CONTENT

Basic Concepts
Mohr-Coulomb failure theory
Methods of determining shear strength parameters
Factors affecting shear strength of soils
Shear behavior of granular soils
Shear behavior of cohesive soils
Other methods of determining shear strength
parameters
Shear stress paths
Stress-strain characteristics of soils
Other theories of failure

Importance of Shear strength of soils

Mohr circle of stresses in 2D space
Mohr circle of stresses in 3D space

BASIC CONCEPTS

One of the most important and the most controversial

engineering properties of soil is its shear strength or
ability to resist sliding along internal surfaces within a
mass.

The stability of a cut, the slope of an earth dam, the

foundations of structures, the natural slopes of
hillsides and other structures built on soil depend
upon the shearing resistance offered by the soil along
the probable surfaces of slippage.

There is hardly a problem in the field of engineering

which does not involve the shear properties of the soil
in some manner or the other.

Soils like any other materials fail at some

point when they are subjected to increasing
shear stresses.
They cannot withstand a shear stress larger
than their shear strength and deform
extensively when the applied shear stress
approaches their shear strength.

MOHR CIRCLE AND SHEAR STRESSES

In 2D space (e.g., on the s1s2 , s1s3, or s2s3

plane), the stresses on a soil mass at failure can
be factored into the normal stress (sn) and the
shear stress (ss) on the failure plane surface.
Note: The equations are given for a 2D space are
in the s1s2 plane, where s1 is greater than s2.
If we were dealing with the s2s3 plane, then the
two principal stresses would be s2 and s3.

GENERALIZED BIAXIAL STRESS SYSTEM

NORMAL STRESS

The normal stress, sn:

s1 s 2 s1 s 2
sn

cos 2q
2 2
In parametric form the equation becomes:

q
s n p cos
2

where
p is the center, which lies on the normal stress axis (xaxis), which is also the mean stress;
q is the diameter, which is also the deviatoric stress;
a is equal to 2q, where q is the rupture angle, measured
from point p to the failure point.

SIGN CONVENTIONS

The common sign conventions followed are:

sn is compressive when it is +, i.e., when sn>0.
sn is tensile when it is -, i.e., when sn< 0.

It can be observed that:

sn = s1 at q 0o
(a maximum)
sn = s2 at q 90o
(a minimum)

There are no shear stress on the three principal planes

(perpendicular to the principal stresses).

SHEAR STRESS

The shear stress, tq:

s1 s 2
tq
sin 2q
2
In parametric form the equation becomes:
q
s s sin
2
In parametric form the equation becomes:
tq > 0 represents left-lateral shear
tq < 0 represents right-lateral shear
tq = 0 at q 0o or 90o or 180o (a minimum)
tq = (s1s2)/2 at q 45o (maximum shear stress)
The maximum ss is 1/2 the differential stress.

MOHR CIRCLE FOR STRESSES

.

SPECIAL STATES OF STRESS UNIAXIAL STRESS

Uniaxial Stress (compression or tension)

Uniaxial compression

One principal stress (s1 or s3) is non-zero, and the

other two are equal to zero.

Compressive stress in one direction (i.e. s1 > s2=s3 =

0)
The Mohr circle is tangent to the ordinate at the origin
(i.e., s2=s3= 0) on the + (compressive) side.

Uniaxial tension

Tension in one direction (i.e. 0 s1 = s2 > s3)

The Mohr circle is tangent to the ordinate at the origin
on the - (i.e., tensile) side.

SPECIAL STATES OF STRESS - AXIAL STRESS

Axial (confined) compression: s1 > s2 = s3 > 0

Axial extension (extension): s1 = s2 > s3 > 0

The Mohr circle for both of these cases are to the

right of the origin (non-tangent).

Uniaxial Compression
Mohr Circle

General Compression
/Tension Mohr Circle

SPECIAL STATES OF STRESS BIAXIAL STRESS

Biaxial Stress:
Two of the principal stresses are non-zero and the
other is zero.

Pure Shear:
s1 = -s3 and is non-zero (equal in magnitude but
opposite in sign)
s2 = 0 (i.e. a biaxial state).
The normal stress on planes of maximum shear is
zero (pure shear).
The Mohr circle is symmetric with respect to the
ordinate (center is at the origin).

Biaxial stresses on a
plate element

Biaxial stresses
Mohr Circle

Pure shear

SPECIAL STATES OF STRESS TRIAXIAL STRESS

Triaxial Stress:
s1, s2, and s3 have non-zero values
s1 > s2 > s3 and can be tensile or compressive

This is the most general state in nature, and the

Mohr circle has three distinct circles.
No simple method exists for drawing Mohr
circles to represent the general case, in which
both normal and shear stresses act on all six faces
of the cubical element.
There are two simple cases, however, which can
be represented by three Mohr circles:

MOHR CIRCLE IN 3D
1. A cubical element which has only normal stresses (i.e.
principal stresses) acting on the six faces.

MOHR CIRCLE IN 3D
2. A cubical element which has only normal stress (a
principal stress) acting on one pair of opposite parallel
faces, but has both normal and shear stresses acting on
both the remaining pairs of faces.

ISOTROPIC STRESS

The 3D, isotropic stresses are equal in magnitude in all

directions (as radii of a sphere).
Magnitude of the mean of the principal stresses:

sm

s1 s 2 s 3
3

When principal stresses are equal (isotropic condition):

P s1 s 2 s 3

i.e., it is an invariant (does not depend on a specific coordinate

system). No need to know the principal stress; any one can be used.
Leads to dilation; but no shape change.
If v1 and vo are final and original volumes.

v1 vo v
v

vo
vo

Formulation of the theory

Mohr-Coulomb theory in s t space
Mohr-Coulomb theory in p q space
Remarks on the Mohr-Coulomb theory

MOHR COULOMB FAILURE CRITERIA:

A point of Mohrs circle defines the normal stress and

the shear stress on a certain plane. The stresses on all
planes together form the circle, because when the
plane rotates the stress points traverse the circle.
The ratio of shear stress to normal stress varies along
the circle, i.e. this ratio is different for different planes.
It is possible that for certain planes the failure
criterion is satisfied.
The failure criterion has also been indicated, in the
form of two straight lines, making an angle with the
horizontal axis. Their intersections with the vertical
axis is at distances c.

The term yield indicates the onset of irreversible (or plastic)

deformations. Accordingly, the yield criterion is the condition for the
development of irreversible deformations.

In order to underline that failure of a soil is determined

by the effective stresses, the stresses in this figure have
been indicated as 0.
There are two planes, defined by the points C and D, in
which the stress state is critical. On all other planes the
shear stress remains below the critical value.
Thus it can be conjectured that failure will start to occur
whenever Mohrs circle just touches the Coulomb
envelope. This is called the Mohr-Coulomb failure
criterion.
If the stress circle is completely within the envelope no
failure will occur, because on all planes the shear stress
remains well below the critical value.
Circles partly outside the envelope are impossible, as the
shear stress on some planes would be larger than the
critical value.

The failure envelop is

defined by the equation:

t c s tan

The Mohr envelope may be assumed as a straight line

although it is curved under certain conditions.
The Mohr circle which is tangential to the shear strength
line is called the Mohr circle of rupture.

Thus, the Mohr envelope constitutes a shear diagram and is a graph

of the Coulomb equation for shearing stress.

This is called the Mohr-Coulomb Failure Theory.

MATHEMATICAL FORMULATION OF THE MOHRCOULOMB FAILURE:

Substituting for the values of n and in the MohrCoulomb equation and solving for 1 we obtain:
s 1 s 3 s 1 s 3

s1 s 3

sin 2q c

cos 2q tan
2
2 2

c s 3 tan
s1 s 3
sin q cos q cos 2 q tan

The plane with the least resistance to shearing along it will

correspond to the minimum value of 1 which can produce
failure. i.e. when the denominator in the second term of the
equation is at a maximum.

Differentiating, and simplifying:

d
sin q cos q cos 2 q tan 0
dq

q c 45
o

Substituting and simplifying:

o
2
o
s 1 s 3 tan 45 2c tan 45
2
2

s 1 s 3 N 2c N
where N is called as the flow value.

MOHRCOULOMB YIELD ON THE pq SPACE:

Recall that:
(s 1 s 3 )
p
2

q (s 1 s 3 )

The failure envelop on this space can be given as:

q a p tan
where:

a c cos

(Derive!)

tan sin

The and pq failure lines have different slopes

and intercepts but have a common intersection
point F with the horizontal axis.

In-terms of c and , the expression of the yield

criterion in the pq space will be:
6 sin
6 cos
q
p
c
3 sin
3 sin
6 sin
6 cos
q
p
c
3 sin
3 sin

(for q > 0)
(for q < 0)

REMARKS:

The Mohr-Coulomb criterion is a rather good criterion for the failure

state of sands.

For such soils the cohesion usually is practically zero, c = 0, and the friction
angle usually varies from = 30o to = 45o, depending upon the
angularity and the roundness of the particles.

Clay soils usually have some cohesion, and a certain friction angle, but
usually somewhat smaller than sands.
Great care is needed in the application of the Mohr-Coulomb criterion
for very small stresses.

For clay one might find that a Mohrs circle would be possible in the
extreme left corner of the diagram, with tensile normal stresses.
It is usually assumed that this is not possible, and therefore the criterion
should be extended by a vertical cut-off at the vertical axis.
To express that the cohesion of soils does not necessarily mean that the soil
can withstand tensile stresses, the property is sometimes denoted as
apparent cohesion, indicating that it is merely a first order schematization.

The Mohr-Coulomb criterion can also be used, at least in a first

approximation, for materials such as rock and concrete.

In such materials the cohesion may be quite large, at least compared to

soils. The contribution of friction is not so dominant as it is in soils.
Also it often appears that the friction angle is not constant, but decreases at
increasing stress levels.

In some locations, (offshore coastal areas) calcareous soils are found.

These are mostly sands, but the particles have been glued together
(presence of calcium). Such materials have high values of the cohesion
c, which may easily be destroyed, however, by a certain deformation.

This deformation may occur during the construction of a structure, for

instance driving of piles. During the exploration of the soil this may have
been found to be very strong, but after installation much of the strength
has been destroyed.
An advantage of true frictional materials is that the friction usually is
maintained, also after very large deformations. Soils such as sands may not
be very strong, but at least they maintain their strength.

For clays the Mohr-Coulomb criterion is reasonably well

applicable, provided that proper care is taken of the
influence of the pore pressures, which may be a function of
time, so that the soil strength is also a function of time.

Some clays have the special property that the cohesion increases
with time during consolidation. This leads to a higher strength
because of overconsolidation.
For very soft clays the Mohr-Coulomb criterion may not be
applicable, as the soil behaves more like a viscous liquid.

Laboratory tests

Direct Shear Test

Triaxial Test

Field tests

For granular soils

For cohesive soils

SHEAR STRENGTH PARAMETERS:

The shear strength parameters c and of soils either in the

undisturbed or remolded states may be determined by any
of the following laboratory methods:

Direct or box shear test

Triaxial compression test

Field methods are also available, and depend upon the type
of the soil to be investigated.
The laboratory or the field method that has to be chosen in
a particular case depends upon the type of soil and the
accuracy required.
Wherever the strength characteristics of the soil in-situ are
required, laboratory tests may be used provided
undisturbed samples can be extracted from the stratum.

However, soils are subject to disturbance either during

sampling or extraction from the sampling tubes in the
laboratory even though soil particles possess cohesion.

It is practically impossible to obtain undisturbed samples of

cohesionless soils and highly pre-consolidated clay soils.
Soft sensitive clays are nearly always remolded during sampling.

Laboratory methods may, therefore, be used only in such

cases where fairly good undisturbed samples can be
obtained.

DIRECT SHEAR TEST:

The original form of apparatus for the direct application of

shear force is the shear box. The box shear test, though
simple in principle, has certain shortcomings which are
identified later on.
The apparatus consists of a square brass box split
horizontally at the level of the center of the soil sample,
which is held between metal grills. Vertical load is applied
to the sample as shown in the figure and is held constant
during a test.

A gradually increasing horizontal load is applied to the

lower part of the box until the sample fails in shear. The
shear load at failure is divided by the cross-sectional area of
the sample to give the ultimate shearing strength.

The test may be

repeated with a few
more samples having
the
same
initial
conditions as the first
sample.
Each sample is tested
with
a
different
vertical load.

REFERENCES:

Das, B. M. Principles of Foundation Engineering. 7th ed,

Cengage Learning, 2011.
Holtz R.D. and Kovacs W.D. An Introduction to Geotechnical
Engineering. Prentice Hall, 1981.
Lambe T.W. and Whitman R.V. Soil Mechanics. Wiley, 1969.
Lancellota, Renato. Geotechnical Engineering. 2nd ed, 2009.
Murthy, V.N.S. Geotechnical Engineering: Principles and
Practices of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering.
Marcel Dekker, 1999.
Terzaghi K., Peck R.B. and Mesri G. Soil Mechanics in
Engineering Practice. 3rd ed. Wiley; 1996.
Verruijt, A. Soil Mechanics., Delft University of Technology,
Dordrecht, 2001.