MCE 12L – Materials Science and Engineering for ME – Laboratory

Name: Date Started:

Year/Section: Date Completed:

Activity No. 3
Shear Strength Determination

I. Introduction
A common application of metals in engineering design is in shear loading. Bolts, rivets, and
drive keys are loaded in such a manner as to cleave the material in half. The shear strength of a
material is the stress at which a shear-loaded member will fail. The test can be performed in a
tensile machine with special grips replacing the tensile specimen.
A material’s response to shear stress can be measured on a universal testing machine. Shear
tests are run by loading a pin in a special fixture.

II. Objectives

1. To determine shear strength of materials using shear test method.

2. To define the meaning of shear and shear testing.
3. To determine the different apparatus in determining the shear strength.

III. Test Methods

1. Measure the area of the side of the metal in contact with the object applying
force, in meters. If the objects are one box and one cylinder, punch the box using the
cylinder, measure the thickness of the box and diameter of the cylinder with a ruler.
Multiply the circumference of the cylinder to the thickness of the box. Use a vernier caliper
for accurate values. This value will serve as the area A in the shear stress equation.
2. Find the force (in Newtons) applied to the metal specimen using a Newton
meter. It is specifically calibrated spring in a cylindrical container with a hook on the
free end of the spring. Affix the Newton meter to the sliding object with the hook.
Determine the force by reading the scale of the Newton meter. This value will serve as
the force F in the shear equation.

IV. Calculation/s
Calculate the Shear stress using the equation:
F
shear stress =
A
Where:
F = force
A = cross-sectional area
V. Discussion

1. Illustrate or provide an image of a Fall Cone Apparatus. Discuss the features and its uses.

THE FALL CONE APPARATUS, FIRST INTRODUCED IN 1915,

PROVIDES A RAPID, SIMPLE AND ACCURATE METHOD FOR
DETERMINING EMPIRICALLY THE UNDRAINED SHEAR
STRENGTH, THE SHEAR STRENGTH OF REMOULDED SAMPLES
AND THUS THE SENSITIVITY OF CLAYS.

2. Illustrate or provide an image of a Direct Shear Apparatus. Discuss the features and its uses.

THE DIRECT SHEAR TEST IS A LABORATORY TESTING

METHODS USED TO DETERMINE THE SHEAR STRENGTH
PARAMETERS OF SOIL. THE TEST CAN BE CARRIED OUT AT
DIFFERENT MOISTURE CONTENTS; HOWEVER, IT IS COMMON TO
SATURATED THE SAMPLE BEFORE RUNNING THE TEST. TO
ACHIEVE RELIABLE RESULTS, THE TEST IS OFTEN CARRIED
OUT ON THREE OR FOUR SAMPLES OF UNDISTURBED SOIL
3. Illustrate or provide an image of a Shear Strength Testing Machine. Discuss the features and its uses.

SHEAR STRENGTH TESTING MACHINE IS USED TO DETERMINE

THE SHEAR STRENGTH OF A MATERIAL. IT MEASURES THE
MAXIMUM SHEAR STRESS THAT MAY BE SUSTAINED BEFORE A
MATERIAL WILL RUPTURE. THE TEST IS PERFORMED TO
MEASURE THE FORCE AND HORIZONTAL DISPLACEMENT OF A
REPRESENTATIVE SOIL SPECIMEN SHEARED ALONG A
CONTROLLED HORIZONTAL PLANE AT A CONSTANT
DEFORMATION RATE. TYPICALLY THREE OR MORE TESTS
MAKE UP A SERIES AND ARE COMBINED TO DETERMINE
STRENGTH PROPERTIES SUCH AS MOHR STRENGTH ENVELOPES.

4. Illustrate or provide an image of a Trainvil Test Apparatus. Discuss the features and its uses.

THE TRIANVIL EXPERIMENT IS CONDUCTED IN A HYDRAULIC

TEST MACHINE THAT HAS BOTH AXIAL AND TORSIONAL
CAPABILITY. IT CONSISTS PRIMARILY OF A CYLINDRICAL
SUBPRESS WITH THE FIXED OUTER CYLINDER MOUNTED TO THE
LOAD CELL OF THE TEST MACHINE AND A MOVEABLE INNER
CYLINDRICAL BLOCK DRIVEN BY THE TEST MACHINE
ACTUATOR. IT IS USED TO INVESTIGATE MATERIAL
RESPONSE UNDER HIGH PRESSURE
VI. Conclusion

THIS STUDY CONTRIBUTES TO OUR KNOWLEDGE OF SHEAR

STRENGTH, SO WE CONCLUDE THAT ESTIMATION OF SHEAR
STRENGTH IS NEEDED FOR ENGINEERING SITUATIONS SUCH
AS ASSESSING THE QUALITY OF MATERIAL , STABILITY OF
SLOPES OR CUTS, FINDING THE BEARING CAPACITY OF
FOUNDATIONS, AND DETERMINING THE PRESSURE EXERTED
IN MATERIAL. WE ALSO LEARNED DIFFERENT METHODS OF
TESTING SHEAR STRENGTH OF MATERIALS AND THAT
SHEAR LOAD IS A FORCE THAT TENDS TO PRODUCE A
SLIDING FAILURE ON A MATERIAL ALONG A PLANE THAT IS
PARALLEL TO THE DIRECTION OF THE FORCE.

VII. References

https://geonor.com/live/products/geotechnical-test-equipment/fall-cone-apparatus/
https://servereal.com/direct-shear-test-principle/
https://www.globalgilson.com/direct-shear-machines
https://pubs.aip.org/aip/rsi/article/81/1/013908/355717/The-trianvil-test-apparatus-Measurement-of-shear