GEOTECHNICAL

LAB TESTS

Triaxial Tests

Ayush Gorasiya (211010011002)

Tirth Panchal (211010011019)
 INTRODUCTION

• A triaxial shear test is a common method to

measure the mechanical properties of many
deformable solids, especially soil (e.g., sand, clay)
and rock, and other granular materials or powders
 GENERALLY WE USED THE SPECIMEN OF
SIZE 38(DIA) X 76(HEIGHT) MM.
WE CAN ALSO USE 50 X 100,100 X 200, ETC.

TYPES OF TRIAXIAL TESTS :

1. CONSOLIDATED DRAINED (CD),
2. CONSOLIDATED UNDRAINED (CU),
3. UNCONSOLIDATED UNDRAINED (UU).
01. CONSOLIDATED DRAINED (CD)

• In a 'consolidated drained' test the sample is consolidated

and sheared in compression slowly to allow pore pressures
built up by the shearing to dissipate. The rate of axial
deformation is kept constant, i.e., strain is controlled. The
idea is that the test allows the sample and the pore
pressures to fully consolidate (i.e., adjust) to the surrounding
stresses. The test may take a long time to allow the sample
to adjust, in particular low permeability samples need a long
time to drain and adjust strain to stress levels.
 NEED AND SCOPE:

• Determination of strength and stress-strain relationships of a

cylindrical specimen of “undisturbed” or “reconstituted” specimens.
The soil specimens are isotropically consolidated and sheared in
compression with drainage at a constant rate of axial deformation
 CONCEPT :
• CD tests can be performed on all types of soils. Drainage is allowed in both phases of triaxial
testing; isotropic consolidation & shearing. Soil is consolidated under a chosen confining
pressure; and after completion of consolidation it is tested for shear by applying deviator
stress gradually at slow strain rate while allowing full drainage. It takes more time to
complete a test as compared to CU test, and commonly known as “slow” test, which is
seldom conducted except for research interest.
 THEORY:

• The shear strength of a saturated soil in triaxial compression depends on the stresses applied, time of
consolidation, strain rate, and the stress history experienced by the soil. In this test, the shear
characteristics are measured under drained conditions and are applicable to field conditions where
soils have been fully consolidated under the existing normal stresses and the normal stress changes
under drained conditions similar to those In the test method. The shear strength determined from
the test is commonly used in embankment stability analysis, earth pressure calculations, and
foundation design.
• The following image shows three phases of CD triaxial testing; sampling stage, Isotropic loading stage
(application of confining pressure for consolidation under isotropic conditions), shearing stage
(application of deviator stress, σ d). Three parameters are shown at each phase of CD triaxial testing in
the given diagram; total stress, pore pressure and effective stresses. u r is the residual pore water
pressure entrapped inside the soil specimen after its collection from soil site using UDS (Undisturbed
sampling) tube. The residual pore water pressure (u r) entrapped inside the soil mass gets dissipated
when drainage valves are kept open for saturation of soil specimen (CO 2 saturation, water saturation
and application of back pressure). After saturation stage, pore pressure is not allowed to generate in
next two stages of the test by keeping the drainage valves open during isotropic consolidation &
shearing stages. Thus, diagram shows pore pressure values to be zero in second & third stage of CD
test. Shear deformation stage in CD test must be conducted under low strain rate to avoid pore
pressure generation when specimen is subjected to compression loading.
02. CONSOLIDATED UNDRAINED (CU)

In a 'consolidated undrained' test the sample is not allowed to

drain. The shear characteristics are measured under undrained
conditions and the sample is assumed to be fully saturated.
Measuring the pore pressures in the sample (sometimes called
CUpp) allows approximating the consolidated-drained strength.
Shear speed is often calculated based on the rate of consolidation
under a specific confining pressure (whilst saturated). Confining
pressures can vary anywhere from 1 psi to 100 psi or greater,
sometimes requiring special load cells capable of handling higher
pressures.
 NEED AND SCOPE:

• To find the shear strength parameters (c’, Φ’) of soil for effective
stress analysis. CU triaxial test is recommended for all types of soil
including cohesive and cohesionless soils. Pore pressure evolution
with in the soil mass can also be studied in CU tests, along with
stress-strain response of soil.
 CONCEPT :
• In CU test, drainage is allowed during application of confining pressure (σ c) and the specimen is fully
consolidated by allowing drainage and it is ensured by observation that no further drainage occurs
after sufficient time under the applied pressure. The specimen is then allowed to shear when
consolidation is over. During that stage, drainage line is closed and the soil sample is sheared by
application of deviator stress (σd; at failure: σd = σf). uf is the pore pressure generated within the soil
specimen due to deviator stress at failure. CU triaxial test provides the shear strength parameters for
total stress analysis (c, Φ) as well as effective stress analysis (c’, Φ’)
 THEORY:

• CU test is carried out on all types of soils. Drainage is allowed only during the isotropic
consolidation, thus allowing the specimen to consolidate. At the end of consolidation, there will be
no excess pore water pressure, and the specimen is ready for shearing. When the additional
vertical stress (Δσ) is applied, drainage is not allowed, and thus the specimen is loaded under
undrained conditions at appropriate strain rate (0.05% per min to 1% per min; clayey soil to sandy
soils respectively). During the undrained loading, development of excess pore water pressure is
measured continuously throughout the loading. The total and effective stresses are different at
failure, and separate modified failure envelopes are drawn in terms of total and effective stresses.
The CU test gives c’ and Φ’ for effective stresses and c and Φ for total stresses. The total stress
parameters c and Φ are of smaller values as compared to effective stress parameters (c’ and Φ’).
• The following sketch shows the three various phases of CU triaxial testing; sampling stage,
Isotropic loading stage (application of confining pressure, σ 3), shearing stage (application of
deviator stress, σd). Total stress, pore pressure and effective stresses are shown at each phase of
CU triaxial testing in the given diagram. ur is the residual pore water pressure entrapped inside the
soil specimen after its collection from soil site using UDS (Undisturbed specimen) tube. σ v and
σh are the vertical and horizontal stresses respectively acting on soil specimen during UU triaxial
testing. A is the pore pressure parameter due to the shear deformation of the soil specimen.
03. UNCONSOLIDATED UNDRAINED (UU)

In an 'unconsolidated undrained' test the loads

are applied quickly, and the sample is not
allowed to consolidate during the test. The
sample is compressed at a constant rate
(strain-controlled).
 NEED AND SCOPE:

• Unconsolidated undrained (UU) triaxial test is quick test as

compared to consolidated undrained (CU) and consolidated drained
(CD) triaxial test. UU test can be performed on any type of soil to
determine its shear strength parameters under undrained condition
i.e., cohesion (cu) and angle of internal friction (φu). These undrained
shear strength parameters are useful in determination of bearing
capacity of soil, stability analysis of highway embankments, earthen
embankments etc. One of the critical conditions for stability of any
slope occurs immediately after construction, which represents the
undrained condition. In such conditions, undrained shear strength
parameters should be used for stability analysis.
 CONCEPT :
• Unconsolidated Undrained (UU) triaxial test provides undrained stress-strain response of a cylindrical
soil specimen under triaxial compression loading without consolidating the specimen. It also provides
the undrained shear strength parameters by performing the tests on different confining pressures.
Initially, a confining pressure (σ3) is applied through water around the specimen in triaxial cell. Drainage
valve is closed throughout the test, which does not allow the consolidation of the specimen. The
specimen is then subjected to shearing by applying the constant rate of deformation under undrained
compression loading conditions. Excess pore water pressure is not measured during shearing; hence
the shear strength parameters are analyzed in total stress conditions only.
• Initial state of stress is hydrostatic with all three principal stresses same as applied confining pressure
(σ3). The vertical stress acts as major principal stress (σ1) during shearing, while the confining pressure
(σ3) acts in other two principal directions of cylindrical specimen. The intermediate principal and minor
principal stresses are equal to each other. Deviatoric stress (σd) is the difference of σ1 (σ1 = σd + σ3) and
σ3, acting on specimen while its shear deformation.
 THEORY:

• A UU test is carried out almost exclusively on cohesive soils. No drainage is allowed at any stage of the
test. The isotropic confining pressure is applied with the drainage valve closed. The entire cell pressure
is carried by the pore water, if specimen is saturated. The specimen is loaded under undrained
conditions. During the test, there will be pore water pressure development, which is not measured.
Therefore, the effective stresses remain unknown. Mohr circles are only drawn in terms of total stresses,
which enable the failure envelope to be drawn in terms of total stresses, giving shear strength
parameters (cu & Φu) under undrained loading conditions.
• Being relatively quick and inexpensive, UU triaxial tests are quite popular in geotechnical engineering
practice for obtaining shear strength of cohesive soil. However, this test does not provide the shear
strength parameters in terms of effective stresses c’ and Φ’, which are required for carrying out an
effective stress analysis.
• The following sketch shows the three various phases of UU triaxial testing; sampling stage, Isotropic
loading stage (application of confining pressure, σ 3), Shear stage (application of deviator stress, σd). Total
stress, pore pressure and effective stresses are shown at each phase of UU triaxial testing in the given
diagram. ur is the residual pore water pressure entrapped inside the soil specimen after its collection
from soil site using UDS (Undisturbed sampling) tube. σ v and σh are the vertical and horizontal stresses
respectively acting on soil specimen during UU triaxial testing. A is the pore pressure parameter due to
the shear deformation of the soil specimen.
 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UU AND CU :

• Unconsolidated Undrained (UU) Test: • Consolidated Undrained (CU) Test:

• Preparation: In the UU test, the soil specimen is not • Preparation: In the CU test, the soil specimen is first consolidated
allowed to consolidate under confining pressure before under a confining pressure to ensure the expulsion of air and water
shearing. It is quickly prepared and loaded without giving it and to allow the specimen to consolidate and attain equilibrium
time to consolidate. before shearing.
• Drainage Conditions: During the shearing process, no
• Drainage Conditions: Similar to the UU test, during the shearing
drainage of water is permitted. The pore water pressure is
process, drainage of water is not allowed. However, unlike the UU
allowed to build up as the test proceeds. This condition test, the specimen has undergone consolidation before shearing,
replicates scenarios where soils undergo rapid loading which means that some initial pore water pressures might have been
without giving time for dissipation of pore water pressures, dissipated.
simulating conditions like earthquakes or quick loading
scenarios. • Usage: CU tests are utilized to determine the shear strength of soils
• Usage: UU tests are often used for evaluating the shear under undrained conditions following consolidation. This test helps
strength of soils in conditions where drainage is restricted in understanding the behavior of soils in situations where some
degree of consolidation has occurred before the application of
or limited, such as soft clays, silts, or quick condition
additional stress, such as the assessment of slope stability or
assessment in engineering projects.
foundation design.