Sarhad University of Science & Technology, Peshawar.

Exp#02: Unconfined Compressive Strength of Cohesive Soil Sample.

AIM:
The unconfined compression test is used to find out unconsolidated untrained shear strength of
cohesive soils. The unconfined compressive strength is the maximum load attained per unit area
or the load at 15% axial strain, whichever occurs first on a cylindrical sample tested in
compression. Shear strength is taken as equal to 1/2 the unconfined compressive strength. In
practice the test specimens are usually obtained by extruding thin-wall tube samples.
The length to diameter ratio of the specimen should be between 2 and 2.5.
APPARATUS:
Compression testing machine with digital screen to obtain measured deformations & loads
Vernier caliper or scale for measuring lengths, mold, spatula, soil sample, and moisture can
PROCEDURE:
 Extrude the soil sample from Shelby tube sampler. Cut a soil specimen so that the
ratio (L/d) is approximately between 2 and 2.5. Where L and d are the length and
diameter of soil specimen, respectively.
 Measure the exact diameter of the top of the specimen at three locations 120o
apart, and then make the same measurements on the bottom of the specimen.
Average the measurements and record the average as the diameter on the data
sheet.
 Measure the exact length of the specimen at three locations 120o apart, and then
average the measurements and record the average as the length on the data sheet.
 Calculate the deformation (∆L) corresponding to 15% strain. Strain (e) =∆L/L0,
Where L0 = Original specimen length.
 Carefully place the specimen in the compression device and center it on the
bottom plate. Adjust the device so that the upper plate just makes contact with the
specimen and set the load and deformation dials to zero.
 Apply the load so that the device produces an axial strain at a rate of 0.5% to 2.0%
per minute, and then record the load and deformation readings on the data sheet.
 Keep applying the load until (1) the load (load dial) decreases on the specimen
significantly, (2) the load holds constant for at least four deformation dial
readings, or (3) the deformation is significantly past the 15% strain.
 Remove the sample from the compression device and obtain a sample for water
content determination. Determine the water content as per first experiment.
CALCULATIONS & REPORTS:
 Calculate axial strain for each value of deformation, where Strain= ∆L/Lo
 Unconfined compressive strength=qu=P/A(KPa), where P(KN) is applied max load and
A(m2) is x-sec area of specimen.
 Shear strength=τ=qu/2.

Civil Engineering Department, SUIT. Email: engrhanif6@gmail.com

 Sarhad University of Science & Technology, Peshawar.

S.No Deformation(mm) Load(KN) Lo Lf Strain Area(m2) qu

1
2
3
4
5
6
So on…

 Plot above values using Microsoft office Excel.

Civil Engineering Department, SUIT. Email: engrhanif6@gmail.com