CBR is the ratio expressed in percentage of force per unit area required to penetrate a soil mass with
a standard circular plunger of 50 mm diameter at the rate of 1.25 mm/min to that required for
corresponding penetration in a standard material. The ratio is usually determined for penetration
of 2.5 and 5 mm . When the ratio at 5 mm is consistently higher than that at 2.5 mm, the ratio at 5 mm
is used.
The following table gives the standard loads adopted for different penetrations for the standard material
with a C.B.R. value of 100%.
Penetration of Plunger (mm) | Standard Load (kg) |
---|---|
2.5 | 1370 |
5.0 | 2055 |
Table 1 : Standard Load Values at Penetration
For Railway Formation purpose, the test is performed on remoulded specimens which are compacted dynamically.
The methodology covers the laboratory method for the determination of C.B.R. of remoulded /compacted
soil specimens in soaked state.
IS 2720(Part 16):1987 Methods of test for soils: Laboratory determination of CBR (second revision). Reaffirmed- Dec 2021.
RDSO Specification No. RDSO/2020/GE:IRS-0004 - September 2020 - Comprehensive Guidelines and Specification for Railway Formation
1. Remoulded specimens are prepared in the laboratory by compaction. The material used in the remoulded specimen shall pass 19 mm I.S. sieve. Allowance for large material shall be made by replacing it by an equal amount of material which passes a 19mm I.S.Sieve but is retained on 4.75 mm sieve.
2. The dry density for a remoulding shall be either the field density or the value of the maximum dry density estimated by the compaction test (Heavy Compaction Test as per IS 2720 (Part-8) - 1983, for Railway Formation). The water content used for compaction shall be the optimum water content or the field moisture as the case may be.3. Dynamic Compaction: A representative sample of the soil weighing approximately 4.5 kg or more for fine grained soil and 5.5 kg or more for granular soil shall be taken and mixed thoroughly with water. If the soil is to be compacted to the maximum dry density at the optimum moisture content, the exact mass of the soil required shall be taken and the necessary quantity of water added so that the water content of the soil sample is equal to the determined optimum moisture content.
4. Fix the extension collar and the base plate to the mould. Insert the spacer disc over the base. Place the filter paper on the top of the spacer disc.
5. Apply Lubricating Oil to the inner side of the mould. Compact the mix soil in the mould using heavy compaction. i.e. compact the soil in 5 layers with 55 blows to each layer by the 4.89 kg rammer.
6. Remove the extension collar and trim the compacted soil carefully at the level of top of mould, by means of a straight edge. Any holes developed on the surface of the compacted soil by removal of the coarse material, shall be patched with the smaller size material. Remove the perforated base plate, Spacer disc and filter paper and record the mass of the mould and compacted soil specimen. Place a disc of coarse filter paper on the perforated base plate, invert the mould and compacted soil and clamp the perforated base plate to the mould with the compacted soil in contact with the filter paper.
7. Place a filter paper over the specimen and place perforated plate on the compacted soil specimen in the mould. Put annular weights to produce a surcharge equal to weight of base material and pavement, to the nearest 2.5 kg.
8. Immerse the mould assembly and weights in a tank of water and soak it for 96 hours. Mount the tripod for expansion measuring device on the edge of the mould and record initial dial gauge reading. Note down the readings every day against time of reading. A constant water level shall be maintained in the tank throughout the period.
9. At the end of soaking period, note down the final reading of the dial gauge and take the mould out of water tank.
10. Remove the perforated plate and the top filter paper. Weigh the soaked soil sample and record the weight.
Penetration(mm) | Applied Load (kg) |
---|---|
0.50 | |
1.00 | |
1.50 | |
2.00 | |
2.50 | |
4.00 | |
5.00 | |
7.50 | |
10.00 | |
12.50 |
Table 2 : Recordings during CBR Test
Draw graph between Load versus Penetration.
Fig. 4 : Plot of Load versus Settlement