Here is the step-by-step procedure for each shear test in simple, easy-to-
understand language.
1. Direct Shear Test (DST)
Goal: To find the strength of soil by sliding one part over another.
Step 1: Place the Sample
o Put your soil sample into a split box. This box is in two halves,
and you stack a porous stone on top and bottom to let water
out.
Step 2: Apply Pressure (Normal Load)
o Place a weight or apply a vertical force on top of the sample.
This simulates the weight of the soil above it in the ground.
o Wait for water to drain if it's a drained test (CD).
Step 3: Shear the Sample
o Remove the lock pins holding the two box halves together.
o Use a motor to slowly push the bottom half of the box
horizontally.
Step 4: Record Results
o Record the horizontal force (shear force) required to break the
soil and the distance the box moved until the soil fails.
Step 5: Repeat
o Repeat the whole test on new, identical samples using
different vertical weights (pressures).
o Use these results to draw a graph and find the soil's strength
parameters (c and ϕ ).
2. Unconfined Compression Test
(UCC)
Goal: To quickly find the strength of clay without any side pressure.
Step 1: Prepare the Sample
o Take a cylindrical sample of cohesive clay (it must be able to
stand up on its own).
Step 2: Load the Sample
o Place the sample in a compression machine with no side
pressure (σ 3=0).
o Start applying a compressive load downward onto the sample
at a steady rate.
Step 3: Record Results
o Record the maximum load the sample can withstand before it
breaks (fails).
Step 4: Calculate Strength
o The strength of the soil (undrained cohesion, c u) is simply half
of this maximum recorded load.
3. Triaxial Compression Test (TXC)
Goal: To find the strength of soil under very precise, realistic underground
conditions.
Step 1: Setup and Side Pressure
o Place the cylindrical soil sample inside a rubber membrane and
set it inside a sealed cell.
o Fill the cell with water and apply a specific pressure (σ 3) to the
water. This provides side support (confining pressure).
o Wait for the sample to become fully saturated and consolidate,
depending on the test type (UU, CU, or CD).
Step 2: Shear the Sample
o Apply an additional vertical load (deviator stress) using a
piston that extends into the cell. The side pressure (σ 3) remains
constant.
Step 3: Record Results
o Record the total vertical load, the deformation, and, crucially,
the pore water pressure inside the soil until the sample fails.
Step 4: Repeat and Analyze
o Repeat the test on several identical samples using different
side pressures (σ 3).
o Use the data from all tests to draw Mohr circles and determine
the long-term (effective) or short-term (total) strength
parameters (c ′ , ϕ′ or c , ϕ ).
4. Vane Shear Test (VST)
Goal: To quickly measure the strength of soft clay directly in the ground.
Step 1: Insert the Vane
o Push a four-bladed cross (the vane) gently into the soft,
saturated clay in the field or a large sample.
Step 2: Twist the Vane
o Apply a force (torque) to the rod to slowly twist the vane at a
constant, slow speed.
Step 3: Record Results
o Record the maximum twisting force (torque) required to
completely shear the soil around the vane.
Step 4: Calculate Strength
o Use the maximum torque and the size of the vane to calculate
the undrained shear strength (c u) of the clay.
Step 5: Optional Check
o Quickly twist the vane multiple times to "stir" (remold) the soil,
then measure the torque again to find the strength of the
disturbed soil (used to determine sensitivity).
Would you like a brief explanation of what the results, c and ϕ ,
actually mean for soil strength?