Geotechnical Design:
Unconfined
Compressive
Strength Test
MICHAEL MAMATTA CERT IV CIVIL CONSTRUCTION
Geotechnical Design: Unconfined Compressive Strength Test
TABLE OF CONTENTS
UCS: “Unconfined Compressive Strength Test”………………………………………………………………………………..2
Aim:
Scope
Apparatus
Procedure
Section 1: Brittle Failure…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………3
Calculation:
Section 2: Plastic Flow……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4
Calculation:
WET DENSITY ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….5
DRY DENSITY…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…..6
τ : Tau calculations……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….…6
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…….7
Report……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……7
Appendix…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…8
MICHAEL MAMATTA CERT IV CIVIL CONSTRUCTION DESIGN 1/6/17 Page 1
Geotechnical Design: Unconfined Compressive Strength Test
UCS: “Unconfined Compressive Strength Test”
Aim:
To determine the UCS, Moisture Content, Wet Density and Dry Density for the SIBELCO CLAY sample
using a standard compaction apparatus, standard Extraction apparatus and UCS apparatus to
perform compression test.
Scope
This Test sets out a method for the determination of the relationship between the moisture content,
wet density and dry density of Clay with regards to its Shear strenght and internal friction. The UCS
Test, unlike the triaxial compression test, a soil sample is tested without lateral constraint. Thus it is
used for testing cohesive soils, not sand or gravels. The sample is loaded in compression until it fails
by shearing diagonally or by bulging laterally.
Apparatus
Note: Refer to Appendix A
(a)
i. Steel moulds : Mould A
diameter = 36.35mm
Length = 69.5mm
Volume = 72.323 g/cm3
ii. Steel moulds: Mould B
Diameter = 35.85mm
Length = 71.05mm
Volume = 71.719cm³
(b) A steel Compaction rammer
(c) A level rigid foundation
(d) A balance
(e) A strong spatula
(f) A pan, spoon, towel, water spray , calliper
(g) A sample extractor
(h) A UCS compression apparatus (refer to appendix B)
Procedure
(a) Prepare sample.
(b) Starting with 165g of dry SIBELCO CLAY sample and adding 19% of water to the sample for
the first compaction test, after compacting the material it was then jacked out and a sample
for moisture content taken and placed in the oven after the UCS compression test was carried
out. The second compaction using 150g of SIBELCO CLAY sample with 24% of water added and
compacted and a sample for moisture content was taken and placed in the oven after the UCS
compression test was carried out.
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Geotechnical Design: Unconfined Compressive Strength Test
Calculations on how 19% & 24% of water was added:
Example:
i. Mass of CLAY X 19% of water = water to be removed from total mass of water bottle
ii. Total mass from water bottle – Mass of CLAY X 19% of water
iii. Where for 19% water bottle = 263g and mass of clay = 165g
iv. Where for 24% water bottle = 367.1g and mass of clay 150g
For 19 % of water: For 24 % of water:
19 24
i. 165𝑔 𝑥 (100) = 31.35𝑔 i. 150𝑔 𝑥 (100) = 36𝑔
ii. 263𝑔 − 31.35𝑔 = 231.6𝑔 ii. 367.1𝑔 − 36𝑔 = 331.1𝑔
Therefore 19% of water = 231.6g Therefore 24% of water = 331.1g
Section 1: Brittle Failure
Using the cylindrical sample with 19% of water added and compression spring of force 20N/mm the
result of the UCS was a Brittle failure.
EQUATION 1
Calculations:
F = SE x SS = COMPRESSION:
USING MOULD A:
20𝑁
Note: Refer to Appendix C (UCS GRAPH) 𝐹= 𝑥38.56𝑚𝑚
𝑚𝑚
a) SS: Spring Force (N) = 20N/mm = 771.2𝑁
b) Area: X axis = 19.87 x 0.25 = 4.9mm
c) SE:Y axis = 38.56mm
EQUATION 2
THERFORE:
UCS = FORCE /AREA:
Where:
𝐹
i. SS = Shear Strength 𝑈𝐶𝑆 =
𝑋𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠
ii. SE = Spring extension
771.2𝑁
iii. F = Force =
4.9𝑚𝑚
= 157.39𝑀𝑃𝑎
MICHAEL MAMATTA CERT IV CIVIL CONSTRUCTION DESIGN 1/6/17 Page 3
Geotechnical Design: Unconfined Compressive Strength Test
Section 2: Plastic Flow
Using the cylindrical sample with 24% of water added and compression spring of force 9N/mm the
result of the UCS was a Plastic failure.
Calculations:
Note: Refer to Appendix D (UCS GRAPH)
USING MOULD B:
a) SS: Spring Force (N) = 9N/mm
b) Area: X axis = 10.66 / 0.25 = 42.64mm
c) SE:Y axis = 26.15mm EQUATION 3
d) Failure at 15% of length :
F = SE x SS = COMPRESSION:
i. 15/100 x 71.05mm = 10.66mm
9𝑁
THERFORE: 𝐹= 𝑥26.15𝑚𝑚
𝑚𝑚
Where: = 235.35𝑁
SS = Shear Strength
SE = Spring extension
F = Force
Li = initial length
EQUATION 4 EQUATION 5
ii. AREA: i. UCS = FORCE/AREA:
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝐹𝑂𝑅𝐶𝐸
𝐴𝑅𝐸𝐴 = 𝑈𝐶𝑆 =
𝐿𝐸𝑁𝐺𝑇𝐻 𝐴𝑅𝐸𝐴
𝐿𝐸𝑁𝐺𝐻𝑇 = (𝐿𝑖 − 𝑋𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 ) 235.35𝑁
=
28.45𝑚𝑚
= 71.05 − 42.6
= 8.27 𝑀𝑃𝑎
= 28.45𝑚𝑚
MICHAEL MAMATTA CERT IV CIVIL CONSTRUCTION DESIGN 1/6/17 Page 4
Geotechnical Design: Unconfined Compressive Strength Test
1) WET DENSITY (𝜌 )
The wet density (𝜌 ) was determined by dividing the mass of the wet soil by the
volume of the Mould.
i. SIBELCO CLAY (165g) ii. SIBELCO CLAY (150g)
Wet density with 19% WATER: Wet density with 24% WATER:
Mass of wet soil =150.4g Mass of wet soil =148.2g
Volume of Mould = 72.232cm3 Volume of Mould = 71.719 cm3
𝑀 𝑀
𝜌= 𝜌=
𝑉 𝑉
150.4𝑔 148.2𝑔
= =
72.232𝑐𝑚³ 71.719𝑚𝑚³
= 2.08𝑔/𝑐𝑚3 = 2.07𝑔/𝑐𝑚3
Table 1.1: Moisture Content (ω)
ω = (wet+ C) – (Dry + C) / (Dry + C) – C
Trial Crucible (C #) Crucible mass Wet + C Dry + C (g) Moisture
water (%) (g) (g) Content (%)
19 B1 77.4 156.9 145.5 15.5
23 A1 57.8 202.4 177.7 20.6
24 Z8 47.7 195.5 167.2 23.7
23 % water added was not used as there was an error during the testing procedure.
MICHAEL MAMATTA CERT IV CIVIL CONSTRUCTION DESIGN 1/6/17 Page 5
Geotechnical Design: Unconfined Compressive Strength Test
2) DRY DENSITY (𝜌𝑑 )
The dry density (𝜌𝑑 ) was determined by dividing the wet density (𝜌) by the
moisture content (ω).
iii. SIBELCO CLAY (165g) iv. SIBELCO CLAY (150g)
Wet density (ρ) = 2.08𝑔/𝑐𝑚3 Wet density (ρ) =2.07𝑔/𝑐𝑚3
Moisture (ω) = 0.155 Moisture (ω) = 0.237
𝜌 𝜌
𝜌𝑑 = 𝜌𝑑 =
1+𝜔 1+𝜔
2.08 2.07
= =
1 + 0.155 1 + 0.237
= 1.8𝑔/𝑐𝑚3 = 1.67𝑔/𝑐𝑚3
3) τ : Tau for 19% water and 24% water can be calculated using:
EQUATION 6
USING MOULD A: 19% WATER
τ = UCS/2
(
1000. 𝑆𝐸. 𝑆𝑆 𝐿𝑖 − 𝑥 )
UCS =
𝑉
20N
1000(38.56mm ) ( mm ) (69.5mm − 4.9mm)
=
72323mm3
49819520
=
72323
= 688.85
688.85
τ= = 344.43𝑁
2
MICHAEL MAMATTA CERT IV CIVIL CONSTRUCTION DESIGN 1/6/17 Page 6
Geotechnical Design: Unconfined Compressive Strength Test
EQUATION 7
USING MOULD B: 20% WATER
τ = UCS/2
(
1000. 𝑆𝐸. 𝑆𝑆 𝐿𝑖 − 𝑥 )
UCS =
𝑉
9N
1000(26.15mm ) (mm) (71.05mm − 42.64mm)
=
71719mm3
6686293.5
=
71719
= 93.23𝑁
93.23
τ= = 46.62𝑁
2
MICHAEL MAMATTA CERT IV CIVIL CONSTRUCTION DESIGN 1/6/17 Page 7
Geotechnical Design: Unconfined Compressive Strength Test
Conclusion
Therefore it can be seen that the shear strength of clay is affected by the increase of moisture
content. On site in order to have a good controlled compaction the moisture must be kept between
19% and 24% with an average Dry density of 1.74g/cm³.
The shear strength relates to the foundation design. From the value of τ average= 195.53N
Calculated we determine the bearing capacity of a soil type and thereby can determine the
allowable load it can carry.
REPORT:
a) TAFE GEO LAB
b) Date 1/6/17 : time 9:00am
c) Temperature : 16 degrees
d) Humidity : 82%
e) SAMPLE: SIBELCO CLAY
f) 19% water UCS BRITTLE FAILURE = 157.39MPa
g) 24% water UCS PLASTIC FLOW = 8.27 MPa
h) Spring Force 1 = 20N/mm
i) Spring Force 2 = 9N/mm
j) τ average = 195.53N
k) From the results can be seen that:
Average MOISTURE CONTENT = 19.6%
Average WET DENSITY = 2.08g/cm³
Average DRY DENSITY = 1.74g/cm³
Appendix A: COMPACTION APPARATUS
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Geotechnical Design: Unconfined Compressive Strength Test
Appendix B: UCS APPARATUS
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Geotechnical Design: Unconfined Compressive Strength Test
Appendix C: UCS GRAPH RESULTS FOR 19% WATER
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Geotechnical Design: Unconfined Compressive Strength Test
Appendix D: UCS GRAPH RESULTS FOR 25% WATER
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Geotechnical Design: Unconfined Compressive Strength Test
Appendix E: UCS BRITTLE FAILURE RESULTS FOR 19% WATER
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