Methodology of the CBR test (BS 1377 Part 4: 1990)

1. CBR values depend on the moisture content of the soil. For the current lab
session, for demonstration purposes a random moisture content would be
used and measured with dry density. (Chapter 3.1 Estimating Subgrade
Moisture Content, Road Note 31 dictates to find the design moisture
content or optimum moisture content and maximum dry density from a
Standard Proctor Compaction Test and carry the CBR test at that m.c.).
2. Weigh the mould with baseplate attached to the nearest 5 g (m1).
3. Measure the internal dimensions to 0.5 mm.
4. Attach the extension collar to the mould and cover the baseplate with a
filter paper.
5. Measure the depth of the collar as fitted, and the thickness of the spacer
plug or plugs, to 0.1 mm.
6. Take about 6 kg of soil that pass through 20mm sieve Rub this portion
through a 20 mm test sieve, remove and weigh the retained material and
determine its proportion of the total sample. The test shall not be carried
out if the fraction of retained material is over 25%.
7. Add a portion of water 8-10% by weight and thoroughly mix the sample.
8. Divide the prepared quantity of soil into three portions to within 50g.
9. Stand the base of the mould on solid ground.
10.Place the first portion of soil into the mould and compact it, so that after
62 blows of the appropriate rammer the layer occupies about or a little
more than one-third of the height of the mould. Ensure that the blows are
evenly distributed over the surface.
11.Repeat above step using the other two portions of soil in turn, so that the
final level of the soil surface is not more than 6 mm above the top of the
mould body.
12.Remove the collar and trim the soil flush with the top of the mould with
the scraper, checking with the steel straightedge.
13.Weigh the mould, soil and baseplate to the nearest 5g (m2).
14.Place the mould with baseplate containing the sample, with the top face of
the sample exposed, centrally on the lower platen of the testing machine.
15.Place the appropriate annular surcharge discs on top of the sample.
16.Fit into place the cylindrical plunger and force-measuring device assembly
with the face of the plunger resting on the surface of the sample.
17.Apply a seating force to the plunger, depending on the expected CBR
value, as follows.
a. For CBR value up to 5 % apply 10 N
b. For CBR value from 5 % to 30 %, apply 50 N
c. For CBR value above 30 % apply 250 N
18.Record the reading of the force-measuring device as the initial zero
reading (because the seating force is not taken into account during the
test) or reset the force-measuring device to read zero.
19.Secure the penetration dial gauge in position. Record its initial zero
reading, or reset it to read zero.
20.Start the test so that the plunger penetrates the sample at a nominal rate
of 1 mm/min, and at the same instant start the timer.
21.Record readings of the force gauge at intervals of penetration of 0.25 mm,
to a total penetration not exceeding 7.5 mm.
22.After completing the penetration test, determine the moisture content of
the test sample as follows.
 a. For a cohesive soil containing no gravel-sized particles, take a
sample of about 350 g from immediately below each penetrated
surface, but do not include filling material used to make up the first
end tested. Determine the moisture content of each sample as
described in 3.2 of BS 1377-2:1990
b. For a cohesionless soil or a cohesive soil containing gravel-sized
particles, extrude the sample, break in half and determine the
moisture contents of the upper and lower halves separately using
the procedure described in 3.2 of BS 1377-2:1990.
23.Calculate the force applied to the plunger from each reading of the force-
measuring device observed during the penetration test.
24.Plot each value of force as ordinate against the corresponding penetration
as abscissa and draw a smooth curve through the points.
25.The normal type of curve is convex upwards as shown by the curve
labelled Test 1 in Figure 1, and needs no correction.
26.If the initial part of the curve is concave upwards as for Test 2 (curve OST)
in Figure 02, the following correction is necessary. Draw a tangent at the
point of greatest slope, i.e. the point of inflexion, S, and produce it to
intersect the penetration axis at Q. The corrected curve is represented by
QST, with its origin at Q from which a new penetration scale can be
marked.
27.If the graph continues to curve upwards as for test 3 in Figure 03, and it is
considered that the penetration of the plunger is increasing the soil
density and therefore its strength, the above correction is not applicable.

Figure 01
Figure 02

Figure 03