Indian Institute Of Technology Gandhinagar

Soil Mechanics Laboratory CE-301

Laboratory Report

Unconfined Compression Test

Submitted by:
Group 3
Amar Baroliya (16110010), Ishank Singh (16110064), Jitesh Mittal (16110067),
Kishan Khichi (16110078), Mayank Kumar (16110090) & Muhammed Sinan RK (16110097)

THEORY:

Unconfined compression test is the special case of a triaxial test in which

σ​2​ = σ​3​ = 0 and there is only σ​1​, which is compressive in nature. Therefore,
it is also known as the Uniaxial compression test. In this test, loading is
very quick as we try to stimulate the conditions during the construction or
just after the construction. And due to this quick loading, no water comes
out and there is no dissipation of pore water pressure take place there is no
change in volume so, it is also undrained. Through this test we try to find
out the shear strength parameters of soil.
S = C + σ​n​tan(𝜙)
Where, S = Shear strength of the soil
C = Cohesion
𝜙 = Internal friction angle
σ​n​ = Normal stress

From the above equation, we can see that the shear strength of the soil
depends on the two parameters which are cohesion and internal friction
angle.

We find out these parameters by Mohr Failure Envelope (common tangent

to the successive Mohr’s circles) which shows the failure criteria for the soil
specimen. Corresponding to any point on the X-axis or normal stress if the
Shear stress value on the Y-axis is above the envelope then it will lead to
failure.

Cohesion (C) is calculated by the intercept which the Mohr Envelope make
on the Y-axis (Shear stress) and internal friction angle (𝜙) is the angle
which the Mohr Envelope make with respect to X-axis (normal stress).

In this test, there is only one mohr circle as there is no lateral stress
present in other words σ​2​ = σ​3​ = 0. So, the radius of this mohr circle will
represent the cohesion.

During this test, we prefer the deformation controlled load induction over
the load controlled deformation induction because in the load controlled we
can not see the decrease in the load but we can see this in the deformation
controlled which is the indicator of stopping of testing of the soil specimen.
NEED AND SCOPE:

In the field, it is not always possible to conduct the bearing capacity test.
Sometimes it is cheaper to take undisturbed soil samples from the field and
test it in the lab to find the strength. Also, in order to choose the best
material for the embankments, we have to test on the selected samples
and find strength. Under these conditions, it is easy to conduct the
unconfined compression test on undisturbed and remolded sample. Now
we can do the experiment on given sample and investigate strength.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:

1. Soil trimmer, evaporating dish (Aluminium container)

2. Proving ring of 0.01 kg sensitivity for soft soil; 0.05 kg for stiff soils
3. Balance
4. A soil sample of required dimensions (diameter and height), Sample
extractor and split sampler
5. Loading frame with a constant rate of movement
6. Dial gauge (0.01 mm accuracy), Dial gauge (sensitivity 0.01 mm)
7. Frictionless end plates of required diameter (having silicon grease
coating)

PREPARATION OF SPECIMEN:

For this test, a cylindrical specimen of soil is prepared which is tested to fail
under a simple compressive force and without any lateral support, the load
to the sample is due to a constant rate of strain. The compressive load per
unit area at which the cylindrical soil sample fails is called the unconfined
compressive strength of the soil.
UNDISTURBED SPECIMEN​​:

1. Note the bore-hole number, sample number, and the depth at which
the sample is being taken.
2. From the sampling tube remove the protective cover of paraffin wax
and place the sampling tube extractor.
3. Then push the plunger until a small length of sample moves out.
4. Using a wire saw trim the projected sample and push the plunger
further till a sample of 75 mm is obtained.
5. Carefully cut out this sample and to prevent it from falling place it on
the split sampler.
6. For the determination of water content of the soil, take about 10 to
15g of soil from the tube.
7. Weigh the sample and the container and note down the container
number.
8. For the diameter of the measure the diameter of the sample at the top
middle and bottom of the sample and take their average and record it.
9. Also, record the length and weight of the sample.

REMOLDED SAMPLE:

1. For preparing the soil specimen of desired water content and the dry
density, calculate the weight of the dry soil (W​s​) and amount of water
(W​w​ = W​s *​ W/100 gm) to be mixed to this dry soil, that would be
needed to prepare the sample of the required dimensions, i.e. of
given diameter and height.
2. Thoroughly mix the water and soil.
3. Disassemble the mould (of the required dimensions) and spray the
mould with the silicon spray so that the sample can be easily taken
out of it once prepared.
4. After this roughly divide the mix of soil and water into three equal
parts and start filling the mould. The filling of the mould is to be done
 in three layers and each layer is to be tamped equally, this is done to
maintain the same density throughout the sample.
5. Once the soil is tamped in the mould then trim and flush the top
surface of the specimen.
6. Carefully remove the soil specimen from the mould.

PROCEDURE:

1. Take two frictionless bearing plates with diameter same as of sample

dimension.
2. Place the specimen between these two bearing plates ( sandwiched
between them).
3. Place a hardened steel ball on the top plate.
4. Make sure that the specimen is placed such a way that the proving
ring and steel ball are on the centre line of the specimen.
5. In order to measure the vertical compression of the specimen, fix a
dial gauge.
6. Adjust the gear position on the load frame to give suitable vertical
displacement.
7. Start applying load.
8. Record the readings of the proving ring and compression dial for
every 5mm compression of the specimen.
9. Continue loading till a point where either failure or 20 % axial strain
occurs.
10. Draw the sketch of failure pattern in the specimen.
Failure in sample one.

Failure in sample two

 Failure in sample three.
OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS:

Sample 1:
Strain Area A Proving ring
Compression Compression (ΔL/L₀₀).100 A₀₀/(1-ε/100) reading Axial load Compressive
dial reading (L) (mm) (ε%) (cm)² (Divisions) (N) stress (N/cm²)
0 0.00 0.00 11.34 0 0.00 0.00
25 0.25 0.33 11.38 23 89.47 7.86
50 0.50 0.66 11.42 54 210.06 18.40
75 0.75 0.99 11.45 83 322.87 28.19
100 1.00 1.32 11.49 105 408.45 35.54
125 1.25 1.64 11.53 110 427.90 37.11
150 1.50 1.97 11.57 98 381.22 32.95
175 1.75 2.30 11.61 77 299.53 25.81
200 2.00 2.63 11.65 55 213.95 18.37
Maximum Compressive Stress = 37.11 N/cm​2​
 Sample 2:
Strain Area A Proving ring
Compression Compression (ΔL/L₀₀).100 A₀₀/(1-ε/100) reading Axial load Compressive
dial reading (L) (mm) (ε%) (cm)² (Divisions) (N) stress (N/cm²)
0 0.00 0.00 11.34 0 0.00 0.00
25 0.25 0.33 11.38 27 105.03 9.23
50 0.50 0.66 11.42 65 252.85 22.15
75 0.75 0.99 11.45 86 334.54 29.21
100 1.00 1.32 11.49 103 400.67 34.87
125 1.25 1.64 11.53 110 427.90 37.11
150 1.50 1.97 11.57 108 420.12 36.32
175 1.75 2.30 11.61 98 381.22 32.84
200 2.00 2.63 11.65 79 307.31 26.39
Maximum Compressive Stress = 37.11 N/cm​2​

Sample 3:
Strain Area A Proving ring
Compression Compression (ΔL/L₀₀).100 A₀₀/(1-ε/100) reading Axial load Compressive
dial reading (L) (mm) (ε%) (cm)² (Divisions) (N) stress (N/cm²)
0 0.00 0.00 11.34 0 0.00 0.00
25 0.25 0.33 11.38 28 108.92 9.57
50 0.50 0.66 11.42 78 303.42 26.58
75 0.75 0.99 11.45 94 365.66 31.93
100 1.00 1.32 11.49 104 404.56 35.21
125 1.25 1.64 11.53 105 408.45 35.43
150 1.50 1.97 11.57 97 377.33 32.62
175 1.75 2.30 11.61 84 326.76 28.15
200 2.00 2.63 11.65 67 260.63 22.38
Maximum Compressive Stress = 35.43 N/cm​2​
Average Maximum Compressive Stress for 3 Samples = 36.55 N/cm​2​

As this is the radius of the Mohr circle and 𝜙 is 0 in our case, so we can say
that the shear strength of the soil is half of the average maximum
compressive shear stress and thus equal to 18.28 N/cm​2

CONCLUSION:

The shear strength of the given soil is 18.28 N/cm​2

SOURCES OF ERRORS:

● Before making of the sample just spray a layer of silicon spray on

mould so that our sample can easily a detached without any harm.
● We have to conduct our test in just 15 minutes after making of
sample as change in water content with time may cause errors in our
test.
● Make the sample in 3 layers to maintain the uniformity in the soil.
REFERENCES:

1. https://in.images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=AwrwJU3JJ
MZb6BkAJ4q9HAx.;_ylu=X3oDMTBsZ29xY3ZzBHNlYwNzZWFyY2g
Ec2xrA2J1dHRvbg
2. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hK-ww9g665znt4h8nRwip
WoIxvwW61zdxTxcL4QNpzA/edit?usp=sharing
3. Lab sheet and discussions in the lab