Direct Shear Report

Direct Shear
Objectives
 To conduct a direct shear test on a cohesionless soil sample

 To determine the friction angle of the soil
Introduction
The direct shear test is performed to obtain the shear strength parameters of a soil. It is a quick testing
method with a simple procedure. The shear strength of a soil is a soil’s resistance to shear stress. Shear
strength parameters can be given as,
s=σ n tan φ+ c
 ϕ – friction angle
 c – cohesion
The friction angle depends on the friction between the soil particles. Cohesion is due to the interlocking
of soil particles. In a cohesionless soil such as sand, c is zero. In the direct shear test, failure shear
stresses are obtained for various normal stresses, which then are graphed to obtain the friction angle.
Equipment
 Direct shear apparatus

 Weights
 Electronic scale
Procedure
 First, the base plate, retaining grid plate and porous stone was placed in the lower part of the
shear container in the correct orientation.
 Then, top part of the container was placed and fixed using pins.
 Next, two thirds of the container were filled with the sandy soil sample and levelled carefully.
 After that, porous stone, another grid plate and loading plate were placed on the sand.
 Then a 1mm gap between the two parts of the box was made using the set screws.
 Next the shear container was carefully placed inside the testing apparatus.
 After levelling the lever arm, it was supported using the jack, and loads were added.
 Next, the pins were removed from the box and manual control was locked.
 Then the loading was done at a constant strain rate 1.25mm/min by choosing the correct gear.
 Measurements of the horizontal loads were taken at regular intervals until readings became
constant.
 The above procedure was repeated for two more normal loads.
Observations
Shear Displacement
Normal Load (kN)

Corrected Area, Ac
Normal Load (1): 35.41 Normal Load (2): 70.53 Normal Load (3): 176.43
(mm2)
(mm)
Shear Shear Shear

Shear Force Shear Force Shear Force
Stress, τ Stress, τ Stress, τ
(kN) (kN) (kN)
(N/mm2) (N/mm2) (N/mm2)
0.0 3600 0 0 0 0 0 0
0.5 3570 0.009 0.0025 0.014 0.0039 0.027 0.0076
1.0 3540 0.012 0.0034 0.020 0.0056 0.037 0.0105
1.5 3510 0.018 0.0051 0.019 0.0054 0.041 0.0117
2.0 3480 0.019 0.0055 0.016 0.0046 0.048 0.0138
2.5 3450 0.019 0.0055 0.013 0.0038 0.050 0.0145
3.0 3420 0.018 0.0053 0.056 0.0164
3.5 3390 0.016 0.0047 0.055 0.0162
4.0 3360 0.055 0.0164
4.5 3330 0.054 0.0162
5.0 3300 0.054 0.0164
5.5 3270 0.052 0.0159
6.0 3240 0.048 0.0148
Calculations
 For 0.5mm displacement and normal load 1,
corrected area=( L−shear displacement ) × L

corrected area=(60−0.5)× 60
2
corrected area=3570 mm
normal load
normal stress=
corrected area
0.361 ×9.81 ×10
normal stress=
3 600
−1
normal stress=0.0098 N mm
shear force
shear stress=
corrected area
0.009 ×1000
shear stress=
3570
−1
shear stress=0.0025 N mm
 From Normal stress vs Shear strength graph,
0.01 2−0.0 06
tan φ=
0.03 5−0.018
φ=tan−1 0.353
φ=19.44 °
Results
Normal stress (Nmm-2) Shear strength (Nmm-2)

0.0098 0.0055
0.0196 0.0056
0.0490 0.0168
 ϕ – 19.44o
Discussion
 Shortcomings and alternatives
There are several disadvantages in the direct shear test. The failure plane in the soil specimen is
the plane between the two halves of the container. The problem is that the weakest plane may
be situated elsewhere. This results in higher values than the actual being obtained for shear
strength of a soil. Also, the stress distribution is not uniform, and the stress conditions are only
known at failure. Furthermore, undrained tests cannot be performed because the pore water
pressure cannot be monitored. Even during drained tests, the controlling of drainage is difficult,
so low permeability soils cannot be tested.
These shortcomings are addressed in the triaxial test. In the test, drainage can be controlled,
and pore water pressure can be obtained during consolidation and shearing. This can be used to
simulate field conditions. The stress distribution is uniform in the specimen and failure occurs in
the weakest plane. Also, stresses are constantly measured so Mohr’s circle can be drawn.
 Precautions
Precautions must be taken while conducting the test. Safety is very important, so care must be
taken when handling heavy weights and when electrical equipment. When preparing the
specimen, it must be ensured that the plates are correctly oriented, pins properly in place and
that the soil is levelled. Also, it must be confirmed whether a gap is left between the container
halves.
When placing the container in the testing apparatus care must be taken to prevent disturbance
of the sample. Furthermore, before testing the pins must be removed to facilitate shear
displacement. Also, before loading the loading arm must be levelled and supported. And it must
be ensured that the dial gauge readings are set to zero.
Conclusion
In conclusion it can be stated that a direct shear test was successfully conducted on a soil sample. The
procedure for preparing a specimen and conducting the test was learnt. Then the friction angle was
calculated using the test results. Also, precautions that must be taken to accomplish the test were
understood. Furthermore, knowledge on the advantages and disadvantages of the test was gained.
The shear strengths for the first and second normal loads are the same. This may be due to the 1mm
gap was not there in the first test. Therefore, additional shear force would have been required to
overcome the friction between the container’s two halves. It can be concluded that the absence of the
gap may be the reason for increased shear strength in the first test.
References
Civil Engineers Forum, 2017. Direct Shear Test – Merits and Demerits of Direct Shear Test. [Online]
Available at: http://civilengineersforum.com/direct-shear-test-merits-demerits/
[Accessed 29 March 2018].
I, G., 2009. Direct Shear Test. [Online]

Available at: http://nptel.ac.in/courses/105103097/45
Olson R, L. J., 2004. Direct Shear Testing. [Online]

Available at: http://www.cyut.edu.tw/~jrlai/CE7334/Unit3.pdf

Direct Shear Report

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Direct Shear Report

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Direct Shear Report

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Direct Shear

 To conduct a direct shear test on a cohesionless soil sample

 Direct shear apparatus

Normal Load (kN)

Shear Shear Shear

 For 0.5mm displacement and normal load 1,

corrected area=( L−shear displacement ) × L

 From Normal stress vs Shear strength graph,

Normal stress (Nmm-2) Shear strength (Nmm-2)

 Shortcomings and alternatives

I, G., 2009. Direct Shear Test. [Online]

Olson R, L. J., 2004. Direct Shear Testing. [Online]

You might also like