Question

In direct shear test, the soil load is subjected to more stress at _____________

(a) Centre

(b) Edges

(c) Top and bottom

(d) All of the mentioned

I got this question during an interview.

This interesting question is from Direct Shear Test in portion Shear Strength of Geotechnical Engineering I

Answer 1

Right choice is (b) Edges

Explanation: In a direct shear test, the stress condition across the soil sample are very complex, the stress is more at the edges and less in the Centre. Due to this, there is a progressive failure of the specimen.