TRIAXIAL TEST

INTRODUCTION The Triaxial Test is the most widely used and most versatile means of observing the shear strength characteristics of soil, carried out on undisturbed samples of clays, silt or soft rocks. It includes enclosing a soil sample in a pressurised chamber which subjects the sample to compressive stresses in three mutually perpendicular directions. The vertical compressive stress is then increased in excess of the horizontal stresses until eventually the soil fails in shear or strains to such a point that excessive deformation results. Means are provided to vary the drainage conditions, to monitor vertical deformation, to observe volume change of the sample and to monitor pore water pressure during testing. Due to the versatility and costs involved, the Shear Box test is usually preferred more compared to the Triaxial test when observing the shear strength characteristics of a particular test. DISCUSSION OF WORK APPARATUS Loading ram; o-ring; valve; perspex loading cap; Brass cap (with greased bottom face); thin rubber disc; flexible drainage pipe; soil sample; perspex cylinder; rubber membrane; air release valve; drainage; pore water pressure measurement. PROCESS Soil sample is mounted on a pedestal base which is attached to the base plate of the triaxial cell. The sample is enclosed in a thin rubber membrane so it is effectively sealed from interaction with the fluid used to provide the all-round (cell) pressure. A klinger valve was then connected to the base plate of the cell, allowing the fluid in the cell and surrounding the externally sealed sample to be pressurized. The vertical load is then allowed to come into contact with the sample by means of a plunger fitted in a rotation bush in the top plate of the cell. The vertical load, transmitted to the sample via the plunger fitted into the top plate of the triaxial cell, is increased gradually to cause shear failure of the sample.

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ERROR ANALYSIS An error with the actual machine could have occurred thus giving inadequate readings, that is, the machine calibration error. The recording of the actual readings Calculation errors Miss interpretation of the results The test could have failed from the start

GRAPH ANALYSIS Deviator stress against strain is calculated. The data is then used to plot the curve of deviator stress against strain. The maximum value (at the peak point or failure condition) is located and denoted by (1 3) and the corresponding values of strain and pore pressure After attaining the values of 1 and 3 the Mohr circles of effective stress were drawn to represent the relevant criteria of failure.

CONCLUSION The test was a success as adequate knowledge was gained with respect to the shearing properties and failure criteria of soil. The three Mohr circles from the set gave the effective angle of shear resistance and the intercept with the vertical axis gave the effective cohesion C. From the graphs of Shear strength against Normal effective pressure the results of Cud and ud (shear strength and normal effective pressure) were determined as -- kpa and ---o and are the effective stress parameters. For the results of C and the validity of the shear strength calculation is largely dependent on the accuracy of pore-water pressure observations. Due to drainage of the sample under uniform back pressures with their different cell pressure, the pore volume decreased and the effective stress became the difference between the cell pressure and the back pressure after the deviator stress was applied.

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The different soil structures responded differently with 1 being similar to 3 (having different strength) and deviator stress at failure varies in each case. From the graph of deviator stress and axial strain, it was possible to determine the maximum value at peak point for sample 3, 2 and 1 material which were 35.957, 7.892, 13.608 and the deviator stress at failure for the three soil sample.

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