Shear strength is a prime behavior of soil. Shear strength parameters are C and φ. Different factors are affecting the shear strength parameters of soil. They are given in the following:

  • Drainage Condition: Drainage condition affects shear strength. In the Triaxial test apparatus, there are options for finding shear strength in both drained and undrained conditions.
  • Soil Composition: Soil of different characteristics (different mineralogy, grain size and grain size distribution, particle shape, porous content, ions on grain, and ions in pore fluid.) have different shear strengths. 
  • Initial State: Soil can be in any initial state like loose, dense, over-consolidated, normally consolidated, stiff, soft, etc.
  • Structure: Structure means an arrangement of particles in the soil mass. Different features such as layers, voids, pockets, cementation, etc, are part of the structure.