BS EN ISO 17892-10:2018

What is ISO 17892-10-Direct shear tests for soil assessment about?   

ISO 17892 is an International Standard that discusses geotechnical investigation and laboratory testing of soil. The main aim of the series is to provide best industry testing methods to determine the performance and quality of soil, that contributes to the stability and integrity of foundation construction works. 

ISO 17892-10 is the 10th part of the series that specifies two laboratory test methods for the determination of the effective shear strength of soils under consolidated drained conditions using either a shear box or a ring shear device. 

ISO 17892-10 is applicable to the laboratory determination of effective shear strength parameters for soils in direct shear within the scope of geotechnical investigations.  

Note: ISO 17892-10 fulfils the requirements of the determination of the drained shear strength of soils in direct shear for geotechnical investigation and testing in accordance with EN 1997‑1 and EN 1997‑2. 

Who is ISO 17892-10- Direct shear tests for soil assessment for?  

ISO 17892-10 on laboratory testing of soil is applicable to:  

• Geotechnical engineers and consultants 
• Accredited testing laboratories 
• Civil engineers and contractors 
• Real estate sector 
• Construction companies 
• Land/soil surveyors 

Why should you use ISO 17892-10 Direct shear tests for soil assessment?  

Geotechnical testing is carried out by geotechnical engineers to determine the physical attributes of a worksite and whether or not they can impart the necessary properties for stable and durable foundation construction. In this regard, ISO 17892-10 presents good practices to determine the performance of soil. 

ISO 17892-10 provides laboratory test methods for the determination of the effective shear strength of soils by direct shear within the international field of geotechnical engineering.  It is intended that  ISO 17892-10 specifies two methods for the determination of the effective shear strength of soils under consolidated drained conditions using either a shear box or a ring shear device.  

The shear box test is generally used for the determination of peak effective shear strength parameters of soils, while the ring shear test is generally used for the determination of residual effective shear strength parameters of fine-grained soils. 

By complying with these tests, you can determine the quality and performance of soil and whether or not the bearing capacity it offers is adequate to maintain the structural integrity of your civil engineering works.  

What’s changed since the last update?   

BS EN ISO 17892-10:2018 supersedes ISO/TS 17892-10:2004, which is replaced. BS EN ISO 17892-10:2018 includes some technical changes with respect to ISO/TS 17892-10:2004. These include:  

• General revision of the text and figures and addition of specimen preparation procedures 
• Inclusion of two types of ring shear apparatus; Type A wherein failure occurs at the depth in the specimen defined by the split specimen container and Type B wherein the location of the failure surface is not defined by the apparatus 
• Addition of Annex A on calibration, maintenance and checks 
• Addition of Annex B on additional calculations for effective strength parameters