Highway Lab Prepared by: Diyar N Hasan

The California Bearing Ratio Test

California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test was developed by the California Division of Highway as
a method of classifying and evaluating soil sub grade and sub base and base course materials
for flexible pavements.

The CBR is a measure of resistance of a material to penetration of standard plunger under

controlled density and moisture conditions.

Also, California bearing ratio is defined as the ratio (expressed as percentage) between the load
sustained by the soil sample at a specified penetration of a standard plunger (50 mm diameter),
standard rate of (1.25 mm/minute) and the load sustained by the standard crushed stones at the
same penetration.

Standard loads at specified penetrations:

Significance and Use

1. Test is used to evaluate the potential strength of subgrade, subbase, and base course
material for use in road and airfield pavements.
2. The CBR value obtained in this test forms an integral part of several flexible
pavement design methods.

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Highway Lab Prepared by: Diyar N Hasan

Apparatus
1. Loading Machine: Any compression machine, which can operate at a constant rate of
1.25 mm/minute.
2. Cylindrical mold: A mold of 152 mm (6 in) dia. and 178 mm (7 in) height provided
with an extension collar approximately 50 mm (2 in) in height. A displacer disc of
151 mm dia. and 61 mm thickness is used to obtain a specimen of exactly 127.3mm
height.
3. Standard plunger of 5 cm diameter.
4. Dial gauge for recording penetration.
5. Surcharge weights each of 2.5 kg.
6. Sieve, mixing pan, spoon, oven, balance, straightedge, filter paper.
7. Compaction hammer.

Figure 1 CBR Test Apparatus

The compaction of material is usually different for specific work. The table below gives the
details for compaction.

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Highway Lab Prepared by: Diyar N Hasan

Sample Preparation

The CBR test shall be carried out on material passing the 19mm test sieve. If all material passes
a 19mm sieve, the entire gradation shall be used for preparing specimens for compaction
without modification. If there is material retained on the 19.0mm sieve, the material retained
on the 19.0mm sieve shall be removed and replaced by an equal amount of material passing
the 19.0mm sieve and retained on the 4.75mm sieve obtained by separation from portions of
the sample not otherwise used for testing.

Procedure

1. Mix each specimen with sufficient water to obtain the optimum moisture content
(OMC).
2. Prepare three molds of CBR for a different number of blows/layer:
A. Pour the processed soil in to the first mold in 5 equal layers, and then compact each
layer With 10 blows.
B. Pour the processed soil in to the second mold in 5 equal layers, and then compact
each layer With 30 blows.
C. Pour the processed soil in to the second mold in 5 equal layers, and then compact
each layer With 56 blows.

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Highway Lab Prepared by: Diyar N Hasan

3. Remove the extension collar, and using a straightedge, trim the compacted soil even
with the top of the mold. Remove the spacer disk, place a filter paper on the perforated
base plate, invert the mold and compacted soil and place on the filter paper so the
compacted soil is in contact with the filter paper.
4. Clamp the perforated base plate to the mold and attach the collar.
5. Place the surcharge weights on the surface of soil in the mold. To simulate field
Conditions a minimum of 5kg (10 lb) weight of surcharge is placed over the soil. Each
2.5kg (5lbs) surcharge weight is approximately equivalent to 6.5 cm. (2'') of
Construction.
6. Bring the plunger in contact with the top surface of the sample, to prevent displacement
of soft materials into the hole of the surcharge weights.
7. Apply a seating load of 4.5 kg (10lb) to the plunger on the surface of the soil.
8. Set the load and penetration gauge to zero.
9. Apply the load at the rate of 1.25 mm/minute (0.05'' per minute).
10. Record the load reading at penetration values of 0.0., 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0,
7.5, 10 and 12.5mm (0.0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.o75, 0.10, 0.15, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5in).
11. Determine the moisture content of the material being compacted.

Calculation

1. Determine dry density for each sample for different number of blows/layer.
2. Draw a curve load versus penetration for each sample, then find load corresponding to
2.5mm and 5mm penetration.

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Highway Lab Prepared by: Diyar N Hasan

3. Determine %CBR for each of penetration 2.5 mm and 5mm (after correction) under
standard crushed stone.

Note: The CBR number is usually based on the load ratio for penetration 2.54 mm. If CBR
value for penetration of 5.08 mm value is larger; the test is entirely repeated on fresh specimens,
if the new percentage value at 5.08mm penetration is still greater, then the CBR number at
5.08mm penetration value is used for design purposes.

4. Choose the larger value of % CBR (2.5 or 5) to corresponding standard penetration for
each sample.
5. Compare the results with Iraqi specification and the material used for which layer.
%CBR According to Iraqi Specification for different layers: