Shear strength of soils

Dr N H Joshi
 Strength of different
materials

Steel Concrete Soil

Tensile Compressive Shear

strength strength strength

Presence of pore water

Complex
behavior
 Shear failure of soils
Soils generally fail in shear

Embankment

Strip footing

Failure surface

Mobilized shear
resistance

At failure, shear stress along the failure surface

(mobilized shear resistance) reaches the shear strength.
 Shear failure of soils
Soils generally fail in shear

Retaining
wall
 Shear failure of soils
Soils generally fail in shear

Mobilized
Retaining
shear
wall
resistance

Failure
surface

At failure, shear stress along the failure surface

(mobilized shear resistance) reaches the shear strength.
Shear failure mechanism

failure surface

The soil grains slide

over each other along
the failure surface.

No crushing of
individual grains.
 Shear failure mechanism

At failure, shear stress along the failure surface ()

reaches the shear strength (f).
 σ=P/A
τ=F/A τpeak
τult
τ
σ

τ F
τ
F Shear Deformation

τf x
x

σ
Mohr-Coulomb Failure Criterion
(in terms of total stresses)


 f = c +  tan 


Friction angle
Cohesion
f
c



f is the maximum shear stress the soil can take without

failure, under normal stress of .
Mohr-Coulomb Failure Criterion
(in terms of effective stresses)


 f = c'+ ' tan  '

 ' = −u
’
u = pore water
Effective
pressure
cohesion Effective
f friction angle
c’
’ ’

f is the maximum shear stress the soil can take without

failure, under normal effective stress of ’.
 Mohr-Coulomb Failure Criterion
Shear strength consists of two
components: cohesive and frictional.


f
 f = c'+ ' f tan  '
’f tan ’ frictional
’ component

c’ c’
’f '
c and  are measures of shear strength.

Higher the values, higher the shear strength.

 Mohr Circle of stress
’1

’
’3 ’3

Soil element q
’1

Resolving forces in  and  directions,

 1' −  3'
= Sin2q ' 2
 '  +    − 
' 2
' '
2
 +   −   +  −
2 1 3
 = 
1  3
 2 
' ' ' '
 ' = 1 3 + 1 3 Cos 2q  2   
2 2
 Mohr Circle of stress

' 2
 '  +    − 
' 2  1' −  3'
' '

 +  −
2 1 3
 = 
1 
3 2
 2 
 2    ’
 3'  1' +  3'  1'
2
 Mohr Circle of stress


(’, )
' 2
 '  +    − 
' 2  1' −  3'
' '

 +  −
2 1 3
 = 
1 
3 2
 2  q
 2    ’
 3'  1' +  3'  1'
2

PD = Pole w.r.t. plane

Mohr Circles & Failure Envelope


Failure surface  f = c'+ ' tan  '

Y
Y
X X
’
Soil elements at different locations

Y ~ stable
X ~ failure
Mohr Circles & Failure Envelope
The soil element does not fail if
the Mohr circle is contained
within the envelope

GL


c
Y c
c c+
Initially, Mohr circle is a point

Mohr Circles & Failure Envelope
As loading progresses, Mohr
circle becomes larger…

GL


c
Y c
c

.. and finally failure occurs

when Mohr circle touches the
envelope
 Orientation of Failure Plane
’1 Failure envelope
’
’3 ’3
 (’, f)
q (90 – q)
’1

’ q
 3'  1' +  3'  1' ’
2

PD = Pole w.r.t. plane

Therefore,
q = 45 + ’/2
90 – q + ’ = q
Mohr circles in terms of total & effective stresses

v v’ u

h h’ u
X
= X
+ X

effective stresses
total stresses

 h’ v’ h v  or ’
u
 Failure envelopes in terms of total & effective
stresses
v v’ u

h h’ u
X
= X
+ X

 Failure envelope in terms Failure envelope in

If X is on of effective stresses terms of total stresses
failure ’
effective stresses

total stresses

c’ c
 h’ v’ h v  or ’
u
 Mohr Coulomb failure criterion with Mohr circle
of stress
’v = ’1  Failure envelope in terms
of effective stresses

’h = ’3
X
effective stresses
(’1 − ’3)/2
’ c’
X is on failure ’3 ’1 ’
c’ Cot’ (’1+ ’3)/2
Therefore,

   1' +  3'    1' −  3' 

c' Cot '+  Sin ' =  
  2   2 
 Mohr Coulomb failure criterion with Mohr circle
of stress

   1' +  3'    1' −  3' 

c' Cot '+  Sin ' =  
  2   2 
( '
1 ) ( )
−  3' =  1' +  3' Sin '+2c' Cos '
 (1 − Sin ') =  (1 + Sin ') + 2c' Cos '
'
1
'
3

 =
' ' (1 + Sin ') + 2c' Cos '
1 3
(1 − Sin ') (1 − Sin ')

 '   ' 
 =  Tan  45 +  + 2c' Tan 45 + 
'
1
'
3
2

 2  2
Determination of shear strength parameters of
soils (c,  or c’, ’)

Laboratory tests on Field tests

specimens taken from
representative undisturbed
samples

Most common laboratory tests 1. Vane shear test

to determine the shear strength 2. Torvane
parameters are, 3. Pocket penetrometer
4. Fall cone
1.Direct shear test 5. Pressuremeter
2.Triaxial shear test 6. Static cone penetrometer
7. Standard penetration test
Other laboratory tests include,
Direct simple shear test, torsional
ring shear test, plane strain triaxial
test, laboratory vane shear test,
laboratory fall cone test
Laboratory tests
How to take undisturbed samples
Laboratory tests
Field conditions

A representative
soil sample
z z
vc vc + 

hc hc hc hc

vc vc + 

Before construction After and during

construction
 vc + 
Laboratory tests
Simulating field conditions hc hc
in the laboratory
0 vc vc + 

vc
0 0 hc hc


0 vc 

Representative Step 1 vc

soil sample Set the specimen in Step 2
taken from the the apparatus and Apply the
site apply the initial corresponding field
stress condition stress conditions
 Direct shear test
Schematic diagram of the direct shear apparatus
 Direct shear test
Direct shear test is most suitable for consolidated drained tests
specially on granular soils (e.g.: sand) or stiff clays

Preparation of a sand specimen

Porous
plates

Components of the shear box Preparation of a sand specimen

 Direct shear test
Preparation of a sand specimen
Pressure plate

Leveling the top surface Specimen preparation

of specimen completed
 Direct shear test
Steel ball
Test procedure P
Pressure plate
Porous
plates

Proving ring
to measure
shear force

Step 1: Apply a vertical load to the specimen and wait for consolidation
 Direct shear test
Steel ball
Test procedure P
Pressure plate
Porous
plates

Proving ring
to measure
shear force

Step 1: Apply a vertical load to the specimen and wait for consolidation

Step 2: Lower box is subjected to a horizontal displacement at a constant rate

Direct shear test
Dial gauge to
measure vertical
Shear box displacement

Proving ring
to measure
shear force

Loading frame to Dial gauge to

apply vertical load measure horizontal
displacement
 Direct shear test
Analysis of test results

Normal force (P)

 = Normal stress =
Area of cross section of the sample

Shear resistance developed at the sliding surface (S)

 = Shear stress =
Area of cross section of the sample

Note: Cross-sectional area of the sample changes with the horizontal

displacement
Direct shear tests on sands
Stress-strain relationship

Shear stress, 
Dense sand/
OC clay
f
Loose sand/
f NC clay

Shear displacement
Expansion
Change in height
of the sample

Dense sand/OC Clay

Shear displacement
Compression

Loose sand/NC Clay

Direct shear tests on sands
How to determine strength parameters c and 
Shear stress, 

Normal stress = 3
Normal stress = 2
Normal stress = 1
f2
f1
f3
Shear displacement
Shear stress at failure, f

Mohr – Coulomb failure envelope



Normal stress, 
Direct shear tests on sands
Some important facts on strength parameters c and  of sand

Direct shear tests are

Sand is cohesionless drained and pore water
hence c = 0 pressures are
dissipated, hence u = 0

Therefore,
’ =  and c’ = c = 0
Direct shear tests on clays
In case of clay, horizontal displacement should be applied at a very
slow rate to allow dissipation of pore water pressure (therefore, one
test would take several days to finish)

Failure envelopes for clay from drained direct shear tests

Shear stress at failure, f

Overconsolidated clay (c’ ≠ 0)

Normally consolidated clay (c’ = 0)

’

Normal force, 
Interface tests on direct shear apparatus
In many foundation design problems and retaining wall problems, it
is required to determine the angle of internal friction between soil
and the structural material (concrete, steel or wood)
P

Soil
S

Foundation material

 f = ca +  ' tan 
Where,
ca = adhesion,
 = angle of internal friction
Advantages of direct shear apparatus

❑ Due to the smaller thickness of the sample, rapid drainage can

be achieved

❑ Can be used to determine interface strength parameters

❑ Clay samples can be oriented along the plane of weakness or

an identified failure plane

Disadvantages of direct shear apparatus

❑ Failure occurs along a predetermined failure plane

❑ Area of the sliding surface changes as the test progresses

❑ Non-uniform distribution of shear stress along the failure surface

Triaxial Shear Test
Piston (to apply deviatoric stress)

Failure plane
O-ring

impervious
membrane
Soil sample Soil
at failure sample
Porous
Perspex stone
cell
Water

Cell pressure
Back pressure Pore pressure or
volume change
pedestal
Triaxial Shear Test
Specimen preparation (undisturbed sample)

Sampling tubes

Sample extruder
Triaxial Shear Test
Specimen preparation (undisturbed sample)

Edges of the sample Setting up the sample

are carefully trimmed in the triaxial cell
Triaxial Shear Test
Specimen preparation (undisturbed sample)

Sample is covered
with a rubber Cell is completely
membrane and sealed filled with water
Triaxial Shear Test
Specimen preparation (undisturbed sample)

Proving ring to
measure the
deviator load

Dial gauge to
measure vertical
displacement

In some tests
Types of Triaxial Tests deviatoric stress

Step 1
c Step 2
( = q)

c c
c c

c  c+ q
Under all-around cell pressure c Shearing (loading)

Is the drainage valve open? Is the drainage valve open?

yes no yes no

Consolidated Unconsolidated Drained Undrained

sample sample loading loading
Unconfined compression Tester
Vane shear test
This is one of the most versatile and widely used devices used for
investigating undrained shear strength (Cu) and sensitivity of soft clays
Applied
Torque, T Disturbed Rupture
soil surface
Bore hole
(diameter = DB)

h > 3DB)
Vane T
H Vane

PLAN VIEW
Rate of rotation : 60 – 120 per minute
Test can be conducted at 0.5 m
D vertical intervals
Vane shear test T = Ms + Me + Me = Ms + 2Me
Me – Assuming a uniform
distribution of shear strength

Cu

d/2 d/2
Cu h d
2
M e =  (2rdr ).Cu r
0
d d
Cu 2
 r 3
 2
M e = 2Cu  r dr = 2Cu  
2

Since the test is very fast, 0  3 0

Unconsolidated Undrained
2Cu  d 3  Cu d 3
(UU) can be expected
Me =  =
3 8  12
Vane shear test T = Ms + Me + Me = Ms + 2Me
Ms – Shaft shear resistance along
the circumference
2
d d h
M s = dhCu = Cu
2 2
Cu d 2 h Cu d 3
T = Cu + 2
2 12
 d 2h d 3 
Cu T = Cu  + 
 2 6 
Since the test is very fast, T
Unconsolidated Undrained Cu =
 d 2h d 3 
(UU) can be expected   + 
 2 6 
Vane shear test T = Ms + Me + Me = Ms + 2Me
Me – Assuming a triangular
distribution of shear strength

Cu
Cu h
d/2 d/2

T
Cu Cu =
 d 2h d 3 
  + 
Since the test is very fast,  2 8 
Unconsolidated Undrained
(UU) can be expected Can you derive this ???
Vane shear test T = Ms + Me + Me = Ms + 2Me
Me – Assuming a parabolic
distribution of shear strength

Cu
Cu h
d/2 d/2

T
Cu =
Cu  d 2 h 3d 3 
  + 
 2 20 
Since the test is very fast,
Unconsolidated Undrained
(UU) can be expected Can you derive this ???
Vane shear test
After the initial test, vane can be
rapidly rotated through several
revolutions until the clay become
remoulded

Cu h

peak
ultimate

Cu Shear displacement

Since the test is very fast,

Peak Stength
Unconsolidated Undrained Sensitivity =
(UU) can be expected Ultimate Stength