Question

Generally, how reliable are Shear Box Tests for dry sand? What are common factors in the testing procedure or design which influence reliability? How can one tell if results are reliable? In general terms, as normal force is increased on a sample, what can be expected?

Answer 1

● Shear box test is mainly used for the cohesionless soil so it is more reliable for the dry sand because the dry sand is also a cohesionless soil.

Common factors:-

Generally in shear box test the failure section is predefined so in this test failure is not occurs at the weakest section.

so as per this point shear box test is more suitable for cohesionless soil(dry sand) rather than the non cohesive soil because shear strength of dry sand is approximately same at every section but not in the cohesive soil like clay, so we use shear box test for cohesionless soil(dry sand)mainly.

● By using the shear box test and getting values of the shear strength of dry sand and also clay you can get about the reliability of the test for the dry sand.

● In general term if normal force is incresing on a sample expectations are that the sample at point will reach to its critical strength and further increasing in the normal force it results in the failure of the sample.

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