FACULTY : ENGINEERING 02

EDITION:
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL 01
REVISION NO:
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: EFFECTIVE DATE: SEPT 2016
PENETRATION TEST OF
AMENDMENT DATE: AUG 2016
BITUMINIOUS

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

INTRODUCTION TO HIGHWAY ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

LABOTATORY

COURSE CODE BNP 20303

EXPERIMENT CODE EXPERIMENT

EXPERIMENT TITLE CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO

DATE 1 OCTOBER 2019

GROUP NO. 4

(1) PUAN NOOR KHAZANAH BINTI A RAHMAN

LECTURER/ INSTRUCTOR
(2) Ts. NUR FAEZAH BINTI YAHYA

DATE OF REPORT SUBMISSION 22 OCTOBER 2019

RECEIVED DATE AND STAMP

COMMENTS:

TOTAL MARK (FROM RUBRIC

ASSESSMENT)

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 FACULTY : ENGINEERING 02
EDITION:
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL 01
REVISION NO:
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: EFFECTIVE DATE: SEPT 2016
PENETRATION TEST OF
AMENDMENT DATE: AUG 2016
BITUMINIOUS

STUDENT CODE OF ETHICS

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

I hereby declare that I have prepared this report with my own efforts. I also admit to not accept

or provide any assistance in preparing this report and anything that is in it is true .

1) Group Leader (Signature)

Name : FAZEERUL BIN M.SUOFIAN
Matrix No. : CN170045

2) Group Member 1 (Signature)

Name : NURUL FAZILAH BINTI AB ZAIL
Matrix No : AN170179

3) Group Member 2 (Signature)

Name : KHAIRUL NIZAM BIN JATJO
Matrix No. : AN170081

4) Group Member 3 (Signature)

Name : MUHAMAD NADJMI BIN MD NASIR
Matrix No. : AN170124

5) Group Member 4 (Signature)

Name : SITI NURHALIZA BINTI ROSLI
Matrix No. : AN170034

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 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 01
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: CALIFORNIA EFFECTIVE DATE: OCT. 2019
BEARING RATIO TEST AMENDMENT DATE: OCT. 2019

1.0 OBJECTIVES

This experiment was made to determine the CBR value of the given crushed aggregate soil sample

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES

 Measure dry unit weight of compacted aggregate under different moisture content
 Measure and plot the load vs settlement
 Determine the CBR value

3.0 INTRODUCTION

The test is an observational experiment that demonstrates how high a soil's shear is. The main advantage
of this experiment is that the output is comparatively easy and thanks to its wide use world-wide, a large
amount of data is available to help interpret the results. The CBR experiment is basically a laboratory
test, but in some situations the test is conducted on the surface

The California Bearing Ratio (CBR) was developed by California division of highways as a method of
classifying and evaluating soil-sub-grade and base course materials for flexible pavements. The CBR
test is currently used in pavement design for both roads and airfield pavement. In some methods CBR is
used directly and in some others, it is converted to Resilient Modulus MR using the following
relationships.
MR = 1500 x CBR (ibs/in2)
MR = 10340 x CBR (Kpa)

The CBR is usually base on the load ratio for the penetration of 2-5mm. If the CBR value at the
penetration of 5.0 mm is larger, the test should be repeated. If a second test yields a larger value of CBR
at 5.0 mm penetration then this larger value should be adopted. The CBR test are usually made on test
specimens at optimum moisture content (OMC) for the crushed aggregate/soil as determined from
modified compaction test.

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 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 01
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: CALIFORNIA EFFECTIVE DATE: OCT. 2019
BEARING RATIO TEST AMENDMENT DATE: OCT. 2019

4.0 EQUIPMENT

No. Name Description Picture

1. CBR equipment -152.4 mm diameter

-178 mm height

-An extension collar of a

diameter 51 mm
-spacer disk of 150.8mm
diameter
-61.4 mm height.

2. Mechanical -50.8 mm die

compaction
-2.49 kg
rammer
-capable of free fall of
305 mm.

3. Surcharge weight -simulate the effect of

overlaying pavement
weight.

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 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 01
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: CALIFORNIA EFFECTIVE DATE: OCT. 2019
BEARING RATIO TEST AMENDMENT DATE: OCT. 2019

4. CBR machine -A compression machine

-can operate at a constant

rate of 1.3mm/min
-A metal piston of
1935mm2 is attached to
it.

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 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 01
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: CALIFORNIA EFFECTIVE DATE: OCT. 2019
BEARING RATIO TEST AMENDMENT DATE: OCT. 2019

5.0 PROCEDURE

1. The representative crushed aggregate/soil sample was sieved through 20 mm sieve. About 5 kg of
crushed aggregate/soil is taken and mixed with optimum moisture content (OMC).

2. The mould was clamped to the base plate, the extension was attached to the collar and weighted. The
spacer disk was inserted into the mould and place a coarse filter paper on the top of the disk.

Figure 4.1
3. The aggregate /soil water mixture was compacted into the world in 3 equal layers to give a height of
127 mm each layer compacted in the 10 blows, 30 blows and 65 blows for each sample.

Figure 4.2

4. The water content of the crushed aggregate /soil mixture was determined.

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 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 01
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: CALIFORNIA EFFECTIVE DATE: OCT. 2019
BEARING RATIO TEST AMENDMENT DATE: OCT. 2019

5. The extension collar was removed, and using on straight edge, the compacted crushed aggregate/soil
was trimmed even with the top of the mould surface. The spacer disk and weight the mould with
sample was removed.

Figure 4.3
6. The mould was placed with crushed aggregate/soil on the CBR machine and the surcharge weight seat
the penetration piston was placed, the dial gauges for load and penetration was set.

Figure 4.4

7. The loads applied to the penetration piston at the rate of 1.27mm/min and the load at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0,
2.5, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0mm penetration was recorded respectively.

Figure 4.5

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 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 01
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: CALIFORNIA EFFECTIVE DATE: OCT. 2019
BEARING RATIO TEST AMENDMENT DATE: OCT. 2019

8. Then the soil sample was took a little and was put in a container for each sample of 10, 30 and 60
blow. The container was put into the oven for 24 hours. The moisture content was recorded.

Figure 4.6

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 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 01
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: CALIFORNIA EFFECTIVE DATE: OCT. 2019
BEARING RATIO TEST AMENDMENT DATE: OCT. 2019

6.0 RESULTS CALCULATION

TYPE OF SAMPLE: Unsoaked sample

OMC: 6.2%
yd max: 2.450 g/cm3

Sample 1 2 3

No. of Blows 10 30 65
Empty wt. of mould, W1 (g) 4710.10 4542.10 4653.70
Weight of mould + wet sample, W2 (g) 9551.10 9559.70 9791.40
Volume of sample, V (cm3) 2286.37 2286.37 2286.37
𝟐
𝑽 = 𝝅𝒓 𝒉
H=12.6cm
D=15.2cm
Wet density, γ (g/cm3) 2.11 2.19 2.24
𝑾𝟐−𝑾𝟏
𝜸= 𝑽
Can no. 1 2 3
Weight of empty can, A (g) 46.80 40.60 48.80
Weight of can + wet sample, B (g) 118.10 144.70 124.60
Weight of can + dry sample, C (g) 113.20 137.60 119.40
Water content, (%) 7.38 7.32 7.37
W = [ (B - C) ÷ (C - A)] × 100
Dry density, γd (g/cm3) 1.96 2.04 2.09
𝜸
𝜸𝒅 = 𝟏+𝒘

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 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 01
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: CALIFORNIA EFFECTIVE DATE: OCT. 2019
BEARING RATIO TEST AMENDMENT DATE: OCT. 2019

Calculation: Sample 1

Volume of sample
𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟 2 𝐻
𝑉 = 𝜋(7.62 )(12.6)
𝑉 = 2286.37cm3

Wet density, γ
(W2−W1)
γ= V
(9551.10−4710.10)
γ= 2286.37

γ = 2.11 g/cm3

Water content,w
Weight of empty can, A (g) = 46.80
Weight of can + wet sample, B (g) = 118.10
Weight of can + dry sample, C (g) = 113.20
(𝐵−𝐶)
𝑊 = ((𝐶−𝐴)) × 100
(118.10−113.20)
𝑊 = ( (113.20−46.80) ) × 100

𝑊 = 7.38%

Dry density, γd
γ
γd = 1+w
2.11
γd = 1+0.0738

γd = 1.96g/𝑐𝑚3

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 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 01
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: CALIFORNIA EFFECTIVE DATE: OCT. 2019
BEARING RATIO TEST AMENDMENT DATE: OCT. 2019

Table 6(a): CBR Test – Penetration of piston at the rate 1.27mm/min

Penetration Load
(mm) Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3
Div. (KN) Corrected Div. (KN) Corrected Div. (KN) Corrected
0.0 0.328 - 0.014 - 0.044 -

1.0 1.032 - 0.028 - 0.286 -

1.5 1.288 - 0.034 - 0.494 -

2.0 2.130 - 0.056 - 0.708 -

2.5 2.684 - 0.086 - 0.968 -

3.0 2.854 - 0.128 - 1.262 -

3.5 3.326 - 0.182 - 1.686 -

4.0 3.484 - 0.250 - 2.174 -

4.5 4.080 - 0.350 - 2.662 -

5.0 4.508 - 0.472 - 3.450 -

5.5 5.032 - 0.646 - 4.350 -

6.0 5.514 - 0.830 - 5.302 -

6.5 5.936 - 1.086 - 6.386 -

7.0 6.236 - 1.376 - 7.754 -

8.0 6.926 - 2.206 - 10.694 -

9.0 7.524 - 2.904 - 14.354 -

10.0 8.368 - 4.484 - 18.162 -

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 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 01
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: CALIFORNIA EFFECTIVE DATE: OCT. 2019
BEARING RATIO TEST AMENDMENT DATE: OCT. 2019

LOAD VS PENETRATION GRAPH

Sample 1 Div. (KN) Sample 2 Div. (KN) Sample 3Div. (KN)

20

18

16

14

12
LOAD (KN)

10

0
0 2.5mm
2 4 5mm 6 8 10 12
PENETRATION (MM)

Figure 6(b): Plot of load versus penetration graph.

Based on the plotted graph as shown above, sample number 3 with 65 blows of compaction for each three
layer has a significant increasing value of load at every penetration followed by the sample number 1 with 10
blows. The sample number 2 with the compaction blows of 30 times has a minor increasing value of load at
every penetration because the experiment was subjected to some error while conducting. Every sample at
penetration of 2.5mm and 5.0mm are taking their standard load value respectively to calculate their CBR
values as shown in table 6(c).

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 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 01
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: CALIFORNIA EFFECTIVE DATE: OCT. 2019
BEARING RATIO TEST AMENDMENT DATE: OCT. 2019

Calculation: CBR Value

𝑇𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠

𝐶𝐵𝑅 = × 100
𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠

Standard load at 2.5mm is taken 13.2kN and at 5.0mm it is on 20kN

Table 6(c): Calculation for CBR value at penetration of 2.5mm and 5.0mm
Sample Standard load at 2.5mm Standard load at 5.0mm
No.
1 2.684𝑘𝑁 4.508𝑘𝑁
𝐶𝐵𝑅 = × 100 𝐶𝐵𝑅 = × 100
13.2𝑘𝑁 20𝑘𝑁
𝐶𝐵𝑅 = 20.33% 𝐶𝐵𝑅 = 22.54%

2 0.086𝑘𝑁 0.472𝑘𝑁
𝐶𝐵𝑅 = × 100 𝐶𝐵𝑅 = × 100
13.2𝑘𝑁 20𝑘𝑁
𝐶𝐵𝑅 = 0.65% 𝐶𝐵𝑅 = 2.36%

3 0.968𝑘𝑁 3.450𝑘𝑁
𝐶𝐵𝑅 = × 100 𝐶𝐵𝑅 = × 100
13.2𝑘𝑁 20𝑘𝑁
𝐶𝐵𝑅 = 7.33% 𝐶𝐵𝑅 = 17.25%

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 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 01
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: CALIFORNIA EFFECTIVE DATE: OCT. 2019
BEARING RATIO TEST AMENDMENT DATE: OCT. 2019

CBR= 15.3%

95%
ydmax

Figure 6 (a): Plot of CBR versus dry density at the penetration of 5mm

The value of maximum dry density, yd max obtained from the compaction test was 2.450g/cm3 with an
optimum moisture content, OMC of 6.2%. An analysis for CBR value was conducted through the plotted
graph of CBR versus dry density and the CBR value for the experiment is determine at 95 of maximum dry
density which is 2.328g/cm3. Based on the plotted graph, the value for CBR in this experiment is 15.3%

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 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 01
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: CALIFORNIA EFFECTIVE DATE: OCT. 2019
BEARING RATIO TEST AMENDMENT DATE: OCT. 2019

7.0 DISCUSSION

The California Bearing Ratio (CBR) was developed by California division of highways as a method
of classifying and evaluating soil-sub-grade and base course materials for flexible pavements. The CBR
test is currently used in pavement design for both roads and airfield pavement. During the test, the CBR
value corresponding to the number of impact blow which sample 1 for 10 blows, sample 2 for 30 blows
and sample 3 for 65 blows. Other that, cumulative energy and the effect of falling height were obtained,
recorded and analyzed. It is intended to be able for the presence of a set of results from this study to
observe the effect of various variables in the soil CBR values in the mold compaction. The calculation of
the CBR value for the correction of the water content, the size of the mold and the stress of the load
surcharge for the rapid impact compaction test has not yet been carried out. To determine the CBR value
of the given crushed aggregates sample, must measure dry unit weight of compacted aggregate under
different moisture content.
According to the result of the graph, the plotted graph not smoothly plotted. So the adjustment of the
graph should be done to get a accurate result. In addition, our experimental CBR value is 15.3% which is
difference with standard CBR value. In the gravelly soils, more than 50% of the coarse fraction has a
particle size larger than 4.75 mm. The standard CBR values of gravelly soils from 30
or more when compacted to 95% of the maximum dry density determined in the B.S 1377
Compaction Test. Based on the plotted graph of load vs penetration above, for each three layers sample
number 3 with 65 compaction blows has a significant increase in load quality at each penetration followed
by sample number 1 with 10 blows. The number 2 test with the 30 times compaction bumps has a lower
rise in load at each penetration since the experiment may be conducted due to some error.
Next, we need to avoid from errors due to make sure the test that we performed reach the purpose.
The precaution that we take, must check the electric connection of the sieve shaker before conducting
the test. Next, while weighing, put the sieve with soil sample on the balance in a concentric position and
after sieving, clean the sieves with the help of a brush. Next, Air void appears in the soil in realistic,
honestly, the volume of the air void cannot be neglected. No matter how the compaction is perfect, the
air void still exists. Moreover, the size of the aggregates is different, the gap between the aggregate
becomes void. Therefore, the effect of the air void in the experiment cannot be determined correctly and
hence affects the result.
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 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 01
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: CALIFORNIA EFFECTIVE DATE: OCT. 2019
BEARING RATIO TEST AMENDMENT DATE: OCT. 2019
Chemical composition of aggregate to the soil since there is mineral contains in the soil, for such
quartz, plagioclase, microcline these minerals are relatively stiffer than others. Then, the stiffness and the
strength of the soil will change. It is chemical composition of the aggregate to the soil that cannot be
determined. Thus, the result is affected.
Visual error of getting results here may be mistakes to have an incorrect data. As the gauge reading is
changing every second, the reaction time of human may lead the mistaken of the experiment result.
Lastly, not smooth surface of the soil the CBR value is measured the penetration of plunger and the
load that is recorded. Also, the compaction of the soil should be exactly perpendicular to the soil surface
to ensure the compaction is satisfied. As the surface of the soil is not smooth or irregular in shape, the
penetration of the soil cannot be recorded correctly and hence affects the result.

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 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 01
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: CALIFORNIA EFFECTIVE DATE: OCT. 2019
BEARING RATIO TEST AMENDMENT DATE: OCT. 2019

8.0 CONCLUSION

Conclusion, the CBR value of the given crushed aggregate sample is 15.3%. The CBR test is one of
the most widely used methods for determining the strength of a sub-grade surface, sub-base, and level course
material for road and airfield pavement thickness construction. The California bearing ratio test is a
penetration test designed to assess roads and pavements ' subgrade strength. The results obtained from these
tests can used to determine the thickness of the pavement and its component layers using the empirical
curves. This is the most commonly used approach of dynamic pavement development.

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