CE 416

Geotechnical Engineering 2: Foundation Engineering

LABORATORY EXPERIMENT 2:

DIRECT SHEAR TEST

Lab Date: February 28, 2020

Teaching Assistant: Dr. Christina Amor M. Rosales

Lab Group: Group 4

Lab Partners: Arabe, Marinelle B.

Macalalad, Neil Jasper M.

Macasaet, Alvin A.

Macatangay, Lorielyn C.

Magbojos, Clyde Chai-yo D.

 ABSTRACT

In many engineering problems such as design of foundation, retaining walls, slab

bridges, pipes, sheet piling, etc., the value of the angle of internal friction and cohesion of the

soil involved are required. The direct shear test is carried out on disturbed and undisturbed

samples that were compacted in a shear box. A normal load is applied to the specimen and

the specimen is sheared across the pre-determined horizontal plane between the two halves of

the shear box. Measurements of shear load is recorded. The test is repeated for two or more

specimens, disturbed and undisturbed, under different normal loads. From the results, the

average angle of friction for sand and sand with putty clay are ’ = 45.37° and ’ = 50.35°,

respectively.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Objectives …………………………………………………………………………… 1

Theoretical Background …………………………………………………………… 1

Materials and Equipment ………………………………………………………...... 2

Experimental Procedure …………………………………………………………… 2

Analysis of Data ……………………………………………………………….…..... 3

Discussion of Results …………………………………………………………….…. 4

Conclusions and Recommendations ……………………………………….……… 4

References ……………………………………………………………………........... 4

Appendices

Appendix A ……………………………………………………………….… 5

(Documentation)

Appendix B ……………………………………………………………….….8

(Calculation)

Appendix C ………………………………………………...……………… 13

(Individual Summary and Conclusion)

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OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this laboratory experiment is to determine the shear strength

parameters for a given soil using the direct shear test.

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

The strength of a soil depends of its resistance to shearing stresses. It is made up of

basically the components;

1. Frictional – due to friction between individual particles.

2. Cohesive - due to adhesion between the soil particles

The two components are combined in Coloumb’s shear strength equation,

τ f =c+ σ tan❑

Where, τ f = shear strength of the soil

c = cohesion

 = normal stress

 = angle of internal friction

Figure 1.

The graphical representation of the above equation gives a straight line called Failure

envelope.

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 In direct shear test, the sample is sheared along the horizontal plane. This indicates

that the failure plane is horizontal. The normal stress on this plane is the external vertical load

divided by the corrected area of the soil sample. The shear stress at failure is the external

lateral load divided by the corrected area of the soil sample.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

1. Direct shear box apparatus

2. Loading frame (motor attached)

3. Dial gauge

4. Filler Pape

5. Proving ring

6. Tamper

7. Straight edge

8. Weighing scale

9. Aluminum container

10. Spatula

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

Assemble the shear box and insert the vertical pins to keep the two halves of the shear

box together. Fill the shear box with the first sample which is pure sand in small layers. A

tamper may be used to compact the sand layers. The top of the compacted specimen should

be about 1/4 in. (6.4mm) below the top of the shear box. Level the surface of the sand

specimen. Determine the dimensions of the soil specimen (i.e., length L, width B, and height

H of the specimen). Slip the loading head down from the top of the shear box to rest on the

soil specimen. Put the shear box assembly in place in the direct shear machine. Remove the

vertical pins. Apply the desired normal load, N, on the specimen. This can be done by

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hanging dead weights to the loading head. Note that the normal load should be calculated as

N = weight of loading head + dead weight. Attach the horizontal dial gauge to the shear box.

Apply horizontal load, S, to the top half of the shear box. Continue applying load until the

shear load starts to reduce or remains constant. Record reading. Repeat the procedure for two

more trials with the disturbed and undisturbed samples under normal loads. Compare the

results of the samples.

ANALYSIS OF DATA

The following data are gathered throughout the experiment.

DISTURBED SOIL
First Trial
Weight of soil in metal box 1.389 kg
Shear displacement 8 mm
Shear Force 37.8099 N
Weight of loads (Normal Force) 1.515 kg
Second Trial
Weight of soil in metal box 1.389 kg
Shear displacement 6.5 mm
Shear Force 40.034 N
Weight of loads (Normal Force) 1.721 kg

UNDISTURBED SOIL
First Trial
Weight of soil in metal box 1.394 kg
Shear displacement 3 mm

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 Shear Force 105.0175 N
Weight of loads (Normal Force) 1.5836 kg
Second Trial
Weight of soil in metal box 1.394 kg
Shear displacement 5 mm
Shear Force 124.1054 N
Weight of loads (Normal Force) 1.949 kg

For the determination of soil parameters:

DISTURBED SOIL
Tria Area of Normal Normal stress Shear force at Shear Stress at
l Specimen (m2) Force (N) (kN/m2) failure (N) failure (kN/m2)
1 0.0025 14.8622 5.9449 37.8099 15.1240
2 0.0025 16.8830 6.7532 40.034 16.0136

TABLE 1.1 Disturbed Soil

τ f =c+ σ f tanθ

Elimination:

15.1240=c+5.9449 tanθ [Eq.1]

16.0136=c+ 6.7532 tanθ [Eq.2]

Multiplying Eq.1 by -1.135965281

−1 7.18033891=−1.135965281 c−6.7532 tanθ

16.0136=c+ 6.7532 tan θ

−1.16673891=−0.135965281 c

kN
c=8.5812
m2
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Substituting value of c to Eq.1,

15.1240=8.5812+5.9449 tanθ

θ=47.74 °

UNDISTURBED SOIL
Area of Normal Normal stress Shear force at Shear Stress at
Trial
Specimen (m2) Force (N) (kN/m2) failure (N) failure (kN/m2)
1 0.0025 15.5353 6.2141 105.0175 N 42.007
2 0.0025 19.120 7.6480 124.1054 N 49.6422

TABLE 1.2 Undisturbed Soil

Elimination:

4 2.007=c+ 6.2141 tanθ [Eq.1]

4 9.6422=c +7.6480 tanθ [Eq.2]

Multiplying Eq.1 by -1.2307

−5 1.7001=−1 . 2307 c−7.6480 tan θ

4 9.6422=c +7.6480 tanθ

−2.0579=−0.2307 c

kN
c=8.9202
m2

Substituting value of c to Eq.1,

42.007=8.9202+7 . 6480 tan θ

θ=76.98°

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 50

45

40

35

30

25 Disturbed
Undisturbed
20

15

10

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Disturbed, ’ = 47.74°

Undisturbed, ’ = 76.98°

Figure 1. Shear stress plotted against normal stresses

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

When the shear stress obtained from the direct shear tests are plotted against the

normal stresses, the average angle of friction and cohesion of the soil for the disturbed and

undisturbed samples are ’ = 47.74° and ’ = 76.98°, and c’= 8.5812 and c’= 8.9202

respectively.

These results show that the soil sample is cohesive and it is hard to break when dry.

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CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

REFERENCES

DAS, B. M. (2017). Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering, 5th Edition, Cengage

Learning Asia Pte Ltd.

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APPENDIX A
(Documentation)

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 Plate 1. Materials needed.

Plate 2. Weighing of shear box with pure sand.

Plate 3. Results of direct shear test of pure sand.

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 Plate 4. Mixing of 50% sand and 50% putty clay.

Plate 5. Weighing of shear box with sand and clay putty.

Plate 6. Dead weights used for pure sand.

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APPENDIX B
(Calculation)

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DIRECT SHEAR TEST OF SAND
Weight of loading head = 334 g
Weight of upper shear box = 521 g
Area of specimen = 2.5x10-3 m2

TRIAL 1
N = 455 g + 334 g + 521 g = 1310 g
N = 1310x10-3 kg x 9.81 m/s2 = 12.8511 N
12.8511 N
Normal Stress = = 5140.44 N/m2
2.5 x 10−3 m 2

1 kg
S = 3.25 lb x x 9.81 m/s2 = 14. 4920 N
2.2lb
14.4920 N
Shear Stress = = 5796.8182 N/m2
2.5 x 10−3 m 2

Shear Stress
’ = tan-1
Normal Stress
5796.8182
’1 = tan-1 = 48.4343°
5140.44

TRIAL 2
N = 725 g + 334 g + 521 g = 1580 g
N = 12580x10-3 kg x 9.81 m/s2 = 15.4998 N
15.4998 N
Normal Stress = = 6199.92 N/m2
2.5 x 10−3 m 2

1 kg
S = 3.375 lb x x 9.81 m/s2 = 15.0494 N
2.2lb
15.0494 N
Shear Stress = = 6019.76 N/m2
2.5 x 10−3 m 2

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 Shear Stress
’ = tan-1
Normal Stress
6019.76
’2 = tan-1 = 44.1553°
6199.92

TRIAL 3
N = 1180 g + 334 g + 521 g = 2035 g
N = 2035x10-3 kg x 9.81 m/s2 = 19.9634 N
19.9634 N
Normal Stress = = 7985.34 N/m2
2.5 x 10−3 m 2

1 kg
S = 4.25 lb x x 9.81 m/s2 = 18.9511 N
2.2lb
18.9511 N
Shear Stress = = 7580.44 N/m2
2.5 x 10−3 m 2

Shear Stress
’ = tan-1
Normal Stress
7580.44
’3 = tan-1 = 43.5099°
7985.34

Average ’ = (’1 + ’2 + ’3) / 3

Average ’ = (48.4343°+ 44.1553°+ 43.5099°) / 3
Average ’ = 45.3665°

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DIRECT SHEAR TEST OF SAND WITH PUTTY CLAY
Weight of loading head = 334 g
Weight of upper shear box = 521 g
Area of specimen = 2.5x10-3 m2

TRIAL 1
N = 656.4 g + 334 g + 521 g = 1511.4 g
N = 1511.4 x10-3 kg x 9.81 m/s2 = 14.8268 N
13.5525 N
Normal Stress = = 5930.72 N/m2
2.5 x 10−3 m 2

1 kg
S = 4.1 lb x x 9.81 m/s2 = 18.2823 N
2.2lb
14.4920 N
Shear Stress = = 7312.92 N/m2
2.5 x 10−3 m 2

Shear Stress
’ = tan-1
Normal Stress
7312.92
’1 = tan-1 = 50.9582°
5930.72

TRIAL 2
N = 1180.7 g + 334 g + 521 g = 2035.7 g
N = 2035.7 x10-3 kg x 9.81 m/s2 = 19.9702 N
19.9702 N
Normal Stress = = 7988.08 N/m2
2.5 x 10−3 m 2

1 kg
S = 5.25 lb x x 9.81 m/s2 = 23.4102 N
2.2lb
23.4102 N
Shear Stress = = 9364.08 N/m2
2.5 x 10−3 m 2

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 Shear Stress
’ = tan-1
Normal Stress
9364.08
’2 = tan-1 = 49.534°
7988.08

TRIAL 3
N = 1987.6 g + 334 g + 521 g = 2842.6 g
N = 2842.6x10-3 kg x 9.81 m/s2 = 27.8859 N
27.8859 N
Normal Stress = = 11154.36 N/m2
2.5 x 10−3 m 2

1 kg
S = 7.6 lb x x 9.81 m/s2 = 33.8891 N
2.2lb
33.8891 N
Shear Stress = = 13555.64 N/m2
2.5 x 10−3 m 2

Shear Stress
’ = tan-1
Normal Stress
13555.64
’3 = tan-1 = 50.5505°
11154.36

Average ’ = (’1 + ’2 + ’3) / 3

Average ’ = (50.9582°+ 49.534°+ 50.5505°) / 3

Average ’ = 50.3476°

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 APPENDIX C
(Individual Summary and Conclusion)

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