Scribd
Upload
35 views

SL-B Lab Script 2023-2024

This laboratory experiment aims to help students understand how to measure the shear strength parameters of fine sand through a series of direct shear box tests. The document provides instructions on how to prepare loose and dense sand specimens, conduct the tests under different normal stresses, and calculate and interpret the results. Key results include shear stress-strain and volume change graphs, shear strength parameters like the angle of internal friction, and estimating the critical void ratio of the sand from test data. Students are required to submit a technical note within 14 days summarizing the aim, results, calculations, discussion, and conclusions of their direct shear box testing.

Uploaded by

Ayesha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
35 views

SL-B Lab Script 2023-2024

This laboratory experiment aims to help students understand how to measure the shear strength parameters of fine sand through a series of direct shear box tests. The document provides instructions on how to prepare loose and dense sand specimens, conduct the tests under different normal stresses, and calculate and interpret the results. Key results include shear stress-strain and volume change graphs, shear strength parameters like the angle of internal friction, and estimating the critical void ratio of the sand from test data. Students are required to submit a technical note within 14 days summarizing the aim, results, calculations, discussion, and conclusions of their direct shear box testing.

Uploaded by

Ayesha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 7

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

Year 2 Laboratories

SL-B
Direct Shear Box Test

CIVE220: Geomechanics 2
Lecturers:
Dr Xue Zhang
Prof Mohad Mousavi Nezhad

Demonstrator Name: ________________________________

Demonstrator Email: ________________________________


HT Lab Script // ENGG108

Page 1
SL-B Lab Script // CIVE220

Health and Safety


Lab coats must be worn at all times during the experiment and instructions by lab demonstrators
should be followed exactly and information regarding the labs fire instructions made known. If the
lab requires steel capped boots then they must be worn or admittance into the lab cannot be
guaranteed.

You are reminded that you are required by law to comply with the School’s basic rules of lab safety,
as outlined at the start of the first year.

1
SL-B Lab Script // CIVE220

1 Aims and Objectives

1.1 Aims
This laboratory experiment aims to help students understand how to measure the shear strength
parameters of fine sand and its critical void ratio.

1.2 Objectives
Prepare sand examples, and measure its shear strength parameters under both loose and dense
packing respectively, by carrying out a series of direct shear box tests at different normal stresses.

At the end of this lab experiment, students should be able to

 Carry out direct shear box test to measure shear strength parameters of a soil, and
 Determine its critical void ratio.

2 Experimental Procedure
In order to prepare a loose specimen, carefully fill the shear box with sand to approximately 10 mms
from the top, strike off the surplus sand to provide a level surface with the tool provided and
carefully add the top plates. Note that any disturbance of the specimen before testing will cause
some densification and will produce results unrepresentative of a loose specimen.

In order to prepare a dense specimen, place the sand into the box in 3 layers, thoroughly tamping
each layer with the block.

For each test, place the shear box in the testing frame and position the load hanger on the box.
Carefully add the appropriate weight to the hanger as follows:
2
5 kgs on lever hanger = Normal Stress of 55.01 kN/m . 2
10 kgs on lever hanger = Normal Stress of 104.05 kN/m 2.
20 kgs on lever hanger = Normal Stress of 202.12 kN/m . (NOTE: The shear box is 100 mms square in
plan.)

Move the shear box assembly close to the proving ring using the hand control and “zero” the dial
gauges.

Take a depth reading for initial height of the specimen.

REMOVE THE TWO SCREWS HOLDING THE UPPER AND LOWER HALVES OF THE SHEAR BOX
TOGETHER!!!!!

Switch on the motor and engage the dog-clutch.

Record proving ring and vertical deflection readings every 0.2 mms horizontal defection until WELL
PAST the maximum shearing resistance as identified by the proving ring reading.

After each test, carefully recover and weigh the sand to enable the initial unit weight of the
specimen to be determined.

2
SL-B Lab Script // CIVE220

Complete the data sheet to enable results to be processed by the computer software provided.
NOTE: The proving ring constant is marked on the inside perimeter of each proving ring.

3 Presentation and Interpretation of Results


You are required to:

a) Plot a graph showing the variation of shearing stress and volumetric strain with unit strain
(relative horizontal movement / length of box) for tests on loose and dense sand (one for one
normal stress).

NOTE: The true relative movement between the upper and lower halves of the shear box is obtained
from the difference between the movement of the bottom half and the proving ring deflection.

b) Include the calculations of shearing stress and volumetric strain at failure for all the tests.
c) Plot a graph showing values of maximum shear stress against normal stress for all the tests and
determine the average angle of internal friction for the loose and dense packings of the fine
sand.
d) Plot a graph of initial void ratio against volumetric strain at failure (expansion positive) for all the
tests and estimate the critical void ratio.
e) Discuss the influence of normal stress and sand unit weight on the shearing behaviour of the
sand.

3
SL-B Lab Script // CIVE220

4 Technical Note Submission


This laboratory activity requires short technical note. The principal aim of a laboratory note is to
convey the substance of a piece of experimental work to another engineer and to draw attention to
its practical significance. The subject matter of a laboratory technical note should be presented in
the order shown below.

4.1 Assessment Criteria


1. Aim of the test 10%
2. Results 20%
Appropriately tabulated experimental data and results.
3. Calculations 30%
Appropriately calculations as well as any necessary graphs (and diagrams
where appropriate).
4. Discussion 20%
Your own comments on the work appear here. The values of shear strength
parameters and the critical void ratio of the sand should be presented and
discussed.
5. Conclusions 10%
6. Presentation 10%
For overall layout and quality of figures

4.2 Submission Instructions


Download the Technical Note Template for the Direct Shear Box Test section of the Year 2 Labs and
Tutorials VITAL site. If you are having difficulty please contact the LTAs by email for help.

Rename the document to include the date that you were in the lab and your name before submitting
it – for example “SL-B Technical Note 21.11.14 John Smith.docx”.

The deadline is before midnight 14 days from the date of the lab including the day of the lab,
weekends, University holidays and bank holidays. So, if you did the lab on Monday the 2nd, the
deadline would be at 23:59 on Monday the 16th.

The Turnitin submission link will become available to you only after you have completed a short,
anonymous survey for feedback on the lab. The School of Engineering takes your opinions seriously
and feedback from last year’s students informed significant changes to the labs which have been
updated for this year.

4
SL-B Lab Script // CIVE220

5 Appendix A
SHEARBOX TEST OF A DRY SAND

Date of Test
Group Number
Sand Type
Packing (Loose / Dense)

Test Number
Normal Stress (kN/m2)
Depth reading without sand (mms)
Depth reading full of sand (mms)
Initial vertical gauge reading (mms) 1.00
Proving Ring Calibration (kN/div)
Dry Weight of Sand w (gms.)
Specific Gravity of Soil Particles (G) 2.67

Horizontal Proving Vertical Horizontal Proving Vertical Horizontal Proving Vertical


Deflection Ring Deflection Deflection Ring Deflection Deflection Ring Deflection
Gauge Reading Gauge Gauge Reading Gauge Gauge Reading Gauge
mms. divs mms. mms. divs mms. mms. divs mms.

0.00 0 1.00 3.00 6.00


0.20 3.20 6.20
0.40 3.40 6.40
0.60 3.60 6.60
0.80 3.80 6.80
1.00 4.00 7.00
1.20 4.20 7.20
1.40 4.40 7.40
1.60 4.60 7.60
1.80 4.80 7.80
2.00 5.00 8.00
2.20 5.20 8.20
2.40 5.40 8.40
2.60 5.60 8.60
2.80 5.80 8.80

You might also like