1b
o
3a
o
1a
o
3c
o
1c
o or o
Some practical applications of UU analysis for
clays clays
1. Embankment constructed rapidly over a soft clay deposit
Soft clay
t
t = in situ undrained
shear strength
Some practical applications of UU analysis for
clays clays
2. Large earth dam constructed rapidly with
no change in water content of soft clay
t
Core
t = Undrained shear
strength of clay core strength of clay core
Some practical applications of UU analysis for
clays clays
3. Footing placed rapidly on clay deposit
t = In situ undrained shear strength
Note: UU test simulates the short termcondition in the field.
Thus c can be used to analyze the short term Thus, c
u
can be used to analyze the short term
behavior of soils
Unconfined Compression Test (UC Test)
o
1
= o
VC
+ Ao
o
3
= 0
3
Confining pressure is zero in the UC test Confining pressure is zero in the UC test
Unconfined Compression Test (UC Test)
o
1
= o
VC
+ Aof
s
s
,

t
e
a
r

s
t
r
e
s
o
3
= 0
S
h
e
q
u
Normal stress, o
/2 /2
f
=
1
/2 = q
u
/2 = c
u
Various correlations for shear strength
For NC clays, the undrained shear strength (c
u
) increases with the
effective overburden pressure, o
0
) ( 0037 . 0 11 . 0
'
0
PI
c
u
+ =
o
Skempton (1957)
0
o
Plasticity Index as a %
For OC clays, the following relationship is approximately true
c c
|
|

|
|
|

|
8 . 0

'
0
'
0
) (OCR
c c
ed Consolidat Normally
u
idated Overconsol
u
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
o o
Ladd (1977)
For NC clays, the effective friction angle (|) is related to PI as follows
) log( 234 . 0 814 . 0 ' IP Sin = |
Kenny (1959)
Shear strength of partially saturated soils
In the previous sections, we were discussing the shear strength of
saturated soils. However, in most of the cases, we will encounter
unsaturated soils unsaturated soils
Pore air
Water
Pore water
pressure, u
Pore water
Water
Air
Pore air
pressure, u
a
Solid
Effective
Solid
Pore water
pressure, u
w
Water
Solid
stress, o
Solid
Effective
stress, o
Saturated soils Unsaturated soils
Pore water pressure can be negative in unsaturated soils
Shear strength of partially saturated soils
Bishop (1959) proposed shear strength equation for unsaturated soils as
follows
| | ' tan ) ( ) ( ' | _ o t
w a a n f
u u u c + + =
Where,
o
n
u
a
= Net normal stress
u
a
u
w
= Matric suction u
a
u
w
Matric suction
_= a parameter depending on the degree of saturation
(_ = 1 for fully saturated soils and 0 for dry soils)
Fredlund et al (1978) modified the above relationship as follows
b
w a a n f
u u u c | | o t tan ) ( ' tan ) ( ' + + =
Where Where,
tan|
b
= Rate of increase of shear strength with matric suction
Shear strength of partially saturated soils
b
w a a n f
u u u c | | o t tan ) ( ' tan ) ( ' + + =
Same as saturated soils
Apparent cohesion
due to matric suction due to matric suction
Therefore, strength of unsaturated soils is much higher than the strength
of saturated soils due to matric suction of saturated soils due to matric suction
tt
| |
o - u
a
How it become possible
build a sand castle build a sand castle
b
u u u c | | o t tan ) ( ' tan ) ( ' + + =
w a a n f
u u u c | | o t tan ) ( tan ) ( + + =
Same as saturated soils
Apparent cohesion
due to matric suction
t
|

|
Apparent
o - u
a
cohesion