CORRELATION

BETWEEN

MODULUS

OF

RESILIENCE AND CBR VALUE OF NONCOHESIVE

SOIL
- Er. Ram Kumar Shrestha
Tribhuwan University, Pulchowk Campus
Nepal
theraku@yahoo.com

Abstract: The objective of this research is to develop empirical correlations between Resilient
Modulus (MR) and california bearing ratio (CBR) of cohesionless soil. For this purpose,
laboratory test was conducted on Trishuli River sand. The various literatures have shown that
the Resilient Modulus test was conducted on clayey soil. Very limited information on Resilient
Modulus of sandy soil has seen in the literature. Therefore, an attempt has been made to find
the Resilient Modulus and CBR rating of the sand at different relative densities and also
attempted to correlate the findings of a laboratory measurement of Resilient Modulus and to its
CBR rating. Specimens are prepared at the relative densities ranging from loose to dense state.

INTRODUCTION
One of the most commonly used parameters that describe the soil stiffness is the
Resilient Modulus. The concept of Resilient Modulus (MR) was initially introduced by
seed et al. (1962) for characterizing the elastic response of subgrade soil. It is defined
as the ratio of the repeatedly applied load stress to the recoverable strain determined
after repeated loading.
MR = (1-3)/ r
Where, MR = Resilient Modulus, (1-3) = maximum repeated axial Stress and r =
resilient strain (recoverable axial strain)

Figure 1 Strain in granular material during

one cycle of loading

Figure 1 indicates typical strain recorded one cycle of loading. It can be seen that both
elastic and plastic deformations occur at the initial stage of load application. As the
number of load application increases, the amount of plastic deformation decreases
until a stage where the deformation is practically all recoverable.
The California Bearing Ratio (CBR) rating was developed by the California division
of highway around 1929. This test provides an indirect measure of shear strength of
soil. The CBR number (or, simply the, CBR) is obtained as the ratio of the unit stress
required to effect a certain depth of penetration of a compacted specimen of soil to the
unit stress required to obtain the same depth of penetration on a standard sample of
crushed stone. In equation form,
CBR =

*100 (%)

The AASHTO design guide suggests that the resilient modulus of fined grained soil
can be estimated that (Heuklelom and Klomp, 1962):
MR = 1500*CBR (psi)
South African Council on Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
MR (psi) = 3000*CBR 0.65
Transportation and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
MR (psi) = 2,555*CBR 0.64
In addition, it is also known that the resilient modulus is dependent on the applied
stress level (Rada and Witczak 1981). For most fine grained soil, M R decrease with
increasing deviatoric stress level.

TEST RESULTS AND FINDINGS

The test program was carried out on sand taken from Trishuli River near Belkhu,
Dhading district. The cyclic Odeometer test
and CBR test is carried out at different
relative densities. Direct shear is also done to
study the behaviour of shearing angle
according to relative densities.
Figure 3 shows the grain size analysis data of
Trishuli River sand. The soil can be described
as uniform sand according to the USCS. The
specific gravity of the soil was equal to
2.675.
Figure 2 Grin size analysis data of Trishuli River Sand

The cyclic Odeometer test and CBR test was conducted in laboratory on this sample
using conventional ASTM standard test method. The testing program was conducted

on air dried sample. This procedure deviates from the conventional CBR testing
procedure in which the tests are conducted only at optimum moisture contents.
Direct shear test is carried out to study the variation of shearing angle according to the
relative density. It was observed that the shearing angle () increases with the increase
in relative density. The value of shearing angle varies from 34 to 35.5. Then variation
of shear angle with relative density is shown in figure 4.
Table 1 variation of according to Dr
Relative
Density (Dr)
30%
45%
60%
75%
85%

Shearing
Angle()
34.0
34.2
34.5
35.0
35.5

Figure 3 Variation of Shear angle with Dr

The samples are compacted according to relative densities in the cyclic Odeometer
mould and repeated load is applied. The stress-strain curve from Odeometer test at
different relative densities was obtained and the test was conducted on 30, 45, 60, 75
and 85% relative densities. Figure 5 and 6 shows the stress-strain curve at Dr 30 &
85% and figure 7 presents the changes of void ration according with the densities. It
is shown that as the relative density increases, the hysteretic loop is closed at lesser
strain.

Figure 4 Stress strain curve at Dr 30%

Figure 6 stress strain curve at Dr 85%

The void ratio decreases as the relative density increase. And the void ratio decreases
as the no of cycle increases. The void ratio varies from 0.87 to 0.63 at first
cycle of every relative density. It has been observed that the void ratio is
decreased as the increase in relative density and the void ratio also decreases
as the number of cycle increases. It is the result of the increase in compactness
of the sand sample as the increase in relative density and number of cycles.
CBR test carried out at different relative densities. Is has been seen that the CBR
value is increased as the relative density increases. It can be said that The harder the
surface, the higher the CBR rating.

Figure 8 CBR graph at different relative densities

The value of resilient of modulus is calculated and the value is found between 300 to
672 kg/cm2. It has been observed that MR increases as the relative density increases.
Similarly the MR increases as the number of loading cycle increases.

Relation between resilient of modulus, relative density and number of cycle is

developed. The relation for Trishuli River sand is found that:
MR (kg/cm2) = 26N+388Dr + 163
Where,
MR = Resilient Modulus
Dr = relative density (in decimal)
N = no. Of cycle
Table 2 Summary value of the lab test results

Resilient
Modulus
Relative of MShearing
CBR
Figure 9 Variation
R according to Dr and No. of cycle
(MR) in
Density
S.N.
value
Angle ()
(%)
kg/cm2
1

30

34.0

354.24

45

34.2

442.38

60

34.5

500.11

16

75

35.0

536.18

28

85

35.5

578.35

39

Correlation between resilient modulus and CBR value is also developed.

MR (psi) = 4179* CBR 0.185

Figure 10. MR vs. CBR

Conclusion

Based on the results presented, the following conclusions are drawn

1. The correlations that are developed and validated are based on the result of the
experimental testing program at lab.
2. It has been found that, as the relative density increases, shearing angle
increases and the value of MR and CBR also increases.
3. Correlation equation between MR and CBR is developed comparing the values
at same relative density.
Recommendation

1. Further studies can be done mixing different proportion of fine particles with
sand.
2. It is further recommended that the relationship can be verified with high stress
level and number of cycle and CNR test can be carried out at wet condition.
References
1. Allen Marr & Robert Whiteman, Permanent displacement of sand with cyclic loading, a
part of the Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, Vol. 110, No 11, November, 1984.
2. Beena Sukumaran, Suitability of CBR test to predict Resilience Modulus, Civil and
Environmental Engineering, Rowana University, 2005
3. Bixian Ni, Beckham & Sun, Resilient Modulus of Kentucky Soils, University of
Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, 2004
4. Bojan Guzina, Peter Davich & Joseph Labuz, Small strain and Resilient Modulus testing
of Granular soils, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2004
5. Bowles, Joseph E., Engineering Properties of Soil and Their Measurement, Mc Graw
Hill, Singapore, 1992
6. Gupta Anand, One Dimensional Compressibility, Shear Strength and Permeability
Characteristics of Bagmati Sand and Ottawa sand, Masters Thesis, Institute Of
Engineering, TU, Nepal 2009.
7. Lambe and Whitman, Soil Mechanics, Wiley Eastern Limited, USA, 1979