ASTM D1883-16
Standard Test Method for California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of Laboratory-Compacted Soils

Standard No.

ASTM D1883-16

Release Date

2016

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Status

Be replaced

Replace By

ASTM D1883-21

Latest

ASTM D1883-21

Scope

5.1 This test method is used to evaluate the potential strength of subgrade, subbase, and base course materials, including recycled materials for use in the design of road and airfield pavements. The CBR value obtained in this test forms an integral part of several flexible pavement design methods.

5.2 For applications where the effect of compaction water content on CBR is small, such as cohesionless, coarse-grained materials, or where an allowance is made for the effect of differing compaction water contents in the design procedure, the CBR may be determined at the optimum water content of a specified compaction effort. The specified dry unit weight is normally the minimum percent compaction allowed by the using client’s field compaction specification.

5.3 For applications where the effect of compaction water content on CBR is unknown or where it is desired to account for its effect, the CBR is determined for a range of water contents, usually the range of water content permitted for field compaction by using the client’s protocol or specification for field compaction.

5.4 The criteria for test specimen preparation of self-cementing (and other) materials which gain strength with time must be based on a geotechnical engineering evaluation. As directed by the client, self-cementing materials shall be properly cured until bearing ratios representing long term service conditions can be measured.

Note 1: The quality of the results produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself ensure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of pavement subgrade, subbase, and base course materials from laboratory compacted specimens. The test method is primarily intended for, but not limited to, evaluating the strength of materials having maximum particle size less than ³/₄ in. (19 mm).

1.2 When materials having a maximum particle size greater than ³/₄ in. (19 mm) are to be tested, this test method provides for modifying the gradation of the material so that the material used for testing all passes the ³/₄-in. (19-mm) sieve while the total gravel fraction (material passing the 3-in. (75-mm) sieve and retained on the No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve) remains the same. While traditionally this method of specimen preparation has been used to avoid the error inherent in testing materials containing large particles in the CBR test apparatus, the modified material may have significantly different strength properties than the original material. However, a large experience database has been developed using this t......

ASTM D1883-16 Referenced Document

• ASTM C670 Standard Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials
• ASTM D1557 Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft³ (2,700 kN-m/m³))
• ASTM D2168 Standard Test Methods for Calibration of Laboratory Mechanical-Rammer Soil Compactors
• ASTM D2216 Standard Test Method for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
• ASTM D2487 Standard Test Method for Classification Of Soils For Engineering Purposes
• ASTM D2488 Recommended Practice for Description Of Soils (Visual-Manual Procedure)
• ASTM D3740 Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
• ASTM D422 Standard Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils
• ASTM D4318 Standard Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils
• ASTM D4429 Standard Test Method for CBR (California Bearing Ratio) of Soils in Place
• ASTM D4753 Standard Specification for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Balances and Scales for Use in Soil, Rock, and Construction Materials Testing
• ASTM D6026 Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
• ASTM D653 Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
• ASTM D698 Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12 400 ft-lbf/ft³ (600 kN-m/m³))
• ASTM E11 Standard Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing Purposes

ASTM D1883-16 history

• 2021 ASTM D1883-21 Standard Test Method for California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of Laboratory-Compacted Soils
• 2016 ASTM D1883-16 Standard Test Method for California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of Laboratory-Compacted Soils
• 2014 ASTM D1883-14 Standard Test Method for California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of Laboratory-Compacted Soils
• 2007 ASTM D1883-07e2 Standard Test Method for CBR (California Bearing Ratio) of Laboratory-Compacted Soils
• 2007 ASTM D1883-07e1 Standard Test Method for CBR (California Bearing Ratio) of Laboratory-Compacted Soils
• 2007 ASTM D1883-07 Standard Test Method for CBR (California Bearing Ratio) of Laboratory-Compacted Soils
• 2005 ASTM D1883-05 Standard Test Method for CBR (California Bearing Ratio) of Laboratory-Compacted Soils
• 1999 ASTM D1883-99 Standard Test Method for CBR (California Bearing Ratio) of Laboratory-Compacted Soils