This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D2850 − 23

Standard Test Method for

Unconsolidated-Undrained Triaxial Compression Test on
Cohesive Soils1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2850; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope* cal conversions to inch-pound units, which are provided for

1.1 This test method covers determination of the strength information only and are not considered standard. Reporting of
and stress-strain relationships of a cylindrical specimen of test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as
either intact, compacted, or remolded cohesive soil. Specimens nonconformance with this test method.
are subjected to a confining fluid pressure in a triaxial chamber. 1.4.1 The converted inch-pound units use the gravitational
No drainage of the specimen is permitted during the applica- system of units. In this system, the pound (lbf) represents a unit
tion of the confining fluid pressure or during the compression of force (weight), while the unit for mass is slugs. The slug unit
phase of the test. The specimen is axially loaded at a constant is not given, unless dynamic (F = ma) calculations are
rate of axial deformation (strain controlled). involved.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1.2 This test method provides data for determining und-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
rained strength properties and stress-strain relations for soils.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
iTeh Standards
This test method provides for the measurement of the total
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
stresses applied to the specimen, that is, the stresses are not
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
corrected for pore-water pressure.
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NOTE 1—The determination of the unconfined compressive strength of
cohesive soils is covered by Test Method D2166/D2166M.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
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NOTE 2—The determination of the consolidated, undrained strength of
cohesive soils with pore pressure measurement is covered by Test Method
D4767.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
ASTM D2850-23
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
2. Referenced Documents
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Practice D6026.
1.3.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/ 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the D422 Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils (With-
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the drawn 2016)3
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce- D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for Fluids
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider- D854 Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to Water Pycnometer
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be D1587/D1587M Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of
commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope Fine-Grained Soils for Geotechnical Purposes
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis D2166/D2166M Test Method for Unconfined Compressive
methods for engineering design. Strength of Cohesive Soil
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are mathemati- (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass

1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and For referenced ASTM Standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.05 on Strength and contact Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Stan-
Compressibility of Soils. dardsvolume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2023. Published February 2023. Originally ASTM website.
3
approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D2850 – 15. DOI: The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.ast-
10.1520/D2850-23. m.org.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 D2850 − 23
D2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering strength depends on the pressure developed in the pore fluid
Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System) during loading. In this test method, fluid flow is not permitted
D2488 Practice for Description and Identification of Soils from or into the soil specimen as the load is applied, therefore
(Visual-Manual Procedures) the resulting pore pressure, and hence strength, differs from
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies that developed in the case where drainage can occur.
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as 5.2 If the test specimens is 100 % saturated, consolidation
Used in Engineering Design and Construction cannot occur when the confining pressure is applied nor during
D4220/D4220M Practices for Preserving and Transporting the shear portion of the test since drainage is not permitted.
Soil Samples (Withdrawn 2023)3 Therefore, if several specimens of the same material are tested,
D4318 Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and and if they are all at approximately the same water content and
Plasticity Index of Soils void ratio when they are tested, they will have approximately
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal- the same unconsolidated-undrained shear strength.
ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
Construction Materials Testing 5.3 If the test specimens are partially saturated, or
D4767 Test Method for Consolidated Undrained Triaxial compacted/reconstituted specimens, where the degree of satu-
Compression Test for Cohesive Soils ration is less than 100 %, consolidation may occur when the
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits and Data Re- confining pressure is applied and during application of axial
cords in Geotechnical Data load, even though drainage is not permitted. Therefore, if
D6913/D6913M Test Methods for Particle-Size Distribution several partially saturated specimens of the same material are
(Gradation) of Soils Using Sieve Analysis tested at different confining stresses, they will not have the
same unconsolidated-undrained shear strength.
3. Terminology 5.4 Mohr failure envelopes may be plotted from a series of
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of common technical terms unconsolidated undrained triaxial tests. The Mohr’s circles at
in this standard, refer to Terminology D653. failure based on total stresses are constructed by plotting a half
circle with a radius of half the principal stress difference
iTeh Standards
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 failure—a stress condition selected to represent the
maximum stress supported by a test specimen.
(deviator stress) beginning at the axial stress (major principal
stress) and ending at the confining stress (minor principal

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3.2.1.1 Discussion—Failure is often taken to correspond to
the maximum principal stress difference (deviator stress) at-
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
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tained or the principal stress difference (deviator stress) at
15 % axial strain, whichever is obtained first during the
saturated specimens and a curved line for partially saturated
specimens.
performance of a test.
5.5 The unconsolidated-undrained shear strength is appli-
3.2.2 unconsolidated-undrained compressive strength—the
ASTM D2850-23cable to situations where the loads are assumed to take place so
value of the principal stress difference (deviator stress) at
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failure.
rapidly that there is insufficient time for the induced pore-water
pressure to dissipate and for consolidation to occur during the
3.2.3 unconsolidated-undrained shear strength—the value loading period (that is, drainage does not occur).
of the principal stress difference (deviator stress) at failure
5.6 Compressive strengths determined using this procedure
divided by two.
may not apply in cases where the loading conditions in the field
4. Summary of Test Method differ significantly from those used in this test method.

4.1 A cylindrical soil specimen with known dimensions and NOTE 3—The quality of the results produced by this standard is
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the
mass is sealed between loading platens inside the chamber suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the
using a flexible membrane. A confining pressure is applied to criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent
the specimen in the chamber and the specimen is given time to testing. Users of this test method are cautioned that compliance with
equalize without consolidation, as drainage of the specimen Practice D3740 does not ensure reliable results. Reliable results depend on
several factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of
pore water is not allowed at any time during the test. The
those factors.
specimen is then loaded axially using a strain rate between 0.3
and 1 % ⁄min such that the time to failure does not exceed 6. Apparatus
approximately 15 min. During the shearing phase of the test, 6.1 Axial Loading Device—The axial loading device shall
measurements of elapsed time, axial deformation, axial load, be screw jack driven by an electric motor through a geared
and chamber pressure are taken. Based on these data, the soil transmission, a hydraulic loading device, or any other com-
specimen unconsolidated-undrained compressive strength and pression device with sufficient capacity and control to provide
unconsolidated-undrained shear strength are determined. the rate of loading prescribed in 8.5. The rate of advance of the
loading device shall not deviate by more than 65 % from the
5. Significance and Use selected value. Vibrations due to the operation of the loading
5.1 In this test method, the compressive strength of a soil is device shall be sufficiently small to not cause dimensional
determined in terms of the total stress, therefore, the resulting changes in the specimen.

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 D2850 − 23
NOTE 4—A loading device may be said to provide sufficiently small vertical axis of the specimen does not exceed 1.3 mm (0.05
vibrations if there are no visible ripples in a glass of water placed on the in.). The end of the piston and specimen cap contact area shall
loading platen when the device is operating at the speed at which the test
is performed.
be designed so that tilting of the specimen cap during the test
is minimal. The cylindrical surface of the specimen base and
6.2 Axial Load-Measuring Device—The axial load- cap that contacts the membrane to form a seal shall be smooth
measuring device shall be capable of measuring the axial load and free of scratches.
to at least three significant digits (readability); have a full scale
accuracy not to exceed 0.25 %; and a capacity that is not NOTE 7—To determine the axial stress from the top cap, measure the
mass of the top cap in grams and area of the top cap in cm2. The stress
greater than four times the axial load at failure. Commonly, an from the top cap, in kN/m2 (= kPa), is equal to the mass in grams times
electronic load cell is used and may be integrated with the axial the acceleration due to gravity (9.8087 m/sec2) divided by the area in cm2
loading device. times 10,000 cm2 /m2 divided by 1000 N/kN and 1000 g/kg.
6.3 Triaxial Compression Chamber—The triaxial chamber 6.7 Deformation Indicator—The vertical deformation of the
shall consist of a top plate and a baseplate separated by a specimen is usually determined from the travel of the piston
cylinder. The cylinder shall be constructed of any material acting on the top of the specimen. The piston travel shall be
capable of withstanding the applied pressure. It is desirable to measured using a deformation indicator with a range of at least
use a transparent material or have a cylinder provided with 20 % of the initial height of the specimen and an accuracy not
viewing ports so the behavior of the specimen may be to exceed 0.25 % of the initial specimen height. The deforma-
observed. The top plate shall have a vent valve such that air can tion indicator is commonly a linear variable differential trans-
be forced out of the chamber as it is filled. The base plate shall former (LVDT) or other measuring device meeting the require-
have an inlet to fill the chamber. ments for accuracy and range.
6.4 Axial Load Piston—The piston passing through the top 6.8 Rubber Membrane—The rubber membrane used to en-
of the chamber and its seal must be designed so the variation case the specimen shall provide reliable protection against
in axial load due to friction does not exceed 0.1 % of the axial leakage. Membranes shall be carefully inspected prior to use,
load at failure as measured in 9.6 and so there is negligible and if any flaws or pinholes are evident, the membrane shall be
discarded. To offer minimum restraint to the specimen, the
iTeh Standards
lateral bending of the piston during loading.
unstretched membrane diameter shall be between 90 and 95 %
NOTE 5—The use of two linear ball bushings to guide the piston is
recommended to reduce the friction and maintain alignment. of that of the specimen. The membrane thickness shall not
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NOTE 6—A minimum piston diameter of one sixth the specimen
diameter has been used successfully in many laboratories to minimize
exceed 1 % of the diameter of the specimen. The membrane
shall be sealed to the specimen base and cap with rubber

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lateral bending. O-rings for which the unstressed inside diameter is between 75
6.5 Pressure-maintaining and Measurement Devices—The and 85 % of the diameter of the cap and base, or by any method
pressure-maintaining and measurement devices shall be ca- that will produce a positive seal. An equation for correcting the
pable of applying, controlling, and measuring the chamber principal stress difference (deviator stress) for the effect of the
ASTM
pressure to within 62 kPa (0.3 psi) for pressures less than 200 D2850-23
strength of the membrane is given in 9.8.
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kPa (29 psi) and to within 61 % for pressures greater than 200 6.9 Sample Extruder—The sample extruder shall be capable
kPa (29 psi). of extruding the soil core from the sampling tube in the same
6.5.1 A pressure transducer measuring the applied chamber direction of travel in which the sample entered the tube and
pressure shall have an accuracy not to exceed 60.25 % of full with minimum disturbance of the sample. If the soil core is not
range, a capacity in excess of the applied chamber pressure, extruded vertically, care should be taken to avoid bending
and a readability equivalent to at least three significant digits at stresses on the core due to gravity. Conditions at the time of
the maximum applied chamber pressure. This device com- sample removal may dictate the direction of removal, but the
monly consists of a reservoir connected to the triaxial chamber principal concern is to keep the degree of disturbance minimal.
and partially filled with the chamber fluid (usually water), with
6.10 Specimen-Size Measurement Devices—Devices used to
the upper part of the reservoir connected to a compressed gas
measure the height and diameter of the specimen to three or
supply; the gas pressure being controlled by a pressure
more significant digits (readability) with an accuracy not to
regulator and measured by an electronic pressure transducer.
exceed 0.25 % of its full range. The devices shall be con-
6.6 Specimen Cap and Base—An impermeable rigid cap structed such that during use the specimen is not disturbed or
and base shall be used to prevent drainage of the specimen. The deformed.
specimen cap and base shall be constructed of a noncorrosive
NOTE 8—Circumferential measuring tapes are recommended over
impermeable material, and each shall have a circular plane calipers for measuring the diameter.
surface of contact with the specimen and a circular cross
section. The mass of the specimen cap shall produce an axial 6.11 Timer—A timing device indicating the elapsed testing
stress on the specimen of less than 1 kPa (0.1 psi). The time to the nearest 1 s shall be used for establishing the rate of
diameter of the cap and base shall be equal to the initial strain application prescribed in 8.5 and recording the time
diameter of the specimen. The specimen base shall be con- during specimen compression as required in 8.6.
nected to the triaxial compression chamber to prevent lateral 6.12 Balances—A balance or scale conforming to the re-
motion or tilting, and the specimen cap shall be designed such quirements of Specification D4753 readable (with no estima-
that eccentricity of the piston-to-cap contact relative to the tion) to 0.1 % of the test mass, or better.

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 D2850 − 23
6.13 Miscellaneous Apparatus—Specimen trimming and terial in at least six layers using a split mold of circular cross
carving tools including a wire saw, steel straightedge, miter section having dimensions meeting the requirements enumer-
box and vertical trimming lathe, apparatus for preparing ated in 7.1. Specimens may be compacted/reconstituted to the
remolded specimens, membrane and O-ring expander, water desired density by either: (1) kneading or tamping each layer
content containers, and data sheets shall be provided as until the accumulative mass of the soil placed in the mold is
required. compacted/reconstituted to a known volume; or (2) by adjust-
ing the number of layers, the number of tamps per layer, and
7. Test Specimens the force per tamp. The top of each layer shall be scarified prior
7.1 Specimen Size—Specimens shall be cylindrical and have to the addition of material for the next layer. The tamper used
a minimum diameter of 33 mm (1.3 in.). The average height- to compact the material shall have a diameter equal to or less
to-average diameter ratio shall be between 2 and 2.5. The than one half the diameter of the mold. After a specimen is
largest particle size shall be smaller than one sixth the formed, with the ends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis,
specimen diameter. If, after completion of a test, it is found remove the mold and determine the mass and dimensions of the
based on visual observation that oversize particles are present, specimen using the devices described in 6.12 and 6.10.
indicate this information in the report of test data (see 10.2.14). Perform one or more water content determinations on excess
material used to prepare the specimen in accordance with Test
NOTE 9—If oversize particles are found in the specimen after testing, a Method D2216.
particle-size analysis may be performed in accordance with Test Method
D422 or D6913/D6913M to confirm the visual observation and the results 7.4 Remolded Specimens—Specimens may be prepared ei-
provided with the test report (see 10.2.4). ther from a failed intact specimen or from a disturbed sample,
7.2 Intact Specimens—Prepare intact specimens from large providing it is representative of the failed intact specimen. In
intact samples or from samples secured in accordance with the case of failed intact specimens, wrap the material in a thin
Practice D1587/D1587M or other acceptable intact tube sam- rubber membrane and work the material thoroughly with the
pling procedures. Samples shall be preserved and transported finger to ensure complete remolding. Avoid entrapping air in
in accordance with the practices for Group C samples in the specimen. Exercise care to obtain a uniform density, to

iTeh Standards
Practices D4220/D4220M. Specimens obtained by tube sam- remold to the same void ratio as the intact specimen, and to
pling may be tested without trimming except for cutting the preserve the water content of the soil. Form the disturbed
end surfaces plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of material into a mold of circular cross section having dimen-
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the specimen, provided soil characteristics are such that no
significant disturbance results from sampling. Handle speci-
sions meeting the requirements of 7.1. After removal from the
mold, determine the mass and dimensions of the test specimen

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mens carefully to minimize disturbance, changes in cross
section, or change in water content. If compression or any type
of noticeable disturbance would be caused by the extrusion
consistent with 6.12 and 6.10. A minimum of three height
measurements (120° apart) and at least three diameter mea-
surements at the quarter points of the height shall be made to
device, split the sample tube lengthwise or cut the tube in determine the average height and diameter of the specimen.
ASTMwith
suitable sections to facilitate removal of the specimen D2850-23
NOTE 10—It is common for the unit weight of the specimen after
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minimum disturbance. Prepare trimmed specimens, in an removal from the mold to be less than the value based on the volume of
the mold. This occurs as a result of the specimen swelling after removal
environment such as a controlled high-humidity room where
of the lateral confinement due to the mold.
soil water content change is minimized. Where removal of
pebbles or crumbling resulting from trimming causes voids on 8. Procedure
the surface of the specimen, carefully fill the voids with
remolded soil obtained from the trimmings. When the sample 8.1 Place the membrane on the membrane expander or, if it
condition permits, a vertical trimming lathe may be used to is to be rolled onto the specimen, roll the membrane onto the
reduce the specimen to the required diameter. After obtaining impermeable rigid cap or base. Place the specimen on the base.
the required diameter, place the specimen in a miter box and Place the rubber membrane around the specimen and seal it at
cut the specimen to the final height with a wire saw or other the cap and base with O-rings or other positive seals at each
suitable device. Trim the surfaces with the steel straightedge. end. A thin coating of silicon grease on the vertical surfaces of
Perform one or more water content determinations on material the cap or base will aid in sealing the membrane.
trimmed from the specimen in accordance with Test Method 8.2 With the specimen encased in the rubber membrane,
D2216. Determine the mass and dimensions of the specimen which is sealed to the specimen cap and base and positioned in
consistent with 6.12 and 6.10. A minimum of three height the chamber, assemble the triaxial chamber. Bring the axial
measurements (120° apart) and at least three diameter mea- load piston into contact with the specimen cap several times to
surements at the quarter points of the height shall be made to permit proper seating and alignment of the piston with the cap.
determine the average height and diameter of the specimen. When the piston is brought into contact the final time, record
7.3 Compacted/Reconstituted Specimens—Soil required for the reading on the deformation indicator to three significant
compacted/reconstituted specimens shall be thoroughly mixed digits. During this procedure, take care not to apply an axial
with sufficient water to produce the desired water content. If stress to the specimen exceeding approximately 0.5 % of the
water is added to the soil, store the material in a covered estimated compressive strength. Lock the piston in place above
container for at least 16 h prior to compaction. Compacted/ the specimen cap after checking the seating and alignment and
reconstituted specimens may be prepared by compacting ma- keep locked until application of the chamber pressure.