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Direct Shear Box

The document describes procedures for conducting a direct shear test to determine the shear strength of a soil sample. Key steps include placing a soil sample in a shear box, applying different normal stresses, and measuring shear stress and strain as the sample is sheared at a constant rate until failure. The results would be used to calculate shear strength parameters and explore the behavior and engineering implications of shear strength.

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24 views3 pages

Direct Shear Box

The document describes procedures for conducting a direct shear test to determine the shear strength of a soil sample. Key steps include placing a soil sample in a shear box, applying different normal stresses, and measuring shear stress and strain as the sample is sheared at a constant rate until failure. The results would be used to calculate shear strength parameters and explore the behavior and engineering implications of shear strength.

Uploaded by

22004699
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA

Soil Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Civil Enggineering ,


Faculty of Engineering , 50603 Kuala Lumpur.

SM3 DETERMINATION OF SHEAR STRENGTH BY DIRECT SHEAR


(Reference Document : BS 1377 : Part 7 : 1990)

A . INTRODUCTION
Shear strength is determined either by measuring the shearing force causing failure (direct shear tests) , or by
derivation from the measured compressive strength (unconfined or tri-axial compression tests). This experiment
is to determine the shear strength by direct shear test. In the direct shear test , a square prism of soil is laterally
restrained and sheared along a mechanically induced horizontal plane while 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 the soil can
sustain.
By carrying out tests on set of (usually three) similar specimen of the same soil under different normal pressures
, the relationship between measured shear stress at failure and normal applied stress is obtained.
The size of shear box apparatus referred to in this standard is designed for carrying out tests of this kind on soil
speciments of 60mm square and 20mm to 25mm high.
The parameters of the shear strength are stated as cohesion, ‘ c ’ and angle of friction , Ø the equation for shear
strength , ꭇ is stated below :

ꭇ = c + αn. tan Ø

B. APPARATUS.
a) Shear box apparatus
b) Dial gauge
c) Stop watch
d) Caliper
C. PROCEDURE.

a) Place or pour directly into the assembled shear box from the quantity of known mass. Weigh and record
the weight to find the soil density.

b) Level the surface of the specimen using a suitable temple to give a specimen of the appropriate thickness
, without disturbing the main body of the placed soil. Collect any spilled or remoed materilas , weigh the
total of the unused soil to 0.1g.

c) Place the porous palte on the specimen. Gently bed down the palte to form a level surface, ensuring
there is a unifrom clearance all around. Measured the distance from the top of the shear box to the
surface of the plate , to 0.1mm. Place the top spacer plate (if necessary) and the loading cap carefully
on the top of the porous plate , with a uniform clearance all around. Avoid jolting or bumping the shear
box during these operations.

d) Apply a normal load by placing a loading to the soil sample.

e) Then, shear the sample with suitable strain rate. The sample is shear with 1.000mm/min and this process
is continuing until the shear loading is decrease. The normal load should remain constant.
f) Record the gauge reading, vertical deformation . ∆H and horizontal deformation, ∆L.

g) Repeat the test for three times by using the same samples with different applied normal load. The
applied normal stresses are Test 1 : 50kN/m² , Test 2 : 100kN/m² and Test 3 : 150kN/m².

D. CALCULATION and REPORT.

a) Plot 1). Shear stress versus strain €%

2). Failure shear stress , ꭇ versus normal stress , αn and determine the parameter for the shear
strength.

3) Vertical deformation , ∆H versus €% and give your comments for all the results.

b) Discuss the behavior of the sample (loose and compacted conditions) when the direct shear test is
implement.

c) Discuss the differences between shear strength values by using shear box and triaxial tests.

d) Discuss the result obtain from the tests in engineering situation.


DATA CALCULATION SHEET FOR DIRECT SHEAR TEST

Normal stress 0.5 kg/cm2 L.C=....... P.R.C=.........

Hori.Dial
Shear stress =
gauge Shear Vertical Vertical
Vertical Proving div.col.(8)x
Horizontal Proving Reading deformation gauge deformation=
Dial reading proving ring
Gauge ring Initial Col.(4) x reading div.in col.6
gauge Initial constant Area of
Reading Reading reading Leastcount Initial xL.C of dial
Reading reading the
(1) (3) div. of dial Reading gauge
(2) (8) specimen(kg/cm2)
gauge (5) (6) (7)
(9)
(4)
0

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