Unconfined compression test for shear strength of compressive soil

EXPERIMENT 4 Unconfined compression (UC) test for shear strength of compressive soil

Purpose: The primary purpose of this test is to determine the unconfined compressive strength, which is then used to calculate the unconsolidated undrained shear strength of the clay under unconfined conditions. According to the ASTM standard, the unconfined compressive strength (qu) is defined as the compressive stress at which an unconfined cylindrical specimen of soil will fail in a simple compression test. In addition, in this test method, the unconfined compressive strength is taken as the maximum load attained per unit area, or the load per unit area at 15% axial strain, whichever occurs first during the performance of a test.

Standard Reference: ASTM D 2166 - Standard Test Method for Unconfined Compressive Strength of Cohesive Soil

Significance: For soils, the undrained shear strength (su) is necessary for the determination of the bearing capacity of foundations, dams, etc. The undrained shear strength (su) of clays is commonly determined from an unconfined compression test. The undrained shear strength (su) of a cohesive soil is equal to one-half the unconfined compressive strength (qu) when the soil is under the f = 0 condition (f = the angle of internal friction). The most critical condition for the soil usually
Geo tech. Engineering Properties of Soils Based on Laboratory Testing

Unconfined compression test for shear strength of compressive soil

occurs immediately after construction, which represents undrained conditions, when the undrained shear strength is basically equal to the cohesion (c). This is expressed as:

Then, as time passes, the pore water in the soil slowly dissipates, and the intergranular stress increases, so that the drained shear strength (s), given by s = c + stan f , must be used. Where s= intergranular pressure acting perpendicular to the shear plane; and s= (s - u), s = total pressure, and u = pore water pressure; c and are drained shear strength parameters. The determination of drained shear strength parameters is given in Experiment 14

Equipment: Compression device, Load and deformation dial gauges, Sample trimming equipment, Balance, Moisture can.

Geo tech. Engineering Properties of Soils Based on Laboratory Testing

Unconfined compression test for shear strength of compressive soil

Geo tech. Engineering Properties of Soils Based on Laboratory Testing

Unconfined compression test for shear strength of compressive soil

Test Procedure: (1) 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.

(2)

Measure the exact diameter of the top of the specimen at three locations 120 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.

(3)

Measure the exact length of the specimen at three locations 120 apart, and then average the measurements and record the average as the length on the data sheet.

(4)

Weigh the sample and record the mass on the data sheet.

(5)

Calculate the deformation (L) corresponding to 15% strain ( ). L Strain (e) = Lo Where L0 = Original specimen length (as measured in step 3).

(6)

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.

Geo tech. Engineering Properties of Soils Based on Laboratory Testing

Unconfined compression test for shear strength of compressive soil

(7) 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 dial readings on the data sheet at every 20 to 50 divisions on deformation the dial.

(8)

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 that was determined in step 5.

(9)

Draw a sketch to depict the sample failure.

(10) Remove the sample from the compression device and obtain a sample for water content determination. Determine the water content as in Experiment 1. Analysis: (1) Convert the dial readings to the appropriate load and length units, and enter these values on the data sheet in the deformation and total load columns. (Confirm that the conversion is done correctly, particularly proving dial gage readings conversion into load)

(2)

Compute the sample cross-sectional area

(3)

Compute the strain, e = L/L

Geo tech. Engineering Properties of Soils Based on Laboratory Testing

Unconfined compression test for shear strength of compressive soil

(4) ' Computed the corrected area, A =

(5)

Using A, compute the specimen stress, sc =P/A (Be careful with unit conversions and use constant units).

(6)

Compute the water content, w%.

(7)

Plot the stress versus strain. Show qu as the peak stress (or at 15% strain) of the test. Be sure that the strain is plotted on the abscissa. See example data. Draw Mohrs circle using qu from the last step and show the undrained shear strength, su = c (or cohesion) = qu/2. See the example data.

(8)

UNCONFINED COMPRESSION TEST DATA SHEET Tested By: Group 3 Visual Classification: Brown silty clay, medium plasticity, moist CL. Sample data: Diameter (d) Length (L0) Mass Volume Area = 3.81 cm = 7.62 cm = 162 g = 21.71 cm = 11.40 cm

Geo tech. Engineering Properties of Soils Based on Laboratory Testing

Unconfined compression test for shear strength of compressive soil

Table 1: Moisture Content determination Moisture can number - Lid number MCMS = Mass of can, lid, and moist soil (grams) MCDS = Mass of can, lid, and dry soil (grams) MS = Mass of soil solids (grams) W = Water content, w%

A 40.46 36.46 23.9 11%

Wet density = Water content (w %) = 11% Dry density (d) =

= 1.86 g/cm

= 1.67 g/cm

Group 1

1
Sr. no. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

2
Deform-ation D/R 0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200

5
unit strain =L/L

6
% strain

7
Corrected area mm =A/(1L/L) 1147.60972 1147.62216 1151.42475 1155.25262 1159.10603 1162.98524 1166.89049 1170.82207

10
Load (KN)

11
Stress KN/mm

sample Load deformDGR -ation (mm) 11 25 34 40 45 47 43 43 0.025 0.05 0.075 0.1 0.125 0.15 0.175 0.2

Load Load (lbs.) (N)

0.0032808 0.0065617 0.0098425 0.0131234 0.0164042 0.019685 0.0229659 0.0262467

0.328084 0.656168 0.984252 1.312336 1.64042 1.968504 2.296588 2.624672

8.8 20 27.2 32 36 37.6 34.4 34.4

39.1443 88.9644 120.992 142.343 160.136 167.253 153.019 153.019

39144.345 88964.42 120991.61 142343.07 160135.96 167253.11 153018.8 153018.8

34.10946 77.52065 105.0799 123.2138 138.1547 143.8136 131.1338 130.6935

Geo tech. Engineering Properties of Soils Based on Laboratory Testing

Unconfined compression test for shear strength of compressive soil

Group 1
160 140 120

Axial Strain KPa.

100 80 60 40 20 0 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

Axial strain %

Geo tech. Engineering Properties of Soils Based on Laboratory Testing

Unconfined compression test for shear strength of compressive soil

Group 2

1
Sr. no. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

2
Defor mation D/R 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200

6
% strain

7
Corrected area mm =A/(1-L/L) 1143.844599 1147.622157 1151.424749 1155.252624 1159.106035 1162.985238 1166.890494 1170.822066

8
Load (lbs.)

9
Load (N)

10
Load (KN)

11
Stress KN/mm

sample Load deform unit strain DGR ation =L/L (mm) 12 23 34 42 48 51 52 52 0.025 0.05 0.075 0.1 0.125 0.15 0.175 0.2 0.00328084 0.00656168 0.00984252 0.01312336 0.016404199 0.019685039 0.022965879 0.026246719

0.328084 0.656168 0.984252 1.312336 1.64042 1.968504 2.296588 2.624672

9.6 18.4 27.2 33.6 38.4 40.8 41.6 41.6

42.7029 81.8473 120.992 149.46 170.812 181.487 185.046 185.046

42702.922 81847.266 120991.61 149460.23 170811.69 181487.42 185045.99 185045.99

37.3328 71.319 105.0799 129.3745 147.365 156.0531 158.5804 158.0479

Group #2
180 160

Axial strain KPa

140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 Series1

Axial Strain %

Geo tech. Engineering Properties of Soils Based on Laboratory Testing

Unconfined compression test for shear strength of compressive soil

Group 3

1
Sr. no. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

2
Deform ation D/R 0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200

6
% strain

8
Corrected area mm =A/(1L/L) 1143.8446 1147.62216 1151.42475 1155.25262 1159.10603 1162.98524 1166.89049 1170.82207

9
Load (lbs.)

10
Load (N)

11
Load (KN)

12
Stress KN/mm

sample Load unit strain deformation DGR =L/L (mm) 0 15 27 36 43 47 51 48 48 0.025 0.05 0.075 0.1 0.125 0.15 0.175 0.2 0.0032808 0.0065617 0.0098425 0.0131234 0.0164042 0.019685 0.0229659 0.0262467

0.328084 0.656168 0.984252 1.312336 1.64042 1.968504 2.296588 2.624672

12 21.6 28.8 34.4 37.6 40.8 38.4 38.4

53.3787 96.0816 128.109 153.019 167.253 181.487 170.812 170.812

53378.652 96081.574 128108.76 153018.8 167253.11 181487.42 170811.69 170811.69

46.666 83.72231 111.2611 132.4548 144.2949 156.0531 146.3819 145.8904

Group # 3
180 160

Axial Strain KPa

140 120 100 80 Series1 60 40 20 0 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

Axial Stain %

Geo tech. Engineering Properties of Soils Based on Laboratory Testing

Unconfined compression test for shear strength of compressive soil

Table 2: Unconfined Compression Test Data (Deformation Dial: 1 unit = 0.10mm; Proving Ring No: 24691; Load Dial: 1 unit = 0.3154 lb)
SAMPLE: ST-1, 8'-10'
80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 0 5 10 15 20 25

Axial Strain (%)

From the stress-strain curve and Mohrs circle: Unconfined compressive strength (qu) = 72.0 KPa
Geo tech. Engineering Properties of Soils Based on Laboratory Testing

Unconfined compression test for shear strength of compressive soil

Cohesion (c) = 36.0 KPa
180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 0
100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

10

15

20

25

Axial Strain (%)

Normal Stress (kPa)

From the stress-strain curve and Mohrs circle: Unconfined compressive strength (qu) = Cohesion (c) =

Geo tech. Engineering Properties of Soils Based on Laboratory Testing