201313548

EXPERIMENT NO. 3
UNCONSOLIDATED–UNDRAINED TRIAXIAL TEST

I. INTRODUCTION
Applicable ASTM Standard

ASTM D 2850 -95: Standard Test Method for Unconsolidated Undrained

Triaxial Compression Test on Cohesive Soils

Triaxial Compression Test method covers the identification of the shear

strength and the stress-strain relationships of a cylindrical specimen of either
undisturbed or remolded cohesive soil. Specimens are subjected to a confining
fluid pressure in a triaxial chamber. No drainage of the specimen is permitted
during the test. The specimen is sheared in compression without drainage at a
constant rate of axial deformation wherein the strain is controlled.

This test method provides the data for determining undrained strength
properties and stress-strain relations for soils. This test method provides for the
measurement of the total stresses applied to the specimen, that is, the stresses
are not corrected for pore-water pressure.

In this test, the compressive strength of a soil is determined in terms of the total
stress, therefore, the resulting strength depends on the pressure developed in
the pore fluid during loading. In addition, fluid flow is not permitted from or
into the soil, specimen as the load is applied, therefore the resulting pore
pressure, and hence strength, differs from that developed in the case where
drainage can occur.

II. APPARATUS
 Triaxial System
 Filter
 Scale capable of measuring to the nearest 0.01g
 Oven
 Soil sample container
 Markers
 Ruler
III. TEST PROCEDURE
1. Measure the diameter of the cylindrical mold and find the area.
2. Place the membrane on the membrane expander or, if it is to be rolled on
to 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 surface of the cap or
base will aid in sealing the membrane.
3. 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 in contact with the specimen
cap several times to D2850-3 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. 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.
4. For remolded soil, place the soil in three layers in the mold using the
funnel. Compact the soil with 20 blows per layer for 5 layers.
5. 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. 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.
6. If the axial load-measuring device is located outside of the triaxial
chamber, the chamber pressure will produce an upward force on the
piston that will react against the axial loading device. In this case, start
the test with the piston slightly above the specimen cap, and before the
piston comes in contact with the specimen cap, either: a. Measure and
record the initial piston friction and upward thrust of the piston produced
by the chamber pressure and later correct the measured axial load; or b.
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 the piston
friction. In both cases, record the initial reading on the deformation
indicator when the piston becomes in contact with the specimen cap.
7. 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 mins. Continue the loading to 15% axial strain,
except for the case when the deviator stress has peaked the dropped to
20% or the axial strain has reached 5% beyond the stain at which the peak
in deviator stress occurred.
8. Record load and deformation values at about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5%
strain; then at increments of about 0.5% strain to 3% then at increments
of 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 the specimen approach failure.
IV. DATA & RESULTS
I. TEST DETAILS
Soil Source Location Adamson University
Soil Description (coarse, cohesive, silty, clayey, etc.) Clayey soil

II. MEASUREMENT AND CALCULATIONS

Initial
Conditions
Ht, height of soil sample (mm) 76.190
Vs, Volume of soil sample (mm3) 8.664 x 104
Mass of wet soil + Mold (g) 241.0
Mass of mold (g) 97.4
Mass of wet soil (g) 143.6
Mass of wet soil in can (g) 66.84
Mass of dry soil in can (g) 55.77
Mass of water (g) 11.07
Water content, w (%) 19.85
Wet density (g/mm3) 1.657x 10−3
Dry density (g/mm3) 1.281 x 10−3
Mass of dry soil (g) 111
Mass of water, Mw = Mt – Ms (g)
Initial height of test specimen minus any change in length prior to
67.668
loading, Ho in mm
Change in height as read from deformation indicator in mm 8.552
Initial average cross-sectional area of the specimen, Ao in mm2 1137.101

V. CALCULATIONS
Axial Strain, 𝝐
𝝐 = ∆𝑯⁄𝑯𝒐 𝝈 = 𝑵⁄𝑨
A = 𝑨𝒐⁄𝟏 − 𝝐 𝝉 = 𝑽⁄𝑨
Average Cross-Sectional Area:
𝜋(38.05)2
= 1137.101 𝑚𝑚2
4
Volume of Soil:
38.05 2
𝜋 ( ) (79.190) = 8.664 𝑥 104
2
Water Content:
66.84 − 55.77
𝑥 100 = 19.85 %
55.77
Wet Density:
143.6
= 1.657x 10−3 g/mm3
8.664 x 104
Dry Density:
111
= 1.281 x 10−3 g/mm3
8.664 x 104
Axial Strain:
8.552
Є = = 0.126
67.668
Cross-Sectional Area:
1137.101
𝐴 = = 1301.031
1 − 0.126
Normal Stress:
319.3
𝜎 = = 0.245 𝑀𝑃𝑎
1301.031
Shear Stress / Undrained Shear Stress:
𝜎3 (𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒) = 200𝐾𝑃𝑎
0.245 𝑀𝑃𝑎 + 0.2 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐶𝑢 = = 0.223 𝑀𝑃𝑎
2
Shear Stress vs Horizontal Displacement
 VI. ILLUSTRATIONS

Figure 1. Measuring the dimensions and weight of the cylindrical mold

Figure 2. Wetting the soil sample and transferring it to the mold by delivering 25
blows for 5 layers

Figure 3. Performing the triaxial test on the sample

 VII. OBSERVATION

In this experiment, the soil used is somehow sandy and it is dark in color.
Our
group observed that the deformation took place centered on the 8,552 mm mark
er.The height of the soil sample also decreased from 76.19 mm to 67.638 mm on the
basis of data and tests.The cross sectional area was 284.275 mm^2 in terms of
its proportions. Finally, from the average normal stress and stress induced, respect
ively 0.245 Mpa and 0.2 Mpa; the result shear stress was calculated at 0.223 Mpa.

VIII. CONCLUSION

I therefore conclude that from the data and results that are obtained, our group
concluded that a shortening in height occurs as the axial load on the specimen
increases. Wherever the strain dial indicator that indicates the height change o the
soil sample in calibrated. Deviator often increases as compressive stress increases.
The soil sample’s stress and strain relationship from the cross-sectional area and
displacement, but during the experiment these parameters constantly changed.

IX. RECOMMENDATION

The following are recommendation for further use of the researchers. Before
doing the experiment, make sure that the apparatus and material that you will use
are in a good condition. Assemble the apparatus properly. Researchers must be more
manageable in appointing the tasks per members to avoid any misunderstandings
and to conduct the experiment properly. Reseachers should focus and follow the given
procedure adequately