The direct shear test, also called shearbox test is generally used for the determination of peak effective shear strength parameters of soils. The ring shear test is generally used for the determination of residual effective shear strength parameters of fine grained soils. Residual effective shear strength parameters can also be obtained from shearbox tests and peak effective shear strength parameters can also be obtained from ring shear tests. The test method consists of placing the test specimen in the direct shear device, applying a pre-determined vertical stress, providing for draining (and wetting if required) of the test specimen, consolidating the specimen under vertical stress and then shearing the specimen. This shearing is imposed by displacing one part horizontally, relatively with respect to the other part of the specimen at a constant rate of shear-deformation. The shearing force and the horizontal and vertical displacements are measured as the specimen is sheared. Shearing is applied slowly enough to allow excess pore pressures to dissipate by drainage so that effective stresses are equal to total stresses.