Geotechnical Engineering Research Laboratory Edward L. Hajduk, D.

Eng, PE
One University Avenue Lecturer
Lowell, Massachusetts 01854
Tel: (978) 934-2621 Fax: (978) 934-3052
e-mail: Edward_Hajduk@uml.edu
web site: http://faculty.uml.edu/ehajduk
DEPARTMENT OF CIV IL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

14.330 SOIL MECHANICS

Assignment #7: Shear Strength Solution.
PROBLEM #1:
GIVEN:
Direct Shear test results from a SP soil shown in Figure A (from
14.330_2012_Assignment_#8_P1.csv on the course website). Project specifications
provided in the assignment handout.

Figure A. Direct Shear Test Results for Problem 1.

14.330 2015 Assignment 7 Solution Page 1 of 6

 Geotechnical Engineering Research Laboratory Edward L. Hajduk, D.Eng, PE
One University Avenue Lecturer
Lowell, Massachusetts 01854
Tel: (978) 934-2621 Fax: (978) 934-3052
e-mail: Edward_Hajduk@uml.edu
web site: http://faculty.uml.edu/ehajduk
DEPARTMENT OF CIV IL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

REQUIRED:
• Determine the peak and residual friction angles (φpeak and φresidual) for this soil.
• Determine if the soil meets the project specifications.
• Explain density (loose or dense) of the soil based on direct shear results.

SOLUTION:
Using data provided in Figure A, determine the peak and residual shear strengths for
the tests at the three (3) confining (i.e. normal) stresses. This summary is provided in
Table A.

Table A. Direct Shear Results (from Figure A).

Confining Stress Shear Stress (ττ)

Test (σ
σ) (psi)
(psi) Peak Residual
1 7.5 5.5 4.4
2 20.5 14.0 11.8
3 28.0 18.4 17.0

Plot of shear stress vs. normal stress to determine φpeak and φresidual is presented in
Figure B. Note, since soil is a SP, there is no cohesion (i.e. c=0). A summary of the
Mohr-Coulomb Failure Criteria from the direct shear testing is presented in Table B.

Table B. Direct Shear Results Summary for SP soil.

Friction Cohesion (c)

State
Angle (φ
φ) (°) (psi)

Peak 33.7 0
Residual 30.8 0

14.330 2015 Assignment 7 Solution Page 2 of 6

 Geotechnical Engineering Research Laboratory Edward L. Hajduk, D.Eng, PE
One University Avenue Lecturer
Lowell, Massachusetts 01854
Tel: (978) 934-2621 Fax: (978) 934-3052
e-mail: Edward_Hajduk@uml.edu
web site: http://faculty.uml.edu/ehajduk
DEPARTMENT OF CIV IL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

Figure B. Shear Stress vs. Confining Stress for Direct Shear Results for Problem 1.

Since φresidual = 30.8° < 32° (Required φresidual by specification), this soil CANNOT be
used for the project.

This soil was tested in a dense state. That can be determined by volumetric behavior of
the soil during the direct shear test and from the fact that φpeak > φresidual.

14.330 2015 Assignment 7 Solution Page 3 of 6

 Geotechnical Engineering Research Laboratory Edward L. Hajduk, D.Eng, PE
One University Avenue Lecturer
Lowell, Massachusetts 01854
Tel: (978) 934-2621 Fax: (978) 934-3052
e-mail: Edward_Hajduk@uml.edu
web site: http://faculty.uml.edu/ehajduk
DEPARTMENT OF CIV IL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

PROBLEM #2:
GIVEN:
Direct Shear test results from a SW soil plotted in Figure C (from Table 1 in the
assignment handout). Project specifications provided in assignment handout.

Figure C. Shear Stress vs. Confining Stress for Direct Shear Results for Problem 2.

REQUIRED:
• Determine the peak and residual friction angles (φpeak and φresidual) for this soil.
• Determine if the soil meets the project specifications.
• Explain density (loose or dense) of the soil based on direct shear results.

SOLUTION:
Plot of shear stress vs. normal stress to determine φpeak and φresidual is presented in
Figure C. Note, since soil is a SW, there is no cohesion (i.e. c=0). A summary of the
Mohr-Coulomb Failure Criteria is presented in Table C.

14.330 2015 Assignment 7 Solution Page 4 of 6

 Geotechnical Engineering Research Laboratory Edward L. Hajduk, D.Eng, PE
One University Avenue Lecturer
Lowell, Massachusetts 01854
Tel: (978) 934-2621 Fax: (978) 934-3052
e-mail: Edward_Hajduk@uml.edu
web site: http://faculty.uml.edu/ehajduk
DEPARTMENT OF CIV IL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

Table C. Direct Shear Results Summary for SW soil.

Friction Cohesion (c)

State
Angle (φ
φ) (°) (psi)

Peak 38.4 0
Residual 34.8 0

Since φresidual = 34.8° < 32° (Required φresidual by specification), this soil CAN be used for
the project.

This soil was tested in a dense state. That can be determined the fact that φpeak >
φresidual.

PROBLEM #3:
GIVEN:
The results of the CU triaxial testing for a CL soil shown in Figures D and E. Note
effective stresses were calculated using the effective stress equation (σ’ = σ – u) and
the provided CU test data in assignment handout.

Figure D. CU Test Results for Problem 3 (Total Stresses).

14.330 2015 Assignment 7 Solution Page 5 of 6

 Geotechnical Engineering Research Laboratory Edward L. Hajduk, D.Eng, PE
One University Avenue Lecturer
Lowell, Massachusetts 01854
Tel: (978) 934-2621 Fax: (978) 934-3052
e-mail: Edward_Hajduk@uml.edu
web site: http://faculty.uml.edu/ehajduk
DEPARTMENT OF CIV IL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

Figure E. CU Test Results for Problem 3 (Effective Stresses).

REQUIRED:
Determine the effective and total Mohr-Coulomb Failure Criteria for this soil.

SOLUTION:
Using Figures D and E, the Mohr-Coulomb Failure Criteria were determined for the total
and effective stresses cases. Friction angles and cohesion for the total and effective
stress envelopes are summarized in Table C.

Table C. CU Triaxial Test Results Summary for CL soil.

Friction Cohesion
State
Angle (°) (psi)

Effective (φ’ and c’) 29.9 2.5

Total (φ and c) 24.2 1.5

14.330 2015 Assignment 7 Solution Page 6 of 6