Research Article
Feb 1980
Microscopic Study of Shear Mechanisms in Soils
Authors: Tamotsu Matsui, M.ASCE, Nobuharu Abe, James K. Mitchell, F.ASCE, and Tomio ItoAuthor Affiliations
Publication: Journal of the Geotechnical Engineering Division
Volume 106, Issue 2
Abstract
A general microscopic mechanism has been clarified using both rate process theory and the adhesion theory of friction. Physical evidence for the existence of solid-to-solid contact between clay particles in the form of microphotographs from the scanning electron microscope and acoustic emissions is presented. A generalized concept for the normal force acting at contact points between particles and intergranular stress during shear is also developed. Theoretical considerations for a microscopic model of shear resistance and the microscopic meaning of soil strength parameters are developed based on these generalized concepts. As a result the proportionality coefficient which relates the shear resistance of soils to normal forces acting at the contact points between particles is given a physical basis on the microscopic scale, and the meanings of the true angle of friction and conventional strength parameters in effective stress representations are clarified.
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Published In
Journal of the Geotechnical Engineering Division
Volume 106 • Issue 2 • February 1980
Pages: 137 - 152
Copyright
© 1980 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published in print: Feb 1980
Published online: Feb 11, 2021
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Authors
Affiliations
Tamotsu Matsui, M.ASCE
Assoc. Prof., Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Osaka Univ., Suita, Osaka, Japan
Nobuharu Abe
Research Assoc.; Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Osaka Univ., Suita, Osaka, Japan
James K. Mitchell, F.ASCE
Prof., Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Univ. of California, Berkeley, Calif
Tomio Ito
Prof., Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Osaka Univ., Suita, Osaka, Japan
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