DISCUSSION

The California bearing ratio (CBR) test is one of the most common strength tests
conducted to evaluate subgrade quality of soils and the suitability of soils for subbase and
base courses in pavements. Yet there are variations in the procedures used by various
transportation agencies that this results in confusion among highway engineers. To
improve the existing CBR procedures, an alternative method has been employed
successfully to obtain CBR values of soil. It is used to evaluate the moisture susceptibility
of soils. This method is not only easier to perform but also requires less effort because
only sample need be compacted by using three layers in remoulded and tested. There are
also fewer sources of error in that obtaining the correct optimum moisture content for
compaction is not required because the test is considered an extension of the compaction
tests. The CBR is also a measure of resistance of a material to penetration of standard
plunger under controlled density and moisture conditions.

Generally, CBR values of both soaked as well as unsoaked samples are determined.
Both during soaking and penetration test, the specimen are covered with equal surcharge
weights to simulate the effect of overlying pavement or the particular layer under
construction. A minimum of two surcharge weights (i.e. 4kg surcharge load) is placed on
the specimen. Load is applied on the penetration piston so that the penetration is
approximately 2.5mm to 5mm. The load readings are recorded at penetrations until
0.45kN for top and 0.48kN for bottom of the specimens. The maximum load and
penetration is recorded if it occurs for a penetration of less than 6 mm. The curve is
mainly convex upwards although the initial portion of the curve may be concave upwards
due to surface irregularities. The top layer soaked soil is too soft or slushy after soaking
in water that impact the penetration. The top surface of the soil is not even. The
penetration plunger of the loading machine is not vertical resulting in the bottom surface
of plunger not being horizontal and not fully in contact with top surface of the specimen.
 According to the graph of the result, it is not very smooth curve plotted graph.
Therefore, adjustment of the graph should be done in order to have a more accurate
result. Some possible error need to be done to correct it. One of it is air void appears in
the soil. The volume of the air void cannot be neglected. Even the compaction of soil is
perfect, the air void is still exists. The size of the aggregates is different and the gap
between the aggregate becomes void. Therefore, the effect of the air void in the text
cannot be determined correctly and it affect the results. Other than that, the chemical
composition of aggregate of the soil also affect in determining the CBR experimental
value. Since there is mineral contains in the soil, the stiffness and the strength of the soil
will change. It is chemical composition of the aggregate to the soil cannot be determined.
Thus, the result is affected.

Advantages of CBR test :

 No technical experience is required so the test could be done by anyone with basic
skills
 You can use portable equipment to get the values and this does not required many
sources.
 It is applicable to many materials besides working with subgrades.
 CBR test are known to adapt pavement design better than any other method available
out there. It is faster and able to get more accurate results.