Problems on Shear Strength

Example # 01
In a vane shear test the following observations
are made:
Torque required to rotate a blank rod: 17 kg.cm
Torque required to produce failure in clay= 180
kg.cm
Subsequent torque necessary to maintain
movement= 45 kg.cm
Diameter of vane= 5cm
Height of vane = 10 cm
Calculate the undrained shear strength of the
clay and its approximate sensitivity .

Contd…
• Solution:
Use the formula of vane shear test:
H d
T = πd 2τ f  + 
 2 2
rearrange for τ f :
T
τf =
H d
πd 2  + 
 2 2
(undisturbe d ) Torque required to produce failure in clay = 180 − 17 = 163 kg .cm
Put the values and we get :
163 163 × 6
τf = = = 0 .355 kg / cm 2
 10 5  π × 25 × 35
π (5 )2  + 
 2 6
Re molded strength :
Torque required = 45 − 17 = 28 kg .cm
28
τf = = 0 .0612 kg / cm 2
π × 25 × 35
Undisturbe d strength 0 .0355
Sensitivit y = = = 5 .8
Re molded strength 0 .0612
Classifica tion = sensitivit y clay ( Range 4 − 8)
 Example# 2
• Site exploration was done and it was found that
a thin layer of alluvial silt exists at a depth of 10
m below the surface of the ground. The water
table was at the surface. With the help of
undisturbed sampling the following data were
obtained:

cu =0.82 kg/cm2 φu=15o cd =0.62 kg/cm2 φd

=25o Estimate the shearing resistance of the silt
on a horizontal plane (i) when the shear stress
builds up rapidly and when shear stress builds
up slowly. The average dry density and moisture
content may be taken as 1.8 g/cc 35%
respectively Contd…
 Contd…
• Given:
γd =1.8 g/cc ,w= 35%, cu =0.82 kg/cm2, φu =15o cd = 0.62 kg/cm2 φd
=25o D = 10 m
Solution:
Bulk density γb = γd (1+w) = 1.8(1+0.35)= 2.43 g/cc
Submerged Density, γ’ = 2.43- 10 = 1.43 g/cc
T.Normal pressure at 10 m depth:
σ10 = 2.43 x 10 x 100/1000 = 2. 43 kg/cm2
Effective pressure at 10 m depth
σ′10 = 1.43 x10 x 1000/1000 = 1.43 kg/cm2
(i) Now for rapid build up, undrained shear strength and
total pressure will be used :
τ = c+σ tan φ = 0.82 + 2.43 tan 15o =1.47 kg/cm2
(ii) For slow build up, effective/ drained properties will be
used
τ = c′′+σ′′ tan φ′′ = 0.62 + 1.43 tan 25o = 0.62 + 1.43 x0.466 =
1.288 kg/cm2
 Example #3
• Two identical specimen, 4cm in dia. and 8 cm high, of partly
saturated compacted soil are tested in a triaxial cell under
undrained conditions. The first specimen failed at an
additional axial load (i.e. deviator load) of 72 kg under a cell
pressure of 1 kg/cm2 . The second specimen failed at an
additional axial load of 91.5 kg/cm2 under a cell pressure of
2 kg/cm2. The increase in volume of first specimen at failure
is 1.2 ml, and it shortens by 0.6 cm at failure. The increase in
volume of the second specimen at failure is 1.6 ml and it
shortens by 0.8 cm at failure. Determine the value of
apparent cohesion and the angle of shearing resistance (a)
analytically and (b) graphically by Mohrs’ circle.

Contd…
 Contd…
Given:
First specimen: dia.= 4 cm Ht.= 8 cm
Initial area: π/4 .d2 = π/4 .42=12.57 cm2
Initial volume =V1=A.H = 12.57x 8 = 100.56 cm3
pressure,σ3 =1 kg/cm2
Deviator load= 72 kg. cell pressure,σ

Solution:

Change in volume: ∆v= +1.2cm3 ∆L= -0.6cm

Final volume= V1 + ∆V1 Final cross-
cross-section=Final
volume/final height.
=100.56+1.2/8-0.6 = 13.75 cm2
Af =100.56+1.2/8-
σd = Deviator load/A=72/13.75=5.24 kg/cm2 .
σd =σ1-σ3 , σ1= σd +σ3 = 5.24+1=6.24 kg/cm2
Contd…
Contd…

Contd…
 Contd…
• Again σ1= σ3 Nφ + 2c √Nφ
8.44 = 2 Nφ + 2cu √Nφ (ii)
Solving eq. (i) and (ii) simultaneously.
Nφ = 2.2 cu =1.36 kg/cm2
Nφ = tan2 (45+ φ/2) =2.2
φu =22o
Graphically: Plot Mohr circle for σ1 and σ3 for both
cases and find c and φ
(1)σ1 = 6.24 kg/cm2
σ3 =1 kg/cm2
2 Φ=22o
(2)σ1 = 8.44 kg/cm
σ3 = 2 kg/cm2
c

C= 1.36 kg/cm2
 Example# 4
• Samples compacted clean dry sand were tested
in a shear box 6cm x 6cm and the following
results were obtained:

• Normal load,kg 10 20 30 40
• Peak stress load, kg 9 18.1 27 36.2
• Ultimate shear load, kg 7.5 15.2 22.7 30

Determine the angle of shearing resistance of

the sand (i) in the dense state (ii) in the loose
state

Contd…
 Contd…

φ= Dense state = Peak stress in compacted

state
φ = Loose state = ultimate shear = loosened
by shearing action
Shear stress/load

42o
37o

Normal Stress/Load
 Example# 5
• A direct shear test is run on a medium sand
under the normal stress of 60 kPa. The
maximum shear stress at failure is measured
as 37.5 kPa. Draw the Mohr circle at failure
and determine the magnitude and direction
of principal stresses in the failure zone. What
is the orientation of the plane of maximum
shear stress at failure?

Contd…
Contd…
Given:
Normal stress = 60 kN/m2
Shear stress at failure= 375 kN/m2
Plot it and join with the origin as it is sandy
material (c = 0)
φ = 32o c = 0.
Draw a Mohr circle touching the failure
envelope at ‘F’
Draw a horizontal line from ‘F’ to get the pole.
The principal planes on then drawn σ1= 127.6
kPa, σ1 plane is inclined at 60.5o to the
horizontal.
Contd…
 Contd…

• σ′′3 = 39.2 kPa. σ′′3 plane is inclined at

29.5o to horizontal. M is the point of
maximum shear stress and its plane is
inclined at 16o to horizontal.

τ F(60,37.5)
M
16o

Φ=32o 29.5o 60.5o

σ3 = 39.2 σ1= 127.6
σ
 Example # 06
• The following results were obtained from undrained shear box
tests on samples of silty clay:

Normal Pressure (kN/m2) 200 300 400

Shear Strength (kN/m2) 113 141 167

• Find the apparent cohesion and the angle of shearing resistance.

• Find also the value of the apparent cohesion which would be
expected from an unconfined compression test on a sample of the
same soil.
• If another specimen of this soil is subjected to an undrained
triaxial test with lateral pressure 275 kN/m2, find the total axial
pressure at which failure would be expected.

Contd…
 Contd…
Solution:
• The values for the undrained shear box test
are plotted on fig., from which it can be seen
that:
Cu = 60 kN/m2
φu = 15o

It is possible to perform an unconfined

compression test in a triaxial testing
machine by keeping the cell pressure at zero.
Contd…
Contd…

300
Shear strength (kN/m2)

200

Cu= 75 σ3 =275
100 σ1
Cu =60

45+φ/2
σ3 =0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

Normal pressure (kN/m2 )

Only one result is obtained from this test and, since σ3 =0,
the Mohr circle diagram will be as shown on Fig. and it is
assumed that
Contd…
τf = cu = σ1 /2
Contd…
τf

φ 45+φ/2
x
σ3 z σ1 σ
45-φ/2

From the geometry of the Mohr circle of stress (Fig.), it can be

seen that: angle xyz = 90 o − φ
o φ
∴ angle yσ 1 x = 45 −
2
o φ Contd…
∴ angle yσ 3σ 1 = 45 +
2
 Example # 07
• Shear box tests were carried out on a series
of soil samples with the following results:
Test No. Normal stress Shear stress at
(kN/m2 ) failure (kN/m2)
1 100 98
2 200 139
3 300 180
4 400 222

• Determine the cohesion and the angle of

internal friction of the soil.
Contd…
Contd…
Solution:
Plot the graph as follows:
Shear stress (kN/m2 )

200

100
23o
55

100 200 300 400

Normal stress (kN/m2 )

C = 55 kN/m2 , φ = 23o
 Example # 08
Normal 0.2 0.4 0.6
load
• The
(kN)
following
results were Strain (%) Proving ring dial gauge readings
(no. of divisions)
obtained 1 8.5 16.5 28.0
from an
2 16.0 27.0 39.0
undrained 3 22.5 34.9 46.8
shear box
4 27.5 39.9 52.3
test carried 5 31.3 45.0 56.6
out on a set
6 33.4 46.0 59.7
of
7 33.4 47.6 61.7
undisturbed
8 33.4 47.6 62.7
soil samples:
9 47.6 62.7
10 62.7
Contd…
Contd…
• The cross sectional area of the box was 3600
mm2 and one division of the proving ring dial
gauge equaled 0.01 mm. The calibration of
the proving ring was 0.01 mm deflection
equaled 8.4 N.
• Determine the strength parameters of the
soil in terms of total stress.
Solution:
Plot proving ring readings versus
strain as shown in Fig. From this plot ,read
the maximum values for normal loads
Contd…
Contd…

Proving readings
60

40

20

2 4 6 8 10
Strain (%)

Contd…
Normal load Normal stress Shear force (kN) Shear stress
(kN) (kN/m2 ) (kN/m2 )
0.2 0.2 x 106 /3600 8.4 x 3.4 = 280 0.28 x 106 /3600
= 56 = 78
0.4 111 400 111
0.6 167 528 147

150
τ

100

The strength parameters

50 are: φ =32o ; c = 43 kN/m2
43

50 100 150
σn kN/m2
 Example# 09
• An embankment will be constructed of soil
having c′′=4.0 kg/cm2 and φ′=26
φ′=26O .
• Evaluate the shear strength of material
on a horizontal plane at a point 10 m
below the surface of embankment if
bulk density of the soil is 2.3 g/cc and
pore pressure of the point is 1.8
kg/cm2 Contd…
Contd…

Given:
c′′= 4.0 kg/cm2 , φ = 26o
γb = 2.3 g/cc , u= 1.8 kg/cm2
D = 10 m τ= ?
Solution:
We know τ= c+ σ tanφ
tanφ
τ= c′
c′+ (σ
(σ-u) tanφ
tanφ
σ = Total stress
Shear strength required at 10 m below
Therefore, Normal stress at 10 m
= 2.3 x 10 x 100/1000 = 2.3 kg/cm2

Therefore, τ or s = c′
c′+ (σ
(σ-u) tanφ
tanφ
(2.3-1.8) x tan26o
= 4.0 + (2.3-
= 4.0 + 0.5 x 0.488 = 4.244 kg/cm2
 Example # 10
(a)Samples taken from a uniform deposit of granular soil are
found to have a unit weight of 19.6 kN/m3 and an angle of
internal friction of 35O . What is the shearing strength of the
soil on a horizontal plane at a point 4 m below the ground
surface.
Given:
γb = 19.6 kN/m3 , φ = 35o ,At 4 m τ= ?
Solution:
Formula for τ= c+ σ tanφ
tanφ
Normal stress at 4 m = overburden pressure:
σn = 4 x 19.6= 78.4 kN/m3
τ= 0+ 78.4 x tan35o = 54.9 kN/m2

Contd…
Contd…
(b) A proposed structure will cause the
vertical stress to increase by 60 kN/m2 at the
4 m depth. Assume that the weight of the
structure also causes the shearing stress to
increase to 52 kN/m2 on a horizontal plane at
this depth. Does this shearing stress exceed
the shearing strength of the soil. What will
happen if water table rises to the ground
surface.

Contd…
Contd…
• Now total vertical stress due to structure and soil
overburden:
σn =60+78.4 = 138.4 kN/m2 .
Shearing strength that can be developed at this depth:
τ = σ tanφ = 138.4 tan 35o = 96.9 kN/m2 .
Shear stress developed due to load = 52 kN/m2
96.9 > 52 kN/m2
Therefore, shear strength of soil is greater than the shear
stress developed in the soil, ok.
If water table rises , the effective soil overburden pressure
will reduce:
σrn = ( 19.6-9.8) 4 = 39.2 kN/m2 .
Total vertical stress = 60+39.2 = 99.2 kN/m2
τ = σrn tanφ = 99.2 tan 35o =69.46 kN/m2,
which is greater than 52 kN/m2 ,then it is ok.
 Example # 11
• The following results were obtained at failure
in a series of triaxial tests on specimens of
saturated clay initially 38 mm in dia. by 78
mm long. Determine the values of shear
strength with respect to (a) total stress (b)
effective stress.
TYPE OF TEST σ3 kN/m2 Axial Load Axial compression Volume
N Change
ml
(a) Undrained 200 222 9.83 -
400 215 10.06 -
600 226 10.28 -
(b) Drained 200 467 10.81 6.6
400 848 10.26 8.2
Contd… 600 1265 14.17 9.5
Given:
d = 38 mm ho = 76 mm Ao = 11.35 cm2
Vo = 86.0 cm3.
Ac = Ao x ho / ho –Δh = Ao / 1-Δh/ho = Ao /1-ε
σ3 ∆h/ho ∆V/Vo Ac σd σ1
kN/m2 cm2 (σ1- kN/m2
σ3)
(a) 200 0.129 - 13.04 kN/m2 370
170
400 0.132 - 13.09 160 564
600 0.135 - 13.12 172 772
(b) 200 0.142 0.077 14.20 329 529
400 0.161 0.095 14.33 592 992
600 0.186 0.110 15.44 819 1419
Contd…
Plot Mohr circle for each.

ined
(b) C′= 20 kN/m2, φ = 26o dr a
( b)
(a) φ=0, cu =85 KN/m2

τ
(a) Undrained

σ
 Example # 12
A cylinder of soil fails under an axial vertical
stress of 16 ton/m2 , when it is laterally
unconfined. The failure plane makes an angle
of 500 with the horizontal. Calculate the
values of cohesion and the angle of internal
friction.
Given:
Vertical stress σ1 = 16 ton/m2 ,σ3 =0
α = 50o
Required: c = ? φ = ?
Contd…
Contd…
Solution:
Now angle of failure plane α = 45+ φ/2
φ/2 = α- 45
or φ = 2α- 90
put value of α φ = 2 x 50- 90 =10o
From relationship of σ1,σ3 ,c and φ
σ1 = σ3 tan2 α + 2c tanα,Put the values:
16= 0 x tan2 50 + 2c tan 50
16= 2c tan 50 = 2 c x 1.192
c = 16/2x 1.192 = 6.71 t/m2 = 0.671 kg/m2
 Example # 13
• The following results were obtained from a series of
undrained triaxial tests carried out on undisturbed
samples of a soil:
Cell pressure Additional axial load
(kN/m2) at failure (N)
200 342
400 388
600 465
Each sample, originally 76 mm long and 38 mm in
diameter, experienced a vertical deformation of 5.1
mm.
• Draw the strength envelope and determine the
coulomb equation for the shear strength of the soil
in terms of total stresses. Contd…
 Contd…
Solution:
• Volume of sample = π/4 x 382 x 76 =
86193 mm3
Therefore, cross sectional area at
86193/76-5.1 = 1216 mm2
failure = 86193/76-
Cell pressure σ3 Deviator stress (σ1- Major principal
(kN/m2 σ3 ) (kN/m2 ) stress σ1 (kN/m2)
200 0.342 x 106 /1216 = 481
281
400 0.388 x 106 /1216 = 719
319
600 0.465 x 106 /1216 = 982
382
Contd…
Contd…
• The Mohr circles for total stress and the
strength envelope are shown in Fig. From the
diagram φ =7o ; c = 100 kN/m2
Coulomb’s equation is = c + σn tan φ
= 100 + tan 7o
= 100 + 0.123 σn kN/m2
τ

Φ = 7o

100

200 400 600 800 1000

σn (kN/m2 )
 Example # 14
• A series of undisturbed samples from a normally
consolidated clay was subjected to consolidated undrained
tests:
• Results were:

Cell pressure Deviator stress at Pore water

(kN/m2 ) failure (kN/m2 ) pressure at
failure (kN/m2 )
200 118 110
400 240 220
600 352 320

• Plot the strength envelope of the soil (a) with respect to

total stresses, and (b) with respect to effective stresses.
Contd…
Contd…
Solution:
• The two Mohr circle diagrams are shown in
Fig. The total stress circles are shown in full
lines and effective stress are shown in
dashed lines.
s es φ′
τ stre
s
ct ive
Effe t re s ses φ
ls
Tota

200 400 600 800 1000

σ (kN/m2 Contd…
Contd…

• To determine an effective stress circle it is

necessary to subtract the pore water
pressure for that circle from each of the
principal stresses, e.g. for a cell pressure of
200 kN/m2 the major principal total stress
was 200+ 118= 318 kN/m2. The pore water
pressure was 110 kN/m2.
σ′′3 =200 – 110 = 90 kN/m2 ; σ′′1 = 318 – 110 =
208 kN/m2
 Example # 15
• A series of consolidated undrained triaxial
tests were carried out on undisturbed
samples of an overconsolidated clay.
Cell pressure Deviator stress Pore water
(kN/m2 ) at failure pressure
(kN/m2 ) (kN/m2)
100 410 -65

200 520 -10

400 720 80

600 980 180

Contd…
 Contd…

(i) Plot the strength envelope for the soil (a)

with respect to total stresses, and (b) with
respect to effective stresses.
• (ii) If the preconsolidation to which the clay
had been subjected was 800 kN/m2 , plot the
variation of the pore pressure parameter Af
with the overconsolidation ratio.

Contd…
Contd…
Solution:
• The Mohr circle diagrams are shown in Fig.
When a pore pressure is negative the
principle of effective stress still applies,
• i.e. σ′′= σ – u ; for a cell pressure of 100
kN/m2 , σ1= 510 and u = -65, so that
• σ′3 = 100 – (-65) = 165 kN/m2 and σ′1 =
510- (-65) = 575 kN/m2
510-

Contd…
Contd…
+0.2

2 4 6 8
Af 0
o/c ratio

τ -0.2
(B)

200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600

σ (kN/m2 )
(A)