What is the primary factor affecting the shear strength of saturated clay?

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Question: What is the primary factor affecting the shear strength of saturated clay?

Options:

Correct Answer: Effective stress

Solution:

The shear strength of saturated clay is primarily affected by effective stress, as described by Terzaghi\'s principle of effective stress.

What is the primary factor affecting the shear strength of saturated clay?

What is the primary factor affecting the shear strength of saturated clay?

Step 1: Understand what shear strength means. Shear strength is the ability of a material, like clay, to resist sliding or failure when a force is applied.
Step 2: Know what saturated clay is. Saturated clay is clay that is fully filled with water, meaning there are no air pockets.
Step 3: Learn about effective stress. Effective stress is the stress that contributes to the strength of the soil. It is calculated by subtracting the pore water pressure from the total stress.
Step 4: Recognize Terzaghi's principle of effective stress. This principle states that the strength of saturated soil depends on the effective stress, not just the total stress.
Step 5: Conclude that the primary factor affecting the shear strength of saturated clay is effective stress, as it determines how much strength the clay has to resist sliding.

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