Practical No.

02

CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO TEST

ETB 3464 SOILS AND EARTHWORKS

NAME : BEDDAGE M.B.D.P

INDEX NO. : EGT/16/414

GROUP : A1

DATE. : 12.06.2019
1. INTRODUCTION

The California bearing ratio test is a penetration test used to evaluate the sub grade
strength of roads and pavements. The result of these tests are used with the empirical curves to
determine the thickness of pavement and its component layers. This is the most widely used
method for the design of flexible pavement.

The CBR test was developed by the California Division of High way to classify and
evaluate soil subgrade and base course materials for flexible pavement.

It is a penetration test in which a standard piston, with a diameter of 3in or 76mm ,

is used to penetrate the soil at a standard rate of 1.25mm/min. The pressure up to a penetration of
12.5mm and its ratio to the bearing value of a standard crushed rock is termed as the CBR. The
ratio at 2.5mm penetration is used as the CBR. The CBR is a measure of resistance of a material to
penetrate of a standard plunger under control density and moisture conditions. The CBR test may
be conducted on a remoulded or undisturbed specimen in the laboratory. So we can determine the
California bearing ratio by conducting a load penetration test in the laboratory.

2. OBJECTIVES
To determine the California bearing ratio by conducting a load penetration test in the laboratory.

3. APPARATUS

 CBR mould 152mm diameter x 175mm height with collar and base plate
 Spacer disk
 Hammer
 Surcharge weights
 Expansion measuring apparatus
 Penetration plunger
 Loading machine
 Dial gauge
 Filter paper
 Proving ring 10 kg capacity
 4. THEORY
California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test is method developed by California division of highway for
classifying and evaluating mechanical strength of soil-sub grade and base course material for flexible
pavements. The results obtained by these tests are used with empirical curves to determine the thickness
and its component layers. This is the most widely used method for the design of flexible pavements.
CBR value signifies the strength characteristics of the soil subgrade which is compacted to the MDD
using OMC.
If the CBR value obtained with the 5mm penetration exceed the valve obtain with the 2.5mm
penetration then this test is performed again and if the valve are still same then CBR value at 5mm is taken
as the final value. The test may be performed on undisturbed specimens and on remoulded specimen which
may be compacted either statically or dynamically.

Load carries by specimen

CBR = × 100
Load carries by standard specimen

5. PROCEDURE
Sample preparation -

 The CBR mould was weighted.

 The soil sample was mixed with water.
 The volume of the mould was measured.
 The mould was filled with soil up to ¾ volume.
 The sample was plunged using the hammer.
 After first layer was hammered a second layer of soil was filled up to the top level.
 The sample was hammered.
 The collar was connected.
 The mould was filled to top level of the collar and sample was hammered with 62 blows.
Penetration test -
 The mould assembly was placed on the penetration test machine with the surcharge weights.
 The penetration piston was seated at the canter of the specimen with the smallest possible load, in
no case excess of 4kg so that full contact of the sample is established.
 The stress and dial gauges were set to zero.
 The load was applied on the piston at rate is about 1.25mm/min.
 Load readings were recorded.
 The mould was detached from the loading equipment.
 An empty canister was weighted.
 From the top 3cm layer of the mould a sample was taken off from the mould.
 The sample was weighted and placed in dry oven.
The table for force in plunger vs penetration of plunger.

penetration of plunger(mm) force in plunger(kN)

0.25 0.9347
0.5 1.2826
0.75 1.8043
1 2.0652
1.25 2.2391
1.5 2.5000
1.75 2.6956
2 2.9565
2.25 3.2608
2.5 3.3913
2.75 3.5434
3 3.6521
3.25 3.8913
3.5 4.2173
3.75 4.3695
4 4.4565
4.25 4.5652
4.5 4.6304
4.75 4.7391
5 4.7826
5.25 4.8478
5.5 4.9565
5.75 5.1287
6 5.2145
6.25 5.1931
6.5 5.0000
6.75 4.9130
7 4.8478
7.25 4.7826
7.5 4.7391

Table No. 01
 Force penetration curves
6

5
Force on plunger(kN)
4.78

4
3.39
3

0
2.5
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
penetration of plunger(mm)

Graph No. 01

7. CALCULATIONS

Ms + M w
Bulk density (𝛾) =
V
4.408kg
=
2095×10−6 𝑚−3
= 2104.06 kg𝑚−3

Mass of water = 0.0602kg – 0.0542kg

= 6 × 10−3 kg

Mass of dry soil = 0.0542kg – 0.023 kg

= 0.0312kg
= 31.2 × 10−3kg
 Mass of water
Moisture content = × 100%
Mass of dry soil

6 × 10−3 kg
= × 100%
31.2 × 10−3

= 19.23%

1
Dry density (𝛾𝑑 ) = 𝛾
1+w
1
= 19.23 × 2104.06 kg𝑚−3
1+
100

= 1764.70 kg𝑚−3

CBR values
By the graph –
Penetration (mm) Force (kN) Standard force (kN)
2.5 3.39 13.70
5 4.78 20.55

Load carries by specimen

CBR = × 100%
Load carries by standard specimen

3.39
CBR (2.5) = ×100%
13.70

= 24.74%

4.78
CBR (5.0) = ×100%
20.55

= 23.26%
 8. Discussion

The CBR test is essentially an arbitrary strength test and hence it is mainly used to evaluate the
strength of soil subgrade. It can not be used to evaluate the soil properties like cohesion, angle of internal
friction or shearing resistance. The basic operations for conducting the CBR test are the same regardless
of variations of soil conditions and types of construction. The test essentially measure the soil resistance to
penetration prior to reaching its ultimate shearing value. It is generally used to classify and evaluate the
soil subgrade and base coarse materials for the flexible pavement. This test is empirical and the results
cannot be accurately related with any fundamental properties of the material.

When we were doing practical some errors were occurred. In this experiment the soils that we took
had some strong particles like small rock. So when we were doing experiment that particle affected our
readings. When we compacted dial gage reading was constant little bit time because of above reason. So
we are unable to get correct CBR value. We filled the mould and we should hammered 62 blows when
compacted. So we should want to get good soil sample for getting correct CBR value. And doing this
experiment we have to get dial gage reading by reader. So reader have to focus only dial gage reading if
he or she do mistake reading will be wrong. Then CBR value will not correct.

This CBR test is used for most applications. Some are like below.
 The CBR test is one of the most commonly used methods to evaluate the strength of
sub grade soil, sub base, and base course material for design of thickness for
highways and airfield pavement.
 This also use for the evaluation of subgrade strength of roads and pavements. The
result obtained by these tests are used with the empirical curves to determine the
thickness of pavement and its component layers. This is the most widely used method
for the design of flexible pavement.
Advantages –
 Case base is more objective and formal than the expert’s interpretation.
 Knowledge are represented in an explicit way.
 Case can be defined for incomplete or badly defined notions.
 CBR is suitable for domains for which a proper, theoretical foundations do not exist.
 CBR is applicable in default of algorithmic method.
 Easy knowledge acquisition.

Disadvantages –
 CBR solves only the problem covered by cases.
 CBR might use a past case blindly without validating it in the new situation.
 Solution is time demanding.
9. Results

 The moisture content of the sample is 19.23%

 The dry density of the sample is 1764.70 kg𝑚−3
 CBR value at 2.5 penetration is 24.74%
 CBR value at 5.0 penetration is 23.26%

10. Conclusion
The CBR value of this experiment is higher. In 2.5mm and 5mm penetrations got higher
CBR value 24.74% and 23.26%. So we can say this soil has good bearing strength. And this soil is
good for the flexible pavement. The actual CBR value of soil is 24.74%.

11. References
 https://sundoc.bibliothek.uni-halle.de/diss-online/06/06H107/t5.pdf
 https://www.slideshare.net/PriyanshSingh1/cbr-test-63459705
 https://www.aboutcivil.org/california-bearing-ratio-test.html#us