Simple Shear Soil Test Equipment

Simple shear tests: Simple shear samples are restrained by either thin horizontal bands or by wire reinforced membranes. The topcap and pedestal are moved horizontally, relative to each other to apply the shear loading. The sample is allowed to deform in a lozenge shape rather than just forming a horizontal shear plane as for direct shear testing. The simple shear test can be used for carrying out tests that rotate the principal stress direction as well as tests that determine the shear strength / stiffness of the material.