Shear Strength of Soil Prac No.

Direct Shear Box Test Loose Dry Sand

The direct shear test is the simplest (and probably oldest) type of test used to determine a soils shear strength.
It simply consists of a shear box that has been cut into two horizontal halves to allow shear movement to take place
across a predetermined shear plane where = 0. Thus, when a horizontal shear force is applied to the shear box,
the only resistance is the friction created by the soil sample (ie the shear strength of the soil). This shear resistance
of the soil (or shear strength of the soil) is measured for various normal loads to allow the Mohr-Coulomb failure
envelope for the soil to be determined.

Aim:
To study the shear strength behaviour of a soil using the direct shear apparatus.

Procedure:
1. Familiarise yourself with the mechanics of the direct shear box apparatus.
2. Assemble the shear box correctly, ensuring that the letter markers A, B and C all align.
3. Measure the average dimensions of the shear box (should be 6cm x 6cm square).
4. Insert the bottom friction plate, making sure that the lines of the bottom friction plate are placed
perpendicular to the shearing plane.
5. Prepare the sample:
For a loose SAND sample, measure out about 200 grams of the sand and loosely funnel it into the shear
box, then gently tap the shear box to level the sand.
Measure the final thickness of the sand layer being tested in order to determine its dry density.
6. Place the shear box device into the direct shear housing for testing, aligning the top friction plate, loading
plate and normal loading hanger on top of the sample / shear box.
At this point you should remove the brass screws holding the shear box together and slowly release the
pressure between the two halves of the brass shear box by turning the fixed brass screws. This ensures
minimal brass on brass friction is recorded during the test.
7. Conduct the first test of the sample under a normal load of using one 20kg mass + hanger mass.
Apply the normal load (20kg mass + mass of hanger) for first test via the normal loading hanger.
Ensure that the shear box is in position and re-zero the displacement gauges.
Double check that the brass pins have been removed before commencing the test, as we are only
interested in the shear strength of the soil not the brass.
Start the motor of the direct shear box apparatus, immediately recording the shear force and lateral
displacement (at 0.25mm intervals) until a constant shear force is reached.
8. Fill in the results table overleaf.
9. Repeat steps 2 to 8 for normal load increments using 40kg and 60kg masses.

Report:
Your report should be of professional standard and include the following:
1. A description of the sample in accordance with the terminology used in AS1726.
2. Scaled Plots of: (i) Shear Stress vs. Lateral Displacement for each load increment.
(ii) Shear Stress vs. Normal Stress at Failure (including the failure envelope).
3. Appropriate shear strength parameters (c and ) of the soil sample.
4. A conclusion stating the accuracy and relevance of your results.

Direct Shear Box Test

Page No. 1 of 2

HES2155 Geomechanics

Results for Direct Shear Box Test Dry Sand

Dry Sand Sample

Area of Shear Box (cm)

6 x 6 cm

Initial Area (cm2)

36 cm2

Sand Mass (grams)

200 g

Height of Sand in Box (cm)

3.4 cm

Dry Density of Sand (t/m3)

Test 1

Test 2

Test 3

Normal Load (kg)

Normal Load (kg)

Normal Load (kg)

Normal Stress (kPa)

Normal Stress (kPa)

Normal Stress (kPa)

Lateral
Load
Displacement
Ring
( x 0.01mm) (Divisions)

Shear
Force
(N)

Shear
Stress
(kPa)

Load
Ring
(Divisions)

Shear
Force
(N)

Shear
Stress
(kPa)

Load
Ring
(Divisions)

Shear
Force
(N)

Shear
Stress
(kPa)

0
25
50
75
100
125
150
175
200
225
250
275
300
325
350
375
400

Notes:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Mass of the Hanger used to support the normal load = 6.15 kg.
Calibration factor for the shear load ring is: 1 division (0.01mm) = 4.44 N.
Shear Force = Load Ring Reading (in Divisions) x 4.44 (N).
Shear Stress = Shear Force / Area of Shear Box.
Normal Stress = Normal Force / Area of Shear Box.

Direct Shear Box Test

Page No. 2 of 2