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CVG 3109: Soil Mechanics Laboratory

Vane Shear Test

Objectives 
 
(i) To determine the undrained strength of saturated soft clay specimens in the laboratory
(ii) To determine effects of strength anisotropy in vertical and horizontal directions  
(iii) To compare the determined shear strength value from vane tests with unconfined compressio
tests. 

Background 
  Vane shear test is commonly used to determine the undrained shear strength of soft clays (i.e.,
= 0) both in the laboratory and the field.

Laboratory Vane Test Field Vane Test

  The laboratory vane shear test is useful for determining the shear strength of soils typically less
than 100 kPa (very soft to slightly stiff clays) in accordance with the procedures described in
 ASTM D 2488. The shear strength values for undisturbed and remoulded samples can be used
evaluating the sensitivity of soil. The laboratory vane test is also an ideal tool for determining the
strength anisotropy (vertical and horizontal directions) of soil specimens collected in the field.
  The vane shear test apparatus consists of four-blade vanes which can be inserted into an
undisturbed tube specimen or a remolded specimen and rotating it at a constant rate to determ
the torque required to cause a cylindrical surface to be sheared by the vane. This torque is
converted to a unit shearing resistance of the cylindrical surface area. The torque is measured b

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CVG 3109: Soil Mechanics Laboratory

a calibrated spring that is attached directly to the vane. The remolded zone around the vane
blade is assumed to be small and have little or no effect on the stress –strain properties. In reali
the volume of the soil disturbed by the insertion of the blade into the assumed cylindrical volum
of the soil being tested may be significant. It is recommended that the vane displacement be no
more that 15 % of the soil being tested as defined by the vane area ratio.

Apparatus 
  Vane Blade: The vane blade assembly consists of four rectangular blade vanes. It is
recommended that the height of the vane be twice the diameter (2:1). Vane blade diameters var
from 0.5 inch (12.5 mm) to 1 inch (25.4 mm).
  Vane Devise: The vane devise is a motorized machine that rotates the torque spring at a consta
rate of speed which is about 60o /min. The vane spring rotation devise has an indicator to displa
the rotation angle as the spring torque is increased with time.

Crank For Lowering

Vane Into Specimen.
Vane
Head Motor Drive

Vane
Spring

Scale

Vane

Vane
Frame

Specimen
Holder

Specimen
Vane Crank
Holder

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CVG 3109: Soil Mechanics Laboratory

  The rotational head of the vane shear machine has two degree scales (see Fig below). The inne
scale, 0o  – 359o provides a scale for reading the torque of the spring while the outer scale, 0 o  – 9
provides a scale for reading the actual vane rotation.

Spring Torque Vane Rotation

Scale Indicator

Vane Torque
Indicator

Spring Torque
Vane Rotation Indicator
Link Rod

Vane
Spring

Vane
Lock

Vane
Blades

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Theoretical & Design Considerations

When a soil specimen is sheared using a vane blade, the soil is sheared along both the horizon
and vertical planes. We will assume that vertical plane is along the height and horizontal is acro
the ends.

The
aboutratio
4:1.of horizontal to vertical areas of shear for a 2:1 blade is about 8:1 and for a 1:1 blade
Many types of clay are typically anisotropic with respect to strength both in horizontal and verti
directions.
It is important to maintain the recommended ratio of height to diameter to determine the horizon
and vertical strengths separately to reduce the errors associated with the measurements.
In the laboratory test, we will conduct the experiment in two different directions, along the axis
the specimen and across it. We will use two different ratios of vane blades, 2:1 and 1:1.

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CVG 3109: Soil Mechanics Laboratory

Procedure
1. Select a tube specimen, unwrap and extract enough material to get an undisturbed specimen
the end of the tube. Trim the specimen material flush with the end of tube.
2. Using the pocket vane, determine the estimated undrained shear strength of the specimen to
used, as described by the instructor
3. Extract and re-trim the specimen.
4. Crank the vane head to the top of the vane frame.
5. Install the 12.5 x 19 mm vane in the vane apparatus.
6. Prepare a tube specimen and install vertically in vane apparatus.
7. Select the appropriate spring for the specimen and vane combination.
8. Install the belt drive and set the vane indicators.
9. Lower the vane into the specimen until the top of the vane is one blade height below the surfa
of the specimen.
10. Take note of the initial readings. Adjust if necessary.
11. Turn on the vane motor and take readings every 2 to 3 degrees of vane rotation. Record on d
sheet.
12. Repeat steps 4 to 12 using the 12.5 x 19 mm vane. However this time we will extract
approximately 10 cm of specimen and install the extracted specimen within the split tube
specimen holder and place the assembly horizontally within the vane frame.

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CVG 3109: Soil Mechanics Laboratory

Calculation Procedure for Today’s Experiment 

  Assuming the distribution of the shear strength is uniform across the ends of a cylinder and
around the perimeter

T T 
 D    D 2 H 
TS    DHsu ,v  su ,v
2 2
 D / 2 2   su ,h  D3
T B  
0
2    dr  su ,h r  
3 8
T S  if ,su ,v  su ,h  su
H
 D 3  H 
   1
T  TS  2TB   s
u
2   D 3

T  B 2T T 
 su  
  H  1  K 
  D  3 
3
   D
 
D
       D H   D  2

 K        1 
 110   2   3 H  
6

(m3: D and H are in cm) 

dr 

 D r 
2

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CVG 3109: Soil Mechanics Laboratory

Report
  Address all the questions below when you write your report

1. Comment on the difference between vertical and horizontal vane shear strength for the same
vane.
2. Why do we label the vane strength as undrained shear strength? Give reasons.

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CVG 3109: Soil Mechanics Laboratory

Determination of the Undrained Shear Strength Of Clay

Using the Laboratory Vane

Shaded cells are for raw or observed data Blank cells are for calculated data

Student Number Lab Day

Date Vane Diameter cm
Sample Description Vane Height cm
Sample Colour Vane Constant KV m3

Estimated Depth Spring Number  

Sample Orientation Vert. or Hor. Spring Constant KS Nm

Test  Note: Instructor will demostrate the procedure for determining the spring constant 
Clock Elapse Vane Spring  Act ual Vane  Actual Spring
Time Time Rotation Rotation Rotation Rotation Spring Torque Shear Stresss
RV Rs RV = RVn  - RV0 RS = RSn - RS0 T =   RV x KS t = T x K V
(min) (deg) (deg) (deg) (deg) (Nm) (Pa)
0

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CVG 3109: Soil Mechanics Laboratory

Determination of the Undrained Shear Strength Of Clay

Using the Laboratory Vane

Shaded cells are for raw or observed data Blank cells are for calculated data

Student Number Lab Day

Date Vane Diameter cm
Sample Description Vane Height cm
Sample Colour Vane Constant KV m3

Estimated Depth Spring Number  

Sample Orientation Vert. or Hor. Spring Constant KS Nm

Test  Note: Instructor will demostrate the procedure for determining the spring constant 
Clock Elapse Vane Spring  Act ual Vane  Actual Spring

Time Time Rotation Rotation Rotation Rotation Spring Torque Shear Stresss
RV Rs RV = RVn  - RV0 RS = RSn - RS0 T =   RV x KS t = T x K V
(min) (deg) (deg) (deg) (deg) (Nm) (Pa)
0

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