Direct Shear Box Test

Contents
Introduction
Objective
Apparatus
Description of Test
Results
Calculations
Relevance to Geotechnics
Soil Description and Conclusion
References

Introduction
Shear strength is the property that enables a material to remain in equilibrium when its
surface is not level. (Smith, 2006) The direct shear test is used to determine the shear
strength of soils on a predetermined failure surface. This test is used to measure the
shearing resistance, un-drained shear strength, and dilative and contractive tendencies
in soils. (Fratta et al, 2007) The results can then be used to determine the allowable
bearing capacity of foundations and stability of retaining walls, cuttings and
embankments.
Objective

To determine the angle of shearing resistance of a sample of sand; the test may be
carried out either dry or fully saturated but not anywhere in between.
Apparatus
Motorised shear box
Electronic balance
Horizontal and vertical measuring gauges
Assorted steel weights
Lever arm attachment
Tamper
Proving Ring
Description of Test
Three samples of the same soil are placed into the shear box, which has two stacked
squares to hold the sample. A confining stress is applied to the sample and the upper
square is pulled laterally until the sample fails. The normal stress applied, the vertical
displacement and proving ring are recorded at regular and frequent intervals.

Normal Stress (kPa):25,050,075,0

Sheat stress at Failure (kPa):22,439,073,0
Area = 60 * 60 = 3600mm2 = 3,6 * 10-3 m2

1 = 25,0/Area = 6944,45 kPa

2 = 50,0/Area = 13888,89 kPa
3= 75,0/Area = 20833,34 kPa
1= 22,4/Area = 6222,23 kPa
2= 39,0/Area = 10833,34 kPa
3= 73,0/Area = 20277,78 kPa
= tan-1 (6222,23/6944,45) = 41,86
Relevance to Geotechnical Design
The relevance of this test is to determine whether the soil will have enough shear strength
to support planned construction works upon it, such as excavation, embankments, roads,
foundations and retaining walls. The shear strength value that is calculated from this test
allows the soil to be used in a way that will not be subjected to failure due to shear.
Soil Description and Conclusion
Using a 10x hand lens the following visual description was concluded: * Pale brown in
colour
Uniformly graded particle sizes with no cohesion
Particle sizes of less than 2mm.
To BS95930:1990 the classification of the soil was determined as:
Pale brown well graded medium angular quartz sand.The direct shear test is one of many
test methods used to determine the shear strength of a soil. With the results of this test, the

angle of shearing resistance ( ) can be determined and used to calculate the active lateral
pressure coefficient (Ka) which is then used in the design of retaining walls.
References

Smith, I. 2006. Smiths Elements of Soil Mechanics. 8th Ed. Blackwell Publishing Fratta.
2007, Introduction to Soil Mechanics Laboratory Testing. CRC Press Liu, C. Evett, J B.
2000. Soil Properties: Testing, Measurement and Evaluation. 4th Ed. Carlisle Publishers
British Standards Institute 1999. BS5930: 1999
British Standards Institute 1999. BS1377: 1999