Consolidated-undrained test (CU test) or Consolidated

quick test
In consolidated-undrained test or consolidated quick test no excess load is applied.
Usually normal load is applied and then sample is allowed to consolidate. Which allows
drainage during consolidation process. It reduces the pour pressure to zero. After
reaching this condition without allowing any drainage one normal stress is increased
rapidly, until the sample fails.

During the shearing phase, the provided pore pressure is being measured. The results
are then explained in terms of total or effective shear parameters.

On engineering scale, CUor quick test strengths are used to sole the stability problems
in which the soils have first become fully consolidated and are at equilibrium with the
previously existing stress system. When no drainage is occurring, for some reason
additional stresses are applied quickly. In most of the projects unconsolidated-
undrained test (UU test) and consolidated-undrained test (CU test) are performed
simultaneously. In this process moisture is drawn out. Practical examples include
earthen dams stability slopes.

The unconsolidated un-drained (CU) or quick test is performed by placing the sample in
the chamber and introducing the confined pressure. The sample is then allowed to
consolidate under all around confining pressure by leaving the drain lines open. The
drain lines are then closed and the axial stress is increased without allowing further
drainage.

Consolidated-drained test (CD test) or slow test:

CD test or slow test is one of the conditions of the laboratory shear test. The other two
conditions are UU test and CU test. UU test has low shear strength. Whereas in CU
moisture is drawn out due to high pressure.

CD test is comparatively slower than others. It is used only for the search purposes. It
requires more time and money than other methods. In this test soil consolidation occurs
under normal load and drainage is allowed during the consolidation. At the completion
of the consolidation process, the drainage conditions are to be allowed while normal
stress is increased at such a rate that no pore pressure is developed. Thus the resulting
parameters of the shear strength are in terms of effective stresses.

On engineering scale CD parameters are used in the problems where long term stability
of clayey soil slopes and the long term lateral pressure on the cohesive soil retaining
walls.
Consolidated drained or slow test is similar to the CU test except that the sample is
allowed to drain. The axial load is applied in such a way that high excess pore pressure
not to be developed.

The consolidated drained test is often referred to as the S, or slow test.