A theory for the shear strength of rockfill

A Theory for the Shear Strength of Rockfill Existing knowledge of the meaning of the shear strength of rock fill, and of how and why it varies is inadequate. Shear strength is shown to be controlled by the basic angle of friction of rock on rock (Φ u ), the voids ratio (e) and the particle breakage (B) and to be dependent on the ratio of major to minor principal stresses. Using statistical methods combined with some simple assumptions based on experimental work formulas are derived for the shear strength of rock fill. Theoretical results are compared with the results of laboratory triaxial tests.