Direct Shear Test

IS 2720 - P 13, 1986, Reaff.2011

 Apparatus:

Shear Box Base Plate Stop Clock

Grid Plates Porous stones and

Loading Frame,
(Perforated and plain plates of equal
Weights
Non-perforated) thickness

Balance Straight Edge Spatula

Loading Pad Water Jacket LVDT Set

 Sample Type:
UDS IS : 2720 ( Part 1 )-1983*
(Air drying/Oven - 110 5 C, 1 kg, 4.75mm passing)

Remoulded 1. Cohesive soil

2. Cohesionless soil

Cohesive soil 1. outside the mould

2. inside the mould
ros 0.01mm/min

Cohesionless soil 1. inside the mould

ros 0.02mm/min

Soils containing gravel ros 0.2mm/min, perforated plates + gripper plates

 Test Type:

UU plates top, bottom plain and grid.

water jacket. Only hz reading. For clay.
CU - plates top, bottom perforated grid and
sat. porous stones. Hz+ vz (conso)
reading. For Clay.
CD - plates top, bottom perforated grid and
porous stones. Hz+ vz (conso) reading.
For Sand.
 Procedure:

Fit shear box with the base plate in the load frame, with specimen
grid plates at top and bottom of the soil sample; serrations of the
grid plates should be at right angles to the direction of shear.
For sandy soils, the soil sample will be filled in the direct shear box,
with required density and water content. For clayey soils, soil
sample will be prepared and then pushed into the direct shear box
with the help of plain or porous plates.
As per test condition and requirement, sample will be soaked (for
24 hours) or unsoaked.
Place the porous stones or the plain plates (as per test condition) at
both the sides of the grid plates.
Place loading pad, along with the steel ball, on the top grid plate
within water jacket. Ensure 1mm gap between top and bottom
parts of direct shear box before shearing of soil sample (use
threaded screw).
 Procedure:

The pins in the DST mould should be removed before the shearing
stage.
Apply normal stresses and longitudinal displacement/shear stress at
the required rate. Available rates are 1.25, 0.625, 0.25, 0.125, 0.05,
0.025, 0.01, 0.005, 0.002, 0.001, 0.0004, 0.0002 mm/min.
Note shear load readings and the corresponding longitudinal
displacements. (LC of strain dial guage is 0.01mm/min)
Horizontal shear load should be applied up to failure or 20 percent
(12 mm) longitudinal displacement.
Measure final moisture content of the soil in the plane of failure.
Repeat above procedure for minimum 3 tests, on separate
specimens of the same density.
 Ranges

Range of Testing/ Limits of detection

C = 0.02 to 1MPa f=00 to 400
Uncertainty of Measurement
C = 0.0118 MPa @ 0.37 Mpa
Ranges
Doubts