shear box (large) for testing soils

IS 11593: Scope - Key Specifications for Shear Box Components

• Material of Construction (Table 1):

• Dimensional Tolerances: As per IS 2102 (Part 1) - 1980, medium class tolerance applies to all components.

• Shape & Dimensions: Detailed in Figures 2 to 7 of IS 11593, covering:

  • Upper & Lower halves of shear box
  • Spacer plate
  • Grid plate
  • Base plate
  • Water jacket

Summary Diagram of Shear Box Components

graph LR
  A[Upper Part] --> B[Grid Plates]
  B --> C[Spacer Plates]
  C --> D[Lower Part]
  D --> E[Base Plate]
  E --> F[Loading Pad]
  F --> G[Water Jacket]

This ensures standardization in material and dimensions for reliable soil shear testing.

IS 11593: General Requirements for Shear Box (Large) - Key Specifications

1. Purpose:

• Used for laboratory determination of direct shear strength of soils with particle size up to 25 mm (moorum, sands, gravels).

2. Materials (Clause 3.1, Table 1):

3. Dimensional Details:

• Upper & lower halves, spacer plates, grid plates, base plate, and water jacket dimensions are standardized (refer to figures 2-6 in IS 11593).
• Holes for assembly are tapped (e.g., 2-M & 3 mm holes as per drawings).

Summary Diagram of Shear Box Components

graph TD
    A[Upper Half] --> B[Grid Plates (2 pairs)]
    B --> C[Spacer Plates]
    C --> D[Lower Half]
    D --> E[Base Plate]
    E --> F[Loading Pad]
    E --> G[Water Jacket]

Notes:

• All components are made of mild steel as per IS 513-1973.
• Water jacket uses cold rolled carbon steel sheets for durability and corrosion resistance.
• Assembly holes are tapped for secure fitting.

This ensures the shear box's durability, precision, and compatibility with soil samples up to 25 mm particle size.

IS 11593: Components of Shear Box — Key Specifications

Components (Clause 2.1 & Fig. 1)

• Upper and Lower parts: Coupled with two pins.
• Grid plates: 2 pairs.
• Spacer plates
• Loading pad
• Water jacket

Materials (Clause 3.1, Table 1)

Dimensional Tolerances (Clause 4.1)

• Dimensions per Figures 2 to 7.
• Tolerances as per IS 2102 (Part 1) - 1980, medium class.

Typical Dimensions (from Figures)

• Upper/Lower halves: detailed in Fig. 2.
• Spacer plate: Fig. 3 (e.g., 2 MS tapped holes).
• Grid plate: Fig. 4.
• Base plate: Fig. 5.
• Water jacket: Fig. 6.

Summary Diagram of Shear Box Components

graph LR
  A[Upper Half] -- Pins --> B[Lower Half]
  A & B --> C[Grid Plates (2 pairs)]
  C --> D[Spacer Plates]
  D --> E[Loading Pad]
  E --> F[Water Jacket]

For detailed dimensions, refer to Figures 2 to 7 in IS 11593. Use IS 2102 for manufacturing tolerances. Materials are primarily mild steel per IS 513, ensuring durability and accuracy in soil shear testing.

IS 11593: Shape and Dimensions of Shear Box Components

• Units: All dimensions are in millimetres (mm) (Clause 4.4).

• Components & Materials (Table 1, Clause 3.1):

  Component	Material	IS Reference
  Upper & Lower Shear Box	Mild Steel	IS 513-1973
  Grid Plates (2 pairs)	Mild Steel	IS 513-1973
  Spacer Plates	Mild Steel	IS 513-1973
  Base Plate	Mild Steel	IS 513-1973
  Loading Pad	Mild Steel	IS 513-1973
  Water Jacket	Cold Rolled Carbon Steel Sheets	IS 513-1973

• Shape & Dimensions (Clause 4.1):

  • Follow Figures 2 to 7 for detailed dimensions of each part.
  • Tolerances as per IS 2102 (Part 1) - 1980, medium class.

• Key Figures:

  • Fig. 1: Shear box assembly (upper & lower halves, pins, loading pad).
  • Fig. 2 & 3: Details of upper/lower halves and spacer plates.
  • Fig. 4: Grid plates.
  • Fig. 5: Base plate.
  • Fig. 6: Water jacket.
  • Fig. 7: Loading pad.

Summary Diagram (Component Assembly)

graph TD
  A[Upper Half Shear Box] -- Pins --> B[Lower Half Shear Box]
  A & B --> C[Grid Plates (2 pairs)]
  C --> D[Spacer Plates]
  D --> E[Loading Pad]
  E --> F[Water Jacket]

Note: For exact dimensions, refer to the respective figures (2 to 7) in IS 11593. Dimensions include hole sizes, thicknesses, and spacing critical for assembly and testing accuracy.

IS 11593 - Clause 5.1 & 5.1.1: Marking and Identification

Key Specifications:

• Mandatory Markings on Each Equipment Component:

  • Manufacturer's name or registered trademark
  • Date of manufacture

• Optional Marking:

  • ISI Certification Mark (subject to licensing under Indian Standards Institution rules)

Purpose of ISI Mark:

• Ensures compliance with IS 11593 quality and inspection standards.
• Indicates continuous quality surveillance by ISI.

Summary Table for Marking Requirements

Additional Notes:

• Markings must be permanent and legible throughout equipment life.
• ISI Mark usage governed by the Indian Standards Institution (Certification Marks) Act.
• For licensing details, contact the Indian Standards Institution.

flowchart LR
    A[Equipment Component] --> B{Marking}
    B --> C[Manufacturer Name/Trademark]
    B --> D[Date of Manufacture]
    B --> E[ISI Certification Mark (Optional)]
    E --> F[Subject to ISI Licensing & Quality Control]

This ensures traceability and quality assurance of equipment as per IS 11593.

IS 11593: Material & Manufacturing Tolerances Summary

1. Material Specifications (Clause 3.1, Table 1)

2. Dimensional Tolerances (Clause 4.1)

• Dimensions and shapes per Figures 2 to 7.
• Tolerances follow IS 2102 (Part 1) - 1980, medium class.
• General tolerances cover linear/angular dimensions, form, and position.

3. Key Points on Tolerances (from IS 2102 Part 1)

• Angular tolerance typically ±1° for medium class.
• Threaded holes and tapped holes as per detailed drawings (Figs. 2-7).

Visual Summary of Shear Box Components & Tolerances

graph TD
    A[Shear Box Components] --> B[Upper & Lower Parts]
    A --> C[Grid Plates]
    A --> D[Spacer Plates]
    A --> E[Base Plate]
    A --> F[Loading Pad]
    A --> G[Water Jacket]

    B & C & D & E & F & G --> H[Material: Mild Steel (IS 513)]
    G --> I[Water Jacket: Cold Rolled Carbon Steel]

    H --> J[Tolerances: IS 2102

IS 11593: Assembly and Coupling of Shear Box - Key Points

Components & Materials (Clause 3.1, Table 1)

Assembly Details (Clause 2.1 & 4.1)

• Shear box consists of upper & lower halves coupled by two pins.
• Components include grid plates, spacer plates, loading pad, and water jacket.
• Dimensions and shapes per Figures 1 to 7 (all in mm).
• Dimensional tolerances follow IS 2102 (Part 1) - 1980, medium class.

Coupling Method

• Upper and lower parts are joined by two pins ensuring alignment and load transfer.
• Spacer plates maintain uniform gap.
• Grid plates and loading pad distribute shear force evenly.

Summary Diagram of Assembly:

graph TD
  A[Upper Half of Shear Box]
  B[Lower Half of Shear Box]
  C[Two Coupling Pins]
  D[Grid Plates (2 pairs)]
  E[Spacer Plates]
  F[Loading Pad]
  G[Water Jacket]

  A -- Coupled by --> C
  B -- Coupled by --> C
  A & B -- Contain --> D
  D -- Separated by --> E
  A & B -- Load applied via --> F
  A & B -- Surrounded by --> G

Note: For exact dimensions and hole details, refer to Figures 1-7 in IS 11593 and IS 2102 for tolerances.

IS 11593: Use with Direct Shear Test Methods - Key Points

The standard specifies the Large Shear Box assembly for direct shear tests on soils containing gravel.

Shear Box Components (Clause 2.1)

• Upper and lower halves coupled by two pins.
• Grid plates (2 pairs) to hold soil sample.
• Spacer plates for sample thickness control.
• Loading pad for applying shear force.
• Water jacket for saturation control.

Typical Dimensions (from Fig.1, IS 11593)

Direct Shear Test Essentials (from IS 2720 Part 39)

• Shear strength parameters: [ \tau = c + \sigma \tan \phi ] where,

  • (\tau) = shear stress at failure,
  • (c) = cohesion,
  • (\sigma) = normal stress,
  • (\phi) = angle of internal friction.

• Shear stress calculation: [ \tau = \frac{F}{A} ] where,

  • (F) = shear force,
  • (A) = shear area (cross-sectional area of soil sample).

Notes

• The shear box size must accommodate gravel particles.
• Proper sealing with water jacket ensures saturation control.
• Numerical values should be rounded as per IS rules.

flowchart TD
    A[Soil Sample] --> B[Shear Box (Upper Half)]
    A --> C[Shear Box (Lower Half)]
    B & C --> D[Grid Plates]
    D --> E[Spacer Plates]
    E --> F[Loading Pad]
    F --> G[Apply Shear Force]
    G --> H[Measure Shear Stress]

This setup ensures reliable measurement of soil shear strength for gravelly soils.

Quality Assurance and Certification as per IS 11593:1986

Key Points:

• ISI Certification Mark (Clause 5.1.1):

  • Equipment may bear the ISI mark, indicating compliance with the standard.
  • The ISI mark confirms adherence to a strict system of inspection, testing, and quality control supervised by the Indian Standards Institution (ISI).
  • Continuous surveillance by ISI ensures ongoing conformity.

• Quality Control System:

  • Manufacturers must implement inspection and testing regimes as per ISI guidelines.
  • Licensing conditions for ISI mark use are governed by the Indian Standards Institution (Certification Marks) Act.

• General Tolerances:

  • Follow IS 2102 (Part 1) for tolerances on linear and angular dimensions.

Summary Table for Materials (Clause 3.1, Table 1)

Rounding Off Results

• Follow IS 2:1960 for rounding off test results to ensure consistency.

flowchart TD
    A[Manufacturing Process] --> B[Inspection & Testing]
    B --> C{Quality Control System}
    C -->|Pass| D[ISI Certification Mark]
    C -->|Fail| E[Rectification & Re-testing]
    D --> F[Continuous ISI Surveillance]

In brief: IS 11593 mandates strict quality control, material standards, and ISI certification to ensure equipment reliability and compliance.

IS 11593: References and Related Standards Summary

Key Materials & Standards (Table 1, Clause 3.1)

* IS 513 covers specification for cold rolled carbon steel sheets and strips.

Additional References:

• IS 2:1960 — Rules for rounding off numerical values in reporting test results.
• General tolerances: Refer IS general tolerances for linear/angular dimensions (Part 1).

Marking & Certification:

• Equipment may bear ISI Certification Mark per ISI Certification Marks Act.
• ISI Mark ensures compliance, quality control, and continuous conformity checks.

Summary Diagram: Material-Component-Standard Link

graph TD
A[Shear Box Components] --> B[Upper & Lower Parts]
A --> C[Grid Plates]
A --> D[Spacer Plates]
A --> E[Base Plate]
A --> F[Loading Pad]
A --> G[Water Jacket]

B --> H[Mild Steel]
C --> H
D --> H
E --> H
F --> H
G --> I[Cold Rolled Carbon Steel Sheets]

H --> J[IS 513:1973]
I --> J

For detailed dimensions and construction, refer to figures 2-6 in IS 11593.