FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL

COURSE SOIL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

COURSE CODE ECG263

LEVEL OF OPENNESS 1

CATEGORY TRADITIONAL

DEGREE OF OPEN-ENDED (%) 33

PERIOD OF ACTIVITY 1 WEEK (WEEK 12)

TITLE Unconsolidated Undrained (UU) Triaxial Test

PREAMBLE
1.1 Introduction
The traditional methods of conducting laboratory activities will not be able to provide
the avenue for students to enhance independent learning activities and inculcate
creativity and innovation. Level 0 is fully prescriptive where problem, ways & means
and answers are provided to the students. However, it is still necessary especially to
first- and second-year students. It is hoped that the activity will slowly introduce and
inculcate independent learning amongst students and prepare them for a much
harder task of open-ended laboratory activities.

In this laboratory session, students will be introduced on how to determine the

shear strength parameters of soil using triaxial test.

1.2 Objective
The objective of the test is:
 To determine the shear strength parameters for clay soil.

1.3 Learning Outcomes

At the end of the laboratory activity, students would be able to:

1. Conduct the unconsolidated undrained triaxial test to determine the shear

strength parameters for clay soil.
2. Analyse data correctly and present in typical format
3. Work in a group to produce technical report.

1.4 Theoretical Background

 Triaxial test is more reliable because we can measure both drained and
undrained shear strength.
 Generally 1.4” diameter (3” tall) or 2.8” diameter (6” tall) specimen is used.
 Specimen is encased by a thin rubber membrane and set into a plastic
cylindrical chamber.
 Cell pressure is applied in the chamber (which represents σ3’) by
pressurizing the cell fluid (generally water).
 Vertical stress is increased by loading the specimen (by raising the platen
in strain controlled test and by adding loads directly in stress controlled
test, but strain controlled test is more common) until shear failure occurs.
Total vertical stress, which is σ1’ is equal to the sum of σ3’ and deviator

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FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL
stress (σd).
 Measurement of σd, axial deformation, pore pressure, and sample volume
change are recorded.
 Depending on the nature of loading and drainage condition, triaxial tests
are conducted in three different ways.

UU Triaxial test
CU Triaxial test
CD Triaxial test

 UU test measures the undrained shear strength of soils by means of axial

compression tests on cylindrical specimens in which no drainage is
permitted during the test.

2.0 Problem Statement

UU triaxial test gives shear strength of soil at different confining stresses. Shear
PROBLEM strength is important in all types of geotechnical designs and analyses. As a group
STATEMENT you are given a set of samples to determine the undrained parameters of the soil.
The group must carry out the test following the procedures outline and
subsequently analyse the data and present it in a proper technical format.

WAYS AND
MEANS 3.1 Apparatus

3.2 Procedures

1. Measure diameter, length, and initial mass of the specimen.

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FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL
2. Measure the thickness of the rubber membrane.
3. Set a soil specimen in a triaxial chamber.
4. Increase the cell pressure to a desired value (70 kPa for the first case and
140 kPa in the second case).
5. Shear the specimen at the rate of 1%/min or 0.7 mm/min (for 70 mm
sample height).
In automated device, the software calculates it automatically based on the
soil type.
6. Record ΔL, and σd in every 10 seconds (computer does it automatically).
7. Continue the test until the deviator stress shows ultimate value or 20%
axial strain.

8. After completion of the test, release the cell pressure to 0, vent the
pressure and bring the cell down by bring the lower platen down, drain the
cell, and clean the porous stone and the assembly.
9. Sketch the mode of failure.
10. Measure the weight of the soil specimen again, and put the specimen into
the oven.
11. Measure the weight again after 24 hours.
12. Repeat the test for the second specimen too (140 kPa of cell pressure and
third specimen 210 kPa of cell pressure).

USER’S GUIDELINE FOR THE ELE TRIAXIAL DEVICE

(UU TRIAXIAL TEST)

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FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL
A. POWER AND MAIN SUPPLY SETTINGS (This step is already done)

B. FILLING OF THE DE-AIRED WATER TANK SYSTEM (This step is

already done)

C. DE-AIRING THE WATER TANK (This step is already done)

D. FILLING THE BURETTE CHANNELS (This step is already done)

E. DE-AIRING THE BURETTE CHANNELS (This step is already done)

F PREPARATION OF THE SAMPLE

1. Trim the sample to be tested using a Miter Box.

2. Measure the height and diameter of the sample at various locations to get
an average value.
3. Measure the weight of the trimmed sample before test.
4. Wrap the sample in a plastic sheeting to prevent any moisture loss.
5. Use the trimmings to get the Moisture Content of the sample before test.

G. PREPARATION FOR THE TRIAXIAL LOADING

H. MONITORING THE TEST

I. COMPRESSION STAGE

J. TO STOP THE TEST

K. DRAINING THE CELL

L. DISMANTLING THE CELL

3.3 Data Acquisition

ΔL
1. Calculate axial strain, ε =
L
ΔL = Vertical deformation of the specimen.
2. Calculate vertical load on the specimen.
You will get it directly from the force transducers.
3. Calculate corrected area of the specimen (Ac) Ac = A0
1−ε
A0 = Initial cross-sectional area i.e. π x D2/4
4. Calculate the stress σ on the specimen.
σ= Load
Ac
5. Plot σd versus axial strain separately for three tests.
6. Plot σd vs εa for three tests in the same plot.
7. Plot Mohr circle based on σ1 and σ3 at failure. They should give the same
σd value. Add one Mohr circle for unconfined compression test too.
8. Make a straight line, which is tangent to all Mohr’s circles. This gives c u
with a horizontal line, i.e. φu = 0. Therefore, this test is called φ = 0 test.

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FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL
cu = σd

Figure 2 Total stress Mohr circle and failure envelope obtained from UU triaxial test
2

9. Calculate the moisture content of the specimen after the test.

10. Calculate the initial void ratio of the specimen (Use the equations provided
in the earlier classes).

UU Triaxial Test Laboratory Data Sheet

I. GENERAL INFORMATION
Tested by: Date tested:
Lab partners/organization:
Client: CSUF Project: Soils Lab
Boring no.: N/A Recovery depth: N/A
Recovery date: Recovery method: N/A
Soil description:

II. TEST DETAILS

Initial specimen diameter, Do: Initial specimen area, Ao:
Initial specimen length, Lo: Initial specimen volume, Vo:
Moist mass of specimen after test, M: Dry mass of specimen, Ms:
Moisture content, w: Total unit weight, γ :
Dry unit weight, γd: Degree of saturation, S:
Membrane type: Standard Rubber Axial strain rate, Δε1/Δt:
Membrane
Deformation indicator: LVDT Force indicator: LVDT
Cell pressure, σ3: Specimen preparation method: Hand
Compaction
Notes, observations, and deviations from ASTM D2850 test standard:

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FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL
III. MEASUREMENTS AND CALCULATIONS EQUATIONS:

Axial Axial Axial Corrected Deviator

Defor Load Strain Area Stress εa = ΔL/Lo
mation (P) (ε1) (A) (Δσ)
(ΔL) A = Ao/(1-εa)

Δσ = P/A

σ1f = σ3 +
Δσf

σ3:
Δσf:
σ1f:

4 Results, Analysis and Conclusion

The group is required to submit the technical report of the laboratory results
RESULTS
highlighting the data acquisition process, analysis carried out and the relevancy of
the set-out output to achieve the objective.
The report must be submitted 7 days after the completion of the test.

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