Shear Strength of Soils: Mohr-Coulomb Failure Criterion

Shear Strength of Soils
Strength of different
materials
Steel
Tensile
strength
Concrete
Compressive
strength
Soil
Shear
strength
Presence of pore water
Complex
behavior
Embankment
Strip footing
Shear failure of soils
Soils generally fail in shear
At failure, shear stress along the failure surface
(mobilized shear resistance) reaches the shear strength.
Failure surface
Mobilized shear
resistance
stable soil
stable soil
unstable soil
unstable soil
Retaining
wall
Retaining
wall
At failure, shear stress along the failure surface
(mobilized shear resistance) reaches the shear strength.
Failure
surface
Mobilized
shear
resistance
stable soil
unstable soil
Shear failure mechanism
The soil grains slide
over each other along
the failure surface.
No crushing of
individual grains.
failure surface
Shear failure mechanism
At failure, shear stress along the failure surface (t)
reaches the shear strength (t
f
).
Shearing stresses tend to displace a part of soil mass to
the rest of the soil mass.
stable soil
unstable soil
Shear strength, may be defined as the
resistance to shearing stresses and a
consequent tendency for shear
deformation
Friction
The available frictional resistance F when a normal force P is acting is
related to P as follows: (Two solid bodies in contact with no bonding
between them)
F = P . = P . tan o
Here, = Coefficient of friction o = Angle of interface friction
F =C
a
+ P . tan o
(Two solid bodies in contact with bonding
between them)
C
a
= Adhesion force

10
Mohr-Coulomb Failure Criterion
t
o
| o t tan + = c
f
c
|
cohesion
friction angle
t
f
is the maximum shear stress the soil can take without
failure, under normal stress of o.
t
f
o
11
| o t tan
f f
c + =
Shear strength consists of two components:
cohesive and frictional.
o
f

t
f

|
t
o
c
o
f
tan |
c
frictional
compone
nt
' tan ' ' | o t
f f
c + =
Shear strength consists of two
components: cohesive and frictional.
o
f

t
f

|
t
o'
c c
o
f
tan |
frictional
component
c and | are measures of shear strength.
Higher the values, higher the shear strength.
Mohr Circle of stress
Soil element
o
1
o
1
o
3
o
3
u

o

t

u
o o o o
o
u
o o
t
2
2 2
2
2
'
3
'
1
'
3
'
1
'
'
3
'
1
Cos
Sin
+
+
=
=
Resolving forces in o and t directions,
2
'
3
'
1
2
'
3
'
1
' 2
2 2
|
|
.
|
\
|
=
|
|
.
|
\
|
+
+
o o
o o
o t
2
'
3
'
1
2
'
3
'
1
' 2
2 2
|
|
.
|
\
|
=
|
|
.
|
\
|
+
+
o o
o o
o t
t
o
2
'
3
'
1
o o +
2
'
3
'
1
o o
'
3
o
'
1
o
2
'
3
'
1
2
'
3
'
1
' 2
2 2
|
|
.
|
\
|
=
|
|
.
|
\
|
+
+
o o
o o
o t
t
o
2
'
3
'
1
o o +
2
'
3
'
1
o o
'
3
o
'
1
o
P
D
= Pole w.r.t. plane
u
(o, t)
Soil elements at different locations
Failure surface
Mohr Circles & Failure Envelope
X
X
X ~ failure
Y
Y
Y ~ stable
t
o
' tan ' ' | o t + = c
f
Y
o
c

o
c

o
c

Initially, Mohr circle is a point
Ao
o
c
+Ao
Ao
The soil element does not fail if
the Mohr circle is contained
within the envelope
GL
Y
o
c

o
c

o
c

GL
As loading progresses, Mohr
circle becomes larger
.. and finally failure occurs
when Mohr circle touches the
envelope
Ao
o
2
'
3
'
1
o o +
'
3
o
'
1
o
P
D
= Pole w.r.t. plane
u
(o, t
f
)
Orientation of Failure Plane
|
o
1
o
1
o
3
o
3
u
o
t
o
1
o
1
o
3
o
3
uu
o
t
Failure envelope
(90 u)
Therefore,

90 u + | = u
u = 45 + |/2
Mohr circles in terms of total & effective stresses
=
X
o
v

o
h

X
u
u
+
o
v
o
h

effective stresses
u
o
v
o
h

X
o
v

o
h

total stresses
t
o or o
Envelopes in terms of o & o
Identical specimens
initially subjected to
different isotropic
stresses (o
c
) and then
loaded axially to failure
o
c

o
c

o
c

o
c

Ao
f

Initially
Failur
e
u
f

At failure,
o
3
= o
c
; o
1
= o
c
+Ao
f

o
3

= o
3
u
f
; o
1
= o
1
- u
f

c, |
c, |
in terms of o
in terms of o
Failure envelopes in terms of total & effective
stresses
=
X
o
v

o
h

X
u
u
+
o
v
o
h

effective stresses
u
o
v
o
h

X
o
v

o
h

total stresses
t
o or o
If X is on
failure
c
|
Failure envelope in
terms of total stresses
|
c
Failure envelope in terms
of effective stresses
Mohr Coulomb failure criterion with Mohr circle
of stress
X
o
v
= o
1
o
h
= o
3
X is on failure
o
1
o
3

effective stresses
t
o
|
c
Failure envelope in terms
c Cot|
(o
1
+ o
3
)/2
(o
1
o
3
)/2
|
|
.
|
\
|
=
(
|
|
.
|
\
|
+
+
2
'
2
' '
'
3
'
1
'
3
'
1
o o
|
o o
| Sin Cot c
Therefore,
Mohr Coulomb failure criterion with Mohr circle
of stress
|
|
.
|
\
|
=
(
|
|
.
|
\
|
+
+
2
'
2
' '
'
3
'
1
'
3
'
1
o o
|
o o
| Sin Cot c
( ) ( ) ' ' 2 '
'
3
'
1
'
3
'
1
| | o o o o Cos c Sin + + =
( ) ( ) ' ' 2 ' 1 ' 1
'
3
'
1
| | o | o Cos c Sin Sin + + =
( )
( ) ( ) ' 1
'
' 2
' 1
' 1
'
3
'
1
|
|
|
|
o o
Sin
Cos
c
Sin
Sin
+
=
|
.
|
\
|
+ +
|
.
|
\
|
+ =
2
'
45 ' 2
2
'
45
2 '
3
'
1
| |
o o Tan c Tan
Other laboratory tests include,
Direct simple shear test, torsional
ring shear test, plane strain triaxial
test, laboratory vane shear test,
laboratory fall cone test
Determination of shear strength parameters of
soils (c, | or c, |)
Laboratory tests on
specimens taken from
representative undisturbed
samples
Field tests
Most common laboratory tests
to determine the shear strength
parameters are,

1.Direct shear test
2.Triaxial shear test
1. Vane shear test
2. Torvane
3. Pocket penetrometer
4. Fall cone
5. Pressuremeter
6. Static cone penetrometer
7. Standard penetration test
Laboratory tests
Field conditions
z
o
vc
o
vc
o
hc
o
hc
Before construction
A representative
soil sample
z
o
vc
+ Ao

o
hc
o
hc
After and during
construction
o
vc
+ Ao

Laboratory tests
Simulating field conditions
in the laboratory
Step 1
Set the specimen in
the apparatus and
apply the initial
stress condition
o
vc
o
vc
o
hc
o
hc
Representative
soil sample
taken from the
site
0
0 0
0
Step 2
Apply the
corresponding field
stress conditions
o
vc
+ Ao

o
hc
o
hc
o
vc
+ Ao
o
vc

o
vc

t
t
Direct shear test
Schematic diagram of the direct shear apparatus
Direct shear test
Preparation of a sand specimen
Components of the shear box Preparation of a sand specimen
Porous
plates
Direct shear test is most suitable for consolidated drained tests
specially on granular soils (e.g.: sand) or stiff clays
Direct shear test
Leveling the top surface
of specimen
Preparation of a sand specimen
Specimen preparation
completed
Pressure plate
Direct shear test
Test procedure
Porous
plates
Pressure plate
Steel ball
Step 1: Apply a vertical load to the specimen and wait for consolidation
P
Proving ring
to measure
shear force
S
Direct shear test
Step 2: Lower box is subjected to a horizontal displacement at a constant rate
Step 1: Apply a vertical load to the specimen and wait for consolidation
P
Test procedure
Pressure plate
Steel ball
Proving ring
to measure
shear force
S
Porous
plates
Direct shear test
Shear box
Loading frame to
apply vertical load
Dial gauge to
measure vertical
displacement
Dial gauge to
measure horizontal
displacement
Proving ring
to measure
shear force
Direct shear test
Analysis of test results
sample the of section cross of Area
(P) force Normal
stress Normal = = o
sample the of section cross of Area
(S) surface sliding at the developed resistance Shear
stress Shear = = t
Note: Cross-sectional area of the sample changes with the horizontal
displacement
t
f1
Normal stress = o
1
Direct shear tests on sands
How to determine strength parameters c and |
S
h
e
a
r

s
t
r
e
s
s
,

t

Shear displacement
t
f2
Normal stress = o
2
t
f3
Normal stress = o
3
S
h
e
a
r

s
t
r
e
s
s

a
t

f
a
i
l
u
r
e
,

t
f

Normal stress, o
|
Mohr Coulomb failure envelope
Direct shear tests on sands
Some important facts on strength parameters c and | of sand
Sand is cohesionless
hence c = 0
Direct shear tests are
drained and pore water
pressures are
dissipated, hence u = 0
Therefore,
| = | and c = c = 0
Interface tests on direct shear apparatus
In many foundation design problems and retaining wall problems, it
is required to determine the angle of internal friction between soil
and the structural material (concrete, steel or wood)
o o t tan ' + =
a f
c
Where,
c
a
= adhesion,
o = angle of internal friction
Foundation material
Soil
P
S
Foundation material
Soil
P
S
Advantages of direct shear apparatus
Due to the smaller thickness of the sample, rapid drainage can
be achieved
Can be used to determine interface strength parameters
Easy and quick test for sands and gravels

Disadvantages of direct shear apparatus
Failure occurs along a predetermined failure plane
There is no means of estimating pore pressures so effective
stresses cannot be determined from undrained tests

Triaxial Shear Test
Soil sample
at failure
Failure plane
Porous
stone
impervious
membrane
Piston (to apply deviatoric stress)
O-ring
pedestal
Perspex
cell
Cell pressure
Back pressure
Pore pressure or
volume change
Water
Soil
sample
Triaxial Shear Test
Specimen preparation (undisturbed sample)
Edges of the sample
are carefully trimmed
Setting up the sample
in the triaxial cell
Triaxial Shear Test
Sample is covered
with a rubber
membrane and sealed
Cell is completely
filled with water
Triaxial Shear Test
Proving ring to
measure the
deviator load
Dial gauge to
measure vertical
displacement
In some tests
Types of Triaxial Tests
Is the drainage valve open?
yes
no
Consolidated
sample
Unconsolidated
sample
yes no
Drained
loading
Undrained
loading
Under all-around cell pressure o
c

o
c
o
c
o
c
o
c
Step 1
deviatoric stress
(Ao = q)
Shearing (loading)
Step 2
o
c
o
c
o
c
+ q
Types of Triaxial Tests
yes
no
Consolidated
sample
Unconsolidated
sample
Under all-around cell pressure o
c

Step 1
yes no
Drained
loading
Undrained
loading
Shearing (loading)
Step 2
CD test
CU test
UU test

The complete stress-strain-strength behaviour can be
investigated

Drained and undrained tests can be performed

Pore water pressures can be measured in undrained
tests, allowing effective stresses to be determined

Different combinations of cell pressure and axial
stress can be applied
Advantages of the triaxial test
Consolidated- drained test (CD Test)
Step 1: At the end of consolidation
o
VC
o
hC
Total, o
=
Neutral, u Effective, o
+
0

Step 2: During axial stress increase
o
VC
=

o
VC
o
hC
=

o
hC
o
VC
+ Ao
o
hC
0

o
V
=

o
VC
+

Ao =
o
1
o
h
=

o
hC
= o
3
Drainage
Drainage
Step 3: At failure
o
VC
+ Ao
f
o
hC
0

o
Vf
=

o
VC
+

Ao
f
= o
1f
o
hf
=

o
hC
= o
3f
Drainage
Deviator stress (q or Ao
d
) = o
1
o
3
o
1
= o
VC
+ Ao
o
3
= o
hC

V
o
l
u
m
e

c
h
a
n
g
e

o
f

t
h
e

s
a
m
p
l
e

E
x
p
a
n
s
i
o
n

C
o
m
p
r
e
s
s
i
o
n

Time
Volume change of sample during consolidation
D
e
v
i
a
t
o
r

s
t
r
e
s
s
,

A
o
d

Axial strain
Dense sand
or OC clay
(Ao
d
)
f
Dense sand
or OC clay
Loose sand
or NC clay
V
o
l
u
m
e

c
h
a
n
g
e

o
f

t
h
e

s
a
m
p
l
e

E
x
p
a
n
s
i
o
n

C
o
m
p
r
e
s
s
i
o
n

Axial strain
Stress-strain relationship during shearing
Loose sand
or NC Clay
(Ao
d
)
f
CD tests
D
e
v
i
a
t
o
r

s
t
r
e
s
s
,

A
o
d

Axial strain
S
h
e
a
r

s
t
r
e
s
s
,

t

o or o
|
Mohr Coulomb
failure envelope
(Ao
d
)
fa
Confining stress = o
3a
(Ao
d
)
fb
3b
(Ao
d
)
fc
3c
o
3c
o
1c
o
3a
o
1a
(Ao
d
)
fa
o
3b
o
1b
(Ao
d
)
fb
o
1
= o
3
+ (Ao
d
)
f

o
3

CD tests
Strength parameters c and | obtained from CD tests
Since u = 0 in CD
tests, o = o
Therefore, c = c
and | = |
c
d
and |
d
are used
to denote them
Some practical applications of CD analysis for
clays
t
t = in situ drained
shear strength
Soft clay
1. Embankment constructed very slowly, in layers over a soft clay
deposit
clays
2. Earth dam with steady state seepage
t = drained shear
strength of clay core
t
Core
clays
3. Excavation or natural slope in clay
t = In situ drained shear strength
t
Note: CD test simulates the long term condition in the field.
Thus, c
d
and |
d
should be used to evaluate the long
term behavior of soils
Consolidated- Undrained test (CU Test)
Step 1: At the end of consolidation
o
VC
o
hC
Total, o
=
+
0

Step 2: During axial stress increase
o
VC
=

o
VC
o
hC
=

o
hC
o
VC
+ Ao
o
hC
Au

Drainage
Step 3: At failure
o
VC
+ Ao
f
o
hC
No
drainage
No
drainage
Au
f
o
V
=

o
VC
+

Ao Au = o
1
o
h
=

o
hC
Au

= o
3
o
Vf
=

o
VC
+

Ao
f
Au
f
= o
1f
o
hf
=

o
hC
Au
f
= o
3f
D
e
v
i
a
t
o
r

s
t
r
e
s
s
,

A
o
d

Axial strain
Dense sand
or OC clay
(Ao
d
)
f
Dense sand
or OC clay
Loose sand
/NC Clay
A
u

+

-

Axial strain
Stress-strain relationship during shearing
Consolidated- Undrained test (CU Test)
Loose sand
or NC Clay
(Ao
d
)
f
CU tests
D
e
v
i
a
t
o
r

s
t
r
e
s
s
,

A
o
d

Axial strain
S
h
e
a
r

s
t
r
e
s
s
,

t

o or o
(Ao
d
)
fb
3b
o
3b
o
1b
o
3a
o
1a
(Ao
d
)
fa
|
cu
Mohr Coulomb
failure envelope in
c
cu
o
1
= o
3
+ (Ao
d
)
f

o
3

Total stresses at failure
(Ao
d
)
fa
3a
(Ao
d
)
fa
CU tests
S
h
e
a
r

s
t
r
e
s
s
,

t

o or o
o
3b
o
1b
o
3a
o
1a
(Ao
d
)
fa
|
cu
Mohr Coulomb
failure envelope in
c
cu
o
3b
o
1b
o
3a
o
1a
Mohr Coulomb failure
envelope in terms of
effective stresses
|

C

u
fa
u
fb
o
1
= o
3
+ (Ao
d
)
f
-

u
f

o
3
= o
3
-

u
f

Effective stresses at failure
u
f
CU tests
Strength parameters c and | obtained from CU tests
Shear strength
parameters in terms
of total stresses are
c
cu
and |
cu
Shear strength
parameters in terms
are c and |

c = c
d
and | = |
d

Some practical applications of CU analysis for
clays
t
t = in situ undrained
shear strength
Soft clay
1. Embankment constructed rapidly over a soft clay deposit
clays
2. Rapid drawdown behind an earth dam
t = Undrained shear
Core
t
clays
3. Rapid construction of an embankment on a natural slope
Note: Total stress parameters from CU test (c
cu
and |
cu
) can be used for
stability problems where,
Soil have become fully consolidated and are at equilibrium with
the existing stress state; Then for some reason additional
stresses are applied quickly with no drainage occurring
t = In situ undrained shear strength
t
Unconsolidated- Undrained test (UU Test)
Data analysis
o
C
= o
3
o
C
= o
3
No
drainage
Initial specimen condition
o
3
+ Ao
d
o
3
No
drainage
Specimen condition
during shearing
Initial volume of the sample = A
0
H
0
Volume of the sample during shearing = A H
Since the test is conducted under undrained condition,
A H = A
0
H
0
A (H
0
AH) = A
0
H
0
A (1

AH/H
0
) = A
0
z
A
A
c
=
1
0
o
3b
o
1b
o
3a
o
1a Ao
f
o
3
o
1
Total, o
=
+
t
o or o
Mohr circles in terms of total stresses
u
a
u
b
Failure envelope, |
u
= 0
c
u
It is often found that a series of undrained tests from
a particular site give a value of |
u
that is not zero (c
u
not constant). If this happens either
the samples are not saturated, or
the samples have different moisture contents

If the samples are not saturated analyses based on
undrained behaviour will not be correct

The undrained strength c
u
is not a fundamental soil
property. If the moisture content changes so will the
undrained strength.
Significance of undrained strength parameters
o
3b
o
1b
Effect of degree of saturation on failure envelope
o
3a
o
1a
o
3c
o
1c
t
o or o
S < 100% S > 100%
Example
In an unconsolidated undrained triaxial test the undrained
strength is measured as 17.5 kPa. Determine the cell pressure
used in the test if the effective strength parameters are c = 0, |
= 26
o
and the pore pressure at failure is 43 kPa.

Example
= 26
o

Analytical solution
Undrained strength = 17.5 =

( ) ( )
o o o o
1 3 1 3
2 2
=
' '
Example
= 26
o

Analytical solution

Failure criterion

' ' ' o o
| |
1 3
=
N
+ 2 c
N
( ) ( )
o o o o
1 3 1 3
2 2
=
' '
Example
= 26
o

Analytical solution

Failure criterion

Hence o
1
= 57.4 kPa, o
3
= 22.4 kPa
and cell pressure (total stress) = o
3
+ u = 65.4 kPa
' ' ' o o
| |
1 3
=
N
+ 2 c
N
( ) ( )
o o o o
1 3 1 3
2 2
=
' '
Graphical solution
t
o
26
17.5
Graphical solution
t
o
' o
1
' o
3
26
17.5
Graphical solution
t
o
o
1
o
3 ' o
1
' o
3
26
17.5
Some practical applications of UU analysis for
clays
t
t = in situ undrained
shear strength
Soft clay
1. Embankment constructed rapidly over a soft clay deposit
clays
2. Large earth dam constructed rapidly with
no change in water content of soft clay
Core
t = Undrained shear
t
clays
3. Footing placed rapidly on clay deposit
t = In situ undrained shear strength
Note: UU test simulates the short term condition in the field.
Thus, c
u
can be used to analyze the short term
behavior of soils
Unconfined Compression Test (UC Test)
o
1
= o
VC
+ Ao
o
3
= 0
Confining pressure is zero in the UC test
Unconfined Compression Test (UC Test)
o
1
= o
VC
+ Aof
o
3
= 0
S
h
e
a
r

s
t
r
e
s
s
,

t

Normal stress, o
c
u
C
u
= o
1
/2

o
1

Stress Invariants (p and q)
p (or s) = (o
1
+ o
3
)/2
q (or t) = (o
1
- o
3
)/2
t
o
o
3
o
1
(o
1
+ o
3
)/2
(o
1
- o
3
)/2
c
|
p and q can be used to illustrate the variation of the stress
state of a soil specimen during a laboratory triaxial test
Mohr Coulomb failure envelope in terms of stress invariants
p (or s) = (o
1
+ o
3
)/2
q (or t) = (o
1
- o
3
)/2
|
|
.
|
\
|
=
(
|
|
.
|
\
| +
+
2
'
2
' '
'
3
'
1
'
3
'
1
o o
|
o o
| Sin Cot c
( ) ( )
' ' '
2 2
'
3
'
1
'
3
'
1
| |
o o o o
Cos c Sin +
+
=
t
o
o
3
o
1
(o
1
+ o
3
)/2
(o
1
- o
3
)/2
c
|
' ' ' | | Cos c pSin q + =
In-situ shear tests
Vane shear test (suitable for soft to stiff clays)
Torvane
Pocket Penetrometer
Pressuremeter
Static Cone Penetrometer test (Push
Cone Penetrometer Test, PCPT)
Standard Penetration Test, SPT
PLAN VIEW
Vane shear test
This is one of the most versatile and widely used devices used for
investigating undrained shear strength (C
u
) and sensitivity of soft clays
Bore hole
(diameter = D
B
)
h > 3D
B
)
Vane
D
H
Applied
Torque, T
Vane
T
Rupture
surface
Disturbed
soil
Rate of rotation : 6
0
12
0
per minute
Test can be conducted at 0.5 m
vertical intervals
Vane shear test
Since the test is very fast,
Unconsolidated Undrained
(UU) can be expected
C
u
C
u
T = M
s
+ M
e
+ M
e
= M
s
+ 2M
e

M
e
Assuming a uniform
distribution of shear strength
}
=
2
0
). 2 (
d
u e
r C rdr M t
2
0
3 2
0
2
3
2 2
d
u
d
u e
r
C dr r C M
(
= =
}
t t
12 8 3
2
3 3
d C d C
M
u u
e
t t
=
(
=
d/2 d/2
C
u
h
Vane shear test
C
u
C
u
M
s
Shaft shear resistance along
the circumference
2 2
2
h d
C
d
dhC M
u u s
t t = =
2
12 2
3 2
+ =
d C h d
C T
u
u
t
t
|
|
.
|
\
|
+ =
6 2
3 2
d h d
C T
u
t
|
|
.
|
\
|
+
=
6 2
3 2
d h d
T
C
u
t
T = M
s
+ M
e
+ M
e
= M
s
+ 2M
e

Vane shear test
C
u
C
u
h
After the initial test, vane can be
rapidly rotated through several
revolutions until the clay become
remoulded
t
peak
t
ultimate
t
Shear displacement
Stength Ultimate
Stength Peak
y Sensitivit

=
Some important facts on vane shear test
Insertion of vane into soft
clays and silts disrupts the
natural soil structure around
the vane causing reduction
of shear strength

The above reduction
is partially regained
after some time

C
u
as determined by
vane shear test may
be a function of the
rate of angular
rotation of the vane

Correction for the strength parameters obtained
from vane shear test
Bjerrum (1974) has shown that as the plasticity of soils
increases, C
u
obtained by vane shear tests may give
unsafe results for foundation design. Therefore, he
proposed the following correction.

C
u(design)
= C
u(vane
shear)
Where, = correction factor = 1.7 0.54 log (PI)
PI = Plasticity Index
In-situ shear tests
Vane shear test
Torvane (suitable for very soft to stiff clays)
Pocket Penetrometer
Pressuremeter
Torvane
Torvane is a modification to the vane

In-situ shear tests
Vane shear test
Torvane
Pocket Penetrometer (suitable for very soft to stiff clays)
Pressuremeter
Pocket Penetrometer
Pushed directly into the soil. The unconfined compression
strength (q
u
) is measured by a calibrated spring.

Various correlations for shear strength
For NC clays, the undrained shear strength (c
u
) increases with the
effective overburden pressure, o
0
) ( 0037 . 0 11 . 0
'
0
PI
c
u
+ =
o
Skempton (1957)
Plasticity Index as a %
For OC clays, the following relationship is approximately true

8 . 0

'
0
'
0
) (OCR
c c
ed Consolidat Normally
u
idated Overconsol
u
=
|
|
.
|
\
|
|
|
.
|
\
|
o o
Ladd (1977)
For NC clays, the effective friction angle (|) is related to PI as follows

) log( 234 . 0 814 . 0 ' IP Sin = |
Kenny (1959)
Shear strength of partially saturated soils
In the previous sections, we were discussing the shear strength of
saturated soils. However, in most of the cases, we will encounter
unsaturated soils in tropical countries like Sri Lanka
Solid
Water
Saturated soils
Pore water
pressure, u
Effective
stress, o
Solid
Unsaturated soils
Pore water
pressure, u
w
Effective
stress, o
Water
Air
Pore air
pressure, u
a
Pore water pressure can be negative in unsaturated soils
Bishop (1959) proposed shear strength equation for unsaturated soils as
follows
| | ' tan ) ( ) ( ' | _ o t
w a a n f
u u u c + + =
Where,
o
n
u
a
= Net normal stress
u
a
u
w
= Matric suction
_= a parameter depending on the degree of saturation
(_ = 1 for fully saturated soils and 0 for dry soils)
Fredlund et al (1978) modified the above relationship as follows
b
w a a n f
u u u c | | o t tan ) ( ' tan ) ( ' + + =
Where,
tan|
b
= Rate of increase of shear strength with matric suction
b
w a a n f
u u u c | | o t tan ) ( ' tan ) ( ' + + =
Same as saturated soils
Apparent cohesion
due to matric suction
Therefore, strength of unsaturated soils is much higher than the strength
of saturated soils due to matric suction
t
o - u
a
|
t
o - u
a
How it become possible
build a sand castle
b
w a a n f
u u u c | | o t tan ) ( ' tan ) ( ' + + =
Same as saturated soils
Apparent cohesion
due to matric suction
|
Apparent
cohesion
Skemptons Pore Pressure Parameters
Au
c
=

B Ao
3
Au
d
=

ABAo
d
Au

=

Au
c
+ Au
d
Total pore water pressure increment at any stage, Au
Au

=

B [Ao
3
+ AAo
d
]
Skemptons pore
water pressure
equation
Au

=

B [Ao
3
+ A(Ao
1
Ao
3
)]
During cell Pressure
During shearing load
Typical values for parameter B
Typical values for parameter A
Skemptons Pore Pressure Parameters -Example

Shear Strength of Soils: Mohr-Coulomb Failure Criterion

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