VFB2052 CIVIL ENGINEERING LABORATORY 1

MS NIRAKU ROSMAWATI BINTI AHMAD

TITLE ASSIGNMENT:
UNCONFINED COMPRESSION TEST

GROUP 4

No Student Name Student ID

1 Siti Nur Maizurah Binti Mohd Jasmin 22006396
2 Muhammad Nazrin Hilman Bin Rosman 22007057
3 Raj Olikh 21001747
4 Diya Armani Binti Zahib 21001364
Introduction
The Unconfined Compression Test stands as a foundational method in the realm of
geotechnical engineering, offering a comprehensive approach to evaluating the shear strength
properties of cohesive soils. Unlike confined compression tests which subject soil samples to
lateral confinement, the unconfined compression test applies axial load directly to a cylindrical
soil specimen without lateral restraint. This experimental procedure allows for the assessment
of the undrained shear strength of soils, providing engineers with critical data to inform design
decisions in construction, foundation engineering, and geotechnical investigations.

At its core, the unconfined compression test involves the preparation of a cylindrical soil
specimen, typically using undisturbed or remolded soil samples collected from the field. The
specimen is carefully mounted within the testing apparatus, ensuring proper alignment and
uniform loading conditions. Axial load is then applied to the specimen at a constant rate,
causing it to deform and eventually fail along a predetermined plane.

Central to the unconfined compression test is the measurement of axial stress and axial strain
throughout the loading process. By recording the stress-strain response of the soil specimen,
engineers can determine key parameters such as peak strength, yield strength, and ultimate
deformation characteristics. These insights provide valuable information about the mechanical
behavior of the soil under unconfined conditions, shedding light on its shear strength properties
and deformation characteristics.

The significance of the unconfined compression test extends beyond its experimental
procedure. The results obtained from this test serve as a basis for geotechnical analysis, guiding
decisions in foundation design, slope stability assessment, and soil classification. By
understanding the undrained shear strength of cohesive soils, engineers can mitigate potential
risks associated with soil instability, ensuring the long-term performance and safety of
infrastructure projects.

Moreover, the simplicity and versatility of the unconfined compression test make it a widely
adopted method in geotechnical practice. Its applicability extends across various soil types and
engineering scenarios, providing engineers with a reliable means of characterizing soil
behavior in both laboratory and field settings.

In essence, the unconfined compression test represents a cornerstone in geotechnical

engineering, embodying the fusion of scientific principles with practical engineering
applications. Its ability to quantify the undrained shear strength properties of cohesive soils
underscores its indispensable role in the advancement of geotechnical practice and the
sustainable development of infrastructure worldwide.
Procedure
A. Setting Up the Equipment
1. Position the load frame securely on a stable and flat work surface.
2. Ensure the load ring is properly attached to the frame's cross-head, including any necessary
extensions and the upper platen, and securely fastened to the ring's lower end.
3. Confirm the load dial gauge is firmly in place, with its stem end touching the ring's
adjustable stop. Center the lower platen on the machine's base and make sure the dial gauge
post is perfectly vertical.
4. Adjust the lower platen height to provide sufficient space for placing the test sample.
5. Choose a gear setting that results in a platen movement rate of 0.05% to 2% of the sample's
length per minute, aiming for a test duration not exceeding 15 minutes.

B. Sample Preparation
1. Extract a 38mm diameter cylindrical sample from a soft or moderately firm clay block
using a 38 mm thin-walled sampling tube with a sharp edge.

C. Placing the Sample

1. Center the sample on the machine's lower platen, ensuring its axis is perfectly vertical.
2. Manually raise the platen until it slightly contacts the top platen, indicated by a minor
movement on the load dial gauge.
3. Zero or set the strain dial gauge on the pillar to a preliminary value.

D. Performing the Compression Test

1. Activate the motor and start the timer simultaneously, using the timer to confirm the
correct strain rate.
2. Systematically record strain dial readings every 0.2mm increment.
3. Continue the process and record data until failure is definitively observed.
4. Upon failure, halt the machine, wait for the motor to cease, reverse the direction, and
verify the load dial gauge for an initial zero load reading.
5. Lower the platen enough to facilitate sample removal.
E. Documenting Failure Pattern
1. Examine the failed sample to sketch its post-failure condition, noting the failure type:
plastic, semi-plastic, or brittle.
2. If present, measure the shear surface angle relative to the horizontal, aiming for an
accuracy within 1º, using a clinometer or protractor promptly to minimize moisture loss.

F. Sample Extraction
1. Following failure, stop and reverse the machine or manually reduce the load on the sample.
2. Check the load dial gauge against the initial zero load reading.
3. Lower the platen to remove the sample easily.
4. Gently lift the sample from the base platen in one piece, placing it on a pre-weighed tray or
container for moisture analysis, including any soil from the platens.

G. Moisture Content Analysis

1. Record the container's weight (m1).
2. Weigh the combined specimen and container to the nearest 0.1g (m2) and oven-dry
overnight.
3. Post-drying, weigh the dried specimen and container to 0.1g (m3).

H. Stress-Strain Curve Construction

1. Calculate and plot compressive stress values against corresponding strain percentages and
sketch the stress-strain curve connecting the plotted points.
Result
Discussion
The unconfined compression test, while not without limitations, serves as a valuable tool in
geotechnical engineering. By offering a simplified approach to understanding the unconfined
compressive strength (UCS) and deformation characteristics of cohesive soils, it plays a vital
role in various applications. These applications include:
• Foundation design: Assessing the soil's ability to support building loads without
excessive settlement.
• Slope stability analysis: Evaluating the risk of landslides and slope failures.
• Earthwork design: Determining the soil's suitability for embankments, dams, and
other earth structures.
During the test, a cylindrical soil sample is subjected to increasing axial load until failure
occurs. By observing the sample's behaviour throughout the test, we can gain valuable
insights. Initially, the sample might appear intact and cylindrical. As the load increases, the
data might indicate barrelling, a characteristic barrel-shaped bulging due to lateral expansion.
This behaviour indicates plastic deformation of the soil.
The failure mode, revealed by the obtained data, provides further information. Common
failure modes include:
• Brittle failure: Sudden and complete rupture, often with a well-defined shear plane.
• Plastic failure: Gradual crushing and deformation, with no distinct shear plane.
• Semi-plastic failure: A combination of both brittle and plastic behaviours.
Analysing the failure mode helps us understand the soil's strength and deformation
characteristics. For instance, a brittle failure mode suggests a lower strain capacity compared
to a plastic failure mode.
The initial stage might exhibit minimal deformation, indicating elastic behaviour. As the load
increases, the deformation typically becomes more pronounced, suggesting plastic
deformation. Finally, the failure point marks the limit of the soil's ability to withstand the
stress.
It's crucial to acknowledge the limitations of the unconfined compression test. The test does
not replicate the in-situ conditions of the soil, such as lateral confinement and drainage
conditions. In real-world scenarios, soil is typically surrounded by other soil or structures,
providing lateral confinement that influences its strength and behaviour. The test also
typically assumes undrained conditions where water cannot flow through the soil pores,
which might not represent reality. These factors can significantly impact how the soil behaves
in real-world situations.
Therefore, interpreting the results and applying them to practical engineering applications
requires careful consideration of these limitations. While it doesn't provide a complete
picture, the unconfined compression test offers a valuable and efficient method for obtaining
preliminary information about the unconfined compressive strength and deformation
characteristics of cohesive soils. This information, when combined with other soil properties
and a thorough understanding of the test's limitations, can be used to inform critical design
decisions in various geotechnical projects.
Conclusion
In summary, the Unconfined Compression Test serves as a pivotal method in the domain of
geotechnical engineering, offering a robust framework for comprehensively evaluating the shear
strength properties of cohesive soils. By subjecting cylindrical soil specimens to axial loading without
lateral confinement, this test provides engineers with a nuanced understanding of the undrained
shear strength characteristics essential for diverse construction, foundation design, and geotechnical
analysis endeavors.

The test's procedure entails meticulous specimen preparation, ensuring representative soil sampling
and specimen alignment within the testing apparatus. As axial load is incrementally applied to the
specimen, engineers meticulously record the stress-strain response, elucidating crucial parameters
such as peak strength, yield strength, and deformation behavior. These insights serve as foundational
pillars for informed decision-making in soil classification, slope stability assessment, and infrastructure
design.

Beyond its procedural intricacies, the Unconfined Compression Test embodies a broader significance
within geotechnical practice. Its results form the bedrock of geotechnical analysis, empowering
engineers to navigate the complexities of soil behavior with precision and confidence. By
understanding the mechanical response of cohesive soils under unconfined conditions, engineers can
adeptly mitigate risks associated with soil instability, thereby fostering the long-term resilience and
safety of infrastructure projects.

Moreover, the test's simplicity and versatility render it a stalwart asset in both laboratory and field
settings. Its applicability spans across diverse soil types and engineering scenarios, offering engineers
a reliable tool for characterizing soil behavior across varied environments and project requirements.

In essence, the Unconfined Compression Test epitomizes the integration of scientific principles with
practical engineering applications, serving as a catalyst for advancing geotechnical practice and
fostering sustainable infrastructure development on a global scale. Its enduring relevance underscores
its indispensable role in addressing contemporary engineering challenges and shaping the future of
infrastructure resilience and safety.