Peak states - The Mechanics of Soils and Foundations - page 144

Figure 10.3 Region of peak states.

Figure 10.4 Mohr-Coulomb lines for peak states.

where the subscripts p are there to make it clear that Eq. (10.1) relates to the peak
state and the subscript e in c pe is there because the cohesion intercept depends on the
voids ratio.
There are a number of important things to notice about the peak states shown in
Fig. 10.4. The peak friction angle φ c and the

peak state lines meet the critical state line at points such as A 1 and A 2 . For any states to
the right of the critical state line in Fig. 10.4(b) the soil is on the wet side of critical and,

φ p is less than the critical friction angle