ABSTRACT
The stress conditions across the soil sample in the direct shear test are very complex because of the change in the shear area with the increase in shear displacement as the test progresses, causing unequal distribution of shear stresses and normal stresses over the potential surface of sliding. Fig. 8.5(a) shows the sample condition before and after shearing in a direct shear box. The final sheared area At is less than the original area A.
