Designation: D4429 – 09a

Standard Test Method for

CBR (California Bearing Ratio) of Soils in Place1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4429; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope* ation for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the Cali- increase or reduce significant digit of reported data to be
fornia Bearing Ratio (CBR) of soil tested in place by the commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope
penetration load of the soil. This test method covers the of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
evaluation of the relative quality of subgrade soils, but is methods or engineering design.
applicable to subbase and some base-course materials. This test 1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
method is designed to test in-situ materials and corresponds to safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Test Method D1883. responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each 2. Referenced Documents
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
with the standard. D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
1.2.1 In the engineering profession it is customary to use Fluids
units representing both mass and force interchangeably, unless D1556 Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in
dynamic calculations are involved. This implicitly combines Place by Sand-Cone Method
two separate systems of units, that is, the absolute system and D1883 Test Method for CBR (California Bearing Ratio) of
the gravitational system. It is scientifically undesirable to Laboratory-Compacted Soils
combine the use of two separate sets of inch-pound units within D2167 Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in
a single standard. This test method has been written using the Place by the Rubber Balloon Method
gravitational system of units when dealing with the inch-pound D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Wa-
system. In this system, the pound (lbf) represents a unit of force ter (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
(weight). However, conversions are given in the SI System. D2937 Test Method for Density of Soil in Place by the
The use of balances or scales recording pounds of mass (lbm), Drive-Cylinder Method
or the recording of density in lbm/ft3 should not be regarded as D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
nonconformance with this test method. Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the Used in Engineering Design and Construction
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
Practice D6026, unless superseded by this standard. Data
1.3.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/ D6780 Test Method for Water Content and Density of Soil
recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the in Place by Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR)
industry standard. In addition they are representative of the D6938 Test Method for In-Place Density and Water Content
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce- of Soil and Soil-Aggregate by Nuclear Methods (Shallow
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for Depth)
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider- 3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions: All definitions are in accordance with Ter-
minology D653.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.08 on Special and
2
Construction Control Tests. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2009. Published January 2010. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D4429 – 09. DOI: Standardsvolume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D4429-09A. the ASTM website.

*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.

1
 D4429 – 09a
4. Significance and Use 5.1.6 Low-gear ratio, approximately 14 revolutions per 0.04
4.1 Field in-place CBR tests are used for evaluation and in. (1 mm) of penetration.
design of flexible pavement components such as base and 5.1.7 Other gear ratios may be used as desired if it is found
subbase course and subgrades and for other applications (such to be more convenient to do so.
as unsurfaced roads) for which CBR is the desired strength 5.1.8 Other mechanical jacks with the same maximum load
parameter. If the field CBR is to be used directly for evaluation and lift may be utilized, provided that a uniform load-
or design without consideration for variation due to change in penetration rate of 0.05 in. (1.3 mm)/min can be achieved.
water content, the test should be conducted under one of the 5.2 Load Measurement—Two calibrated proving rings or a
following conditions: (a) when the degree of saturation (per- load cell having the following characteristics:
centage of voids filled with water) is 80 % or greater, (b) when 5.2.1 Proving Rings—One proving ring shall have a loading
the material is coarse grained and cohesionless so that it is not range of approximately 0 to 2000 lbf (8.9 kN), and the other
significantly affected by changes in water content, or ( c) when proving ring shall have a loading range of approximately 0 to
the soil has not been modified by construction activities during 5000 lbf (22.2 kN).
the two years preceding the test. In the last-named case, the
5.2.2 Load Cell—An electronic load cell with an approxi-
water content does not actually become constant, but generally
mately 0 to 5000 lbf (22.2 kN) loading range readable to 25 lbf
fluctuates within a rather narrow range. Therefore, the field
(0.1 kN) or better can be used instead of two proving rings.
in-place test data may be used to satisfactorily indicate the
average load-carrying capacity. 5.3 Penetration Piston—The penetration piston shall be 2 6
0.004 in. (50.8 6 0.1 mm) in diameter (nominal 3 in.2 (2000
4.2 Any construction activities, such as grading or compact-
mm2)) and approximately 4 in. (102 mm) in length.
ing, carried out subsequent to the bearing ratio test will
probably invalidate the results of the test. 5.3.1 Piston Adapter and Pipe Extensions— One piston
adapter and internally threaded pipe extensions with connec-
4.3 Soils and flexible pavement components at the same
tors.
location may exhibit significantly different load deflection
relationships. No method presently exists to evaluate the 5.3.1.1 Pipe extensions shall be furnished in the following
precision of a group of non-repetitive plate load tests on soils quantities and lengths (or other combinations of lengths
and flexible pavement components due to the variability of totaling 8 ft (2.4 m)):
these materials. Number Required Approximate Length
2 1.5 in. (38 mm)
NOTE 1—Field in-place tests are used to determine the relative strength 2 4 in. (102 mm)
8 12 in. (305 mm)
of soils, subbase, and some base materials in the condition at which they
exist at the time of testing. Such results have direct application in test 5.4 Dial Gauges—Two dial gauges (if proving rings are
section work and in some expedient construction, military, or similar
used) for measuring proving-ring deflections reading to 0.0001
operations. Also, as indicated in 4.1, field in-place tests can be used for
design under conditions of nominal stability of water, density, and general in. (0.0025 mm) and having approximately 0.25-in. (6.4-mm)
characteristics of the material tested. However, any significant treating, travel. One dial gauge for measuring the penetration reading to
disturbing, handling, compaction, or water change can affect the soil 0.001 in. (0.025 mm) and having approximately 1-in. (25-mm)
strength and make the prior to test determination inapplicable, leading to travel, equipped with an adjustable dial clamp extension.
the need for retest and reanalysis. 5.5 Support for Penetration Dial—One support made of
NOTE 2—Notwithstanding the statements on precision and bias con- 3-in. (76.2-mm) aluminum steel or wood channel approxi-
tained in this standard: The precision of this test method is dependent on
mately 5 ft (1.5 m) long.
the competence of the personnel performing it and the suitability of the
equipment and facilities used. Agencies which meet the criteria of Practice 5.6 Surcharge Plate—A circular steel plate 10 6 0.02 in.
D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective (254 6 0.5 mm) in diameter with a 2 6 0.02-in. (50.8 6
testing. Users of this method are cautioned that compliance with Practice 0.5-mm) diameter hole in the center. The plate shall weigh 10
D3740 does not in itself assure reliable testing. Reliable testing depends 6 0.02 lb (4.54 6 0.01 kg).
on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of
those factors. 5.7 Surcharge Weights—Two “10-lb” (4.54 6 0.01-kg)
slotted surcharge weights 8.5 in. (216 6 1 mm) in diameter,
5. Apparatus and two “20-lb” (9.08 6 0.01-kg) slotted surcharge weights 8.5
in. in diameter.
5.1 Mechanical Screw Jack—A manually operated me-
chanical screw jack equipped with a special swivel head for 5.8 Truck (Reaction load)—A truck (or piece of heavy
applying the load to the penetration piston, and designed with equipment) loaded sufficiently to provide a reaction of approxi-
the following specifications: mately 6970 lbf (31 kN). The truck shall be equipped with a
suitable metal beam and an attachment, or attachments, at the
5.1.1 Minimum capacity of 5950 lb (2700 kg),
rear end in order to provide a reaction load for forcing the
5.1.2 Minimum lift of 2 in. (50 mm), penetration piston into the soil. Suitable attachments or other
5.1.3 Detachable handle, 6-in. (150-mm) radius, provision shall be provided so that the truck may be jacked
5.1.4 High-gear ratio, approximately 2.4 revolutions per sufficiently to take the load off of the rear springs in order to
0.04 in. (1 mm) of penetration, permit the penetration test to be carried out without upward
5.1.5 Medium-gear ratio, approximately 5 revolutions per movement of the truck chassis. Approximately 2-ft (0.6-m)
0.04 in. (1 mm) of penetration, and ground clearance is required to carry out the penetration test.

2
 D4429 – 09a
5.9 Jacks—Two truck-type jacks of 15-ton (14-Mg) capac- 6.4 Place the “10-lb” (4.5-kg) surcharge plate beneath the
ity and having double-acting combination trip and automatic penetration piston so that when the piston is lowered it will
lowering. Alternatively, hydraulic leveling jacks can be used. pass through the center hole.
5.10 Miscellaneous Apparatus—Other general apparatus 6.5 Seat the penetration piston under a load of approxi-
such as sample containers for water and density determina- mately 3 psi (21 kPa). For rapid setting, use the high-gear ratio
tions, spatula, straightedge, digging tools, etc. of the jack. For base materials with an irregular surface, set the
NOTE 3—Fig. 1 shows a typical field setup for bearing ratio tests. Fig. piston on the thinnest practical layer of fine limestone screen-
2 shows the disassembled bearing ratio apparatus. ings (20–40 mesh) or plaster of paris.
6.6 If necessary in order to achieve a smooth surface, raise
6. Procedure
the surcharge plate while the seating load is on the piston and
6.1 Prepare the general surface area to be tested by remov- evenly spread clean fine sand to a depth of 0.12 to 0.24 in. (3
ing from the surface loose and dried material which is not to 6 mm) over the surface to be covered by the plate. This
representative of the soil to be tested. Produce a test area which serves to distribute the weight of the surcharge uniformly.
is as smooth and horizontal as practicable. Where nonplastic
6.7 Add surcharge weights to the surcharge plate so that the
base materials are encountered, extreme care shall be taken not
unit load is equivalent to the load intensity of the material or
to disturb the test surface. Spacing of the penetration tests shall
pavement which will overlie the subgrade or base, or both,
be such that operations at one point will not disturb the soil at
the next point to be penetrated. This spacing may range from a except that the minimum weight applied shall be the “10-lb”
minimum of 7.0 in. (175 mm) in plastic soils to 15 in. (380 (4.5-kg) surcharge plate plus one “20-lb” (9-kg) surcharge
mm) in coarse granular soils. weight.
6.2 Locate the truck so that the center of the bearing NOTE 4—This minimum weight creates an intensity of loading equal to
attachment is directly over the surface to be tested. Install the that created by the “10-lb” surcharge weight used in the 6-in. (150-mm)
mechanical screw test jack with the swivel to the underside of diameter mold in the laboratory CBR test (Test Method D1883).
the reaction attachment. Place the truck jacks under each side
6.8 Attach the penetration dial clamp to the piston so that
of the truck and lift the truck so that little or no weight rests on
the dial rests upon the dial support.
the rear springs, making sure that the truck is level across the
back. 6.9 Set the dial gauges to zero.
6.3 Position the mechanical screw jack to the correct posi- 6.10 Apply the load to the penetration piston so that the rate
tion for the test, and connect the proving ring to the end of jack. of penetration is approximately 0.05 in. (1.3 mm)/min. By
Then, attach the piston adapter to the bottom of the proving using the low-gear ratio of the jack during the test, a uniform
ring, connect the necessary number of extensions to come rate of penetration can be maintained by the operator. Record
within 4.9 in. (125 mm) of the surface to be tested, and connect the deflection of the proving ring or load cell reading at each
the penetration piston. Clamp the jack in place. Check the level 0.025-in. (0.64-mm) increment of penetration to the nearest 25
mounted on the jack to be certain the assembly is vertical and lbf (111 kN), to a final depth of 0.500 in. (12.70 mm). In
adjust it if necessary. homogeneous soils, penetration depths greater than 0.300 in.

FIG. 1 Setup for Field In-Place Tests

3
 D4429 – 09a

FIG. 2 Apparatus for Field In-Place Tests

(7.62 mm) frequently may be omitted. Compute the stress for in. (5.08 mm) or at maximum penetration. No other bearing
each increment of penetration in percent (see Section 7 for ratios may be identified as CBR values.
calculations).
6.11 At the completion of the test obtain a sample at the 8. Report: Test Data Sheet(s)/Form(s)
point of penetration and determine its water content. A density 8.1 Report the following information on each test:
determination should also be made at a location about 4 to 6 in. 8.1.1 Test location,
(100 to 150 mm) away from the point of penetration. The 8.1.2 Material,
density and water content shall be determined in accordance 8.1.3 Depth of test,
with the applicable test methods listed in Section 2 (D1556, 8.1.4 Stress-penetration curve,
D2167, D2216, D2937, D6780, D6938). 8.1.5 Corrected bearing ratio at 0.1-in. (2.54-mm) penetra-
tion,
7. Calculation 8.1.6 Corrected bearing ratio at 0.2-in. (5.08-mm) penetra-
7.1 Stress Penetration Curve—Calculate the penetration tion,
stress for each penetration increment as applied force divided 8.1.7 Water content and test method used, and
by piston area. Plot the stress versus penetration curve for each 8.1.8 Density and test method used.
increment of penetration, as shown in Fig. 3. 8.1.9 Name(s) of personnel performing test.
7.1.1 In some instances the stress-penetration curve may be
NOTE 5—Fig. 4 provides an example form that may be used.
concave upward initially because of surface irregularities or
other causes, and in such cases the zero point shall be adjusted 9. Precision and Bias
as shown in Fig. 3.
7.2 CBR—Using corrected stress values taken from the 9.1 Precision—Test data on precision are not presented. It is
stress–penetration curve for 0.100 in. (2.54 mm) and 0.200-in. either not feasible or too costly at this time to have ten or more
(5.08-mm) penetrations, calculate the bearing ratios for each by agencies participate in an in-situ testing program at a given
dividing the corrected stresses by the standard stresses of 1000 site.
psi (6.9 MPa) and 1500 psi (10.3 MPa) respectively, and 9.2 Bias—There is no accepted reference value for this test
multiplying by 100. Also, calculate the bearing ratios for the method to be compared against, therefore bias cannot be
maximum stress, if the penetration is less than 0.200 in., determined.
interpolating the standard stress. The CBR reported for the soil 9.3 The subcommittee is seeking pertinent data from users
mixture is normally the bearing ratio at 0.100-in. (2.54-mm) of this test method which may be used to develop meaningful
penetration. When the bearing ratio at 0.200-in. (5.08-mm) statements of precision.
penetration (or at maximum penetration if less than 0.200 in.)
is greater, rerun the test. If the check test gives a similar result, 10. Keywords
the CBR is then taken as the bearing ratio determined at 0.200 10.1 bearing ratio; CBR; deflection; flexible pavement

4
 D4429 – 09a

FIG. 3 Correction of Stress-Penetration Curves

5
 D4429 – 09a

FIG. 4 Example Report

6
 D4429 – 09a
SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee D18 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(D4429 – 09) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved December 1, 2009.)

(1) Revised Section 5.2 for clarification on Apparatus

Committee D18 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(D4429 – 04) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved May 15, 2009.)

(1) Added Caveats on Units, Use of Inch/Pound, Significant (5) Moved information to Significance and Use from prior
Digits and Rounding. Precision & Bias section.
(2) Added Terminology section. (6) Revised Section 8 on Reports/Forms to conform to D18
(3) Added note on use of D3740. policies.
(4) Added load cells to Apparatus section. (7) Added Example Form.

ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should
make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.

This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above
address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or service@astm.org (e-mail); or through the ASTM website
(www.astm.org). Permission rights to photocopy the standard may also be secured from the ASTM website (www.astm.org/
COPYRIGHT/).