4.

0 THEORY
The California bearing ration (CBR) test is one of the most commonly used methods to
evaluate the strength of subgrade soil for pavement thickness design. A soil is
compacted in a mold with the standard compactive effort at its optimum water content
(so that it is at about !!" of its ma#imum density$ as determined by the standard
compaction test). The test simulates the prospective actual condition at the surface of
the subgrade. A surcharge is placed on the surface to represent the mass of pavement
materials above the subgrade. The sample is soaked to simulate its weakest condition
in the field. %#pansion of the sample is measured during soaking$ the strength is
measured by recording the force re&uired to shove a penetration piston into the soil.