Table of Contents

ABSTRACT................................................................................................................................................ 2
INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................... 3
OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................................. 4
SCOPE ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
APPARATUS ............................................................................................................................................. 4
PROCEDURE ......................................................................................................................................... 7
SAMPLE PREPARATION ...................................................................................................................... 7
RESULTS AND DISCUSION ............................................................................................................. 10
COMPACTION.................................................................................................................................... 10
CALIFORNIA BARING RATIO (CBR) .................................................................................................... 11
CURING (SOAKING) .......................................................................................................................... 16
CBR vs PERCENTAGE OF COMPACTION ........................................................................................... 17
CONCLUSION......................................................................................................................................... 19
APPENDIX I ............................................................................................................................................ 20
REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................................... 21
ABSTRACT

Roads or Pavement Construction is one of the most significant civil engineering works
undertaken for interconnecting the different places in Namibia. Rigid and flexible pavement
are being constructed in Namibia, but flexible pavements are mostly constructed, and they
consist of different layers such as, subgrade, subbase, base course and surface course. Subgrade
layer is mainly considered to be the foundation of the pavement. This layer gives adequate
support to the pavement. Thus the design, behaviour and thickness of these flexible pavements
generally depend on the strength of the natural soil present at the site which can be determined
by means of performing a California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test. To achieve the required
strength, a 1% of cemented modified soil mixed with 2% of anion emulsion was compacted
and soaked for period of 96 hours (4 Days). Soil compaction causing an increase the soil shear
strength & bearing capacity, decrease in future settlement of soil under repeated loading &
decrease in its permeability. The soil was compacted at an Optimum Moisture Content and
Maximum Dry Density of 8.4% and 2088Kg/m3 respectively.

California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test is the most commonly used empirical method for the
design of flexible pavement, which can be defined as the load in Newton, expressed as a
percentage of California standard values, required to allow a circular piston of 1 935mm2 to
penetrate the surface of a compacted material at a rate of 1,27 mm/minute to depths of 2,54,
5,08 and 7,62 mm. The California standard values for these depths are 13,344, 20,016 and
25,354 kN respectively (TMH-1, Method A8). The load readings were taken at 0.0, 0.635, 1.27,
1.905, 2.54, 3.175, 3.81,4.445,5.08,5.715,6.350,6.985,7.62,8.255,8.89 and 9.525 mm of
penetration and stress-strain graph was plotted.

Based on the results of the experiment, the percentage of compaction at 100% and 95% of
Modified ASSHTO was successfully achieved, except at 90% whereby only 85% was
achieved. CBR values at 100% was found to be 267%, 247 % at 95% and 39 % at 85% of
Modified ASSHTO. The soil was found to be expanding in volume where by at 100% of
Modified ASSHTO expand by 0.03mm, 0.37mm at 95% and 1.04mm at 85%. The swell at
100% of Modified ASSHTO was found to be 0.02%.

The material was classified to be a G4 material based on the percentage of swell and the value
of CBR value at 100% Modified ASSHTO using Colto soil specification.

2
 1. INTRODUCTION

Roads or Pavement Construction is one of the most significant civil engineering works
undertaken for interconnecting the different places in Namibia. There are two types of
Pavements, namely rigid pavements and flexible pavements. Most of the highways constructed
in Namibia are flexible pavements consisting of different layers such as, subgrade, subbase,
base course and surface course. The design, behaviour and thickness of these flexible
pavements generally depend on the strength of the natural soil present at the site. The
foundation of soil supporting the pavement is called the subgrade. If the subgrade consists of
weak soil, then it is first replaced by stable material before the commencement of pavement
construction. The main function of the subgrade is to give adequate support to the pavement
and for this the subgrade should possess sufficient strength under adverse climatic and loading
conditions. To achieve this, soil should be well stabilized by means of controlled compaction.

Soil compaction improves the physical and mechanical properties of soil thus causing an
increase in its shear strength & bearing capacity, decrease in future settlement of soil under
repeated loading & decrease in its permeability. There are different methods available for
design of a flexible pavement, of which California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test is the most
commonly used empirical method for design. CBR of a material can be defined as the load in
Newton, expressed as a percentage of California standard values, required to allow a circular
piston of 1 935mm2 to penetrate the surface of a compacted material at a rate of 1,27 mm per
minute to depths of 2,54, 5,08 and 7,62 mm. The California standard values for these depths
are 13,344, 20,016 and 25,354 kN respectively (TMH-1, Method A8). In a road construction
project, to determine the strength of the subgrade soil, soaked CBR values needs to be found
out at regular intervals throughout the length of the project.

For the purpose of this report, a CBR test was performed on a 1% cemented modified calcrete
soil with a 2% of 60 % of anion Emulsion to improve the CBR characteristic of the subgrade.
The CBR was soaked for a period of 96 hours (4 Days) and observations were taken between
the loading readings versus the penetration depth. The maximum Dry Density (MDD) and
Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) of the soil sample was provided in the laboratory as 2088
Kg/m3 and 8.4% respectively with an assumed hydroscopic moisture content of 0.3%.

3
 2. OBJECTIVES

To determine the CBR value of a 1% cemented modified soil with a 2% of 60% anion
Emulsion at a depth of 2.54mm, 5.08mm and 7.62mm.

3. SCOPE

The California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of a material is determined by measuring the load required
to allow a standard piston to penetrate the surface of a material compacted according to Method
A7. The determination of the CBR-density relationship and swell of the material is also
covered.

4. APPARATUS

3 Moulds, 152,4 0,5 mm in diameter and 152,4 1 mm high,

detachable collar, a base plate, 25,4 1 mm spacer plate and
perforated soaking base plates.

1,024 kg 10 gram perforated plates with adjustable stems.

Annular 4,536 kg 50 9 surcharge weights for use

during soaking

On the left, a 4,536 kg 20-gram tamper with a 50,8 1,0 mm diameter

face and with a sheath to give a 467,2 2 mm drop
On the right, a 2,495 kg 10 gram tamper with a 50,8 1,0 mm
diameter face and with a sheath to give a 304,8 2 mm drop.

4
 An annular 5,56 kg 50-gram surcharge weight for use during
penetration.

A Swell tripod with a dial gauges reading 0,01 mm with a

range of 25 mm.

A compression testing machine with a capacity of at least 55 kN

total load, recordable to the nearest 50 N and capable of applying
load at a rate of strain of 1,27 mm per minute.

A metal circular piston with a diameter of 49.6 0,5 mm and

weighing 4,536 kg 50 grams.

A drying oven, thermostatically controlled and capable

of maintaining a temperature of 105 to 110 C.

5
 Filter paper, 150 mm rounds.

A balance to weigh up to 15 kg, accurate to 5 gram.

2.12 A balance to weigh up to 2 kg, accurate to 0,1 gram.

A soaking bath, about 300 mm deep. (for calibrating

the moulds)

Damp sack to cover the sample and keep the

moisture content constant

6
2.13 Suitable containers to hold about 1000-gram material for determination of moisture
contents.
2.15 Sieves - A 19,0 mm and 4,75 mm according to SABS 197.
2.19A spatula.

5. PROCEDURE

5.1 SAMPLE PREPARATION

A 21 000 g of an undisturbed calcrete soil was used for the mix proportion as follow:

7
Table 1: Represent the required quantities for the mixing of the material

The above quantities in table 1, were used to do the mixing of the specimen based on the
following step procedures

1. A 20790 Kg of the sample was placed in the mixing bath and an amount of 34ml of
emulsion was added gradually and mixed throughout the sample evenly with the required
1662 ml amount of water. After all, mixing, the sample was covered with a damp sack to
prevent evaporation of moisture content.
2. The moulds were cleaned to ensure that no materials will stick to the edge of the mould
during compaction and the spacer disc was placed at the bottom of the mould over the base
plate & a coarse filter paper was also placed over the spacer disc.
3. The first mould, which is MD7, was filled with the moist materials in five (5) layers and
compacted at 55 blows for each layer using a 4.536 Kg hammer at a drop height of 457.2
mm. This mould was compacted to achieved a 100% of Modified ASSHTO compaction.
4. The second mould, which is MD 15, was immediately filled with the moist materials in
five (5) layers and compacted at 25 blows for each layer using a 4.536 Kg hammer at the
same drop height as the previous mould. This mould was compacted to achieve 95% of
modified ASSHTO.
5. The third mould, which is MD14 was also promptly filled with the moist material after the
second mould was done compacted. This mould was filled in three (3) layers and
compacted at 20 blows per layer using a 2.495 Kg tamper at a drop height of 304.8 mm. it
was compacted to achieve 90% of Modified ASSHTO.
6. After compacting the last layer, the collars were removed & the excess of soil above the
top of the mould was evenly trimmed off and a representative sample of moisture contents

8
 were taken from the mixing bath after the compaction of both mould 1 (MD7) and mould
2(MD15) and placed in the drying oven for 24 hours. The average of the two moisture
content was calculated.
7. After all, the clamps were removed from both three moulds & the moulds were lifted,
leaving below the base plate & spacer disc is removed and weighed to get the mass of
mould + wet soil.
8. filter papers were placed on the base plate of both three compacted moulds with soil and
were inverted and placed over the base plate and clamps were tightened.
9. An annular of 4.536 Kg was placed over the soil in the moulds. Then all moulds were
placed in the water tank to allow soaking for 4 days.
10. A swelling measuring device was placed on the top edge of the moulds and the spindle of
the dial gauge is placed touching the top of the sample and the soaking tank was then
flooded with water.
11. Initial dial gauge readings were all set and recorded to be at 15mm on the first day and
the test samples were kept undisturbed in the water tank (Soaking Tank).
12. After 4 days of soaking, the swell was measured and recorded for each mould and the
moulds were removed from the water. The water was poured out by holding the mould in
a slanting downward position and holding the perforated plate and soaking weight in
position. It is held like this for about one minute and then returned to its normal position
and allowed to drain for 15 minutes on a grid or on a layer of chippings. The perforated
plate with stem and the soaking weight are removed carefully.
13. The complete assembly of a mould was placed under the loading machine at the centre
and the penetration plunger was brought in contact with the top surface of the soil by
applying 5.56kg of load.
14. The dial gauge of proving ring & the penetration dial gauge is set on 0 and the load was
applied through penetration rate of 1.27mm/min.
15. The load readings were taken at 0.0, 0.635, 1.27, 1.905, 2.54, 3.175,
3.81,4.445,5.08,5.715,6.350,6.985,7.62,8.255,8.89 and 9.525 mm of penetration.
16. The max. load value & the corresponding penetration value were recorded and a graph was
plotted by penetration (mm) on x-axis and Reading load (kN) on y-axis. This graph is
called a stress-strain curve.
17. Lastly, the value of load at penetration 2.54, 5.08 and 7.62 mm were found from the graph

9
6. RESULTS AND DISCUSION

6.1 COMPACTION

Compaction improves the strength of a materials but since the material was not strong enough
to give the required values of CBR, the material was stabilised with 1% of cement and a 2% of
60% of Emulsion as a binder. Compaction was done as stated in procedures 3 until 8. The
results of moisture content of all moulds and percentage of compaction were determined as
follow.
Moisture content

Table 2: Moisture content of the three specimens

The moisture content of the three specimens were determined by expressing the mass of water
as a percentage of mass of dry soil. The first two compacted moulds, the moisture content was
found to be the same, except for mould three, where by its moisture content deviate from the
other by a difference of 0.9%. the average was determined and found to be 9.1%. the calculated
average moisture content was used to calculate the percentage of both Modified ASSHTO and
Standard protor compaction. This was found by dividing the calculated dry density as shown
on table 3 below by a given maximum dry density of 2088 Kg/m 3. A 100% and 95%
compaction was effectively achieved in mould 7 and mould 15 respectively, but for mould 14,
only 85% of compaction was achieved instead of 90%. This could be the results of lowering
the number of blows per layer as specified in TMH-1 method A8. The number of blows were
reduced to 20 per layer instead of 55 blows per layer. On the other hand, since 85% was
achieved at 20 blows per layer, this clearly shows that the material will be over 90% of

10
compaction if the required blows were used. This also means that 1% of cement with 2% of
anion emulsion have an extreme effect on the material used.

Percentage of compaction

Table 3: shows the % of compaction for the three specimens

6.2 CALIFORNIA BARING RATIO (CBR)

Design of the various pavement layers mainly dependent on the strength of the subgrade soil
over which they are going to be laid. Subgrade strength is mostly expressed in terms of CBR
(California Bearing Ratio). Therefore, the weaker the subgrade, the thicker the layer required
whereas stronger subgrade goes well with thinner pavement layers. The pavement and the
subgrade mutually must sustain the traffic volume. Table 4 below shows how the forces change
in respect with the increase in penetration depth.

CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO (CBR) TEST

PENETRATION RESULTS
Mould Numbers
Depth (mm) 100% 95% 90%
MD 7 MD 15 MD14
0,000 0,0 0,0 0,0
0,635 0,0 0,0 2.7
1,270 5,3 12,6 3.5
1,905 14,6 21,8 4.4
2,540 24,0 28,1 5.2
3,175 32,3 33,0 5.8
3,810 38,9 36,4 6.4
4,445 43,8 39,5 6.9
5,080 49,5 42,1 7.2
5,715 50,0 44,0 7.6
6,350 50,0 46,3 8.1
6,985 50,0 48,1 8.4

11
 7,620 50,0 49,7 8.8
8,255 50,0 49,7 9.4
8,890 50,0 49,7 9,8
Table 4: shows the loading readings at their corresponding penetration depth
It can be clearly seen that as the penetration depth increase, the loading readings for each mould
increase. This simply means that a compacted cemented stabilised soil effectively increase the
strength of the CBR value.

A stress strain curve of all the above presented moulds was plotted on a natural scale, whereby
the loading readings were plotted on the y-axis against the penetration depth on the x-axis like
as shown on the graph below. The results show that curve B and C as indicated on the graph,
have the concave downward shape varying from an almost straight line relationship to a curve
in which the rate of increase in the load readings decreases with the depth of penetration. Hence,
the correction of readings for these two curves is not required and CBR values at a depth of
2.54,5.08 and 7.62mm remain the same as their loading reading from the machine.

12
 Stress-Strain curve before correction
MD 7 MD 15 MD14
8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54

A
B
Load (kN)

C
6
4
2
0
0,000

2,540

5,080

7,620

Penetration Depth (mm)

Graph 1 : Stress-strain curve before correction

13
 Graph 2 : The stress-strain curve after corrected readings for curve A

Based on the corrected graph above, like as discussed earlier, the stress strain curve for mould
15 and 14, no correction of readings required, but for mould 7 represented by letter A on the
graph, the curve concaved upward from the origin to a penetration depth of 0.635 mm

14
approximately like as indicated on the graph with a dotted line. Therefore, correction of
readings is required. In order to obtain a true stress-strain relationship, curve A was corrected
by extending the straight line portion of the curve downwards until it intersects the abscissa
like as shown on the graph. The point of intersection was then taken as the zero depth of
penetration of curve A. Using this new zero, the load is read off at 2,54 mm, 5,08 mm and 7,62
mm penetration. The readings for the above depths of penetration are then expressed as a
percentage of the California standard for that penetration like as shown on the table below. The
upward concave of the curve could be the results of slushiness of the soil at the surface or
irregularities of the soil surface and /or the plunger was slightly tilted during penetration
process.

The CBR value at the aforementioned penetration depths were determined using the table and
formula below

Table 5: reperesent the standard CBR value at the corresponding penetration depth

CBR Penetration Readings

Depth Corrected Corrected Corrected
Readings CBR Readings CBR Readings CBR
(mm) Readings Readings Readings
MD 7 MD 15 MD 14
0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000
0,635 5,3 12,6 2,7
1,27 14,6 21,8 3,5
1,905 24 28,1 4,4
2,54 32,3 35,6 267 33,0 33 247 5,2 5,2 39
3,175 38,9 36,4 5,8

15
 3,81 43,8 39,5 6,4
4,445 49,5 42,1 6,9
5,08 50 50 250 44 44 220 7,2 7,2 36
5,715 50 46,3 7,6
6,35 50 48,1 8,1
6,985 50 49,7 8,4
7,62 50 50 197 49,7 49,7 196 8,8 8,8 35
8,255 50 49,7 9,4
8,89 50 49,7 9,8
9,525 50 49,7 10,1

Table 6: represent the loading readings at their respective penetration depth and CBR values
at a penetration depth of 2.54 mm

CBR= 100

The CBR value at a depth of 2.54 mm was found based on the corrected readings like as shown
on the table 6 above using the above formula. Based on the results, it was found that the CBR
value decrease with the effort of compaction applied. At 100% compaction effort, CBR value
was found to be 267 %, at 95% and 90% was found to be 247% and 39% respectively. For
mould 7 and 15, CBR value or percent are more than 100%, this can be the results of over
compaction of materials or the proportion of cement and emulsion added densify the material
more. Theoretically, the CBR value at the penetration depth of 2.54mm should be greater than
the CBR value at 5.08mm and 7.62 mm, and for this experiment, CBR value at 2.54mm was
found to be more than at 5.08mm and 7.62mm for each mould like as shown on table 6.

6.3 CURING (SOAKING)

During floods pavement may be submerged under water for at least 3 to 4 days. Thus soaked
CBR is usually determined, as it reflects the soil strength at the worst likely condition during
the life of a pavement. To determine the soaked CBR value, soil sample needs to be soaked in
water for at least 4 days prior to the test. The table below represent the swell percentage of both
moulds. Coarse materials tent to expand in volume when placed underwater or soaked. Swell
occurs due to the reduction of pressure on the material. According to the percentage of swell
calculated, the material expands with 0.03mm in mould 7 ,0.37mm in mould 15 and 1.04 mm

16
in mould 14. The expansion in volume increase as the compaction effort decrease with the
number of compacted layers.

SWELL
% of Compaction 100% 95% 90%
Mould Number MD 7 MD 15 MD 14
Readings at day 0 15,00 15,00 15,00
Readings at day 4 15,03 15,37 16,04
% of Swell 0,02 0,29 0,82
Table 7: represent the percentage of swell for each mould after 4 days of soaking

It can be clearly seen that the higher the compaction effort, the lower the percentage of swell
and the vice-versa. This simply means that the permeability and voids are reduced in mould 7
and mould 15 and water could not circulate or seep in the soil at a rapid speed within 4 days.
In mould 14, lower compaction effort was applied and the percentage of swell is a bit higher
compared to the other moulds.

Percentage of swell was calculated using the following formula:

6.4 CBR vs PERCENTAGE OF COMPACTION

The graph below shows the relationship between the CBR value at obtain at a penetration depth
of 2.54mm plotted against the percentage of compaction. This graph enables the CBR values
to be determined at different percentage of compaction. The results obtained can be used to
classify the type of material used such as either G4, G5 and G6 material. But since only the
CBR value and swell percentage available, perception was made to classified the material as

17
G4. According to Colto soil specification, G4 material should have a maximum of 0.2% of
swell at 100% Modified ASSHTO for all types of material and a maximum of 0.5% for calcrete
materials. For this experiment, the swell at 100% Modified ASSHTO was found to be 0.02%,
thus the material was classified to be G4. Colto soil specification is attached at the end of this
document as an Appendix I.

CBR vs % OF COMPACTION RELATIONSHIP

1000

100
CBR

10

1
84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 100

% OF COMPACTION

Form the graph above, CBR values at the following percentage of Modified ASSHTO were determined.

% of Mod.ASSHTO CBR
100 267
98 238
97 222
95 190
93 158
90 100

18
 Table 8: Representing the CBR values at a specified
percentage of Mod.ASSHTO

7. CONCLUSION

The objective of the experiment was to perform a California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test for a 1%
of cemented modified soil with 2% of 60% of Anion Emulsion. Therefore, the experiment was
successfully done. The material was found to have a moisture content of 9.1%. The percentage
of compaction at 100% and 95% of Modified ASSHTO was successfully achieved, except at
90% whereby only 85% was achieved. The CBR results can be generally used to determine the
thickness of the subgrade of a flexible pavement. Hence, CBR values at 100% was found to be
267%, 247 % at 95% and 39 % at 85% of Modified ASSHTO. This explain the results of over
compaction and increase in strength due to effects of cement and emulsion as a binder on the
material. Was soil was found to be expanding in volume where by at100% of Modified
ASSHTO expand by 0.03mm, 0.37mm at 95% and 1.04mm at 85%. The swell at 100% of
Modified ASSHTO was found to be 0.02%.

The material was classified to be a G4 material based on the percentage of swell and the value
of CBR value at 100% Modified ASSHTO using Colto soil specification.

19
8. APPENDIX I

20
9. REFERENCES
TECHNICAL METHOD FOR HIGHWAY 1. THE DETERMINATION OF THE CALIFORNIA BEARING RATIO
OF UNTREATED SOILS AND GRAVELS. METHOD A8

21