ASTM D1883-99

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:D1883–99
Standard Test Method for
CBR (California Bearing Ratio) of Laboratory-Compacted
1
Soils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1883; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope* 1.4 This test method provides for the determination of the
CBR of a material at optimum water content or a range of
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the CBR
water content from a specified compaction test and a specified
(California Bearing Ratio) of pavement subgrade, subbase, and
dry unit weight. The dry unit weight is usually given as a
base/course materials from laboratory compacted specimens.
percentage of maximum dry unit weight from the compaction
The test method is primarily intended for but not limited to,
tests of Test Methods D 698 or D 1557.
evaluating the strength of cohesive materials having maximum
3 1.5 The agency requesting the test shall specify the water
particle sizes less than ⁄4 in. (19 mm).
content or range of water content and the dry unit weight for
NOTE 1—The agency performing this test can be evaluated in accor-
which the CBR is desired.
dance with Practice D 3740.
1.6 Unless specified otherwise by the requesting agency, or
Not withstanding statements on precision and bias contained in this
unless it has been shown to have no effect on test results for the
Standard: The precision of this test method is dependent on the compe-
material being tested, all specimens shall be soaked prior to
tence of the personnel performing it and the suitability of the equipment
and facilities used. Agencies which meet the criteria of Practice D 3740 penetration.
aregenerallyconsideredcapableofcompetentandobjectivetesting.Users
1.7 For the determination of CBR of field compacted
of this method are cautioned that compliance with Practice D 3740 does
materials, see Test Method D 4429.
not in itself assure reliable testing. Reliable testing depends on many
1.8 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
factors; Practice D 3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those
as the standard. The SI equivalents shown in parentheses may
factors.
be approximate.
1.2 When materials having maximum particle sizes greater
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3
than ⁄4 in. (19 mm) are to be tested, this test method provides
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
for modifying the gradation of the material so that the material
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3
used for tests all passes the ⁄4-in. sieve while the total gravel
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
( +No.4to3in.)fractionremainsthesame.Whiletraditionally
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
thismethodofspecimenpreparationhasbeenusedtoavoidthe
error inherent in testing materials containing large particles in 2. Referenced Documents
the CBR test apparatus, the modified material may have
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2
significantly different strength properties than the original
D 422 Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils
material. However, a large experience base has developed
D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
2
using this test method for materials for which the gradation has
Fluids
been modified, and satisfactory design methods are in use
D 698 Test Method for Laboratory Compaction Character-
3
based on the results of tests using this procedure.
istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12,400 ft-lbf/ft (600
3 2
1.3 Past practice has shown that CBR results for those
kN-m/m ))
materials having substantial percentages of particles retained
D 1557 Test Method for Laboratory Compaction Character-
3
on the No. 4 sieve are more variable than for finer materials.
istics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft
3
2
Consequently, more trials may be required for these materials
(2,700 kN-m/m ))
to establish a reliable CBR.
D 2168 Test Methods for Calibration of Laboratory
2
Mechanical-Rammer Soil Compactors
D 2216 TestMethodforLaboratoryDeterminationofWater
2
1
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock
This test method is underthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.05 on Strength and
Compressibility of Soils.
Current edition approved Feb. 10, 1999. Published May 1999. Originally
2
published as D 1883 – 61T. Last previous edition D 1883 – 94. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
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