ISO 17892-9-2018 PDF

Full title and description

Geotechnical investigation and testing — Laboratory testing of soil — Part 9: Consolidated triaxial compression tests on water saturated soils. This ISO standard defines the method for performing consolidated triaxial compression tests on cylindrical, water‑saturated soil specimens to determine shear strength, stress–strain behaviour and effective stress paths under compression loading conditions.

Abstract

ISO 17892-9:2018 specifies procedures for consolidated triaxial compression tests on water‑saturated soils. A specimen (undisturbed, re‑compacted, remoulded or reconstituted) is consolidated under an isotropic or anisotropic stress state under drained conditions and subsequently sheared under either undrained or drained conditions. The test permits determination of triaxial shear strength, stress–strain relationships and effective stress paths; reporting and evaluation procedures are included (Annex B). Some special variants (for example K0 consolidation, multi‑stage tests, local strain or pore‑pressure measurements, lubricated ends) are not fully covered but may refer to the general procedures in this document.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard).
• Publication date: 28 February 2018.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 93.020; 13.080.20 (Earthworks; Physical properties of soils).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2018).
• Number of pages: 25 (ISO edition page count as published).

Scope

This document applies to the laboratory determination of triaxial shear strength under compression loading for water‑saturated soils within geotechnical investigations. It covers specimen preparation (undisturbed, re‑compacted, remoulded or reconstituted), consolidation under drained conditions (isotropic or anisotropic), and subsequent shearing under undrained or drained conditions. The procedure enables determination of shear strength parameters, stress–strain behaviour and effective stress paths for individual specimens; a set of relatable tests (typically at least three) is required to establish strength parameters. The standard does not fully treat several specialised test variations but allows reference to its general procedures when applying such variants.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and purpose of consolidated triaxial compression tests for water‑saturated soils.
• Specimen types allowed: undisturbed, re‑compacted, remoulded or reconstituted cylinders.
• Procedures for consolidation (isotropic or anisotropic) under drained conditions.
• Shearing procedures under undrained or drained conditions; measurement of stresses, strains and pore pressures where applicable.
• Determination of shear strength, stress–strain relationships and effective stress paths; guidance on data evaluation (Annex B) and reporting requirements.
• Requirement to perform a set of relatable tests (not just a single specimen) to derive strength parameters.
• Notes on special procedures (K0 consolidation, multi‑stage tests, lubricated ends, local measurements) which are not fully covered but may refer to the standard’s general methods.

Typical use and users

Used by geotechnical laboratories, consulting geotechnical engineers, forensic geotechnical investigators, academic researchers and contractors involved in foundation design, slope stability assessments, earthworks and ground improvement projects. The standard is applied when reliable laboratory triaxial shear strength data and stress–strain behaviour of saturated soils are required for design, analysis or research.

Related standards

ISO 17892 is a multi‑part series of laboratory soil test methods; related parts include (among others) Part 1 (determination of water content), Part 2 (bulk density), Part 3 (particle density), Part 4 (particle size distribution), Part 5 (incremental loading oedometer test), Part 6 (fall cone test), Part 7 (unconfined compression test), Part 8 (unconsolidated undrained triaxial test), Part 10 (direct shear tests), Part 11 (permeability tests) and Part 12 (liquid and plastic limits). National/adopted versions exist (for example BS EN ISO variants).

Keywords

Consolidated triaxial test, triaxial compression, saturated soils, shear strength, effective stress path, drained consolidation, undrained shearing, geotechnical laboratory testing, ISO 17892 series, specimen preparation, pore pressure measurement.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 17892-9:2018 is the International Standard that specifies laboratory methods for consolidated triaxial compression tests on water‑saturated soils to determine shear strength and stress–strain behaviour.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers consolidation of cylindrical soil specimens under drained conditions (isotropic or anisotropic) and subsequent shearing under drained or undrained conditions, measurement and reporting of stresses, strains and (where appropriate) pore pressures, and procedures for evaluating test results. Some specialised variants are noted but not exhaustively defined.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Geotechnical laboratories, consulting engineers, academic researchers, and others needing standardized triaxial test data for design, analysis or research in geotechnics and foundation engineering.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 17892-9:2018 is the published International Standard (revising and replacing the earlier ISO/TS 17892-9:2004 family). Users should check with ISO or their national standards body for any amendments or newer revisions after the 2018 edition.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 9 of the ISO 17892 series (Geotechnical investigation and testing — Laboratory testing of soil), which contains multiple parts covering common laboratory soil tests (water content, density, particle size distribution, oedometer tests, triaxial variants, direct shear, permeability, limits, etc.).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Consolidated triaxial, triaxial compression, saturated soils, shear strength, effective stress, drained/undrained, pore pressure, laboratory soil testing, ISO 17892.