SCHOOL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

SHAH ALAM

LABORATORY MANUAL

COURSE GEOTECHNICAL LABORATORY

COURSE CODE ECG428

LEVEL OF OPENNESS 1

CATEGORY PARTIALLY OPEN

DEGREE OF OPEN-ENDED (%) 33%

ENGINEERING PROPERTIES

CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO

(Refer to Clause 7: BS1377: Part 4: 1990)

Introduction
Level 1 laboratory activity refers to conditions where the problem and ways &
means are guided and given to the students. However, the answers to the
assignment are left to the students to solve using group creativity and
innovativeness. The activity is hoped to slowly introduce and inculcate
independent learning amongst students and prepare them for a much harder
task of open-ended laboratory activities.

California Bearing Ratio

The California bearing ratio test (CBR test) is defined as the ratio of the test
load to the standard load, expressed as a percentage for a given penetration of
the plunger. California bearing ratio is the percentage of stress a soil specimen
can resist for a certain amount of penetration relative to the value of stress a
standard soil could resist. Basically, the value is an indicator of the strength of
PREAMBLE the soil. The principle is to determine the relationship between force and
penetration when a cylindrical plunger of a standard cross-sectional area is
made to penetrate the soil at a given rate.

Objectives
The objective of this test is to quantitatively determine the CBR value that is an
indicator of the strength of the soil.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the laboratory activities, students would be able to:

1.
Acquire an understanding of the engineering properties of soils.
2.
Acquire the necessary skill to prepare samples and conduct the CBR test according to the standard laboratory procedure.
3.
Calculate and analyze data to report and present results in a proper engineering format.

For roadway construction, soil that functions as a subgrade and base course should satisfy the required strength of the soil. The thickness of

flexible pavement is determined by the CBR value. Thus, the CBR value is an indicator of the strength of the soil to resist the load at the upper
PROBLEM STATEMENT
layer. If the CBR value is lower, the thickness of the pavement will be higher, and vice versa. Typically, the harder the soil surface, the higher

the CBR value. Thus, for the soil sample given. Need to determine the CBR value and evaluate the strength of the soil.

Oct 2022_nms
©PKA, UiTM, SHAH ALAM
SCHOOL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

SHAH ALAM

LABORATORY MANUAL
Apparatus
1. CBR Mold – 150 mm

2. CBR Test machine

WAYS & MEANS

3.

Procedure
Sample preparation

1. Take a portion of about 6 kg of material passing a 20 mm test sieve. This test

shall be carried out on material passing a 20 mm test sieve. If the fraction
retained on 20mm is greater than 25%, the test is not applicable.
2. After bringing to the required moisture content the soil shall be thoroughly
mixed and shall normally be sealed and stored for at least 24hr before
compaction into the test mold.
3. When the density or air voids content of a compacted sample is specified, the
exact amount of soil required for the test can be calculated as described.
The mass required to just fill the CBR mold of volume V m (in cm3):-
Vm
m 1= ( 100+w ) ρd
100

The (w) water content and dry density (ρd) should be obtained from the
compaction test (Standard Proctor Test).

Compaction

1. Pour the soil slowly into the mold.

2. The remolded sample is compacted dynamically. It can either be compacted
Oct 2022_nms
©PKA, UiTM, SHAH ALAM
SCHOOL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

SHAH ALAM

LABORATORY MANUAL
statistically with the help of a compression machine or dynamically by using a
rammer. For dynamic compaction using a rammer (refer to Standard Proctor
Test)

CBR Test
3. At the final layer, remove the extension collar and trim off the excess soil by a
straight edge.
4. Remove the base plate and spacer disc.
5. Turn the mold upside down.
6. Place a filter paper on the perforated base plate and clamp the perforated
base plate onto it.
7. Place the mold containing the specimen in the position on the testing
machine
8. Record the data.
RESULTS & ANALYSIS

DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION

CONCLUSION

REFERENCE

Oct 2022_nms
©PKA, UiTM, SHAH ALAM