SEDL / STP / STP131-EB / STP47725S

A Direct Shear Test with Drainage Control

Taylor, Donald W.
Associate Professor of Soil Mechanics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass.

Pages: 12    Published: Jan 1953

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Abstract

Shearing strength data are presented as a function of intergranular pressure on the sample just before start of shear and maximum intergranular pressure in the past. Strengths by “controlled” direct shear tests, with prevention of change in sample thickness used to approximate a no-drainage condition during shear, are shown to be in reasonable agreement with triaxial test results. Results of controlled and uncontrolled direct shear tests are compared to demonstrate that without control unacceptable irregularities are introduced by variable factors, the most important one being the amount of direct pressure on the sample during shear.