In geotechnical engineering, which unit is commonly used to express shear strength?

In geotechnical engineering, shear strength is commonly expressed in terms of pressure or stress, which is typically measured in units such as kilopascals (kPa). Shear strength is a crucial property of soil and other geological materials, as it indicates the material's ability to resist sliding and failure under applied loads. Kilopascals are a standard metric unit of pressure, making them widely used in engineering applications.

While pounds per square foot is another unit used in some contexts, particularly in the United States, it is less common in scientific and international applications compared to kilopascals. Newton-meters, which measure torque or moment rather than pressure, do not apply to shear strength. Atmospheres, although a unit of pressure, are not as frequently utilized in geotechnical contexts as kilopascals, especially in scenarios where precise measurements and calculations are required. Therefore, kilopascals is the preferred and correct unit for expressing shear strength in geotechnical engineering.