Part 7 of BS1377 classes the ring shear test as a Total Stress Test, which
the majority of civil engineers assume to be an undrained test. The ring
shear test is however a drained test; and although the total and effective
stresses are the same when the sample is drained, some confusion may
arise regarding the soil properties derived from the test. It would appear
more logical, therefore, for the test tobe included in Part 8 of BS1377.