Experimental and numerical analysis of direct shear test

Abstract

An experimental and numerical investigations of the direct shear test have been performed under constant vertical stress (q = const) and constant sample volume (h = const). During the determination of soil shear strength in a laboratory by different test methods soil is loaded in a different way. This fact has an influence on stress-strain distribution in the sample. The finite-element method analysis also shows that during direct shear tests distribution of stress and strain in the sample is non-uniform. If we know a real distribution of stress and strain in the sample, it is possible to determine the soil shear strength and deformation parameters in a more precise way or to rate the influence of different factors on soil properties.