Designation: D6467 − 13

Standard Test Method for

Torsional Ring Shear Test to Determine Drained Residual
Shear Strength of Cohesive Soils1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6467; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope* 1.5 All measured and calculated values shall conform to the
1.1 This test method provides a procedure for performing a guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
torsional ring shear test under a drained condition to determine Practice D6026.
the residual shear strength of cohesive soils. An intact speci- 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
men can be used for testing. However, obtaining a natural slip safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
surface specimen, determining the direction of field shearing, responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
and trimming and aligning the usually non-horizontal shear priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
surface in the ring shear apparatus is difficult. As a result, this bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
test method focuses on the use of a reconstituted specimen to
measure the residual strength. This test method is performed by 2. Referenced Documents
deforming a presheared, reconstituted specimen at a controlled 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
displacement rate until the constant drained shear resistance is D422 Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils
offered on a single shear plane determined by the configuration D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
of the apparatus. An unlimited amount of continuous shear Fluids
displacement can be achieved to obtain a residual strength D854 Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by
condition. Generally, three or more normal stresses are applied Water Pycnometer
to a test specimen to determine the drained residual failure D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
envelope. A separate test specimen may be used for each (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
normal stress. D2435 Test Methods for One-Dimensional Consolidation
1.2 A shear stress-displacement relationship may be ob- Properties of Soils Using Incremental Loading
tained from this test method. However, a shear stress-strain D2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering
relationship or any associated quantity, such as modulus, Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)
cannot be determined from this test method because soil D3080 Test Method for Direct Shear Test of Soils Under
extrusion and volume change prevents defining the height Consolidated Drained Conditions
needed in the shear strain calculations. As a result, shear strain D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
cannot be calculated but shear displacement can be calculated. Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
1.3 The selection of normal stresses and determination of D4318 Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and
the shear strength envelope for design analyses and the criteria Plasticity Index of Soils
to interpret and evaluate the test results are the responsibility of D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
the engineer or office requesting the test. Data
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical 3. Terminology
conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for informa- 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
tion only and are not considered standard. method, refer to Terminology D653.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.05 on Strength and
2
Compressibility of Soils. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2013. Published July 2013. Originally approved contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D6467 – 06a. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
D6467-13. the ASTM website.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

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 D6467 − 13
3.2.1 consolidated—soil specimen condition after primary not ensure reliable testing. Reliable testing depends on several factors;
consolidation under a specific normal stress. Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.

3.2.2 presheared—soil specimen condition after shearing to 6. Apparatus

at least one revolution of the ring in the direction of shear to
6.1 Shear Device, to hold the specimen securely between
create a failure surface prior to drained shearing.
two porous discs. The shear device provides a mean for
3.2.3 residual shear force—the shear force is the average applying a normal stress to the faces of the specimen, for
force being applied to the specimen when the shear resistance measuring changes in thickness of the specimen, for permitting
neither increases nor decreases with continued shear displace- drainage of water through the porous discs at the top and
ment. bottom boundaries of the specimen, and for submerging the
3.2.4 residual shear strength—the minimum constant resis- specimen in water. The device is capable of applying a torque
tance of soil to shear along a fully developed failure surface to the specimen along a shear plane parallel to the faces of the
and equals the residual shear force divided by the cross- specimen. A number of different ring shear devices are com-
sectional area of the specimen. mercially available, in practice, or are being developed so a
3.2.5 drained residual strength state—the state at which a general description of a ring shear device is presented without
soil exhibits residual shear strength and shear stress – shear schematic diagrams. The location of the shear plane depends
displacement relationship becomes almost horizontal. on the configuration of the apparatus. As a result, the shear
plane may be located near a soil/porous disc interface or at the
4. Summary of Test Method mid-height of the specimen if an upper ring can be separated
4.1 This test method consists of placing the specimen in the from a bottom ring as is done in a direct shear box. The device
annular specimen container, applying a predetermined normal shall have low friction along the inner and outer walls of the
stress through the top loading platen, providing for wetting and specimen container developed during shearing. Friction may
draining of the specimen (optional); consolidating the speci- be reduced by having the shear plane occur at the top of the
men under the normal stress; decreasing the normal stress to specimen container, modifying the specimen container walls
yield an overconsolidated specimen; preshearing the specimen with low-friction material. The frames that hold the specimen
by rotating the specimen container against the top loading shall be sufficiently rigid to prevent their distortion during
platen for one revolution; applying a constant rate of shear shearing. The various parts of the shear device shall be made of
deformation rotation; and measuring the torque/shearing force a material such as stainless steel, bronze, or coated aluminum
and rotation displacement until a constant value of shearing that is not subject to corrosion by moisture or substances within
resistance is reached. the soil. Dissimilar metals, which may cause galvanic action,
are not permitted.
5. Significance and Use 6.2 Specimen Container, a device containing an annular
5.1 The ring shear test is suited to the relatively rapid cavity for the soil specimen with an inside diameter not less
determination of drained residual shear strength because of the than 50 mm (2 in.) and an inside to outside diameter ratio not
short drainage path through the thin specimen, and the capa- less than 0.6. The container has provisions for drainage through
bility of testing one specimen under different normal stresses to the top and bottom. The initial specimen depth, before con-
quickly obtain a shear strength envelope. solidation and preshearing, is not less than 5 mm (0.2 in.). The
maximum particle size is limited to 10 % of the initial
5.2 The test results are primarily applicable to assess the
specimen height as stated in the test specimen description.
shear strength in slopes that contain a preexisting shear surface,
such as old landslides, soliflucted slopes, and sheared bedding 6.3 Torque Arm/Loading Platen Assembly, may have differ-
planes, joints, or faults. ent bearing stops for the proving rings, load cells, or force or
torque transducers to provide different options for the torque
5.3 The apparatus allows a reconstituted specimen to be
measurement.
overconsolidated and presheared prior to drained shearing.
This simulates the field conditions that lead to a preexisting 6.4 Porous Discs, two bronze or stainless steel porous discs
shear surface along which the drained residual strength can be mounted on the top loading platen and the bottom of the
mobilized. specimen container cavity to allow drainage from the soil
specimen along the top and bottom boundaries. The inserts aid
5.4 The ring shear device keeps the cross-sectional area of
in transfer of shear stress to the top and bottom boundaries of
the shear surface constant during shear and shears the specimen
the specimen. The inserts must be sufficiently serrated to
continuously in one rotational direction for any magnitude of
develop a strong interlock with the soil specimen. The perme-
displacement. This allows clay particles to become oriented
ability of the inserts shall be substantially greater than that of
parallel to the direction of shear and a residual strength
the soil, but shall be textured fine enough to prevent excessive
condition to develop.
intrusion of the soil into the pores of the insert. The outer and
NOTE 1—Notwithstanding the statements on precision and bias con- inner diameters of the inserts shall be 0.1 mm (0.004 in.) less,
tained in this test method: The precision of this test method is dependent and greater than those of the specimen annular cavity, respec-
on the competence of the personnel performing it and the suitability of the
equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice tively. The serration should have a depth of between 10 and
D3740 are generally considered capable of competent testing. Users of 15 % of the initial specimen height. The porous discs shall be
this test method are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does clean and free from cracks, chips, and nonuniformities. New

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 D6467 − 13
porous discs should be boiled for at least 10 minutes and left in A field shear surface may consist of small seams of clayey
the water to cool to ambient temperature before use. Immedi- material surrounded by material with a coarser gradation. If so,
ately after each use, clean the porous discs with a nonabrasive only the clayey shear zone material should be tested and not the
brush and boil to remove clay particles that may reduce their coarser surrounding material to simulate field shearing condi-
permeability. tions. The intact specimen should be trimmed by ensuring
minimization of moisture loss or gain.
NOTE 2—Exact criteria for porous disc texture and permeability have
not been established. The grade of the porous disc shall be fine enough to 7.3 Reconstituted silt and clay specimens may be prepared
prevent intrusion of soil into the pores. For normal soil testing, medium- by crushing an air-dried representative sample and passing it
grade inserts with a permeability of about 5.0 × 10–4 to 1.0 × 10–3 cm/s
(0.5 to 1.0 × 103 ft/year) are appropriate for testing silts and clays. It is
through the U.S. Standards No. 200 sieve.
important that the permeability of the porous disc is not reduced by the 7.4 Reconstituted specimens of heavily overconsolidated
collection of soil particles in the pores of the insert; hence frequent clays, mudstones, claystones, and shales may be prepared by
checking and cleaning (by flushing and boiling, or by ultrasonic cleaning)
is required to ensure that the permeability is not reduced. ball-milling an air-dried representative sample and passing it
through the U.S. Standard No. 200 sieve. The ball-milling
6.5 Loading Devices: facilitates disaggregation of the clay particles and reduces the
6.5.1 Device for Applying and Measuring the Normal shear displacement required to achieve a residual strength
Force—Normal force is usually applied by a lever-loading condition. If ball-milling is not used, greater shear displace-
yoke that is activated by dead weights (masses) or by any ment will be required to disaggregate the clay particles and
automatic loading mechanism. The device shall be capable of achieve a residual strength condition in the apparatus. The
rapidly applying and maintaining the normal force to within additional shear displacement can be large and create testing
61 % of the specified force. problems such as significant soil extrusion and wall friction.
6.5.2 Device for Shearing the Specimen—This device shall
be capable of shearing the specimen at a uniform rate of 7.5 Another technique for obtaining a reconstituted speci-
rotation, with less than 65 % deviation. The rate to be applied men is pushing a representative sample, at the as-received
depends upon the consolidation characteristics of the soil (see water content, through the U.S. Standard No. 200 sieve. Soil
9.5.1). The rate is usually maintained with an electric motor with more than 10 % organic content is to be reconstituted
and gear box arrangement. without drying.
6.6 Shear Force Measurement Device, two proving rings, 7.6 After processing, the reconstituted sample should be
load cells, in combination with a lever arm or a torque mixed with site specific water/fluid or distilled water until a
transducers accurate to measure a force of 0.2 N (0.05 lbf). water content near the liquid limit is obtained. Using this water
content minimizes the amount of air trapped during placement
6.7 Water Bath, container for the shear device and water of the soil paste into the annular cavity of specimen container.
needed to inundate the specimen. A water content between the liquid and plastic limits can be
6.8 Controlled High-Humidity Enviroment—For preparing used if air is not likely to be trapped in the annular cavity. The
the specimen, such that the water content gain or loss during soil paste should then be allowed to rehydrate for 24 h
specimen rehydration is minimized. preferably in a humidity control environment before transfer-
6.9 Deformation Indicators—Dial gage, or other suitable ring it to a specimen container.
device, capable of measuring the change in thickness of the 7.7 Care is to be taken during crushing and mixing opera-
specimen, with a sensitivity of 0.0025 mm (0.0001 in.). Etched tions to avoid introducing impurities into the sample.
scale on circumference of the ring base to measure the degrees 7.8 A spatula is used to place the soil paste into the annular
traveled, and thus the shear displacement, or other methods specimen cavity. The top of the specimen is planed flush with
capable of obtaining a sensitivity of 2°. the top of the specimen container.
6.10 Equipment for Determination of Water Content, in 7.9 The liquid limit, plastic limit, and clay-size fraction of
accordance in Test Method D2216. the specimens are measured using the ball-milled or sieved soil
6.11 Miscellaneous Equipment, including timing device samples that are used to create the test specimen.
with a second hand, site-specific, test water (distilled or
demineralized), mortar, pestle, spatulas, razor blades, 8. Calibration
straightedge, and so forth. 8.1 The calibration is to determine the deformation of the
apparatus, exclusive from the specimen, when subjected to the
7. Test Specimen consolidation load. The apparatus deformation at each consoli-
7.1 The sample used for specimen preparation is to be dation load should be subtracted from the observed deforma-
sufficiently large so that a ring shear specimen and specimens tions during a test. Therefore, only deformation caused by
for index property tests can be prepared. specimen consolidation will be reported for complete tests.
7.2 If an intact specimen is desired, the sample obtained 8.2 Assemble the ring-shear device with the porous discs
from the shear surface should be trimmed to produce an and a metal calibration disk or plate of a thickness approxi-
annular specimen. Trimming of specimen can be accomplished mately equal to the desired test specimen and slightly smaller
using an annular trimming ring to facilitate trimming and in width. The metal calibration disk shall have parallel end
insertion of the specimen into the annular specimen container. surfaces finished to a high degree of precision, and be clean

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 D6467 − 13
without any grit. Similarly, the sample holder shall be clean t f 5 11.6 t 90 (2)
without any grit. Record the zero or “no load” reading.
where:
8.3 Apply increments of normal force up to the equipment t90 = time required for the specimen to achieve 90 %
limitations, and record the normal displacement indicator consolidation under the maximum normal stress
reading and normal force. Remove the applied normal force in (increment), min.
reverse sequence of the applied force, and record the normal
displacement indicator readings and normal force. Plot the 9.3 Wall Friction Reduction—Wall friction may be signifi-
load-deformation relationship of the apparatus as a function of cant during the shearing process causing an overestimate of the
normal load. Retain the results for future reference in deter- residual shear strength, therefore, reduction in wall friction is
mining the thickness of the test specimen and compression necessary. If the specimen container consists of a single piece
within the test apparatus itself. of metal, the amount of wall friction depends on the magnitude
of top platen settlement into the specimen container, type of
8.4 Remove the calibration disk or plate. soil, and material lining of the specimen container walls. In this
8.5 Calibration for the equipment load-deformation charac- type of specimen container, the thickness of soil trapped
teristics needs to be performed on the apparatus when first between the inner and outer walls of the specimen container
placed in service, or when apparatus parts are changed. and the upper porous disc should be minimized. If the
NOTE 3—Other methods of proven accuracy for calibrating the appa-
specimen container can be separated into two pieces, the
ratus are acceptable. opening between the upper and lower halves should be wide
enough to prevent particles from being trapped in the opening
9. Procedure and that shearing occurs at this opening. Other techniques also
9.1 Assemble the specimen container. can be used to reduce wall friction.
9.2 Preconsolidation: 9.4 Preshearing—Create a shear surface using the following
9.2.1 Place and secure the specimen container containing steps:
the specimen into the empty water bath that is attached to the 9.4.1 Unload the specimen to the lowest desired normal
apparatus. Place the top platen with the moist porous disc over stress.
the top of the specimen. 9.4.2 Swing the two proving rings or load cell assemblies
9.2.2 Place a small seating load so that the normal stress toward the torque arm so that the two bearing adjustment rods
applied to the specimen including the seating load and the top create a right angle with the bearing stops on the torque arm.
platen is approximately 3.0 kPa (0.4 psi). Secure the proving ring or load cell assemblies into place using
9.2.3 Attach and adjust the vertical displacement measure- clamps. A torque transducer assembly may not require this
ment device and obtain the initial time and vertical displace- step.
ment reading. 9.4.3 Shear the specimen slowly by selecting the shear
9.2.4 Fill the water bath with test water, and keep it full for displacement rate less than 25 degrees/min. Specimen should
the duration of the consolidation phase. be sheared by rotating the ring shear base to one complete
9.2.5 Consolidate the specimen to the highest desired nor- revolution. Slow rate of shear displacement is selected to
mal stress for the shear strength envelope using a load minimize soil extrusion.
increment ratio of unity. For each load increment, verify 9.4.4 Swing the proving ring or load cell rods away from the
completion of primary consolidation using Test Method D2435 torque arm. A torque transducer assembly may not require this
before proceeding. step.
9.2.6 When data for the maximum consolidation increment
9.4.5 Ensure dissipation of any excess pore water pressure
yields a well defined normal deformation versus log time
induced during preshearing by allowing sufficient time to the
relationship which extends into secondary compression, the
specimen after preshearing until vertical displacement becomes
relationship should be interpreted as in Test Method D2435 and
almost negligible.
the time to failure should be computed using the following
equation: 9.5 Shearing:
t f 5 50 t 50 (1) 9.5.1 Select the appropriate displacement rate to minimize
shear-induced pore water pressure. The following equation is
where: used as a guide to estimate an appropriate rate of shear:
tf = total estimated elapsed time to failure, min, and d r 5 d f /t f (3)
t50 = time required for the specimen to achieve 50 %
consolidation under the maximum normal stress where:
increment, min. dr = displacement rate, mm/min (in./min),
9.2.7 When data for the maximum consolidation increment df = estimated shear displacement at failure, mm (in.), and
do not satisfy the requirements of 9.2.5 but yield a well defined tf = estimated total elapsed time to failure, min.
normal deformation versus root time relationship, the relation- NOTE 4—Rapid shearing of the test specimen may produce partially
drained shear results that differ from the drained strength of the material.
ship should be interpreted as in Test Method D2435 and the As a guide, a rotation rate of 0.03 degree/min is usually required for a clay
time to failure should be computed using the following of high plasticity with an initial specimen height of 5 mm (0.2 in.). This
equation: slow rotation rate can be used for other soils if better information to

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 D6467 − 13
estimate shear rate is unavailable. Rotation rate is converted to displace- 3 ~ F 1 1F 2 ! L
ment rate by considering the rotation along mean diameter of sample or τ5 (4)
4π ~ R 32 2 R 31 !
the conversion factor provided in the manual.
NOTE 5—The magnitude of the estimated displacement at failure is where:
dependent on many factors including the type of soil. As a guide, use df = τ = shear stress, MPa (lbf/in.2),
5 mm (0.2 in.) for a clay of high plasticity (CH) or a silt of high plasticity
(MH), and use df = 2.5 mm (0.1 in.) for silt of low plasticity (ML), clay F1, F2 = load on the proving rings, load cells, or force
of low plasticity (CL), silty sand (SM), or clayey sand (SC). transducer, N (lbf),
NOTE 6—The preceding equation is being used to estimate the displace- R1, R2 = inner and outer specimen radii, mm (in.), and
ment rate for shearing an intact soil specimen in which the shear L = torque arm length, mm (in.).
displacement required to reach the drained peak strength, or structure
failure, can be easily defined. However, the equation can also be used as 10.1.2 Calculate normal stress acting on the failure plane as
a guide for shearing a presheared specimen. Failure would be taken to follows:
correspond to the shear stress attained for the presheared specimen.
P
9.5.2 Set the shere displacement rate. σ'n 5 (5)
π ~ R 22 2 R 21 !
9.5.3 Activate the shear stress measurement system by
where:
repeating 9.4.2.
σ'n = normal stress, MPa (lbf/in.2), and
NOTE 7—The proving ring, load cell, or force transducer rods should be P = normal vertical force acting on the specimen, N (lbf).
at a right angle to the torque arm. A small set square is useful in
establishing right angles. 10.1.3 Displacement Rate—Calculate the actual average
9.5.4 Record the initial time; vertical and shear displace- displacement rate by dividing the average shear displacement
ments; and proving ring, load cell, force, or torque transducer by the elapsed time, or report the rate used for the test:
readings. d r 5 d h /t e (6)
9.5.5 Start the apparatus and initiate shear. where:
9.5.6 Obtain data readings of time, vertical and shear
dr = shear displacement rate, mm/min (in./min),
displacement, and shear force at desired intervals of displace- dh = shear displacement, mm (in.) = degrees traveled
ment.
9.5.7 After the soil is in a well-defined residual strength S DS
π
180°
R 1 1R 2
2 D
, and
state, stop the apparatus. The residual strength state is achieved
when the shear stress – shear displacement relationship be- te = elapsed time of test, min.
comes almost horizontal, which usually requires a shear
10.2 Shear Stress – Displacement and Shear Stress –
displacement of 10 mm (0.4 in.) for a presheared specimen.
Normal Stress Graphs:
The residual strength state can be verified using the plotting
technique in accordance with 10.2.1. 10.2.1 For each normal stress, prepare a graph of shear
stress versus shear displacement. From these graphs, select the
9.5.8 Deactivate shear stress measurement system.
value of residual shear strength for each normal stress by
9.5.9 Apply the next higher normal stress using a load
determining the minimum shear stress value. The minimum
increment ratio (LIR) of one-half or unity to minimize soil
shear stress occurs at the horizontal portion of the shear
extrusion. LIR is defined as the change in pressure divided by
stress-shear displacement relationship.
the precondition pressure. Allow the specimen to dissipate
10.2.2 Prepare a graph of normal stress versus shear stress
excess pore water pressure induced by the increased normal
using the same scale for each axis. Plot the values of residual
stress by monitoring vertical displacement or volume change.
shear strength determined in 10.2.1 and construct the shear
Repeat the shearing process.
strength envelope to define the residual shear strength of the
9.5.10 Continue this procedure until all of the specified
soil as a function of normal stress. The shear strength envelope
normal stresses have been applied and all data have been
may be nonlinear, that is, stress dependent, and should pass
recorded. Alternatively, a new specimen may be introduced for
through the origin.
each desired normal stress.
9.5.11 Remove the normal force and swing the proving ring
11. Report: Test Data Sheet(s)/Form(s)
or load cell assemblies away from the torque arm. A torque
transducer assembly may not require this step. 11.1 The methodology used to specify how data are re-
9.5.12 Separate the top platen from the specimen container corded on the test data sheets)/form(s), as given below, is
with a sliding motion along the failure plane. Do not pull the covered in 1.5.
top platen perpendicular to the failure surface, since it would 11.2 Record the following general information (data):
damage the specimen. Photograph, sketch, or describe in 11.2.1 Sample/specimen identification information, such as
writing the failure surface. Project No., Boring No., Sample No., Depth (units), Location,
Type of Sample, for example, slip surface material.
10. Calculation 11.2.2 Method of obtaining the sample.
10.1 Calculate the following: 11.2.3 Special selection and preparation process, such as
10.1.1 Calculate average shear stress that resists slippage removal of gravel or other materials, or identification of their
between the two surfaces of the failure plane as follows: presence, if intact or reconstituted specimen.

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 D6467 − 13
11.2.4 If the specimen is reconstituted or trimmed in a 11.4.1 The magnitude of effective normal stress applied to
specialized manner, provide information on the method of the specimen to two or three significant digits.
reconstitution, etc. 11.4.2 Key specimen parameters prior to shearing, such as
11.2.5 Description of ring shear device used in this test amount of settlement during consolidation, specimen thickness
method, including normal stress and shear stress application. prior to shearing, amount of soil added to increase specimen
11.2.6 Description of ring shear monitoring equipment for thickness during or after consolidation, initial inner and outer
shear stress, displacement, and normal stress used in this test radii of soil specimen.
method. 11.5 Record the following shearing data:
11.3 Record the following test specimen data: 11.5.1 The technique used to minimize wall friction be-
11.3.1 Name of technician, date, time, and laboratory con- tween the top platen and specimen container walls.
ditions (temperature, etc.). 11.5.2 The location of the failure surface.
11.3.2 The initial mass, length, diameter, area, and volume 11.5.3 Rate of shear displacement, and corresponding re-
of the specimen, to either three or four significant digits. sidual shear strength value and specimen thickness changes.
11.3.3 Description of soil in the specimen, Classification 11.5.4 For each effective normal stress, a graph of shear
D2487 for classification, Test Method D4318 for liquid and stress versus shear displacement (see 10.2.1) and a graph of
plastic limits, and Test Method D422 for grain size data. shear displacement versus vertical displacement.
11.3.4 Record specific gravity of soils as obtained using Test 11.5.5 A graph of effective normal stress versus shear stress
Method D854. showing the residual shear strength values and the constructed
11.3.5 Initial water content of the prepared specimen as it is failure envelope (see 10.2.2).
placed in the test apparatus using Test Method D2216 recorded
to two or three significant digits. 12. Precision and Bias
11.3.6 Initial dry density or dry unit weight of the specimen
at start of shear. 12.1 Precision—The precision of Test Method D6467 is
11.3.7 Initial percent saturation of the specimen and percent being determined and will be available on or before September
saturation at the end of the test. 2012. It is not feasible to specify the precision of this test
11.3.8 Liquid limit, plastic limit, and clay-size fraction of method at this time because no material having an acceptable
the test specimen as obtained using Test Method D4318. reference value is available.
11.3.9 Whether or not the specimen is intact or reconsti- 12.2 Bias—No information can be presented on the bias of
tuted. Test Method D6467 because no material having an acceptable
11.3.10 Whether or not the specimen was presheared and if reference value is available.
so how the specimen was presheared and over what displace-
ment. 13. Keywords
11.3.11 Whether the same specimen or a new specimen was 13.1 consolidated; drained test conditions; Mohr-Coulomb
introduced for each normal stress. strength envelope; reconstituted specimens; residual shear
11.4 Record the following test boundary conditions: strength; ring-shear test; torsional ring shear test

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee D18 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(D6467 – 06a) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved May 1, 2013.)

(1) Replaced throughout the word ‘undistrubed’ with ‘intact.’ (4) Revised 6.8.
(2) Added D3080 to Section 2 and added 9.2.6 and 9.2.7 to (5) Deleted 7.6 and Note 7, and renumbered subsequent areas
make it consistent with D3080. accordingly.
(3) Added 3.2.5 and 11.3.1.

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