CEL 321

Unconsolidated undrained test

>> To determine the shear strength of the
soil by Unconsolidated Undrained test.
CYCLE 5
TUESDAY GROUP
DATE OF PERFORMANCE: 5 AUGUST
2014
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 13 AUGUST
2014
Objective: To determine the shear strength of the soil by Unconsolidated Undrained (UU) test.
Significance: A quick test to obtain the shear strength parameters of both fine and coarse
grained soils either in undisturbed or remoulded state.
The test is not applicable when the rate of construction is slow allowing consolidation of soil.
The test is different from the UCS test in a way that the confinement from the surrounding soil
inside the ground can be simulated by applying water. Remember that UCS is unconfined.
Hence the test is representative of soils in construction sites where the rate of construction is very
fast and the pore waters do not have enough time to dissipate.
Total stress parameters are obtained as portion of load applied is also received by the water.
Quick results. Economical testing. The designs using UU parameters are mostly conservative.

Scope: This test method covers determination of the strength and stress-strain relationships of a
cylindrical specimen of either undisturbed or remoulded cohesive soil. Specimens are subjected to a
confining fluid pressure in a triaxial chamber. No drainage of the specimen is permitted during the
test. The specimen is sheared in compression without drainage at a constant rate of axial
deformation (strain controlled).
This test helps determine the undrained shear strength properties as well as stress strain relations of
soil. This test method provides for the measurement of the total stresses applied to the specimen,
that is, the stresses are not corrected for pore-water pressure.
Equipment used:
Triaxial Machine
Specimen preparation equipment
Sample extruder
Balance
Theoretical formulation: The Universal Testing Machine consists of a loading frame and a
loading platen. The upper crosshead on the loading frame can be adjusted to accommodate triaxial
cells of various sizes. The triaxial cell is placed on a platen which can be moved up or down by either
of two hand wheels or by an electric motor. The rate of movement of the platen can be changed and
controlled by using different combinations of gears. As the loading platen is raised, the piston at the
top of the cell is forced downwards and this action applies an axial load to the top of the sample. The
magnitude of the load is determined by taking dial readings on a calibrated proving ring and the axial
deformation of the sample are measured with a second dial gauge.
Other major component is the Pressure Control Panel. The panel is connected to a water supply
system and to a pressure system. Each of the three vertical sections on the right hand side of the
panel is connected to a port on the triaxial cell. A three-way valve in the upper left corner is used to
select a particular port. The pressure to each port is regulated through a regulator that is located at
the top of the panel and the pressure is monitored or controlled with a digital display.
Another three-way valve (located immediately below the regulator) allows three options: to open
the port to atmospheric pressure, to apply a vacuum or to apply a pressure. A device consisting of an
annular pipette is located below the three-way valve. The pipette is used to measure volume
changes that occur in the sample during drained tests. The third major component is the Pressure
Control Panel. The panel is connected to a water supply system and to a pressure system. Each of
the three vertical sections on the right hand side of the panel is connected to a port on the triaxial
cell. A three-way valve in the upper left corner is used to select a particular port. The pressure to
each port is regulated through a regulator that is located at the top of the panel and the pressure is
monitored or controlled with a digital display. Another three-way valve (located immediately below
the regulator) allows three options: to open the port to atmospheric pressure, to apply a vacuum or
to apply a pressure. A device consisting of an annular pipette is located below the three-way valve.
The pipette is used to measure volume changes that occur in the sample during drained tests.

Test Procedure:
Remoulded specimens are prepared in the laboratory depending on the proctors data at the
required optimum water content.
If testing undisturbed specimens retrieved from the ground by various sampling techniques, trim
the samples into regular triaxial specimen dimensions (1.4 x 3.0).
There will be a significant variation in strength of undisturbed and remoulded samples.
Measure the diameter and length of the specimen to be tested.
Prior to testing, avoid any moisture loss in the sample, place on a triaxial base (acrylic) over a
porous stone. Another porous stone is placed over sample and it is covered with a rubber membrane
(it should not be leaking). The ends of the sample are assumed to be frictionless.
Two o rings are placed above and 2 below the sample to avoid water seepage.
The triaxial cell is placed above the sample and required confinement is applied simulating the
effect of surrounding soil at that depth by filling the cell with water.
The rate of strain is maintained at 0.76 mm/min as per ASTM specifications.
Readings of proving ring and strain gauge are noted at regular intervals of .2mm deflection.The
test is stopped when there is a drop observed in the strain versus load plot.
Peak value gives the value of deviatoric stress at failure and mohr circle was plotted.The test was
repeated for 2 other confining pressures and shear strength parameters were obtained from mohr
coulomb failure curve.


Data Interpretation: The test results were saved as an EXCEL sheet and contain the load (in
kg-force) and strain in (mm).


Area correction is applied in the interpretation of the results as the cross section of the sample
doesnt remain constant as the load is increased. There will be an observed bulge at the middle of
the specimen due to which it is almost presumptive to consider uniform stress throughout the
specimen length. However, the volume of the specimen is assumed constant.
RESULT: Shear strength parameters:
C=1.62kg/sq.cm
Phi=8
0
=45+4=49
0