California Bearing Ratio Test

Introduction:
The California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test is an empirical experiment, which was first developed
in California, for estimating the bearing value of highway subgrades. The CBR test is described
in ASTM Standards D1883-05 (for laboratory-prepared samples) and D4429 (for soils in place in
field), and AASHTO T193. The CBR test is fully described in BS 1377 : Soils for civil
engineering purposes : Part 4, Compaction related tests.
In this test, a plunger of a standard area is pushed into the soil at a fixed rate of penetration, and
the force required to maintain the force is measured. The CBR value is then defined as the ratio
of the measured force to that required for similar penetration into a standard sample of crushed
rock material.
This test method is used to evaluate the potential strength of subgrade, subbase, and base course
material, including recycled materials for use in road and airfield pavements. The CBR value
obtained in this test forms an integral part of several flexible pavement design methods.
For applications where the effect of compaction water content on CBR is small, such as
cohesionless,coarse-grained materials, or where an allowance is made for the effect of differing
compaction water contents in the design procedure, the CBR may be determined at the optimum
water content of a specified compaction effort. The dry unit weight specified is normally the
minimum percent compaction allowed by the using agency's field compaction specification.
For applications where the effect of compaction water content on CBR is unknown or where it is
desired to account for its effect, the CBR is determined for a range of water contents, usually the
range of water content permitted for field compaction by using agency's field compaction
specification.
Objectives:
Objective of this test is to determine the the bearing capacity and the mechanical strength of road
sub-bases and subgrades.
Apparatus:
The following apparatus are required (Figure 1).
1) Measuring apparatus Apparatus for measuring expansion of soil, consisting of
adjustable stem and perforated plate, tripod, and dial micrometer (reading to 0.001 in.).
2) Masses include one annular surcharge mass and several slotted or split surcharge
masses.
3) Soaking tank Soaking tank of sufficient size to accommodate several test molds and of
sufficient depth to ensure submergence of the sample.
4) Penetration piston 1.95 in. in diameter, with internally threaded pipe extensions and
connectors.
5) Loading device Either a laboratory testing machine or screw jack and frame arrange.
6) Proving rings Calibrated proving rings.
7) Steel plate 10 in. in diameter, having a 2.03 in. diameter hole in the canter and weighing
10 lb.

8) Mould body.
9) Extension collar.
10) Solid base plate (2 no.)
11) C-spanner (2 no.)
12) Base plate tool.
13) Filter papers.
14) 2.5 kg rammer or 4.5 kg rammer.

Figure 1 Laboratory California Bearing Ratio Test Apparatus.

Apparatus requirements for swelling
1) Perforated base plate
2) Swell plate
3) Swell tripod
4) Swell dial gauge

5) Soaking tank
6) 2 kg surcharge weight (annular)
7) 2 kg surcharge weight (split)
Procedure:
Preparation of test specimen (Sample Preparation) Procedure
1) Sample was prepared by holding the casing vertical just above the surface of the soil; the
rammer was raised to its maximum height and allowed it to free fall.
2) The operation was repeated evenly over the soil surface until the required number of blows
(56) had been applied. Compaction was done in three equal loads.
3) If the sample was to be soaked, a representative sample of the material was taken, for the
determination of moisture, at the beginning of compaction and another sample of the
remaining material after compaction.
4) The material was weighed immediately and dried in an oven at 230 9 F (110 5 C 0) for
at least 12 h, or to constant weight.
5) Each moisture content sample was weighed not less than 100 g for fine grained soils not
less than 500 g for granular soils.
6) If the sample was not to be soaked, a representative sample of material from one of the cut
face after penetration was taken, to determine the moisture content.
7) The mold (with extension collar attached) was clamped to the base plate. The spacer disk
of the coarse filter paper was inserted on top of the spacer disk. The soil-water mixture was
compacted in to the mould.
8) The sample was compacted at maximum density and optimum moisture. (Bearing ratio test
was performed over the range of moisture contents and densities that was expected in the
construction.)
9) The extension collar was removed and carefully trimmed the compacted soil even with the
top of the mold by means of a straightedge.
10) Any hole that may have developed in the surface by the removal of coarse material was
patched with smaller size material.
11) Spacer disk was removed, weighed and the weight of the mold and compacted soil was
recorded.
12) A disk of coarse filter paper was placed on the perforated base plate, the mold was
inverted and the soil was compacted and the perforated base plate was clamped to the mold
with the compacted soil in contact with filter paper.
13) The adjustable stem was placed and perforated on the compacted soil specimen in the
mold and weight of the base material and pavement with in 5 lb (2.27 kg) was applied, but in
no case shall the total weight be less than 10 lb (4.54 kg).

14) The mold and weights were immersed in water, allowing free access of water to the top
and bottom of the specimen.
15) Initial measurement for swell was taken and the specimen was allowed to soak for 96 hrs.
A constant water level was maintained during this period. A shorter immersion period was
permissible for fine grained soil or granular soils that take up moisture readily, if it was
shown that shorter period did not affect the results.
16) At the end of 96 hrs, final swell measurements were taken and calculated the swell as a
percentage of initial height of specimen.
17) The free water was removed and allowed the specimen to drain down for 15 min. Care
was taken not to disturb the surface of the specimen during the removal of water. It may
be necessary to tilt the specimen in order to remove the surface water.
18) The weights and perforated plate were removed, the weight of the mold and soil were
weighed and recorded.
Test Procedure
1) A surcharge of weights were placed on the specimen sufficient to produce an intensity of
loading equal to the weight of base material and pavement within 5 lb but not less than 10
lb. If the specimen has been soaked previously, the surcharge shall be equal to that used
during soaked period.
2) To prevent upheaval of soil in to the hole of surcharge weights, the 5 lb annular weight
was placed on the soil surface prior to seating the penetration piston, after which the
reminder of the surcharge weights were placed.
3) The penetration piston was seated with the smallest possible load, but in no case in excess
of 10 lbf (44 N). Both stress and strain gages were set to zero. This initial load was
required to ensure satisfactory seating of the piston and was considered as the zero loads.
4) The load was applied on the penetration piston so that the rate of penetration was
approximately 0.05 in. (1.27 mm) per minute.
5) The load readings were recorded at penetrations of 0.025 in. (0.64 mm), 0.050 in. (1.27
mm), 0.075 in. (1.91 mm), 0.100 in. (2.54 mm), 0.125 in. (3.18 mm), 0.150 in. (3.81
mm), 0.175 in. (4.45 mm), 0.200 in. (5.08 mm), 0.300 in. (7.62 mm), 0.400 in. (10.16
mm) and 0.500 in. (12.7 mm).
6) The maximum load and penetration was noted, if it was occurred for a penetration of less
than 0.500 in. (12.7 mm). With manually operated loading devices, it may be necessary to
take load readings at closer intervals to control the rate of penetration. (The load readings
at penetration of 0.400 in. and 0.005 in. may be omitted.)
7) The soil from the mold was removed and the moisture content of the top 1.0 in. (25.4
mm) layer was determined.
8) A moisture content sample from the entire depth was taken if the average moisture
content was desired. Each sample shall weigh not less than 100 g for fine grained soils no
less than 500 g for granular soils.

Observation:

Observations were given in Annex 1.

Calculations and result:

Calculating Swelling Percentage:

Where;

% S = (Sn Si)
Ht
% S Swelling Percentage
Sn Swell Dial Reading
Si Initial Dial Reading
Ht Initial Dial Reading

Load Penetration curve:

The penetration loads were calculated in Mega Pascal (MPa) and the load penetration
curve was plotted. In some instances the load penetration curve may be concave upward
initially, because of surface irregularities or other causes, and in such cases the zero point
shall be adjusted like below (Figure 2).

Figure 2
Bearing Ratio:

Using corrected load values taken from the load penetration curve for 0.100 in. (2.54 mm)
and 0.200 in. (5.08 mm) penetrations, the bearing rations for each were calculated by
dividing the corrected loads by the standard loads of 1000 psi (6.9 MPa) and 1500 psi
(10.3 MPa) respectively, and multiplying by 100.

Also the bearing ratios for the maximum load were calculated, if the penetration was less
than bearing 0.200 in.

Penetration was greater, the test was returned. If the check test was given similar results,
the bearing ratio was used at 0.200 in. penetration.

Note: If bearing ratio values at penetrations of 0.300, 0.400 and 0.500 in were desired, the
corrected load values for these penetrations should be divided by the standard loads of 1900
psi, 2300 psi and 2600 psi respectively and multiplied by 100.

Structural Catalogue given in TRL Road Note 31 was used for selecting the required
layers of the pavement to suit the above calculated CNSA value and subgrade CBR value.

Specimen Calculation:
Diameter of piston = 1.954 (49.6316 mm)
Area of piston

= 22 x (49.6316)2 x 10-6 = 1935.45 x 10-6 m2

7
4

Stress at Load 0.044264 (KN) = 0.044264 / (1935.45 x 10-6) = 22.870 x 10-3 (MPa)
= 0.02287(MPa)
Penetration Test at the Bottom of the Sample
Penetration (mm)
0.64
1.27
1.91
2.54
3.18
3.81
4.45
5.08

Dial Reading
2
4
8
18
20
21
21
21

Load (KN)
0.044264
0.088529
0.177058
0.39838
0.442645
0.464777
0.464777
0.464777

Stress (MPa)
0.02287
0.04574
0.09148
0.20583
0.22870
0.24014
0.24014
0.24014

The using the above data the load penetration curve was plotted (Annex 3).
The load penetration curve was concaved upward initially, because of the surface irregularities or
other causes, therefore the zero point was adjusted as shown in the graph.
In ASTM Standard CBR for 0.1 penetration is equal to 6.9 (MPa) and 0.2 penetration is equal
to 10.3 (Mpa).
From the new zero point, 2.4 mm (0.1) distance is equal to 3.8 mm penetration and the stress for
3.8 mm penetration is 0.24 (Mpa).
From the new zero point, 5.0 mm (0.2) distance is equal to 6.4 mm penetration and the stress for
6.4 mm penetration cannot be achieved from the curve since the structure failed before that.
CBR0.1 = 0.24 x 100 % = 3.48 %
6.9

Penetration Test at the Top of the Sample

Penetration (mm)
0.64
1.27
1.91
2.54
3.18
3.81
4.45
5.08

Dial Reading
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
7

Load (KN)
0.022132
0.044264
0.066397
0.088529
0.110661
0.132793
0.154926
0.154926

Stress (MPa)
0.01144
0.02287
0.03431
0.04574
0.05718
0.06861
0.08005
0.08005

The using the above data the load penetration curve was plotted (Annex 3).
At the penetration 2.4 mm (0.1), the stress is equal to 0.043 (Mpa) and at the penetration 5.0
mm (0.2), the stress is equal to 0.08 (Mpa).
CBR0.1 = 0.043 x 100 % = 0.62 %
6.9
CBR0.2 = 0.08 x 100 % = 0.78 %
10.3
CBR0.1 = 0.62 % < CBR0.2 = 0.78 %
Structure failed after 2.4 mm (0.1). Therefore test need to be repeated.
Discussion:
1) What is the difference between soaked CBR and un-soaked CBR?
Both test methods follow the same test procedure to find the CBR value of soil. In soak
CBR method, the prepared specimen is kept inside a bath for four days and then
penetration test is carried out.
2) Why we use soaked CBR for the pavement design?
CBR value of soil indicates the resistance of the subgrade to deformation under the load
from vehicles. The results obtained from the test are used with the empirical curves to
determine the thickness of pavements and its component layers. This method is the most
widely used method for the design of flexible pavements.
Resistance of soil for deformation is largely dependent on whether the soil is in wet or dry
condition. When the soil is in its wet form, it offers a lower resistance under loads. Soak
CBR test represent the wet condition of soil that may be come across during construction
of sub grade and when the pavement is in service. In service, subgrade may inundate due
to water logging or poor drainage. Therefore, soak CBR values are recommended for
pavement designs