CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO (CBR) TEST References: BS1377: Part 4: 1990 AASHTO T193-63 ASTM D1883-73 Objectives: To introduce

the student to a method of evaluating the relative quality of subgrade, subbase, and base soils for pavements. Equipment: 1. CBR testing machine 2. Automatic compactor 3. Electronic balance 4. Mould set for soaking test 5. Drying oven General Discussion The California bearing-ratio test was developed by the California Division of Highways in 1929 as a means of classifying the suitability of a soil for use as a subgrade or base course material in highway construction. During World War II, the U.S. Corps of Engineers adopted the test for use in airfield construction. The CBR test measures the shearing resistance of a soil under controlled moisture and density conditions. The test yields a bearing-ratio number, but from the previous statement, it is evident this number is not a constant for a given soil but applies only for the tested state of the soil. In passing the test can be performed in the field on an in-place soil, but this is beyond the scope of this laboratory exercise. The CBR number is obtained as the ratio of the unit load required to effect a certain depth of penetration of the piston into a compacted specimen of soil at some water content and density to the standard unit load required to obtain the same depth of penetration on a standard sample of crushed stone. In equation form, this is

From this equation it can be seen that the CBR number is a percentage of the standard unit load. In practice, the percentage symbol is dropped and the ratio is simply noted as a number, such as 3, 45, or 98. Values of standard unit load to use in the equation are as follows:

Standard force-penetration relationships for 100% CBR Penetration (mm) Force (kN) 2 2.5 4 5 6 8 11.5 13.2 17.6 20.0 22.2 26.3

The CBR number is usually based on the load ratio for a penetration of 2.5 mm. If, however, the CBR value at a penetration of 5.0 mm is larger, the test should be redone. If a second test yields also a larger CBR number at 5.0 mm penetration, the CBR for 5.0 mm should be used. CBR test are usually made on test specimens at the optimum moisture value for the soil as determined using the standard compaction test. Two moulds of soil are often compacted, one for immediate penetration testing and one for testing after soaking for a period of 4 days. The second specimen is soaked for a period of 4 days with a surcharge approximately equal to the pavement weight used in the field but in no case is the surcharge weight less than 4.5 kg. Swell readings are taken during this period at arbitrary selected times and at the end of the soaking period the CBR penetration test is made to obtain a CBR value for the soil in a saturated condition. In both penetration tests for the CBR values, a surcharge of the same magnitude as for the swell test is placed on the soil sample. The test on the soaked sample accomplishes two things; 1. It gives information concerning expected soil expansion beneath the pavement when the soil becomes saturated. 2. It gives an indication of strength loss from field saturation. Penetration testing is accomplished in a compression machine using a strain rate of 1 mm/min. Readings of load vs. penetration are taken at each 0.25 mm of penetration to a total penetration not exceeding 7.5 mm. The CBR number is used to rate the performance of soils primarily for use as bases and subgrades beneath pavements of roads and airfields. The following table gives typical ratings.

CBR Number 0-3 3-7 7-20 20-50 >50

General Rating Very poor Poor to fair Fair Good Excellent

Uses Subgrade Subgrade Subbase Base, Subbase Base

Many paving-design procedures are published in which one enters a chart with the CBR number and reads directly the thickness of subgrade, base course, and/or flexible pavement thickness based on the expected wheel loads. Sometimes the CBR is converted to a subgrade modulus before entering the paving-design charts. Procedure: 1. Prepared approximately 4.5 kg of fine-grained material to the optimum moisture content of the soil as determined by the appropriate compaction effort. If it is desired to cure the soil for a more uniform moisture distribution, mix the soil with the necessary percentage of moisture and store in a sealed container for about 12 to 24 hours prior to the test. 2. Just before making the compacted mould of soil, take a representative water content sample (at least 100g for fine-grained soil). 3. Weight the mould less base plate and collar. 4. Clamp the mould to the base plate, insert the spacer disk in the mould and cover with a piece of filter paper. 5. Compact the soil according to BS1377 using an automatic CBR/Proctor compactor. Take a final representative water content sample from the remaining soil. 6. Remove the collar and trim the specimen smooth and flush with the mould. Using fine-grained soil, patch any holes formed when scarping the specimen flush with the mould. For coarsegrained soils, use any soil particles for patching which are smaller than the hole. 7. Remove the base plate and spacer disk, weight the mould + compacted soil, and determine the wet unit weight. 8. Place a piece of filter paper on the base plate, invert the specimen, and attach the base plate so the soil is in contact with the filter paper on the base. For unsoaked specimens, do steps 9 to 13 next. 9. Place the mould with baseplate containing the sample, with the top face of the sample exposed, centrally on the lower platen of the testing machine. Place the appropriate annular surcharge discs on top the sample.

10. Fit into place the cylindrical plunger and force measuring device assembly with the face of the plunger resting on the surface of the sample. Apply a seating force to the plunger, depending on the expected CBR value, as follows. For CBR value up to 5% apply 10 N For CBR value from 5% to 30%, apply 50 N For CBR value above 30% apply 250 N Record the reading of the force measuring device as the initial zero reading (because the seating force is not taken into account during the test) or reset the force measuring device to read zero. 11. Start the test so that the plunger penetrates the sample at a uniform rate of 1 mm/min. Record readings of the force gauge at intervals of penetration of 0.25 mm, to a total penetration not exceeding 7.5 mm. 12. If a test is to be carried out on both ends of the sample, raise the plunger and level the surface of the sample by filling in the depression left by the plunger and cutting away any projecting material. Check for flatness with the straightedge. 13. Carry out the test on the base by repeating steps 9 to 11. For soaked samples. 14. Remove the baseplate from the mould and replace it with the perforated baseplate. Fit the collar to the other end of the mould, packing the screw threads with petroleum jelly to obtain a watertight joint. Place the mould assembly in the empty soaking tank. Place a filter paper on top of the sample, followed by the perforated swell plate. Fit the required number of annular surcharge discs around the stem on the perforated plate. 15. Mount the dial gauge support on the top of the extension collar, secure the dial gauge in place and adjust the stem on the perforated plate to give a convenient zero reading. Fill the immersion tank with water to just below the top of the mould extension collar. Start the timer when the water has just covered the baseplate. 16. Record readings of the dial gauge at suitable intervals of time, depending on the rate of movement. 17. Record the time taken for water to appear at the top of the sample. If this is not occurred within 3 days, flood the top of the sample and leave to soak for a further day, giving the normal soaking period of 4 days. A longer period may be necessary to allow swelling to reach completion. 18. Plot a graph of swelling against elapsed time or square-root time. Flattening of the curve indicates when swelling is substantially complete. 19. Take off the dial gauge and its support, remove the mould assembly from the immersion tank and allow the sample to drain for 15 min. If the tank is fitted with a mesh platform leave the mould there to drain after emptying the tank. Remove the surcharge discs, perforated plate and extension collar. Remove the perforated baseplate and refit the original baseplate. Weight the sample with mould and baseplate to the nearest 5 g if the density after soaking is required. If the sample is swollen, trim it level with the end of the mould and reweigh. The sample is ready for test in the soaked condition by repeating steps 9 to 11.

Calculations and Data Presentation: 1. Plot a curve of penetration resistance (the ordinate) in kilonewtons (kN) vs penetration in millimeters (mm) for both the freshly compacted and the soaked samples. If the curve is not essentially linear through the origin, extend a line from the straight-line portion to intersect the abscissa. The difference between this value and zero penetration is a correction to apply to compute the CBR value. Curves for both samples (soaked and unsoaked) should be plotted on the same graph and clearly identified, together with the curve correction values, so that one may readily observe the effect of soaking the sample. 2. Obtain the penetration resistance for 2.5 and 5.0 mm from the curve and compute the CBR number. 3. Compute the water contents and dry densities of both samples before soaking and of the final condition for the soaked sample. 4. Compute the percentage of swell based on the nominal initial height of the sample. Plot a curve of percent swell (ordinate) vs elapsed time on a separate sheet of graph paper. 5. The report should compare the CBR values, present a summary of the water contents properly identified, and include the required curves. Discuss the significance of a large or small CBR value, any changes in CBR with soaking, and any swell which may occur. How might the swell be reduced or eliminated for this soil?