1. SHEAR STRENGTH OF SOIL

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is shear strength?

   Hint

   Think about forces that cause sliding.

2. 2.

   What two main components contribute to shear strength?

   Hint

   One is about binding, and the other is about sliding.

3. 3.

   What is shear strength?

   • The ability to compress soil
   • The capacity of soil to resist sliding
   • The weight of the soil

   Hint

   Look for the fundamental definition of shear strength.

4. 4.

   True or False: Cohesion is a stress-dependent component.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Recall the definitions of component types.

5. 5.

   Design a simple experiment to measure the shear strength of a given soil sample using a unconfined compression test. Describe the steps and the principles involved.

   Hint

   Consider how both compression and failure are fundamental in your procedure.

6. 6.

   Evaluate how a heavy rainfall might affect the shear strength of soil on a constructed slope. Discuss the consequences.

   Hint

   Think about how water alters the interactions between soil particles.