Experiment No.

2
CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO

1. Objective(s):
The activity aims to introduce to the students the standard method of determining the strength of base, subbase and
sub grade material using the California Bearing Ratio.
2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
The students shall be able to:
 Connect the CBR value in the determination of the thickness of sub grade soil for a specific wheel load.
 Determine the California bearing ratio in a given soil sample.
describe the methods of how the California bearing test is performed

3. Discussion:
The California Bearing Ratio test (CBR) was developed by the California Division of Highways as a method
of classifying the soils for suitability for use in highway construction, especially for the classification of base coarse
materials for the support of flexible pavements. Shortly after the start of World War II the US Army Engineers adopted
the CBR test for use in design and construction of bases for airfield runways. The army engineers greatly improved
the test procedure by substituting a dynamic method of compacting the soil and this change is now accepted as the
standard procedure.

The CBR test is a measure of the shearing resistance of the soil under controlled density and moisture
conditions. Therefore the test cannot be considered as a classification test since the results are not constant for given
soils but dependent on such factors as density and moisture content as well as size and shape of the grains.

The CBR value is expressed as a percentage of the unit load required to force a piston into the soil divided
by the unit load required to force the same piston to the same depth into a standard sample of compacted, crushed
stone.

CBR = test unit load x 100

Standard unit load

The standard unit load obtained from the average of a large number of tests on different crushed stones and
are as follows:

Penetration (in) mm Unit load (psi) Mpa

(0.1) 2.5 (1000) 6.895
(0.2) 5.0 (1500) 10.342
(0.3)7.5 (1900) 13.100
(0.4) 10.0 (2300) 15.858
(0.5) 12.5 (2600) 17.926

The CBR usually selected is at 0.1-inch penetration. If the CBR 0.2-inch penetration is greater than at the
0.1 inch penetration, the test should be rerun if the check test gives similar results. The value for the 0.2-inch
penetration is used. The CBR test can also be made in place on

4. Resources:
1. CBR Mold
2. Hammer
 3. Spacer disk
4. Apparatus for measuring expansions
5. Dial indicators
6. Surcharge weight
7. Penetration piston
8. Loading device
9. Soaking tank
10. Drying oven
11. Miscellaneous tools such as mixing pans
12. Spoons, straight edge, balance, drying oven
13. Desiccator and drying can
5. Procedure:
Sample Preparation:

1. Air-dry and pulverize approximately 100 Ib of material, screen through a ¾” inch sieve, weigh the material
retained and discard this material. Replace the wasted material with an equal weight of material passing the
¾” inch sieve and retained on the ¼ inch sieve.
2. Determine the optimum moisture content of the material using the modified AASHTO Method (see
Compaction Test) with the following exceptions.
a. Use ¾ inch maximum size material instead of the ¼ inch material.
b. Use the CBR compaction mold (with 2 inch spacer disk in bottom) instead of the 1/30 cu ft mold
c. Compact material with 55 blows per layer instead of 25
d. Compact in 5 layers instead of 3 layers. The compacted specimen should consist of 5 one-inch
layers
e. Use fresh material for each compaction sample instead of pulverizing and recompacting the same
material
3. Conduct the control compaction test with a sufficient number of specimens to definit ely establish the
optimum moisture (water), content for 100 percent of modified AASCO density. At least 4 to 5 specimens
should be compacted with water contents within plus or minus 2 percent of the optimum moisture content so
that the optimum condition can be rigidly established.
Note: Height of fall of the hammer must be carefully controlled and the blows uniformly
distributed over the specimen
4. Upon establishing the optimum moisture content, mix about 30Ibs (13.64 kg) of the air-dried material with
enough water to bring the moisture content to the optimum value determined in step (2) and (3). Cover the
material with a damp cloth to prevent the loss of moisture while preparing the specimens.
5. Number and weigh the three CBR molds and attach extension collars and base plates. Insert one of the 2”
(250 mm) spacer disks on the base plate of each mold and place a 6 inches (150 mm) diameter filter paper
or wire mesh on top of each disks.
6. Compact the soil- water mixture into the CBR mold in accordance with the procedures stated in step 2 and
3 and Compaction Test of previous experiment

Note:

1. Prior to compaction of the soil mass, take a representative sample of 20 to 50 gm of soil samples
from the top and bottom layers of each mold for water content determination.
2. Remove the extension collar and carefully trim the compacted soil. Even with the top of the mold
by means of a straight edge or knife patch with smaller size material any holes that may have
developed in the surface by the removal of coarse material. Remove the weight of the mold and
compacted soil.
 3. Place a disk of filter paper or wire mesh on the base plate, invert the mold and compacted soil, and
clamp the base plate to the mold with the compacted soil in contact with the filter paper. The sample
is now ready for soaking.

A. Swell Test:

To simulate field conditions, the specimen is soaked under a surcharge weight which is equivalent to the weight
produced by the soil, base, or pavement, which will overlie the material in the completed structure. Three inches of
overlying material is assumed equal to 5 Ib (2.27 kg) surcharge load on the sample, the total surcharge weight shall
not be less than 100 Ib (4.54 kg)

1. Place the adjustable stem and perforated plate on the compacted soil specimen in the mold and apply weight
to produce a surcharge equal to the weight specified or required. And place the portable tripod with gage
(dial extensometer) on the rim of the mold and mark its location. Adjust stem of perforated plate, record the
initial dial reading and remove the tripod with gage.
2. Immerse the specimen in the water tank in four days (96 hrs) by maintaining a constant water level during
this period. Each day during the soaking period place the tripod clamp on the mold in its marked location
and record the dial reading and time.
3. After soaking period, remove the mold from the water, hold the surcharge weight and perforated plate firmly
in place, and pour the excess water from the surface and then let the specimen drain in a vertical position
for 15 minutes. Remove the surcharge weight, perforated plate and filter paper or wire mesh, and weigh
4. Calculate the percentage of water absorbed by the specimen and the swell in percent of the initial height

B. California Bearing Ratio Test:

1. Place the surcharge load (weights) directly on the sample and center it under the penetration piston in the
loading apparatus and bring the penetration piston in contact with the soil through the annular surcharge
weight. Adjust the diameter gage for measuring the penetration so that its stem bears on the rim of the mold
and record the initial reading.
2. Apply the load smoothly so rate of penetration is 0.05 inch (n 1.27 mm) per minute. Check the rate of load
application by using a stopwatch. Record the load readings at penetrations 0.025 (0.64 mm), 0.050 (1.27
mm), 0.075 , (1.91 mm), 0.100 (2.54 mm), 0.125 (3.18 mm), 0.150 (3.81 mm), 0.175 (4.45 mm). 0.200 (5.05
mm), 0.300 (7.62 mm), 0.400 (10.16 mm) and 0.500 inch (12.70 mm)

Note: For manually operated loading machine, it may be necessary to take load readings at closer
intervals to control the rate of penetration.
3. Release the load, remove the mold from the loading machine, and remove surcharge weight and base plate.
Take 20-50 grams for moisture content from top and bottom of the specimen and record.

Course: CE510 Experiment No.: 2

Group No.: 4 Section: CE52FA1
Group Leader: Tubang, Ma. Patricia Date Performed:
Group Members: Date Submitted:
1. Amilo, Jasmin A. Instructor: Engr. Rhonnie Estores
2.Coronado, Christine G.
3.Francisco, John David G
4.Miranda, Angelica
5.Mogpo, Benjamin
6. Data and Results:
Description of Sample: Soil Without Admixture
Sampled at: Rosario Pasig near River

CONDITION OF SAMPLE:

( ) SOAKED ( ) UNSOAKED

DAY DENSITY:

Before Soaking = _______________4564.56 g______________________________

After Soaking = ____________________5.07 g / cu.mm__________________________
Water Content =_______________________17.5 g_______________________
Before Compaction:______________75 g_____________________________
After Compaction:_________________36 g___________________________
Average After Soaking:____________73 g____________________________

SWELL (PERCENTAGE OF INITIAL HEIGHT) = ___________4.10 % (12.2 cm )_______________

SURCHARGE WEIGHT = __________________3701 g__________________________

PENETRATION AREA OF
LOAD UNIT LOAD IN
NUMBER PENETRATION
inch mm 1bf Km. Piston psi mpa
0.025 0.64 0.78 0.180 2.27 / 0.1886 1.77 0.65
0.050 1.27 2.08 0.405 2.27 / 0.1886 4.71 1.74
0.075 1.91 3.11 0.495 2.27 / 0.1886 7.06 2.61
0.100 2.54 3.89 0.630 2.27 / 0.1886 8.83 3.26
0.125 3.18 5.19 0.855 2.27 / 0.1886 11.77 4.35
0.150 3.81 5.97 1.035 2.27 / 0.1886 13.54 5.004
0.175 4.45 6.74 1.350 2.27 / 0.1886 15.31 5.66
0.200 5.08 7.52 1.800 2.27 / 0.1886 17.07 6.310
0.300 7.62 16.86 4.140 2.27 / 0.1886 38.27 14.143
0.400 10.16 31.64 8.100 2.27 / 0.1886 71.83 26.55
0.500 12.7 45.65 12.915 2.27 / 0.1886 103.62 38.29

Proving ring number:_______________2.88 KN_________________

REMARKS:
7. Conclusion:

Based on the the data that we gathered, at approximated 2.5 mm, the unit load is 3.36 MPa and the standard unit
load is 6.895 MPa. At approximated 5 mm, the unit load is 6.31 MPa and the standard unit load is 10.342 MPa. At
approximated 7.5 mm, the unit load is 14.13 MPa and the standard unit load is 13.10 MPa. At approximated 10 mm,
the unit load is 26.56 MPa and the standard unit load is 15.858 MPa. At approximated 12 mm, the unit load is 38.29
MPa and the standard unit load is 17.926 MPa. Therefore, we conclude that the load gauge reading increased
steadily as the plunger penetrated the compacted soil in the mold and goes higher when it reached the lower
portion. The greater the load, the deeper the penetration.

3.36
At 2.5 mm 𝐶𝐵𝑅 =
6.895
× 100%

𝐶𝐵𝑅 = 48.73 %

At 5 mm 6.31
𝐶𝐵𝑅 = × 100%
10.342

𝐶𝐵𝑅 = 61.01 %

At 7.5 mm 14.13
𝐶𝐵𝑅 = × 100%
13.10

𝐶𝐵𝑅 = 107.86 %

26.56
At 10 mm 𝐶𝐵𝑅 = × 100%
15.858

𝐶𝐵𝑅 = 148.16 %

At 12 mm 38.29
𝐶𝐵𝑅 = × 100%
17.926

𝐶𝐵𝑅 = 213.60%

8. Assessment (Rubric for Laboratory Performance):

Performance Beginner Acceptable Proficient

Score
indicator 1 2 3
Identify the Designs an experiment Designs an experiment
Fails to design an
procedures involved satisfying the minimum exceeding the
experiment following
in designing the requirements of the requirements of the
procedures
experiment procedures procedures
Develops a protocol to Develops a protocol to
Develop a protocol Fails to develop a
conduct an experiment conduct an experiment
to conduct an protocol to conduct an
satisfying the minimum exceeding the
experiment experiment
requirements minimum requirements
 Total Score
Mean score=(Total Score/2)
Percentage Score= (Total Score/6) x 100%

9. References
Budhu, M. (2008). Foundations and Earth Retaining Structures. New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons

American Society for Testing and Materials (1999). Standard Test Method for CBR of Laboratory Compacted Soils
(D1883). Pennsylvania: ASTM International