INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY DELHI

Department of Civil Engineering

CVP321 Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory

Grading Rubric Sheet

Group #: Group 4 Entry Number:2022CE11047

Student Name: Sujas Kumar Lab Instructor: Nirban De

Cover Memo (8): ______________________________________________

Follow the proper outline of the report
Describe the procedure and exceptions
Describe the results of the obtained data
Refer to and describe all attachments
Detailed discussions on the results obtained and conclusions
Describe major problems/sources of error with the data or laboratory
Describe a summary of the report
Ensure neatness, grammar, and spelling

Graphs & Tables (4): _________________________________________

Graphs, tables, and diagrams and their captions properly formatted
Ensuring the readability of the presented data Axes labeled
with units
Completeness of data

Sample Calculations (2): ______________________________________

Basic equations used presented with appropriate units

Data (4): ____________________________________________________

Quality of data
Accuracy of data processing
Care in documenting all the data

Participation (2): _____________________________________________

Contributing to lab group work
Carefully log the data in your notebook
Processing preliminary data during the lab
Clean up

Comments:
Grade: ___ / 20

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY DELHI

Department of Civil Engineering

CVP321 Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory

MEMORANDUM

To: Nirban De Date: 5/10/24

Fr: Sujas Kumar

Subject: : Unconsolidated Undrained (UU) Triaxial Compression Test

Purpose: The purpose of this laboratory exercise is to determine: • The effect of

confining stress on the shear strength of clays under UU test.
• The total stress shear strength parameters (c, ϕ) of the clays under UU test.
Students should learn about the UU test and how the confining stress affects
shear strength parameters. Additionally, they should be able to obtain the total
stress shear strength parameters (c, ϕ) from different clay samples under UU
test.

Materials:
A triaxial sample framer, wire saw, cradle, seamless rubber membrane (0.2–0.3 mm), membrane
stretcher for specimens measuring 38 mm, and rubber O-rings are needed for the triaxial test. A water
reservoir, compressor, non-porous end caps, and fluid pressure apparatus are necessary, as is a triaxial
test cell with drainage valves that can withstand high pressure. A Dial Gauge with an accuracy of 0.01
mm and a Proving Ring with a capacity of 300 kg are also required. A spatula, oil or grease, Vernier
calipers, a stopwatch, a 0.1 gram weighing balance, tin cans, and an oven (105°C to 110°C) are
examples of general tools. Jhajjar clay is the soil sample.

Procedure:
i. Trim both ends of the soil specimen to a length of 90 mm, grease the sample farmer, and place
the soil on the base. Secure it with a plunger and use a wire saw to trim it to a diameter of 38
mm.
ii. Transfer the trimmed sample to a cradle, continue trimming, and measure the water content
from both the top and bottom sections.
iii. Ensure the final specimen dimensions are 76 mm in length and 38 mm in diameter before
placing it into the triaxial cell.
iv. Place the specimen between top and bottom caps, apply a membrane with O-rings, and secure
the triaxial cell.
 v. Move the triaxial cell to the loading frame, apply cell pressure, and conduct the test at a speed
of 1.25 mm/min until failure or 20% deformation is reached.
vi. After completing the test, release the pressure, open the cell, observe the failed sample, and
measure the water content again.

Results:
The results of the Unconsolidated Undrained (UU) test for three soil specimens indicates the
following:
• Specimen 1, tested under a confining stress of 100 kPa, had a cohesion of 23.74 kPa, a friction
angle of 0.02325 degrees, a deviatoric stress of 51.88 kPa, and an axial strain at failure of
11.6%.
• Specimen 2, subjected to 200 kPa of confining stress, recorded a deviatoric stress of 58.12 kPa
and an axial strain at failure of 14.8%.
• Specimen 3, under a confining stress of 300 kPa, showed a deviatoric stress of 62.88 kPa and
an axial strain at failure of 21.9%.
These results indicate that as confining stress increases, both the deviatoric stress and axial strain at
failure also rise, highlighting improved shear strength and resistance to deformation. This behavior is
critical for evaluating foundation stability and slope safety in civil engineering applications.

Discussion:
By applying a confining stress (σ₃) and axially loading the specimen without permitting drainage, the
Unconsolidated Undrained (UU) test is a laboratory technique used to evaluate the undrained shear
strength of soils, particularly clays. Because it does not distinguish between the stress supported by the
soil skeleton and the pore water pressure, it is regarded as a total stress study. Measurements of pore
pressure are not required because the test is carried out in an undrained environment, trapping the pore
water. This test is perfect for short-term stability studies since it clarifies how soil behaves under
constrained drainage.

The UU test's stress-strain behavior for Jhajjar soil, which is probably clayey, begins with an initial
elastic phase in which stress rises in direct proportion to strain. Plastic deformation follows, during
which the soil starts to yield and the stress levels out. Peak strength is attained somewhat rapidly because
of the cohesive nature of the soil; strain softening follows as stress diminishes with further strain as a
result of the accumulation of pore pressure. Because drainage is limited, failure usually happens along a
clear shear plane with no appreciable volume change.

The soil is mostly cohesive, according to the UU test's shear strength values, which also show an
extremely low friction angle of 0.02325 degrees and a constant cohesiveness of 23.74 kPa. Both
deviatoric stress and major primary stress increase when confining stress rises from 100 to 300 kPa,
suggesting that shear strength increases with increasing confinement. As is common with clayey soils in
undrained situations, the axial strain at failure likewise rises with confining stress, indicating that the soil
can withstand bigger strains before failing under higher pressure.

Problems including unequal loading, irregular saturation, or inadequate sample preparation can all lead
to UU test errors. Inaccurate results may arise from air pockets, disturbances in the soil structure, or
inappropriate stress application. Furthermore, the undrained circumstances may be compromised by
leakage or drainage during the test, which could produce inaccurate shear strength results.

Summary:
By applying various confining loads without permitting drainage, the Unconsolidated Undrained (UU)
test evaluates the undrained shear strength of cohesive soils, including clays. The cohesive qualities of
the soil are highlighted by the test results, which show a cohesiveness of 23.74 kPa and a very low
friction angle of 0.02325 degrees. The UU test is a vital instrument in civil engineering for assessing
foundation and slope stability in saturated soils since these characteristics are essential for
comprehending how soil behaves under stress.

Attachment/Appendices:

▪ Table 1.Summary of sample dimensions, moisture content, and measured shear

strength.
▪ Table 2. Stress-strain response during the UU test for Specimen No 1.
▪ Appendix 1. Sample Calculations.
▪ Figure1: Stress strain curve For Specimen1
▪ Figure2: Stress strain curve For Specimen 2
▪ Figure3: Stress strain curve For Specimen 3
▪ Figure4: Mohr circles ▪ Photo of original reading

Observations Tables:
Table 1. Summary of sample dimensions, moisture content, and measured shear strength.
SPECIMEN SPECIFICATION Specimen 1 Specimen 2 Specimen 3

Initial diameter, Do (mm) 38 38 37.9

Initial length, Lo (mm) 76 76 76.02

11.34 11.34 11.32

Initial Area, Ao (cm2)

Initial Volume, Vo (cm³) 86.9 86.193 86.03

Mass of empty Cradle (gm) 359.5 368.4 357.2

Mass of Cradle with specimen (gm) 519 531.4 530.3

Mass of specimen (gm) 159.5 163 173.1

Bulk Density (kg/m3) 1835.4 1891.1 2.01

WATER CONTENT Specimen 1 Specimen 2 Specimen 3

Before Test Before Test Before Test

After After After

Sample taken from Test Test Test
Top Bottom Top Bottom Top Bottom

A- G-
Container No. III SG1 S3 C11 B-1 B-2 ID-3
14 11
Wt. of Container (gm) 10.9 11.3 9.9 19.5 11.4 11.4 9.3 11.1 9.4

172. 129.
Wt. of Cont. + Wet Soil (gm) 53.2 53.1 9 34.1 26.6 58.9 38.2 37.8
18
142. 105.
Wt. of Cont. + Dry Soil (gm) 45.3 45 5 31.1 23.4 2 48.5 32.3 31.4
23.9
Wt. of Water (gm) 7.9 8.1 30.4 3 3.2 8 10.4 5.9 6.4
132.
Wt. of Dry Soil (gm) 34.4 33.7 6 11.6 12 93.9 39.2 21.2 22
25.8 26.6 25.5
Water Content (%) 22.9 23.4 23 6 7 3 26.5 27.8 29.0
1.89 1.89 1.89
Bulk Density (gm/cc) 1.84 1.84 1.84 1 1 1 2.01 2.01 2.01
1.50 1.50 1.57
Dry Density (gm/cc) 1.5 1.49 1.5 2 4 1.50 1.5 2 1.56
89.6 89.2 89.0
Degree of Saturation, S (%) 6 7 6

SHEAR STRENGTH Specimen 1 Specimen 2 Specimen 3

Confining Stress, σ3 (kPa) 100 200 300

Deviatoric Stress, q (kPa) 51.88 58.12 62.88

Major Principal Stress, σ1 (kPa) 151.88 258.12 362.88

Axial Strain at Failure, ε (%) 11.6 14.8 21.9

Cohesion, c (kPa) 23.74

Friction Angle, ϕ (degrees) 0.02325

Table 2. Stress-strain response during the UU test for Specimen No 1.

Least count of the deformation dial gauge, LC (mm/div) = 0.01

Specimen No. 1
Confining Stress : 100 kPa
Deformation, ΔL Strain Corrected Load
Elapsed Area, Ac Compressive
# ε
Time (cm²) Stress, q (N/cm²)
Div mm N
=ΔL/Lo Div
1 0 0 0 0 11.34 0 0 0
2 25 78 0.78 0.01 11.45 55 3.13 0.273
3 50 100 1 0.013 11.49 36 20.48 1.782
4 75 165 1.65 0.022 11.6 69 39.25 3.384
5 100 210 2.1 0.028 11.67 86 48.92 4.192
6 125 260 2.6 0.034 11.74 92 52.33 4.457
7 150 312 3.12 0.041 11.82 96 54.61 4.62
8 175 365 3.65 0.048 11.91 98 55.75 4.681
9 200 420 4.2 0.055 12 100 56.88 4.74
10 225 472 4.72 0.062 12.09 101 57.45 4.752
11 250 522 5.22 0.069 12.18 101.7 57.85 4.75
12 275 575 5.75 0.076 12.27 103 58.59 4.775
13 300 630 6.3 0.083 12.37 104 59.16 4.783
14 325 680 6.8 0.089 12.45 105.5 60.01 4.82
15 350 728 7.28 0.096 12.54 109 62 4.944
16 375 780 7.8 0.103 12.64 111.5 63.43 5.018
17 400 831 8.31 0.109 12.73 116 65.99 5.184
18 425 884 8.84 0.116 12.83 117 66.56 5.188
19 450 938 9.38 0.123 12.93 117 66.56 5.148
20 475 989 9.89 0.13 13.03 117 66.56 5.108
21 500 1040 10.4 0.137 13.14 117.5 66.84 5.087
22 525 1093 10.93 0.144 13.25 117.5 66.84 5.045
23 550 1145 11.45 0.151 13.36 118 67.12 5.024
24 575 1193 11.93 0.157 13.45 118.5 67.41 5.012
25 600 1245 12.45 0.164 13.56 119 67.69 4.992
26 625 1293 12.93 0.17 13.66 120 68.26 4.997
27 650 1349 13.49 0.178 13.8 123 69.97 5.07
28 675 1415 14.15 0.186 13.93 124 70.54 5.064
29 700 1460 14.6 0.192 14.03 125 71.11 5.068
30 725 1509 15.09 0.199 14.16 125.5 71.39 5.042
31 750 1560 15.6 0.205 14.26 126 71.68 5.027
32 775 1604 16.04 0.211 14.37 126.5 71.96 5.008
33 800 1665 16.65 0.219 14.52 127 72.24 4.975

Specimen No. 2 Confining Stress: 200kPa

Deformation, ΔL Strain Corrected Load Compressive
Elapsed Area, Ac Stress, q
# ε
Time (cm²) (N/cm²)
Div mm Div N
=ΔL/Lo
1 0 0 0 0 11.34 0 0 0
2 25 52 0.52 0.0068 11.418 12 38.653 3.385
3 50 109 1.09 0.014 11.505 17 54.754 4.759
4 75 172 1.72 0.022 11.602 19 61.240 5.278
5 100 225 2.25 0.029 11.685 19 61.240 5.240
6 125 283 2.83 0.037 11.778 19 61.240 5.199
7 150 334 3.34 0.043 11.861 19 61.240 5.163
8 175 388 3.88 0.051 11.950 19 61.240 5.124
9 200 440 4.40 0.057 12.036 19 61.240 5.088
10 225 493 4.93 0.064 12.127 20 64.464 5.315
11 250 547 5.47 0.0719 12.219 20 64.464 5.275
12 275 597 5.97 0.0785 12.307 20 64.464 5.238
13 300 651 6.51 0.0856 12.402 20 64.464 5.197
14 325 704 7.04 0.0926 12.497 20 64.464 5.158
15 350 757 7.57 0.0996 12.594 20 64.464 5.118
16 375 810 8.10 0.1065 12.692 21 67.685 5.332
17 400 863 8.63 0.1135 12.792 22 70.910 5.543
18 425 915 9.15 0.1203 12.892 23 74.134 5.750
19 450 969 9.69 0.1275 12.997 23 74.134 5.703
20 475 1020 10.20 0.1342 13.097 23 74.134 5.660
21 500 1073 10.73 0.1412 13.204 23 74.134 5.614
22 525 1125 11.25 0.1480 13.310 24 77.355 5.811
 23 550 1181 11.81 0.1554 13.426 24 77.355 5.761
24 575 1232 12.32 0.1621 13.534 24 77.355 5.715
25 600 1287 12.87 0.1693 13.652 24 77.355 5.666
26 625 1338 13.38 0.1760 13.763 24 77.355 5.620
27 650 1392 13.92 0.1831 13.882 25 80.579 5.804
28 675 1450 14.50 0.1908 14.014 25 80.579 5.749
29 700 1503 15.03 0.1978 14.135 25 80.579 5.700
30 725 1552 15.52 0.2042 14.25 25 80.579 5.654

Specimen No. 3 Confining Stress : 300 kPa

Deformation, ΔL Strain Corrected Load
Elapsed Area, Ac Compressive
#
Time Div mm ε =ΔL/Lo Div N Stress, q (N/cm²)
(cm²)
1 0 0 0 0 11.34 0 0 0
2 25 52 0.52 0.007 11.42 24 14.237 1.247
3 50 104 1.04 0.014 11.50 73 43.303 3.766
4 75 156 1.56 0.021 11.58 96 56.947 4.918
5 100 208 2.08 0.027 11.66 101 56.913 5.138
6 125 260 2.6 0.034 11.74 108 64.065 5.455
7 150 312 3.12 0.041 11.83 115 68.218 5.768
8 175 364 3.64 0.048 11.91 120 71.184 5.975
9 200 416 4.16 0.055 12 122 72.370 6.031
10 225 468 4.68 0.062 12.09 125 74.150 6.135
11 250 520 5.2 0.069 12.18 128 75.929 6.236
12 275 572 5.72 0.075 12.27 130 77.116 6.287
13 300 625 6.25 0.082 12.36 131 77.709 6.288
14 325 677 6.77 0.089 12.45 131 77.709 6.241
15 350 729 7.29 0.096 12.54 131 77.709 6.195
16 375 781 7.81 0.103 12.64 132 78.302 6.195
 17 400 833 8.33 0.110 12.74 133 78.895 6.194
18 425 885 8.85 0.117 12.84 135 80.082 6.239
19 450 937 9.37 0.123 12.94 136 80.675 6.236
20 475 989 9.89 0.130 13.04 136 80.675 6.187
21 500 1042 10.42 0.137 13.14 137 81.268 6.184
22 525 1093 10.93 0.144 13.25 138 81.861 6.179
23 550 1145 11.45 0.151 13.35 139 82.454 6.174
24 575 1197 11.97 0.158 13.46 139 82.454 6.124
25 600 1250 12.5 0.164 13.57 140 83.048 6.118
26 625 1302 13.02 0.171 13.69 140 83.048 6.068
27 650 1354 13.54 0.178 13.80 140 83.048 6.018
28 675 1406 14.06 0.185 13.92 141 83.641 6.010
29 700 1458 14.58 0.192 14.03 141 83.641 5.960
30 725 1510 15.1 0.199 14.15 141 83.641 5.909
31 750 1562 15.62 0.206 14.28 141 83.641 5.859
32 775 1614 16.14 0.212 14.40 141 83.641 5.808
33 800 1666 16.66 0.219 14.53 141 83.641 5.758

Formula and Calculation:

𝑞=𝐴 𝑃 ; 𝐴𝑐 = 1𝐴−𝑜𝜀
𝑐

𝛥𝐿

ε=
𝐿𝑜
Where, q = Deviatoric Stress
P = Deviatoric Load
Ao = Initial Area
Ac = Corrected Area at Failure ε
= axial strain
 ΔL = change in length
Lo = Initial length of sample

ε = 0.52/76
= 0.0068

Ac = 11.34/(1-0.0068)
= 11.418

q = 38.653/ 11.418
= 3.385

Bulk density, γbulk

= Wmoist Vo

= 163 gm / 86.19 cm3

= 1891.1kg/m3

Water Content (w %) = Mass of Water*100/ Mass of Dry Soil

= 3 * 100 / 11.6
= 25.86 %
Dry density = bulk density /(1+w)
= 1.7647/ (1 +0.2586)
= 1.502 (gm/cc)
Figure1. Graphs between Strain VS Compressive Stress for Specimen 1

Figure2. Graphs between Strain VS Compressive Stress for Specimen 2

Figure3. Graphs between Strain VS Compressive Stress for Specimen 3

Figure4. Mohr circles

Photo of original reading