Scribd
Upload
145 views3 pages

Lab Report Unconfined

The unconfined compression test determines the undrained shear strength (qu) of cohesive soils. It involves rapidly compressing a soil specimen axially between two plates without lateral confinement. Failure occurs when the soil can no longer carry the applied load, and qu is calculated as half the maximum axial stress. The test is commonly used for clays and correlates qu with clay consistency, from very soft to hard. It involves preparing remolded soil specimens, measuring their initial dimensions, and compressing them at a controlled rate while recording load and deformation readings until failure.

Uploaded by

nurin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
145 views3 pages

Lab Report Unconfined

The unconfined compression test determines the undrained shear strength (qu) of cohesive soils. It involves rapidly compressing a soil specimen axially between two plates without lateral confinement. Failure occurs when the soil can no longer carry the applied load, and qu is calculated as half the maximum axial stress. The test is commonly used for clays and correlates qu with clay consistency, from very soft to hard. It involves preparing remolded soil specimens, measuring their initial dimensions, and compressing them at a controlled rate while recording load and deformation readings until failure.

Uploaded by

nurin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

1.

0 INTRODUCTION

The unconfined compression test (UC test) is to determine the unconfined shear strength,
qu. Undrained shear strength is interpreted as the maximum internal resistance of a soil to the
applied shear force when it is sheared at constant volume. This test is done by subjecting rapid
compressive loading on a cylindrical soil specimen so that no drainage takes place during the
shear. There is only vertical load applied on the soil sample during this test.

2.0 OBJECTIVES

1. To determine the shear strength of the cohesive soil.


2. To perform the unconfined compression test.

3.0 THEORY

The unconfined compression test is a special type of unconsolidated undrained test


that is commonly used for clay specimens. In this test, the confining pressure, σ3 is 0. An
axial load is rapidly applied to the specimens to cause failure. At failure, the total minor
principal stress, σ3 is zero and the total major principal stress is σ1. Because the undrained
shear strength is independent of the confining pressure, so
σ1 qu
τf =
2
=
2
= cu

where, qu is the unconfined compression strength.


The axial load may be applied to the specimen either by the controlled strain
procedure, in which the stress is applied to produce a pre-determined rate of strain, or by the
controlled stress procedure, in which the stress is applied in pre-determined increments of
load. IS: 2720 (Part 10) -1973 recommend the use of controlled strain tests.
The unconfined compression strength can be correlate with the consistencies of clays
as shown in Table 1.
Table 1: Approximate relationship of consistency and unconfined compression
strength of clays
Consistency qu (kN/m2)
Very soft 0 - 25
Soft 25 – 50
Medium 50 – 100
Stiff 100 – 200
Very stiff 200 – 400
Hard > 400

4.0 TEST EQUIPMENTS

1. Compression device of any suitable type (loading frame of capacity 2 kN), with a constant
rate movement.
2. Sample extractor
3. Split moulds 3.5 cm diameter and 7 cm long.
4. Frictionless end plates of 7.5 cm diameter (Perspex plate with silicon grease coating)
5. Oven
6. Balance Sensitive to weigh 0.1 g.
7. Containers for moisture content determination.
8. Proving ring of 0.01 kg sensitivity for soft soils and 0.05 kg for stiff soils.
9. Dial gauge (sensitivity 0.01 mm)
10. Vernier calipers
11. Soil sample = Wet clayed soil
5.0 PREPARATION OF SPECIMEN
1. The split mould (38 mm in diameter) is oiled lightly from inside.
2. Remoulded soil sample is prepared by compacting the soil at desired water content and
dry density in the split mould.
3. Split mould is opened carefully and sample is taken out.
4. The specimen trimmed to the specified dimension (38 mm in diameter and 76 mm in
height).
5. Procedure 1-4 repeated.
Minimum three soil specimens should be prepared for test.

6.0 PROCEDURES

1. The initial length and diameter of the soil specimen is measured.


2. The specimen placed on the base plate of the load frame (sandwiched between the end
plates)
3. A hardened steel ball placed on the bearing plate. The centerline of specimen adjusted
such that the proving ring and the steel ball are in the same line.
4. Dial gauge fixed to measure vertical compression of the specimen.
5. The gear position adjusted on the load frame to give suitable vertical displacement.
6. The reading of proving ring and dial gauge was set to zero.
7. The load applied and the readings of the proving ring dial and strain dial for every 0.2 mm
were recorded.
8. Continue loading till failure occurs or 20% vertical deformation is reached (15 mm
compression of a 38 mm diameter specimen).
Sketch the failure pattern; measure the angle between the cracks and the horizontal if possible.

You might also like