Improving the direct shear test box for testing on the non-persistent joints in concrete

The discontinuities are formed in different levels of concrete as a result of various curing processes. There are only few cases where cause and location of failure of a concrete structure are limited to a single discontinuity. Usually several discontinuities of limited size interact and eventually form a combined shear plane where failure takes place. So, besides the discontinuities themselves, the regions between adjacent discontinuities, which consist of strong concrete and are called concrete bridges, are of utmost importance for the shear strength of the compound failure plane. Also, the coalescence of non-persistent joints is important factors in controlling the mechanical behavior of brittle rocks and can be caused concrete failure in slopes, foundations and tunnels. Therefore, a comprehensive study on the shear behavior of non-persistent joint can provide a good understanding of both local and general concrete instabilities, leading to an improved design for concrete engineering projects. From last decade, direct shear test have been used to study shear behavior of echelon joint. Whereas, only one horizontal shear failure surface can be formed within the shear box therefore, it’s not possible to perform shear test on the echelon non-persistent joint. This paper introduces the modified shear box so the shear test can be performed on the both of the overlapped and non-overlapped echelon joint.