Introduction

The shear strength of soil is the most important aspect of geotechnical engineering. It is the ultimate
or maximum shear stress the soil can withstand. This report gives a brief overview of the concepts
used in determining the stress and strain on an infinitesimal soil element, determination of failure
plain, tests for determining shear strength of soil and the concept of stress path.

The knowledge of shear strength of soil helps engineers in determination of bearing capacity of
foundations, stability analyses of slopes, design of retaining structures, design of pavements, design
of silo, oil and gas exploration, mining of minerals in deep sea environment, geological storage of
CO2 along with designing of clay courts and cricket pitches etc.

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Concept of Stress and Failure

If the load or stress in a foundation or on an earth slope is increased until the deformation becomes
unacceptably large, we say that the soil in the foundation or slope has “failed.”

Stress at a point
It is known that the concept of stress at a point is “fictitious.” The point of application of a force
within a soil mass could be on a particle or in a void. A void cannot support any force, but if the force
were applied to a particle, the stress could be extremely large. Therefore, in the context of soil
mechanics, stress refers to the force per unit area where area under consideration is gross cross-
sectional area or engineering area. This area contains grain-to-grain contacts as well as voids.
Mohr Circle
Stress-strain relationships and failure criteria
Mohr-Coulomb Failure Criterion
Obliquity relations
Test for determining shear strength of Soils
Use of Undrained strength in Engineering Practice
Limitations Associated in using UU strength: Practical Implications
Shear strength of sands
Shear behaviour of sands
Stress paths and their applications
Special Tests for determining Shear Strength of Soils
Pore Pressure Parameters