(i)OBJECTIVE

Standard Test Method for Performing Laboratory Direct Shear Strength

Tests of Rock Specimens under Constant Normal Force
(ii)THEORY
This test method establishes requirements and laboratory procedures for performing
direct shear strength tests on rock specimens. It includes procedures for intact rock
strength tests which can be performed on specimens that are homogeneous, or have
planes of weakness, including natural or artificial discontinuities. Examples of an
artificial discontinuity include a rock-concrete interface or a lift line from a concrete
pour. Discontinuities may be open, partially or completely healed or filled (that is, clay
fillings and gouge). Only one discontinuity per specimen can be tested. The test is
usually conducted in the undrained state with an applied constant normal load.
However, a clean, open discontinuity may be free draining, and, therefore, a test on a
clean, open discontinuity could be considered a drained test. During the test, shear
strength is determined at fixed applied stresses normal to the sheared plane and at
various shear displacements. Relationships derived from the test data include shear
stress versus shear displacement.
Determination of shear strength of a rock specimen is an important aspect in the design
of structures such as rock slopes, dam foundations, tunnels, shafts, waste repositories,
caverns for storage, and other purposes. Pervasive discontinuities (joints, bedding
planes, shear zones, fault zones, schistocity) in a rock mass, and genesis,
crystallography, texture, fabric, and other factors can cause the rock mass to behave as
an anisotropic and heterogeneous medium. Therefore, the precise prediction of rock
mass behavior is difficult.

Fig: Shear strength v/s shear displacement

 Fig: Placing of sample specimen in cast and in direct shear box
For nonplanar joints or discontinuities, shear strength is derived from a combination of base
material friction and overriding of asperities (dilatancy), shearing or breaking of the asperities,
and rotations at or wedging of the asperities. Sliding on and shearing of the asperities can occur
simultaneously. When the normal force is not sufficient to restrain dilation, the shear
mechanism consists of the overriding of the asperities. When the normal load is large enough
to completely restrain dilation, the shear mechanism consists of the shearing off of the
asperities. Using this test method to determine the shear strength of an intact specimen may
generate overturning moments which could result in an inclined shear break. Shear strength is
influenced by the overburden or normal pressure; therefore, the larger the overburden
pressure, the larger the shear strength. In some cases, it may be desirable to conduct tests in
situ rather than in the laboratory to determine the representative shear strength of the rock
mass, particularly when design is controlled by discontinuities filled with very weak material.

(iii)APPARTUS REQUIRED
(a) Testing Machine
(b) Dial gauge
(c) Rock specimen along with concrete cast
(iv) PROCEDURE
A rock sample of suitable dimension was cut and the relevant dimensions of the specimen at the
shear zone cross section were measured using a measuring tape. Then, the apparent cross-
sectional area of the intact specimen was calculated. A concrete mix of M25 strength was
prepared and then it was cast into a desired shape of aforementioned dimensions along with the
rock specimens as per the instructions mentioned in the manual for the direct shear test by
ASTM. The concrete casts were allowed to gain its strength and it was cured during this period.
The casts were then placed into the shear box and the restraints were removed. After this four
dial gauges were installed to measure the normal displacement and a single dial gauge was used
for measuring shear displacement. As mentioned in manual, a small seating load of 500N was
applied to the specimen. The normal load was then continually increased till the stabilization.
This was done until the consecutive reading of normal displacement was found to be less than
0.05 mm. This normal load was found to be 5.5 kN and after this load shear load was applied
from one direction until peak strength was found. Then the application of the shear load was
further continued and the residual strength of the rock specimen was found. Finally the normal
and shear loading were removed and the experiment was concluded.

DIRECT SHEAR TESTING APPARTUS

ROCK SPECIMEN CAST INTO CONCRETE

THE SAMPLES BEING MOUNTED TO THE SHEAR BOX

SAMPLES IN CONTACT WITH THE SURFACE OF EACH OTHER AFTER BEING
MOUNTED INSIDE THE SHEAR BOX BEFORE STARTING THE EXPERIMENT

THE SPECIMEN AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE EXPERIMENT

(v) OBSERVATION AND CALULATIONS:
Length of the specimen = 13 cm

Breadth of the specimen = 11 cm

Height of the specimen = 6 cm

... Nominal initial cross-sectional area = 143 cm2

(a) OBSERVATION TABLE FOR NORMAL LOAD

Gauge A Gauge B Gauge C Gauge D

Loadin Readin Differen Loadin Readin Differen Loadin Readin Differ Loadin Readin Differen
g(kN) g(mm) ce(mm) g(kN) g(mm) ce(mm) g(kN) g(mm) ence g(kN) g(mm) ce(mm)
0 4.99 - 0 11.79 - 0 2.70 0 7.25 -
1.5 5.07 0.08 1.5 12.45 1.59 1.5 0.08 2.62 1.5 5.39 1.86
2.5 5.34 0.27 2.5 12.81 0.36 1.5 9.69 - 2.5 5.68 0.29
4.5 5.40 0.06 4.5 12.88 0.07 2.5 8.94 0.75 4.5 5.56 0.12
5.5 5.41 0.01 5.5 12.93 0.05 4.5 8.76 0.18 5.5 5.50 0.06
5.5 8.69 0.07

Average Table:

Loading (kN) Average difference (mm)

1.5 1.5375
2.5 0.4175
4.5 0.1075
5.5 0.0475
...Normal Loading = 5.5 kN
(B)OBSERVATION TABLE FOR SHEAR LOAD
Displacement (mm) Shear Force(kN) Shear Strength(N/mm2)
0 0 0
1 3 0.21
2.08 3.5 0.245
3.06 4 0.28
4.06 4.5 0.315
5.46 5 0.35
6.53 5 0.35
7.68 4.5 0.315
9.13 4 0.28
10.44 3 0.21
11.42 3 0.21

Then the graph is plotted from the data present in the table above.

0.4

0.35

0.3
Shear Strength (MPa)

0.25

0.2
Shear Stress(N/mm2)
0.15

0.1

0.05

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Shear Displacement (mm)

Fig: Graph of Shear stress v/s shear displacement

(vi) RESULT
Thus from the Direct Shear test of the given specimen the peak shear strength was found to be
0.35 MPa and the residual strength was found to be 0.21 MPa.

(vii) CONCLUSION
Thus by using the Direct Shear Test Apparatus the shear strength of the discontinuities present
in rock specimen can be calculated along with its residual strength.

(viii) PRECAUTION
(i) The specimen must be cast into the concrete carefully and a minimum of 5 mm of depth of
rock must lie above the surface of concrete.

(ii) The readings in the dial gauge must be taken only after the few minutes after the samples
have settled after the application of load.

(iii ) Shear force should not be applied till stabilization of sample takes place by normal load.

(iv) Shear load should be removed and then the normal load after the completion of
experiment.