TRIAXIAL TEST

Aims and Objectives

To carry out a series of three quick-undrained triaxial tests for cell pressures, 3= 50
kPa, 100 kPa, and 200 kPa on soil specimens obtained from the same saturated clay
soil sample.

COMPACTION AND EXTRACTION OF SAMPLES

Sample
Fairly dry clay soil sample was provided in a box placed on the table of the room.
The soil was weighed and mixed properly to calculate the moisture
content.

Apparatus and implements

1. Cylindrical metal mould (10 cm diameter, 12.7 cm height, 1000 cm3 volume).
The mould was fitted with a detachable base plate and removable extension
collar.
2. Metal rammer (50 mm diameter, 2.5 kg weight, 300 mm drop height)
4. Weighing scale
5. Drying oven
6. Small tray and 3 silver tins marked with digit numbers on the side.
7. Jacking apparatus for extracting compacted material from the mould.
8. Small tools:
Trowel for mixing soil in the tray
Scoop for filling the mould with loose soil from the tray
Soft brush for wiping clean the outside of the mould and base plate
Paper towel
9. Extraction tubes
10. Tube sample extractor (Press)

Compaction test procedure

1. Record the mass of the mould and base plate empty
2. Now attach the extension collar to the top of the mould and base. Check that the
extension collar and base plate are securely fixed to the mould.
3. Place the mould assembly on the floor.
4. Make sure the wetted soil is properly mixed before commencing.
5. Using the plastic scoop, fill the mould with a portion of the soil (REMEMBER,
THE SOIL IS COMPACTED IN THREE (3) LAYERS) so roughly 1/3 of the total
height of mould plus collar.
6. Compact the soil by applying 25 blows of the 2.5 kg rammer. The sequence of
the blows should be spiral starting from the centre moving outwards intersecting
evenly distributed over the compacted surface. Do not exceed 25 nor apply less
blows for every layer. (If the correct amount of soil is used, the surface of the
first compacted soil should be about one third of the height of the mould, and
thus the compacted depth or thickness of each layer is about 4.5 cm and the
total compaction depth of the three layers should be about 13 cm).
7. Add the second amount of soil to the mould on top of the compacted surface
and repeat step 6.
8. Add the third and last amount of soil to the top of the collar and repeat step 6.
9. Place the whole unit in the large tray to minimise soil spillage on the floor of the
room.
10. Remove the extension collar.
11. Cut off the excess soil and level off to the top of the mould with the edge of
trowel.
12. Collect a sample from the cut excess soil for moisture cntent determination (look
at record sheet).
13. Lift the mould and base plate containing compacted soil sample and clean the
outside and underneath the base plate using the soft brush.
14. Record the mass of the mould and base plate containing compacted soil
sample.
15. End of the Compaction Test.
16. Please leave work space clean!!!

Extaction procedure:
1. Detach the mould from the base plate carefully and place the
1
mould containing compacted soil sample on the Jack making
sure it sits in properly (see picture 1 for guide).
2. Fix 3 tubes in their proper position to ensure proper
extraction of three cylindrical samples.
3. Push soil samples from mould into the tubes using the Jack
at the end of the work bench (see picture 1)this produces
3 samples in 3 tubes
4. Remove samples from tubes using the press on the side of
the work bench (see picture 2).
5. Place in two of the pre-weighed silver tins specimen from the
remains of the extracted soil for moisture content
determination. 2
6. Put the tray containing the sliver tins with wet soil
samples in the oven at the end of the whole test.
7. The following day, at least two members of the group or
ALL should return to the soils lab and remove the dry
samples from the oven.
8. Let them cool off for a few minutes.
9. Record the mass of each silver tin with dry soil samples.
10. Leave the weighted tins and soils on the surface.
11. Please leave work space clean!!!
UNCONSOLIDATED UNDRIANED (UU) TRIAXIAL SHEAR TEST

Apparatus
1. Triaxial cell and accessories.
2. Scales and rulers and callipers.
3. Moisture content determination equipment.

Triaxial Setup:

1. At this point, the specimens for triaxial test have been prepared.
2. Place Samples in the split tube former (see picture 3) and trimmed
to length using a Spatula.then measure and weigh.
3
3. Measure the moisture content of the specimen (take soil from
the trimmed specimen).
4. The specimen is now ready to be placed inside the rubber
membrane.the rubber membrane is placed inside the small
suction pump tube and folded over both ends. The air is extracted
by squeezing the ball at the end. The sample is then inserted in the 4
membrane and caps placed at each end - One with a dimple (top)
and one flat one (bottom). The membrane is folded out again so
that it retains the caps inside.
5. Now place the sample on the pedestal on the machine, with the flat
cap at the bottom and pull the membrane down over the spigot and
retain in position with the black rubber O ring. The top of the
membrane is pulled down just enough to expose the top of the load
cap while still holding it in position. (see picture 4)
6. Un-clamp the plunger and slide it to the top of its travel in the triaxial cell top, but
do not remove it then re-clamp. Place the cell top on the cell base. unclamp the
plunger, lower it onto the load cap locating it in the centre of the indentation and
re-clamp. Then screw the cell top to the cell base tight.
7. Place the cell in the load frame (ensuring that it is orientated so that the pad on
the top locates under the dial guage on the load frame) and then using the coarse
feed wheel handle on L.H.side manually raise the cell until the plunger is nearly in
contact with the load ring, switch from coarse feed to fine feed and make sure
the coarse feed handle has been disengaged.
8. Make sure the compressor in the other room is switched on and the shut off valve
on the wall is open (this will be done for you).
9. When there is pressure in the system connect the tube from the valve (b) to the
central valve (tagged BB) on the bottom of the cell.
10. The water level in the tank should be near the top (check the floating level in the
tube on R.H.S. of the tank.).If it is not, fill by opening valve (a) with valve (b)
closed (this will be checked for you).
11. To get water to the cell, valve (a) should be closed, valve (b) open, valve (c)
above the pressure regulator open and the valve on the cell open (parallel to the
pipe - open whiles perpendicular close).
12. The pressure regulator is turned clockwise to increase the pressure to fill the cell,
venting the air by means of the 2 bleed valves on top of the cell (these to be
closed when cell is full). Set the required pressure and UNLOCK THE PLUNGER
YOU ARE NOW READY TO RUN THE TEST:

1. Move the front lever from course feed to fine feed, at the bottom front, push
the switch on the front to A - C E, and pulled out the black knob (make sure its
fully pulled out, to do this, try moving the wheel handle at the bottom front, at the
same time pull the black knob).
2. Switch on the load frame (from off to on. located at the bottom front), and watch
carefully the load ring dial. Once the plunger is in contact with the sample,
indicated by an increase in the load ring reading, turn off the motor. Zero the
change in height dial, and the load ring dials.
3. Turn on the motor and record the load ring dial reading (in divisions) for regular
changes in sample height. Every 0.2 mm for the first 2 mm and then every 0.5
mm are suggested or you can follow the table provided in the record sheet.
Continue until EITHER the load ring reading becomes constant or falls for 5
consecutive readings or until 20% sample height reduction (say 16 mm) has
occurred.
4. Turn off the load frame motor (switch off) and reduce the cell pressure supply to
zero. Close the (c) valve, open the bleed valve and allow the cell to drain.
5. While the cell is draining change the load frame back to coarse feed, push in the
black knob, and manually lower the cell. When the cell is empty disconnect the
water supply line, close the cell water valve and remove the cell from the load
ring.
6. Open the cell, dry off any water on the load cap and membrane. Carefully remove
the sample and sketch its failed shape recording the inclination of any visible
failure surfaces.
7. Please always leave work space clean!!!
 Record Sheet

Mass of mould with base plate attached =

Mass of mould + base plate with compacted soil =

Moisture Content
Container
Mcontainer Mcontainer + Mwet Mcontainer + Mdry
name
After
compaction
and extraction
50 kPa

100 kPa

200 kPa

Type of soil:
Force conversion factor: proving ring reading: 37/100 N
Insert gauge subdivisions: 0.01 mm/div

Confining pressure, 3 50 kPa 100 kPa 200 kPa

Sample Length (mm)
Sample Diameter (mm)
Mass of sample (g)
Test up to 20% Strain of initial length (mm)

Strain gauge Force gauge Force gauge Force gauge

divisions reading reading for 50 kPa reading for 100 kPa reading for 200 kPa
0
50
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
1100
1200
1300
1400
1500
1600