SHEAR STRENGTH - TRIAXIAL TEST (See practical

notes also)

THREE TYPES OF TRIAXIAL TEST

Unconsolidated undrained (quick) test: The triaxial cell, containing the

saturated soil specimen (enclosed in a rubber membrane) is filled with water
which is then pressurised. The soil sample is consequently subjected to this
pressure on the top and bottom faces and around the perimeter of the
cylinder. This is the all-round pressure, σ3. The axial stress (σ1-σ3) is then
applied fairly rapidly until the sample shears. No drainage is permitted during
either stage of the test. This test measures the undrained shear strength, c u,
of the soil.

Consolidated undrained test: As described above, the sample is subjected to

an all-round cell pressure which increases the pore water pressure. Drainage
of the specimen is permitted until the isotropic consolidation in complete and
the pore water pressure returns to its original value. The axial stress (σ 1-σ3) is
then applied until the sample shears. No drainage is permitted during this
stage of the test and measurements of the pore water pressure may be
recorded. This allows the Mohr circles to be plotted in terms of effective stress
and the effective stress shear strength parameters c’ and φ’ to be determined.

Consolidated drained test: The sample is loaded and allowed to drain as

before. The vertical load is then applied at a slow rate such that the pore
water pressure in the sample does not increase.

TEST PROCEDURE

The triaxial cell, containing the saturated soil specimen (enclosed in a rubber
membrane) is filled with water which is then pressurised. The soil sample is
consequently subjected to this pressure on the top and bottom faces and
around the perimeter of the cylinder. This is the all-round pressure, σ 3.
Drainage of the specimen is permitted until the isotropic consolidation in
complete.
The axial stress (σ1-σ3) is then applied until the sample shears. No drainage is
permitted during this stage of the test and measurements of the pore water
pressure may be recorded. This allows the Mohr circles to be plotted in terms
of effective stress and the effective stress shear strength parameters c’ and φ’
to be determined
EXAMPLE:

The results of unconsolidated undrained (UU) triaxial tests on three similar

specimens of a fully saturated clay at failure are given below. Determine the
shear strength of the soil. The initial diameter of each specimen was 38mm
and the initial height was 76mm.

All-round-pressure (kN/m2) 100 20 400

0
Additional axial force (N) 331 30 312
9
Axial deformation (mm) 11.4 9.6 8.5

SOLUTION:

σ1-σ3

Triaxial 3
3 soil 3
sample

σ1-σ3

Elevation Plan

All-round-pressure (kN/m2) (σ3) 100 200 400

Additional axial force (N) 331 309 312
Axial deformation (mm) 11.4 9.6 8.5
New C.S.A. (mm2) 1334 1298 1277
Additional axial stress (kN/m2) 248 238 244
σ1 (kN/m2) 348 438 644

A0 = π382/4 = 1134mm2
 ΔV

A 1 =A 0
[ ]
1−

1−
V0
Δl
l0
= 1134
[ ]
1−
1
11.4
76 = 1334mm2

Mohr circles plotted overleaf

cu = 122kN/m2 Фu = 0
2
Undrained shear strength = 122kN/m

τ
kN/m2
200

100

100 200 300 400 500 600 700

σ kN/m 2

EXAMPLE:

The first three rows of results are given.

Determine σ’1 and σ’3 and draw Mohr’s circles and determine c’ and ø’.

All-round pressure (kN/m2) (σ3) 150 300 450

Additional axial force to cause failure (N) 156 386 667
Axial deformation (mm) 9.66 10.2 11.75
1
New c.s.a. (mm2) 1299 1310 1341
Additional axial stress (kN/m2) 120 295 497
Pore water pressure (kN/m2) 70 85 145
σ1 (kN/m2) 270 595 947
σ'1 (kN/m2) 200 510 802
σ'3 (kN/m2) 80 215 305
(Ans: c'= 0 ø’ = 27°)