Shearing Resistance of Soil—Its Measurement and Practical Significance by William S. Housel offers an in-depth exploration of soil’s shearing resistance, a critical property affecting civil engineering and construction practices. Associate Professor Housel, from the University of Michigan, presents his findings at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Testing Materials in June 1939. This work differentiates between cohesive and granular soils, discussing the concept of shearing resistance, its objective and subjective attributes, and the practical techniques for its measurement. Housel critiques established theories, such as apparent and true cohesion, emphasizing the role of molecular forces and the behavior of plastic solids. He introduces methods like the transverse shear test to evaluate soil’s shearing resistance, comparing experimental findings to practical applications in engineering projects. The publication, a reprint from the copyrighted proceedings, offers valuable insights into soil mechanics, challenging traditional concepts and proposing practical solutions based on empirical data. This bulletin is part of a series published by the Department of Engineering Research at the University of Michigan, and is aimed at addressing specific engineering problems and advancing the field through rigorous research and innovative methodologies.