Unconfined Compression Strength (UCS)

Unconfined Compression Strength (UCS) is a measure of how much pressure or stress a soil or rock sample can withstand when compressed from top to bottom without any lateral support or confinement around it. It indicates the material’s capacity to resist crushing or failure under direct load. UCS is commonly used in geotechnical engineering to assess the strength and stability of soils and rocks, helping to determine safe foundations, excavation conditions, and the suitability of materials for construction projects. The higher the UCS value, the stronger the material is under unconfined conditions.