De La Salle University

Civil Engineering Department

Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 2






Lab Report
Experiment no. 3
Unconfined Compression Test

















Submitted by:
Abigail Marie R. Lorico
11144742
Section EJ1


I. Objectives
The purpose of the experiment is to determine the unconsolidated and undrained
strength of the cohesive soil in order to compute for the value of the shear resistance of
that undisturbed soil set up.

II. Data
Table 1. Laboratory results
Load P (N) Deformation
(mm)
Strain Area of Failure
(mm
2
)
Stress (mPa)
55 6.609 0.085 1175.093 0.051


III. Computation and graph

Mold volume = ( /4)*37
2
*78 = 83866.387 mm
3
Weight of soil = -35.6 +41.7 = 6.1 g
Moisture Content =

Load =

Strain =


0.085
Area of Failure =

Overburden stress (Q
1
) =

Undrained Shear Strength (Su) = Q
1
/2 = 51 kPa/2 = 27.5 kPa
Friction angle ,







Graph 1. Stres- strain Curve


Graph 2. Mohrs Circle ( Stress in kPa)










0
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
0.06
0 0.05 0.1 0.15
s
t
r
e
s
s

(
m
P
a
)

Strain
Stress Strain Curve
Strain

IV. Discussions (must include observation of specimens and verification of test results)

Saturated plastic clays have undrained shear strength greater than zero. It is
evident on graph 2. Undrained shear strength can be related to the consistency of soil.
The consistency identifies the kind and degree to which the soil particles unify and bond
in relation to rupture or deformation. The consistency of the soil sample used is 27.5. It
falls under the classification of soft consistency. With soft consistency the soil can be
easily molded with a light pressure exerted on it. At graph 1, notice the behavior of shear
stress. The stress rapidly increases until it reaches the peak point then gradually
decreases down. The strain softens as it reaches critical shear
stress.

Shear failure occurred during the test based from figure
1 at the right. There are cracks present in the middle of the
specimen from top to bottom.

V. Conclusion
Unlike the soil sample use in this experiments, in the construction industry soil
used for projects are adequately stiff to minimize the effect of deformation. The soil
must have enough shear strength to resist the stress induced by loadings. Through this
experiment, shear strength of a soil is determined and examined to know whether the soil
available can be used for construction engineering purposes. This is an important factor
to consider since the soils are the base of horizontal and vertical structures made. Data
gathered from this test is used for designing foundations and embankment fills.
VI. Recommendation
Figure 1 Failure of Soil
Since the main limitation for this experiment is the equipments used execute the
experiment a bit faster because other groups will be waiting. One problem encountered
during the experiment was that there was almost not enough soil to fit in the mold. Make
sure that there is enough cohesive soil before pushing the mold in the soil otherwise the
mold will not be filled. The soil is sticky and can easily be deform so be careful upon
removing the mold. It might get deformed before testing.
VII. Reference

Field Classification of Soil Using the USCS. Retrieved from:
http://www.civil.utah.edu/~bartlett/CVEEN6340/soildescription.pdf

PhD Binod Tiwari, EGCE 324L (Soil Mechanics Laboratory), (April 21, 2008)
Measurement of Shear Strength of Soil with Unconfined Compression Test. Retrieved
from:
http://faculty.fullerton.edu/btiwari/geotech_Lab/mainpage_files/other/Unconfined%20Co
mpression%20Test.pdf