Shear strength of a soil is a unique function of

A. effective stress only

B. total stress only

C. both effective stress and total stress

D. none of the above

Answer: Option C

Solution(By Examveda Team)

In soil mechanics, the shear strength of a soil is a unique function of

both effective stress and total stress.

The shear strength of soil depends on both the effective stress and the total stress acting on the soil mass.

Effective stress refers to the stress carried by the soil grains themselves, while total stress includes the stress carried by both the soil grains and the pore water.

Therefore, the correct option is both effective stress and total stress.