SOIL STRENGTH of

SOILS
Chapter 3
 PROGRAM OUTCOME

• PO 1 Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural science,

engineering fundamentals and an engineering specialization
to wide practical procedures and practices
• PO 2 Identify and analyse well-defined engineering
problems reaching substantiated conclusions using codified
methods of analysis specific to their field of activity
 COPO FOR LECTURE

CO1-PO1
CO2-PO2

• COI apply physical and engineering properties

knowledge to wide application of soil mechanic.
• CO2 evaluate soil behavior including shear strength,
compaction and consolidation from the standpoint of
effective stress concept.
 Learning outcome
At the end of the lecture, student should be able to
understand:

• Understand the concept of total and effective stresses, pore

pressure and excess pore pressure
•  Understand the concept of friction model, soil shear
strength, Mohr-Coulomb failure theory and shear strength
parameters of soil.
The safety of geotechnical
structures is dependent on the
strength of the soil
 INTRODUCTION

Engineers must understand the nature of the shearing

resistance in order to analyse soil stability problems such
as

• Bearing capacity
• Slope stability
• Lateral earth pressure on earth retaining structures
• Pavement
 INTRODUCTION
• Shear strength is the most important property of soil. It is resistance provided
by soil to sliding along any plane inside it.
• Shear strength depends on interaction between particles and shear failure occur
when particles slides over each other due to excessive shearing stresses.
• Shearing resistance of soil is constituted basically of the structural resistance,
the frictional resistance and cohesion. The shear resistance in cohesion less
soil is of friction alone and in other soils is result of both friction and cohesion.
The shear strength of soil is determined in laboratory as well as in field
 INTRODUCTION

Strength is the measure of the maximum stress state that

can be induced in a material without it failing
Civil engineers talk about tensile strength, compressive
strength, shear strength and so on
They were all different
The link between these different strengths is the
maximum shear stress, or the size of the largest Mohr
circle that the material can sustain
Figure (a) and (b) shows
uniaxial tensile and
compression tests and the
corresponding Mohr circle
of stress, the test samples
fail when the Mohr circle
reaches the limiting size
given by the radius τ’n
Figure (c) shows a vertical
cut and the shear and
normal effect stresses on
some inclined plane τ’n and
σ’n, failure will occur when
the Mohr circle reaches its
limiting size
Water has no strength and
the Mohr circle reduces to
a point as shown in (d)
 INTRODUCTION
• Thus we can say that materials that have strength can sustain
shear stresses and the strength is the maximum shear stress
that can be sustained
 Total and Effective stresses
The Principle of Effective Stress
• Soil engineering properties and behavior are strongly influenced by stresses
and stress history. For this reason, it is very important to understand the
principles on which stress determinations are based, and how to make
fundamental stress calculations
• The deformation of soils are similar to the deformation of structural
framework such as a truss
• The truss deforms from changes in loads carried by each member
• If the truss is loaded in air or submerged in water, the deformations under a
given load will remain unchanged
• Deformations of the truss are independent of hydrostatic pressure. The same
is true for soils
 Total and Effective stresses
• Lets consider an element of a saturated soil subjected to a
normal stress, σ, applied on the horizontal boundary.
• The stress σ, is called total stress, and for equilibrium
(Newton’s 3rd law) the stresses in the soil must be equal
 Total and Effective stresses
Resistance to , is provided by a combination of
the stresses from the solid called effective
stress (’) and from pore water in the pores,
called pore pressure u.
Thus  = ’ + u ’ =  - u
This equation is called the principle of effective stress
– first recognized by Terzaghi (1883-1963) – (research
in soil consolidation).
 Total and Effective stresses

• When water is present the effective vertical stress

is less due to buoyancy.
• This concept can be felt in the pool everyday. Just
think back to trying to pick someone off the ground
with no water, then picking the same person up in
the pool. Much easier in the pool, right?
 Total and Effective stresses

• Effective stress is approximately the force per unit area carried

by the soil skeleton. The effective stress in a soil mass controls
its volume change and strength. Increasing the effective stress
induces soil to move into a denser state of packing.
• Effective stress is due to intergranular contact forces over
gross cross-sectional area. This definition is true for granular
soil. However for fine-grained soils, intergranular contact may
not be there, because the clay particles are surrounded by
tightly held water film.
 Total and Effective stresses
• The principle of effective stress is the most important principle in
soil mechanics
• Deformations of soils are a function of effective stresses, not total
stresses
• The principle of effective stresses applies only to normal stresses
and not shear stresses
• Soils cannot sustain tension
• Consequently, the effective stress cannot be less than zero
• Porewater pressures can be positive or negative (called suction or
suction pressure)
 Total and Effective stresses
Stress in the ground; For a case of total stress, 
1) no surcharge 2) Ground below water level 3) With surcharge load, q
(lake/river/seabed)

ground surface gwt q

ground surface
hw
γ h
γ h
γsat h

o = γh
The total stress in o = γh + q
the ground is only o = γsath + γwhw
due to overburden The total stress in
The total stress in the the ground is only
pressure only ground is only due to due to overburden
overburden pressure + pressure + surcharge
19
hydrostatic pressure load
 Total and Effective stresses
Stress in the ground; For a case with gwt occurance, ‘

1) no gwt 2) gwt at surface 3) gwt beneath surface

ground surface ground surface gwt ground surface

γ γsat γ h
h hw gwt

γsat hw

o’ = o – u o’ = o – u o’ = o – u

o’ = γh – 0 = γsathw – γwhw
= γh + γ’hw
= γh = (γsat – γw )hw
= γ’hw
 Total and Effective stresses

• Water in the pores of sat soil has a pressure known as the pore pressure, u.
• If hw is represent the height of water in a standpipe then the pore presure is
given by, u = γwhw 2) gwt above ground
surface
1) gwt beneath ground gwt
• The pore pressure, u is surface
in positive as in case 1) ground surface ground surface
& 2) which is located
under water table.
• However what if pore hw
gwt
pressure located is
above water table....?? u = γwhw
hw
u = γwh w 21
 Negative pore pressures;
• This is a case where the
This area is pore pressure above
still fully
saturated
water table remains
due to saturated because of the
capillary capillary rise in the pore
rise BUT
pore spaces.
pressure is
in • In this zone the pore
negative pressures are negative.
value.
• Between the dry and
saturated zones, there is
a zone of unsaturated
soil which contains
solid, water and air.
• The porewater pressure
due to capillarity is
negative (suction) and
is a function of the size
of the soil pores and the
water content.
• The capillary zone in
fine sands will be larger
than for the medium or
coarse sands
 N
T S

Shear Strength R
(Coulomb’s failure criterion) T
N

Shear strength analyses are based primarily on the friction model.

The force transmitted between

2 bodies in static contact can be
resolved into 2 components:-
Normal component (N )
Shear component (T )
* both are perpendicular to
each other.
 Shear Strength
When shear slipping movement takes place along this surface the
ratio T/N will have reached a limiting value termed the coefficient of
friction ( μ )

Tlimit =  N
= N tan  ‘

where  ' is defined as the

angle of friction and its
influenced by interlocking ’ is angle of friction
effect between particles
 Shear Strength
• The shear strength of a mass is the internal resistance per unit area
that the soil mass can offer to resist failure and sliding along any
plane inside it.
• Shear strength is a term used in soil mechanics to describe the
magnitude of the shear stress that a soil can sustain.
• The shear resistance of soil is a result of friction and interlocking
of particles, and possibly cementation or bonding at particle
contacts.
• Due to interlocking, particulate material may expand or contract in
volume as it is subject to shear strains.
Mohr Coulomb Failure Envelope
 Mohr Coulomb Equation

τf= c + σ tan f

where
τf - the shear strength of the soil
c – the cohesion of the soil which represents the
attraction forces between the particles
s – the normal stress applied to the soil
f – the angle of internal friction of the soil
 Shear Strength

Soil derives its shear strength from two sources:

• Cohesion between particles (stress independent

component)
- cementation between sand grains
- electrostatic attraction between clay particles
• Frictional resistance between particles (stress dependent
component)
 typical response of soils to shearing forces

• Figure above shows a typical shear stress/displacement (strain) curve

for the shearing of a prismatic element of soil under constant normal
stress (dense sand and overconsolidated clays)
• The shear stress at first increases quickly while the strain increases
slowly, but as the soil yields the strain increases dramatically while
the shear stress levels off and then begins to fall
• This max value of shear stress at the yield point is termed peak stress
• The shear stress continues to fall at a lower value, known as ultimate
stress (critical)
• At very much larger strains, it is referred to residual stress
 Shear Strength
• Peak strength – is the maximum value of the shear stress to normal stress. For drained
tests these will occur simultaneously, for undrained tests they may occur at different
points
• Critical state strength -At its critical state soil continues to distort at constant effective
stress and at constant volume. This applies for turbulent flow of the particles: if the
flow becomes laminar, as in clays at large strain, the strength falls to the residual.
Critical states are unique and do not depend on initial state or stress path. Critical
states correspond to shear strains typically 10% to 40%. Critical shear stress increases
with increasing effective normal stress and with decreasing water content.
• Residual strength -lowest strength which occurs after very large displacements. For
sands the residual strength is the same as the critical state strength. For clays the
residual is about ½ the critical state strength. For clays the flat clay particles become
aligned parallel to the direction of shear. The residual strength occurs after very large
(>1m) movements and is not usually relevant for geotechnical engineering where
generally ground movements must be small. However, on old landslides there may
have very large movements and in such cases the strength may already be at the
residual before construction starts.
 Analyses of stress using Mohr’s circle

• Mohr’s circle of stress provides a convenient method of analyzing two-

dimensional stress states
• The Mohr’s circle construction enables the stresses acting in different
directions at a point on a plane to be determined, provided that the normal
and shear stresses are known on any two orthogonal plane
• It is very useful in Soil Mechanics as many practical situations can be
approximated as plane strain problems.
Analyses of stress using Mohr’s circle

Normal stress
induced are s1 and s3,
where s1 > s3. So this
have cause shear t.

Inclination of failure plane in

soil with major principal plane
 Mohr Coulomb Failure Criterion
• By combining Mohr’s circle for finding stress states with Coulomb’s
frictional law, we can developed a generalized failure criterion
• As stated by mohr-coulomb failure criterion, failure from shear will
occur when the shear stress on a plane reaches a value given by the
coulomb law (τf)
• The strength envelopes is a graphical representation of a particular
limiting condition of shear stress/normal stress ratio
• The failure envelope is known as the Mohr-Coulomb failure envelope
• The failure envelope is a curved line. For most soil mechanics
problems, it is sufficient to approximate the shear stress on the failure
plane as a linear function of the normal stress
• The linear function is known as Coulombs Law. 
Mohr Coulomb Failure Criterion

Mohr’s circle and failure envelope

 Mohr Coulomb Failure Criterion
• σ1 = major principal stress
• σ3 = minor principal stress
• The failure plane EF makes an angle θ with the major
principal plane
• To determine the angle θ and the relationship between major
and minor principal stress, refer Figure 2
• Fgh is the failure envelope define by the coulomb law
relationship
• It can be shown that bad = 2θ = 90 + f’, or
θ = 45 + f’/2
 Internal angle of friction (f)
Typical values of internal angle of friction, f’ are given in
table below
Soil type f’ (deg)
Sand: rounded grains
Loose 27-30
Medium 30-35
Dense 35-38
Sand: angular grains
Loose 30-35
Medium 35-40
Dense 40-45
Gravel with some sand 34-48
Silts 26-35
 Cohesion (c)

(a) Cohesionless Soil (c = 0) (b) Pure cohesive soil (f = 0) (c) Cohesive-frictional soil
(c-f)
 c’ for sand and inorganic silt is 0
 c’ for normally consolidated clays can be approximated at 0
 c’ for overconsolidated clays are greater than 0
• Mohr's circle may also be applied to three-dimensional
stress. In this case, the diagram has three circles, two within
a third. Envelopes for peak and ultimate stress ratios are
obtained by drawing the best straight line through the plot
points.
• Engineers use Mohr's circle to find the planes of maximum
normal and shear stresses, as well as the stresses on known
weak planes.
• For example, if the material is brittle, the engineer might use
Mohr's circle to find the maximum component of normal
stress (tension or compression); and for ductile materials,
the engineer might look for the maximum shear stress.
 Learning outcome
At the end of the lecture, student should be able to:

• Determine shear strength parameters of soils based on total stress analysis (c u

– horizontal failure envelope) and effective stress analysis (c’ and ’ –
inclined failure envelope).
• Understand the procedure and determine the shear strength parameters for
shear box and triaxial test (CD – consolidated drained test, CU – consolidated
undrained test, UU – unconsolidated undrained test and UC – unconfined
compression test).
• Understand the stress-strain relationships and derivation of failure envelope
and mobilized shear strength envelope base on effective and total stress
analysis
 Shear Strength Test

• The purpose of shear strength testing is to establish empirical

values for the shear strength parameters. The drainage
conditions during the test influence the measured values
• Shear strength test are carried in two stages
1) consolidation stage
2) shearing or axial loading stage
 Shear Strength Test
Consolidation stage
• After sample has been prepared, it is consolidated to a required
state by one dimensionally (direct shear) or isotropically
(triaxial test)
• The objective is to produce an initial stress state and also to
ensure full saturation in triaxial tests
• The consolidation of coarse soil in direct shear is virtually
immediate upon load application but may require several hours
for fine soils
 Shear Strength Test

Shearing or axial loading stage

• Sample is subject either to direct shearing (shear box test) or
increase in axial loading (triaxial test) until failure occurs
• Readings of vertical or lateral strain, axial load, pore pressure
and volume change are taken against time
 Shear Strength Test

• Shear Box Test

• Triaxial Test
• Unconfined Compression Test
• Vane Shear Test
 Shear Box Test

• This is quick and inexpensive test

• Used to determine shear strength
parameters for both cohesive as
well as non-cohesive soil
• The test is also known as direct
shear test because the normal shear
stress on the failure plane is
measured directly.
 Shear Box Test
Shear box apparatus
and its accessories
Shear Box Test
 Shear Box Test
Schematic diagram of a shear box apparatus
 Shear Box Test
• The test equipment consists of a
metal box in which the soil
specimen is placed
• The box is split horizontally into
two halves
• Vertical force (normal stress) is
applied through a metal platen
• Shear force is applied by moving
one half of the box relative to the
other to cause failure in soil
specimen
 Shear Box Test
• Depending on the equipment, the test can be either stress controlled or
strain controlled
• In strain controlled, a constant rate of shear displacement is applied to
one-half of the box by a motor that acts through gears. The constant rate
of shear displacement is measured by a horizontal dial gauge.
• The resisting shear force of the soil corresponding to any shear
displacement can be measured by horizontal proving ring.
• The change in height of the specimen can be obtained from the reading
of dial gauge that measures the vertical movement of the upper loading
plate
 Procedure

• Measure the inner side

or diameter of shear
box and fine the area
• Make sure top and
bottom halves of shear
box are in contact and
fixed together

Shear box with

alignment screws
Procedure
• Weight out 150g of sand
• Put porous stone at the bottom
• Place the soil in 3 layers in the
mould using the funnel.
Compact the soil with 20 blows
per layer
• Put porous stone on top of the
soil sample
• Place pressure pad on top of the
sample
Procedure
• Place shear box in machine
• A vertical load is the applied to the
specimen by means of a static
weight hanger. The weights to use
for the three runs are 2kg, 4kg and
6kg. Multiply ten if the load is
applied through the lever arm.

Note: lever arm ratio 1:10

(2kg weight = 20kg)
Procedure
• Remove the screws holding the two halves
of the box.
• Clamp the shear box, so that only the lower
half moves. Run the test by applying a
vertical load
• Start the motor with selected speed (0.1
in/min) so that the rate of shearing is at
selected constant rate
• Take the horizontal displacement gauge,
vertical displacement gauge and shear load
gauge readings. Record the readings in the
data sheet
• Continue taking readings until the
horizontal shear load peaks and then falls,
or the horizontal displacement reaches 15
% of the diameter
 Procedure

• The procedure is repeated on 4 to 5 specimens of the soil

• Values of normal stress and shear stress on the failure plan
are computed and plotted
• The shear strength envelopes corresponding to peak and
ultimate stresses are fitted as the best straight line through
plotted points
 Shear Box Test
• Shear slip occurs or is envisaged along a definite slip surface

dv = vertical displacement
dh = horizontal displacement
Data analysis
Plot of shear stress and change in height of specimen versus shear
displacement for loose and dense dry sand
Cont’d
 Peak & ultimate strength

• In dense sands, the grains are interlocked, an initial expansion or dilation

is necessary in order that shearing can occur. Thus, shear stress will first
rise sharply, with corresponding increase in volume. As the interlocking
is reduced, the shear stress falls back and finally levels off at an ultimate
value.
• In loose sands, volume decreases and the soil contracts into a more dense
state as the shear stress increases towards the same ultimate value.
• The difference between the peak and ultimate values depends on the
original density of the soil. Dense soil will dilate, whereas loose soil will
contract. Peak stress is therefore a function of the initial volume/density
state.
Advantages of Using Shear Box Test

• Shear and normal stresses measured directly.

• Normal stress constant throughout the test.
• An easy method for sands and silty sands.
• Volume changes are easily measured.
• Using a reversible shear box large displacement can be
achieved, thus enabling measurement of residual strength.
 Disadvantages of Using Shear Box Test

• The distribution of shear stress over the plane of failure is

assumed to be uniform, but in fact it is not
• Failure plane is predetermined. The soil is not allowed to fail
along the weakest plane
• Not possible to control drainage from the sample or to
measure the pore pressure within the sample. Therefore, only
effective stress (drained loading condition) measurements can
be made
• The normal stress cannot easily be varied during tests
 Example 1
• Direct shear test were performed on a dry, sandy soil. The size
of the specimen was 50mm x 50mm x 20mm. Test result were
given in the table.
Answer

c' = 0, f’ = 31o.
Triaxial test
 Triaxial test
• Triaxial is the most reliable methods available for determining shear
strength parameters
• Soil specimen about 38mm in diameter and 76mm long is generally
used
• Specimen is encased by a thin rubber membrane and placed inside a
plastic cylindrical chamber that usually filled with water
• Porous disks are placed at the bottom and at the top of the specimen.
• The specimen is mounted on the base pedestal and the end of the rubber
membrane is stretch over the pedestal and seal it with O ring
• The saturated specimen is subjected to a confining pressure by
compression of the fluid in the chamber
• To cause shear failure, one must apply axial stress through a vertical
loading ram
• Pore pressure generated inside the specimen during testing may be
measured by means of pressure transducers
Equipment for the triaxial test.
 Notes:
Stages involve in
conducting triaxial test
u are;
B
3 1.Sample preparation
(cylindrical sample with
ratio of size D:H1:2)
2.Saturation stage, B =
u /3 (B  0.95 ~ where
B is Skempton’s pore
pressure parameter.
Normally sample
prepared in stage 1 is in
unsaturated condition)
3.Consolidation stage
(to investigate stress
history and
compression behaviour)
4.Shearing stage
(to investigate failure
behaviour)

Schematic diagram of the triaxial cell and position of the sample

 Principle Stress & Deviator Stress

Principle Plane is the plane that is acted upon by a normal stress only.
No shear stress present on a principal plane. Principal stress is the
normal stress acting on a principal plane. σ1 and σ3 are known as the
major and minor principal stresses respectively.
 Failure Plane

• In triaxial test, failure plane is not predetermined. Failure

occurs on the plane where stress system is most critical.
 Mohr Circles

The test is repeated for several different values of cell pressure σ3 and
the corresponding values of σ1 at failure found in each case. This
enables a set (at least 3) of Mohr’s circles to be drawn.
 Types of Triaxial Test
• Unconsolidated-undrained (UU)Test
• Consolidated-drained (CD)Test
• Consolidated-undrained (CU)Test
Unconsolidated-undrained test
• This test is performed with the drain valve closed for all phases of the test.
• Axial loading is commenced immediately after the chamber pressure s3 is stabilized.

Consolidated-undrained test,
• In this test, drainage or consolidation is allowed to take place during the application of the
confining pressure s3.
• Loading does not commence until the sample ceases to drain (or consolidate).
• The axial load is then applied to the specimen, with no attempt made to control the formation of
excess pore pressure.
• For this test, the drain valve is closed during axial loading, and excess pore pressures can be
measured.

Consolidated-drained test
• In this test, the drain valve is opened and is left open for the duration of the test, with complete
sample drainage prior to application of the vertical load.
• The load is applied at such a slow strain rate that particle readjustments in the specimen do not
induce any excess pore pressure.
• Since there is no excess pore pressure total stresses will equal effective stresses.
• Also the volume change of the sample during shear can be measured.
Unconsolidated-undrained (UU) Test

• The specimen is saturated

• In UU test, drainage from the soil specimen is not permitted
during the application of s3.
• The test specimen is sheared to failure by the application of
deviator stress
• Because no consolidation or drainage is allowed, this test can
be performed very quickly
• The total stress parameters, cu and fu are found with this test.
 Unconsolidated-undrained (UU) Test
• Usually conducted on clays specimens and depends on a very
important strength concept for cohesive soils if the soil is fully
saturated
• The added axial stress (∆sd) at failure is practically the same
regardless of the chamber confining pressure
• In any case, the deviator stress would have been the same as long
as the soil was fully saturated and fully undrained during both
stages of the test
• Hence, the failure envelope for the total stress Mohr’s circles
becomes horizontal and hence f=0
τ = c = cu
f

• Applicable in most practical situations – foundations for example

Practical applications of UU
Unconsolidated-undrained (UU) Test
 Consolidated-Drained (CD)Test
• The specimen is first saturated
• Confining stress (σ3) is applied
- this squeezes the sample causing volume decrease
- drain lines kept open and must wait for full consolidation (u=
0)
• Once full consolidation is achieved, normal stress applied to
failure with drain lines still open
• Normal stress applied very slowly allowing full drainage and
full consolidation of sample during test
• At least 3 tests must be conducted at different cell pressure.
 Consolidated-Drained (CD)Test

• In CD test, the total and effective stress is the same since u

is maintained at 0 by allowing drainage
• This means you are testing the soil in effective stress
conditions
• Applicable in conditions where the soil will fail under a long
term constant load where the soil is allowed to drain (long
term slope stability)
Practical application of CD
CD Test in Normal-Consolidated Clay
CD Test In Over-consolidated Clay
 Example 2
For normally consolidated clay, the results of a drained triaxial
test are as follows:

Chamber confining pressure,σ3 = 150 kN/m2

Deviator stress at failure,σ1-σ3 = 100 kN/m2

a) Find the angle of friction

b) Determine the angle,θ that the failure plane makes with the
major principal plane
 Example 3

The equation of the effective stress failure envelope for

normally consolidated clayey soil is τf= σ’ tan 25.
A drained triaxial test was conducted with the same soil at a
chamber confining pressure of 80 kN/m2.
Determine the deviator stress at failure of the soil.
 Consolidated-undrained (CU)Test
• Most common type of triaxial test
• Specimen is first saturated
• Confining stress (σ3) is applied
- this squeezes the sample causing volume decrease
- drain lines kept open and must wait for full consolidation
(u=0)
• Once full consolidation is achieved, drain lines are closed (no
drainage for the rest of the test), and normal stress applied to
failure
 Consolidated-undrained
(CU)Test
• normal stress can be applied faster since no drainage is
necessary (u not equal to 0)
• Because drainage is not permitted, the pore water pressure
will increase
• During this test, simultaneous measurements of deviator
stress and pore water pressure are made
• Thus, effective stresses can be calculated
• Applicable in situations where failure may occur suddenly
such as rapid drawdown in a dam or levee
Practical applications of CU
 Consolidated-undrained
(CU)Test
• Total Stress
τ = cu + σn tanfu

• Effective Stress
τ = c’ + σn’ tanf’

• Pore pressure
u = σ1 - σ1’ or σ3 – σ3’
 CU Test Failure Envelope

Total and effective stress failure envelope from CU tests

 Example 4

A CU test on a normally consolidated clay yielded the

following results:
σ3 = 100 kPa
Deviator stress = 210 kPa
Pore pressure, (Δud)f = 70 kPa

Determined the consolidated undrained friction angle and the

consolidated drained friction angle
 Example 5

The following data were obtained from an undrained triaxial test on a

series of saturated soil samples
Soil sample 1 2 3

Cell pressure (kPa) 150 250 350

Pore pressure (kPa) 50 100 150

Deviator stress (kPa) 150 300 400

Determine the values of the apparent cohesion, c and the angle of internal
friction, 
i)With respect to total stresses
ii) With respect to effective stresses
Answer
Cell pressure 150 250 350
Pore pressure 50 100 150
Deviator stress 150 300 400
σ1 = σ3 + σd 300 550 750
σ3' = σ3 – u 100 150 200
σ1' = σ1 - u 250 450 600

i) From the graph of total stress parameters

cu = 25
u = 18 ͦ

ii)
From the graph of the effective stress parameters
c’ = 20
’ = 26 ͦ
 ADVANTAGES

• Specimens are subjected to uniform stresses and strains

• The complete stress-strain strength behaviour can be
investigated
• Drained and undrained tests can be performed
• Pore water pressures can be measured in undrained tests
• Different combinations of confining and axial stress can be
applied
Example 6
Enumerate the types of laboratory triaxial test you would specify to be carried out in
connection with the following field problems:
• (a) the stability of a clay foundation of an embankment, the rate of construction being
such that some consolidation of the clay occurs;
• (b) the initial stability of a footing on saturated clay;
• (c) the long-term stability of a slope in stiff fissured clay.

Answer :
• (a) Since there is some consolidation during construction of the embankment, a
consolidated undrained triaxial test with pore water pressure measurements would be
appropriate in this case.
• (b) A footing on saturated clay will initially increase the pore water pressure of the clay
and only gradually, as consolidation occurs, will the effective stresses increase. The
appropriate test in this case, therefore, would be an unconsolidated undrained triaxial test.
• (c) The long-term stability of a slope in a stiff fissured clay would depend on the effects
of consolidation and water seepage. A consolidated drained test would give the necessary
information about the long-term shearing resistance of the clay
 Exercise

1) The readings given below were recorded during shear box

tests on samples of a sandy clay compacted to the same
density. The shear surface measures 60 x 60 mm.
Determine the apparent cohesion and the angle of friction
for the soil.
Normal load (N) 108 202 295 390 484 576
Shear load at failure (N) 172 227 266 323 374 425
 Exercise
2) The following results were obtained during a consolidated undrained triaxial test on
a clay sample.

Cell pressure (kN/m2) 140 240 340

Deviator stress (kN/m2) 186 231 279
Pore pressure (kN/m2) 96 166 216

i/ Determine the shear strength parameters for drained and undrained conditions
ii/ If a specimen of the same soil is tested in a triaxial undrained test with a cell
pressure of 300 kN/m2, what are the values of the major principle total stress at
failure, σ1 and the deviator stress, σd
iii/ Determine the value of the apparent cohesion that is expected from an
unconfined compression test on the same soil
Unconfined Compression Test
Unconfined Compression Test
 Unconfined Compression Test

• UCT is a special type of UU test that is commonly

used for clay specimens
• In this test, the confining pressure s3 is 0. An axial
load is rapidly applied to the specimen to cause
failure
• The undrained shear strength is independent of the
confining pressure as long as the soil is fully
saturated and fully undrained.
 Procedure

• Place specimen on base of holder, and set holder on

compression device.
• Lower loading piston until it contacts specimen push rod.
• Contact will be noted by slight reading on load readout gauge.
• Zero out readout gauge, check strain rate setting, and begin test.
• Continue test until load values decrease or until 20% strain is
reached.
• Make a moisture determination and also a sketch of specimen
showing failure envelope
 Unconfined Compression Test

• The unconfined compression test is a special type

of unconsolidated-undrained test that is commonly
used for clay specimens

where qu is the unconfined compression strength

Mohr Circle
Do make a lot of practice on the tutorial
questions.
Practice makes better.
End of Week 10 & End of Topic 3
Week 11 : Soil Compaction and Consolidation.
Wasslam & Thank You.