Question

A cylindrical soil specimen of saturated clay, $3.50cm$ diameter and $8cm$ length, is tested in an unconfined compression testing machine. The specimen failed under a vertical load of $50kg$ together with an accompanying additional deformation of $8mm$. What is the unconfined compressive strength of this clay?

• A. $4.67kg/c{m}^2$
• B. $5.0kg/c{m}^2$
• C. $5.5kg/c{m}^2$
• D. $6.0kg/c{m}^2$

Answer 1

The correct option is A $4.67kg/c{m}^2$

$A_0=\frac{\pi }{4}\times (3.50{)}^2=9.621c{m}^2$
$A_t=\frac{A_0}{1-{\epsilon }_0}=\frac{9.62}{1-\frac{0.8}{8}}$
$=10.69c{m}^2$

$\therefore q_u=\frac{50}{10.69}=4.677kg/c{m}^2$