CBR Load Frames

Gilson load frames are ideal for laboratory California Bearing Ratio (CBR) Testing when outfitted with suitable components. To perform a CBR test, the CBR sample is placed in the load frame, which advances the standard-sized piston into the specimen at a constant loading rate of 0.05in/min (1.3mm/min).

The sample’s penetration resistance is measured with a load cell or load ring, and the relative measure of the soil’s strength is calculated. This data is used in pavement design to determine the thickness of the layers needed to support expected traffic loads.

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Gilson offers the Servo Control Load Frames and the Manual CBR Load Frame to perform CBR testing.

• Servo Control Load Frames have a 10,000lbf (44.4kN) or 20,000lbf (88.9kN) load capacity and an extra-wide strain rate range of 0.00001–2in/min (0.0001–50.8mm/min). The strain rate of 0.05in/min (1.3mm/min) is selected on the touchscreen controller, which maintains precise control to within ±1% under load using electronic feedback from the servo motor. Units have heavy duty design with sturdy, 16-gauge painted steel enclosures. Adjusting nuts are located on the coarse-threaded rods to easily adjust the horizontal crosshead.
• Manual CBR Load Frame is an effective manually operated Load Frame for CBR testing and meets ASTM D1883 and AASHTO T 193 standards.

A digital component set is required and purchased separately to enable full data collection. CBR sets are designed for CBR testing and contain the high-quality instruments necessary to measure load and displacement. View our available CBR Load & Displacement Measurement Component Sets.

Data Acquisition Software can be added to automatically record load and displacement data and generate a real-time load-penetration curve for calculating CBR tests.

The Manual CBR Load Frame is designed with separate hand-operated cranks for loading and meets ASTM D1883 and AASHTO T 193 standards. A component set is not required.

For more information on CBR Load Frames, here are our related blogs:

• Gilson Servo Control Load Frames: Comprehensive, Adaptable, Precise
• California Bearing Ratio Test: CBR Values & Why They Matter