pp. 2 8 5-94.

Australian Road Research 13(4), December 1983,

A Field Study of In Situ California

Bearing Ratio and Dynamic Cone
Penetrometer Testing for Road
Subgrade Investigations

R.B. SMITH
Senior Scientific Officer.
Department of Main Roads,
P.O. Box 240, Parramatta, N.S.W. 2150.

D.N. PRATT
Investigations Officer,
Department of Main Roads,
P.O. Box 198, Haymarket, N.S.W. 2000.

ABSTRACT

Field tests were carried out to determine the repeatability of results obtained from both the in situ
California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test and the Scala dynamic cone penetrometer, and the correla-
tion between results of both tests. Testing was carried out under field conditions so results are
those expected under such conditions rather than under ideal laboratory-type' conditions. The
materials tested consisted of a subgrade of mottled clay in which iron nodules had developed and
an imported subgrade of yellow clay with sandstone nodules. Results indicated that the coeffi-
cient of variation of a CBR for the particular material at one test location could be of the order of
60 per cent whilst that of the cone penetrometer could be of the order of 40 per cent. The correla-
tion between the two tests was found to be best represented by an inverse relationship. It was also
found that, for the material tested, in situ results were generally lower than those obtained in the
laboratory from samples compacted at field moisture content and density.

Introduction
With the trend away from empirical methods of pave-
ment design based on classification test data, there has
been increased interest in California Bearing Ratio
(CBR) testing. Much of the CBR testing is laboratory
oriented but in situ testing is becoming more widespread.
This paper describes an investigation used to evaluate
the in situ CBR and the dynamic cone penetrometer
(DCP) tests.
Literature Review
Very little appears to have been written on the correla-
tion between dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP) test
results and in situ CBR results.
(with direct CBR reading) and the normal in situ CBR
equipment would give the same results. Sanglerat (1972)
in his review only cited the work of the Australian, Scala,
in respect of research into the correlation between in situ
CBR results and cone penetrometer test results.
It appears that such investigations are not routinely
carried out in France (Sanglerat 1976; Lareal, Sanglerat
and Geilly 1976). de Garidel-Thoron and Javor (1983)
reported on the recent development in France of a small
dynamic penetrometer to estimate CBR value. In
Belgium a dynamic core penetrometer has been
developed in which a 10 kg drop hammer is dropped 50
cm (Centre de Recherches, Routieres 1980). The Belgian
workers found that their apparatus was only suited to
soil ranging from silt to fine sandy soils. They found that
with the relationship
log CBR = 1.31 log (mm/blow) + 2.58

Key (1964) compared in situ CBR results and a
static cone penetrometer developed by the United
Kingdom Military Engineering Experimental Establish-
ment. He concluded that on a uniform heavy clay soil, in
the range of CBR between 2 to 15, the penetrometer
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors wish to thank the Commissioner for Main Roads,
Mr B.N. Loder, for permission to publish this paper. The opi-
nions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily
those of the Department of Main Roads, New South Wales.
the 95 per cent confidence interval is situated between
0.70 and 1.40 times the calculated value. Schmertmann
(1978) in his review only referred to correlations bet-
ween in situ CBR and the static cone penetrometer. It
would appear, however, that most of the work in
Australia is based on and follows the work of Scala
(1956).
Scala developed a dynamic cone and then carried
out correlation studies between the in situ CBR and his
DCP, and between the in situ CBR and the static cone
penetrometer. The DCP developed by Scala has a point

Australian Road Research, 13(4), December 1983

285
 SMITH, PRATT -ROAD SUBGR ADE INVESTIGATIONS

angle of 30, a cross-sectional area at its greatest width of 1st Phase

322 mm' (1/2 sq. in), and a drop mass of 9.08 kg (20 Ib)
falling 508 mm (20 in). With metrication the various
States in Australia have adopted slightly different
dimensions and tolerances.
The Scala cone penetrometer was modified and
simplified by van Vuuren (1969) in Zimbabwe who con-
cluded that the correlation between his cone and in situ
CBR 'is remarkably good and that the difference in CBR
results obtained by the two different approaches was
usually only a few CBR' (p. 854).
In Australia, much of the work performed to deter-
mine the correlation between the in situ CBR procedure
and the Scala DCP has accepted the premise that only
one in situ CBR test site is necessary. Scala (1956) noted
that serious discrepancies were sometimes encountered
between results of duplicate tests but this comment does
not appear to have been heeded by later researchers. For
instance, Morris (1976) and Morris, Potter and
Armstrong (1977) apparently based their correlations on
a single in situ CBR value per site.
This paper is an extension of the work described by
Smith (1983).
Testing Details
Testing was performed on both the subgrade and im-
ported subgrade of an experimental pavement at
Plumpton on the western outskirts of Sydney. The
subgrade consisted of mottled clay in which iron nodules
had developed whilst the imported subgrade consisted of
yellow clay with sandstone nodules. Average results of
classification tests for each layer are given in Table I.
Data were collected under field conditions which
meant that work had to be carried out accurately but
speedily. Results represent, therefore, what could be ex-
pected under field conditions rather than under ideal
laboratory-type' conditions.
In the first phase of the investigation, 30 test sites were
excavated in the existing pavement to the approximate
finished subgrade level. The excavations were approx-
imately 1 m2 in area. At each site three in situ CBR tests
were carried out in a line at approximately 150 mm spac-
ings. Three sand replacement density in situ tests were
performed adjacent to the CBR sites and material was
excavated for laboratory CBR testing. The test pro-
cedures are described in Department of Main Roads,
N.S.W. (DMR) (1975). Testing was performed im-
mediately after excavation of the test site. The results
are given in Table II.
2nd Phase
The second phase, carried out during construction, con-
sisted of in situ CBR (DMR Test Method T118) and
cone penetrometer testing (DMR Test Method T161).
Testing was carried out just prior to the addition of
material for the next layer (i.e. generally the day after
the respective layer had been compacted and shaped).
Compaction was generally between 95 and 100 per cent
standard. The results are given in Tables III and IV.
Three in situ CBR tests were again carried out at
each selected site in a line at 150 mm spacing on the
compacted surface of the layer. Moisture contents were
taken from the layer 50 mm to 150 mm below the com-
pacted surface at each penetration site. Tests were car-
ried out at the same site for each layer.
The DCP tests were carried out on the surface of the
imported subgrade. Three penetrations were made ap-
proximately 1 m apart to form a triangle with the in situ
CBR test location as the centroid. For the imported
subgrade the number of blows to drive the penetrometer
50 mm into the surface was taken as the reading (see
Table IV). The imported subgrade was 200 mm thick.
For the subgrade, therefore, the relevant penetration
figure was that which occurred at approximately 250 mm
below the surface level (see Table III). Change of layer

TABLE I
Properties of Materials
Subgrade Imported Subgrade
Test Property
Mean t Standard Mean t Standard
Deviation Deviation

T106 Material retained on 19.0 mm sieve (%) 1.21 1.63 4.23 4.39

T106 Material passing 9.5 mm sieve* (%) 97.21 1.66 97.53 1.85

Material passing 4.75 mm sieve* (%) 88.23 4.65 95.00 2.39

Material passing 2.36 mm sieve* (%) 77.03 9.09 92.37 2.54

T107 Material passing 425 gm sieve** (%) 90.76 4.81 92.00 1.41

Material passing 75 gm sieve** (%) 73.28 8.14 51.40 2.43

Material less than 13.5 gm** (%) 48.03 8.17 36.90 2.60

TIO8 Liquid Limit 39.29 7.06 38.48 3.59

T109 Plastic Limit 16.29 3.15 13.82 1.55

TI13 Linear Shrinkage (%) 11.05 2.63 8.37 2.24

T1 1 1 Maximum dry density (t/m 3) 1.88 0.09 1.90 0.03

Optimum moisture content (%) 14.90 1.96 13.03 0.96

Expressed as percentage of material passing 19.0 mm sieve

** Expressed as percentage of material passing 2.36 mm sieve
t Recorded to 2 decimal places for statistical purposes only

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286
 SMITH, PRATT-ROAD SUBGR ADE INVESTIGATIONS

TABLE II
Dry Density CBR and Moisture Content Results:
Subgrade Prior to Reconstruction
Dry Density In Situ CBR Moisture Content
(tIm3) (%) Immediately Under
CBR (%)

sd CV Mean sd CV Mean sd CV
Site Mean
3.73 48.25 14.23 1.10 7.73
1 1.73 0.08 4.62 7.73
0.04 2.14 16.00 3.46 21.63 13.70 0.00
2 1.87
15.67 2.52 16.08 13.10 1.39 10.30
3 1.96 0.05 2.55
10.53 2.54 24.12 13.20 1.49 11.29
4 1.96 0.14 7.14
5.00 14.67 16.79 114.45 13.77 1.17 8.50
5 1.80 0.09
5.38 14.83 8.10 54.62 15.37 0.35 2.28
6 1.86 0.10
6.01 9.83 1.26 12.82 16.13 0.29 1.80
7 1.83 0.11
5.64 4.53 1.67 36.87 14.63 1.29 8.82
8 1.95 0.11
0.10 4.67 29.33 12.22 41.66 15.10 2.72 18.01
9 2.14
0.05 2.53 18.77 9.94 52.96 16.30 7.14 43.80
10 1.98
0.04 2.33 21.67 2.08 9.60 9.63 0.47 4.88
11 1.72
0.06 3.00 40.67 1.53 3.76 7.40 0.17 2.30
12 2.00
0.07 3.80 58.33 2.52 4.32 7.30 1.30 17.81
13 1.84
2.05 0.04 1.95 22.67 4.51 19.89 8.47 0.75 8.85
14
1.83 0.02 1.09 39.33 4.04 10.27 10.50 1.10 10.48
15
0.05 3.03 8.73 1.63 18.67 17.87 1.12 6.27
16 1.65
1.98 0.03 1.52 19.67 0.58 2.95 11.33 0.15 1.32
17
2.18 0.04 1.83 53.67 2.08 3.88 6.30 0.10 1.59
18
1.80 0.04 2.22 22.00 1.00 4.55 12.60 0.61 4.84
19
20 1.86 0.03 1.61 12.67 1.53 12.08 11.97 1.36 11.36
21 1.99 0.05 2.51 18.67 0.58 3.11 13.67 1.00 7.32
22 1.92 0.05 2.60 56.33 5.03 8.93 9.50 1.18 12.42
23 1.95 0.07 2.59 22.00 1.73 7.86 8.67 0.25 2.88
24 2.10 0.04 1.90 58.33 4.04 6.93 5.77 1.53 26.52
25 2.00 0.08 4.00 37.00 1.73 4.68 5.57 1.12 20.11
26 1.83 0.03 1.64 33.67 4.73 14.05 9.27 1.48 15.97
27 1.60 0.04 2.50 11.67 0.58 4.97 20.93 1.89 9.03
28 1.74 0.03 1.72 8.87 1.00 11.27 14.37 2.34 16.28
29 1.78 0.03 1.69 24.67 1.15 4.66 15.37 2.64 17.18
30 1.68 0.05 2.98 10.63 1.58 14.86 12.80 1.56 12.19

was readily detected and the rate of penetration re-
mained fairly constant for up to 100 mm past that point.
Close level control meant that surface irregularities
could be readily taken into consideration. Analyses were
carried out separately for each of the two materials.
CVs were used to decribe variation of testing.
Variation within a site was in many instances as great as
overall variation. Such variation would mask the action
and interaction of variables and therefore an analysis of
variation was not undertaken. Table VI details the
various correlation coefficients for CBR test data.

Test Results An ersatz analysis involved testing whether the

For experimental purposes each CBR was recorded to
the nearest 0.1 per cent for all values under 20. All
moisture contents were calculated to the nearest 0.1 per
cent. As is the custom, DCP readings were calculated to
the nearest 0.1 blows/25 mm. For statistical purposes the
figures in Tables 11 and /// are given to the nearest 0.01.
From Tables II , III and IV it can be seen that the
results are quite variable. Such variation would be ex-
pected between sites because of different levels of com-
paction, moisture content and material quality. The
coefficients of variation (CVs) were calculated for each
property for the sets of three results at each site and rele-
vant comparisons were made.
As can be seen from Table V , it could be expected
that in 95 per cent of cases the CV for CBR test results
would be less than 60 per cent in the case of the
subgrade, both before and after reconstruction, and 50
per cent in the case of the imported subgrade. For the
DCP, in 95 per cent of cases the CV would be less than
40 per cent in the case of the imported subgrade and 31
per cent in the case of the subgrade.
CVs of CBR values were dependent on moisture con-
tents and density.
For the subgrade before reconstruction the CV of
CBR was dependent on the mean CBR (r = -0.35), and
also CV and mean of dry density (r = 0.48) at 0.05 level.
Note that this was the only case where density tests were
performed.
None of the other correlation coefficients were sig-
nificant. It is suggested, therefore, that for the sites
tested CBR results may be density rather than moisture
dependent.
The degree of compaction at each test site would
have been fairly uniform but the results could be depen-
dent on the material properties. It is possible that the
variable results were caused by large particles just under
the piston during testing or due to other material varia-
tion. The CV of the in situ CBR test is also dependent on
inherent variability of the test. For instance, Blakeley
(1965) has shown that laboratory CBR is dependent on
the moisture content at compaction and the curing con-
ditions prior to penetration. Also, the field equipment is
subject to more variation than laboratory equipment. At

Australian Road Research, 13(4), December 1983 287

 SMITH, PRATT - ROAD SUBGR ADE INVESTIGATIONS

TABLE III

CBR, Moisture Content and Penetration Results:

Material 1 -Subgrade
CBR Moisture Content Penetration
(%) (%) (Blows12.5 min)
Mean sd CV Mean sd CV Mean sd CV
20.33 2.57 12.64 18.40 0.50 2.72 2.53 0.70 27.67
12.0 1.73 14.42 15.37 2.11 13.37 2.70 1.25 46.30
12.33 4.04 32.77 17.93 2.00 11.15 1.47 0.42 28.57
8.23 4.65 56.50 14.73 5.39 36.59 0.57 0.05 8.77
17.67 6.51 36.84 18.53 1.79 9.66 1.67 0.52 31.14
34.67 10.07 29.05 8.10 1.90 23.46 1.87 0.29 15.51
44.67 7.51 16.81 11.73 2.75 23.44 6.57 1.33 20.24
19.33 8.74 45.21 17.47 0.51 2.92 2.33 N=1
21.67 1.53 7.06 16.43 1.27 7.73 1.87 0.45 24.06
55.0 4.36 7.93 12.63 1.10 8.71 2.47 0.29 11,.W4
49.0 10.39 21.20 14.33 0.57 3.98 2.6 N=1
37.67 6.66 17.68 13.23 0.29 2.19 2.53 0.92 36.36
59.0 31.95 54.15 10.57 0.64 6.05 4.17 0.33 7.91
78.67 17.61 22.38 10.73 1.57 14.63 3.57 0.86 24.09
135.67 9.02 6.65 12.87 3.42 26.57 3.97 0.78 19.65
55.67 1.53 2.75 10.00 0.43 4.30 3.60 1.04 28.89
34.67 23.00 66.34 10.93 1.36 12.44 4.57 0.31 6.78
13.0 2.65 20.38 8.57 1.50 17.50 2.03 0.37 18.23
32.33 4.62 14.29 16.53 4.33 26.19 5.87 0.79 13.46
41.0 1.73 4.22 8.37 0.35 4.18 4.70 0.81 17.23
41.0 25.71 62.71 9.13 1.72 18.84 5.17 0.86 16.63
18.33 2.31 12..60 10.97 2.48 22.61 4.50 0.14 3.11
88.00 38.97 44.28 13.47 6.62 49.15 8.33 1.67 20.05
32.67 2.52 7.71 10.93 0.21 1.92 5.37 2.37 44.13
5.67 1.98 34.92 10.07 1.97 19.56 3.37 0.83 24.63
1.10 0.30 27.27 11.83 3.26 27.56 1.67 0.38 22.75
3.35 14.10 2.20 0.65 29.55
2.23 1.20 53.81 17.63 1.75 9.93 2.50 0.78 31.20
3.97 1.95 49.12 9.10 0.10 1.10 3.17 0.26 8.20
1.43 1.06 74.13 15.43 2.55 16.53 1.80 0.14 7.78
65.67 20.21 30.78 17.47 0.55 3.15
39.00 18.08 46.36 16.00 0.52 3.25
19.67 1.53 7.78 10.07 1.97 19.56
12.00 3.00 25.00 19.07 1.19 6.24
24.67 6.81 27.60 16.30 1.57 9.63

times most of the effort is taken in causing the truck
springs to expand, lifting the body away from the ground
rather than penetrating the soil. Also, the truck is on the
point of equilibrium with its springs, meaning that the
truck is susceptible to wind and traffic motion. The
penetration rate becomes somewhat variable. It is
reasonable to expect, therefore, that in extremely varia-
ble materials the CVs would be higher.
In the case of the DCP the test sites were approx-
imately 1 in apart. In this case the material variability
would have caused at least some of the variance because
the penetrometer readings were taken at approximately
I m from each other at the test site. Under more variable
conditions higher CVs might be expected. In each case
the CVs of tests carried out on the imported subgrade
were less than those of tests carried out on the subgrade.
This is consistent with the classification test data given
in Table I where the CVs of the test data were lower for
the selected subgrade than for the subgrade for material
passing the 19 mm sieve.
Relationship Between CBR and DCP
Data
DCP data were expressed in the usual units of mm/blow.
Data were analysed using SPSS Program REGRESSION
(Kim and Kohout 1975) separately for the mean CBR
and mean penetration of the subgrade, imported
subgrade, and for combined results. The data given by
Scala (1956) were also analysed separately and combined
with the current data.
A variety of regressions was attempted. The highest
correlation coefficients were achieved with log/log and
inverse relationships. The results of all data, including
that of Scala, together with the regression line are shown
in Fig. I.
The log/log regression is:
log (CBR) - 1.145 log (PENETRATION) + 2.555
(mm/blow)
The inverse regression equation is:
322.097
CBR = PENETRATION - 1.738
Results from the Rooty Hill trial conform to a log/log
relationship as proposed by Scala (1956).
Inverse relationships gave better correlation for
Rooty Hill data (r = 0.78 cf. 0.60). A good case is not
made, however, to contradict the earlier work as the
log/log relationship gives a better fit for the combined
data (r = 0.85 cf. 0.77 for the inverse relationship).

288 Australian Road Research, 13(4), December 1983

 SMITH, PRATT-ROAD SUBGR ADE INVESTIGATIONS

TABLE IV
CBR, Moisture Content and Penetration Results:
Material 2 - Imported Subgrade
CBR Moisture Content Penetration
(%) (%) (Blows/15 mm)

Mean sd CV Mean sd CV Mean sd CV

47.00 7.94 16.89 12.70 0.20 1.57 2.77 0.56 20.22

48.67 15.31 31.46 10.40 0.10 0.96 2.35 0.93 29.57
21.67 1.16 5.35 13.53 0.65 4.80 1.77 0.33 18.64
33.67 5.77 17.14 11.07 0.60 5.42 2.03 0.05 2.46
22.00 4.58 20.82 10.27 0.55 5.36 1.40 0.14 10.00
25.00 2.65 10.60 13.30 1.65 12.41
25.67 2.89 11.26 14.00 1.01 7.21 2.30 0.05 2.17
36.00 2.00 5.56 8.33 0.97 11.64
36.67 3.06 8.34 8.07 0.23 2.85 1.82 0.52 28.57
80.33 10.69 13.31 9.00 6.73 4.18 62.11
53.00 5.20 9.81 8.37 1.70 20.31
130.50 8.90 0.20 2.25
123.33 1.53 1.24 8.23 0.72 8.75 4.10 2.30 56.10
90.33 27.15 30.06 9.93 1.06 10.67 5.43 1.45 26.70
148.67 15.95 10.73 6.20 0.30 4.84
53.33 32.04 60.08 9.17 0.84 9.16
198.67 12.59 6.34 5.10 2.25 44.12 6.9 N=1
157.50 6.80 0.46 6.76 8.90 0.53 5.96
107.00 52.83 44.37 8.43 0.21 2.49 8.40 0.83 9.88
263.00 6.60 0.52 7.88 22.13 4.78 21.60
150.33 72.23 48.05 7.03 0.61 8.68
45.67 10.79 23.63 10.93 0.06 0.55
76.33 11.59 15.18 11.27 0.85 7.54
83.33 3.22 3.86 10.13 1.36 13.43 3.33 0.62 18.62
47.30 36.88 77.97 7.73 2.72 35.19 4.60 0.32 6.96
56.33 3.51 6.23 11.70 0.92 7.86
54.33 7.10 13.07 9.83 0.25 2.54 2.40 0.45 18.75
57.33 15.31 26.71 8.07 3.44 42.63 3.10 0.65 20.97
40.00 9.54 23.85 12.17 0.31 2.55 4.90 0.29 5.92
42.67 2.08 4.87 12.53 1.00 7.98 2.27 0.54 23.79
41.33 17.10 41.37 11.80 0.75 6.36 2.00 0.62 31.00
28.00 2.65 9.46 12.23 0.25 2.04 2.70 0.49 18.15
14.67 1.16 7.91 11.47 1.17 10.20 3.03 0.89 29.37
39.67 2.08 5.24 11.04 0.77 6.96 4.43 0.33 7.45
36.67 15.14 41.29 11.00 1.05 9.55 4.97 0.56 11.27
28.67 6.11 21.31 11.50 1.51 13.13 2.03 0.05 2.46
41.33 2.31 5.59 12.43 0.51 4.10 1.90 0.45 23.68
28.33 5.51 19.45 11.87 0.49 4.13 2.17 0.09 4.15
32.00 2.00 6.25 11.77 0.05 0.42 2.63 0.38 14.45
34.00 15.59 45.85 10.53 0.64 6.08 3.77 1.26 33.42
42.33 14.43 34.09 10.17 0.25 2.46 3.13 0.76 24.28
72.33 0.58 0.80 10.27 0.95 9.25 3.00 0.93 31.00

TABLE V
Coefficients of Variation
at Various Percentiles
Coefficient of Variation
Material Test
50th 95th
Percentile Percentile

Subgrade prior to reconstruction CBR 15 58

Subgrade after CBR 27 57
compaction Penetrometer 23 31
Imported subgrade CBR 13 48
after compaction Penetrometer 20 40

Good correlation indicates that two different
methods of testing are measuring essentially the same
material property. A coefficient of 0.85 is quite en-
couraging for a material as variable as soil.
Presentation of a regression equation naturally
leads to the temptation to translate results of one test to
the other. Such practice could lead to quite consistent er-
rors for a particular material type or condition that may
not have been adequately represented in the original
work.
If a correlation were to be obtained for each material
a large number of sites per material is required and the

Australian Road Research, 13(4), December 1983 289

 SMITH, PRATT-ROAD SUBGR ADE INVESTIGATIONS

TABLE VI
Correlation Coefficients for CBR Test Data
Material

Property Subgrade Subgrade Imported

beibre after Siebgrade
ReconsmIction Compaction alter
Compaction

CV of CBR versus CV of moisture content

top 30 mm under piston 0.12

CV of CBR versus mean moisture content

top 30 mm under piston 0.23

CV of CBR versus CV of moisture content

50 mm to 150 mm below piston 0.13 0.18

CV of CBR versus mean moisture content

50 mm to 150 mm below piston 0.24 0.10

CV of CBR versus mean CBR -0.35 -0.24 -0.01

CV of CBR versus CV of dry density 0.48

Mean CBR versus mean dry density 0.48

200.0

180.0

160.0

140.0

120.0
log (CBR) = - 1.145 log (PENETRATION) + 2.555
CBR
100.0 (mm/blow)
(%)
(r = 0.85)
80.0

60.0
.
2
3
2
40.0 .2 2 2
22 **
032 2 5
oe 2 3
32
20.0 500.
2.632
2 2 712
2510-5_3_1D.
95 _
2 2 2 5 5 3
0.0
00 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0 90.0 100.0 110.0 120.0 130.0 140.0 150.0 160.0

Penetration mm/blow
Fig. 1 -CBR v. penetration

time taken to perform the study would be high com-
pared to the benefits. The time would be better spent ob-
taining additional cone penetrometer results at addi-
tional sites. Hence the adoption of an acceptable rela-
tionship is justified. Such adoption should not reduce the
time spent obtaining information. The cone
penetrometer provides information for several layers at
once. Many sites can generally be tested in the time
taken to perform the required number of CBR tests on
various layers at one site.
As the experimental pavement consisted of six dis-
tinct sections, analyses were performed to determine the
effect of the adoption of the inverse relationship on the
CBR value for the in situ subgrade and imported
subgrade in each section. Data are given in Table VII.
Results in Table V// give the 10th percentile CBR
values from in situ CBR testing using the standard
method of analysis (i.e. using mean of three results).
Each individual CBR test result at the site and cone
penetrometer result (average of three) are converted to
CBR values. Because the cone penetrometer results were
some distance from each other it was considered that the
mean value was the most appropriate value to adopt in
that case.
It can be seen that none of the three methods of
reducing results yields a consistently lower figure than
the other two methods. Whilst it may be appropriate to
take the mean in situ CBR value at a site as a reasonable
assessment of the CBR at that site, it would appear to be
more appropriate to use individual figures and obtain the
10th percentile value from these to determine the repre-
sentative CBR for a section. This is particularly the case
where individual results can be affected by a stone under
the piston and the like.
In seven cases the 10th percentile CBR determined
from individual results was lower than that for the 10th

290 Australian Road Research, 13(4), December 1983

 SMITH, PRATTROAD SUBGR ADE INVESTIGATIONS

TABLE VII
10th Percentile CBR Values for Each Section and Layer Determined from Mean In Situ CBR Value per
Site, Individual Values of In Situ CBR, and Cone Penetrometer Results
Section Layer 10th 10th CBR.from
Percentile Percentile Cone
Mean CBR Individual Penetrometer
CBR

Subgrade 12 13 19
Imported Subgrade 21 21 15

2 Subgrade 8 13 6
Imported Subgrade 36 36 24

3 Subgrade 12 15 19
Imported Subgrade 53 67 62

4 Subgrade 53 34 16
Imported Subgrade 45 41 30

5 Subgrade 13 17 26
Imported Subgrade 14 16 22

6 Subgrade 1.1 1.1 17

Imported Subgrade 28 25 24

percentile from mean results. In five cases the reverse
was true.
In Section 6 where in situ CBR values were very low
the cone penetrometer grossly over-estimated the CBR
using the inverse relationship. The reason is unclear but
the subgrade in Section 6 was soft, wet and spongy when
tested by in situ CBR and may have been more fully
compacted and may have dried out during placement of
the imported subgrade. Also, cone penetrometer read-
ings are taken when the cone has penetrated approx-
imately 50 mm whereas in situ CBR results are taken at a
penetration of 2.5 mm. This means that in situ CBR is
more susceptible to water on the surface. Section 6 was
inundated but surface dry just prior to CBR testing. It
was apparent from the surface that a calculated CBR of
17 from penetrometer readings was unrealistically high.
Overall the cone penetrometer gave results as ac-
ceptable as the in situ CBR. Certainly if the time taken to
undertake in situ CBR testing had been applied to addi-
tional cone penetrometer testing the derived CBR
results would show more clearly the variation one would
expect in a section of pavement.
Because'of the variability in results from in situ CBR
testing, it is considered that for pavement design pur-
poses the cone penetrometer test is just as acceptable as
the in situ CBR.
Relationship Between In Situ CBR
and Laboratory CBR Compacted at
Field Moisture and Density
As mentioned earlier, samples of subgrade were taken
prior to compaction to determine laboratory CBR values
at field moisture content and density. The specimens
were prepared in duplicate. Field density and moisture
contents were determined from samples obtained during
density in situ testing. Where the moisture content or
density varied at the site, either the mean value or the
more common value was adopted if two results were
similar and one different. The moisture content of the
sample was adjusted to the required moisture content
and allowed to cure. The material was placed in a mould
in three equal layers, each layer being compacted using
dynamic compaction such that the overall density re-
quired was achieved. A combination of compaction by a
standard rammer and a Kango hammer was used.
Results were analysed using a t-test for paired
results and a correlation coefficient. This analysis was
done to assure that duplicate sampling, and testing,
would produce consistent (repeatable) results. A high
correlation was indicated between each piece of data per
pair (Table VIII ). There was no significant difference
overall between pairs of data with the moisture content
(t = 0.52) being more uniform than the dry density at
compaction (t = 1.14) which in turn was more uniform
than the CBR (t = 1.90). Nevertheless, correlation bet-
ween pairs of data was highest for the CBR. This means
that whilst there was some variation within pairs of data
the overall ranking of results was similar. Mean results
for each pair of data are given in Table VIII.
The relationship between in situ CBR and laborato-
ry CBR is shown in Fig. 2. A correlation coefficient of
0.65 was calculated.
However, a correlation coefficient of 0.83 was
achieved by arbitrary exclusion of the two pairs of data,
circled on Fig. 2. The degree of correlation was not im-
proved, however, by the exclusion of data where mean
field dry density and mean laboratory density showed
gross variations.
Regression equations for these data were mislead-
ing. Fig. 2 shows a scattering of points. For example, a
remoulded CBR of around 30 could be seen to corres-
pond to an in situ CBR of between about 12 and 32 or
possibly up to 58. This is consistent with results reported
by Black (1961) where there was wide variation between
the two methods.
Black (1961) considered the variation to be due to
different porewater pressures affecting test results. Also,
the confining effect of the rigid mould in laboratory tests
tended to yield higher laboratory results, especially for
granular soils. In addition, there was variation between

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 SMITH, PRATT -ROAD SUBGR ADE INVESTIGATIONS

TABLE VIII
Mean Dry Densities, Moisture Contents and CBR Values for Pairs of CBR
Specimens Compacted at Field Moisture Content and Density
Site Thy Density Moisture Content CBR
(tIrn-9 (%) (%)

1 1.72 16.40 9.35

2 1.84 15.05 2.20
3 1.94 13.90 28.00
4 1.95 14.60 19.00
5 1.79 16.80 9.05
6 1.75 15.20 2.70
7 1.81 16.60 3.50
8 1.96 12.50 9.60
9 2.14 11.50 23.50
10 1.99 14.60 1.10
11 1.75 9.20 22.50
12 2.00 4.90 74.50
13 1.85 8.30 28.00
14 2.03 8.30 97.50
15 1.82 10.60 48.50
16 1.65 19.00 6.05
17 2.01 10.70 18.00
18 2.20 6.10 145.00
19 1.80 14.20 28.00
20 1.85 13.10 10.50
21 2.04 12.90 31.50
22 1.92 10.30 23.50
23 2.01 9.90 53.50
24 2.09 6.70 108.50
25 2.01 6.70 59.50
26 1.86 10.30 35.00
27 1.62 13.50 28.00
28 1.76 11.10 16.50
29 1.80 11.20 29.00
30 1.71 12.90 9.20

Paired t = 1.14 Paired t = 0.52 Paired t = 1.90

r = 0.963 r = 0.955 r = 0.976

so
O
0
54

48

42

In-situ CBR
36
(%)

30

24

18

12

0 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150

Laboratory CBR (%)

Fig. 2 -In situ CBR v. laboratory values

Australian Road Research, 13(4), December 1983

292
 SMITH, PRATTROAD SUBGRADE INVESTIGATIONS
the moisture and density values at the actual site of each
CBR penetration and those adopted for laboratory test-
ing. Whilst there was a degree of variation in moisture
content and density, a higher laboratory moisture con-
tent did not necessarily yield a laboratory CBR lower
than the in situ CBR for a given dry density or vice versa.
It would appear that porewater pressures and the confin-
ing effect of the mould were more important than the
moisture content and density at compaction in yielding
laboratory CBR values higher than the in situ figures. In
addition, the material in the field was probably rolled at
above the optimum moisture content for the plant used
whereas the laboratory samples were compacted at less
than optimum moisture content. As mentioned earlier,
Blakely (1965) has shown that the laboratory CBR is de-
pendent on the moisture content and the curing condi-
tions prior to compaction. There is no reason to expect
that this does not also apply to the field situation.
Where it is intended that pavement thickness
design be by means of the CBR, due attention should be
paid to the fact that CBR specimens tested in the
laboratory, after being prepared at field moisture content
and density, tend to give higher CBR values than those
which would be obtained in situ. This factor may be
specific to certain materials. The materials used in this
study were clays with hard nodules of sandstone or
ironstone. In such cases, laboratory testing of such sam-
ples should be discouraged and field testing performed.
For reasons set out in the previous section, field testing
should consist of a considerable number of cone
penetrometer results rather than a few in situ CBR
results.
Conclusion
Results indicate that the CV in CBR for a particular
material at one test location could be of the order of 60
per cent whilst that of the cone penetrometer could be of
the order of 40 per cent. An inverse relationship pro-
vided the best correlation between the tests for the
materials tested. In view of this the authors propose that
cone penetrometer testing be performed in preference to
in situ CBR testing.
The CBR values on material moulded at field
moisture content and density give values which are
generally higher than in situ CBR results. The authors
consider that in situ testing should be carried out in
preference to remoulding the samples at field moisture
content and density. Again, the cone penetrometer is
preferred.
Australian Road Research, 13(4), December 1983
REFERENCES
BLACK, W.P.M. (1961). The calculation of laboratory and in
situ values of California bearing ratio from bearing capacity
data. Geotechnique 11(1), pp. 14-21.
BLAKELEY, J.P. (1965). The California Bearing Ratio test on
loess. Road Res. Unit, Bull. 2, Nat. Roads Board, N.Z.
CENTRE DE RECHERCHES ROUTIERES (1980). Light per-
cussion sounding apparatus. C.R.R. leaflet A25.
de GARIDEL-THORON, R. and JAVOR, E. (1983). Un petit
penetrometre dynamique pour evaluer l'indice C.B.R.
Proc. Int. Symp. Soil and Rock Investigations by In Situ
Testing, Paris, Vol. 2, pp. 43-47.
DEPARTMENT OF MAIN ROADS, NEW SOUTH WALES
(1975 as amended). Materials testing manual. Volume 1:
Soils aggregate concrete.
KEY, J.W. (1964). An investigation to compare in situ CBR
values measured on a heavy clay with a prototype cone
penetrometer against those obtained with a standard ap-
paratus. Dept Sci. Industrial Res. Road Res. Lab. Lab.
Note LN/682/JWK, October.
KIM, J.O. and KOHOUT, F.J. (1975). Multiple regression
analysis: subprogram REGRESSION; In N.H. Nie, C.H.
Hull, J.G. Jenkins, K. Steinbrenner and D.H. Bent. SPSS
Statistical Package for the Social Sciences'. 2nd Ed.
(McGraw-Hill: New York), pp. 320-67.
LAREAL, P., SANGLERAT, G. and GIELLY, J. (1976). Com-
parison des essais de penetration effectues avec differents
penetrometres statiques ou dynamiques. Annales de
L'Institut Technique du Batiment et des Travaux Public, 340,
pp. 15-24, June.
MORRIS, P.O. (1976). Studies into the construction of low
trafficked roads in the City of Salisbury, South Australia.
Australian Road Research Board. Research Report, ARR
No. 58.
POTTER, D.W. and ARMSTRONG, P. (1977). Assess-
ment of subgrade moisture content and strength condi-
tions in the Shire of Yalloroi. Australian Road Research
Board. Internal Report, AIR 230-3.
SANGLERAT, G. (1972). The Penetrometer and Soil Exploration
Interpretation of Nnetration Diagrams. Theory and Practice.
(Elsevier: Amsterdam.)
(1976). La Penetration en France. Rapport general. An-
nales de L'Institut Technique du Batiment et des Travaux
Public, 340, pp. 5-14, June.
SCALA, A.J. (1956). Simple methods of flexible pavement
design using cone penetrometers. N.Z. Eng. 11(2), pp.
34-44.
SCHMERTMANN, J.H. (1978). Guidelines for cone
penetrometer test performance and design. Final Report.
U.S. Fed. Highw. Admin.
SMITH, R.B. (1983). In situ CBR and dynamic cone
penetrometer testing. Proc. Int. Symp. Soil and Rock In-
vestigations by In Situ Testing, Paris, Vol. 2, pp. 149-54.
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293
 SMITH, PRATTROAD SUBGR ADE INVESTIGATIONS

Robert Smith is a Senior Scientific Officer David Pratt completed his Bachelor of
with the Department of Main Roads, Science degree at the University of New
N.S. W. On leaving school he became a South Wales in 1975. In the same year he
Science Trainee with the Department and joined the Department of Main Roads to
completed his Bachelor of Science degree work in that Department's Material and
at the University of Sydney in 1968. He Research Section. He completed the Gra-
then served in Broken Hill and Glen limes duate Diploma in Data Processing couse
Divisional Laboratories. In 1974 lie was at the New South Wales Institute of Tech-
granted leave to undertake the Master of nology in 1981. As Investigations Officer
Education Course at the University of his duties include planning statistical pro-
R.B. SMITH, New England and was awarded the D.N. PRATT, cedures related to the testing of road
B.Sc., M.Ed.(Hons) Master of Education degree in 1975. B.Sc. building materials, and the design of com-
Further correspondence studies continued puter programs for the storage and
and he was awarded a further Master of analysis of data.
Education degree with First Class
Honours in 1983. He is presently under-
taking the Master of Engineering Science
Course at the University of New South
Wales. Since February 1983 lie has been
located at Parramatta Divisional Office
where his duties include testing and
evaluation of data from the Rooty Hill
field trial. In relation to his work, Mr
Smith has published papers on sampling
and testing of road-making materials.

Australian Road Research, 13(4), December 1983

294