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C 0) C' and ' C' and ' C' ' C C' Effective Undrained Cohesion C' Undrained Angle of Friction ' Effective Undrained Angle of Friction '
C 0) C' and ' C' and ' C' ' C C' Effective Undrained Cohesion C' Undrained Angle of Friction ' Effective Undrained Angle of Friction '
cu = undrained cohesion
c’ = effective undrained cohesion
c’d = effective drained cohesion
= undrained angle of friction
’ = effective undrained angle of friction
’d = effective drained angle of friction
Ā = pore water pressure parameter
Note:
A. There is no test standard or publication reference for CIU or CID Test (the ‘I’ is the
abbrev for isotropic). However, pore pressure dissipation or Isotropic Consolidation
Test is referenced in BS1377: Part 6, 1990, Method 5. Values of mvi and cvi derived
from this isotropic test are not the same as values of mvi and cvi obtained from CU Test
or mv and cv obtained from one-dimensional consolidation test. The term isotropic refers
to the value of permeability in the horizontal direction to be the same as in the vertical
direction. Isotropic consolidation is consolidation due to the application of three equal
principal stresses, i.e., 1 = 2 = 3
B. The consolidation stage that follows immediately after the saturation stage of CU or CD
Test is isotropic (BS1377: Part 8, 1990, Method 7 or Method 8 ). The objective is to
bring the specimen to the state of effective stress required for carrying out the
compression test. It is often for engineers to express CU/CD as CIU/CID (additional ‘I’)
to instruct the isotropic test that it has become a norm. For normative reference, it shall
be reported as the CU or CD Test.
Soilpro Technical Services Sdn Bhd – TRIAXIAL TESTS (2 July 2002, Revision 0) Page 1 of 6
2.1 UU Test
Reference: BS1377: 1990: Part 7: Method 8 - The confining pressure is imposed on
the sample at the start of the shearing test. A strain rate of between 0.5 to 1.5
mm/min shall be selected based on the criteria that failure of the sample is to be
produced within a period of 5 to 15 minutes. No drainage is permitted and the
stresses, which are measured, represent the sum of the intergranular stresses and
pore water pressures (total stress). From a set of tests on 3 specimens, Mohr circles
of total stress at failure can be plotted. The (c) and () values are then determined.
3.0 REFERENCE
3.1 Test Standard - BS1377: 1990: Part 7 and 8
3.2 Publication - Manual of Soil Laboratory Testing, KH Head, Volume 3, 19.3.2
3.3 Publication - The Measurement of Soil Properties in The Triaxial Test, AW Bishop
and DJ Henkel
3.4 Catalogue - ELE International Ltd (http://www.eleint.co.uk)
3.5 Catalogue - Wykeham Farrance Eng. Ltd (http://www.wfi.co.uk)
3.6 Catalogue - GDS Instruments Ltd (http://www.gdsinst.com)
Soilpro Technical Services Sdn Bhd – TRIAXIAL TESTS (2 July 2002, Revision 0) Page 2 of 6
4.0 EQUIPMENT
Triaxial equipment and ancillary systems are described below:
TEST INDICATIVE
EQUIPMENT AND ANCILLARY SYSTEM IF 3 SETS
UU
UU CU CD PREFERRED
pwp
Triaxial cell- Choice of unit adapting for size 38
& 50 mm or unit for 38, 50 & 70 mm
Strained controlled compression machine (10kN
or 50kN)- 0.001 to 5.999 mm/min
Specimen trimmer or soil lathe (38 & 50)
Sample extraction- Choice of hand or motorized
with 1,000mm piston travel and adaptors for
extruding up to 4 sampler sizes of approximate
60, 72, 76 & 108 mm
Wire saw, 2-way split former, suction membrane
device, O-ring placing tool
Conventional drying oven, 105 – 110C
Digital balance- 1,200g x 0.1g
Digital balance- 300g x 0.01g
Venier caliper
Rubber membrane, o-rings, base adaptor and
pressure pad for 38, 50 & 70 mm
Porous stone and drainage tubing with connector
for 38, 50 & 70 mm
Pore water pressure measurement- Choice of
transducer (1,000 kPa / 1,700kPa x 1kPa
accuracy) to readout unit /datalogger or
manometer pressure panel
Volume change measurement- Choice of
automatic apparatus or twin 100ml burettes
Deaired water- tank and vacuum source
Test gauge- 1,700kPa x 10kPa
Rotary hand pump for confining cell pressure
Control valves, pipework, pressure tubings
Two independent constant pressure devices for
cell and back pressure- choice of oil/water
system, air/water system, GDS controller and
mercury pot system
Shearing procedure- Choice of load ring or load
cells for common capacities- 1kN, 2kN, 5kN
Deformation dial gauge- 25mm x 0.01mm
Recording facility- Choice of manual (stop watch
timed procedure or programmed automatic data-
acquisition unit (ADU).
Reporting facility- Choice of computer and
software- custom program or spreadsheet
template.
Note:
C. Where 3 sets of equipment and ancillary systems are preferred, the objective is to
facilitate concurrent testing and shorten delivery time considerably for the CU and CD
Tests requirement of 3 specimens per sample.
Soilpro Technical Services Sdn Bhd – TRIAXIAL TESTS (2 July 2002, Revision 0) Page 3 of 6
5.0 CALIBRATION
The suggested maximum intervals between routine checks and full calibrations of
triaxial equipment (reference- K.H.Head) are presented below:
FULL
TEST EQUIPMENT ROUTINE CHECK BEFORE USE
CALIBRATION
Test gauge Zero reading 1 year
Load ring / cell Correct operation 2 years
UU Dial gauges Free movement before every use 1 year
UU pwp Rubber membranes Samples from each batch -
CU Venier caliper Check zero before every use. 1 year
CD Balances Check zero before every use. 6 months
Verify with known weights weekly
Drying oven 1 week 1 year
UU pwp Electronic readout unit Monthly -
CU Device fitted with electrical Direction of movement (+ or -) 1 year
CD transducers
CU Volume change (burette) Interface meniscus 2 years
CD
Soilpro Technical Services Sdn Bhd – TRIAXIAL TESTS (2 July 2002, Revision 0) Page 4 of 6
7.0 PROCEDURAL STAGES
The general test procedures, depending on the types of test are outlined below:
Soilpro Technical Services Sdn Bhd – TRIAXIAL TESTS (2 July 2002, Revision 0) Page 5 of 6
8.0 DURATION OF TESTS
The indicative tests duration for a diameter 38mm specimen, depending on the types
of test and specimen size is outlined below:
Note:
D. Estimated Total Time (CLAY) - Saturation duration for clay samples do not affect total
testing time significantly but consolidation duration for clay samples can extend total
testing time by 1 to 7 days or more depending on specimen size.
REFERENCE
TEST
COMPLETION OF TEST TEST REPORT
UU BS1377:1990, Part 7, 8.4.4, page 25 - BS1377:1990, Part 7, 8.5 & 8.6, page 25 -
Unloading and removal Plotting and calculations & Test report.
UU pwp KH Head, Vol.3, 18.6.3, page 226 - KH Head, Vol.3, page 256 - Calculating,
Completion of test, Steps 13~23 plotting, reporting
CU BS1377:1990, Part 8, 7.3, page 16 – End BS1377:1990, Part 8, 7.4 to 7.6, page 17
of test procedures to 18 – Calculations, Graphical plots &
Expression of results.
CD BS1377:1990, Part 8, 8.3, page 20 – End BS1377:1990, Part 8, 8.4 to 8.6, page 20
of test procedures to 21 – Calculations, Graphical plots &
Expression of results.
Soilpro Technical Services Sdn Bhd – TRIAXIAL TESTS (2 July 2002, Revision 0) Page 6 of 6