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Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay

 Module 4:
Lecture 1 on Stress-strain relationship
and Shear strength of soils

Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay

 Contents
 Stress state, Mohr’s circle analysis and Pole, Principal
stress space, Stress paths in p-q space;
 Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria and its limitations,
correlation with p-q space;
 Stress-strain behavior; Isotropic compression and
pressure dependency, confined compression, large stress
compression, Definition of failure, Interlocking concept
and its interpretations, Drainage conditions;
 Triaxial behaviour, stress state and analysis of UC, UU, CU,
CD, and other special tests, Stress paths in triaxial and
octahedral plane; Elastic modulus from triaxial tests.

Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay

 Stress state
The concept of stress:
F
• Defined as the force (internal
resistance) per unit area Stress,
• Can not be measured directly σ = F/A
• Gives no indications of how forces
are transmitted through stressed
material
• The manner of transfer of forces in F
solid crystalline material is different
from point to point contact transfer
in materials like soil.

Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay

 Stress state
Simple axial stress: T = F sin θ
F N
F σ nθ =
A / cosθ
N
A T R F
= cos 2 θ
θ A
P Q P Q
T cosθ
τθ =
A
F F F
= sin 2θ
2A

Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay

 Stress state
Simple axial stress: Derivation
A F
Aθ = , N = F cosθ , T = F sin θ ,
cosθ
Therefore: N
N F cos 2 θ T R
σ nθ = =
A / cosθ A P θ
Q
And,
T T F sin θ cosθ
τθ = = cosθ =
A / cosθ A A
F
F sin 2θ
τθ =
2A
Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay
 Stress state
Simple axial stress: τmax plane

dτ
θ = 0 For maximum value of τθ τθmax occurs on a
dθ
dτ θ F plane with 45°
= cos 2θ
dθ A
inclination with
Therefore:
F
cos 2θ = 0 σnθmax plane
A
cos 2θ = 0 θ = 45 or (135 )
F
and ,τ θ max =
2A

Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay

 Stress state
 Variation of normal stress σnθ and shear stress τθ with
angle of plane θ in cylindrical test specimen

τθmax occurs on a
plane with θ = 45° and
σnθmax on a plane with
θ = 0°.

Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay

 Stress state
Simple axial stress: Example
A cylindrical specimen of rock, 75 mm in diameter and 150 mm
height is subjected to an axial compressive force of 10 kN. Find:

a) the normal stress σnθ and shear stress τθ on a plane inclined

at 30° to the radial direction;
b) the maximum value of shear stress;
c) the inclination of planes on which the shear stress τ θ is equal
to one-half τ θ max.

Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay

Stress state:
Simple axial stress: Solution

Area= A= π r 2= 4.42 ×10−3 m 2

a) F cos 2
θ 10cos 2
30
= σ nθ = = −3
1696.83kPa
A 4.42 ×10
F 10
= τθ = sin 2θ =
−3
sin 60 979.67 kPa
2A 2 × 4.42 ×10

b)τ θ max F
= = 1131.22kPa
2A
τ θ max 1
= τ θ max sin 2θ , sin 2θ = , θ = 15 or 75
 
c)
2 2

Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay

 Stress at a point Consider F1, F2,--- F6 forces
 The point of acting on a body in 2D plane
application of a force F1
within a soil mass F2
could be on a particle
or in a void.
O F3
 As void can not
support any stress,
stress is F/A, where A is
gross cross-sectional F6
area (both grain-to- F5
grain contacts as well
as voids) α
F4
Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay
 Stress at a point

The resolution of forces (F1, F2… F6) into normal and

shear components acting on a plane passing through
point O at an angle α

 Compressive stresses are Expanded view of

+ve; a soil element at O

 +ve shear stress produce

counterclockwise couple
on element (i.e.
clockwise moments
about a point outside
element)

Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay

 Stress at a point
At equilibrium, the sum of forces in any direction
must be zero.

∑Fh = H - Tcosα - Nsinα = 0

∑Fv = V - Tsinα - Ncosα = 0

Stresses on the α - plane are the normal stresses σα and τα
σxsinα - ταcosα - σαsinα = 0
(a) Solving (a)
σycosα + ταsinα - σαcosα = 0

Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay

 Stress at a point

 When this circle is plotted in τ - σ space, it is known as

the Mohr circle of stress.

o It represents the state of stress at a point at equilibrium

o It applies to any material, not just soil

(Note: Scales for τ and σ have to be same to obtain a circle)

Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay

 Mohr’s circle analysis and Pole
Mohr’s stress circle: Two dimensional
• Graphical representation of stress relationship
• Discovered by Culmann (1866) and developed in detail by Mohr (1882)
• Stresses are represented in the form of a circle
τ • Considering any point P(x,y) on
the circle, equation of the circle
P (x,y) can be written as:
+ r
( x − s)2 + y 2 = r 2
σ
σ2 σ1
− r = radius of the circle
(x, y) = co-ordinates of a point on the circle
s S = Horizontal distance of the center of
the circle from origin
τ
Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay
Mohr’s stress circle: Graphical derivation
Normal stress acting on any plane at an angle θ :
σ nθ = σ z cos 2 θ + τ zy sin 2θ + σ y sin 2 θ sin 2 θ = (1 − cos 2θ ) 2
1 1
σ nθ − (σ z + σ y ) = (σ z − σ y ) cos 2θ + τ zy sin 2θ .....(1) cos 2 θ = (1 + cos 2θ ) 2
2 2
Shear stress acting on any plane at an angle θ :
1
τ θ = (σ y − σ z ) sin 2θ + τ zy cos 2θ ........................(2)
2
Squaring and adding equation (1) and (2)
1 1
[σ nθ − (σ z + σ y )]2 + τ θ = [ (σ z − σ y )]2 + τ zy
2 2

2 2
s r2
[σ nθ − s ]2 + τ θ = r 2 Which represents an equation of a circle
2

Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay

 Mohr’s stress circle: Graphical representation

[σ nθ − s ] + τ θ = r 2
2 2 a circle with radius r and with a centre on a τ−σ
plot, at the point σ = s, τ = 0
σnθ • σ1 and σ2 are principal stresses as τ=0
σz on x-axis.
τ • σz , σy, τzy, τyz are boundary stresses
2θ which helps to plot the circle.
+ τθ τzy • σ and τ are the normal and shear
nθ θ
2α stresses on a plane at angle ‘θ’ to the
σ2 σ1 σ σz plane.
− τ • σnθ and τθ can be found on Mohr’s
yz circle by travelling clockwise around
s
the circle from stress point (σz , τzy) to
σy a distance 2θ at the centre of the circle
S =(σy+ σz)/2 • σ1 is at angle α to the plane of σz
=(σ1+ σ2)/2
Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay
Mohr circles: Simple two-dimensional stress systems
Biaxial Compression Biaxial Compression/tension Biaxial Pure shear
σ1 σ1 τzy

σ2 σ2
τyz

τ τ
τ +
+
+ 2θ
+ τzy +
+
σ σ
σ2 σ1 σ σ2 σ1 σ2 σ1
− τyz
−
−
σ1= −σ2
Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay
Mohr circles: Simple two-dimensional stress systems

Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay

Mohr circles: Simple two-dimensional stress systems

Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay

Mohr circles: Example
The stress on a soil mass are shown in the following figure. Determine,
a) the magnitude of principal stresses using Mohr’s circle
b) the magnitude of normal and shear stresses on plane ‘AC’ shown in
figure.
y
100 kN/m2
B
C

35° 50 kN/m2

25 kN/m2
A

Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay

 Mohr circles: Solution
Available information:- σy = 50kN/m2, σz = 100 kN/m2, τyz = 25 kN/m2

Step 1: Mark a point P(σy , τyz ) and point Q(σz , τzy ) on σ−τ co-ordinate
system.
τ Q(100, 25)

P(50, −25)
Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay
Step 2: Join point P and Q with a straight line

τ Q(100, 25)

P(50, −25)
Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay
Step 3: Draw a circle considering intersecting point of s axis and line PQ (Point
O) as the centre and distance OP as the radius
Mohr’s stress circle

τ Q(100, 25)

σ
o

P(50, −25)
Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay
Step 3: Draw a circle considering intersecting point of s axis and line PQ (Point
O) as the centre and distance OP as the radius

τ Q(100, 25)
Principal stresses
on the plane where
shear stress is zero.
σ2 σ1 i.e. where Mohr’s
σ circle cross σ axis
o

Major Principal stress = 110.36 kPa

Minor Principal stress = 39.64 kPa
P(50, -25)

Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay

τ Q(100, 25)
Angle 2α, i.e. two
times the angle
between ‘σz’ plane
σ2 45° σ1 and major principal
σ plane
o
225°
Major principal plane is inclined at
22.5° to the ‘σz’ plane.
P(50, -25)
Minor principal plane is inclined at
112.5° to the ‘σz’ plane

‘σz’ plane is the plane on which ‘σz’ acts

Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay
Stresses on the plane inclined at 35° to ‘σz’ plane

τ Q(100, 25)

Plane inclined at
35° to ‘σz’ plane
σ2 70° σ1
σ
o

P(50, -25)

Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay

Stresses on the plane inclined at 35° to ‘σz’ plane

τ Q(100, 25)

σnθ σnθ = 42.96 kPa

τθ = 14.94 kPa
σ2 τθ 70° σ1
σ
o

P(50, -25)

Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay

Three-dimensional stresses on a cubical element

Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay

Mohr’s stress circle: Three dimensional stress
Three dimensional stress at a point can be represented as,
σ terms are the normal
σ z τ zy τ zx  stresses and the τ
Tσ = τ yz σ y τ yx  terms are the shear
stresses
τ xz τ xy σ x 

Total 6 terms are independent : σx, σy, σz, τxy, τyz, τzx.

If the reference axis are

σ 1 0 0 
in the direction of 1, 2,
Tσ =  0 σ 2 0  and 3. Which is nothing
 
 0 0 σ 3  but the direction of
principal stresses

Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay

Mohr’s stress circle: Three dimensional stress

 No simple method exists to draw a Mohr’s circle to represent the

general case, i.e. all normal and shear stresses acting on all the six
faces of a cube.
 Two simple cases can be represented by using three Mohr’s
circles as below,
a) A cubical element having only normal stresses on its faces.
b) A cubical element which has only normal stresses acting on
one pair of opposite faces and both normal and shear
stresses on remaining two pair of faces.

Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay

Mohr’s stress circle: Three dimensional stress

• It can be proved that stress conditions on any plane

within the element must fall within the shaded area,
but it is usually sufficient to be able to determine
stresses on planes which are perpendicular to at least
one opposite pair of element boundary faces.

• Stresses on these planes lie on the circles bounding

the shaded areas.

Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay

Mohr’s stress circle: Three dimensional stress
Case (a) Case (b)

Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay

 Mohr’s stress circle: Three dimensional stress

Case b, which depicts a cubical element with

compressive normal stresses acting on all six faces
and shear stresses on two pairs of opposite faces.
 Again, in this case, stresses on all planes within the element lie
within the shaded area, with stresses on all planes which are
perpendicular to at least one pair of element faces lying on one of
the boundary circles.
 The sequence of drawing these circles consists firstly of locating
stress points σz, τzy and σy, τyz, then drawing circle (i) through these
with its centre on the τ = 0 axis.
 This locates the principal stresses σ1 and σ2. As the third principal
stress is known, circles (ii) and (iii) can now be drawn. In the case
shown σ1 > σ2 > σ3.
Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay
Mohr’s stress circle: Three dimensional stress - Example

A piece of sandstone is cut into the shape of a cube with 100 mm

long edges. Forces of 5 kN, 10 kN and 20 kN, respectively, act
uniformly on, and normal to, the three pairs of faces of the cube.
Evaluate the major, intermediate and minor principal stresses in
the rock and draw the Mohr circles of stress. What is the
maximum shear stress in the rock?

Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay

Mohr’s stress circle: Three dimensional stress - Solution
Area of each face , A = 0.01 m2
So, three principal stresses are –
1. Major principal stress = σ1 = 20 x10-3/0.01 = 2 MPa,
2. intermediate principal stress = σ2 = 10 x10-3/0.01 = 1 MPa,
3. Minor principal stress = σ3 = 5 x10-3/0.01 = 0.5 MPa.

Plotting a Mohr’s circle, Maximum shear stress is

1 radius of largest Mohr’s
τ (MPa) circle,
τmax (+) τmax = (σ1-σ3)/2
= 0.75 MPa
0 σ (MPa)
0.5 1 2
τmax (-)

-1
Prof. B V S Viswanadham, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay