Factors affecting the shearing strength of cohesionless soils:

Particle size: The shearing strength of cohesionless soils is influenced by the particle size. As the particle size increases, the shearing strength also increases due to the increased interlocking of particles.

Particle shape: The shape of particles affects the shearing strength of cohesionless soils. Angular particles provide better interlocking, increasing the shearing strength, whereas rounded particles reduce the interlocking, leading to lower shearing strength.

Particle gradation: The distribution of particle sizes in the soil affects its shearing strength. Well-graded soils with a variety of particle sizes tend to have higher shearing strength compared to poorly graded soils.

Effective stress: The shearing strength of cohesionless soils is also dependent on the effective stress acting on the soil mass. Higher effective stress results in higher shearing strength.

Intergranular friction: The frictional resistance between soil particles, known as intergranular friction, plays a crucial role in determining the shearing strength of cohesionless soils. Higher intergranular friction leads to higher shearing strength.

Overconsolidation: The shearing strength of cohesionless soils can also be affected by the soil's previous stress history. Overconsolidated soils have higher shearing strength compared to normally consolidated soils.
In conclusion, the shearing strength of cohesionless soils is influenced by various factors such as particle size, shape, gradation, effective stress, intergranular friction, and overconsolidation. Understanding these factors is essential for assessing the stability and behavior of soils in geotechnical engineering projects.