CONTENT PAGE STUDENTS NAME

NO
1. Title 1 Wan Muhammad Aiman
2. Introduction 1 Wan Muhammad Aiman
3. Objective 1 Zairi Azizi
4. Theoretical Background 1 Ahmad Aiman Ashraf
5. Problem Statement 1 Nabilah
6. Apparatus 2 Amirah Syakirah
7. Procedure 2-3 Ahmad Aiman Ashraf
8. Result & Analysis 3-6 Wan Muhammad Aiman & Zairi Azizi
9. Discussion 7-8 Nabilah & Amirah Syakirah
10. Conclusion 9 Nabilah & Amirah Syakirah
11. References 9 Zairi Azizi
12. Appendix 10-12 Wan Muhammad Aiman & Ahmad Aiman
Ashraf

TITLE : SHEAR BOX TEST

1.1 Introduction
Level 2 laboratory activities refer to the condition where only the problem is guided and
given. Students are required to find the ways & means and provide the answers to the given
assignment using the group creativity and innovativeness. The activity will enable the
students to appreciate independent learning and prepare them for a much harder task of open
ended laboratory activities.

In this laboratory activity, the students need to know shear strength of a soil. It is maximum
resistance to shearing stresses. It is usually considered to be equal to the shear stress at
failure on the failure plane. The shear strength of soil mainly consists of the resistance due to
interlocking of particle and friction between individual particles at their contact point i.e.
internal friction and the resistance due to inter particle forces which tend to hold the particles
together in a soil mass, what so called cohesion.

1.2 Objectives

To determine the shear strength characteristics of soil using direct shear box apparatus.

1.3 Learning Outcomes

At the end of the laboratory activities, students would be able to:

Acquire the necessary skill in conducting test using appropriate tools for direct shear box test.
Determination and analyses shear strength parameters from shear box test.
Work in a group to produce the relevant technical report.

2.0 Problem Statement

The shear box test is the simplest, the oldest and the most straightforward procedure for
measuring the immediate or short term shear strength of soils in terms of total stresses. As a
group, you are required to investigate the shear strength parameters of a given soil sample.

3.1 Apparatus

1. Direct shear box apparatus

2. Drain plate
3. Porous plate
4. Base plate
 5. Spatula
6. Load
7. Dial gauge
8. Balance
9. Mould

3.2 Procedures

1 Sieved soil sample about 500 gram was retained in 0.425mm opening sieve.
2 The soil sample was mixed with water until it reached the plastic limit condition.
3 The size of shear box were weighed and measured.
4 The soil was tamped into the shear box.
5 The upper grid plate was placed on the soil with serration of grid plates at right angles
to the direction of shear.
6 The loading pad was kept on the top grid plate.
7 The suitable strain rate was chose and the gear was selected accordingly
8 The loading frame was positioned on the top of loading pad.
9 The dial gauge was fixed to measure change in thickness of specimen and
deformation of specimen.
10 The providing ring was made sure in contact with the shear box to measure the shear
force.
11 The providing ring dial gauge and deformation dial gauge was set to zero.
12 The required normal stress depending on design requirement was applied.
13 The locking screw was removed.
14 The upper half of the shear box was raised by about 1.0mm above lower half for free
movement by turning spacing screw.
15 The shear force at the selected strain rate was applied till failure or till 20%
longitudinal displacement, which occurred earlier.
16 The shear force reading longitudinal displacement and change in thickness of
specimen was recorded until failure of sample to occurred.
17 The dial gauge, loading frame, loading pad and the sample from the shear stress were
removed.
18 Step 5 until 17 were repeated on three more specimen with same initial condition but
different normal stress.

3.3 Data Acquisition

Table 1 : Direct Shear Test Result

Displace Actual Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3
ment Dial Displace Normal Force: 2 Kg Normal Force: 4 Kg Normal Force: 6 Kg
Gauge ment Normal Stress : 9.8110-3 Normal Stress: Normal
Reading Vertical Displacement: 19.6210-3 Stress:29.4310-3
Divisions mm Vertical Displacement: Vertical Displacement:
mm mm

PR Shear Shear PR Shear Shear PR Shear Shear

Read Force Stress Read Force Stress Read Force Stress
ing (Kg/mm (N/m ing (Kg/m (N/m ing (Kg/m (N/mm
2
) m2) m2) m2) m 2) 2
)
1 50 0.1 26 2.1510 1.075 25.0 2.071 1.035 29 2.401 1.201
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 0-7
2 100 0.2 29 2.4010 1.200 25.5 2.111 1.055 49 4.061 2.031
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 0-7
3 150 0.3 32 2.6510 1.325 26.5 2.201 1.100 62 5.141 2.571
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 0-7
4 200 0.4 33 2.7310 1.365 27.0 2.241 1.120 52 4.311 2.155
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 10-7
5 250 0.5 30 2.4910 1.245 28.0 2.321 1.160 56 4.641 2.321
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 0-7
6 300 0.6 28 2.3210 1.160 28.5 2.361 1.180 59 4.891 2.445
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 10-7
7 350 0.7 25 2.0710 1.035 29.5 2.441 1.220 8 6.631 3.315
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-5 10-8
8 400 0.8 29 2.4010 1.200 30.5 2.531 1.265 74 6.131 3.065
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 10-7
9 450 0.9 32 2.6510 1.325 31.0 2.571 1.285 45 3.731 1.865
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 10-7
10 500 1.0 27 2.2410 1.120 31.5 2.611 1.305 40 3.311 1.655
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 10-7
11 550 1.1 31 2.5710 1.285 32.0 2.651 1.325 35 2.901 1.451
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 0-7
12 600 1.2 31 2.5710 1.285 32.5 2.691 1.345 7 5.801 2.901
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-5 0-8
13 650 1.3 35 2.9010 1.450 33.0 2.731 1.365 78 6.461 3.231
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 0-7
14 700 1.4 34 2.8210 1.410 34.0 2.821 1.410 72 5.971 2.985
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 10-7
15 750 1.5 36 2.9810 1.490 35.0 2.901 1.450 65 5.391 2.695
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 10-7
16 800 1.6 37 3.0710 1.535 35.5 2.941 1.470 70 5.801 2.901
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 0-7
17 850 1.7 36 2.9810 1.490 35.0 2.901 1.450 76 6.301 3.151
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 0-7
18 900 1.8 35 2.9010 1.450 35.5 2.941 1.470 82 6.791 3.395
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 10-7
19 950 1.9 34 2.8210 1.410 34.5 2.861 1.430 81 6.711 3.355
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 10-7
20 1000 2.0 38 3.1510 1.575 34.0 2.821 1.410 80 6.631 3.315
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 10-7
21 1050 2.1 38 3.1510 1.575 33.5 2.781 1.390 85 7.041 3.521
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 0-7
22 1100 2.2 38 3.1510 1.575 32.0 2.651 1.325 84 6.961 3.481
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 0-7
23 1150 2.3 39 3.2310 1.615 31.5 2.611 1.305 87 7.211 3.605
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 10-7
24 1200 2.4 38 3.1510 1.575 31.0 2.571 1.285 86 7.131 3.565
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 10-7
25 1250 2.5 39 3.2310 1.615 30.0 2.491 1.245 86 7.131 3.565
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 10-7
26 1300 2.6 37 3.0710 1.535 29.0 2.401 1.200 88 7.291 3.645
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 10-7
27 1350 2.7 39 3.2310 1.615 28.0 2.321 1.160 88 7.291 3.645
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 10-7
28 1400 2.8 39 3.2310 1.615 27.5 2.281 1.140 88 7.291 3.645
-4
10-7 0-4 10-7 0-4 10-7
29 1450 2.9 28.0 2.321 1.160 87 7.211 3.605
0-4 10-7 0-4 10-7
30 1500 3.0 28.0 2.321 1.160 67 5.551 2.775
0-4 10-7 0-4 10-7
31 1550 3.1 29.0 2.401 1.200 84 6.961 3.481
0-4 10-7 0-4 0-7
32 1600 3.2 29.0 2.401 1.200 88 7.291 3.645
0-4 10-7 0-4 10-7
33 1650 3.3 30.0 2.491 1.245 88 7.291 3.645
0-4 10-7 0-4 10-7
34 1700 3.4 30.5 2.531 1.265 89 7.371 3.685
0-4 10-7 0-4 10-7
35 1750 3.5 31.0 2.571 1.285 89 7.371 3.685
0-4 10-7 0-4 10-7
36 1800 3.6 32.0 2.651 1.325 89 7.371 3.685
0-4 10-7 0-4 10-7
37 1850 3.7 32.5 2.691 1.345 89 7.371 3.685
0-4 10-7 0-4 10-7
38 1900 3.8 32.0 2.651 1.325 90 7.461 3.731
0 0-4 10-7 0-4 0-7
39 1950 3.9 31.0 2.571 1.285 89 7.371 3.685
0-4 10-7 0-4 10-7
40 2000 4.0 90 7.461 3.731
0-4 0-7
41 2050 4.1 90 7.461 3.731
0-4 0-7

Table 2 : Result Weight of Moist Sample

Weight of mould Weight of
sample Weight of mould(g) Weight of sample (g) + moist sample moist
(g) sample (g)
1 187.93 500 602.55 414.6
2 187.93 500 613.83 425.9
3 188.00 500 591.50 403.5

Shear Stress vs Actual Displacement :

 Shear Stress (N/mm2) vs Actual Displacement(mm)

Shear Stress (N/mm2)2kg

Logarithmic (Shear Stress
(N/mm2)2kg)
Shear Stress (N/mm2)4 kg
Logarithmic (Shear Stress
(N/mm2)4 kg)
Shear Stress (N/mm2) 6kg
Logarithmic (Shear Stress
(N/mm2) 6kg)

Graph 1.0 : Graph shows Shear Stress vs Actual Displacement

Shear Stress vs Normal Stress :

Shear Stress (N/mm2 ) vs Normal Stress (N/mm2)

f(x) = 0.69x + 0.56

Graph 2.0 : Shows Shear Stress vs Normal Stress

Maximum Shear Stress Sample 1 : 1.61510-7 N/mm2

Maximum Shear Stress Sample 2 : 2.9410-4 N/mm2

Maximum Shear Stress Sample 3 : 3.7310-7 N/mm2

8
Cohesion=5.63 10

Angle=40.58

Shear strength, = c + tan

=cohension + normal stress (tan friction angle)

=(5.63 10 ) + 19.6210-3 tan 40.58

8

3
=16.8 10 N/mm2

4.1 Discussion

1. Importance of shear strength in soil.

Shear strength of soil is important in the design of foundations the evaluation of

bearing capacity is dependent on the shear strength. Moreover, it is use for the design of
embankments for dams, roads, pavements, excavations and levees and also the analysis
if stability of the slope is done using shear strength.

In addition, it helps in designing earth retaining structures like retaining walls,

sheetpile coffer dams, bulks heads and other underground structures. Next, due to the
interlocking of the grains the structural resistance of the movement of the soil is very
 essential. Lastly, other important component is the frictional resistance between the
individual soil grains at their contact point on sliding.

2. Normal displacement behaviour of the specimen during shearing.

From this experiment, we take the reading of the normal displacement by taking the P.R
reading. The gap between the reading is 50 mm of displacement dial gauge reading
division. When the P.R reading has become constant, we stopped taking the P.R
reading.

3. Different types of shear test.

There are several different types of shear test. For example, Field Vane Shear test
and Triaxial Shear Test. Field Vane Shear Test is a moderately rapid and economical in-
situ method for determining the peak and remolded undrained shear strength of soft to
medium stiff clays. The test involves pushing a four-bladed vane into a clay stratum and
slowly rotating it while measuring the resisting torque.

Meanwhile, Trixial Shear Test is a common method to measure the mechanical

properties of many deformable solids, especially soil and rock, and other granular
materials or powders. In this test, stress is applied to a sample of the material being
tested in a way which results in stresses along one axis being different from the stresses
in perpendicular directions.

4. Advantages and disadvantages of shear box test.

The advantages of shear box test are the tests simplicity and in the case of
sands, the ease of specimen preparation. Moreover, the travel of the machine can be
reversed to determine the residual shear strength values, which is shear strength
parameters at large displacements. Next, shear box represents a cheaper method in
determining the drained shear strength parameters for coarse-grained soil. Preparing
soil samples for other testing methods is relatively difficult and expensive.

The disadvantages of shear box test is drainage conditions cannot be controlled.

Moreover, as pore water pressure cannot be measured, only the total normal stress can
be determined, although this is equal to the effective normal stress if the pore water
pressure is zero. In addition, only an approximation to the state of pure shear is
produced in the specimen and shear stress in the failure plane is not uniform failure
 occurring progressively from the edges towards the center of the specimen. Lastly, the
area under the shear and vertical loads does not remain constant throughout the test.

5. Reliability of the result and factor that influenced the reliability.

From the experiment, we have obtained a reliable results. Based on the graph, we can see
that the graph shear stress vs normal stress is directly proportional. When normal stress
increase, the shear stress will also increase. The maximum shear stress for Sample 1 is
1.61510-7 N/mm2, sample 2 is 2.9410-4 N/mm2 and sample 3 is 3.7310-7 N/mm2. We
also can find the shear strength characteristic which is cohesive and angle of friction based
8
on the graph of shear stress vs normal stress. The cohesion is 5.63 10 while the

angle of friction is 40.58

3
. Then we get the shear strength is 16.8 10 N/mm2.

The factor that influenced our result is the condition of our soil sample. We must ensure
that our soil sample was mixed well with the correct amount of water. If there is too much
water, it will affect the shear process. Same goes when the sample is lack of water.

4.2 Conclusion

In conclusion, this experiment has determine the failure strength on the surface.
Hence, shear box test is conducted to determine the shear strength of soils. Shear strength of
soil is most important property. For design of structures like dams, earth retaining structures,
foundation shear strength of soil is taken into consideration. The shear strength parameters of
soils in its every condition can be determined by Direct Shear Test done in the laboratory.

4.3 References

www.slideshare.net/NurulAdha2/shear-box-test
http://www.theconstructioncivil.org/shear-box-test-of-soils-procedure/
Laboratory Manual Basic Soil Mechanics, ECG 303.
4.4 Appendix

Figure 1 : The empty mould was weighed.

Figure 2 : The soil sample was flattened into the mould.

Figure 3 : The mould and the soil sample was weighed.

Figure 4 : The soil sample was pressed into the shear box
Figure 5 : The shear box was locked.

Figure 6 : The shear box was put in the shear testing machine.

Figure 7 : The machine was set up and the dial gauge was adjusted.
Figure 8 : Load was added.