Tests on soil
Direct Shear Test
Code: Test is performed as per IS: 2720(part- 13): 1986.
Procedure:
- (i) Check the inner dimension of the soil container.
- (ii) Put the parts of the soil container together.
- (iii) Calculate the volume of the container. Weigh the container.
- (iv) Place the soil in smooth layers (approximately 10 mm thick). If a dense sample is desired tamp the soil.
- (v) Weigh the soil container, the difference of these two is the weight of the soil. Calculate the density of the soil.
- (vi) Make the surface of the soil plane.
- (vii) Put the upper grating on stone and loading block on top of soil.
- (viii) Measure the thickness of soil specimen.
- (ix) Apply the desired normal load.
- (x) Remove the shear pin.
- (xi) Attach the dial gauge which measures the change of volume.
- (xii) Record the initial reading of the dial gauge and calibration values.
- (xiii) Before proceeding to test check all adjustments to see that there is no connection between two parts except sand/soil.
- (xiv) Start the motor. Take the reading of the shear force and record the reading.
- (xv) Take volume change readings till failure.
- (xvi) Add 5 kg normal stress 0.5 kg/cm2 and continue the experiment till failure
- (xvii) Record carefully all the readings. Set the dial gauges zero, before starting the experiment
Uses:
To determine the shear for given soil.