Coulomb failure criterion

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Coulomb failure criterion The simplest relationship between shear stress (τ) acting parallel to a plane and normal stress (σ) acting perpendicular to the plane at the point of failure. The relationship σ = σo + τtanΦ, where σ0 is the normal stress after failure and Φ is the angle of failure, implies that ρ2 (see PRINCIPAL STRESS AXES) does not affect brittle fracture strength.