UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC

SCHOOL OF INFORMATION, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, MATHEMATICS AND

PHYSICS
DISCIPLINE OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
COURSE NAME: FOUNDATION AND PAVEMENT DESIGN
LAB 1: CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO TEST (CBR TEST)

NAME: ‘INOKE LIUTOLO

ID: S11176700
LECTURE: MR. THOMAS KISHORE
LAB SESSION: MONDAY 5-8PM
AIM
 To estimate California Bearing Ratio by carry out a load penetration test in the lab.

INTRODUCTION

 Soil testing is extremely important to environmentally sensitive applications in

constructional fields. Civil engineers must have a thorough understanding of soil
properties and behavior in order to design and build safe and effective structures.
 “The origin of California Bearing Capacity is linked to Ralph Peck's introduction of a
geotechnical case histories course as a means to impart problem-solving and technical
communication skills to students. This innovative approach emerged around 1956. The
notion of instructing a geotechnical case histories course emerged from the University
of Illinois during the early 1950s, a period when Ralph Peck was actively establishing a
thriving graduate program in geotechnical engineering”. [1]
 In this lab focus on how to estimate California Bearing Ratio (CBR test). CBR test known
as to determine strength of subgrade soil primarily used for pavement and foundation.
CBR test needed for pavement design in order to select an appropriate thickness of
pavement. As well foundation design must need a CBR test because of a stability of
 underlying ground and settlement. The test results are often used in combination with
other factors to design safe and stable structures.

APPARATUS
 Rammer (2.5kg)
 IS Sieves
 Filter Paper
 Loading Machine
 Filter Paper
 Cylindrical Mould
 Penetration Plunger (diameter: 50mm& Height: 100mm)
 Spacer Disc (Diameter: 148mm & Height 47.7mm)
 Surcharge weihgts (4*1kg)
 Dial Gauges

PROCEDURE

Step 1: Weigh Soil Sample

 Weigh 4.5 kg of soil that passes through a No. 4 sieve.

Step 2: Moisture Conditioning

 Continue treating the soil until it reaches a moisture content of 10%. The soil sample is silt and clay.
Step 3: Prepare Mold

 Weigh the empty cylindrical mold.

 Position the filter paper over the spacer disk and affix it to the base plate.
 Clamp the extension collar and the mold to the base plate.
Step 4: Layer Compaction
  Layer the damp soil sample within the mold in three equal layers.
 Use a 2.5 kg rammer to drop through 31 cm of space with 56 strikes to ram each layer.
Step 5: Scratch Surface

 Before adding the second layer of loose dirt, scratch the top of the previous compacted layer.
Step 6: Repeat Layer Compaction

 Repeat the layer compaction process for the second and third layers.
 Clear away excess dirt using a straight edge before removing the extension.
Step 7: Prepare for Penetration Test

 After removing the spacer disk, flip the mold over and place the filter paper on the base plate.
 Place a 2 kg metal weight on the soil's top surface.
Step 8: Penetration Plunger Setup

 Use the penetration plunger to make contact with the soil's surface.
Step 9: Surcharge Placement

 To achieve a total surcharge weight of 4 kg, place a 2 kg slotted weight on the soil's top surface.
Step 10: Dial Gauge Setup

 Set the dial gauge's reading to zero.

Step 11: Penetration Loading

 Load the piston at a rate of around 1.25 millimeters per minute.

 Record the loads at penetrations of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 7.5, 10, and 12.5 mm.
Step 12: Mold Removal and Moisture Measurement

 Remove the mold from the loading device.

 Measure the moisture level of the soil by removing 20 to 50 g from the top 3 cm of the layer.
 It's important to follow each step carefully to ensure accurate and consistent test results. The CBR value
is typically calculated based on the load values recorded during the penetration test. The results can help
in evaluating the soil's suitability for engineering purposes such as road construction and pavement
design.

DIAGRAM
DATA

RESULTS
 Refer 2023 results (already ask Thomas to used result last year)
Dynamic Compaction

Materials Results

Optimum water content 10%

Weight of empty mould 5.55kg

Weight of mould + compacted specimen 7.55kg

Weight of compacted specimen 2kg

Volume of specimen 5.094×10−3 m3

  Penetration (Clay)

No. Penetration Providing dial Load in (Kg) Axial load (Kg/cm2 ¿

reading

1 0.5 9 20.89 1.67

2 1.0 17 38.05 2.15

3 1.5 21.4 48.47 2.46

4 2.0 25 56.63 2.91

5 2.5 26.5 60.029 3.09

6 3.0 26.5 60.029 3.09

7 3.5 27 61.16 3.14

8 4.0 29 65.6 3.37

9 5.0 30.5 69.09 3.55

10 7.5 33 74.75 3.84

11 10 43 98.40 5.05

12 12.5 52 117.79 6.05

CALCULATION

 Sample calculation for CBR for clay (2.5mm)

(Providing dial reading )(5)/(225)×(1000)

LOAD=
9.81
( 26.5 ) (5)/(225)×(1000)
¿ =60.029 kg
9.81

AXIAL LOAD
( )
Kg
cm
2
=
Load (Kg)
Areaof Plunger

60.029 2
¿ =3.09 kg /cm
19.46

CBR (2.5 mm )=load corresponding ¿ 2.5 mm penetration(Pr) ¿ 2.5 mm penetration¿

standard load corresponding ¿

3.09
CBR (2.5 mm )= ×100
70

CBR (2.5 mm )=4.4

 Sample calculation for CBR for clay (5mm)

(Providing dial reading )(5)/(225)×(1000)
LOAD=
9.81
(30 , 5)(5)/(225)×(1000)
¿ =60.09 kg
9.81

AXIAL LOAD
( )
Kg
cm
2
=
Load (Kg)
Areaof Plunger

60.09 2
¿ =3.55 kg /cm
19.46

CBR (5 mm )=load corresponding ¿ 5 mm penetration(Pr ) ¿ 5 mm penetration ¿

standard load corresponding¿

3.55
CBR (5 mm )= ×100
70

CBR (5 mm )=5.07
GRAPH

Axial Load vs Penetration

7

6
f(x) = 0.313011332973556 x + 1.98169994603346
5 R² = 0.952387389321139
Axial Load(Kg/cm2)

4
Series2
3 Linear (Series2)

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Penetration(mm)

DISCUSSION

- In my discussion CBR test, which stands for California Bearing Ratio test, is important in
geotechnical engineering and civil engineering disciplines. It is a standardized test used
to evaluate the mechanical strength and load-bearing capacity of subgrade soils,
particularly those used in road construction and pavement design. The California
Bearing Ratio (CBR) test involves comparing the results of axial load and penetration to
evaluate the strength and load-bearing capacity of soil. The comparison between the
applied axial load and the resulting penetration helps determine the relative strength and
load-bearing capacity of the soil. From the data and results determination of C.B.R.
samples of 0.5 mm, 2.5 mm and 5 mm diameters were selected as representative
specimens. From my view seeing from the result as penetration increase as well it’s
increase on axial load. But from overall clay has a lower axial load but have a greater
penetration example from table of results penetration value is 12.5 with 6.05 axial load.
 Which determine that the soil is weaker and will deform more under load, resulting in a
lower CBR value and lower load-bearing capacity.

CONCLUSION

- Clay soils generally have lower CBR values compared to well-graded granular
materials. In summary, comparing the results of axial load and penetration in the CBR
test is a fundamental aspect of assessing the load-bearing capacity and mechanical
behavior of soil. This comparison provides valuable information for designing safe and
durable pavements and structures and helps engineers select suitable materials and
construction methods.

REFRENCES

[1] Rogers, J.D. (2008) Missouri University of Science and Technology, A Historical
Perspective on Geotechnical Case Histories Courses. Available at:
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2961&context=icchge (Accessed:
19 August 2023).