Determination of plane-strain shear strength of sand from the results of triaxial tests

Abstract

Experimental investigation of the shear strength of dry sands was carried out using triaxial and plane-strain apparatus. The results were used to evaluate Rowe's stress–dilatancy theory, the relationships between the shear strength components due to friction and interlocking, and the volume-change characteristics for cases of plane-strain and axisymmetric boundary conditions. Because of the complexity of the plane-strain testing apparatus in the normal soil mechanics laboratory and the difficulties involved in performing this type of shear test, it is becoming costly to obtain plane-strain test results for consulting purposes. Based on Rowe's stress–dilatancy theory, the results of the present investigation, and the available test results in the literature, two simple methods are proposed to predict the angle of shearing resistance for plane-strain conditions from the results of the conventional triaxial compression tests.Key words: shear strength, plane-strain test, triaxial test, sand, experimental investigation, geotechnical engineering.