SCEBs - University of Colorado Boulder

expected deflections or the unit‟s deformability. The average dry density (ambient
conditions), UCS, MOR, and Young‟s Modulus values for all the tests performed are
reported in Appendix 8.3.2.
Stress [psi]
4.2.3. Results
UMU Sample #11: Example Stress vs Strain Curve
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
E = 43.8 ksi
0.0% 1.0% 2.0% 3.0% 4.0% 5.0%
Strain
Figure 4.17: Example Stress vs. Strain Curve
4.2.3.1. Durability Results
The procedure outlined in Section 3.10 was followed to determine the durability
characteristics of the mini-blocks produced. To summarize, mini-block specimens were
submerged in water for 24 hours and then tested in compression. The remaining
specimens were allowed to dry for a minimum of 48 hours before being submerged
again. The expected decrease in the UCS values with the number of saturation cycles is
clearly observed over the series of six saturation cycles performed for both soil Samples
#11 & #15. However, the rate at which the UCS decreases also appears to decrease as
the number of saturation cycles increases. In other words, the trends illustrated in
Figures 4.18 & 4.19 suggest that the UCS values may be approaching a minimum value
asymptotically. The mini-blocks remained almost entirely intact while their UCS values
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