FIELD VANE SHEAR TEST

SOILMECHANICS LABORATORY
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
SRI LANKA INSTITUTE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
SRI LANKA

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 Field Vane Shear Test
INTRODUCTION
The field vane shear test (ASTM D 2573) is the most common test for evaluating the undrained
shear strength of soft to stiff clays because of its speed of performance and repeatability.

Fig. 1: The test arrangement Fig. 2: Geometry of the vane

PROCEDURE
1. Drive the rod vertically downward up to the required depth. This should be done at a
single thrust. No torque should be applied to the rod at this stage.
2. Rotate the vane at rate not exceeding 0.1°/sec. During rotation hold it at a fixed elevation
3. Record the observations required to calculate torque in 15s intervals or less. Record until
the reading reaches a maximum and start to decline.
4. Turn 10 more times quickly to remould the soil.
5. Soon as 10 rotations are done, conduct steps 2 and 3 to find remoulded strength.
6. In the case where soil is in contact with the torque rods, determine the friction between
the soil and the rod by means of torque tests conducted on similar rods at similar depths
with no vane attached. Conduct the rod friction test at least once on each site.
7. The undisturbed and remoulded tests shall be done at intervals not less than 0.76 m.
Soil sensitivity is found as the ratio of peak to remoulded strength. Soil sensitivity is the estimate
of a soil's ability to maintain its original strength when bothered or remolded.

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CALCULATION
The turning moment required to shear the soil is as follows:

Shear strength at failure along the cylindrical surface = 𝜋𝑑𝐻𝑐

𝑑
Moment by the shear on cylindrical surface mc = 𝜋𝑑𝐻𝑐 .
2

Shearing resistance on an elementary ring of radius ‘r’ at top or bottom me = 2𝜋𝑟𝑑𝑟. 𝑐

Moment by the shear on the ring = 2𝜋𝑟𝑑𝑟. 𝑐 . 𝑟

𝑑/2
Total shear resistance on top or bottom = ∫0 2𝜋𝑟 2 𝑑𝑟. 𝑐

From equilibrium T = mc + 2me

𝑑
𝑑
T = 𝜋𝑑𝐻𝑐 . + 2 ∫02 2𝜋𝑟 2 𝑑𝑟. 𝑐
2

𝐻 𝑑
𝑇 = 𝜋𝑑2 𝑐 [ + ]
2 6

Where c – shear stress, T – applied torque

REPORT
For each vane test record the following observations:
1. Date of the test
2. Size and shape of the vane (tapered or rectangular)
3. Depth of the vane tip
4. Shear stress (c) vs. angular rotation (θ) graph and maximum shear stress (cu)
5. Time to failure of the test.
6. Rate of remoulding.
7. Maximum torque reading for the remoulded test.
8. Notes on any deviations from standard test procedure.

CORRECTION
Bjerrum (1972) has shown that at high plasticity index (PI), the field test results should be
corrected before used in foundation design.
𝑐𝑢(𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛) = 𝜆𝑐𝑢(𝑣𝑎𝑛𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟)

Where, λ = correction factor = 1.7 − 0.54log(𝑃𝐼)

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OBSERVATIONS

Graduated circle Dial gauge Graduated circle Dial gauge

reading (deg) reading reading (deg) reading

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