ASTM D2850-15

4.1 In this test method, the compressive strength of a soil is determined in terms of the total stress, therefore, the resulting strength depends on the pressure developed in the pore fluid during loading. In this test method, fluid flow is not permitted from or into the soil specimen as the load is applied, therefore the resulting pore pressure, and hence strength, differs from that developed in the case where drainage can occur.

4.2 If the test specimens is 100 % saturated, consolidation cannot occur when the confining pressure is applied nor during the shear portion of the test since drainage is not permitted. Therefore, if several specimens of the same material are tested, and if they are all at approximately the same water content and void ratio when they are tested, they will have approximately the same unconsolidated-undrained shear strength.

4.3 If the test specimens are partially saturated, or compacted/reconstituted specimens, where the degree of saturation is less than 100 %, consolidation may occur when the confining pressure is applied and during application of axial load, even though drainage is not permitted. Therefore, if several partially saturated specimens of the same material are tested at different confining stresses, they will not have the same unconsolidated-undrained shear strength.

4.4 Mohr failure envelopes may be plotted from a series of unconsolidated undrained triaxial tests. The Mohr’s circles at failure based on total stresses are constructed by plotting a half circle with a radius of half the principal stress difference (deviator stress) beginning at the axial stress (major principal stress) and ending at the confining stress (minor principal stress) on a graph with principal stresses as the abscissa and shear stress as the ordinate and equal scale in both directions. The failure envelopes will usually be a horizontal line for saturated specimens and a curved line for partially saturated specimens.

4.5 The unconsolidated-undrained shear strength is applicable to situations where the loads are assumed to take place so rapidly that there is insufficient time for the induced pore-water pressure to dissipate and for consolidation to occur during the loading period (that is, drainage does not occur).

4.6 Compressive strengths determined using this procedure may not apply in cases where the loading conditions in the field differ significantly from those used in this test method.

1.1 This test method covers determination of the strength and stress-strain relationships of a cylindrical specimen of either intact, compacted, or remolded cohesive soil. Specimens are subjected to a confining fluid pressure in a triaxial chamber. No drainage of the specimen is permitted during the application of the confining fluid pressure or during the compression phase of the test. The specimen is axially loaded at a constant rate of axial deformation (strain controlled).

1.2 This test method provides data for determining undrained strength properties and stress-strain relations for soils. This test method provides for the measurement of the total stresses applied to the specimen, that is, the stresses are not corrected for pore-water pressure.

1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.

1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units, which are provided for information only and are not considered standard. Reporting of test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this test method.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.