This document specifies two laboratory test methods for the determination of the effective shear strength of soils under consolidated drained conditions using either a shearbox or a ring shear device.

This document is applicable to the laboratory determination of effective shear strength parameters for soils in direct shear within the scope of geotechnical investigations.

The tests included in this document are for undisturbed, remoulded, re-compacted or reconstituted soils. The procedure describes the requirements of a determination of the shear resistance of a specimen under a single vertical (normal) stress. Generally three or more similar specimens from one soil are prepared for shearing under three or more different vertical pressures to allow the shear strength parameters to be determined in accordance with Annex B.

Special procedures for preparation and testing the specimen, such as staged loading and pre-shearing or for interface tests between soils and other materials, are not covered in the procedure of this document.

NOTE – This document fulfils the requirements of the determination of the drained shear strength of soils in direct shear for geotechnical investigation and testing in accordance with EN 1997-1 and EN 1997-2.