Experiment No.

3
UNCONFINED COMPRESSION TEST

1. Objective(s):
The activity aims to introduce to the student a method of determining the shear strength of cohesive soils using
unconfined compression test.
2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
The students shall be able to:
 determine the shear strength of cohesive soil.
 describe the main feature of unconfined compression test.

3. Discussion:
The unconfined compression test is the simplest of the shear test performed on soils. It is similar to the
compression test on wood, steel, concrete and other materials. It consists of applying a gradually increasing vertical
pressure to a carefully prepared cylindrical or prismatic soil specimen and making simultaneous measurements of the
vertical strain to failure.

It is used primarily to determine the shear strength of cohesive soils, which is equal to about one-half of the
unconfined compression testing devices, the “controlled-stress” device and “controlled-strain” device. The controlled-
stress device is one in which the sample is loaded in increments. The usual procedure for loading the sample is to
“load on the minute and read on the half minute”. The test is run with a stopwatch or second timer and increments of
load are applied on the even minutes and the readings of the vertical strain are taken on the half minutes.

The controlled strain type of testing device applies a strain on sample at a controlled rate. The usual
procedure form testing is to apply the strain to the sample at a uniform rate and to read the load at increments of the
vertical dial movement. For example, the load might be read at every 10 divisions of vertical dial movement. This test
method covers the determination of the unconfined compression strength of soil in the undisturbed, remolded or
compacted condition, using the “controlled-strain” application of the axial load.

Undisturbed samples are used for strength determination, sometimes, these are remolded and similarity
tested to get the lost strength or what is known as “Sensitivity”. Sensitivity is defined as the ratio of the undisturbed
compressive strength to the corresponding remolded strength of cohesive soils.

4. Resources:

1. Unconfined compression machine.

2. Sample molder and tamper
3. Extensometer Assembly.
4. Protractor and caliper
5. Wax Paper.
6. Oven with temperature control
7. drying cans
8. balances
9. pans.

5. Procedure:
A. SIZE OF SAMPLE
 Min. diameter – 30 mm (1.3 inches) to max. diameter 72 mm (2.8 inches)
Min. height to diameter ration shall be 2 to 2.5

B. SAMPLE PREPARATION:

B.1. Undisturbed Sample:

1. Prepare sample in accordance with Experiment no. 4

2. Trim and cut to the desired size as specified in A.

B.2. Remolded Sample:

1. After testing the undisturbed sample, wrap in wax paper or any non-absorptive material. Break up the sample
and knead thoroughly with the fingers until it is uniform.
Note: Avoid entrapping air in the specimen and preserve the natural water content of the soil
2. Place sample in the cylindrical mold in successive layers. Each layer should be sufficiently tamped in order to
obtain a uniform density in the entire sample.
3. Remove the sample form mold with an extruder and square both ends and determine the mass and dimensions
of the test specimen.
4. Start the test immediately.

C. TESTING OF SAMPLE: (Remolded or Undisturbed)

1. 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 (dial).
2. Apply the load so as to produce an axial strain at a rate of ½ to 2% per minute.
3. Record load, deformation and time values at sufficient interval (usually at every 30 seconds) to define the shape
of the stress-strain curve (usually 10 to 15 points are sufficient).
Note: The rate of strain should be chosen so that the time to failure does not exceed about 15
minutes.

a. For softer materials that will exhibit larger deformation at failure should be tested at a higher rate of
strain.
b. Stiff or brittle materials that will exhibit small deformations at failure should be tested at a lower rate of
strain.

4. Continue loading until the load values decreases with increasing strain, or until 15% strain is reached.
5. Remove specimen from the machine, and take it to the moist room. Make a sketch of the test specimen at failure
showing the slope angle of the failure surface if the angle is measurable, with respect to the horizontal plane.
6. Determine the water content of the test specimen using the entire specimen.

CALCULATIONS:

1. Axial Strain (unit strain) = L/Lo x 100 + 

Where:
L = length change of specimen as read from deformation indicator, mm
Lo= initial length of test specimen, mm
 = axial strain
2. Corrected Area (A):
At + 2Ab + Am
A = Ao / (1-) ; Ao =
4
Where:
Ao = initial average cross-sectional area of the specimen, mm2
= Axial strain
At = Area at top of sample
Ab = Area at bottom of sample
Am = Area at middle of sample

3. Axial Compression Stress (c) (Normal stress)


c = P/A
Where:
P = given applied load
A= corresponding ave. cross-sectional area (corrected), mm2
P = A1 = proving ring dial movement
Kpr = proving-ring constant in N/mm (Ib/in)

4. Sensitivity = peak undisturbed strength

Peak remolded strength

If there is no peak strength, use strength at 15% strain.

5. Shearing Stress = peak undisturbed compressive strength

2
6. Plotting:
Construct a graph showing the relationship between compressive stress (ordinate) and axial strain
(abscissa).

Course: CE510 Experiment No.: 3

Group No.: 4 Section: CE52FA1
Group Leader: Tubang, Ma. Patricia Date Performed: September 18, 2019
Group Members: Date Submitted: October 02, 2019
1.Amilo, Jasmin A. Instructor: Engr. Rhonnie Estores
2. Coronado, Christine G.
3. Francisco, John David G.
4. Miranda, Angelica
5. Mogpo, Benjamin
6. Data and Results:

Diameter of Sample mm (inch): 1.59 inches

Initial Area, (Ao) mm2: 1294.62 mm2
Initial Height, (Lo) mm: 73.5 mm
Water Content, (w) %: 31%

Unit Strain = L/Lo x 100 +  =________________ A = Ao / (1-) =

Elapsed Load dial Axial Load Strain dial Total Strain Unit Strain Corrected Stress
time Area

30 2.1 18.5 0.9 2.1 1 10.65 16.5

60 5.5 48.13 1.6 4 2 10.71 44.93

90 7 61.25 2.4 6 3 10.82 72.82

120 11.5 100.73 3.2 8 4 10.92 104.17

150 14.5 126.88 4 10 5 11.03 130.95

180 17.5 153.13 4.8 12 6 11.13 145.44

210 19 166.25 5.6 14 7 11.24 151.87

240 20 175 6.4 16 8 11.34 155.86

270 20.5 179.38 7.2 18 9 11.45 158.29

300 21.2 185.5 8 20 10 11.55 161.34

330 21.7 189.88 8.8 22 11 11.66 162.88

360 22 192.5 9.6 24 12 11.76 165.17

390 21.5 183.75 10.4 26 13 11.87 164.42

420 20 175 11.6 28 14 11.92 146284

450 19.7 172.38 12.4 30 15 11.97 144.01

Proving ring number: 25

Strain rate: 35%/min
7. Conclusion:

In this experiment we conclude that, since unconfined compression test is cheap and easy to perform, it is
considered as the most popular method of soil shearing test. In addition, we observed that the soil has
greater strength if it is more tampered or more compressed, the more compressed the soil the greater its
strength.

8. Assessment (Rubric for Laboratory Performance):

Performance Beginner Acceptable Proficient

Score
indicator 1 2 3

Identify the Designs an experiment Designs an experiment

Fails to design an
procedures involved satisfying the minimum exceeding the
experiment following
in designing the requirements of the requirements of the
procedures
experiment procedures procedures
Develops a protocol to Develops a protocol to
Develop a protocol Fails to develop a
conduct an experiment conduct an experiment
to conduct an protocol to conduct an
satisfying the minimum exceeding the
experiment experiment
requirements minimum requirements
Total Score

Mean score= (Total Score/2)

Percentage Score= (Total Score/6) x 100%

9. References
Budhu, M. (2008). Foundations and Earth Retaining Structures. New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons

American Society for Testing and Materials (2000). Unconfined Compressive Strength of Cohesive Soil (D-2166).
Pennsylvania: ASTM International
10. Documentation