08/04/2026
Shear strength is the ability of soil to resist sliding or failure when subjected to shear forces. It is a critical property in geotechnical engineering because it determines the stability of foundations, slopes, retaining walls, and other earth structures.
The shear strength of soil depends on factors such as effective stress, particle friction, cohesion, soil density, and drainage conditions. Under drained conditions, shear strength is commonly analyzed using the Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion, while undrained conditions, especially in saturated clays, are often evaluated using the Tresca criterion.
Understanding soil shear strength helps engineers design safe and stable structures by ensuring the ground can support the applied loads without failure. (Wikipedia)
