4.1. Increase the number of contacts resulting in increased shear strength.

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is shear strength?

   Hint

   Think about how soil behaves under stress.

2. 2.

   What happens to shear strength when soil is compacted dry of optimum?

   Hint

   How does moisture affect soil structure?

3. 3.

   What increases the shear strength of granular soils?

   • Increased particle size
   • Increased moisture
   • Increased contacts

   Hint

   Think about particle interactions.

4. 4.

   True or False: A soil compacted wet of optimum has a higher shear strength than that compacted dry of optimum.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Recall the definitions of flocculated and dispersed structures.

5. 5.

   Analyze a site with a high moisture content where the soil was compacted. What are the potential failure modes and how can they be mitigated?

   Hint

   Think about the relationship between moisture and structural strength.

6. 6.

   Design a compacting strategy for a foundational soil that needs to maximize shear strength. Discuss material choices and methods.

   Hint

   Remember the importance of material and processing techniques.