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Experiment

Unconfined Compression Test (BS 1377: 1975, TEST 20)


Objective

Observe the mode of failure and determination of sensitivity of the soil specimen.

Introduction
The primary purpose of this test is to determine the unconfined compressive strength,
which is then used to calculate the unconsolidated undrained shear strength of the clay under
unconfined conditions. According to the ASTM standard, the unconfined compressive strength
(qu) is defined as the compressive stress at which an unconfined cylindrical specimen of soil will
fail in a simple compression test. In addition, in this test method, the unconfined compressive
strength is taken as the maximum load attained per unit area, or the load per unit area at 15%
axial strain, whichever occurs first during the performance of a test.
The unconfined compression test is by far the most popular method of soil shear testing
because it is one of the fastest and cheapest methods of measuring shear strength. The method is
used primarily for saturated, cohesive soils recovered from thin-walled sampling tubes. The
unconfined compression test is inappropriate for dry sands or crumbly clays because the
materials would fall apart without some land of lateral confinement.
To perform an unconfined compression test, the sample is extruded from the sampling
tube. A cylindrical sample of soil is trimmed such that the ends are reasonably smooth and the
length-to-diameter ratio is on the order of two. The soil sample is placed in a loading frame on a
metal plate; by turning a crank, the operator raises the level of the bottom plate. The top of the
soil sample is restrained by the top plate, which is attached to a calibrated proving ring. As the
bottom plate is raised, an axial load is applied to the sample. The operator turns the crank at a
specified rate so that there is constant strain rate. The load is gradually increased to shear the
sample, and readings are taken periodically of the force applied to the sample and the resulting
deformation. The loading is continued until the soil develops an obvious shearing plane or the
deformations become excessive. The measured data are used to determine the strength of the soil
specimen and the stress-strain characteristics. Finally, the sample is oven dried to determine its

water content. The maximum load per unit area is defined as the unconfined compressive
strength, qu.
In the unconfined compression test, we assume that no pore water is lost from the sample
during set-up or during the shearing process. A saturated sample will thus remain saturated
during the test with no change in the sample volume, water content, or void ratio. More
significantly, the sample is held together by an effective confining stress that results from
negative pore water pressures (generated by menisci forming between particles on the sample
surface). Pore pressures are not measured in an unconfined compression test; consequently, the
effective stress is unknown. Hence, the undrained shear strength measured in an unconfined test
is expressed in terms of the total stress.
For soils, the undrained shear strength (su) is necessary for the determination of the
bearing capacity of foundations, dams, etc. The undrained shear strength (su) of clays is
commonly determined from an unconfined compression test. The undrained shear strength (su)
of a cohesive soil is equal to one-half the unconfined compressive strength (qu) when the soil is
under the f = 0 condition (f = the angle of internal friction). The most critical condition for the
soil usually occurs immediately after construction, which represents undrained conditions, when
the undrained shear strength is basically equal to the cohesion (c). Then, as time passes, the pore
water in the soil slowly dissipates, and the intergranular stress increases, so that the drained shear
strength (s), given by s = c + stan f, must be used. Where s = intergranular pressure acting
perpendicular to the shear plane; and s = (s - u), s = total pressure, and u = pore water pressure;
c and j are drained shear strength parameters.
Equipment:
1. Compression device
2. Hand extruder for 38mm diameter
3. End trimming tool
4. Trimming knife, wire saw
5. Balance
6. Drying oven
7. Remolding apparatus

8. Moisture content container


Experimental Procedures:
Part 1
1. Undistributed specimens are prepared from large undistributed samples.
2. Specimens are handled carefully to prevent disturbance, changes in cross section or loss of
water content.
3. The specimen is extruded with the hand extruder. The dimension of the specimen is
measured and weighed to 0.1g.
4. The moisture content of the specimen is determined.
5. The specimen is placed in the loading device so that it is centered on the bottom platen.
6. The loading device is adjusted carefully so that upper platen just made contact with the
specimen.
7. The deformation indicator and the providing ring dial gauge are zeroed.
8. Load, deformation and time values are recorded at 20 seconds intervals to define the shape of
the stress-strain curve. Successive loads are determined by multiplying proving ring dial
readings by the providing calibration factor.
9. Loading is continued until the load values decreased with the increasing strain.
10. The rate of strain is indicated in the report of the test data.
11. The bulk density and dry density are calculated.
12. A sketch is made on the chart or back of it to indicate the mode of the failure of the specimen.
Its inclination to the horizontal is measured to the nearest 1 degree by using a protractor. Any
other features which are visible are recorded.
13. A remolded test is carried on as given in Part 2.
Part 2
1. The removed specimen is enclosed from part 1 in small polythene beg. A little more soil with
same moisture content is added if necessary.
2. It is remolded by squeezing and kneading it with the fingers for a few minutes.
3. The soil is taken out and worked into 38mm diameter split mold as quickly as possible to
avoid moisture loss.

4. The specimen is removed from the spilt mold, measured and weighed.
5. It is placed in the machine and procedures 5 10 in Part 1 are repeated.
Data and Analysis
Specimen Data
L1 = 83 mm
L2 = 83 mm
L1 = Specimen length of Part (I)
L2 = Specimen length of remolded test Part (II)
Compression Data
Proving ring calibration = 9.44 x 10-4 kN/div
Initial height of the specimen, HO = 83 mm
Initial area of the specimen, AO = 1134 mm2
Part 1
Deformation
Dial, H
(mm)

Unit Strain,

(mm/mm)

4.2
7.6
11.4
15.0
18.4

0.055
0.100
0.150
0.197
0.242

CrossSectional
Area,
A (mm2)
1200.12
1260.12
1334.25
1412.34
1496.19

Proving
Ring Dial
(mm)

Applied
Axial load,
P (kN)

Load Per
Unit Area
(kN/mm2)

0.094
0.160
0.242
0.308
0.336

0.089
0.151
0.228
0.291
0.317

7.42 x 10-5
11.98 x 10-5
17.09 x 10-5
20.6 x 10-5
21.19 x 10-5

Load per Unit Area, (x10-5 ), (kN/mm2

Graph of Load per Unit Area versus Unit


Strain
25
20
15
10

Series1

5
0
0

Compression Stress,

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

Unit Strain, (mm/mm)

= 21.19 x 10-5 kN/ mm2

Unconfined compressive strength qu =

x 1000 = 21.19 x 10-2 kN/ mm2

Deflection, = 18.4mm
Strain, = = 18.4/76.0 x 100% = 24.2%

From Experiment 1; Sample A:


Wet soil and container = 52.68g; Dry soil and container = 47.17g; Container = 15.53g;
Dry soil = 31.64g; Moisture loss = 5.51g
Moisture content,

= 5.51/31.64 x 100% = 17.41%

Volume = 1496.19 x 76 = 0.114 m3


Wet density, w = (0.05268 0.01553) / 0.114 = 0.3259 kg/m3
Dry density, d = 0.3259 / (1 + 0.1741) = 0.2776 kg/m3

Part 2
Unit Strain,

(mm/mm)

3.8
9.8

0.05
0.14

Load per Unit Area, (x10-5 ), (kN/mm2

Deformation
Dial, H
(mm)

CrossSectional
Area,
A (mm2)
1193.8
1318.7

Proving
Ring Dial
(mm)

Applied
Axial load,
P (KN)

Load Per
Unit Area
(KN/mm2)

0.176
0.248

0.166
0.234

13.91 x 10-5
17.74 x 10-5

Graph of Load per Unit Area versus Unit


Strain
20
18
16
14
12
10
Series1

8
6
4
2
0
0

0.05

0.1

0.15

Unit Strain, (mm/mm)


Compressive Stress,

= 17.74 x 10-5 kN/mm2

Unconfined compressive strength = 17.74 x 10-5 x 1000 = 17.74 x 10-2 kN/mm2


Deflection, = 9.8mm
Strain = 9.8/70.0 x 100% = 14.0%
St = qu / qr = 21.19 / 17.74 = 1.19 (slightly sensitive)

Discussion
During the test, the crack occurs at the top part of the sample. This time the crack is slow
but it produces in big piece of crack. All pieces are just on the top part of the sample. Based on
the confined condition, it really prevents the sample from brittle collapse. But it just for
temporary basis as the load continued to be added, the cylinder suddenly collapsed with all the
cracks occur in the top part of the cylinder. The confined compression test also does not make
the collapse extended through the whole length of the cylinder. Fig.10. illustrates the failure
modes of the unconfined compressive test as a top part failure due to early cracks initiation.
This suggested that minor or crackles had generated from the beginning of the load is
started to compress. Further increase the load, the cylinder was getting shorter and shorter and
accompanied by the cracks failure. This factor is inline of the foamed concrete which has a
combination of soft and brittle elements.
It shows that the compressive strength typically proportioned to achieve only low
compressive strength. Based on the observation during the test, the confinement condition has
reduced and slows down the crack propagation. The crack produced in big piece and
automatically the micro cracks were reducing. It also increases the maximum load and prevents
the material from brittle collapse for temporary period. But the confinement itself also has
influence the result of maximum compressive strength.
While the cylinders were under compressive test, it seems that, crack occurs and just
appears on the above part of the cylinder then it is going too failed. The cylindrical sample not
failed extended through the whole length. The universal testing machine automatically stopped
the test and its considered as failed.
The test is failed due to early crack initiation. According to cellular material behavior, the
compressive stress-strain behavior can be simplified into three regimes as. Due to the cellular
behaviors, the tests were only going to an elastic regime which is the initial stage
The unconfined compression test is used widely to determine the consistency of saturated
clays and other cohesive soils. A cylindrical vertical specimen with a height to diameter ratio of
about 2 and typically 38mm or more in diameter is set up between end plates. The unconfined
compressive strength is considered to be equal to the load at which failure occurs or at which the
axial strain reaches 20% if there is no sudden failure, divided by the cross sectional area of the
sample at the time of failure.

The unconfined compression test is a special case of the unconsolidated undrained triaxial test, in
which the sample is enclosed in a membrane, placed in the triaxial apparatus, and subjected to a
confining pressure. The axial load is then increased. No drainage is permitted from the sample
under the influence of either the confining pressure of the axial stress.
In this experiment, the dial gauge and proving ring dial gauge was using to measure the
deformation of the soil sample during this experiment.
Then we can find the unit strain and maximum compressive strength that can resist by the
undisturbed and disturbed soil sample by using the formula
( )

( )
There are several sources of operational error in this test:
1) Loading rate not constant.
2) Sample ends not perpendicular to the sides.
3) Sample cross section not uniform, example, for remolded sample.
4) Evaporation during test.
5) Had compact the soil by insert it.
6) The dial gauge and proving ring dial was not set as zero while doing the experiment.
7) Test not appropriate to type of soil.
8) Specimen disturbed while trimming.
9) Loss of initial water content.
The Precautions that can take to decrease the error during the experiment:
1. Apply the oil on the inner surface of the mold before fill in the soil this is to get a smooth and
uniform cross section for the sample.
2. Do not compact the soil.
3. We must put the soil sample must put at the center of the loading plate this is to make the
loading more constant.
4. Set all the dial gauge and proving ring dial as zero before record the reading.

5. It shall not contain desiccation crack.


The reason why we need to know the sensitivity of the clay is because by knowing the
sensitivity of the clay we can determined the type of clay that we needed and which type of clay
have more compressive strength. Hence, the higher the sensitivity, the greater the loss of strength.
Specimen sensitivity is degree to which a specimen will undergo a reduction in undrained shear
strength as it undergoes any disturbance that causes remolding / volume change.

After test the specimen (Failure pattern typical of brittle specimens)


Conclusion
The compressive stress of Part 1 is higher than Part 2 which is = 21.19 x 10-5 kN/ mm2.
The graph also shows that this soil has higher cohesiveness and shear strength before it got
remolded.
There are a number of sources of error in the unconfined compression test. One of the
largest sources is the use of an unrepresentative sample of soil. The soil may be unrepresentative
because it is not the same as, or perhaps even similar to. the bulk of the soil found in the ground
The sample can also be unrepresentative if it has been disturbed or changed from its original
slate. A common cause for disturbance is the soil sampling process. Disturbance usually has the
effect of lowering the strength of the soil and reducing the slope of the stress-strain curve. If the
sample is too short there will be significant end effects. End effects are caused by the top and
bottom loading plates that grip the sample. They can increase the strength of a soil sample by

preventing the formation of the weakest failure plane. If the sample is too long, we find that it
tends to buckle. A length-to-width ratio of two to three is recommended to avoid this problem.
Another source of error is that the soil is not confined during shear but will be confined in the
field if the soil is located at a depth of a few feet or more. The problem is most severe with
fissured soils (soils that contain cracks). In the ground, the cracks are held closed by the
confining pressure due to the weight of soil above it. The soil is much stronger in this state than
it is with no confining pressure in an unconfined compression test.
Determination of shear strength of soil is necessary before the construction could be done.
This is because we have to know the cohesiveness of the soil and how much stress of the soil can
tolerate. So that, the foundation will not settle or sink during the work or after the building is
done.
Reference
1. http://www.uta.edu/ce/geotech/lab/Main/Soil%20Lab/09_UCS/UCS.pdf
2. http://home.iitk.ac.in/~madhav/expt11.html
3. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_definition_of_sensitivity_of_soil
4. www.bsee.gov esearch-and- raining echnology...and... 4

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