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The cohesion is a term used in describing the shear strength soils. Its definition is
mainly derived from the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion and it is used to describe the
non-frictional part of the shear resitance which is independent of the normal stress. In
the stress plane of Shear stress-effective normal stress, the soil cohesion is the
intercept on the shear axis of the Mohr-Coulomb shear resistance line
Some typical values of soil cohesion are given below for different soil types. The soil
cohesion depends strongly on the consistence, packing, and saturation condition. The
values given below correspond to normally consolidated condition unless otherwise
stated. These values should be used only as guidline for geotechnical problems;
however, specific conition of each engineering problem often needs to be considered
for an appropriate choice of geotechnical parameters.
Cohesion [kPa]
Description USCS Reference
min max Specific value
ML, OL,
Loam - Compacted 60 90 [2],
MH, OH
ML, OL,
Loam - Saturated 10 20 [2],
MH, OH
ML, OL,
Silt Loam - Compacted 60 90 [2],
MH, OH
ML, OL,
Silt Loam - Saturated 10 20 [2],
MH, OH
ML, OL,
Clay Loam, Silty Clay Loam
CL, MH, 60 105 [2],
- Compaced
OH, CH
ML, OL,
Clay Loam, Silty Clay Loam
CL, MH, 10 20 [2],
- Saturated
OH, CH
OL, CL,
Silty clay, clay - compacted 90 105 [2],
OH, CH
OL, CL,
Silty clay, clay - saturated 10 20 [2],
OH, CH
REFERENCES
Soil friction angle is a shear strength parameter of soils. Its definition is derived from the
Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion and it is used to describe the friction shear resistance of
soils together with the normal effective stress.
In the stress plane of Shear stress-effective normal stress, the soil friction angle is the
angle of inclination with respect to the horizontal axis of the Mohr-Coulomb shear
resistance line.
Typical values of soil friction angle for different soils according to USCS
Some typical values of soil friction angle are given below for different USCS soil types at
normally consolidated condition unless otherwise stated. These values should be used
only as guidline for geotechnical problems; however, specific conition of each
engineering problem often needs to be considered for an appropriate choice of
geotechnical parameters.
(GW,
Sandy gravels - Loose 35 [3 cited in 6]
GP)
(GW,
Sandy gravels - Dense 50 [3 cited in 6]
GP)
ML, OL,
Loam 28 32 [7],
MH, OH
ML, OL,
Silt Loam 25 32 [7],
MH, OH
ML, OL,
Clay Loam, Silty Clay Loam CL, MH, 18 32 [7],
OH, CH
OL, CL,
Silty clay 18 32 [7],
OH, CH
CL, CH,
Clay 18 28 [7],
OH, OL