SOIL STRENGTH

The resistance to mass deformation developed from a combination of particle rolling, sliding and
crushing and is reduced by any pore pressure that exists or develops during particle movement.

SHEAR STRENGTH
It is the capacity to resist shear stress.

Soil Parameters used to Measure Shear Strength

1. Cohesion (C) 2. Angle of Internal Friction ()

Interparticle attraction Resistance to interparticle slip

*Grain crushing, resistance to rolling, and other factors are implicitly included in the two parameters
mentioned.*

Total Shear Stress: s = C + tan

Effective Stress: s = C + tan

Where C is cohesion, is the normal stress on shear plane, and is the angle of internal friction
of the soil. Effective stress is equal to the difference of the total stress and pore water stress u, or

= u

*Parameters are often used as constants, but they are quite dependent on type of laboratory tests,
previous stress history, and current state. Therefore, the values obtained are applicable only for the
current soil state/condition.*

Determination of C & with Effective Stress Analysis and Total Stress Analysis

The tests performed to determine C and must simulate the field conditions:

a. Rapid or slow construction/application of load causing shear.

b. Drained and undrained conditions.
Drained condition: The condition where the rate of loading in a soil is such that water in the
pores of soils gets sufficient time to drain out. *madaling mag-drain yung tubig kumbaga
hanggang saw ala nang natirang tubig, or in short, na-drain yung tubig sa soil.*
Excess pore water pressure will not develop.
Under this condition, to determine shear strength, effective stress analysis is performed.
Undrained condition: The condition where the rate of loading is rapid such that water in the
pores does not get sufficient time to drain out. *usually existing in clayey soil since it is more
capable of holding/bearing water than other soil*
Excess pore water pressure will develop.
*The two conditions depend on the type of loading (rapid or slow) and soil type. These
conditions are quite relative.
c. Types of soil, granular or clayey.
Granular: If the loading is slow/normal, drained conditions prevail. If quite rapid, then
undrained condition may prevail.
Clayey: If the loading is normal, undrained conditions prevail. But if very slow, drained
will prevail.
Various Lab Test Performed to Find C &

1. Direct Shear Test

2. Triaxial Test
3. Unconfined Compression Test
4. Vane Shear Test
5. Consolidated Undrained Test (Cu Test)
6. Unconsolidated Undrained Test (Uu Test)