Soils with various particle sizes generally show good shear strength. Some soils have a relatively strong resistance to shear failure in spite of narrow particle distribution, such as gap grading. Based on this example, it can be inferred that appropriate arrangements of particle size in soils might result in an increase in shear strength. This study investigates the strength variation of soils with respect to the particle size distribution. Gap, well, and uniform graded soils were prepared with a desired ratio, and a wide range of direct shear tests were done using the prepared samples. The test results show that there is a strong relationship between the particle size ratio and internal frictional angle. Gap graded soil has a greater frictional angle than a well-graded sample, even when specimens have the same maximum particle size, which is also the case for the uniform grade specimen. The results have potential for developing a methodology for stronger soils through a simple manipulation of particle size distribution.
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