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CBR (California Bearing Ratio) Tests Explained: An Easy To Use Guide To CBR Tests
CBR (California Bearing Ratio) Tests Explained: An Easy To Use Guide To CBR Tests
CBR (California Bearing Ratio) Tests Explained Originally developed by the California Division of Highways in the 1930s, this test has been developed and adapted to form the basis of most testing for subgrade quality and compaction.
A sample of the material that needs testing is loaded into our mould, either on site or in our laboratory. Then a 3sq inch (approx. 50mm dia) plunger is loaded against the sample and the penetration into the sample is measured at various increments.
Advantages
The tests are relatively quick and inexpensive. They can be performed in the laboratory or on site on undisturbed or re-compacted samples. Results can be obtained within a day. We can perform these tests on a self-contained basis (although the assistance of an excavator on site is often helpful).
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Limitations
The actual CBR test uses only a small diameter plunger of approx. 50mm diameter. This is clearly of little practical use on 6F2 containing half bricks! These true CBR test is thus limited to the fine grained materials such as clays, sands, pulverised fuel ash etc or finely crushed stone.
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