Name: Bhaskar pratim das

Roll no: 156104023 (PhD)

Sub: CE-582 Pavement materials

Experiment No. 13
Name of experiment: California bearing ratio test.
Aim of the experiment: To determination of the California bearing ratio (CBR) of pavement
subgrade, subbase, and base course materials from laboratory compacted specimens.
Relevant codes: IS 2720 (part 16) - 1987, Methods of test for soil, laboratory determination
of CBR.; IS 9669 1980, Specifications for CBR moulds and its accessories.
Relevance and importance: To evaluate the potential strength of subgrade, subbase, and
base course materials, including recycled materials intended to be used for construction of
road and airfield pavements. The CBR value obtained from this test is used for flexible
pavement design.
Test description: CBR test is basically a penetration test where a plunger of diameter 50 mm
penetrates into prepared test specimen. The test specimen may be either an undisturbed
specimen or a laboratory remoulded specimen compacted statically or dynamically. Test to
determine the swelling of specimen will be performed (if required) before beginning with the
penetration test. The mould containing the test specimen is placed on the loading assembly
and load is applied to cause a penetration of the plunger at a rate of 1.25 mm/min. Continuous
reading of penetration at an interval of 0.5 mm and corresponding load is recorded. Load
corresponding to 2.5 mm or 5 mm penetration is calculated from the graph and expressed as
percent of standard load respectively.
Apparatus required: The following apparatus is used for performing the test:
1. Mould of inter diameter 150 0.1 mm and height of 175 0.1 mm.
2. Collar of inter diameter 150 0.1 mm and height of 60 mm.
3. Circular base plate of 235 0.5 mm diameter and 10 mm thickness with 2 mm deep
suitable seating at the top for proper seating of the mould.
4. Spacer disk of 148 mm diameter and 47.7 mm thickness and spacer disk handle
5. Plunger of 50 mm diameter and 100 mm height,
6. Loading machine capable of applying at least 5000 kg and well equipped to attach the
plunger and cause a desired penetration of 1.25 mm/min.

7. Other accessories like metal rammer, expansion measuring apparatus, annular weight,
Slotted weight, stay rod, wing nut, washer, adjustable stem and perforated plates, dial gauge,
IS sieve 19 mm and 4.75 mm, weighing equipment.
Procedure: To perform CBR test in laboratory following steps are followed.
1. The base plate, spacer disk, mould and collar are properly arranged and fixed.
2. Oven dried test specimen is placed and compacted in the mould to the maximum dry
density at optimum moisture content using IS 2720 (part 8) 1983 method.
3. Collar is removed and the specimen is properly trimmed.
4. The mould is then placed properly in the loading machine.
5. A suitable surcharge load is applied.
6. The plunger is brought down slowly so that just the tip touches the test specimen.
7. The test is started and both dial gauge and proving ring reading are recorded at required
interval.
8. Load- penetration curve is plotted and correction, if require is applied.
9. Load corresponding to 2.5 mm and 5 mm is determined from the curve.
10. Respective CBR value is calculated.
Observation table:
Specimen data:
Undisturbed/Remoulded =
Type of compaction =
Dimensions of mould =
Dimensions of collar =
Dimensions of spacer disk =
Dimensions of plunger =

Penetration data
Penetration dial

Load dial

Dial gauge

Penetration,

Proven ring

readings

mm
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
4.0
5
7.5
10
12.5

reading

Corrected
load, kg

Load, kg

Calculations:
California bearing ratio, CBR =
PT

PT
x 100
PS

= Corrected unit ( or total) load corresponding to chosen penetration from load

penetration curve, and

PS

= unit (or total) standard load for the same depth of penetration as for

form table given in Fig.2 of IS 2720 (part 16) 1987

Result and discussion:

PT

taken