1.

0 INTRODUCTION

The test is carried out on either undisturbed samples or remolded samples. To

facilitate the remolding purpose, a soil sample may be compacted at optimum moisture
content in a compaction mould. Then specimen for the direct shear test could be obtained
using the correct cutter provided. Alternatively, sand sample can be placed in a dry state at a
required density, in the assembled 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, shear displacement and normal displacement are recorded. The test is repeated foe two
or more identical specimens under different normal loads. From the results, the shear strength
parameters can be determined.
2.0 RESULT AND CALCULATION

Specimen No . 1

Loading : 1.75 kg 1.75 kg × 9.81 N × _1kN_ = 0.017 kN

1kg 1000N
Length : 60mm = 0.06m

Area : 0.06m × 0.06m = 3.6×10-3m2

Displacement Proving ring Shear stress Strain

Dial ∆L (mm) Dial Load, P (kN) (KN/m2) (x 10-4)
gauge gauge
20 0.04 4 0.035 9.722 6.667
40 0.08 14 0.123 34.167 13.333
60 0.12 35 0.306 85.000 20.00
80 0.16 38 0.333 92.500 26.667
100 0.20 50 0.438 121.667 33.333
120 0.24 60 0.525 145.833 40.000
140 0.28 70 0.613 170.278 46.667
160 0.32 74 0.648 180.000 53.333
180 0.36 78 0.683 189.722 60.000
200 0.40 80 0.700 194.444 66.667
220 0.44 81 0.709 196.944 73.333
240 0.48 81 0.709 196.944 80.000
260 0.52 81 0.709 196.944 86.667
Specimen No. 2

Loading : 2.5 kg 2.5 kg × 9.81 N × _1kN_ = 0.025 kN

1kg 1000N
Length : 60mm = 0.06m

Area : 0.06m × 0.06m = 3.6×10-3m2

Displacement Proving ring Shear stress Strain

Dial ∆L (mm) Dial Load, P (kN) (KN/m2) (x 10-4)
gauge gauge
20 0.04 6 0.053 14.720 6.667
40 0.08 6 0.053 14.720 13.333
60 0.12 19 0.166 46.111 20.00
80 0.16 30 0.263 73.056 26.667
100 0.20 44 0.385 106.944 33.333
120 0.24 50 0.438 121.667 40.000
140 0.28 58 0.508 141.111 46.667
160 0.32 60 0.525 145.833 53.333
180 0.36 62 0.543 150.833 60.000
200 0.40 64 0.560 155.556 66.667
220 0.44 65 0.569 158.056 73.333
240 0.48 70 0.613 170.278 80.000
260 0.52 75 0.656 182.222 86.667
280 0.56 76 0.665 184.722 93.333
300 0.60 77 0.674 187.222 100.00
320 0.64 79 0.691 191.944 106.667
340 0.68 80 0.700 194.444 113.333
360 0.72 81 0.709 196.944 120.000
380 0.76 84 0.735 204.167 126.667
400 0.80 84 0.735 204.167 133.333
420 0.84 84 0.735 204.167 140.00
Specimen No.3

Loading : 3.25 kg 3.25 kg × 9.81 N × _1kN_ = 0.032 kN

1kg 1000N
Length : 60mm = 0.06m

Area : 0.06m × 0.06m = 3.6×10-3m2

Displacement Proving ring Shear stress Strain

Dial ∆L (mm)(X10-4) Dial Load, P (kN) (KN/m2) (x 10-4)
gauge gauge
20 0.04 22 0.193 53.611 6.667
40 0.08 40 0.350 97.222 13.333
60 0.12 50 0.438 121.667 20.00
80 0.16 60 0.525 145.833 26.667
100 0.20 72 0.630 175.000 33.333
120 0.24 83 0.726 201.667 40.000
140 0.28 91 0.796 221.111 46.667
160 0.32 96 0.840 233.333 53.333
180 0.36 101 0.884 245.556 60.000
200 0.40 105 0.919 255.278 66.667
220 0.44 106 0.928 257.778 73.333
240 0.48 111 0.971 269.722 80.000
260 0.52 111 0.971 269.722 86.667
280 0.56 116 1.015 281.944 93.333
300 0.60 119 1.041 289.167 100.00
320 0.64 119 1.041 289.167 106.667
340 0.68 119 1.041 289.167 113.333
Sample Calculation

1. Displacement

= dial gauge x 0.002

= 20 x 0.002

= 0.04 mm

2. Proving ring

= dial gauge x 0.00875

= 4 x 0.00875

= 0.035 kN

3. Shear stress (20 mm dial gauge)

= Dail gauge x 0.00875

Area

= 4 x 0.00875
0.06 m x 0.06 m
= 9.72 kN/m2

4. Strain (20 mm dial gauge)

= dail gauge x 0.002 / total length

= 20 x 0.002 / 60 mm

= 0.00067
5. Normal Stress, ( kN/ mm2 )

a) For 1.75kg load.

= Load , P
Area, A

= _0.017 kN___

0.06m × 0.06m

= 4.7 kN / m2

b) For 2.5 kg load

= 0.025 kN_____
0.06m × 0.06m

= 6.9 kN / m2

c) For 3.25 kg load

= 0.032 kN______
0.06m × 0.06m

= 8.9kN / m2

6.

3.1 cm

4.4 cm

Tan ϕ = 3.1 / 4.4

Φ = 35ᵒ
3.0 DISCUSSION

The direct shear test is suited to the relatively rapid determination of the the parameter of
the shear strength of soil, to find the value of cohesion and also to find the angle of friction.
At the end of result we had plot the graph, which is the graph of shear stress versus strain.
The graph will gained us to value of friction angle. (Refer to the graph).

At these 3 samples which are 1.75kg, 2.5 kg and 3.25kg there are no error data obtained.
The value obtained from the dial gauge showed increases directly. This is because the dial
gauge reading has increased the time by the time.

The cohesion of soil and the angle of friction of soil are determined. The angle of friction
is the angle of the linear line produced (line’s slope). From the graph, the cohesion of soil is
0.0 kN/m2 as the sample of soil used is sand. As we know that sand is type of coarse grained
soil and it is assume cohesion less. Form the graph, the angle of friction is 35°.The direct
shear test has advantages and disadvantages. It is simple and fast especially for sands. The
failure that occurs is along a single surface, which approximates observed slips or shear type
failure in natural soils
4.0 CONCLUSION

Direct shear test is useful when cohesion less soils are to be tested. In this test
the failure plane is forced to occur at a predetermined location where both normal and
shear stresses are acting; the sample is placed in a closed shear box, fixed at the base with
the top free to translate under a horizontal force. The two portions of the box are spaced
by using spacing screws to reduce the friction. The space should be at least as large as the
largest sand particle. The box is then placed in the direct shear apparatus, and increasing
horizontal load is applied with constant corresponding vertical load, and the horizontal
deformation shall be recorded by using the dial gage. For each test shear stress-strain
diagram is drawn in order to find out the ultimate stress, then the shear failure envelope is
drawn by relating each ultimate shear stress to the normal stress corresponding to it in at
least three tests.

The direct shear test can be used to measure the effective stress parameters of
any type of soil as long as the pore pressure induced by the normal force and the shear
force can dissipate with time. For the experiment we use the clean sands as a sample, so
there is no problem as the pore pressure dissipates readily. However, in the case of highly
plastic clays, it is merely necessary to have a suitable strain rate so that the pore pressure
can dissipate with time.

Direct shear tests can be performed under several conditions. The sample is
normally saturated before the test is run. The test can be run at the in-situ moisture
content. Before we find the value of cohesion and friction angle, we must plot the graph
from the data that we get from the experiment. The results of the tests on each specimen
are plotted on a graph with the peak (or residual) stress on the x-axis and the confining
stress on the y-axis. The y-intercept of the curve which fits the test results is the cohesion,
and the slope of the line or curve is the friction angle.
5.0 QUESTIONS

Question 1

a) Why perforated plate in this test has a tooth?

Plate with tooth is used to increase fiction and to produce a grip forces between the
plate and the sample and assists in distributing the shear stress evenly. The direction of the
plate is moving oppositely which is occurs to friction.

b) What maximum value of displacement before terminating the test?

The maximum value of displacement before terminating the test is when the values
from dial gauge are constant at least three times continuously or no more increase data and
also when the incline value suddenly dropped so we stop the test.

Question 2

a) What are the advantages and disadvantages of a direct shear test?

Advantages Disadvantages
a. Simple and a. Only for drained conditions
inexpensive b. Failure plane forced to
b. Thin sample allows for occur at joint in box
rapid drainage of fine grained soils c. Non-uniform
distribution of stress
and strain
d. No stress-strain data
b) Why do we use fixing screw in this test? What happen if you do not removed them
during test?

We use fixing screw in this direct shear test because in order to avoid shear for happening
before the experiment is carried out. If we do not remove them during the test, they will be no
friction and the there will be no shear on the sample and thus the result will be not accurate.