Faculty of Engineering Technology Department of Civil Engineering Technology

BNP 20303 Highway Technology & Traffic Management
Semester 2 Session 2020/2021 2021
Group No. /
Section
G6
S2
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
BNP 20303 HIGHWAY TECHNOLOGY & TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
LABWORK NO. 1
TITLE California Bearing Ratio Test
DATE OF LABWORK 22 April 2021
NAME MATRIX NO.
1. Muhammad Amir Fikri bin Azmi AN190058
2. Aisah binti Tea Tso Bing AN190210

GROUP MEMBERS
3. Farah Aisyah binti Abd Kahar CN190132
4. Nor Iman Fatihah binti Soiful Bahari AN190140
5. Tan Hui Min AN190206
1. Ts. Nur Faezah Binti Yahya

LECTURER / INSTRUCTOR
2. Puan Noor Khazanah Binti A Rahman
RECEIVED DATE AND STAMP
TOTAL MARK
(FROM RUBRIC ASSESSMENT)
1
STUDENT CODE OF ETHICS
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
I hereby declare that I have prepared this report with my own efforts. I also admit to not
accept or provide any assistance in preparing this report and anything that is in it is true.
1) Group member 1
Name: Muhammad Amir Fikri bin Azmi
Matric number: AN190058
2) Group member 2
Name: Aisah binti Tea Tso Bing
3) Group member 3
Name: Farah Aisyah binti Abd Kahar
Matric number: CN190132
4) Group member 4
Name: Nor Iman Fatihah binti Soiful Bahari
5) Group member 5
Name: Tan Hui Min
2
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
BNP 20303 HIGHWAY TECHNOLOGY AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT LABORATORY RUBRIC ASSESSMENT
CLO 3 Measure the suitable techniques and equipments or tools for solved problems according to standard specification and safety requirement.
[PLO4, P4]
Level of Achievement
Elements Very Week (1) Weak (2) Modest (3) Good (4) Excellent (5) Level Weight Score
Abstract The main The main purpose The main The main purpose The main purpose
Not more than 200 purpose of the of the abstract is purpose of the of the abstract is of the abstract is
words. The abstract abstract is not well defined abstract is clearly stated in a clear and concise.
P5 2 /10
should include only absent. and appears identified but single sentence.
the main points of incomplete and/or not clearly
your review. unfocused. stated.
Introduction Background Background Background Background Background
Content knowledge is information is information is information is information may information has the
accurate, relevant and missing or accurate, but overly narrow contain minor appropriate level of
provides appropriate contains major irrelevant or too or overly omissions or specificity to
background for reader inaccuracies. disjointed to make general (only inaccuracies that do provide concise and P2 2 /10
including defining relevance clear. partially not detract from the useful context to aid
critical terms. relevant). major point of the the reader’s
paper. understanding.
Literature Review Very poorly Poorly containing Fairly well Most of relevant Very well of
Display relevant containing 25% relevant contains 50% information related relevant information
literature review fragmented information with of with related to the lab work. related to the lab
P4 2 /10
related to the information and related to the lab to the lab work. work.
lab
work. is very work.
confusing.
Methodology No materials Some materials Some materials Most materials and All Materials and
Flow chart & and standards and no standards and no relevant standards standards are
explanation of flow are listed. are listed. standard are are listed. listed.
chart with picture. Procedure Poorly explained / listed. Procedure contains Procedure is
Appropriate study section is indecipherable Procedure is most steps and is complete and easy P3 3 /15
area/materials, missing. missing steps easy to follow. to follow. All steps
method and standard and difficult to are present.
used are present and follow.
explained.
Data Analysis All data are Most data are Most data are All data are taken All data are
Data are summarized missing or missing or correctly taken, but minor data are correctly taken.
in a logical format. incorrect. incorrect. no missing incorrect. Well-organized.
P5 3 /15
Table or graph Unorganized. Unorganized. data. Organized.
types
are appropriate. Data Organized.
are properly labelled.
Discussion No discussion Discussion is not Discussion is Discussion is Discussion based
Discussion is clearly on data complete and no reasonably reasonably on data is complete
discussed based on analysis. related explanation complete and complete and relate and persuasive with
data analysis and with theory. no related explanation with a clearly supported P4 5 /20
relate with relevant explanation theory. theory.
theory or previous with theory.
study (add citation)
Conclusion Conclusions Conclusions have Conclusions Conclusions are Conclusions are
Conclusion is clearly have no basis little basis in data have some clearly and logically completely justified
and logically drawn in data provided. direct basis in drawn from and by data.
from data provided. provided. the data, but bounded by the
may contain data provided with P2 2 /10
some gaps in no gaps in logic.
logic or data or
are overly
broad.
References Poor quality 50% according 80% according 100% according 100% according
Follow correct to the format to the format to the format to the format and
references well presented P3 1 /5
& organized
Report Quality Word usage is The report is not The report has The report is written The report is written
Grammar, word frequently well written and several in complete in complete
usage, referent and confused or contains many grammar and sentences and sentences (except
organization facilitate incorrect. errors in spelling, spelling contains no materials section)
the reader’s No references. grammar, and mistakes, and personal pronouns. and contains no
Most of the P4 1 /5
understanding of sentence structure. many sentence personal pronouns.
the
paper. No references. fragments. grammar and Grammar and
Limited spelling are correct. spelling are correct.
references are Most references are All references are
3
listed. listed. listed.

Total Marks /100
4
LABWORK 1
California Bearing Ratio Test
Aisah binti Tea Tso Bing,Farah Aisyah binti Abd Kahar,Muhammad

Amir Fikri bin Azmi, Tan Hui Min,Nor Iman Fatihah binti Soiful
Bahri
Abstract
A large volume of soil sample material is laborious and time-
consuming experiment. By doing the CBR test, it is more
conventional and save time. CBR is California bearing ratio. The
strength of the aggregates that is used as a subgrade or base course
is determined by the CBR test. The test measures the shearing
resistance of soil under a controlled moisture and density condition.
A smetal piston used to penetrate through a soil, and the load is
measure versus the deformation, which will give a curve used to
find the CBR. The resources and recommended procedure make CBR
testing much easier.
Keyword: aggregates, CBR test, soil penetrate, shearing resistance,

subgrade
1.0 Introduction
The California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test is an entry test used to

test the underlying power of roads and parks. The results of
these tests are used with the curves to determine the thickness
of pavement and its component layers. This is the most widely
used method for the design of flexible pavement. The California
Bearing Ratio (CBR) was developed by California division of
highways as a method of classifying and evaluating soil-sub-
grade and base course materials for flexible pavements. CBR
testing is currently being used in the construction of pavement
5
design for both the road and the paved area of the aircraft. In
some cases CBR is used directly and in others it is converted to
Resilient Modulus MR using the following relationships.
MR = 1500 x CBR (ibs/in2)
MR = 10340 x CBR (Kpa)
CBR laboratory equipment consists of mold and base metal and

collar, loading frame and dial scales for measuring entry and
extension rates. If wet measurements are required, the skin
sample is immersed in water for four days and the swelling and
water values are announced. The weight of the overcharge is
placed over the template on the mold and the assembly is placed
under the loading frame plunger. The laboratory CBR test
measures the shearing resistance of a crushed aggregate/soil
under controlled moisture and density conditions. The test
shows the number of measurements used in compacted soil
conditions as tested. CBR is obtained as the unit pressure gauge
required to operate at a certain depth of piston penetration
(1935 mm) in the composite measurement soil crushed content
of water and the normal pressure of the unit. Thus.
Test unit stress CBR = Standard unit stress X 100
The CBR is usually based on the load ratio for the penetration
of 2-5mm. If the CBR value at 5.0 mm input is large, the test
should be repeated. If the second test shows a larger amount of
CBR at the input of 5.0 mm, then this larger number should be
used. CBR tests are usually performed on the specimens for the
total moisture content (OMC) of the crushed aggregate / soil
compound as determined in the conversion composite test.
2.0
6
2.0 Literature Review
The basic principle in this experiment is determining the

relationship between the load when the given values of
penetration strength applied onto the penetration plunger.
On certain penetration value, the ratio of applied load and
standard load are stated in the form of percentage defined
as CBR value. The CBR devised by engineers of the
California Division of Highways in nine years period to
1938.
A research study was ever made as the conventional CBR
tests are laborious and time consuming. To overcome these
difficulties, proctor mold has been used especially for fine
grained soil to obtain the compaction characteristics only
uses 40% of the volume of soil required in the original
CBR test. Hence the method consumed less effort, has
faster procedure and more economical. Furthermore, the
sample used in the proctor mold also can be directly used
in the same mold to find conventional CBR values
resulting to less time needed, material and less effort. The
investigation has concluded that there are high chances of
using a proctor mold and a plunger to obtain the CBR
values.
Field CBR testing is performed in-place on soil subgrades
to determine in-place conditions of soils and bases. They
are important to highways and roads users thereby
determine the strength of airfield pavement and for design
of thickness for highways. Especially for in laboratories
test, CBR test was carried out substituting the outdoor
activities in a smaller quantity but with same accurate
results. Since then, the Indian Roads Congress has
standardized the guidelines for the design of flexible
pavements based on CBR test.
7
3.0 Methodology
3.1 Apparatus
1) CBR equipment consisting of 152.4 mm diameter and

178 mm height, An extension collar of a diameter 51
mm, spacer disk of 150.8 mm diameter and 61.4 mm
height.
2) Mechanical compaction rammer 50.8 mm diameter,
2.49 kg and capable of free fall of 305 mm.
3) Surcharge weight to simulate the effect of overlaying
pavement weight.
4) CBR machine: A compression machine, which can
operate at a constant rate of 1.3mm/min. A metal
piston of 1935 mm2 is attached to it.
3.2 Procedure
The cylindirical mould

+ base plate weight was
determined (W1).
Internal diameter and
length of the mould
1 was measured for
taking the mean of the
dimensions calculation.
The interval volume of
the mould was
determined.
8
The representative
crushed aggregate is
sieved through 20 mm
sieve. 5 kg of crushed
2
aggregate is taken and
mixed with optimum
moisture content
(OMC).
The mould was placed

3 for assembly on a solid
concrete floor.
The mould was

clamped to the base
plate, the extension
collar and weight were
4 attached. The spacer
disk inserted into the
mould and a coarse
filter paper placed on
the top of the disk.
The crushed aggregate

was compacted into the
5
mould in 3 equal
layers.
6 The extension collar

was removed and with
straight edge the
compacted crushed
aggregate were
trimmed on the top of
the mould. The spacer
9
disk was removed, and

the weight of the mould
were taken.
The weight of the

mould + base plate+
7 compacted moist
crushed aggregate was
determined, W2
The water content was

8
calculated.
The mould with

crushed aggregate was
placed on the CBR
9 machine and the
surcharged weight was
placed. The penetration
piston set.
At the rate of
1.27mm/min the loads
applied to the
10 penetration piston and
at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5,
3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 7.5, and
10.0mm penetration
respectively was
recorded.
10
4.0 Analysis
A. COMPACTION TEST
Sample No. 1 2 3 4
A. Moisture Content
Weight of can, W1 46.90 37.00 39.90 45.4

(g)
Weight of can + wet 116.10 118.20 120.30 137.2

sample, W2 (g)
Weight of can + dry 112.80 113.80 115.30 130.61

sample, W3 (g)
Moisture Content, W 5.01 5.73 6.63 7.73

(%)=[(W2 － W3) /
(W3－W1)]×100
B. Dry Density
Empty weight of 4653.20 4764.80 4312.20 4506.70

cylinder mould, W4
(g)
Weight of cylinder 9756.30 10308.40 9908.50 9713.00

mould + wet sample,
W5 (g)
Weight of wet 5103.10 5543.60 5596.30 5206.30
11
sample, W6 =W5 －
W4 (g)
Volume of sample, V 2314.83 2314.83 2314.83 2314.83

(cm3)
γ 2.20 2.39 2.42 2.25
Bulk density,
(g/cm3)=W6 / V (cm3)
γ 2.10 2.26 2.27 2.09
Dry density, d
γ
(g/cm3) = / (1+W )
Sample Calculation (Sample No 1)：
1. Moisture Content, W (%) = [(W2－W3) / (W3－W1)]×100
= [(116.10－112.80) / (112.80－
46.90)]×100
= 0.05
2. Weight of wet sample, W6 = W5－W4
= 9756.30－4653.20
= 5103.10
γ
3. Bulk density, (g/cm3) = W6/ V
= 5103.10/2314.83
= 2.20
12
γ γ
4. Dry density, d (g/cm3) = / (1+W )
= 2.20/ [1+(5.01/100)]
= 2.10
B. CBR TEST
Sample No. 1 2 3
No. of Blows 10 30 65
Empty wt. of mould, W1 (g) 4277.40 4074.20 4615.90
Weight of mould + wet sample, 9236.00 9209.60 9969.10
W2 (g)
Volume of sample, V (cm3) 2289.39 2290.09 2293.62
γ 2.17 2.24 2.33
Wet density, = (W2 － W1) / V
(cm3)
Can No. 1 2 3
Weight of empty can, A (g) 46.20 37.50 45.10
Weight of can + wet sample, B 100.00 90.60 118.00
(g)
Weight of can + dry sample, C 97.10 86.80 113.60
(g)
Water Content, W (%) = [(B - 5.70 7.71 6.42
C)/(C - A)]×100
γ γ / (1+W) 2.05 2.08 2.19
Dry Density, d =
(g/cm3)
Sample Calculation (Sample No 1)：

γ = (W －W ) / V
1. Wet density, 2 1
= (9236.00－4277.40)/2289.39
= 2.17
13
2. Water Content, W (%) = [(B - C)/(C - A)]×100
= [(100－97.10)/(97.10－46.20)]×100
= 5.70
γ = γ / (1+W)
3. Dry Density, d
= 2.17 / [1+(5.70/100)]
= 2.05
C. CBR TEST: PENETRATION DATA
Penetration Load (kN)
(mm) Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3
(10 blows) (30 blows) (65 blows)
0.0 0.000 0.000 0.000
1.0 0.390 0.100 0.160
1.5 0.738 0.214 0.364
2.0 1.060 0.452 0.678
2.5 1.316 0.848 1.176
3.0 1.884 1.398 1.844
3.5 2.508 2.090 2.742
4.0 3.024 2.770 3.908
14
4.5 3.634 3.480 5.356
5.0 4.420 4.190 7.142
5.5 5.244 4.986 9.194
6.0 6.248 5.696 11.278
6.5 7.236 6.462 13.400
7.0 8.240 7.320 14.064
8.0 10.244 9.050 20.266
9.0 12.276 11.032 26.198
10.0 13.154 12.868 32.770
Data Analysis:
(a) Plot graph dry density versus moisture content
Moisture content (%) Dry density (g/cm3)
5.01 2.10
5.73 2.26
6.63 2.27
7.73 2.09
15
(b) Determine Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) and Maximum

γ
dry density, max.
From the graph obtained,
Optimum moisture content = 6.2%
Maximum dry density = 2.29 g/cm3
(c) Plot graph load versus penetration
16
(d) Determine the load values at 2.5mm and 5.0mm and determine
the CBR value.
For sample 1 (10 blows):
The load values at 2.5mm = 1.316 kN
CBR (2.5) = a/13.24 × 100%
= 1.316/13.2 × 100%
= 9.97%
CBR (5.0) = b/19.96 × 100%
= 4.420/20 × 100%
= 22.1%
17
CBR (2.5) = a/13.24 × 100%
= 0.848/13.2 × 100%
= 6.42%
CBR (5.0) = b/19.96 × 100%
= 4.190/20 × 100%
= 21.0%
CBR (2.5) = a/13.24 × 100%
= 1.176/13.2 × 100%
= 8.90%
CBR (5.0) = b/19.96 × 100%
= 7.142/20 × 100%
= 35.7%
- Generally, the CBR value at 2.5mm penetration will be greater

than at 5.0mm penetration. However in this case, the CBR value at
5.0mm penetration is grater than 2.5mm. Therefore, the test should
be repeated. By assuming the test is repeated and there is no mistake
18
in the experiment, we take the CBR value at 5.0mm penetration for

CBR value.
(e) Plot the CBR versus dry density
Dry Density (g/cm3) CBR (%)
2.05 22.1
2.08 21.0
2.19 35.7
(f) Determine the CBR value at 95% of maximum dry density.
95% of maximum dry density = 2.29 × 95%
= 2.1755 g/cm3
γ max is 34.0%.
Therefore, the CBR value at 0.95 d
19
5.0 Discussion
According to the result graph, it is not the smoother curve of the

built-in graph. Therefore, graph adjustments should be made to
have a more accurate effect. Also, there is a difference between
the standard CBR value and the test value, the errors that may
be listed below:
1. Air void appears in the soil
In fact, honestly, the volume of the empty air is cannot be

ignored. No matter how perfect the congestion is, the air gap is
still there. Moreover, the size of the combination is different,
the gap between the joints becomes narrower. Therefore, the
effect of empty air in the test cannot be accurately determined
and therefore affects the result.
2. Chemical composition of aggregate to the soil
As there are minerals in the soil, such quartz, plagioclase,

microcline these are the strongest minerals. Then, the stiffness
and the strength of the soil will change. It is an unconventional
chemical compound. Therefore, the result is affected. In
addition, the level of CBR value used in the laboratory is the
British standard quality. Just as the soil is different everywhere
in the world, so the characteristics of the soil are different.
Therefore, the amount of soil is different from the test result
because the soil used is not the same type.
20
6.0 Conclusion
After carrying out the experiment, we can see that students are
now able to measure the dry unit weight of compacted
aggregate under different moisture content and plot the load vs
settlement. Most important, they are able to determine the CBR
value for the test. By measuring the pressure required to
penetrate a soil sample with a plunger of standard area, the
measured pressure is then divided by the pressure required to
achieve an equal penetration on a standard crushed rock
material. In the experiment, we finally found that the CBR
values of soil in 2.50mm for the first, second and third sample
are 9.97%, 6.42% and 8.90% respectively. While the CBR
values of soil in 5.0mm for the first, second and third sample
are 22.1%, 21.0% and 35.7% respectively. The end results for
2.50mm penetration should be greater than at 5.0mm
penetration and we have failed to get the correct values as they
should be. After repeated experiment, we should be able to
achieve the objective of the experiment, that is determining the
CBR value of the given crushed aggregate/soil sample.
21
References
I. EMS Geotech. (2020). What is CBR (California Bearing

Ratio) Testing? - EMS Geotech Can Help.
https://www.ems-geotech.co.uk/cbr-testing/
II. Selig, E., Livneh, M., & Greenstein, J. (1978). A Modified
California Bearing Ratio Test for Granular Materials.
Geotechnical Testing Journal, 1(3), 141.
https://doi.org/10.1520/gtj10385j
III. Mishra, G. (2017). California Bearing Ratio Test on
Subgrade Soil -Procedure and Values. The Constructor.
https://theconstructor.org/geotechnical/california-bearing-
ratio-test/2578/
IV. Link, RE & Pandian, Nirmala & Sridharan, A. & Raju,
PSRN. (1999). California Bearing Ratio Test Simplified.
Journal of Testing and Evaluation - J TEST EVAL. 27.
10.1520/JTE12043J.
V. Backus, B. (2019). California bearing ratio Test: Cbr
values & why they matter. Retrieved April 21, 2021,
from https://www.globalgilson.com/blog/cbr-testing
VI. Jamal, H. (2017). Haseeb Jamal. Retrieved April 21, 2021,
from https://www.aboutcivil.org/california-bearing-ratio-
test.html
VII. Pardeep thakur. (2020) civil concept California bearing
ratio test
https://www.civilconcept.com/california-bearing-ratio-test/
22

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BNP 20303 Highway Technology & Traffic Management

Semester 2 Session 2020/2021 2021

BNP 20303 HIGHWAY TECHNOLOGY & TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

TITLE California Bearing Ratio Test

DATE OF LABWORK 22 April 2021

NAME MATRIX NO.

1. Muhammad Amir Fikri bin Azmi AN190058

2. Aisah binti Tea Tso Bing AN190210

4. Nor Iman Fatihah binti Soiful Bahari AN190140

5. Tan Hui Min AN190206

1. Ts. Nur Faezah Binti Yahya

RECEIVED DATE AND STAMP

STUDENT CODE OF ETHICS

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

listed. listed. listed.

Aisah binti Tea Tso Bing,Farah Aisyah binti Abd Kahar,Muhammad

Keyword: aggregates, CBR test, soil penetrate, shearing resistance,

The California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test is an entry test used to

MR = 1500 x CBR (ibs/in2)

MR = 10340 x CBR (Kpa)

CBR laboratory equipment consists of mold and base metal and

Test unit stress CBR = Standard unit stress X 100

2.0 Literature Review

The basic principle in this experiment is determining the

1) CBR equipment consisting of 152.4 mm diameter and

The cylindirical mould

The mould was placed

The mould was

The crushed aggregate

6 The extension collar

disk was removed, and

The weight of the

The water content was

The mould with

Weight of can, W1 46.90 37.00 39.90 45.4

Weight of can + wet 116.10 118.20 120.30 137.2

Weight of can + dry 112.80 113.80 115.30 130.61

Moisture Content, W 5.01 5.73 6.63 7.73

Empty weight of 4653.20 4764.80 4312.20 4506.70

Weight of cylinder 9756.30 10308.40 9908.50 9713.00

Weight of wet 5103.10 5543.60 5596.30 5206.30

Volume of sample, V 2314.83 2314.83 2314.83 2314.83

Sample Calculation (Sample No 1)：

1. Moisture Content, W (%) = [(W2－W3) / (W3－W1)]×100

2. Weight of wet sample, W6 = W5－W4

Sample Calculation (Sample No 1)：

2. Water Content, W (%) = [(B - C)/(C - A)]×100

C. CBR TEST: PENETRATION DATA

Penetration Load (kN)

(mm) Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3

(10 blows) (30 blows) (65 blows)

0.0 0.000 0.000 0.000

1.0 0.390 0.100 0.160

1.5 0.738 0.214 0.364

2.0 1.060 0.452 0.678

2.5 1.316 0.848 1.176

3.0 1.884 1.398 1.844

3.5 2.508 2.090 2.742

4.0 3.024 2.770 3.908

4.5 3.634 3.480 5.356