Shear Strength ~ this can be defined as the resistance offered by a
soil to the sliding of one particle over another. A simple method of
establishing this property is the Shear Box Test in which the
apparatus consists of two bottomless boxes which are filled with
the soil sample to be tested. A horizontal shearing force (S) is
applied against a vertical load (W) causing the soil sample to shear
along a line between the two boxes.
Consolidation of Soil ~ this property is very important in
calculating the movement of a soil under a foundation. The
laboratory testing apparatus is called an Oedometer.
Soil Assessment and Testing