EXPERIMENT NO.

DATE:

DETERMINATION OF SHEAR STRENGTH PARAMETERS BY TRIXIAL TEST

(IS: 2720 (Part 11) – 1993– Determination of shear strength parameters by unconsolidated
undrained triaxial test

Objective: The objective of the experiment is to determine the shear strength

parameters, namely cohesion and soil friction angle, by unconsolidated
undrained triaxial test (UU).

Apparatus: Split Mould: Of diameter and length suitable for the test specimen.
Trimming knife: Sharp bladed one
Piano Wire Saw
Metal Straightedge
Metal Scale
Non Corrodible Metal or Plastic End Caps: It should have the same diameter
as the test specimen. The upper end cap should have a central spherical
seating to receive the loading ram. Generally 20 mm thick plastic upper end
cap is satisfactorily used for soft or very soft clay. However for stiff soils metal
upper end cap of 12 mm to 20 mm thick can be used.
Seamless Rubber Membrane: It is in the form of a tube, open at both the
ends, its internal diameter is equal to the specimen diameter and length is
either 50 mm or greater than the height of the sample. Thickness of 0.2 mm
to 0.3 mm is satisfactory.
Membrane Stretcher: Its size should suit the specimen.
Rubber Rings: Circular cross section to suit the diameter of the end cap.
Apparatus to determine the moisture content
Balance: Readable and accurate up to 0.5 g
Apparatus required for triaxial test: It consists of triaxial test cell, an
apparatus for applying and maintaining the pressure of 10 kPa (preferably 5
kPa) on the fluid within the cell, machine capable of applying compression to
the specimen with capacity of 50 kN and operating speed of 0.05 to 5 mm per
minute.

Material: In soil mechanics laboratory, remoulded sample can be used which would be
prepared at the desired moisture content and density by static and dynamic
method of compaction.
Procedure:
Preparation of test specimen (Remoulded specimen)

1. The specimen can be prepared from failed undisturbed sample or from a

disturbed soil sample.
2. Compact the soil at desired water content and dry density in a bigger
mould and then cut by a sampling tube. Alternately remoulded specimen
may be prepared directly in a split mould.
3. After the specimen preparation, trim the ends perpendicular to the long
axis and remove from the mould. Representative cuttings from the sample
are recovered for determination of water content.

Triaxial test of the specimen

4. Place the prepared sample on one of the end caps. Put the other end cap
on top of the specimen.
5. Place the rubber membrane around the sample by using the membrane
stretcher and the membrane sealed to the end caps by means of rubber
rings.
6. Now place the specimen centrally on the pedestal in the triaxial cell. The
pedestal should either be covered with a solid end cap or the drainage
valve should be closed.
7. Next assemble the triaxial cell with the loading ram initially clear with the
top cap of the specimen.
8. Admit the operating fluid (which is water in this case) into the triaxial cell
and raise the hydrostatic (or all round fluid) pressure to the desired level.
9. Adjust the loading machine to bring the loading ram a short distance away
from the seat on the cap of the specimen and record the initial reading of
the load measuring gauge (proving ring). Then further adjust the loading
machine so that the loading ram be just in contact with the seat on the top
cap of specimen. Record the initial reading of the gauge used to measure
the axial compression of the specimen.
10. Set the machine in motion so that the rate of axial strain 2% per minute
i.e. the complete failure will occur within 5 to minutes.
11. Record sufficient number of simultaneous readings of the load and
compression measuring gauges. Continue the test till the axial strain
reaches 20% or maximum value of the stress being passed.
12. Unload the specimen and record final reading of the proving to check on
the initial reading.
13. Repeat step 1 to 9 for two more specimens with different hydrostatic/cell
pressure.
14. Fill the data observation tables.
Observation:
Size of specimen: Initial cross sectional area of the specimen (A0):
Proving ring constant: Strain- dial least count (constant):
Table 1: Triaxial test results

For sample-I

For sample-II

For sample-III
Plot stress vs strain curve with stress abscissa.

For sample I: Cell pressure: _______________________

Maximum compressive stress at failure: _______________________

Strain at failure: _______________________

For sample II: Cell pressure: _______________________

Maximum compressive stress at failure: _______________________

Strain at failure: _______________________

For sample III: Cell pressure: _______________________

Maximum compressive stress at failure: _______________________

Strain at failure: _______________________

Plot stress results of the series of triaxial tests at increasing cell pressure on
Mohr stress diagram. Plot three semicircles in this diagram with normal stress
() as abscissa shear stress () as ordinate.

Sample Bulk density Cell pressure Compressive stress Shear strength

no. (g/cc) (c) at failure (a) (d = a - c)

Draw the common tangent of three Mohr circles which is approximated by a

straight line of equation:  = c +  tan.

Cohesion of soil (c): _________________________

Friction angle of soil (): _________________________