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This paper describes a fundamental study to explore the role of particle shape in the shear behaviour of mixtures of sand and fine particles (fines) through macro-scale and grain-scale laboratory experiments together with interpretations in the framework of critical state soil mechanics and conceptual micromechanics models. Two non-plastic fines of distinct shape (angular crushed silica fines and rounded glass beads) were added to two uniform quartz sands (Toyoura sand and Fujian sand) to produce four binary mixtures. Laboratory quantification of particle shape and size was conducted for both fines and sands, and a series of undrained triaxial tests was performed to investigate the overall response of the mixed soils at different percentages of fines. One of the significant findings is that the critical state friction angle of a mixed soil is affected not only by the shape of coarse particles but also by the shape of fine …