Jordan University of Science and Technology

Civil Engineering Department

CE463-GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LAB

Student Name: Abdulaziz Essa

ID : 159145
Exp Name : Unconfined compression test

Exp No. 8

Instructor: Eng. Maysa Khasawneh

Submission Date: may 2 ,2023

Sec : 1 group :1

Evaluation Elements Max Grade

Grade
1 Title Page (evaluation form) and Overall Appearance -

2 Abstract 15

3 Introduction 5

4 Objective 5

7 Results and Data Analysis 25

8 Discussion 30

9 Conclusion 20

10 Total 100
 Abstract:
This experiment aims to determine the stress and strain caused by the load placed on the earth.

The computation revealed the relationship employed in this experiment.

Introduction:
Individual soil particles can slide and roll in relation to one another. The greatest amount of shear
stress that may be mobilized within a soil mass without causing failure is the shear strength of the
soil. A soil's shear strength is a result of the forces placed on it as well as how those stresses are
applied. To calculate the carrying capacity of foundations, the lateral pressure on retaining walls,
and the stability of slopes, one must be aware of the shear strength of the soil. Circle of Stresses in
Mohr Cylindrical samples with axial and radial stresses acting on the primary planes are frequently
utilized in soil testing. Typically, the horizontal plane is the main principle plane and the vertical
plane is the minor principal plane. The main primary stress (s1) is the axial stress (sa), whereas the
minor principal stress (sr) is the radial stress (sr).The Mohr- Colomb failure may be used to
calculate the shear strength of soil as follows:

τ f= shear stress on the failure plane

c = apparent cohesion

σ =normal stress on the failure plane

f= angle of internal friction

For undrained test of saturated clayey soils (f= 0)

The unconfined compression strength test is quick method of determining the value of CU for
clayey soil

the unconfined strength given by the relation qu=Cu/2

Where qu= unconfined compression strength.

The stress at which failure in the soil specimen occurs is referred to as the unconfined compression
strength for standard clay specimen. The unconfined compression strength is determined by
applying an axial stress to a cylindrical soil specimen without applying confining pressure and
observing the axial strains corresponding to the various stress levels. Unsaturated soil with a fixed
dry weight has a decline in unconfined compression strength as the moisture content rises. This
happens even if the saturation level is increased.

Objective:
For a clayey soil, the unconfined compression test is a simple way to calculate the Cu value.
This test's main goal is to ascertain the clay's unconfined compression strength, which is used to
establish the clay's unconsolidation undrained shear strength under unconfined conditions.

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The compressive stress at which an unconfined cylindrical specimen of soil fails in a
straightforward compression test is known as the unconfined compressive strength (qu), according
the ASTM standard. Additionally, the maximum load achieved per unit area, or the load per unit
area at 15% axial strain, is used in this test method to determine the unconfined compressive
strength. whichever happens first while a test is being run.

Experimental details:

Apparatus:
1- graduated cylinder

2- mold

3- compaction device

4- empty blow

5- unconfined compression test device

Procedure:
Obtain a soil specimen for the test. If it is an undisturbed specimen, it has to be trimmed to
the proper size by using the specimen trimmer. For classroom laboratory work, specimens
at various moisture contents can be prepared using a Harvard minia~e compaction device.
The cylindrical soil specimen should have a height-to-diameter (LID) ratio of between 2
and 3. In many instances, specimens with diameters of 1.4 in. (35.56 mm) and heights of 3.5
in. (88.9 mm) are used.
Measure the diameter (D) and length (L) of the specimen and detennine the mass of the
specimen.
Place the specimen centrally between the two loading plates of the unconfined compression
testing machine. Move the top loading plate very carefully just to touch the top of the
specimen. Set the proving ring dial gauge to zero. A dial gauge [each small division of the
gauge should be equal to 0.001
in. (0.0254 mm) of vertical travel] should be attached to the unconfined compression testing
machine to record the vertical upward movement (i.e., compression of the specimen during
testing) of the bottom loading plate. Set this dial gauge to zero.
Turn the machine on. Record loads (i.e., proving ring dial gauge readings) and the
corresponding specimen deformations. Dur in~ the load application, the rate of vertical
strain should be adjusted to Yz% to 2% per minute. At the initial stage of the test, readings
are usually taken every 0.01 in. (0.254 mm) of specimen deformation. However, .this can be
varied to every 0.02 in. (0.508 mm) of specimen deformation at a later stage of the test
when the load-deformation curve begins to flatten out. Continue taking readings until
Load reaches a peak and then decreases; or

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 Load reaches a maximum value and remains approximately constant thereafter (take about 5
readings after it reaches the peak value); or
Deformation of the specimen is past 20% strain before reaching the peak. This may happen
in the case of soft clays. Unload the specimen by lowering the bottom loading plate.
Remove the specimen from between the two loading plates. Draw a free-hand sketch of the
specimen after failure. Show the nature of the failure. Put the specimen in a porcelain
evaporating dish and determine the moisture content (after drying it in an oven to a constant
weight).

Results and Calculations:

deformation factor =0.01mm
load factor = 10.2 N
diameter = 38 mm
length = 76 mm

deformation load
τ σ
0 0 0 0
10 3.2 0.131579 0.002822
20 6.8 0.263158 0.005996
30 10.5 0.394737 0.009259
40 14.4 0.526316 0.012698
50 18 0.657895 0.015873
60 21.5 0.789474 0.018959
70 24 0.921053 0.021164
80 27 1.052632 0.02381
90 30 1.184211 0.026455
100 32.5 1.315789 0.02866
110 34 1.447368 0.029982
120 35.5 1.578947 0.031305
130 36.8 1.710526 0.032451
140 37 1.842105 0.032628
150 37.5 1.973684 0.033069
160 37 2.105263 0.032628
170 36 2.236842 0.031746
180 35.5 2.368421 0.031305

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 stress vs. strain
0.035

0.03

0.025

0.02
stress

0.015

0.01

0.005

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
strain%

Sample calculations:
*To find strain use :

τ = deformation / L
=10/76 = 0.131579

*To find stress use :

σ = load / Ac
=3.2 / 1134 = 0.002822

Discussions:
By applying an axial tension to a cylindrical soil specimen without adding confining pressure and
monitoring the axial strains associated with various stress levels, the unconfined compression
strength is ascertained. The unconfined compression strength is defined as the stress at which the
soil specimen fails. The unconfined compression strength for saturated clay specimens diminishes
as the moisture content rises. With the dry unit weight being constant, the unconfined compression
strength for unsaturated soils falls as the saturation level rises.
In essence, the machine is made up of a top and a bottom loading plate. The top loading plate is
connected to the bottom of a proving ring. The cross-bar that is in turn linked to two metal supports
serves as the top of the proving ring. It is possible to raise or lower the bottom loading plate.
It is preferable to test two to three similar specimens to determine the unconfined compression
strength. The representative value of qu is its average value.
According to the value of qu, a cohesive soil has a very soft consistency.
When the soil is evaluated after remolding without any change in moisture content, the unconfined
compression strength is significantly decreased for many naturally formed clayey soils. This is
what is meant by sensitivity.
In the unconfined test, the sample is not subjected to any radial stress (3 = 0). Plunger load is
rapidly raised until the soil sample fails, which means it cannot support any further load.

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So that the soil's pore water cannot drain, the loading is applied quickly. Because pore water
pressure changes are not typically measured, the effect stress path is unknown.
If there is no moisture loss from the specimen throughout the test, this test is regarded as an
undrained shear test. The specimen must be whole, homogeneous clay and must not have any
cracks, silt seams, variations, or other faults. Over-consolidated clays are seldom entire, and even
properly consolidated clays frequently contain some fractures.

Conclusion:

When the soil is evaluated after remolding without any change in moisture content, the unconfined
compression strength is significantly decreased for many naturally formed clayey soils. This is
what is meant by sensitivity.

For a clayey soil, the unconfined compression test is a simple way to calculate the value of Cu.

An unrestricted compression test device that allows for strain-controlled experiments

The stress corresponding to 20% strain should be treated as significant if it happens before the peak
stress.

The unconfined compression test gives a measurement of the undrained strength and stress-strain
properties of cohesive soil samples that have not been remolded, compacted, or disturbed.

References:
Bowles, Joseph E. Engineering Properties of Soils. 4th. Boston: Irwin McGraw-Hill, 1992

ASTM Standard D 854, 2000-2002, “Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by
Water Pycnometer,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, www.astm.org