TITLE : Unconfiened Compression Test (UCT)

OBJECTIVE
To determine the undrained shear strength parameters of soil using
unconfined
compression test.

EQUIPMENT
Unconfined compression test machine, dial gauges, load ring, and/or electronic
displacement and load transducers sample preparation apparatus: soil lathe, trimming saw,
and cradle, moisture content equipment.

SPECIMEN PREPARATION
Undisturbed Samples
Soils specimens may be prepared from large undisturbed block samples (obtained from
exploratory shafts, cuts, or tunnels) or from samples obtained from borings using thins-walled
tube sampling methods. Specimens must be handled carefully in order to prevent disturbance,
changes in cross section, or loss of moisture. To minimize change in water content, trimmed
specimens has to be prepared in a room with controlled humidity, wherever possible.
Specimen size is determined on the basis that the largest particle size should be smaller than
one-sixth of the specimen diameter (ASTM D 2166-85). Common specimen sizes involve a
height/diameter ratio between 2 to 3 with diameters of 38mm or 100mm.
Where sample condition permits, a soil lathe may be used as an aid in trimming the
cylindrical specimen. The cradle helps cut ends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the
specimen. Where pebbles or crumbling result in excessive irregularity at the ends, the
specimen can be capped with a minimum thickness of plaster of Paris or similar material. The
specimen should be protected after trimming and during the test cycle with a rubber
membrane or a thin coating of petroleum jelly to prevent moisture loss. The specimen weight

and dimensions has to be determined. If the entire test specimen is not to be used for
determination of moisture content, secure a representative sample of cuttings for this purpose.
Remoulded Samples
Soils sensitivity is the ratio of the undisturbed soil strength to its remould strength, both being
for unconfined-undrained conditions. When soil sensitivity is to be determined, soil material
can be obtained from either a failed undisturbed specimen or from a disturbed sample. A
water content sample is taken before remoulded rapidly with the fingers and repacked with
the thumb in about 6 mm layers, in a tube 38 mm in diameter, against the end of a tube core.
This core can be moved progressively back down the tube as needed to complete the
specimen. After the specimen is formed, trim the ends as for undisturbed samples, remove
from the tube, and determine the weight and dimensions of the specimen.
Compacted Samples
For correlation with the standard compaction test and to permit inclusion of a larger range in
particles sizes, samples 102 mm in diameter are usually prepared. It is convenient to use a
three part split mould 203 mm long, which fits the base and collar for a standard Proctor
compaction mould. Use of a split mould avoids any change in density on sample removal.
Compaction is accomplished by using six layers to make a sample double the length of the
standard mould and trimming back. With equal compactive effort per unit volume, the change
in sample height has only a slight influence on density. Particles sizes up to 19 mm can be
used, with 9.5 mm the more usual upper limit. Specimen weight and dimensions should be
measured after removal from the mould. The more accurate water is determined from
measurements made the end of the test.
PROCEDURE
1) The specimen is placed in the compression test machine so that it is centred on the lower
plate.
2)

The machine is adjusted carefully so that the upper plate just makes contact with the
specimen. Zero the deformation indicator.

3) Apply the load so as to produce axial strain at a rate of % to 2% per min and record load
and deformation values as needed to provided a complete curve (every 30 sec is normally
adequate).
4) The rate of strain is regulated, so that the approximate time to failure does not exceed 10
minutes. Note that softer materials, which exhibit large deformations at failure, will require
higher strain rates during the test.
5) The test is continued until load values decrease with the increasing strain or until 20% axial
strain is reached.
6)

After removing the specimen from the test machine, the sample moisture content is
determined using the entire test specimen unless representative cuttings are obtained for this
purpose.

7)

A sketch of the test specimen at failure is made including the slope angle for the failure
surface if measurable.

Unconfined Test Results

Diameter (d) = 3.8 cm

Deformation
Time
(sec)

Dial
Div.

mm

Correction Deviator
Area A
Stress
(m2)

Proving Ring
Div

(kN/m2)

Force
kN

0.25

1.5

0.375

12.0

24.6

4.87

41.739

0.60

0.50

1.5

0.750

17.0

34.85

9.74

41.796

0.83

0.75

1.5

1.125

21.0

43.05

14.61

41.853

1.029

1.00

1.5

1.50

27.0

55.35

19.48

42.024

1.317

1.25

1.5

1.875

32.0

65.6

24.35

42.081

1.558

1.50

1.5

2.25

36.0

73.8

29.22

42.138

1.751

1.75

1.5

2.625

41.0

84.05

34.09

42.196

2.00

2.00

1.5

3.00

46.0

94.3

38.96

42.254

2.23

2.25

1.5

3.375

48.0

98.4

43.83

42.312

2.32

2.50

1.5

3.75

52.0

106.6

48.70

42.457

2.52

2.75

1.5

4.125

53.0

108.65

53.57

42.604

2.55

3.00

1.5

4.50

55.0

112.75

58.44

42.752

2.637

3.25

1.5

4.875

55.0

112.75

63.31

42.900

2.628

3.50

1.5

5.250

55.0

112.75

68.18

43.050

2.620

Diameter (d) =

Length (Lo) =
Mass =
Sample 2
Strain

Deformation

Correction Deviator
Area A
Stress
(m2)

Proving Ring
Time
(sec)

(kN/m2)

Dial
Div.

mm

Div

Force
kN

0.25

1.5

0.375

10.5

21.01

4.87

41.739

0.5

0.50

1.5

0.750

14.0

28.7

9.74

41.796

0.687

0.75

1.5

1.125

20.0

41.00

14.61

41.853

1.0

1.00

1.5

1.50

27.0

55.35

19.48

42.024

1.317

1.25

1.5

1.875

32.0

65.6

24.35

42.081

1.559

1.50

1.5

2.25

37.0

75.85

29.22

42.138

1.800

1.75

1.5

2.625

42.0

86.10

34.09

42.196

2.04

2.00

1.5

3.00

45.0

92.25

38.96

42.254

2.18

2.25

1.5

3.375

50.0

102.5

43.83

42.312

2.422

2.50

1.5

3.75

55.0

112.75

48.70

42.457

2.656

2.75

1.5

4.125

58.0

118.9

53.57

42.604

2.791

3.00

1.5

4.50

61.0

125.05

58.44

42.752

2.925

3.25

1.5

4.875

61.0

125.05

63.31

42.900

2.915

3.50

1.5

5.250

62.0

125.05

68.18

43.050

2.904

Diameter (d) = 3.8 cm

Sample 3
Strain

Deformation
Time
(sec)

Dial
Div.

mm

Correction Deviator
Area A
Stress
(m2)

Proving Ring
Div

(kN/m2)

Force
kN

0.25

1.5

0.375

8.0

16.4

4.87

41.739

0.40

0.50

1.5

0.750

10.0

20.5

9.74

41.796

0.50

0.75

1.5

1.125

13.0

26.65

14.61

41.853

0.637

1.00

1.5

1.50

15.0

30.75

19.48

42.024

0.732

1.25

1.5

1.875

15.0

30.75

24.35

42.081

0.732

1.50

1.5

2.25

20.0

41.0

29.22

42.138

1.00

1.75

1.5

2.625

24.0

49.2

34.09

42.196

1.166

2.00

1.5

3.00

27.0

55.35

38.96

42.254

1.301

2.25

1.5

3.375

30.0

61.5

43.83

42.312

1.423

2.50

1.5

3.75

33.0

67.65

48.70

42.457

1.60

2.75

1.5

4.125

36.0

73.8

53.57

42.604

1.732

3.00

1.5

4.50

40.0

82.00

58.44

42.752

1.918

3.25

1.5

4.875

43.0

88.15

63.31

42.900

2.055

3.50

1.5

5.250

45.0

92.25

68.18

43.050

2.143

CALCULATIONS
Computations the axial strain 1 for the given applied load, where the L is the change in
specimen length and Lo is the initial specimen length.

1 = L/Lo
The average specimen cross-sectional area A, for a given applied load, is
Ao
A=
1 - 1
Where Ao is the initial average specimen cross-sectional area and the 1 is the axial strain for
the given load.
The load per unit area c, for given applied load P and average specimen cross-sectional area
A is
c = P/A
The relationship between axial stress and axial strain can be summarized by plotting on linear
scales with axial strain as the abscissa. The maximum axial stress or the value at 20% axial
strain, whichever occurs first, is reported as the unconfined compressive strength. The
undrained shear strength (the = 0 concept) equals one half of the compressive strength
or

Su = c / 2

CONCLUSION
From the laboratory testing investigation on unconfined compressive strength of soil , the following
concluding remarks are drawn. The unconfined compression test is a type of unconsolidated

undrained test that is commonly used for clay specimens. In this test, the confining pressure
is 0. An axial load is rapidly applied to the specimen to cause failure. At failure, the total load
minor principal stress is zero. Test specimens with soil did not show significant improvement in
unconfined compressive strength after 7 curing days in water. This was largely due to the peats high
natural moisture content and highly acidic nature of organic matter in the soil, making it difficult to be
stabilized by Ordinary Portland cement based binders even with the presence of

APPENDIX/REFERENCES

1. Holtz, R. D. and Kovacs, W. D. (1981). An Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering,