Geotechnical Engineering-II Lab

CE-313L
CH (0+1)

Instructor: Engr. Zia Ullah

Email: zia_uet@yahoo.com

Department of Civil Engineering

UET Peshawar
UNCONFINED COMPRESSIVE
STRENGTH OF COHESIVE SOIL
Designation: D2166/D2166M − 16
 Class Outlines
• Unconfined Compressive Strength of Cohesive Soil
– Introduction
– Definitions
– Objective
– Scope
– Apparatus
– Sample preparation
_ Procedure
_ Analysis
 Introduction
One of the fastest and cheapest methods of
measuring shear strength
Primarily used for saturated, cohesive soils
 Inappropriate for dry sands or crumbly clays
because the materials would fall apart without
some land of lateral confinement.
In this test the confining pressure (𝜎3) is 0
This test may be conducted on undisturbed or
remoulded cohesive soils
unconfined compressive strength (qu)
Definition:
The compressive stress at which an
unconfined cylindrical specimen of soil will
fail in a simple compression test
in this test method,

• Unconfined compressive strength is taken as the

maximum load attained per unit area
OR
• The load per unit area at 15 % axial strain, whichever
is secured first during the performance of a test
 Shear Strength (Su)
Definition
• For unconfined compressive strength test
specimens, the shear strength is calculated to
be 1⁄2 of the compressive stress at failure, i.e.

Su = qu/2
Where
qu = Unconfined compression strength
 Objective
The objective of this laboratory test is to determine
the unconfined compressive strength of a cohesive soil
sample
Scope
1. This test method covers the determination of the
unconfined compressive strength of cohesive soil in
the intact, remolded, or reconstituted condition,
using strain-controlled application of the axial
load
2. This test method provides an approximate value of
the strength of cohesive soils in terms of total
stresses
3. This test method is applicable only to cohesive
materials which will not expel or bleed water
(water expelled from the soil due to deformation
or compaction) during the loading portion of the
test and which will retain intrinsic strength after
removal of confining pressures, such as clays or
cemented soils
4. Dry and crumbly soils, fissured materials, silts,
peats, and sands cannot be tested with this
method
 Summary of Test Method
 A cylindrical soil specimen is unconfined laterally while
loaded axially at an axial strain rate between 0.5 to 2
%/min

 Measurements are made of elapsed time, axial

deformation, and axial load.

 The unconfined compressive stress, qu, is calculated as

the compressive stress at failure.

 The shear strength, su, is one half of the unconfined

compressive strength.
 Apparatus
 Loading frame
 Proving ring
 Deformation Indicator
 Sample Extruder
 Miscellaneous Apparatus
– Specimen trimming
– Remolding apparatus,
– Weighing balance
– Microwave oven
– Water content cans
 Apparatus

Proving ring
Frame

deformation Top Conical

indicator Plate

Bottom
Conical
Plate
Motor
 Preparation of Test Specimens
Undisturbed Sample

• Note down the sample no, bore hole no, and the depth
at which sample was taken
• Remove protective cover from sampling tube
• Place the sampling tube extractor and push the plunger
• Extract a sample of required length
• Take 10-15g sample from tube to water content
determination
• Note down the Avg diameter (Top, Bottom, Middle)
• Find the Avg Length (at approximately 120o)
Moulded Sample

• For desired water content and dry density

calculate the weight of soil required for preparing
a specimen of required dimensions
• Add the water of required quantity (Ww) to this
soil
Ww = (Ws × W) /100 gm
• Mix the soil thoroughly with water
• Place the wet soil in a tight thick polyurethane
bag in a humidity chamber for 24 hrs
• Place the sample in a constant volume mould
 Procedure
• Place the specimen in the loading device so that it is
centered on the bottom platen.

• Adjust the loading device carefully so that the upper

platen just makes contact with the specimen.

• Zero the deformation indicator or record the initial

reading of the electronic deformation device.

• Apply the load so as to produce an axial strain at a rate

of 1⁄2 to 2 %⁄min.
Procedure cont.,,,,
• Record load, deformation, and time values at sufficient
intervals to define the shape of the stress-strain curve
(usually 10 to 15 points are sufficient).

• The rate of strain should be chosen so that the time to

failure does not exceed about 15 min

• Continue loading until the load values decrease with

increasing strain, or until 15 % strain is reached

• Determine the water content of the test specimen using

the entire specimen, unless representative trimmings
are obtained for this purpose, as in the case of
undisturbed specimens
 Calculations
Axial strain

e = (ΔL /L0)×100

ΔL = length change of specimen as read from deformation

indicator or computed from the electronic device, mm
L0 = initial length of test specimen, mm
Area Correction

Ac = A0 / (1- (e /100)
A0 = initial average cross-sectional area of the specimen, mm2
e = axial strain for the given load, expressed as a percent
Compressive stress, σc

σc = P/Ac

P = given applied load,

Ac = corresponding average cross-sectional area mm2

Sensitivity of Soil, ST

ST = qu (undisturbed specimen)
qu (remolded specimen)
 Data Sheet
(1) (2) (3)= 1×L.C (4) (5) (6)= 2×PRC (7)

Deformation Proving Sample % Strain Area Load Stress

Dial Reading Ring 0r Deformation (e) Correction (P) σc = P/Ac
Load dial (ΔL) (Ac)
reading

Least Count (L.C)= 0.01 mm

Proving Ring Constant (PRC) = 0.218 kg/division
 Graph
• If desired, a graph showing the relationship between
compressive stress (ordinate) and axial strain (abscissa) may be
plotted
• Select the maximum value of compressive stress, or the
compressive stress at 15 % axial strain, whichever is secured
first, and report as the unconfined compressive strength, qu.
 Merits

• Quick, simple and convenient

• Ideal for unconsolidated, undrained shear strength
• Sensitivity can also be find on undisturbed then
remoulded sample

Demerits

• This method cannot be used for coarse grain soil (sand)

• Cannot be use for fissured or crumbly clays