A Study on Improvement of Shear Test Apparatus in the Direct Shear Test Under Constant Pressure

A direct shear test is classified roughly by one side simple shear test of confining horizontal displacement type and torsional shear test of non-confining one. Direct shear test that has been widely used so far has some problems with test apparatus, testing and the analysis, and in particular that its strength value is everestimated in sandy soils. Also, progressive failure of shearing process happens from shear apparatus restriction and because the shear strain and shear stress are erratic in specimen, we can not define the shear strain value. In the meantime, a simple shear test having advantage of direct shear test is an ideal test method that can get stress-strain relation on shear because it can deliver constant shearing deformation to specimen. However, simple shear test cannot be used practically, because its structure makes tester manufacturing difficult. This paper described a on outline of test apparatus, improvement of test method, and constant pressure test results based on the obtained from improved direct shear apparatus and the standardization of JGS soil testing method.