SL-T - Mariam Bin Naji

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
Year 2 Laboratories
SL-T
Triaxial Compression Test
Technical Note
Surname (Family Name): i
Other Names:
Student ID Number: 201233797
Programme: Civil Engineering (BEng/MEng)
Lab group number: C4
Tutor: Patelli, edoardo
Demonstrator’s Name:
Date of experiment: 19/11/2018
SL-T Technical Note // CIVE224
STUDENT DECLARATION:
I confirm that I have:
 Read and understood the University’s Academic Integrity Policy. (Students should
familiarise themselves with Appendix L of the University’s Code of Practice on
Assessment which also provides the definitions of academic malpractice and the policies
and procedures that apply to the investigation of alleged incidents.);
 Acted honestly, ethically and professionally in conduct leading to this assessment;
 Not copied material from another source, nor committed plagiarism, nor fabricated data
when completing this work;
 Not colluded with any other student in the preparation and production of this work.
Students found to have committed academic malpractice are liable to receive a mark of
zero for the assessment or the module concerned. Unfair and dishonest academic practice
will attract more severe penalties, including possible suspension or termination of studies.
AIM OF THE TEST

The main goal behind this practical was to measure the shear strength parameters of a
saturated clay. The taken measurements were then classified based on the cohesion
coefficient calculated for the used clay.
1
Results:
SPECIMEN NUMBER 1 2 3 4
Date of test 19/10/2018 19/10/2018 19/10/2018 19/10/2018
Length of specimen (mms) 76 7 76 76
6−5−6−85−51−13
Diameter of specimen (mms) 38 36 38 38
C.S.A. of specimen (sq.m.) 0.00113 8
0.00113 0.00113 0.00113
A
Wet weight of specimen (gms) 175 175 178 178
Dry weight of specimen (gms) 142 141.5 144.1 142.8
Moisture Content (%) 23.24 23.67 23.52 26.65
Load Cell Constant (kN/div) 1 1 1 1
Test Cell Pressure (kN/sq.m.) 100 20 300 400
0
Table 1: results
SPECIMEN NUMBER 1 SPECIMEN NUMBER 2
Specimen Strain Load Deviator Specimen Strain Load Deviator

Deformation Stress Deformati Stress
(mms) e1 (kN) (kN/sq.m.) on (mms) e1 (kN) (kN/sq.m.)
e1=x/ e1=x/
x W W(1-E1)/A x W W(1-E1)/A
L L
0.0 0.000 0 0 0 0.000 0 0.000
0.5 0.007 0.0634 55.737 0.5 0.007 0.0588 51.693
1.0 0.013 0.1031 90.038 1 0.013 0.1144 99.907
1.5 0.020 0.1211 105.053 1.5 0.020 0.1153 100.022
2.0 0.026 0.1313 113.137 2 0.026 0.1189 102.452
4.0 0.053 0.1534 128.607 4 0.053 0.1309 109.744
6.0 0.079 0.1801 146.798 6 0.079 0.1457 118.759
8.0 0.105 0.2078 164.537 8 0.105 0.1495 118.374
10.0 0.132 0.2333 179.294 10 0.132 0.1514 116.353
12.0 0.158 0.2359 175.799 12 0.158 0.1558 116.106
14.0 0.184 0.2483 179.257 14 0.184 0.1558 112.478
16.0 0.211 0.2519 175.990 16 0.211 0.1558 108.850
18.0 0.237 0.2547 172.014 18 0.237 0.1558 105.221
20.0 0.263 0.2679 174.690 20 0.263 0.1558 101.593
22.0 0.289 0.2679 168.451 22 0.289 0.1558 97.965
24.0 0.316 0.2679 162.212 24 0.316 0.1559 94.397
Table 2: specimen 1 & 2 results
2
SPECIMEN NUMBER 3 SPECIMEN NUMBER 4

Strain Load Strain Load Deviator
Specimen Deviator Specimen
Stress
Deformatio Stress Deformatio
(kN/sq.m
n (mms) (kN/sq.m.) n (mms)
e1 (kN) e1 (kN) .)
e1=x/ e1=x/ W(1-
x W W(1-E1)/A x W
L L E1)/A
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0.041 36.6598742 0.048
0.5 0.007 0.5 0.007 42.814
7 4 7
44.5388914 0.057
1.0 0.013 0.051 1.0 0.013 50.128
8 4
0.064 56.1265719 0.064
1.5 0.020 1.5 0.020 55.780
7 6 3
0.073 63.1602235 0.070
2.0 0.026 2.0 0.026 61.006
3 7 8
0.100 84.5086166 0.088
4.0 0.053 4.0 0.053 74.448
8 7 8
0.126 102.945971 0.097
6.0 0.079 6.0 0.079 79.634
3 1 7
0.156 123.758733 0.103
8.0 0.105 8.0 0.105 82.110
3 1 7
0.171 131.800186 0.114
10.0 0.132 10.0 0.132 87.995
5 3 5
142.338146 0.124
12.0 0.158 0.191 12.0 0.158 92.781
3 5
0.203 146.842105 0.128
14.0 0.184 14.0 0.184 92.841
4 3 6
0.214 150.139729 0.130
16.0 0.211 16.0 0.211 90.964
9 9 2
0.224 151.551001 0.130
18.0 0.237 18.0 0.237 88.135
4 4 5
0.240 156.562645 0.136
20.0 0.263 20.0 0.263 88.812
1 6 2
0.244 153.486259 0.157
22.0 0.289 22.0 0.289 99.222
1 9 8
0.244 147.801583 0.157
24.0 0.316 24.0 0.316 95.547
1 6 8
Table 3: specimen 3 & 4 results
3
Graphs:
Specimen 1
200.000
180.000
160.000
Deviator Stress (kN/sq.m.)
140.000
120.000
100.000
80.000
60.000
40.000
20.000
0.000
0.000 0.050 0.100 0.150 0.200 0.250 0.300 0.350
Axial Strain
Graph 1: Relationship between Deviator stress and Axial strain for specimen 1
4
Speciemen 2
140
120
deviator stress (kN/sq.m.)
100
80
60
40
20
0
0.000 0.050 0.100 0.150 0.200 0.250 0.300 0.350
Axial strain
Specimen 3
180
160
140
DEVIATOR STRESS (kN/sq.m.)
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0.000 0.050 0.100 0.150 0.200 0.250 0.300 0.350
AXIAL STRAIN
5
Specimen 4
120
100
deviator stress (kN/sq.m.)
80
60
40
20
0
0.000 0.050 0.100 0.150 0.200 0.250 0.300 0.350
Axial strain
Calculations:
Equation 1 was used to calculate the moisture content:
weight of moist soil − weight of dried soil

moisture content percentage : x 100
weight of dried soil
( eqn 1 )
Specimen 1:
Weight of Moist soil: 175 gms , Weight of Dried soil : 142 gms
175 −142
moisture content %= x 100=23.24 %
142
Specimen 2:
Weight of Moist soil: 175 gms , Weight of Dried soil: 141.5 gms
175 −141.5
141.5
Specimen 3:
6
178 −144.1
144.1
Specimen 4:
178 −142.8
142.8
Mohr’s circle:
centre=
[( )]
σ1+ σ3
2
Radius= [( σ1 − σ3)
2 ]
σ 1 :cell presuure
σ 3 : vertical stress
Rearrange the equation to

σ 3=σ 3 + Deviator stress
The Deviator stress in table 4 is the maximum number of deviator stress of each specimen.
Specimen Cell Vertical Deviator Change of Correspondin

pressure σ
stress ( 3) stress kN/m diameter at
3
g axial strain
(σ 3) kN/m3 kN/m 3 failure mms
1 100 279.294 179.294 10 0.132
2 200 318.759 118.759 6 0.079
3 300 456.653 156.653 20 0.263
4 400 499.222 99.222 22 0.289
Table 4: results of 4 specimens
Specimen 1:
279.064+100
centre= =189.532
2
279.064 −100
Radius= =89.532
2
Specimen 2:
318.759+200
centre= =259.380
2
7
318.759− 200
Radius= =59.380
2
Specimen 3:
456.653+ 300
centre= =378.326
2
456.653 −300
Radius= =78.326
2
Specimen 4:
499.222+ 400
centre= =499.611
2
499.222+400
Radius= =49.611
2
Graph 5: Mohr’s circle of four specimens.
Angle of internal friction
sin
−1
( σσ 1−
1+σ 3 )
σ3
=sin
−1 318.759 −200
318.759+ 200
=11.95 °
The angle is 11.95° . it was calculated using the formula above. Thus, it could be inaccurate
because the Mohr circle was drawn by hand.
Cohesion coefficient:
τ f =σ tan ϕ +C
S ( ue )
C= ,
2
2P
 S ( ue ) =
πDL
8
τ f :Shear strength.
σ : Normal stress
ϕ : Angle of internal friction.
C :Cohesion coefficient .
S ( ue ) :Unconfined compressive strength
Specimen 1:
2 x 0.233 2
S ( ue ) = =51.361 kN /m
π x 0.038 x 0.076
Specimen 2:
2 x 0.1309 2
S ( ue ) = =28.855 kN /m
π x 0.038 x 0.076
Specimen 3:
2 x 0.0.2401 kN
S ( ue ) = =52.926 2
π x 0.038 x 0.076 m
Specimen 4:
2 x 0.1578
S ( ue ) = =¿ 34.785
π x 0.038 x 0.076
Cohesion Coefficient Factor:
Specimen 1:
51.361
C= =¿25.681
2
Specimen 2:
28.855
C= =14.427
2
Specimen 3:
52.926
C= =26.463
2
Specimen 4:
34.785
C= =17.393
2
Saturation Degree:
Volume of water
S.D. =
volume of voids
GxW
Dry unit weight : S . D .=
e
G ( 1+w ) y w
Void volume :e= −1
yb
ww +w s
 Bulk unit weight: y b=
vt
9
wet weight of specimen before test

Water content =
dry weight of specimen after test
e: Void’s volume
G x W: volume of water
y b : Bulks unit weight
w w :Wet weight of the specimen
w s : Dry weight of the specimen
v t :Total volume
W :Water content ∈ specimen
Constants:
y w =9.81 , G=2.7
Total volume:
v t=¿ 0.00113 x 76 x 10-3 8.588 ×10− 5 m3
Specimen 1:
175
W= =1.232
142
175 ×10− 3 +142× 10−3 3

y b= −5
=3691.197 kg /m
8.588 ×10
2.7 ( 1+1.232 ) x 9.81

e= −1=0.9839
3691.197
2.7 x 1.232
S . D .= =3.3808
0.9839
Specimen 2:
175
W= =1.237
141.5
175 ×10− 3 +141.5× 10−3 3

y b= −5
=3685.375 kg /m
8.588 ×10
2.7 ( 1+1.237 ) x 9.81

e= − 1=0.9839
3685.375
2.7 x 1.237
S . D .= =3.394
0.984
10
Specimen 3:
178
W= =1.235
144.1
−3 −3
178 ×10 +144.1× 10 3
y b= −5
=3750.582 kg/ m
8.588 ×10
2.7 ( 1+1.235 ) x 9.81

e= −1=0.9842
3750.582
2.7 x 1.235
S . D .= =3.389
0.984
Specimen 4:
178
W= =1.246
142.8
−3 −3
178 ×10 +142.8× 10 3
y b= −5
=3726.129 kg /m
8.588 ×10
2.7 ( 1+1.246 ) x 9.81
e= − 1=0.9840
3726.129
2.7 x 1.246
S . D .= =3.422
0.983
Discussion
This section summaries the findings of the experiment. after doing the experiment and the
needed calculations, it was possible to classify the clay. Cohesion coefficient is what the
classification of the clay depends on. The value of cohesion coefficient varies between all 4
specimens. To illustrate, the values of the 4 specimens are 51.361, 28.855, 52.926 and 34.785
respectively. When comparing the obtained values to the classifying table, it can be seen that
the used clay samples classification is between soft and firm which is between 20-40 and 40-
75.
Table 5: Clay classification table
Table 5 shows the classification of clays. It is substantial to consider all factors when
analysing the results. Such as, cohesion coefficient and the void ratio. The void ratio is also
11
different from one specimen to another. The calculated values were between 0.9839 and
0.9842.
Errors could take place in every experiment. Such as, human and systematic errors which
then will decrease the accuracy of the outcomes. In Triaxial compression test, the shear stress
might not be applied precisely on the center of the rubber disk of the sample, which causes an
undistributed load on the specimen. In addition, parallax error could be a source as well.
The accuracy of the outcomes could have been improved. This can be done by replacing the
using equipment with new ones. Moreover, covering the clay sample might help with water
not entering.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the clay samples were examined under different value of pressures. Stress and
strain were calculated, and graphs were plotted for all specimens. Mohr’s circle was drawn
for all of the four specimens. The angle of the internal friction was 11.95 ° .it was possible to
classify the 4 specimens, and this was based on the obtained value of the cohesion
coefficient.
Bibliography:
https://www.vpgroundforce.com/Groundforce/media/Groundforce/Files/GF-Soil-Description-
Chart.pdf
12

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SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

I confirm that I have:

AIM OF THE TEST

SPECIMEN NUMBER 1 SPECIMEN NUMBER 2

Specimen Strain Load Deviator Specimen Strain Load Deviator

SPECIMEN NUMBER 3 SPECIMEN NUMBER 4

weight of moist soil − weight of dried soil

Rearrange the equation to

Specimen Cell Vertical Deviator Change of Correspondin

Graph 5: Mohr’s circle of four specimens.

Angle of internal friction

Cohesion Coefficient Factor:

wet weight of specimen before test

175 ×10− 3 +142× 10−3 3

2.7 ( 1+1.232 ) x 9.81

175 ×10− 3 +141.5× 10−3 3

2.7 ( 1+1.237 ) x 9.81

2.7 ( 1+1.235 ) x 9.81

Table 5: Clay classification table

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