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Shear Strength of Soil Part 1
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: September 25th, 2023
Through Champion Study Plan for GATE Civil Engineering (CE) 2022, we are providing Shear Strength of Soil Part 1 study notes and other important materials on every topic of each subject.
These topic-wise study notes are useful for the preparation of various upcoming exams like GATE Civil/ IES/ BARC/ ISRO/ SSC-JE/ State Engineering Services examinations and other important upcoming competitive exams.
The article contains fundamental notes on the “Shear Strength of Soil” topic of the “Geotechnical Engineering” subject.
Shear Strength of Soil
Shear Strength
Shear strength of a soil is the capacity of the soil to resist shearing stress. It can be defined as the maximum value of shear stress that can be mobilized within a soil mass.
- Plane a-a is critical plane
- θc = Angle of critical plane (a-a)
- σ1 and σ3 are stresses on given planes
(i) 
where, βmax = Angle between resultant stress and normal stress on critical plane.
= Friction angle of soil = ∅
↓
for clay ∅ = 0
(ii) 
(iii) 
, for C-∅ soil.
(iv) 
for C-soil (clays).
(v) 
for C-∅ soil.
(vi) 
, for φ-soil.
(vii) 
for C-soil.
Mohr Coulomb’s Theory
where, C’ = Effective cohesion
= Effective normal stress
and ∅’ = Effective friction angle
Direct Shear Test
Results of Direct Shear Test
Drained conditions maintained, hence C taken as zero in results (as cohesion doesn’t mobilizes in drained condition)
where, σ3 = Cell pressure or all-round confining pressure
σd = Deviator stress A = Area of failure
where, A0 = Area of beginning
∈v = Volumetric strain
where, ΔV = Volume of water escaped out
= Initial Volume
∈ = Axial strain
Important Points regarding Triaxial Test
- During triaxial, either pore water line is open (to get pore pressure) or Drainage line is open (to get volume change)
- UD (not possible in field)
- CD – Total = effective stress: To check long term stability of embankment which has been in existence since long ago.
- With
more σ1 required to canse failure hence mohr circle bigger. for normal consolidated soil, at σ3 = 0, τ = 0
But for OC soil, at σ3 = 0, τ have some value.
- CU – Undrained strength comes higher than in site due to isotropic confining pressure of lab and anisotripic confining in site soil.
(Direct Shear) drained condition → C can’t be modified
(unconfined undrained compression test) → ∅ can’t be modified
- UU Test
With ↑ in σ3, effective doesn’t change hence no decrease in void ratio or increase in strength is noted, hence for all σ3, same incremental σ1, will come and only one Mohr’s circle is obtained.
Unconfined Compression Test
- qu = (σ1)f where, qu = unconfined compressive strength.
Here, σ3 = 0 
for clay’s or c-soil.- For clays as sand/coarse grained soil/can’t stand in equipment with no lateral pressure.
- Used to rapidly assess clay consistency in field.
- To get sensitivity values of clay.
Vane Shear Test
- It is suitable for sensitive clays.
Shear Strength
When top and bottom of vanes both take part in shearing.
When only bottom of vanes take part in shearing.
where sf = Sensitivity
Pore Pressure Parameter
(i) 
where, B = Pore pressure parameter
ΔUc = Change in pore pressure due to increase in cell pressure
Δσc = Δσ3 = Change in cell pressure.
- 0 ≤ B ≤ 1
- B = 0, for dry soil.
- B = 1, for saturated soil.
(ii) 
where A = Pore pressure parameter
ΔUd = Change in pore pressure due to deviator stress.
Δσd = Change in deviator stress
ΔU = Change in pore pressure
(iii) ΔU = ΔUc + ΔUd
(iv) ΔU = B[Δσ3 + A(Δσ1 – Δσ3)]
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