FACULTY OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY GEOTECHNIC LABORATORY

(MAKMAL TEKNOLOGI KEJURUTERAAN GEOTEKNIK)

LABORATORY INSTRUCTION SHEETS

COURSE CODE AND NAMA
BNP 20903 / SOIL MECHANIC AND FOUNDATION
KOD DAN NAMA KURSUS
EXPERIMENT NO.
EXP 2
NO. UJIKAJI
EXPERIMENT TITLE
DIRECT SHEAR TEST
TAJUK UJIKAJI
DATE OF EXPERIMENT
26/03/2018
TARIKH UJIKAJI
NAME MATRIX NO.
NAMA NO. MATRIK
1. MUHAMAD HATIFF SIDDIQI BIN
DN160026
MOHD HAMIM
GROUP NO.
NO. KUMPULAN 2. NUR FASIHAH BT MOHD ARSHAD DN160141

( S1-G5) 3. NUUR ASYIKIN BT MOHAMMAD

YUSOF
DN160203

4. MUHAMMAD SHAFIQ AMIR BIN

DN 160161
KAMARAZAMAN
5. MONIE ZAIHARA BINTI ZAILAN DN160251
1. DR. TUAN NOOR HASANAH BT TUAN ISMAIL
LECTURER / INSTRUCTOR
PENSYARAH / INSTRUKTOR

RECEIVED DATE AND STAMP 1/04/2018

TOTAL MARK (FROM RUBRIC

ASSESSMENT)
JUMLAH MARKAH (DARI RUBRIK
1
PENILAIAN)
 STUDENT CODE OF ETHICS

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

I hereby declare that I have prepared this report with my own efforts. I also admit to not accept or

provide any assistance in preparing this report and anything that is in it is true.

1) Group Leader
Name : MUHAMAD HATIFF SIDDIQI BIN MOHD HAMIM
Matrix No. : DN160026

2) Group Member 1
Name : NUR FASIHAH BT MOHD ARSHAD
Matrix No : DN160141

3) Group Member 2
Name : NUUR ASYIKIN BT MOHAMMAD YUSOF
Matrix No. : DN160203

4) Group Member 3
Name : MUHAMMAD SHAFIQ AMIR BIN KAMARAZAMAN
Matrix No. : DN160161

5) Group Member 4
Name : MONIE ZAIHARA BINTI ZAILAN
Matrix No. : DN160251

2
Faculty : ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Programme : BNA, BNB, BNC
Course Code : BNP 20903 (SOIL MECHANICS AND FOUNDATION) Semester/Session : II / 20172018

DR. TUAN NOOR HASANAH BT TUAN

Lecturer : ISMAIL
Group : 5
Group Members : 1 MUHAMAD HATIFF SIDDIQI BIN MOHD HAMIM
2 NUUR ASYIKIN BT MOHAMMAD YUSOF
3 NUR FASIHAH BT MOHD ARSHAD
4 MUHAMMAD SHAFIQ AMIR BIN KAMARAZAMAN
5 MONIE ZAIHARA BINTI ZAILAN
PART I - Rubric for Assessment of a Formal Laboratory testing

CLO 2: Organize comprehensive design and implementation plan for resolving geotechnical as well as geo-environmental problems(P5, PLO2)

Assessment Criteria Sub-criteria Level 1 2 3 4 5 Weight Score

Labwork Choose the suitable equipment/tools P1 0.5
Activities Display a good handling and understanding of experiment P4 0.7
(Psychomotor
assessment) Measure and taking data with efficiency P5 0.8
Demonstrate the PROCEDURES: Procedures are explain in clear step with suitable
P1 1.5
ability to conduct the diagram to describe the setup.
experiments EXPERIMENT OBSERVATION: Show data observation in table including
P2 2.0
accordingly and raw data with unit.
obtaining in-situ Q&A: Respond and answer to the questions in the lab sheet accordingly
Laboratory P3 3.0
measurements with with accurate statement.
Report
practical DATA ANALYSIS: List all of the formula used in the calculations with unit
(Psychomotor
considerations for (measure). All graphs (sketch) and table are included in this section with P4 4.0
assessment)
further evaluation unit, labeled and contain titles/captions.
DISCUSION: Organizing main ideas and supporting details within
paragraph structure; contains a comprehensive discussion of error or
P5 4.5
confounding variables and what can be done to improve the accuracy of
the lab. Report structure well organize.
Total 15.0

CLO 3: Adopt and use relevant resources on the fundamental mechanisms of geotechnics and geo-environment to facilitate in-depth understanding (A3,
PLO6)
Assessment Criteria Sub-criteria Level 1 2 3 4 5 Weight Score
Labwork Ethics Follow the rules, instructions and safety A1 0.8
Activities Team working
All group members participate during experiment. A2 1.0
(Affective Skills
assessment) Professionalism Punctual or received approval for all necessary absences. A3 1.2
Total 18.0
CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

1 1.0 OBJECTIVE 1

2 2.0 LEARNING OUTCOME 1

3 3.0 INTRODUCTION 1

4 4.0 MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT USED 2

5 5.0 PROCEDURE 5

6 6.0 DATA ANALYSIS 10

6.1 DATA SHEET 10

6.2 CALCULATION 14

7 7.0 DISCUSSION 17

8 8.0 CONCLUSION 18

9 9.0 REFERENCE 19

10 10.0 APPENDIX 20
1.0 OBJECTIVES

a) To determine the consolidated-drained shear strength of the sand gravel that

we took as the sample
b) To understand the proper procedure and the apparatus used in the test
c) It is conducted to identify the failure of the soil used as we applied different load
to the sample

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOME

a) To evaluate the shear strength parameter of the soil

b) Identify the importance of shear strength in construction
c) Apply knowledge in using the direct shear machine in laboratory
d) Develop the ability to work in group

3.0 INTRODUCTION

This test is conducted to determine the consolidated-drained shear strength of

a sandy to silt soil. The shear strength is one of the most critical building engineering
properties of a soil, since it is required whenever point a structure is reliant on the soil’s
shearing resistance. The shear strength is needed for engineering situations such as
determining the stability of slopes or cuts, finding the bearing capacity for foundations,
and calculating the pressure exerted by a soil on a retaining wall. The test is carried
out on either undisturbed samples or remoulded samples.

The specimen for the direct shear test could be obtained using the correct
cutter provided. Alternatively, sand sample can be placed in a dry state at a required
density, in the assembled shear box. A normal load is applied to the specimen and the
specimen is sheared across the pre-determined vertical plane between the two halves
of the shear box. Measurements of shear load, shear displacement and normal
displacement are recorded. The test is repeated for two or more identical specimens
under different normal loads. The friction components increase with increasing normal
stress, but the cohesion components remains constant. If there is no normal stress the
friction disappears. From the outcomes, the shear strength parameters can be
determined.

1
4.0 EQUIPMENT

Figure 1: Direct shear test machine

Figure 2: Bubble level tool

Figure 3: Electronic balance

2
 Figure 4 : Shear box

Retaining plate
Perforated plate
Porous plate Loading pad

Figure 5 : retaining plate, porous plate, perforated plate

and loading pad

Figure 6 : vernier caliper

3
Figure 7: load 1kg and 2kg

Figure 8 : tamper

Figure 9: soil specimen

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5.0 PROCEDURE

1. Used vernier calipers to measured the soil specimen. Measured the length,

width and height of the specimen.

Figure 5.1 : Measure the specimen

2. Filled the sand inside the specimen cutter, then compacted the sand with

the tamper. After that removed the specimen cutter and let the sand on the

A4 paper.

Figure 5.2 : fill the specimen with sand and compact it

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3. After that, took the mass of sand using electronic balance.

Figure 5.3 : mass of sand

4. Inside the shear box put the retaining plate at the base. Then put the porous

plate and then the perforated plate. The line perforated plate must opposite

the retaining plate.

Figure 5.4 : put the plate inside the shear box

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5. After that, put the shear box at the direct sheat test machine. Then, set up
and ran the machine at 4.0000mm/min to be sure the shear box smooth and
stable.

Figure 5.5 : setup the machine

6. Put the sand inside the shear box and compact the sand with tamper.

Figure 5.6 : fill the shear box with the sand

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7. After compact and make sure the level is same, then put the perforated plate,

porous plate and last loading pad.

Figure 5.7 : closed the sand with perforated plate,porous plate and last loading pad.

8. Setup the machine and put the loading 1kg at the hanger pad. Set the proving

ring to the zero before run the machine.

Figure 5.8 : set the proving ring and the load

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9. After that, applied the speed at 0.5mm/min and ready to run the machine.

Recorded the reading for every 20 minute displacement in the horizontal dial

gauge and take the reading at proving ring.

Figure 5.9 : record the reading until it constant

10. Lastly, conducted the test with the same procedure to do three sample with

different load.

Figure 5.10 : last sample with the laoding 3kg

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 6.0 DATA ANALYSIS

6.1 DATA SHEETS

From this data, we are able to identify the shear stress and strain. From the data
given, we can plot the graph shear stress vs strain and shear stress vs normal stress.
From the data sheet, we had 3 data with different loading and mass of soil sample.

Description of soil: Specimen length, L: 0.06 m

Specimen No.: 1 Specimen height, H: 0.02 m
Loading: 1.0 Kg Mass of soil sample: 137.46 g

Table 6.1 Data from the test

Displacement Proving Ring
Shear
ΔL Load, P Strain
Dail Gauge Dail Gauge Stress
(mm) (kN)
0 0 0 0 0 0
20 0.200 9 0.018 5.000 0.003
40 0.400 15 0.030 8.333 0.007
60 0.600 16 0.032 8.889 0.010
80 0.800 17 0.034 9.444 0.013
100 1.000 18 0.036 10.000 0.017
120 1.200 24 0.048 13.333 0.020
140 1.400 30 0.060 16.667 0.023
160 1.600 34 0.068 18.889 0.027
180 1.800 36 0.072 20.000 0.030
200 2.000 37 0.074 20.556 0.033
220 2.200 38 0.076 21.111 0.037
240 2.400 39 0.078 21.667 0.040
260 2.600 40 0.080 22.222 0.043
280 2.800 40 0.080 22.222 0.047
300 3.000 40 0.080 22.222 0.050

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Description of soil: Specimen length, L: 0.06 m
Specimen No.: 2 Specimen height, H: 0.02 m
Loading: 2.0 Kg Mass of soil sample: 131.87 g

Displacement Proving Ring

Shear
ΔL Load, P Strain
Dail Gauge Dail Gauge Stress
(mm) (kN)
0 0 0 0 0 0
20 0.200 19 0.038 10.556 0.003
40 0.400 25 0.050 13.889 0.007
60 0.600 29 0.058 16.111 0.010
80 0.800 32 0.064 17.778 0.013
100 1.000 34 0.068 18.889 0.017
120 1.200 36 0.072 20.000 0.020
140 1.400 38 0.076 21.111 0.023
160 1.600 45 0.090 25.000 0.027
180 1.800 54 0.108 30.000 0.030
200 2.000 60 0.120 33.333 0.033
220 2.200 63 0.126 35.000 0.037
240 2.400 64 0.128 35.556 0.040
260 2.600 65 0.130 36.111 0.043
280 2.800 66 0.132 36.667 0.047
300 3.000 66 0.132 36.667 0.050
320 3.200 66 0.132 36.667 0.053
Table 6.2 Data from the test

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Description of soil: Specimen length, L: 0.06 m
Specimen No.: 3 Specimen height, H: 0.02 m
Loading: 3.0 Kg Mass of soil sample: 135.89 g

Displacement Proving Ring

Shear
Load, P Strain
Dail Gauge ΔL (mm) Dail Gauge Stress
(kN)
0 0 0 0 0 0
20 0.200 18 0.036 10.000 0.003
40 0.400 26 0.052 14.444 0.007
60 0.600 32 0.064 17.778 0.010
80 0.800 37 0.074 20.556 0.013
100 1.000 41 0.082 22.778 0.017
120 1.200 45 0.09 25.000 0.020
140 1.400 48 0.096 26.667 0.023
160 1.600 59 0.118 32.778 0.027
180 1.800 74 0.148 41.111 0.030
200 2.000 83 0.166 46.111 0.033
220 2.200 87 0.174 48.333 0.037
240 2.400 89 0.178 49.444 0.040
260 2.600 91 0.182 50.556 0.043
280 2.800 91 0.182 50.556 0.047
300 3.000 91 0.182 50.556 0.050
Table 6.3 Data from the test

shear normal shearing

load(kg) load kN stress stress resistance
1 0.00981 22.222 2.725 22.315
2 0.01962 36.667 5.450 36.482
3 0.02943 50.556 8.175 50.648

Table 6.4 Find Normal Stress and Shearing resistance

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 6.1.1 Shear Stress vs Strain

Shear Stress vs Strain

Peak
60 Stress
S3 = 51kN/m2
50 Load, 3 kg

S2= 38kN/m2
Shear Stress (kN/m2)

40
Load, 2 kg
30
S1= 22kN/m2
20 Load, 1 kg

10

0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06
Strain

Series1 Series2 Series3

Figure 6.1 Shear stress vs Strain

6.1.2 Shear Stress vs Normal Stress

Shear Stress vs Normal Stress

60.000

50.000 y = 5.1988x + 8.1481

40.000
Shear Stress

30.000
Ø = 79.11
Friction angle
20.000

10.000

0.000
Cohesion = 8.15
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Normal Stress

Figure 6.2 Shear stress vs Normal Stress

Note: We use the Microsoft excel to determine the value of y=5.1988x +8.148

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6.2 CALCULATION

This part including the calculation from the data sheet:

1. Example calculation to find ∆L

Loading (kg) Dial gauge ∆L (mm)

1 20 0.2
2 20 0.2
3 20 0.2

Coefficient Factor = 0.01

∆L = 20×0.01
= 0.2 mm

2. Example calculation to find Load, P (kN)

Loading (kg) Dial gauge Load ,P (kN)
1 9 0.018
2 19 0.038
3 18 0.036

Coefficient Factor = 0.002

Load, P = 9×0.002
= 0.018 kN
Load, P = 19×0.002
= 0.038 Kn
Load, P = 18×0.002
= 0.036 kN

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3. Example calculation to find Shear stress

Loading (kg) Load, P (kN) Shear Stress

1 0.018 5.000
2 0.038 10.556
3 0.036 10.000

Formula : Load (kN) / Area

Area : 0.06×0.06

= 0.0036 m2
0.18
Shear stress =
0.0036

= 5.000 kN/m2
0.38
Shear stress =
0.0036

= 10.556 kN/m2
0.36
Shear stress =
0.0036

= 10.000 kN/m2

4. Example calculation to find Strain

Loading (kg) ΔL (mm) Strain

1 0.2 0.003
2 0.2 0.003
3 0.2 0.003

Formula : ΔL / L

Length = 6cm convert to mm = 60mm

0.2
Shear stress =
60

= 0.003 kN/m2

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5. Example calculation to find normal stress and shearing resistance

Final shear normal

load(kg) load kN stress (TF) stress shearing resistance
1 0.00981 22.222 2.725 22.315
2 0.01962 36.667 5.450 36.482
3 0.02943 50.556 8.175 50.648

I. Find load (kN)

Kg convert to kN
1kg×9.81/1000 = 0.00981kN
2kg×9.81/1000 = 0.01962kN
3kg×9.81/1000 = 0.02943kN

II. Find Normal Stress

Formula : Load/Area
0.00981
Normal Stress 1 =
0.0036

= 2.725 kN/m2
0.01962
Normal Stress 2 =
0.0036

= 5.450 kN/m2
0.02943
Normal Stress 3 =
0.0036

= 8.175 kN/m2

III. Shear Resistance

Formula :

Y= 5.1988x + 8.1481
Shear resistance 1 = (22.222*5.1988) + (8.1481)
= 22.315
Shear resistance 2 = (36.482*5.1988) + (8.1481)
= 36.482
Shear resistance 3 = (50.556*5.1988) + (8.1481)
= 50.648

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7.0 DISCUSSION

Our group had been done doing this test with successfully and the objective of
this test has been achieved (we are able to determine the parameter of shear strength
of soil, cohesion, c and angle of friction, Ø).

This test is performed to determine the consolidated-drained shear strength of

sand soil. As we know, the shear strength is very important to engineering properties of
a soil, because before we can construct the structure, first we need to check the strength
of soil and it depend on the soil’s shearing resistance.

Based on the data analysis in chapter 6, the test is conducted by using the
direct shear machine with loading (1kg, 2kg, and 3kg). From the data sheet, we had
calculated the overall value of shear stress, value of strain, value of normal stress and
also the value of shear resistance. From the plot (figure 6.1) of the shear stress versus
strain, the maximum shear for each load is determined (S1=51Kn/m2, S2=38Kn/m2 and
S3= 22kn/m2) for a specific vertical confining stress. From the plot (figure 6.2) of the
shear stress versus normal stress, we had determined the cohesion of soil (8.148
kn/m2) and the friction angle of soil (tan -1 5.1988 = 79.110). If the normal force increase,
the number of contact point also increase thus increasing the resistance. The shearing
resistance also had been determined for each loading.

Sources of error maybe come from several sources which is human mistake,
enviroment/condition or machine get error. There are some problem when running the
test, the machine is not in good condition because our group difficult to conducted the
test because the dial gauge is not function well. The machine maybe not calibate first,
the lab assistant need to check/make sure the machine was calibrate by the agency or
not.

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8.0 CONCLUSION

ADVANCE QUESTIONS

a) What is the purpose of direct shear test?

Direct shear test is one of the soil testing method to identify the consolidated-
drained shear strength of a sandy to silty soil. This test will be conducted as
different load will be applied to the soil sample until the soil stop at a certain point
of load.

b) Why shear strength of soil is important?

Shear strength of soil is important as it:
 It is required whenever a structure is dependent on the soil’s shearing
resistance.
 To determining the stability of slopes
 Finding the bearing capacity for the foundations
 Calculating the pressure exerted by a soil on a retaining wall

c) How this testing can be complying in real condition

Ina real conditions, this test was applied as one of the design requirement for the
foundation, retaining wall slab bridges as to identify the value of the angle of
internal friction and cohesion of the soil involved. This test also is one of the fastest
result collected than the other tests conducted.

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9.0 REFERENCES

 Labsheet. Direct Shear Test. 2018

 Zakee Kazmee. Shear Strength of soil.Slideshare.2018
 Braja.M.Das.Principle of Geotechnology Engineering 7 edtion. 2006
 Krishna Reddy. Direct Shear Test.2003

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