Determination of Shear Viscosity of Clay Soil Using Gravity Cone Apparatus

Abstract

In soil mechanics the shear strength of soil is a result of friction and interlocking of particles, and it gives the magnitude of shear stress that a soil can sustain. Knowledge of shear viscosity plays a vital role in understanding the viscous resistance in the dynamic penetration through the soils for applications in geotechnical field such as cone penetrometers landslides and jacked piles. The intention of this study is to apply viscous flow (hydrodynamics) principles to soils at critical state with the main purpose of understanding the effects of viscous soil resistance on penetrating shafts or objects in clay and also post failure features during movement of mud slides.