Angle of Shearing Resistance Formula:
Definition: The angle of shearing resistance (φ) is a measure of the shear strength of soils, representing the frictional resistance between soil particles.
Purpose: It's a critical parameter in geotechnical engineering for analyzing soil stability and bearing capacity.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula relates the bearing capacity factors to the fundamental soil property of internal friction.
Details: This angle is crucial for designing foundations, retaining walls, and slope stability analysis. Higher values indicate more stable soils.
Tips: Enter the bearing capacity factors Nc and Nq, and the tolerance percentage (default ±5%). All values must be positive.
Q1: What are typical values for Nc and Nq?
A: Nc typically ranges from 5 to 37, while Nq ranges from 1 to 23, depending on soil type and conditions.
Q2: Why include a tolerance percentage?
A: Soil properties can vary, so the tolerance provides a practical range accounting for natural variability.
Q3: How is this angle measured in practice?
A: Through laboratory tests like direct shear tests or triaxial tests on soil samples.
Q4: What's the relationship between φ and soil type?
A: Cohesive soils (clay) have lower φ values (0-30°), while granular soils (sand, gravel) have higher values (30-50°).
Q5: Can this formula be used for all soil types?
A: It works best for cohesionless soils. For cohesive soils, additional factors like undrained shear strength should be considered.