Factor Influencing the Shear Strength of Cohesion less Soil

The principal factors affecting the shearing strength of cohesion less soil are
1) Shape of particles
4) Confining pressure
10) Capillary moisture
2) Gradation
3) Denseness

5) Deviator stress

7) Loading
8) Vibration and repeated loading

6) Intermediate principal stress

9) Type of minerals

These parameters, stated above, are discussed below:

1) Shape of Particles
When other parameters is identical, angular shape particles of sand produce shear strength
more than that of rounded shape particles.
2) Gradation
It is observed that a uniform graded sand have less shearing strength than that of well
graded.
3) Denseness
When density increases interlocking increases to some extent. Consequently, the greater the
denseness, the greater will be the strength. Though the ultimate value of is not affected by
denseness, relative density (Dr) provides the value according to relation,
= 26 +.2 Dr
4) Confining Pressure
Shear strength increases with an increase in confining pressure. But for the range of pressure
in the common field problems, the effect of confining pressure on the angle of shearing
resistance is not significance.