Shear Strength given Submerged Unit Weight Calculator

Shear Strength Formula:

\[ \tau_f = \frac{\zeta_{soil} \times y_S \times \tan\left(\frac{\phi \times \pi}{180}\right)}{\gamma_{saturated} \times \tan\left(\frac{i \times \pi}{180}\right)} \]

Shear Stress (ζ_soil):

Submerged Unit Weight (y_S):

kN/m³

Angle of Internal Friction (φ):

Saturated Unit Weight (γ_saturated):

kN/m³

Angle of Inclination (i):

Tolerance:

Shear Strength (τ_f):

1. What is Shear Strength given Submerged Unit Weight?

Definition: This calculator determines the shear strength of soil based on submerged unit weight and other soil parameters.

Purpose: It helps geotechnical engineers evaluate soil stability and design foundations, retaining walls, and slopes.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ \tau_f = \frac{\zeta_{soil} \times y_S \times \tan\left(\frac{\phi \times \pi}{180}\right)}{\gamma_{saturated} \times \tan\left(\frac{i \times \pi}{180}\right)} \]

Where:

\( \tau_f \) — Shear strength (kN/m³)
\( \zeta_{soil} \) — Shear stress in soil (Pa)
\( y_S \) — Submerged unit weight (kN/m³)
\( \phi \) — Angle of internal friction (°)
\( \gamma_{saturated} \) — Saturated unit weight of soil (kN/m³)
\( i \) — Angle of inclination to horizontal (°)

Explanation: The formula accounts for the submerged conditions of soil and the frictional characteristics between soil particles.

3. Importance of Shear Strength Calculation

Details: Accurate shear strength estimation is crucial for slope stability analysis, foundation design, and earth retaining structures.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

Enter all required parameters in appropriate units
Angles should be between 0° and 90°
Tolerance defaults to ±5% but can be adjusted
All values must be positive numbers

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is typical submerged unit weight for soils?
A: Typically ranges from 8-11 kN/m³ for most soils, but can vary based on soil type and saturation.

Q2: How does angle of internal friction affect results?
A: Higher angles indicate more frictional resistance, resulting in greater shear strength.

Q3: When would I adjust the tolerance?
A: Increase tolerance for preliminary estimates or when input data has high uncertainty.

Q4: What's the practical application of this calculation?
A: Used in designing safe slopes, embankments, and foundations that won't fail under shear stresses.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: Provides theoretical values - actual field conditions may vary, so always include safety factors.