Direct Shear Test Apparatus
Product Code : EL-STLE-10372
Direct Shear Test Apparatus (code EL-STLE-10372) is an electrically operated machine for finding the shear strength of soil by the direct shear method, with the specimen held in a two-part box of 60 × 60 × 25 mm. A load yoke with direct and lever loading applies normal stress up to 8 kg/cm², the drive offers 12 rates of strain from 1.25 to 0.0002 mm/min on a 230 V single phase supply, and the net weight is 140 kg.
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Specifications
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use | Determining the shear strength of soil specimens by the direct shear method |
| Operation | Electrically operated |
| Rates of strain | 12 selectable rates: 1.25, 0.625, 0.25, 0.125, 0.05, 0.025, 0.01, 0.005, 0.002, 0.001, 0.004 and 0.0002 mm/min |
| Power supply | 230 V, single phase A.C. |
| Net weight | 140 kg |
| Loading unit | |
| Load yoke | Pre-calibrated, with direct and lever system for applying load |
| Normal stress capacity | 8 kg/cm² |
| Load application | Directly, or through a counter balanced detachable lever |
| Load transfer | Through a steel ball recessed in the loading pad, or direct through a boss on the loading yoke |
| Housing movement | V strips and roller strips for frictionless movement of the shear box housing |
| Shear box | |
| Shear box | Direct shear box in two halves for a square specimen of 60 × 60 × 25 mm |
| Gripper plates | One pair plain and one pair perforated |
| Porous stones | One pair |
| Loading pad | One top loading pad |
| Shear box housing | Holds the direct shear box assembly; fitted with two ball roller strips |
| Specimen cutter | For cutting 60 × 60 × 25 mm specimens from larger samples |
| Weights and supply | |
| Weight set | Gives a normal stress of 3 kg/cm²: 0.05 kg/cm² × 4 nos., 0.1 × 1 no., 0.2 × 1 no., 0.5 × 3 nos., 1.0 × 1 no. |
| Supply | Complete set as above, without proving ring |
| Accessories and spares | |
| Essential accessories | High sensitivity compression proving ring, 200 kg capacity; one consolidation dial gauge 0.01 mm × 25 mm and one strain dial gauge 0.01 mm × 25 mm |
| Optional extras | Additional set of weights giving a normal stress of 5 kg/cm²; soil sampler for 60 mm × 60 mm specimens and test forms pad of 50 |
| Spares | Porous stones for 60 mm × 60 mm samples, in pairs |
| Standards | TS 1900-2, ASTM D3080, BS 1377-7, AASHTO T236, NF P094 071-1/2, IS 2720 (Part XIII) |
| Supply | |
| Product code | EL-STLE-10372 |
| Manufacturer | Engineering Lab Equipment, Ambala, Haryana, India |
What Is the Direct Shear Test Apparatus Used For?
A direct shear test makes a soil specimen fail along a fixed horizontal plane between the two halves of the box, and the shear force at failure is measured under a known normal stress. The operator trims a 60 × 60 × 25 mm specimen with the cutter, sets it between the porous stones and gripper plates, and applies the normal load through the yoke with the slotted weights. The shear box housing is then driven at the chosen rate of strain while the proving ring records shear force and the dial gauges record movement. Repeating the test at several normal stresses gives the cohesion and angle of shearing resistance. The standards listed are TS 1900-2, ASTM D3080, BS 1377-7, AASHTO T236, NF P094 071-1/2 and IS 2720 (Part XIII).
What to Specify When Ordering
- Quantity — the number of direct shear machines required.
- Essential accessories — whether the 200 kg proving ring and the two 0.01 mm × 25 mm dial gauges are to be supplied with the set.
- Optional extras — the additional weight set for 5 kg/cm² and the soil sampler for 60 mm × 60 mm specimens with test forms pad.
- Spares — the number of pairs of 60 mm × 60 mm porous stones needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size of specimen does the shear box take?
The two-part shear box takes a square specimen of 60 × 60 × 25 mm, and the specimen cutter in the set cuts specimens of that size from larger samples.
How much normal stress can be applied?
The load yoke has a normal stress capacity of 8 kg/cm². The weight set in the standard supply gives 3 kg/cm², and an additional set giving 5 kg/cm² is an optional extra.
Which rates of strain are available?
Twelve selectable rates are provided: 1.25, 0.625, 0.25, 0.125, 0.05, 0.025, 0.01, 0.005, 0.002, 0.001, 0.004 and 0.0002 mm/min, on a 230 V single phase A.C. supply.
Is a proving ring included in the set?
The set is supplied without the proving ring. A 200 kg high sensitivity compression proving ring, a consolidation dial gauge and a strain dial gauge, each 0.01 mm × 25 mm, are classed as essential accessories.
What does a direct shear test tell the engineer?
Testing specimens at several normal stresses and recording the shear force at failure gives the cohesion and angle of shearing resistance of the soil, which feed into slope stability and foundation calculations.
Which test standards apply to this machine's use?
The standards listed are TS 1900-2, ASTM D3080, BS 1377-7, AASHTO T236, NF P094 071-1/2 and IS 2720 (Part XIII).
OEM Manufacturer
Engineering Lab Equipment (Engineering Labs Equipment Pvt Ltd) builds the Direct Shear Test Apparatus at its works in Saha, District Ambala, Haryana (Plot No. 43, Industrial Park, Sector 2, Growth Center). Its soil testing equipment for classification, compaction, density, shear and consolidation tests go to engineering colleges, polytechnics, technical training institutes and research laboratories in India and abroad, and equipment can be made to an institution's own requirements. For tenders and OEM supply, see the Tenders/OEM page.
Related Soil Testing Equipment
- Unconfined Compression Tester (Motorized) — 5000 kg screw operated motorised load frame for unconfined compression of soil specimens.
- In-Situ Vane Shear Test Apparatus — borehole vane shear set with 37.5 mm and 50.0 mm vanes and proving ring torque head.
- Plate Load Bearing Test Apparatus — field plate bearing test set at 500 kN or 200 kN with hydraulic pump and digital readout.
See the full Soil Testing Lab Equipment range or all Civil Engineering Lab Equipment.
Request a Quote
For this and other soil testing lab equipment, schools and colleges can contact Engineering Lab Equipment, a manufacturer, supplier and exporter based in Ambala, India. For a price, send the number of machines and the accessories, extra weights and spares required and the delivery location through the contact page; the Add To Cart button on this page also adds the Direct Shear Test Apparatus to an enquiry.
Last updated: October 2026
