TRIAXIAL TEST

AND
UNCONFINED COMPRESSION
TEST
 What is a Triaxial test?
A triaxial test measures the mechanical properties of deformable solids,
including cylindrical core soil, rock or granular material. Also known as the
triaxial shear test, its aim is to establish the shear strength of a sample by
replicating the in-situ stresses it would experience in the ground where it was
taken from.
In geotechnical engineering, triaxial tests provide design engineers with the
data they need to calculate the effects of certain loads on their projects. By
determining the shear strength of a soil or rock sample, we can work out how
the ground beneath a foundation or embankment will respond to different
loads and the conditions under which it will experience shear failure.
For this reason, triaxial shear tests have a wide range of applications in the
design of:
Walls and slopes stability analysis
Embankments
Foundation design
Earth dams
Subsoil structures/ pavement design
Tunnel linings.
bearing capacity calculations in temporary works.
 TYPES OF TRIAXIAL TEST BASED ON
DRAINAGE CONDITIONS
There are three main types of test:

Unconsolidated-Undrained condition (UU)

Consolidated - Undrained condition (CU)
Consolidated-Drained condition (CD)

The decision to use one of these three triaxial test types is based on the type of

material that is being tested. The different tests vary in terms of whether they

permit water flow in or out of the specimen during the consolidation and shear

stages of the test.

UNCONSOLIDATED UNDRAINED TEST

Drainage is not permitted at any stage of the test, that is, either before the test
during the application of the normal stress or during the test when the shear stress
is applied. Hence, no time is allowed for dissipation of pore water pressure and
consequent consolidation of the soil; also, no significant volume changes are
expected. Usually, 5 to 10 minutes may be adequate for the whole test, because of
the shortness of drainage path. However, undrained tests are often performed only
on soils of low permeability. Since a relatively small time is allowed for the testing
till failure, it is also called the test. It is designated UU, Q, or Qu test.
CONSOLIDATED UNDRAINED TEST

Absolute Drainage is permitted fully in this type of test during the

application of the normal stress and no drainage is permitted during the
application of the shear stress. Thus volume changes do not take place
during shear and excess pore pressure develops. Usually, after the soil is
consolidated, under the applied normal stress to the desired degree, 5 to 10
minutes may be adequate for the test. This test is also called
quick and is designated CU or Qc test, These conditions are also
common in geotechnical engineering practice.
In Consolidated Undrained (CU) and Consolidated Drained (CD) triaxial shear
tests, the sample is saturated before testing begins and excess pore
pressure dissipation during consolidation to reach equilibrium conditions is
allowed. The aim here is to bring the specimen as close as possible to
conditions at its natural state in the ground.
In the subsequent shear stage when the deviatoric stress is imposed, excess
pore pressure dissipation is permitted in CD triaxial tests (usually performed
on sands) but not permitted in CU triaxial tests (usually performed on clays).
Excess pore pressure is commonly measured in CU triaxial tests so that the
effective stress in the specimen can be determined.
CONSOLIDATED DRAINED TEST CONDITION

Drainage is allowed fully before and during the test at all times. The soil is consolidated
under normal stress and shear is measured by slowly applying shear stress to the soil, with
drainage allowed at all times. At no point does there appear to be any excess pore
pressure, and volume changes occur. In the case of cohesive soils, it can take 4 to 6 weeks
to complete a single test of this kind, while in the case of cohesionless soils, less time is
needed because the latter drain off quickly. Except for research purposes, this test is rarely
performed on cohesive soils. The or is another name
for it and is designated CD test.
As with the CU test, the Consolidated Drained triaxial test begins with a
saturation stage, followed by a consolidation stage, and ending with a very
slow shear stage.

It is the longest type of triaxial test due to the slow consolidation and shear
stages. Pore pressure in the sample must not be allowed to build up in this
type of test and any pore pressures must be allowed to disperse. CD triaxial
tests are best for determining long-term geotechnical engineering
problems.
A list of some of the common engineering issues that triaxial tests can be
used for can be seen in table below, with the type of test described in the
next section.
Field Problem Type of Analysis Type of Test

First Time Slope Failure Effective Stress CU or CD Triaxial

Cut Slope Failure Effective Stress CU Triaxial

Earth Dams Total Stress UU triaxial

Effective Stress CU Triaxial
Triaxial permeability

Tunnel Linings Total Stress UU triaxial

Effective Stress CU Triaxial
The type of soil and the reality of the situation will determine which

of these tests should be used. UU-tests are useful for determining the

short-term stability of foundations, excavations, and earth dams etc.

Depending on the drainage conditions in the area, either CU-tests or

CD-tests are suitable for long-term stability issues.

 UNCONFINED COMPRESSION TEST
Unconfined Compression Test (UCT) is a simple laboratory testing method to assess the mechanical properties of
rocks and fine-grained soils. It provides a measures of the undrained strength and the stress-strain characteristics of
the rock or soil. The unconfined compression test is often included in the laboratory testing program of geotechnical
investigations, specially when dealing with rocks.

The unconfined compression test is used to measure the shear strength of the soil. It is the most popular, cheapest,
and quickest method to measure shear strength.

The test can be performed on intact, remolded, or reconstituted soil specimens using the strain-controlled
application of axial load. The test method is only applicable to cohesive soils such as clays or cemented soils that will
not expel water when loaded and will retain intrinsic strength once confining pressure is removed.
The main difference between Unconfined compression test and triaxil
compression test is that in this test the confining cell pressure is kept zero
during the test, in fact it is a special case of triaxial test. Due to which without
applying any lateral pressure like a concrete crushing test the cylindrical soil
sample is crushed to failure. Although this test can also be done by using
triaxil test in the laboratory but instead we move towards a more simple
portable piece of equipment which is known as unconfined compression test
apparatus. Due to its portable design the equipment can easily be shifted to
the desired site and the test can be done within the field.
 Apparatus
Unconfined Compression Testing machine (strain controlled).
Sampling Tube.
Sample Ejector.
Deformation dial gauge 0.01 mm graduations and specific travel to permit 20%
axial strain.
Vernier Caliper of least count 0.1 mm.
Timer.
Oven with accurate temperature control in the range 110°C +- 5°C.
A balance of 0.01 gm sensitivity.
Miscellaneous equipment such as specimen trimmer, carving tools, re-molding
apparatus, moisture cup, etc.
 The relationship between Shear strength and
compressive strength
In simple terms, Shear stress is a force acting tangentially over the surface of a
body.
For example, friction between the tires of a vehicle and road is a shear force.
On the other hand, a Compression or compressive stress is a force acting
axially on the body.
Vertical loads coming on the column causes compression in the column.