Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering December 21, 2016

EXPERIMENT # 12

PERFORMANCE OF TRI-AXIAL COMPRESSION TEST

ON COHESIVE SOILS UNDER CONSOLIDATED
DRAINED (CD) CONDITION
12.1 OBJECTIVE
The purpose of a CD test is to obtain drained shear strength parameter (C &
) for the analysis of long-term or drained loading of a soil mass.
The test is called "triaxial" because the three principal stresses are assumed to
be known and are controlled.
The shear strength determined from the test is
commonly used in embankment stability analyses,
earth pressure calculations, and foundation design
12.2 APPARATUS
Axial Loading Device
Axial Load-Measuring Device
Triaxial Compression Chamber
Axial Load Piston
Pressure Control Device
Specimen Cap and Base
Deformation Indicator
Rubber Membrane
Sample Extruder
Specimen Size Measurement Devices
Timer
Balances
Miscellaneous Apparatus

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12.3 SIGNIFICANCE AND USE

CD test or slow test is one of the conditions of the laboratory shear test. The
other two conditions are UU test and CU test. UU test has low shear strength.
Whereas in CU moisture is drawn out due to high pressure.
CD test is comparatively slower than others. It is used only for the search
purposes. It requires more time and money than other methods. In this test soil
consolidation occurs under normal load and drainage is allowed during the
consolidation. At the completion of the consolidation process, the drainage
conditions are to be allowed while normal stress is increased at such a rate that
no pore pressure is developed. Thus, the resulting parameters of the shear
strength are in terms of effective stresses.
On engineering scale CD parameters are used in the problems where long term
stability of clayey soil slopes and the long term lateral pressure on the cohesive
soil retaining walls.
Consolidated drained or slow test is similar to the CU test except that the
sample is allowed to drain. The axial load is applied in such a way that high
excess pore pressure not to be developed.
12.4 RELATED THEORY
The shear strength of a saturated soil in triaxial compression depends on the stresses
applied, time of consolidation, strain rate, and the stress history experienced by the
soil.

In this test method, the shear characteristics are measured under drained conditions
and are applicable to field conditions where soils have been fully consolidated under
the existing normal stresses and the normal stress changes under drained conditions
similar to those in the test method.

The shear strength determined from this test method can be expressed in terms of
effective stress because a strain rate or load application rate slow enough to allow
pore pressure dissipation during shear is used to minimize excess pore pressure
conditions. The shear strength may be applied to field conditions where full drainage
can occur (drained conditions), and the field stress conditions are similar to those in
the test method.

The shear strength determined from the test is commonly used in embankment
stability analyses, earth pressure calculations, and foundation design

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Test Rate of axial strain Drainage condition

Fastest. failure occur within 20 to 25

UU Drainage valves are closed
minutes

Slow enough to adequate Drainage valves are closed and

CU equalisation of excess pore water excess pore water pressure
pressure measured

Slow enough to result in negligible Drainage valves are opened and V

CD pore pressure variation measured

12.5 PROCEDURE
Place the membrane on the membrane expander or, if it is to be rolled onto the
specimen, place the membrane onto the cap or base. Place the specimen on
the base.
Place the rubber membrane around the specimen and seal it at the cap and
base with O-rings or other positive seals at each end. A thin coating of silicon
grease on the vertical surfaces of the cap or base will aid in sealing the
membrane.
With the specimen encased in the rubber membrane, which is sealed to the
specimen cap and base and positioned in the chamber, assemble the triaxial
chamber.
Bring the axial load piston into contact with the specimen cap several times to
permit proper seating and alignment of the piston with the cap.
When the piston is brought into contact the final time, record the reading on the
deformation indicator to three significant digits.
During this procedure, take care not to apply an axial stress to the specimen
exceeding approximately 0.5 % of the estimated compressive strength. If the
weight of the piston is sufficient to apply an axial stress exceeding
approximately 0.5 % of the estimated compressive strength, lock the piston in
place above the specimen cap after checking the seating and alignment and
keep locked until application of the chamber pressure.
Place the chamber in position in the axial loading device. Be careful to align the
axial loading device, the axial load-measuring device, and the triaxial chamber
to prevent the application of a lateral force to the piston during testing.

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Attach the pressure-maintaining and measurement device and fill the chamber
with the confining liquid. Adjust the pressure maintaining and measurement
device to the desired chamber pressure and apply the pressure to the chamber
fluid.
Wait approximately 10 min after the application of chamber pressure to allow
the specimen to stabilize under the chamber pressure prior to application of the
axial load.
Slightly above the specimen cap, and before the piston comes in contact with
the specimen cap, either:
Measure and record the initial piston friction to three significant digits and
upward thrust of the piston produced by the chamber pressure and later
correct the measured axial load.
Adjust the axial load-measuring device to compensate for the friction and
thrust. If the axial load-measuring device is located inside the chamber, it
will not be necessary to correct or compensate for the uplift force acting on
the axial loading device or for piston friction. In both cases record the initial
reading on the deformation indicator when the piston contacts the specimen
cap.
Apply the axial load to produce axial strain at a rate of approximately 1 %/ min
for plastic materials and 0.3 % / min for brittle materials that achieve maximum
deviator stress at approximately 3 to 6 % strain. At these rates, the elapsed
time to reach maximum deviator stress will be approximately 15 to 20 min.
Continue the loading to 15 % axial strain, except loading may be stopped when
the deviator stress has peaked then dropped 20 % or the axial strain has
reached 5 % beyond the strain at which the peak in deviator stress occurred.
Record load and deformation values to three significant digits at about 0.1, 0.2,
0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 % strain; then at increments of about 0.5 % strain to 3 %; and,
thereafter at every 1 %.
Take sufficient readings to define the stress-strain curve; hence, more frequent
readings may be required in the early stages of the test and as failure is
approached.

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12.6 OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS

12.6.1 FOR 20KPA CELL PRESSURE

12.6.1.1 INITIAL SPECIMEN PROPERTIES

Initial Specimen properties

Initial Water Content % Initial Height m 0.072 mm 72

10.77

Initial Density of Sample (b) Kg/m3 1618.3 Initial Volume m3 7.328E-05 mm3 73284.912

Relative density % 95.3 Initial Area m2 0.0010178 mm2 1017.846

12.6.1.2 SATURATION STAGE

Time elapsed PWP =Back

Cell Pressure ( 3) B value Check
(min) pressure

1 10 0 -
10 20 10 -
20 30 15 0.5
30 40 23 0.8
40 50 32 0.9
50 60 41.2 0.92
60 70 50.5 0.93
70 80 60.2 0.97
12.6.1.3 CONSOLIDATION STAGE

Time Cell PWP

elapsed Pressure =Back Specimen Properties after consolidation
(min) (s3) pressure

Volume change
0 80 - reading (DV)
cc 3.1
Consolidated
Height after
20 80 - Consolidation (Hc)
mm 0 volume Vc 70184.912
(mm3)
Area after
50 80 - mm2 974.790444
Consolidation (Ac)

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12.6.1.4 SHEARING STAGE

Vol. ajar
Time Cell PWP Exte Vertical Volume Deviator
vertical strain Correcte Principle
elapsed Pressure =Back nsio Strain change stress
Load d Area A' stress
(min) ( pressure n () reading (vol.) ()
(1)

KPa KPa N mm % cc mm2 KPa KPa

0.73 80.00 60.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.04 0.05 974.23 0.00 20.00
1.08 80.00 60.00 3.00 0.00 0.00 0.08 0.11 973.68 3.08 23.08
1.57 80.00 60.00 7.00 0.01 0.01 0.13 0.18 973.12 7.19 27.19
1.73 80.00 60.00 10.00 0.01 0.01 0.16 0.22 972.70 10.28 30.28
1.90 80.00 60.00 10.00 0.02 0.03 0.20 0.27 972.28 10.29 30.29
2.09 80.00 60.00 14.00 0.04 0.06 0.25 0.34 971.86 14.41 34.41
2.30 80.00 60.00 17.00 0.04 0.06 0.35 0.48 970.47 17.52 37.52
2.53 80.00 60.00 20.00 0.05 0.07 0.40 0.55 969.91 20.62 40.62
2.78 80.00 60.00 27.00 0.06 0.08 0.46 0.63 969.21 27.86 47.86
3.07 80.00 60.00 30.00 0.07 0.10 0.51 0.70 968.65 30.97 50.97
3.37 80.00 60.00 34.00 0.10 0.14 0.57 0.78 968.22 35.12 55.12
3.70 80.00 60.00 37.00 0.15 0.21 0.64 0.88 967.92 38.23 58.23
4.08 80.00 60.00 40.00 0.29 0.40 0.70 0.96 968.97 41.28 61.28
4.49 80.00 60.00 44.00 0.42 0.58 0.77 1.05 969.75 45.37 65.37
4.93 80.00 60.00 47.00 0.55 0.76 0.85 1.16 970.40 48.43 68.43
5.42 80.00 60.00 51.00 0.68 0.94 0.94 1.29 970.90 52.53 72.53
5.97 80.00 60.00 54.00 0.81 1.13 1.00 1.37 971.83 55.57 75.57
6.56 80.00 60.00 57.00 0.97 1.35 1.10 1.51 972.62 58.60 78.60
7.22 80.00 60.00 61.00 1.14 1.58 1.21 1.66 973.40 62.67 82.67
7.94 80.00 60.00 64.00 1.24 1.72 1.31 1.79 973.36 65.75 85.75
8.74 80.00 60.00 64.00 1.35 1.88 1.41 1.93 973.46 65.74 85.74
9.61 80.00 60.00 64.00 1.53 2.13 1.53 2.10 974.24 65.69 85.69

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Axial Strain vs Deviator Stress

70.00

60.00

50.00
Devaitor Stress (KPa)

40.00
20 Kpa Cell Pressure
30.00

20.00

10.00

0.00
0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50
Axial Strain (%)

12.6.2 FOR 40KPA CELL PRESSURE

12.6.2.1 INITIAL SPECIMEN PROPERTIES

Initial Specimen properties

mm
Initial Water Content % 10.77 Initial Height m 0.072 72

Initial Density of Sample (b) Kg/m3 1618.3 Initial Volume m3 7.328E-05 mm3 73284.912

Relative density % 95.3 Initial Area m2 mm2 1017.846

0.0010178

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12.6.2.2 SATURATION STAGE

Time elapsed (min) Cell Pressure (s3) PWP =Back pressure B value Check

1 20 0 -
10 30 10 -
20 40 15 0.5
30 50 21 0.6
40 60 30 0.9
50 70 39 0.9
60 80 48.5 0.95
70 90 58.3 0.98
80 100 68 0.97
12.6.2.3 CONSOLIDATION STAGE

Time Cell PWP

elapsed Pressure =Back Specimen Properties after consolidation
(min) (s3) pressure

108 Volume change

0 - cc 3.4
reading (DV)
Consolidated
20 108 Height after 0
- mm volume Vc 69884.912
Consolidation (Hc)
(mm3)
50 108 Area after 970.623778
- mm2
Consolidation (Ac)

12.6.2.4 SHEARING STAGE

Time PWP Volum Volumet ajar

Cell Vertical Deviator
elapse =Back vertical Extens e ric strain Corrected Principle
Pressure Strain stress
d pressu Load ion change Area A' stress
reading (vol.)
( () ()
(min) re (1)

KPa KPa N mm % cc mm2 KPa KPa

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.10 108.00 68.00 10.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01 970.48 10.30 50.30
0.38 108.00 68.00 13.00 0.00 0.00 0.05 0.07 969.93 13.40 53.40
1.30 108.00 68.00 17.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.14 969.23 17.54 57.54
1.43 108.00 68.00 20.00 0.00 0.00 0.12 0.16 968.96 20.64 60.64

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1.57 108.00 68.00 27.00 0.00 0.00 0.14 0.19 968.68 27.87 67.87
1.73 108.00 68.00 30.00 0.00 0.00 0.18 0.25 968.12 30.99 70.99
1.91 108.00 68.00 34.00 0.00 0.00 0.21 0.29 967.71 35.13 75.13
2.09 108.00 68.00 37.00 0.00 0.00 0.24 0.33 967.29 38.25 78.25
2.30 108.00 68.00 40.00 0.00 0.00 0.27 0.37 966.87 41.37 81.37
2.53 108.00 68.00 44.00 0.00 0.00 0.30 0.41 966.46 45.53 85.53
2.78 108.00 68.00 47.00 0.00 0.00 0.33 0.45 966.04 48.65 88.65
3.06 108.00 68.00 51.00 0.00 0.00 0.35 0.48 965.76 52.81 92.81
3.37 108.00 68.00 54.00 0.00 0.00 0.38 0.52 965.35 55.94 95.94
3.71 108.00 68.00 57.00 0.00 0.00 0.42 0.58 964.79 59.08 99.08
4.08 108.00 68.00 61.00 0.00 0.00 0.46 0.63 964.23 63.26 103.26
4.48 108.00 68.00 64.00 0.00 0.00 0.50 0.68 963.68 66.41 106.41
4.93 108.00 68.00 67.00 0.01 0.01 0.56 0.77 962.98 69.58 109.58
5.43 108.00 68.00 71.00 0.04 0.06 0.63 0.86 962.41 73.77 113.77
5.96 108.00 68.00 74.00 0.07 0.10 0.68 0.93 962.11 76.91 116.91
6.57 108.00 68.00 77.00 0.11 0.15 0.72 0.99 962.09 80.03 120.03
7.22 108.00 68.00 81.00 0.15 0.21 0.76 1.04 962.07 84.19 124.19
7.94 108.00 68.00 81.00 0.21 0.29 0.82 1.12 962.04 84.20 124.20
8.73 108.00 68.00 88.00 0.27 0.38 0.88 1.21 962.01 91.48 131.48
9.61 108.00 68.00 91.00 0.33 0.46 0.94 1.29 961.98 94.60 134.60
10.57 108.00 68.00 94.00 0.41 0.57 1.02 1.40 961.93 97.72 137.72
11.63 108.00 68.00 98.00 0.50 0.69 1.10 1.51 962.03 101.87 141.87
12.79 108.00 68.00 98.00 0.59 0.82 1.15 1.58 962.54 101.81 141.81
14.07 108.00 68.00 101.00 0.69 0.96 1.20 1.64 963.19 104.86 144.86
15.47 108.00 68.00 104.00 0.80 1.11 1.30 1.78 963.27 107.97 147.97
17.02 108.00 68.00 108.00 0.93 1.29 1.35 1.85 964.33 111.99 151.99
18.72 108.00 68.00 111.00 1.10 1.53 1.40 1.92 965.94 114.91 154.91
20.59 108.00 68.00 111.00 1.31 1.82 1.43 1.96 968.38 114.62 154.62
22.65 108.00 68.00 112.00 1.47 2.04 1.48 2.03 969.87 115.48 155.48

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Axial Strain vs Deviator Stress

140.00

120.00

100.00
Devaitor Stress (KPa)

80.00

60.00
40 Kpa Cell Pressure
40.00

20.00

0.00
0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50
Axial Strain (%)

12.6.3 FOR 60KPA CELL PRESSURE

12.6.3.1 INITIAL SPECIMEN PROPERTIES

Initial Specimen properties

Initial
Initial Water Content % 10.77 m 0.072 mm 72
Height

Initial Density of Sample 1618.3 Initial 7.328E-05 73284.912

Kg/m3 m3 mm3
(b) Volume

95.3 1017.846
Relative density % Initial Area m2 mm2
0.0010178

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12.6.3.2 SATURATION STAGE

Time elapsed (min) Cell Pressure (s3) PWP =Back pressure B value Check

1 20 0 -
10 30 10 -
20 40 16 0.6
30 50 22 0.6
40 60 30.5 0.85
50 70 39.6 0.91
60 80 49 0.94
70 90 58.6 0.96

12.6.3.3 CONSOLIDATION STAGE

Time Cell PWP
elapsed Pressure =Back Specimen Properties after consolidation
(min) (s3) pressure

Volume change
0 80 - cc 3.3
reading (DV)
Consolidated
20 80 - Height after mm 0 volume Vc 69984.912
Consolidation (Hc) (mm3)
Area after
50 80 - mm2 972.012667
Consolidation (Ac)

12.6.3.4 SHEARING STAGE

Time PWP Volum ajar

Cell Vertical Volume etric Deviator
elaps =Back vertical Exten Corrected Principle
Pressu Strain change strain stress
ed pressu Load sion Area A' stress
re ( () reading ()
(min) re (vol.) (1)
KPa KPa N mm % cc mm2 KPa KPa
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 972.01 0.00 0.00
0.099 119.00 59.00 10 0 0.00 0.01 0.01 971.87 10.29 70.29
0.178 119.00 59.00 13 0 0.00 0.05 0.07 971.32 13.38 73.38
0.26 119.00 59.00 17 0 0.00 0.10 0.14 970.62 17.51 77.51
0.342 119.00 59.00 20 0 0.00 0.12 0.16 970.35 20.61 80.61
0.415 119.00 59.00 24 0 0.00 0.14 0.19 970.07 24.74 84.74

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0.458 119.00 59.00 24 0 0.00 0.18 0.25 969.51 24.75 84.75

0.502 119.00 59.00 27 0 0.00 0.21 0.29 969.10 27.86 87.86
0.67 119.00 59.00 30 0 0.00 0.24 0.33 968.68 30.97 90.97
0.733 119.00 59.00 34 0 0.00 0.27 0.37 968.26 35.11 95.11
0.81 119.00 59.00 37 0 0.00 0.30 0.41 967.85 38.23 98.23
0.977 119.00 59.00 40 0 0.00 0.33 0.45 967.43 41.35 101.35
1.073 119.00 59.00 44 0 0.00 0.35 0.48 967.15 45.49 105.49
1.183 119.00 59.00 47 0 0.00 0.38 0.52 966.73 48.62 108.62
1.302 119.00 59.00 51 0 0.00 0.42 0.58 966.18 52.79 112.79
1.574 119.00 59.00 54 0.01 0.01 0.46 0.63 965.76 55.91 115.91
1.732 119.00 59.00 57 0.02 0.03 0.50 0.68 965.34 59.05 119.05
1.904 119.00 59.00 61 0.03 0.04 0.56 0.77 964.64 63.24 123.24
2.095 119.00 59.00 64 0.05 0.07 0.63 0.86 963.93 66.39 126.39
2.3 119.00 59.00 67 0.08 0.11 0.68 0.93 963.64 69.53 129.53
2.533 119.00 59.00 74 0.1 0.14 0.72 0.99 963.35 76.82 136.82
2.786 119.00 59.00 77 0.12 0.17 0.76 1.04 963.06 79.95 139.95
3.062 119.00 59.00 81 0.13 0.18 0.82 1.12 962.36 84.17 144.17
3.367 119.00 59.00 88 0.14 0.19 0.88 1.21 961.66 91.51 151.51
3.706 119.00 59.00 91 0.15 0.21 0.94 1.29 960.96 94.70 154.70
4.078 119.00 59.00 94 0.16 0.22 1.02 1.40 959.98 97.92 157.92
4.483 119.00 59.00 101 0.165 0.23 1.10 1.51 958.93 105.33 165.33
4.931 119.00 59.00 108 0.17 0.24 1.15 1.58 958.30 112.70 172.70
5.422 119.00 59.00 111 0.21 0.29 1.20 1.64 958.14 115.85 175.85
5.968 119.00 59.00 118 0.25 0.35 1.30 1.78 957.28 123.27 183.27
6.561 119.00 59.00 125 0.3 0.42 1.35 1.85 957.25 130.58 190.58
7.218 119.00 59.00 128 0.34 0.47 1.40 1.92 957.09 133.74 193.74
7.942 119.00 59.00 135 0.41 0.57 1.43 1.96 957.60 140.98 200.98
8.733 119.00 59.00 142 0.48 0.67 1.43 1.96 958.54 148.14 208.14
9.605 119.00 59.00 145 0.54 0.75 1.51 2.07 958.23 151.32 211.32
10.56 119.00 59.00 152 0.62 0.86 1.53 2.10 959.02 158.49 218.49
11.62 119.00 59.00 155 0.71 0.99 1.61 2.21 959.11 161.61 221.61
12.78 119.00 59.00 162 0.8 1.11 1.64 2.25 959.90 168.77 228.77
14.06 119.00 59.00 165 0.9 1.25 1.67 2.29 960.83 171.73 231.73
15.47 119.00 59.00 168 1.01 1.40 1.70 2.33 961.89 174.66 234.66
17.01 119.00 59.00 172 1.14 1.58 1.72 2.36 963.38 178.54 238.54
18.71 119.00 59.00 175 1.27 1.76 1.74 2.38 964.87 181.37 241.37
20.59 119.00 59.00 185 1.41 1.96 1.76 2.41 966.50 191.41 251.41
22.65 119.00 59.00 185 1.58 2.19 1.78 2.44 968.54 191.01 251.01
24.91 119.00 59.00 185 1.76 2.44 2.00 2.74 967.89 191.14 251.14

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Axial Strain vs Deviator Stress

200.00
180.00
160.00
Devaitor Stress (KPa)

140.00
120.00
100.00
80.00
60 Kpa Cell Pressure
60.00
40.00
20.00
0.00
0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00
Axial Strain (%)

12.7 RESULTS

Plot the Mohrs circle between normal stress and shear stress and obtain
corresponding consolidated un-drained shear strength parameters (c and ) of given
soil specimen

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C= 0.9 KPa

= 38

12.8 REFERENCE
ASTM D7181

Standard Test Method for Consolidated Drained Triaxial Compression Test for Soils

12.9 COMMENTS:
CD test is comparatively slower than others. It is used only for the search purposes. It
requires more time and money than other methods. If this test method is used on
cohesive soil, a test may take weeks to complete. In this test soil consolidation occurs
under normal load and drainage is allowed during the consolidation.

The shear characteristics are measured under drained conditions and are applicable
to field conditions where soils have been fully consolidated under the existing normal
stresses and the normal stress changes under drained conditions similar to those in
the test method.

The shear strength determined from the test is commonly used in embankment
stability analyses, earth pressure calculations, and foundation design

Our soil has minor cohesion value that is 0.9 KPa and angle of internal friction = 38

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