INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY DELHI

Department of Civil Engineering

CVP321 Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory

MEMORANDUM

To: CVP321 Students Date: Sept 30 – Oct 18, 2024

From: Sumeet Kumar Sinha

Subject: Consolidated Drained (CD) Triaxial Compression Test

Purpose: The purpose of this laboratory exercise is to determine the drained shear strength
parameter (cʹ, ϕʹ) by running a triaxial test on isotopically consolidated cylindrical sample sheared
in compression with drainage at a constant rate of axial deformation.

ASTM and IS Standard Methods:

▪ ASTM D7181-20 – Standard Test Method for Consolidated Drained Triaxial Compression
Test for Soils.

Equipment:

1. Split mould – diameter 38 mm and height 76 mm.

2. Non-porous metal/plastic end caps (20mm thick)– should be the same diameter as the sample
to be tested.
3. Seamless Rubber membrane (Figure 1a).
4. Filter paper- cut to the size of the specimen and porous stone (Figure 1b).
5. Membrane Stretcher- suitable for the specimen.
6. Rubber O-rings- suitable to end caps.
7. Electric oven and containers- for moisture content determination.
8. Triaxial Test cell – Should be capable of withstanding the pressure required for testing, and
there should be a mechanism for applying axial load. The base of the cell shall be provided
with a suitable central pedestal with drainage outlets and valves. (Figure 2a)
9. Burette- for measuring the change in volume. (Figure 2c)
10. Proving Ring - Capable of measuring 300 kg. (Figure 2b)
11. Spatula, Grease/oil
12. Vernier calipers, Stopwatch, and Weighing balance of 0.1 gm accuracy.
13. Tin cans.
14. Oven (Temperature maintained between 1050 C and 1100 C)

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 (a) (b)

Figure 1. (a) Seamless Rubber Membrane (b) Filter paper and porous stone.

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 2. (a) Triaxial cell (b) Proving ring (c) Burette for measuring volume change

Procedure:

Sample Preparation:

1. Completely saturate the soil (sand) by submerging it in a bowl before the test.
2. De-air the test cell pedestal by passing water through all the valves to ensure the removal of
any trapped air.
3. Place two porous stones and two filter papers on the base of the triaxial cell and position the
end cap. Measure the height of this assembly and record it as h1 (Figure 3a).
4. Remove one filter paper and one porous stone.
5. Position the rubber membrane on the pedestal and secure it with O-rings.
6. Insert a rubber tamper inside the membrane to prevent the filter paper from moving up (Figure
3b).
7. Place the split mould over the latex membrane (Figure 3c).
8. Cover the mould with a wet towel to absorb water and ensure that the holes are covered.
9. Pour the sand in three layers using a spoon and tamp each layer the desired number of times
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 with a rubber hammer, following the wet pluviation method (Figure 3d & 7e).
10. After the final layer, place one filter paper and one porous stone on top of the sand and then
place the end cap on soil sample. (Figure 3Figure 3f)
11. Unwrap the membrane and sleeve it over the load cap. Now, fill the membrane (above the
load cap) with water to remove any air and ensure it is fully submerged.
12. Seal the sample by placing two O-rings at the top of the load cap. Gently fold the membrane
back on the load cap (Figure 3g).
13. Now lower the burette to apply suction pressure, ensuring the stability of the sand specimen
and take burette reading then open the valve and again take burette reading when it becomes
stable then close the valve. (Figure 3h).
14. Remove the split mould. (Figure 3i)
15. Measure the height of the assembly and record it as h2 (Figure 3j). The height of the soil
sample is calculated as (h2−h1).
16. Measure the diameter of the soil sample at three locations (top, middle, and bottom) to
determine the average diameter.
17. Calculate the volume of the soil sample using the measured height and average diameter.
18. After thoroughly cleaning the base cell connect the triaxial cell with the end plate using
screws.
19. The sample is now prepared and ready for testing in the triaxial cell.

Figure 3. Illustration of sample preparation for CD Test for sands.

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Performing the CD Test

20. Place the triaxial cell and tighten the three bottom screws simultaneously. Note: All the screws
should be tightened equally with two screws at a time to ensure proper sealing and level
condition.
21. Move the triaxial cell to the loading frame and place it onto the bottom platen. Fix dial gages
to measure the specimen's vertical compression and load. Rotate the loading ram to ensure
there is a proper contact with the top cap of the specimen. Note: Before placing the triaxial
cell, the bottom platen should be lowered to its lowest point. (Figure 4)
22. Slowly raise the bottom platen until there is a 5-millimeter gap between the top cap and the
loading ram. Take free hanging reading of proving ring. Release the air valve located at the
tip of the triaxial cell.
23. Switch on the pressure and water tank valves and fill the water in the triaxial cell. Once the
cell is filled with water, close the air valve. Note: Water level in burette should be at same
level as that of the middle of soil sample in cell to avoid positive and negative pressure.
24. Setup is now ready for Stage I: Isotropic Consolidation
a. Apply the specified confining pressure and note down the initial proving ring reading.
b. Open the drainage and record the initial burette readings.
c. Record the proven ring and burette readings for every 30 seconds.
d. Stabilization of the proving ring and burette readings indicate the completion of
consolidation stage. Please note that
i. The consolidation time for sand is quick and would complete in 5 minutes.
ii. For clays, the consolidation can span over several days.
25. Setup is now ready for Stage II: Shearing
a. Slowly raise the bottom platen to make the load ram in contact with the top cap. When
the load gauge just starts to deflect, the contact is established. Re-establish zero in both
the strain dial gauge and the proving ring dial gauge.
b. Now apply gradual compression by raising the machine's bottom at the controlled
displacement rate of 0.78 mm/sec. Record readings from both the strain dial gauge and
the proving ring dial gauge at intervals of 25 seconds throughout the compression process.
Note: Note the least count values for both the strain dial gauge and the load dial gauge.
Note the load cell number and use its calibration chart to determine the load.
c. The test is complete when either the specimen fails, or a vertical deformation of 20% is
achieved, depending on whichever condition is met first.
26. After completion of the test, release the cell pressure and drain the water from the cell to the
reservoir. Lower the bottom platen and gently take out the triaxial cell back to the workbench.
27. Open the triaxial cell to view and note the shape of the failed sample. Remove the o-rings
from the top cap and gently slide down the membrane to its bottom.
28. Put the entire failed sample in an oven to dry for at least 24 hours at 105-110 oC. Upon oven
drying, measure its dry weight to calculate the dry density.

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 Water
Reservoir Cell Pressure
Gage

Air
Valve

Loading
Frame

Figure 4. A view of the triaxial test setup.

Formula and Calculation:

𝑃 𝐴0 (1 − 𝜀𝑣 )
𝑞 = ; Ac =
𝐴𝑐 1 − 𝜀𝐿
𝛥𝐿
𝜀𝐿 =
𝐿𝑂
Where, q = Deviatoric Stress
P = Deviatoric Load
Ao = Initial Area
Ac = Corrected Area at Failure
𝜀𝐿 = axial strain
𝜀𝑣 = Volumetric strain
ΔL = change in length
Lo = Initial length of sample

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Action in the laboratory:

1. Prepare a soil sample from the given soil using the wet pluviation method.
2. Test the specimen under CD test at two confining stresses in a triaxial cell. Draw the Mohr
column failure envelopes for these tests to determine the effective shear strength parameters
(c′, ϕ′).

Deliverables:

The discussion in the submitted report should cover the following points. You must strictly follow
the template provided as the sample report shared on Canvas.

1. Describe the difference between UU and CD Test. What shear parameters are obtained from
these tests?
2. Describe the stress-strain behavior and the failure pattern of the soil specimens observed during
the CD test. How does the confining stress affect the stress-strain behavior?
3. Discuss the effective shear strength parameters of the soil obtained from the test.

The attachments should include the following tables and figures:

• Table 1. Summary of sample dimensions, their dry densities, and measured shear strength.
• Table 2. Stress-strain response during the CD Test at different confining stresses.
• Figure 1. Loading frame/Triaxial Loading frame arrangement for conducting the CD test.
• Figure 2. Plot between Deviatoric stress (q) vs Axial strain (ε) in % for CD test for different
confining pressures.
• Figure 3. Plot between Volumetric strain vs Axial strain (ε) in % for CD test for different
confining pressure.
• Figure 4. Draw Mohr-circle at failure state and calculate c′ and ϕ′ for soil samples used in the
tests.

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Observations Tables:
Table 1. Summary of sample dimensions, their dry densities, and measured shear strength.

SPECIMEN SPECIFICATION Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3

Soil
Sample preparation method
Measurement of mould I II Avg I II Avg I II Avg
Diameter or C/S dimensions (mm)
Cross-section width (mm)
Thickness of sample, ho (mm)
Cross section area, Ao (cm2)
Volume of sample, Vo (cm³)
Mass of the mould (gm)
Mass of mould + specimen (gm)
Mass of specimen (gm)
Bulk density (kg/m3)

Dry Density Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3

Container No.
Wt. of Container (gm)
Wt. of Cont. + Wet Soil (gm)
Wt. of Cont. + Dry Soil (gm)
Wt. of Water (gm)
Wt. of Dry Soil (gm)
Water Content (%)
Bulk Density (gm/cc)
Dry Density (gm/cc)
Bulk Density (gm/cc)
Dry Density (gm/cc)

SHEAR STRENGTH Specimen 1 Specimen 2 Specimen 3

Confining Stress, σ3 (kPa)
Deviatoric Stress, q (kPa)
Major Principal Stress, σ1 (kPa)
Axial Strain at Failure, ε (%)
Cohesion, c (kPa)
Friction Angle, ϕ (degrees)

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Table 2. Stress-strain response during the CD test for Specimen No 1.
Specimen No. 1 _________________ Confining Stress _______________________________
Proven Ring Constant (N/div) _____________________________________________________
Least count of the deformation dial gauge, LC (mm/div) ________________________________
Proving Ring Reading: (a) hanging free ___________ (b) after complete consolidation ________
Burette Vol. Deformation, Corrected Compressive
Elapsed Strain Load
# Reading strain ΔL Area, Ac Stress, q
Time
(cm3) (%) Div mm ε (%) (cm²) Div N (N/cm²)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
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Table 3. Stress-strain response during the CD test for Specimen No 2.
Specimen No. 2 _________________ Confining Stress _______________________________
Proven Ring Constant (N/div) _____________________________________________________
Least count of the deformation dial gauge, LC (mm/div) ________________________________
Proving Ring Reading: (a) hanging free ___________ (b) after complete consolidation ________
Burette Vol. Deformation, Corrected Compressive
Elapsed Strain Load
# Reading strain ΔL Area, Ac Stress, q
Time
(cm3) (%) Div mm ε (%) (cm²) Div N (N/cm²)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
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Table 4. Stress-strain response during the CD test for Specimen No 3.
Specimen No. 3 _________________ Confining Stress _______________________________
Proven Ring Constant (N/div) _____________________________________________________
Least count of the deformation dial gauge, LC (mm/div) ________________________________
Proving Ring Reading: (a) hanging free ___________ (b) after complete consolidation ________
Burette Vol. Deformation, Corrected Compressive
Elapsed Strain Load
# Reading strain ΔL Area, Ac Stress, q
Time
(cm3) (%) Div mm ε (%) (cm²) Div N (N/cm²)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
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