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UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA

DECLARATION OF THESIS / UNDERGRADUATE PROJECT PAPER AND COPYRIGHT

Authors full name :

NOR AZMI BIN NASIR

Date of birth

21 OCTOBER 1987

Title

MOHR FAILURE CRITERIA OF KOLEJ DATIN SERI

ENDON CLAY FROM CONSOLIDATED UNDRAINED
TRIAXIAL TEST

Academic Session :

2009/2010

I declare that this thesis is classified as :

CONFIDENTIAL

(Contains confidential information under the Official Secret

Act 1972)*

RESTRICTED

(Contains restricted information as specified by the

organization where research was done)*

OPEN ACCESS

I agree that my thesis to be published as online open access

(full text)

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1. The thesis is the property of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
2. The Library of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia has the right to make copies for the purpose
of research only.
3. The Library has the right to make copies of the thesis for academic exchange.

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SIGNATURE

SIGNATURE OF SUPERVISOR

871021-52-6137

DR. MOKHAMMAD FARID MARUF

(NEW IC NO. /PASSPORT NO.)

Date :
NOTES :

APRIL 2010

NAME OF SUPERVISOR
Date :

APRIL 2010

If the thesis is CONFIDENTAL or RESTRICTED, please attach with the letter from
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I hereby declare that I have read this project report and in my opinion, this project
report is sufficient in terms of scope and quality for the award of the degree of
Bachelor in Civil Engineering

Signature

: ..

Supervisor

: DR. MOKHAMMAD FARID MARUF

Date

: APRIL 2009

MOHR FAILURE CRITERIA OF KOLEJ DATIN SERI ENDON CLAY FROM

CONSOLIDATED UNDRAINED TRIAXIAL TEST

NOR AZMI BIN NASIR

A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the

Requirements for the award of the degree of
Bachelor of Civil Engineering

Faculty of Civil Engineering

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

April 2010

ii

I declare that this thesis entitled Mohr Failure Criteria of Kolej Datin Seri Endon
Clay from Consolidated Undrained Triaxial Test is the result of my own research as
cited in the references. The thesis has not been accepted for any degree and is not
concurrently submitted in candidature of any other degree.

Signature

: ........................................

Name

: NOR AZMI BIN NASIR

Date

: April 2010

iii

Forever Love
for
Bapa , Emak, Abang and Adik-adik

iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Alhamdulillah, all praises to Allah S.W.T., The Most Greatest and The Most
Merciful for His guidance and blessing, because without it I cant finished this
research. I also wish to express my gratitude to my thesiss supervisor, Dr
Mokhammad Farid Maruf enthusiastic guidance, invaluable help, encouragement
and patience for all aspect from this thesis progress. His numerous comments,
criticisms and suggestion during the preparation of this project are gratefully praised.
Mostly for his patience on any problem that occurred during the thesis is invaluable
and appreciated.

I would like to thanks to all technician that help me a lot in conducting the
laboratory test especially Mr. Zulkifly Wahid as the head of geotechnical laboratory
in giving guidelines for laboratory work. Without him, it would be impossible for me
to started and finished the thesis.

I also would like to thank to all my friends that gives supports and helping me
for finishing the thesis. Their support and help always give motivation and energy for
me to finish the thesis. My appreciation also extended to all academic and nonacademic member of the Faculty of Civil Engineering for their warm heart cooperation during my stay in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

Heartfelt acknowledgement are expressed to my family especially my

parents. Without them guidance, support, encouragement and advises, I may never
have overcome this long journey in my studies. When I felt down, their love will
always give me strength to faced all the problem and complication happened. I also
would like to thank to people that direct or indirectly help me in finishing the thesis.
Thank you very much.

ABSTRACT

The use of soil for engineering purposes dates back to prehistoric times. Soil was
used not only for foundations but also as construction material for embankments. The
knowledge was empirical in nature and was based on trial and error, and experience.
In many engineering in soil mechanic problems, pore pressure is an important
consideration because it affects the normal stress. The Mohrs stress circle from
which the state of stress on any plane as well as the principal stresses may be
obtained, is a versatile tool useful for the solution of problems in shearing strength.
Mohr, in 1871, gave a graphical representation of the state of stress at a point, called
Mohrs Circle of Stress. This has an extensive application in the strength theories
applicable to soil. The stress conditions in a triaxial test may be represented by a
Mohrs circle, at any stage of the test, as well as at failure. Therefore, Consolidated
Undrained Triaxial test will be conducted in order to get the Mohr failure criteria of
the undisturbed sample taken from Kolej Datin Seri Endon. Four samples with
different cell pressured applied to the sample which at low stress, 50kPa and 150kPa
while for high stress, 1250kPa and 1500kPa. From the test, we can get the Mohrs
circle for effective stress at laboratory result and calculation for normal stress by
applying Mohr-coulomb failure criteria equation.

vi

ABSTRAK

Penggunaan tanah untuk tujuan kejuruteraan kembali ke zaman prasejarah. Tanah

yang digunakan tidak hanya untuk asas tetapi juga sebagai bahan pembinaan untuk
tambakan. Pengetahuan adalah empirik semulajadi dan berdasarkan pada kaedah
cuba-cuba, dan pengalaman. Dalam banyak masalah mekanik tanah, tekanan pori
merupakan suatu pertimbangan penting kerana mempengaruhi tegangan normal.
Lingkaran Mohr yang berada dalam keadaan stres pada setiap lapangan serta prinsip
tegangan boleh diperolehi, adalah pemangkin yang berguna bagi penyelesaian
masalah dalam kekuatan ricih. Mohr, pada tahun 1871, memberikan gambaran grafik
dari teori tegangan pada suatu titik, yang disebut 'Lingkaran Mohr Stres'. Ia
mempunyai aplikasi yang luas dalam teori kekuatan yang berlaku terhadap tanah.
Keadaan stres dalam ujian tiga paksi boleh dikenalpasti dengan lingkaran Mohr,
pada setiap tahap ujian, serta pada masa kegagalan. Oleh itu, ujian tiga paksi tak
terkukuh akan dilakukan untuk mendapatkan kriteria kegagalan Mohr daripada
sampel tidak terganggu diperolehi dari Kolej Datin Seri Endon. Empat sampel
dengan tekanan sel yang berbeza dilaksanakan pada sampel pada tegangan rendah,
50kPa dan 150kPa manakala untuk tekanan tinggi, 1250kPa dan 1500kPa. Dari ujian
tiga paksi, kita boleh mendapatkan lingkaran Mohr untuk tegangan berkesan di
makmal dan hasil perhitungan untuk tegangan normal dengan
persamaan Mohr-coulomb kegagalan kriteria.

melaksanakan

vii

TABLE OF CONTENT

CHAPTER

TITLE

PAGE

THESIS DECLARATION

ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

iii

DEDICATION

iv

ABSTRACT

ABSTRAK

vi

TABLE OF CONTENT

vii

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES

xi

LIST OF APPENDICES

xiii

LIST OF SYMBOLS

xiv

INTRODUCTION
1.1

General Overview

1.2

Problem Statement

1.3

Objectives

1.4

Scope Of Study

1.5

Significance Of Study

1.6

Summary

LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1

Soil Sampling

2.2

Shear Strength

viii

2.3

Source and Nature of Shearing

12

Strength of Clay
2.3.1 Cohesion

12

2.3.2 Adhesion

12

2.3.3 Viscous Friction

12

2.3.4 Tensile Strength

13

2.4

Moisture Content

13

2.5

Triaxial Test

14

2.6

Shear Strength Increased with

18

Consolidation
2.7

Pore Pressure Parameter

18

2.8

The Square Root of Time Fitting

21

Method
2.9

Friction

24

METHODOLOGY
3.1

Introduction

25

3.2

Operational Framework

27

3.2.1 Soil Sampling

27

3.2.2 Consolidated Undrained

29

Triaxial Shear Strength(CU)

3.2.2.1 Setup Stage

29

3.2.2.2 Saturation Stage

32

3.2.2.3 Consolidation Stage

33

3.2.2.4 Compression Stage

34

3.3

Analysis Of Test Result

36

3.4

Summary

38

RESULT AND ANALYSIS

4.1

Introduction

39

4.2

Result Of Consolidated Undrained

40

Triaxial Test
4.2.1 First Measurement of Sample 40
4.2.2 Saturation Stage

41

ix

4.3

4.2.3 Consolidation Stage

43

Mohr Failure Criteria Evaluation

45

For Low Stress

4.4

Mohr Failure Criteria Evaluation

48

For High Stress

REFERENCES

4.5

Mode Of Failure

51

4.6

Summary

52

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1

Conclusion

53

5.2

Reccomendation

54

56

LIST OF TABLES

NO. OF TABLES

TITLE

PAGE

4.1

First Measurement (Low Stress)

40

4.2

First Measurement (High Stress)

40

4.3

Saturation stage for Low Stress

41

4.4

Saturation stage for High Stress

42

4.5

Final measurement of Consolidation

44

Stage
4.6

Compression Stage for Low Stress

46

4.7

Compression Stage for High Stress

48

4.8

Mode of failure

51

5.1

Parameter of Mohr circle criteria

54

xi

LIST OF FIGURES

NO. OF FIGURE

2.1

TITLE

The Coulomb Strength Equation

PAGE

Present Graphically ( Holtz and

Kovacs, 1981)
2.2

Stress-strain relationships for

10

elasto plastic material (Holtz and

Kovacs,1981)
2.3

Mohr failure envelopes (after

11

Holtz and Kovacs, 1981)

2.4

Application of all-round fluid pressure,

15

or confining pressure and after

application of external axial stress.
2.5

Triaxial cell with accessories

16

2.6

Variation of B-factor with degree

20

of saturation (Skempton, 1954)

2.7

Time versus reduction of sample

21

thickness
2.8

Square root of time fitting method

22

(After Taylor, 1948)

3.1

Flow Chart of Research Methodology

26

3.2

Trimming process

28

3.3

The layout apparatus for Consolidation

30

Undrained Triaxial Test

xii

3.4

Process of mounting the sample

31

3.5

GDS Pressure Controller

31

3.6

Deviator stress vs Axial Strain

36

3.7

Mohrs circles

38

4.1

Saturation Graph for Low Stress

41

4.2

Saturation Graph for High Stress

42

4.3

Consolidation stage for Low Stress

43

Applied
4.4

Consolidation stage for High Stress

43

Applied
4.5

Shearing stage for Low Stress

45

4.6

Mohr Circles for Effective Stress

46

(Low Stress)
4.7

Mohrs Circle for Normal Stress

47

(Low Stress)
4.8

Shearing stage for High Stress

48

4.9

Mohr Circles for Effective Stress

49

(High Stress)
4.10

Mohr Circles for Normal Stress

50

(High Stress)
4.11

Failure Shape (Low Stress)

51

4.12

Failure Shape (High Stress)

51

xiii

LIST OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX

TITLE

PAGE

Saturation Stage

58

Consolidation Stage

59

Shearing Stage

62

xiv

LIST OF SYMBOLS

Pore pressure parameter

Pore pressure parameter

Cohesion value of soil

Apparent cohesion in terms of effective stress

cu

Undrained shear stress

c u (mod) -

Undrained shear stress modify

c u (initial) -

Undrained shear stress initial

qf

Deviator stress

su

Insitu undrained shear strength

Angle of internal friction soil

Undrained angle of internal friction soil

Shear stress at failure of soil

Shear stress of soil

strain

Change in pre pressure

The change in total normal stress

The change in effective stress

Normal stress due to applied vertical load

Major principal stresses

Intermediate principal stresses

Minor principal stresses

Effective major principal stresses

Effective minor principal stresses

1 - 3 1 - 3 -

Principal total stress difference

Principal effective stress difference

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1

General Overview

Malaysia experienced an economic boom and underwent rapid development.

Construction is one of the major developments in Malaysia. In construction,
geotechnical is one of the most important things that must be discovered. Soils
ability is important to support load and it can be determined by its shear strength of
the soil. Previous researches have indicated that the shear strength of soils is closely
influenced in situ by the factor of unloading, loading and particularly the change in
the volume of the soils.

Soil improvement in its broadest sense is the alteration of a soil to improve its
engineering performance. This may be the process to permit the construction of a
facility and may be a permanent measure to improve the perfomance of the
completed facility. The result of an application of a consolidation may be increased

the strength, reduce compressibility, reduce permeability, or improved the

groundwater condition.

The design and construction over soft soil have always been a challenging
task for Engineers. In construction, consolidation is one of the soil improvement that
decrease the volume of the soil.

Other than that process of consolidation involves the dissipation of excess

pore pressure then it will increased the effective stress which lead to settlement.
Consolidation is an important mechanism involving the flow of water through the
soil leading to time dependent settlement.

1.2

Problem Statement

Mohr failure criteria of soil is an important parameter used for design of any
geotechnical problem. There are many factor that related with the shear strength of
the soil, which are the water content of the soil, type and properties of the soil.

Consolidation is one of the soil improvement method that will increased the
strength, reduce compressibility, reduce permeability, or improved the groundwater
condition. Consolidated Undrained Triaxial Test in laboratory test have three stage
will be applied which are saturation, consolidation and compression stage.

Triaxial test is dependent to the sampling condition of undisturbed soil

samples (Bishop and Henkel, 1962). Cohesive soil losses its strength when it is
subjected to sampling disturbance, which comes from the sampling itself and
subsequent process of extrusion and trimming.

Most of major studies on the undrained strength of cohesive soils. They found
that the effective stress in subjected to complete release of the total stresses, where
approximately 80% of the mean consolidation pressure.

The effective stress was slightly less than 70% of the consolidation pressure,
showing that the mechanical disturbance brings more strength reduction than in-situ
soil. (Skempton and Sowa, 1963).

1.3

Objective

The objective of this study are to determine the Mohr failure parameter for
soil samples obtained from Kolej Datin Seri Endon, UTM, Skudai from Consolidated
Undrained Triaxial Test.

1.4

Scope of Study

The study is limited to the problem that involves;

1.

Determination of Mohrs circle failure criteria parameter for undisturbed

samples obtain from Kolej Datin Seri Endon, UTM, Skudai.

2.

The Mohrs circle failure criteria (undisturbed samples from Kolej Datin Seri

Endon) obtained from lab study under Triaxial Consolidated Undrained Test (CU
Test) only.

1.5

Significance Of Study

This study analyzes the determination of Mohrs circle failure criteria of the
undisturbed samples taken from Kolej Datin Seri Endon from the laboratory test of
Consolidation Undrained Triaxial Test based on the British Standard

1.6

Summary

In this chapter it give an overview of the study that will be conducted.

Introducing the type of soil sample and the basic about triaxial test. The problem lead
to this study was also discussed. It is important to have a full understanding and facts
on determining the Mohrs circle from Consolidated Undrained Shear Strength
Triaxial Strength.

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Soil Sampling

Soil samples are obtained in either disturb or undisturbed condition.

However, undisturbed samples are not truly undisturbed. A disturbed sample is one
in which the structure of the soil has been changed sufficiently that tests of structural
properties of the soil will not be representative of in-situ condition, and only
properties of the soil grains can be accurately determined.

An undisturbed sample is one where the condition of the soil in the sample is
close enough to the condition of the soil in-situ to allow test of structural properties
of the soil to be used to approximate the properties of the soil in-situ.

Soil samples may be gathered using variety of samplers where the samples
can be obtained by methods as simple as digging out soil from site using shovel.
Samples taken this way is considered as disturbed samples.

More sophisticated sampling method include split-spoon sampler, piston

sampler, and pushed samplers. The standard penetration test (SPT) sampler is a split
spoon sampler, and there is similar samplers with larger sample-barrels. The SPT test
returns a sample as well as providing in-situ soil data.

SPT samples are disturbed samples but samples from larger split spoon
samples can be considered relatively undisturbed. Piston samplers are thin-walled
metal tubes which contain a piston at the tip.

The term of undisturbed is considered relative because the process of

extracting the samples from a depth in soil, transporting the sample to laboratory and
preparing the specimen for testing may introduce disturbance that can cause the
result of laboratory testing will not representative of in-situ condition. To ensure the
quality of the sample, some steps should be taken after obtaining the undisturbed
sample using appropriate tube.

Immediately after the tube containing the sample is brought to the ground
surface, the ends of the tube should be sealed with paraffin wax. After sealing the
tube, the data of the project name, name of drilling operator,date of sampling, sample
number and depth of the sample should be atttached to the sampling tube.

2.2 Shear strength

Shear strength in reference to soil is a term used to describe the maximum

strength of soil at which point significant plastic deformation or yielding occurs due
to an applied shear stress. The shear strength of a mass is the internal resistance per

unit area that the soil mass can offer to resist failure and sliding along any plane
(Das, 2005).

Coulomb (1776) conducted numerous tests to measure the shear strength of a

soil and concluded that the shear strength of a soil composed of two components: (1)
that depends on the normal stress internal friction angle () and (2) the cohesion (c)
which is independent on the normal stress. This theory is combined with the Mohr
failure envelope and resulted in the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion which relates
the shear strength of soil to the applied normal stress:

s = c + tan
Where

= shear strength

= soil cohesion

= total normal stress on the critical plane

= angle of internal friction

tan

= coefficient of friction

While for effective stress,

S = c + ( - u) tan

Where

= effective soil cohesion

= efective friction angle

= pore water pressure

The cohesion (c or c) and the angle of internal friction (

or ) are called

the strength parameters of the soil as defined above. Cohesion (c) refers to strength
gained from the ionic bond between grain particles and is predominant in clayey
(cohesion) soils. The angle of internal friction (

) refers to strength gained from

internal frictional resistance and is predominant in granular (cohesionless) soils (Liu

& Evett, 2005).
The shear strength parameters c and or c and can be both in the
laboratory and in the field. Laboratory tests are made on the representative soil
samples and must be done in a way that stimulates the conditions that will exist on
the field. The shear strength of sands and gravels can generally be made on disturbed
samples that are remolded in the laboratory to field densities.

However, remolding significantly affects the physical properties of clay, and

laboratory tests on clay soils must be made on undisturbed samples, if the strength of
the natural deposit is to be determined. Laboratory samples must be prepared to
duplicate the density, water content, and compaction method of the field soil. The
two most commonly used laboratory shear test methods are the direct shear test and
the triaxial shear test.

The relationship for the limiting shear strength is plotted as a straight line to
obtain the shear strength parameters and c (Figure 2.1).

Figure 2.1 The Coulomb strength equation presented graphically (Holtz and
Kovacs, 1981)

Soil will eventually reach failure and deform excessively when it is subjected
to gradually increasing load. This failure is related to the shear strength which is one
of the most important engineering properties of a soil.

The shear strength of a soil is the maximum load that can be supported by the
soil mass before it yields. In geotechnical engineering, the shear strength of soil is an
important property to evaluate for many cases, such as foundations, retaining walls,
earth slopes, and road bases.

Some failure criteria are needed to define the shear strength of the soil. The
failure criteria are developed based on stress-strain relationship of the soil. The
concepts of elasticity theory apply to soil in a very approximate way. It assumed that
the material is homogeneous, isotropic, and have a linear stress strain relationship.

On the other hand, the soils in general are non-homogeneous, exhibit

anisotropy, and have non-linear stress-strain relationships. The amount of strain
developed in soil depends not only on the applied load, but also on the composition,
void ratio, past stress history, and the manner in which the stress is applied.

The stress-strain relationship of the soil can be idealized in several forms: (a)
elasto-plastic, (b) elastic-perfectly plastic, (c) rigid-perfectly plastic, and (d) elastic
strain-hardening plastic. All of these relationships assume elasticity at lower strain
level, but soil will eventually reach plastic condition after yielding condition is
achieved. Thus the most realistic stress-strain relationship is the elasto plastic
behavior.

In plasticity theory, the characteristic of yielding is described by a yield

function. So far, due to its simplicity, the Mohr Coulomb failure criteria (Figure 2.2)
is the most popular and most widely used yield function for perfectly plastic behavior
of soil. In this model, the material is linearly elastic up to the yield point, then it
becomes perfectly plastic.

10

Figure 2.2 Stress-strain relationships for elasto plastic material

(Holtz and Kovacs,1981)

The yield point is the maximum stress a soil can take and it is defined as
failure. The most common failure criterion applied to soils is the Mohr Coulomb
criterion. Mohr (1900) hypothesized a criterion of failure for which the materials fail
when the shear stress on the failure plane at failure reaches some unique function of
the normal stress on that plane, or

s ff = f( ff )

where:

s ff = shear strength, and

ff = normal stress.

If stresses at the time of failure are known, then a Mohr circle can be plotted
as shown in Figure 2.3. Because Mohr circles were drawn based on failure
condition, then the line connecting these circles defines the failure envelope (Mohr
Failure Envelope), which indicates the functional relationship between shear stress
(s ff ) and normal stress ( ff ) at the time of failure.

11

Figure 2.3 Mohr failure envelopes (after Holtz and Kovacs, 1981)

Consolidation is process where dissipation of excess pore pressure then it will

increased the effective stress which lead to settlement. Von Terzaghi and hlich
Fr
(1936) indicate that the consolidation coefficient is different for loading and
unloading but assume them to be equal.

According to Terzaghi (1943), a decrease of water content of a saturated soil

without replacement of the water by air is called a process of consolidation.
Saturated clayey soils of low permeability, when subjected to a compressive stress or
surcharge, immediately experiences an increase in the pore water pressure. It is the
time lag between the application of load and the dissipation of excess pore water
pressure which leads to settlement, which takes place over a long period of time.

12

2.3 Source and Nature of Shearing Strength of Clay

2.3.1 Cohesion

This is a characteristic of true clay. This is sometimes referred to as no-load

shear strength and is responsible for the strength of unconfined specimens. Cohesion
in clays is a property which varies considerably with consistency. Cohesion therefore
varies with both the type of clay and condition of clay. It is a kind of surface
attraction among particles.

2.3.2 Adhesion

Whereas cohesion is the mutual attraction of two different parts of a clay

mass to each other, clay often also exhibits the property of adhesion, which is a
propensity to adhere to other materials at a common surface. This has no relation to
normal pressure. This is of particular interest in relation to the supporting capacity of
friction piling in clays and to the lateral pressures on retaining walls.

2.3.3 Viscous friction

Solid friction effects are of relatively minor importance and the effects of
viscous friction are quite pronounced. The laws of viscous friction are, in general,
opposite to those of solid friction. The total frictional resistance is independent of
normal force, but varies directly with the contact area. It varies with some power of
the relative velocity of adjacent layers of fluid or with the rate of shearing. The well-

13

established fact that the strength of saturated clays varies with consistency also is in
accord with the concept that strength is due to viscous rather than solid friction.

2.3.4 Tensile strength

In varying degrees and for different periods of time, many clays are capable
of developing a certain amount of tensile strength. This may affect the magnitude of
normal stresses on failure planes.

2.4 Moisture Content

Moisture content of the soil is critical for proper compaction. Moisture acts as
a lubricant within soil, sliding the particles together. Too little moisture means
inadequate compaction because the particles cannot move past each other to achieve
density. Too much moisture leaves water-filled voids and weakens the load-bearing
ability. The moisture content is defined as:

W
W

where

w
W

w
s

= moisture content,
w

= weight of water in the sample, and

= weight of soil solids in the sample.

14

2.5 Triaxial test

Triaxial test are one of the laboratory test that can determine the stress-strainstrength characteristics of soils under drained or undrained conditions .This test
reproduce the initial effective stress and stress changes of soils in the field, in a more
realistic way than unconfined compression and direct shear test (Bardet, 1997).

There are three types of triaxial test that been used in laboratory ;
Unconsolidated Undrained (UU), Consolidated Undrained (CU) and Consolidated
Drained (CD). It shows the different at the consolidation stage and drainage
condition during shear test. At this study, Consolidated Undrained test to be carried
out to determine the Mohr failure criteria.
The triaxial compression test, introduced by Casagrande and Terzaghi in
1936, is by far themost popular and extensively used shearing strength test, both for
field application and for purposes of research. As the name itself suggests, the soil
specimen is subjected to three compressive stresses in mutually perpendicular
directions, one of the three stresses being increased until the specimen fails in shear.
Usually a cylindrical specimen with a height equal to twice its diameter is used.

The desired three-dimensional stress system is achieved by an initial

application of all-round fluid pressure or confining pressure through water. While
this confining pressure is kept constant throughout the test, axial or vertical loading
is increased gradually and at a uniform rate. The axial stress thus constitutes the
major principal stress and the confining pressure acts in the other two principal
directions, the intermediate and minor principal stresses being equal to the confining
pressure. The principle is shown in Figure 2.4.
1 = 3 +

where

= externally applied axial stress

15

= ( 1 - 3), or the principal stress difference, often called

the Deviatoric stress.

Figure 2.4 Initially, upon application of all-round fluid pressure,or confining pressure
and after application of external axial stress in addition to the confining pressure,
held constant until failure.

The apparatus, consists of a lucite or perspex cylindrical cell, called triaxial

cell, with appropriate arrangements for an inlet of cell fluid and application of
pressure by means of a compressor, outlet of pore water from the specimen if it is
desired to permit drainage which otherwise may serve as pore pressure connection
and axial loading through a piston and loading cap, as shown in Fig. 2.4.

16

Figure 2.5 Triaxial cell with accesories

There is the advantages and disadvantages of doing triaxial test. The

following are the advantages of conducting Triaxial Shear Test (Mandal,1995):

1.

Accuracy of the test results is mostly reliable.

2.

Exact field conditions of the soil can be simulated in a triaxial shear

test.

17

3.

Controlling factors are many and reliable. As clinger valves are used
for drainage, volume change and pore pressure measurement is
possible. No leakage is possible.

4.

A perfect undrained test can be successfully performed.

5.

Exact pore pressure development, even in minute orders, or even

suction pressures can also be recorded very accurately.

6.

Minute volume changes while shearing can also be measured by

volume change apparatus.

7.

Perfect unidirectional consolidation can be attained and the lateral

pressures required can be held constant for up to four days.

8.

Back pressure saturation of the soil specimen can be accurately

ascertained

9.

A and B shear parameters can be computed very accurately in the

triaxial shear test.

10.

Result obtained from the triaxial shear test are reliable and highly
accurate.

The disadvantages of conducting Triaxial Shear Test are (Mandal, 1995):

1.

Not as easy to implement as the direct shear test.

2.

More complicated in every respect and the one has to be very

conscientious in strictly observing the steps given in the earlier test
procedure.

3.

Even if only one or two steps are wrong or missed out trough
oversight, the sample testing has to be repeated.

4.

More complicated and time consuming test.

5.

Leak proofing the whole system is difficult.

6.

Ram friction cannot be totally avoided

18

2.6 Shear Strength Increased with Consolidation

Previous researches (Farrel, 1997; Edil and Wang, 2000; Huat, 2004; etc)
have established that the undrained shear strength could increase significantly upon
consolidation. Soil undrained strength is typically determined by vane shear in the
field and by unconfined and consolidated undrained triaxial compression tests in the
laboratory.

Dhowian (1978) conducted undrained triaxial compression tests on

undisturbed of Portage fibrous peat and found that there is an increase of shear
strength of Portage fibrous peat with increasing consolidation pressure with a ratio of
su / vc of 0.6 to 0.65. Dhowian (1978) pointed out that the consolidation pressure is
more effective in increasing the undrained shear strength for fibrous peat than those
for amorphous peat. Undrained strength is expressed as a normalized strength, ratio
of undrained strength to vertical effective stress. For normally consolidated deposits,
undrained strength ratio provides a means of estimating strength increase with depth.

Alternatively, for stage construction or preloading, it allows a means of

estimating strength gain because of consolidation when it is expressed incrementally
as c u / vc . Edil and Wang (2000) studied the effect of organic content on the
normalized undrained shear strength.

2.7 Pore Pressure Parameter

Pore water pressures play an important role in determining the strength of

soil. The change in pore water pressure due to change in applied stress is
characterised by dimensionless coefficients, called Pore pressure coefficients or
Pore pressure parameters A and B. These parameters have been proposed by Prof.
A.W. Skempton (Skempton, 1954) and are now universally accepted.

19

In an undrained triaxial compression test, pore water pressures develop in the

first stage of application of cell pressure or confining pressure, as also in the second
stage of application of additional axial stress or deviator stress. The ratio of the pore
water pressure developed to the applied confining pressure is called the B-parameter:

B = Uc = Uc
c

Since no drainage is permitted, the decrease in volume of soil skeleton is

equal to that in the volume of pore water. Using this and the principles of theory of
elasticity, it can be shown that

B=

1
1+ n. Cv/ Cc

where

Cv and Cc represent the volume compressibilities (change in volume

per unit volume per unit pressure increase) of pore water and soil
respectively and n is the porosity.

For a saturated soil Cc is very much greater than Cv, and B is very nearly
unity; for a dry soil Cv, the value for pore air is much greater than Cc and B is
practically negligible or zero. The variation of B with degree of saturation, found
experimentally, is shown in Fig. 8.21.

20

Figure 2.6 Variation of B-factor with degree of saturation (Skempton, 1954)

The value of B is also known to vary somewhat with stress-change. Pore

water pressures develop during the application of the deviator stress also in a triaxial
compression test.

Skemptons pore pressure parameters are very useful in field problems

involving the prediction of pore pressures induced consequent to known changes of
total stress. One classic example is the construction of an earth embankment or an
earth dam over a soft day deposit.

Thus, if the rate of construction is such that pore water pressure induced in
the foundation soil cannot get dissipated, undrained condition prevails. If the pore
pressure developed is excessive, the shear strength of the foundation soil which is
dependent upon the effective stress decreases, thereby endangering the stability of
the foundation.

Prediction of the pore pressure changes with increase in the total stresses
consequent to the increase in height of the embankment/dam may be done using the
pore pressure parameters. The stability of the structure may thus be ensured.

21

The construction engineer may suggest a suitable rate of construction in

stages to that the excess pore pressures can be kept under control to ensure stability
during and after construction.

2.8 The Square Root of Time Fitting Method

This method has been devised by D.W. Taylor (1948). The coefficient of
consolidation is the soil property that controls the time-rate or speed of consolidation
under a load-increment. The relation between the sample thickness and elapsed time
since the application of the loadincrement is obtainable from an oedometer test and is
somewhat as shown in Figure 2.7 for a typical load-increment.

Figure 2.7 Time versus reduction of sample thickness

This figure depicts change in sample thickness with time essentially due to
consolidation; only the elastic compression which occurs almost instantaneously on
application of consolidation pressure is shown. The effect of prolonged compression
that occurs after 100% dissipation of excess pore pressure is not shown or is ignored;
this effect is known as Secondary consolidation, which is briefly presented in the
following section.

22

The curves of Figure 2.7 bear striking similarity; in fact, one should expect it
if Terzaghis theory is to be valid for the phenomenon of consolidation. This
similarity becomes more apparent if the curves are plotted with square root of
time/time factor as the function, as shown in Figure 2.8 (a) and (b).

The theoretical curve on the square root plot is a straight line up to about 60%
consolidation with a gentle concave upwards curve thereafter. If another straight line,
shown dotted, is drawn such that the abscissae of this line are 1.15 times those of the
straight line portion of the theoretical curve, it can be shown to cut the theoretical
curve at 90% consolidation. This may be established from the values of T at various
values of U that is, the value of T at 90% consolidation is 1.15 times the abscissa of
an extension of the straight line portion of the U versus T relation. This property is
used for fitting the theoretical curve to the laboratory curve.

Figure 2.8 Square root of time fitting method (After Taylor, 1948)

23

The laboratory curve shows a sudden initial compression, called elastic

compression which may be partly due to compression of gas in the pores. The
corrected zero point at zero time is obtained by extending the straight line portion of
the laboratory plot backward to meet the axis showing the sample thickness/dial
gauge reading. The so-called primary compression or primary consolidation is
reckoned from this corrected zero. A dashed line is constructed from the corrected
zero such that its abscissae are 1.15 times those of the straight line portion of the
laboratory plot. The intersection of the dashed line with the laboratory plot identifies
the point representing 90% consolidation in the sample. The time corresponding to
this can be read off from the laboratory plot. The point corresponding to 100%
primary consolidation may be easily extrapolated on this plot.

The coefficient of consolidation, c v , may be obtained from

c v = T 90 H2
t 90
where

t 90

= is read off in figure 2.7

T 90

= is 0.848 from Terzhagis theory

= is the drainage path, which may be taken as half the

thickness of the sample for double drainage conditions, or as (Th 0 + Th f )/4 in

terms of the sample thickness Figure 2.6.

The primary compression is that from Th 0 to Th 100 /d 0 to d 100 in terms of

sample thickness/ dial gauge reading; the total compression is that from Th i to Th f /d i
to d f . The ratio of primary compression to total compression is called the Primary
Compression ratio.

Thus, the total compression in a loading increment of a laboratory test has

three parts. The part from Thi to Th 0 /di to d 0 is instantaneous elastic compression;
that from Th 0 to Th100/d 0 to d 100 is primary compression; and that from Th 100 to Th f
/d 100 to d f is secondary compression. The secondary compression may be as much as
20% or more in a number of case.

24

2.9 Friction

Friction is the primary source of shearing strength in most natural soils. Hence, a
few important aspects of the concept of frictional resistance need to be considered. In
granular or cohesionless soil masses, the resistance to sliding on any plane through
the point within the mass is similar to that discussed in the previous sub-section; the
friction angle in this case is called the angle of internal friction.

However, the frictional resistance in granular soil masses is rather more complex
than that between solid bodies, since the nature of the resistance is partly sliding
friction and partly rolling friction. Further, a phenomenon known as interlocking is
also supposed to contribute to the shearing resistance of such soil masses, as part of
the frictional resistance.

The angle of internal friction, which is a limiting angle of obliquity and hence
the primary criterion for slip or failure to occur on a certain plane, varies appreciably
for a given sand with the density index, since the degree of interlocking is known to
be directly dependent upon the density. This angle also varies somewhat with the
normal stress. However, the angle of internal friction is mostly considered constant,
since it is almost so for a given sand at a given density.

Since failure or slip within a soil mass cannot be restricted to any specific
plane, it is necessary to understand the relationships that exist between the stresses
on different planes passing through a point, as a prerequisite for further consideration
of shearing strength of clays.

25

CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

This research focuses on the effect of consolidation on soil behavior at high

stress where Unconsolidated Undrained and Consolidated Undrained Triaxial test
conducted to determined the shear strength parameter between the two test.

The sampling of the study are taken from Kolej Datin Seri Endon

and

conducted at the laboratory. They are four sets samples needed to be test on this
study and it will be test in 76mm long, and of 38mm diameter that will be taken
undisturbedly by using auger and piston sampler. Figure 3.1 below shows the flow
chart of the methodology flow.

26

Figure 3.1 Flow Chart of Research Methodology

Selection of Research

Literature Review

Problem Identification

Sampling
Soil taken from Kolej Datin
Seri Endon
Laboratory Test ( CU TEST)

Low Stress

High Stress

c=

c=

c=

c=

50kPa

150kPa

1250kPa

1500kPa

Result and Analysis

Conclusion and
Recommendation

27

3.2 Operational Framework

3.2.1 Sampling

To determine the shear strength of undisturbed sample, the sample must be

taken at the field by using Iwan auger at the different depth from the ground surface.
The samples then must be sealed at the ends of tube and been numbered and depth of
the soil sample also been noted.

The term of undisturbed is considered relative because the process of

extracting the samples from a depth in the soil, transporting the sample to laboratory,
and preparing the specimen for testing may introduces disturbance that can caused
the result of laboratory testing will not representative of in-situ condition. To ensure
the quality of the sample, some steps should be taken after obtaining the undisturbed
sample using appropriate tube.

Immediately after trimming and cleaning the ends, the samples shall be sealed
comparable materials such as plastic cover into each end, placing suitable filler in the
remaining void space to prevent movement of the sample, and covering each end
with a plastic cap. Bolt holes in the tube shall be covered with tape and both ends of
the tube shall be dipped into comparable material.

Samples shall be kept in a vertical position with top always up during

transportation and storage. Samples shall not be jarred or vibrated and should be
properly marked and identified. Tubes should be protected from temperature
extremes and under no circumstances should tube samples be allowed to freeze.
Length, diameter and mass each of trimmed sample must be taken. All the
procedures are based on BS 1377-8 1990.

28

Figure 3.2 Trimming process

29

3.2.2 Consolidated Undrained Triaxial Shear Strength (CU)

This test conducted to determine the shear strength parameter of soil sample
that obtained from Kolej Datin Seri Endon, UTM, Skudai and to determined the
shear strength parameter. This test was performed by placing a specimen in the
chamber and introducing lateral pressure with allowing the specimen to consolidate
under lateral pressure without allowing drainage of the specimen.

At this stage they will be three stage before we can get the shear strength of
the soil specimen. It will be saturation, consolidation and compression stage that will
be applied on this stage. Last stage, compression stage when the cell pressure are
remain constant

while the specimen is sheared at the constant rate of axial

deformation until failures occured. No drainage is permitted and therefore the

moisture content remain constant during compression.

3.2.2.1 Setup Stage

Setting up the specimen is important in order to ensure that the equipment

that been used is in great condition and avoiding wrong data collecting during
process due to wrong setting of the equipment before starting the Consolidated
Undrained Triaxial Test. The procedure are as below;

a.

Prepare remolded specimen, 38 mm in diameter and 76 in height on

the triaxial pedestal. Assemble the split mould on the triaxial base,
with a latex rubber membrane fitted inside it and around the base
pedestal.

b.

According to the specimen diameter. Take care not disturb or puncture

the membrane. Remove the split mould carefully when ready to
assemble the triaxial cell.

c.

Make the following measurements, ensuring sufficient accuracy to

enable the bulk density to be calculated to an accuracy of 1 %.

30

d.

Place the specimen on the disc without entrapping air.

e.

Place the second saturated disc, with excess water on top of the
specimen.

f.

Using the membrane stretcher, place the soaked rubber membrane,

after allowing surplus water to drain off around the specimen. Seal the
membrane to the base pedestal using two rubber O-rings. Remove air
pockets from between the membrane and the specimen by light
stroking upwards. No further water shall be inserted between the
specimen and membrane.

g.

Place two O-rings around the drainage lead connected to the top
loadings cap using the split-ring stretcher.

h.

Ensure that the specimen axis in vertical alignment and the drainage
line from the top cap will not interfere with fitting the cell body.

i.

Fill the triaxial cell with deared water, ensuring that all the air is
displaced through the bleed plug. Fill the cell as quickly as possible
but without allowing turbulence, which could aerate water. A layer of
castor oil may be introduced on top of the water to act as piston
lubricant and to reduce leakage past the piston.

j.

Keep the air bleed plug open until the cell is ready to be pressurized,
in order to maintain the pressure at atmospheric.

k.

Apply the first cell pressure increment as soon as possible, as required

by the saturation procedure.

Figure 3.3 The layout apparatus for Consolidation Undrained Triaxial Test

31

Figure 3.4 Process of mounting the sample

Figure 3.5 GDS Pressure Controller

32

3.2.2.2 Saturation Stage

The objective of the saturation stage is to ensure that all the voids are filled
with water. This is often achieved by raising the pore pressure in the specimen to a
level high enough for the water to absorb into solution all the air originally in the
voids. Below are the procedure that need to be followed during the saturation stage.

a.

Ensure that the back pressure valve or valves and the flushing system
valve are closed. Apply first increment of cell pressure immediately
after setting up. Apply first increment of cell pressure immediately
after setting up.

b.

Observe the pore pressure until it reaches an equilibrium value and

record it. If the pore pressure decreases appreciably (possibly after
initial increase) proceed to step describe in item without waiting for
equilibrium, in order to ensure that pore pressure does not reach zero.

c.

Increase the cell pressure by 50 kPa and repeat the describe item. If a
steady value of pore pressure reached, record it and calculate the
change of pore pressure (u, in kPa) resulting from this increment.
Calculate the value of pore pressure coefficient B from the following
equation.
B = u / 50
If B is equal to or greater than 0.95, the specimen can be considered to
be saturated.

d.

Keeping the back pressure valve and the flushing system valve closed,
increase the pressure in the back pressure line to a value equal to the
cell pressure less the selected differential pressure. The cell pressure
shall be applied until the corresponding back pressure exceeds the
equilibrium pore pressure or until the B value equals or exceeds 0.95.

e.

Open the back pressure valve (and the base drainage valve if
pressurizing from both ends) to admit the back pressure into the
specimen.

33

f.

Observe the pore pressure and the volume change indicator reading.

g.

Repeat the operations described in steps (d) to (h) until the pore
pressure coefficient B indicates that the saturation is achieved or the
value equal 0.95.

At this stage, the magnitude of cell presure increment is 50kPa and its
different between cell presure and back pressure is 10kPa. In this stage, increment of
cell and back pressure are applied alternately. The cell pressure increment stages are
carried out without allowing drainage into or out of the specimen, which enables
values of the pore pressure coefficient B to be determined at each stage. This stage
will be stop when the B value exceed 0.95 that represent the degree of saturation is
acceptable.

3.2.2.3 Consolidation Stage

The consolidation stage follows after the saturation stage, and the same
apparatus is used. Consolidation of the specimen for these test is isotropic. The
objective of the consolidation stage is to bring the specimen to the sate of effective
stress required for carrying out the compression test . Data obtained from the
consolidation stage are used for estimating a suitable rate of strain to be applied
during compression, for determining when consolidation is complete and for
computing the dimension of the specimen at the start of the compression stage. Thus,
following procedure below must be applied during the consolidation stage;

a.

Increase the pressure ( 3 ) in the cell pressure line and adjust the back
pressure if necessary, to give a difference equal to the required
effective consolidation pressure ( 3 ) such that
3 = 3 - ub

b.

Record the pore pressure when a steady value (u i ) (in kPa) is reached.

34

c.

Record the reading of the volume-change indicator. At a convenient

moment (zero time) start the consolidation by opening the back
pressure valves or valves.

d.

Record the reading of the volume change indicator, at suitable interval

of time.

e.

Allow consolidation to continue until there is no further significant

volume change, until at least 95% of the excess pore pressure has been
dissipated, i.e. until U 95% in the following equation;
U = (u i - u) / (u i ub) 100%
Where

U = degree of consolidation.
u = the observed pore pressure reading at time t.

f.

When consolidation is complete, record the reading of the volume

change indicator and calculate the total change in volume
V (

c)

during the consolidation stage. Record the pore pressure u c (in kPa).
g.

The consolidated specimen is then ready for an undrained

compression test

The effective stress in the specimen is increased to the desired value by

raising the the cell pressure and dissipating the resulting excess pore pressure to an
appropriate back pressure. The back pressure should not be reduced below the pore
pressure in the final stage of the saturation stage.

3.2.2.4 Compression Stage

During the compression stage, the cell pressure are remain constant while the
specimen is sheared at the constant rate of axial deformation until failures occured.
No drainage is permitted and therefore the moisture content remain constant during
compression.

35

The resulting changes in pore pressures are measuredly at the base of the
specimen, and the rate of axial deformation is apply slowly enough to ensure
adequate equalization of excess pore pressure. Procedure in this stage are shown
below;

a.

Set up the triaxial cell on the compression machine ha stood elsewhere

during saturation.

b.

Adjust the machine platen, by motor drive until the cell loading piston.

c.

Adjust the compression machine to give a rate of displacement as

close as possible.

d.

Make further adjustment to bring the loading piston just into contact
with seating on the top cap of the specimen.

e.

Secure the axial deformation gauge so that it can be measure a vertical

deformation up to least 25 % of the specimen length. Observe the
initial reading, or set the gauge to read zero.

f.

The volume change and pore pressure are closed throughout the test,
thereby maintaining the initial volume of the sample unchanged.

g.

Record the following as the initial reading for the compression stage:

(1) Date and clock time

(2) Deformation gauge reading
(3) Force device reading
(4) Cell pressure

h.

Apply compression to the specimen and simultaneously start the

timer.

i.

Record sets of readings of the deformation gauge, force device at

intervals during the test. Record at least 20 sets of readings in order to
define the stress-strain curve

36

3.3 Analysis Of Test Result

Stress-strain- strength relationship can be determined during the compression

stage. To determine the stress-strain-strength relationship characteristic of soils, a
stress-strain curve was plotted with the test data that had been obtained. The deviator
stress can be computed as;
1 = P / A
Where

= Deviator stress

= Axial Force

= Corrected Area

The deviator stress is an important value that need to be determined to get the
Mohrs circle failure criteria. All the result of the test with each consist of different
initial loading were plotted on the same axis, as in figures 3.4. From the plotted
graph, the maximum value of compressive stress is obtained

Figures 3.6 Deviator stress vs Axial Strain

37

For the triaxial test, the major principal stress was computed as
1 = 3 + 1
The result of several test were plotted, and the failure envelope was drawn as
a best fit to obtain shear strength parameter.

The Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion is the most common empirical failure

criterion used in soil mechanics. In terms of total normal stress and total effective
stress of the Mohr-Coulomb criterion is defined as;
s = c + tan

( total normal stress)

S = c + ( - u) tan

(total effective stress)

Consolidated Undrained triaxial test is a procees where the consolidation will

take place in determined the shear strength and angle of internal friction. Figure 3.7
shows the example of Mohrs circles resulting from two sets sample run under CU
tests.

Figure 3.7 Mohrs circles

38

The expected findings that can be drawn from this study are as follows;

1.

From the evaluation of mohrs circle, the determination the value of cohesion

and friction angle of the clay obtained from KDSE area.

2.

Derived the value for effective stress analysis and total stress analysis.

3.4 Summary

From this we can facilitate methodology that will be used for the study. All
the data will be obtained through laboratory testing. The operational framework was
given to illustrate the whole testing process of Consolidated Undrained (CU) triaxial
test. Thus test will be able to determined the objectives of this study. All the
procedure and requirement for conducting the laboratory are based on BS 1377- 9 :
1990.

39

CHAPTER 4

RESULT AND ANALYSIS

4.1 Introduction

This study was conducted in order to obtain the Mohr failure criteria for both
low and high stress for Consolidation Undrained triaxial test. From the test
conducted, we can determined the cohesion and friction angle for CU test that had
been done.

All samples was prepared according to procedure as have been explained

before in methodology. The result from the laboratory will be analyze in order to get
the information to the study. Data from entire test were gathered and will be analyze
in this chapter where the objective of the study can successfully achieved.

40

4.2 Result of Consolidated Undrained Triaxial Test

4.2.1 First Measurement of Sample

At this Consolidation Undrained triaxial test (CU) each soil specimen that had
been trimmed to 38mm diameter and 76mm length can be carried out succesfully due
to the wrong setting on the triaxial apparatus and leaked of the sample during the
consolidation with high stress applied on the specimen. Four specimen that had been
done will be applied with different cell pressure which is for low pressure 50kPa and
100kPa, for high stress 1250 kPa and 1500 kPa.

Sample No.

1 (50kPa)

2 (150kPa)

Depth from ground surface (m)

0.5m

0.50m

Initial Moisture content

24.1%

24.4%

Initial Bulk Density

1.73Mg/m3 1.73Mg/m3

Table 4.1 First Measurement(Low Stress)

Sample No.

3 (1250kPa) 4 (1500kPa)

Depth from ground surface (m)

0.70m

0.70m

Initial Moisture content

14.2%

14.4%

Initial Bulk Density

1.76Mg/m3

1.67Mg/m3

Table 4.2 First Measurement(High Stress)

From Table 4.1 and 4.2 shown the sample with different value of depth from
ground surface initial moisture content and initial bulk density for the specimen at
the first measurement that need to be filled before starting the triaxial test.

41

4.2.2 Saturation Stage

Saturation process will be applied after the first measurement to ensure that
all the voids are filled with water by applying back pressure to the specimen, and at
the same time increasing the cell pressure in order to maintain a small positive
effective stress. The increment of each cell pressure ar 50kPa with the differential of
10kPa for back pressure.

Saturation Stage
1
0.9
0.8

B Value

0.7
0.6
0.5

sample1= 50kPa

0.4

sample2=150kPa

0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0

50

100

150

200

Cell Pressure, kPa

Figure 4.1 Saturation Graph for Low Stress

Sample No.

1(50kPa)

2(150kPa)

Initial Cell Pressure

49.9kPa

45.9kPa

Final Cell Pressure

149.5kPa

94.7kPa

Final B Value

0.956

0.977

Table 4.3 Saturation stage for Low Stress

42

Saturation Stage
1
0.9
0.8

B Value

0.7
0.6
0.5

sample3= 1250kPa

0.4

sample4=1500kPa

0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0

50

100

150

200

Cell Pressure, kPa

Figure 4.2 Saturation Graph for High Stress

Sample No.

3(1250kPa)

4(1500kPa)

Initial Cell Pressure

53.5kPa

46.6kPa

Final Cell Pressure

99.3kPa

199.3kPa

Final B Value

0.976

0.972

Table 4.4 Saturation stage for High Stress

From Table 4.4 and Figure 4.2 shows that all the B value are exceeds 0.95
which the saturation stage is achieved and the consolidation can be start.

The

saturation stage is to driven out all the air from the specimen. At low moisture
content, the soil particles interfere with each other; addition of some moisture will
allow great bulk density, with peak density where this effect begins to be
counteracted by the saturation of the soil (Lambe and Whitman, 1969).

In an

undrained triaxial compression test, pore water pressures develop in the first stage of
application of cell pressure or confining pressure, as also in the second stage of
application of additional axial stress or deviator stress.

43

4.2.3 Consolidation Stage

After the saturation stage, the consolidation stage will be run to decrease of
water content of a saturated soil without replacement of the water by air. At this
stage, the test will be run until there is no further significant in volume change for the
specimen.

Consolidation stage (Low Stress)

Time - Square root mean
0

10

20

30

40

Volume change, ml

5
sample1= 50kPa
10

Sample 2= 150kPa

15
20
25

Figure 4.3 Consolidation stage for Low Stress Applied

Consolidation Stage (High Stress)

Time- square root mean
0

10

15

20

25

30

35

Volume change, ml

0
5
sample 3= 1250kPa
10

sample 4= 1500kPa

15
20
25

Figure 4.4 Consolidation for High Stress Applied

44

Sample No.

Final Density

Final Volume, V c

1(50kPa)

1.81 Mg/m3

82.553cm3

2(150kPa)

1.94 Mg/m3

80.553cm3

3(1250kPa)

2.38 Mg/m3

68.493cm3

4(1500kPa)

2.42 Mg/m3

67.003cm3

Table 4.5 Final measurement of Consolidation Stage

From the consolidation, they will be a change in volume of the specimen.

Figure 4.3 and Figure 4.4 shows the volume change of the specimen during the
consolidation stage. Specifically, the compressibility of a soil depends on the
structural arrangement of the soil particles. In a dense condition, the void ratio is low
whereas in a loose condition, the void ratio is high.

Grain-shape also influences this aspect. From the different test for each
samples, it shows that the higher consolidation pressure applied, the higher volume
changed will occured as shown in figure 4.3 and 4.4 respectively.

From Table 4.5, the density of the specimen is increase after the process of
consolidation. The density is increased due decrease of water content of a saturated
soil without replacement of the water by air.

Volume of the specimen also reduced due to the consolidation process where
water had been dissipate during this stage. From previous research by Farrel, 1997;
Edil and Wang, 2000; Huat, 2004; have established that the undrained shear strength
could increase significantly upon consolidation.

45

4.3 Mohr Failure Criteria Evaluation for Low Stress

Compression stage is carried out after the consolidation stage, where the cell
pressure maintained constant rate of axial deformation until failures occurs. The
moisture content remain constant during compression stage.

Sample No.

1 (50kPa)

2 (150kPa)

Minor Effective

30kPa

80kPa

55.6kPa

128.3kPa

Deviator Stress

25.6kPa

48.3kPa

Pore pressure

20kPa

70kPa

Axial Strain

7.15%

8.51%

Stress
Major Effective
Stress

Table 4.6 Compression Stage for Low Stress

Shearing Stage (Stress vs Axial Strain)

100
90

Corrected deviator stress kPa

80
70
60
50
Sample1=50kPa

40

sample2=150kPa

30
20
10
0
0

10

12

Axial Strain %

Figure 4.5 Shearing stage for Low Stress

46

From Figure 4.5 it shows that with the increasing of the consolidation
pressure, it exhibit the higher strength than the lower pressure. It shows that sample 1
with 50kPa cell pressure applied produced 25.6kPa maximum deviator stress which
is lower than the sample 2 that achieved to 48.3kPa. It shows the shear strength for
sample 1, s 1 = 12.8kPa and sample 2, s 2 = 24.15kPa. The shear strength increased
with the applied of high consolidation pressure.

Mohr Circle

Shear Stress

Shear Stress, KPa

150
140
130
120
110
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30 c'=4.82
20
10
0
0

'= 9.980

50

100

150

200

Effective Stress

Figure 4.6 Mohr Circles for Effective Stress (Low Stress)

From the Figure 4.5, 4.6 and Table 4.6, it shows the data that we get from the
laboratory for CU test where Mohrs Circle for effective or principle stress will be
produced. From the Mohrs cicle, the effective cohesion, c = 4.82kPa and the
effective angle of friction = 9.980.
From this, evaluation of the Mohrs circle for normal stress where the
equation of 3 = 3 + u. The change in pore water pressure for sample 1 and 2 are
20 kPa and 70kPa.

47

For sample 1, 3 = 30kPa + 20kPa

= 50kPa
For sample 2, 3 = 80kPa + 70kPa
= 150kPa

Mohr Circle

Shear Stress

Shear Stress, KPa

150
140
130
120
110
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

Sample1= 50kPa
sample3=150kPa

c=7.22

=5.550

50

100

150

200

Normal Stress

Figure 4.7 Mohrs Circle for Normal Stress (Low Stress)

From the normal stress in Figure 4.7, it shows the cohesion value for normal
stress, c= 7.22kPa and the angle of friction = 5.550. However, according to
Terzaghi, it is the effective stress on the failure plane that governs the shearing
strength and not the total stress because the effective stress in the case of a saturated
soil and not the total stress which is relevant to the mobilisation of shearing stress.

48

4.4 Mohr Failure Criteria Evaluation for High Stress

Compression stage is carried out after the consolidation stage, where the cell
pressure maintained constant rate of axial deformation until failures occurs. The
moisture content remain constant during compression stage. At this stage, the
analysis of the high stress can be discussed.

Sample No.

3 (1250kPa)

4 (1500kPa)

Minor Effective

890kPa

1184.1kPa

1131.6kPa

1471.7kPa

Deviator Stress

241.6kPa

287.6kPa

Pore Pressure

360kPa

315.9

Axial Strain

5.92%

19.39%

Stress
Major Effective
Stress

Table 4.7 Compression Stage for High Stress

Shearing Stage ( Stress vs Axial Strain)

350

Corrected Deviator Stress

300
250
200
150

sample3=1250kPa

100

sample4=1500kPa

50
0

-5

-50

10

15

20

25

Axial Strain(%)

Figure 4.8 Shearing stage for High Stress

49

From Figure 4.8 and Table 4.7 it shows that with the increasing of the
consolidation pressure, it exhibit the higher strength than the lower stress. It shows
that sample 4 with 1500kPa cell pressure applied produced 287.6kPa maximum
deviator stress which is higher than the sample 3 that achieved to 241.6kPa. It shows
the shear strength for sample 1, s 3 = 120.8 kPa and sample 2, s 4 = 143.80 kPa. The
shear strength increased with the applied of high consolidation pressure.

Mohr circle
800
700

Shear Stress

600
500
400
300

'=6.830

200

c'=
22.7kPa

100
0
0

500

1000

1500

Principal Stress

Figure 4.9 Mohr Circles for Effective Stress (High Stress)

The data obtained from compression stage as been shown on Table 4.7,
Figure 4.8 and Figure 4.9. From the mode of failure of the entire tested sample it
shows slightly different value of effective cohesion and angle of friction for Low
stress. From the CU test we can get the effective angle of shear resistance, = 6.830
with the effective cohesion value, c = 22.7kPa.

50

From this, we also can evaluate the Mohrs circle for normal stress where the
3 = 3 + u. The change in pore water pressure for sample 3 and 4 are 360kPa and
315.90kPa.
For sample 3, 3 = 890kPa + 360kPa
= 1250kPa
For sample 4, 3 = 1184.1kPa + 315.90kPa
= 1500kPa

Mohr Circle
800
700

Shear Stress

600
500
400
300

=3.670
c=
38.4kPa

200
100
0
0

500

1000

1500

Normal Stress

Figure 4.10 Mohr Circles for Normal Stress (High Stress)

From the normal stress shown in Figure 4.10, the cohesion value for normal
stress, c = 38.4kPa and the angle of friction = 3.670. However, according to
Terzaghi, it is the effective stress on the failure plane that governs the shearing
strength and not the total stress because the effective stress in the case of a saturated
soil and not the total stress which is relevant to the mobilisation of shearing stress.

51

4.5 Mode Of Failure

Mode of failure for sample 1, 2, 3, and 4 are shown in the table below. All the
samples contributed the same mode of failure which is Maximum Deviator Stress or
Maximum Allowable Strain.

Sample No.

Cell Pressure

Strain

Mode Of

Shear Strength

Failure

50kPa

7.15%

Maximum

12.80kPa

Deviator Stress
2

100kPa

8.51%

Maximum

24.15kPa

Deviator Stress
3

1250kPa

5.92%

Maximum

120.80kPa

Deviator Stress
4

1500kPa

19.39%

Maximum

143.80kPa

Deviator Stress
Table 4.8 Mode of failure

Figure 4.11 Failure Shape (Low Stress)

Figure4.12 Failure Shape (High Stress)

52

From figure 4.11, it shows the failure shape occurred from the low stress
condition failure while from figure 4.12 shows the condition failure for high stress.
Both of the failure shows the same failure pattern which is barrel shape. Barrel shape
failure is similar to cohesive soil for clay failure pattern.

From Table 4.8, it shows the different value of axial strain and shear strength
of each specimen. The higher shear strength shown was sample 4 with 143.8kPa and
its axial strain is 19.39% when failure occurred. Mode of failure for all samples are
Maximum deviator Stress or also known as Maximum Allowable Strain.

4.6 Summary

This chapter discussed about the results that have been obtained from the test
has been carried out. The analysis then will be used to elaborate the information for
conclusion of the study and fulfill the objectives of the study.

From the analysis and result, conclusion can be drawn. There are several
factors that contributed to the failure of proving the theory. Some of them are the
influence of soil particle, depth from the ground surface and the moisture content of
the specimen. Although the study fulfills the objectives, there is some
recommendation that will be carried out as a guideline for future research for a better
result.

53

CHAPTER 5

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Conclusion

From the previous chapter, all of the result and analysis had been discussed.
The study on the Mohr failure criteria for Kolej Datin Seri Endon clay from
Consolidated Undrained triaxial test were conducted and the conclusion can be
drawn. From the study, we can derive the following conclusion;

The undisturbed samples taken from the Kolej Datin Seri Endon, have
different Mohr failure criteria for both low and high stress as shown in table below.

54

Low Stress

Effective

Apparent

Effective stress

Total Stress

cohesion, c

cohesion, c

angle of

Angle of

friction,

friction,

4.82kPa

7.22kPa

9.980

5.550

22.7kPa

38.4kPa

6.830

3.670

Mohr Circle
High Stress
Mohr Circle
Table 5.1 Parameter of Mohr circle criteria

However, to get the best common tangent for Mohrs circle failure criteria,
the number of sample need to increased at least 3samples each test. By addition of
more sample conducted by the Consolidated Undrained triaxial test, then the best
common tangent can be achieved in order to get the value of cohesion and angle of
friction of the soil.

5.2 Recommendation

There are several recommendation regarding this study as a guideline for

future research, which is

1.

Test on the type of sample should be conducted, so that the soil can be
clearly known as in which type and their soil properties were easily
define. This is one ways to reduce error in the result

2.

Study of mineralogy and structure of soil must be carried for

undisturbed sample so that their exact volume, void and soil properties
can be determined.

3.

Try to avoid disturbance on sampling by following all the

specification needed for undisturbed sample

55

4.

Increasing the number of sampling to get the best common tangent for
Mohrs circle evaluation.

5.

The understanding and skill to used the laboratory equipment is also

important to neglect problem occurred during the test. By referring to
BS 1377 is useful in carried out the triaxial test. Manual book for the
equipment also give information in technical, problem and theoretical
develop. Guidance from technician that have higher skill in
conducting the laboratory test is also needed.

56

References

C. Venkatramaiah, Prof. (Retd.),Dept. of Civil Engineering, S.V. University College

Of Engineering Triputi, India (2006). Geotechnical Engineering 3rd Edition.

Holtz, R. D. and William, D K. (1981). An Introduction to Geotechnical

Engineering. Prentice Hall. New Jersey.

Nurly Ghofar, Khairul Anuar Kassim, UTM, Introduction To Geotechnical

Engineering Part 2. Pearson Prentice Hall.

BS 1377 Soil (1990). Soils for Engineering Purposes, Part 7 & 8, Shear Strength
Test.

Skempton, A.W and V.A Sowa (1963), The Behavior of Saturated Clays During
Sampling and Testing, Geotechnic, Vol. 13, No.4, p.269-290

Minna Karstunen, Martino Leoni, Geotechnic of Soft Soils- Focus on Ground

Improvement, 2009 Taylor & Francis Group, London, ISBN 978-0-415-47591-4

Al-Raziqi, A. A., Huat, B. B. K. and Munzir, H. A. (2003). Potential Usage of

Hyperbolic Method for Prediction of Organics Soil Settlement. In Proceeding of
2nd International Conferences on Advances in Soft Soil Engineering and
Technology, ed. Huat et al., Putrajaya Malaysia, 439-445.

Bishop, A. W. (1962). Measurement of Soil Properties in the Triaxial Test. Edward

Arnold Limited. London.

57

Whitlow, R. (2001). Basic Soil Mechanic. 4th edition. Pearson Education Limited.
England.

Bowles, J. E. (1979). Physical and geotechnical Properties of Soils. Mc Graw Hill.

United State of America.

Berry, P. L. (1983). Application of Consolidation Theory for Peat to the Design of a

Reclamation Scheme by Preloading. Q. J. Eng. Geol., London, 16(9):103-112.

British Standards Institution (1990). Methods of Test for Soils for Civil Engineering
Purposes. London,BS 1377.

Head, K.H. (1981). Manual of Soil laboratory Testing, Volume 1,2 and 3. Pentech
Press, London.
Holtz, R. D. and William, D K. (1981). An Introduction to Geotechnical
Engineering. Prentice Hall. New Jersey.

58

APPENDIX A
Saturation Stage

Table for Saturation Stage

Sample 1
Cell Pressure, kPa

B value

45.9

0.278

99.3

0.752

149.5

0.956

Sample 2
Cell Pressure, kPa

B value

49.9

0.249

99.7

0.983

Sample 3
Cell Pressure, kPa

B value

46.6

0.595

99.3

0.976

Sample 4
Cell Pressure, kPa

B value

53.5

0.728

99.1

0.830

148.7

0.896

199.3

0.972

59

APPENDIX B
Consolidation Stage

Table for Consolidation Stage for Low Stress applied

Sample No.

Sample 1=50kPa

Sample 2=100kPa

Time- Square Root Mean

Volume change, mL

Volume change, mL

0
0.39
0.45
0.5
0.56
0.63
0.71
0.8
0.89
1
1.13
1.26
1.41
1.59
1.78
2
2.24
2.52
2.83
3.07
3.45
3.87
4.35
4.88
5.48
6.15
6.9
7.75
8.72
9.75
10.95

0.00
0.8
0.8
0.81
0.82
0.82
0.84
0.85
0.85
0.86
0.87
0.88
0.89
0.9
0.92
0.94
0.96
1
1.03
1.07
1.1
1.15
1.2
1.27
1.32
1.42
1.69
1.93
2.14
2.3
2.47

0.00
1.47
1.8
1.81
1.81
1.82
1.82
1.85
1.85
1.88
1.89
1.89
1.92
1.94
2.22
2.34
2.56
2.67
3.03
3.07
3.1
3.15
3.2
3.27
3.32
3.42
3.69
3.93
4.14
4.3
4.47

60

12.29
13.78
15.49
17.38
19.52
21.91
24.6
27.6
30.98
32.86
35.5

2.71
3.05
3.24
3.61
3.63
3.56
3.6
3.63
3.63
3.64
3.64

4.71
5.05
5.24
5.25
5.25
5.36
5.46
5.63
5.63
5.64
5.64

Table for Consolidation Stage for High Stress

Sample No.

Sample 3=1250kPa

Sample 4=1500kPa

Time- Square Root Mean

Volume Change, mL

Volume Change, mL

0.03
0.84
0.97
1.09
1.24
1.4
1.58
1.81
2.04
2.27
2.55
2.81
3.14
3.49
3.9
4.38
4.9
5.51
6.19
6.73
7.57
8.49
9.51
10.59
11.71
12.85
13.94
14.89

0.00
2.05
3.18
3.3
3.45
3.61
3.79
4.02
4.25
4.48
4.76
5.02
5.35
5.7
6.11
6.59
7.11
7.72
8.4
8.94
9.78
10.7
11.72
12.8
13.92
15.06
16.15
17.1

0
0.39
0.45
0.5
0.56
0.63
0.71
0.8
0.89
1
1.13
1.26
1.41
1.59
1.78
2
2.24
2.52
2.83
3.07
3.45
3.87
4.35
4.88
5.48
6.15
6.9
7.75

61

8.72
9.75
10.95
12.29
13.78
15.49
17.38
19.52
21.91
24.6
27.6
30.98
32.86

15.55
16
16.34
16.34
16.47
16.54
16.62
16.63
16.6
16.93
17.7
16.98
16.94

17.76
18.21
18.55
18.55
18.68
18.75
18.83
18.84
18.81
19.14
19.14
19.19
19.15

Suumarized Data from Consolidation Stage

Sample No.

Final Density

Final Volume, V c

1(50kPa)

1.81 Mg/m3

82.553cm3

2(150kPa)

1.94 Mg/m3

80.553cm3

3(1250kPa)

2.38 Mg/m3

68.493cm3

4(1500kPa)

2.42 Mg/m3

67.003cm3

62

APPENDIX C
Shearing Stage

Table for Shearing Stage for Low Stress

Sample 1 =50kPa
Deviator Stress, kPa

Axial Strain, %

0
4.1
7.6
11.4
11.4
12.4
15
18.7
22.3
22.2
25
25.6
25.5
25.3
25.1
24.3

0
2
4.58
4.79
4.99
5.5
5.99
6.48
6.99
7.49
8
8.51
9
9.5
10.01
10.52
Sample 2 =150kPa

Deviator Stress, kPa

Axial Strain, %

0
28
25.9
27.8
25.8
26.8
35.3
38.3
38.8
36.7
34.6

0.01
0.26
0.5
0.71
0.91
1.45
1.97
2.5
3.02
3.52
4.05

63

34.4
37.2
41.6
45.1
47.8
48.3
48
47.8
47.5
44.7

4.57
5.09
5.61
6.11
6.63
7.15
7.65
8.17
8.7
9.23

Table for Shearing Stage of High Stress

Sample 3 =1250kPa
Deviator Stress, kPa

Axial Strain, %

0
5.2784
49.4029
57.7325
47.1757
41.8973
46.8458
56.7428
66.9697
86.7637
117.1145
136.5786
186.3935
225.6516
237.1981
240.827
220.0433
194.3111

0
0.01
0.23
0.45
0.66
0.88
1.38
1.89
2.39
2.92
3.41
3.9
4.4
4.91
5.41
5.92
6.41
6.9
Sample 4 =1500kPa

Deviator Stress, kPa

5.3
133.7
150.9
145.7
155.8
197.9
222.1
233.7

Axial Strain, %
0
7.6
8.83
9.09
10.24
12.59
17.23
17.7

64

244
257.1
266.7
276.1
281.9
285.3
284.1
286.4
287.6
285.8
276.2
263.9

18.09
18.13
18.09
18.57
18.12
18.36
18.68
18.91
19.39
19.78
20.49
21.36

Combined Mohr Circle for Low Stress

Mohr Circle

Shear Stress

Shear Stress, KPa

180
170
160
150
140
130
120
110
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

Sample1= 50kPa
sample3=150kPa

c=7.22

'= 9.980

c'=4.82

=5.550

50

sample1'=50kPa
sample3'=150kPa

100

150

200

Normal Stress

250

300

65

Combined Mohrs Cicle for High Stress

Shear Stress

Mohr Circle
800

Sample5=125
0kPa

700

Sample6=150
0kPa

600

sample5'=12
50kPa

500
400
300

'=6.830
=3.670

c'=
22.7kPa
c=
38.4kPa

200
100
0
0

500

1000

1500

Normal Stress

Summarized data from Mohr Circle

Sample No.

Cell Pressure

Strain

Mode Of

Shear Strength

Failure
1

50kPa

7.15%

Maximum

12.80kPa

Deviator Stress
2

100kPa

8.51%

Maximum

24.15kPa

Deviator Stress
3

1250kPa

5.92%

Maximum

120.80kPa

Deviator Stress
4

1500kPa

19.39%

Maximum
Deviator Stress

143.80kPa