GEOTECHNICAL LAB

BEC 307

Table of Contents
LABORATORY 1: VANE SHEAR TEST..................................................................................2
1.1

INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................2

1.2

THEORY......................................................................................................................3

1.3

OBJECTIVES..............................................................................................................4

1.4

APPARATUS...............................................................................................................4

1.5

PROCEDURES............................................................................................................5

1.6

DATA COLLECTION & RECORDING.....................................................................7

1.7

DATA ANALYSIS........................................................................................................8

1.7.1

CALCULATION...................................................................................................8

1.7.2

RESULTS............................................................................................................10

1.8 DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION..................................................................................11

1.8.1

DISCUSSION.....................................................................................................11

1.8.2

CONCLUSION...................................................................................................12

1.9

REFERENCES AND APPENDIX.............................................................................13

1.9.1

REFERENCES...................................................................................................13

1.9.2

APPENDIX.........................................................................................................14

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LABORATORY 1: VANE SHEAR TEST

1.1 INTRODUCTION
Vane Shear Test is a fast way of testing a soil sample; it is used in both the environments i.e. either in
laboratory or in field to determine the shear strength of the soft cohesive sensitive clay. Sensitive clays are those
clays which when disturbed loses parts of their shear strength.
In laboratory vane shear test the apparatus used is a cruciform vane structure. A rod is also placed in the
structure to produce torque. Now the force is applied to the rod of the vane to produce torque until the failure
occurs on the shearing on the circle of diameter d, and height of the cylinder h. now in order to test the soil the
blades of the vane are pushed into the soil and rotated with a constant speed of 1 degree per min. with help of the
worm gear and a specific wheel arrangement.
Experience has shown that the results of the laboratory vane test are compatible with the result of
unconfined compressive tests. The vane apparatus is particularly suitable for sol such as soft, sensitive clays and
etc which has shear strength of 20 kN/m 2 or less, from which it would be extremely difficult to prepare
undisturbed specimens for other types of test. However, the test can also be carried out on soft remoulded soils,
for instance in a compaction mould.

Figure 1.1: The procedures of inserting the Vane instrument.

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1.2 THEORY
This test is used to estimate the undrained shear strength of a soil, and is particularly appropriate for
assessing very soft and sensitive clays, which can not be tested accurately in a laboratory as it is difficult to obtain
an undisturbed sample.
A rod with a four blade vane is pushed into the ground and rotated generally at a slow rate of 6 o to 12o per
minute. Every 15 - 30 secs the torque force is measured, once maximum torque has been reached, the vane is
rotated rapidly for ten revolutions to induce shear failure. After shearing, the slow rotation rate is resumed to
determine the remoulded shear strength. The shear strength is proportional to the torque / blade diameter3.
The test can be done at the base of a drillhole or trial pit, or at ground level. If the test is being conducted
at the bottom of a drillhole it is important that the test area has not been disturbed by boring, generally the test is
conducted five borehole diameters below the borehole base.

Figure 1.2: The Vane Shear Test Diagram.

1.3 OBJECTIVES
The main objective of this experiment is to determine the shear strength of a given soil specimen.
2

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1.4 APPARATUS
a. Laboratory Vane shear apparatus (refer to Figure 1.3)
b. A four bladed cruciform vane mounted on rod.
c. Extruder
d. Base plate.
e. Support for clamping a 100 mm diameter sampling tube.
f. Spatulas.
g. Trimming knives.
h. Three Containers.
i. Weighing machine.

Figure 1.3: Vane Shear Apparatus.

1.5 PROCEDURES
The sampling tube was attached securely to the clamper with the sampling tube is vertically and located centrally
under the axis of the vane.

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BEC 307

The upper surface of the specimen was trimmed to flat and perpendicularly to the axis.
The most appropriate torsion spring was selected for the estimated strength of the soil and the vane apparatus was
assembled into the motorized equipment.
The pointer and graduated scale on the torsion head were set to zero readings.
The vane assembled was lowered down just touched the surface of the specimen.
Torque was applied to the vane by rotating the torsion head at the rate of 6 /min until the specimen has sheared.
The maximum angular deflection of the torsion spring and the angle of rotation of the vane at the instant of
failure were recorded.
For remould test, the vane was rotated rapidly through two complete revolutions. S as to remould the soil in the
sheared zone.
The reading on the angular graduated scale was recorded immediately after remoulding.
The vane was raised steadily from the specimen to prevent excessive disturbance due to tearing of the surface.
The blade was cleaned.

2)

The vane was tested on the same specimen at two or more difference locations at the same level in the specimen.

3)

The remoulded specimen was tested by repeating the step (a) for (b).

GEOTECHNICAL LAB

BEC 307

1.6 DATA COLLECTION & RECORDING

Table 1.1: Vane Shear test Result and Analysis.(Sheet Attached in Appendix)

MOISTURE CONTENT (%)

pri

Initial

ng

Dial

No.

Reading

Final Dial

Diff. Dial

Reading

Reading

Conv.

Vane

Factor

Shear

(KN/m2)

(KN/m2)

Weight
Samp

of

le No.

Containe
r Wc (g)

Wc +

Wc +

Moisture

Wet Soil

Dry Soil

Content

W1 (g)

W2 (g)

(%)

191

220

0.44

3.96

57

21.27

115.76

194

211

17

0.44

7.48

95

21.81

119.98

UDB: Undisturbed Normal Bottom Soil RMT: Remolded Top Soil

RMB: Remolded Bottom Soil

1.7 DATA ANALYSIS

1.7.1 CALCULATION

Difference in Dial Reading

Undisturbed Normal Bottom Soil
Diff . Dial Reading=Final Dial ReadingInitial Dial Reading

Diff . Dial Reading=220191=9

Remolded Bottom Soil

Diff . Dial Reading=Final Dial ReadingInitial Dial Reading

Vane Shear
Undisturbed Normal Bottom Soil

Diff . Dial Reading=211194=17

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Cuv=Diff . Dial Reading Conversion Factor

Cuv=9 0.44

Cuv=3.96 KN /m

Remolded Bottom Soil

Cuv=Diff . Dial Reading Conversion Factor

Cuv=17 0.44

Cuv=7.48 KN /m2

Moisture Content
Undisturbed Normal Bottom Soil

Moisture Content=

W 1W 2
100
W 2W c

Moisture Content=

82.8665.25
100
65.2521.45

Moisture Content=44.75

Undisturbed Normal Bottom Soil and Remolded Bottom Soil

Refer to the Undisturbed Soil Sample as it is the same samples were used for the remolded soil test.

1.7.2 RESULTS

By averaging the bottom soil for undisturbed soil:

For UDB:

For RMB:

Cuv=3.96

KN
2
m

Cuv=7.48

Average Vane Shear =

KN
2
m

3.96+7.48
=5.72 KN /m2
2

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BEC 307

By comparing the bottom soil for undisturbed soil:

Percentage Error , =

|7.483.96|
7.48

100

Percentage Error , =47.08

1.8 DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION

1.8.1 DISCUSSION
The result shows relatively high differences between the undisturbed top soil and undisturbed bottom soil
for the Vane shear which are 21.56 KN/m 2 and 1.76KN/m2 respectively. The percentage error when comparing
the undisturbed top soil and undisturbed bottom soil by making the top soil as the references value is 91.84%.
The average Vane shear for the undisturbed soil is 11.66KN/m2.
Whereas the remolded soil test for the top soil and bottom soil are 2.20KN/m2 and 1.76KN/m2
respectively. For the remolded soil, the percentage error is 20% by comparing the remolded top soil and remolded
bottom soil. The moisture content for the undisturbed top soil and remolded top soil is 29.03% and the moisture
content for the undisturbed bottom soil and remolded bottom soil is 44.75%.
In general, clay and silty clay are classified as cohesive soil. From visually observation, the nature of the
specimen is grey in colour and silty. Spring No.2 with conversion factor of 0.44 was used in this experiment
because the specimen is very soft.
The high error for the undisturbed top and bottom soil might be occurring because of the test was done
after a long time the specimen was collected. This might let the soil and the moisture to settle to the bottom of the
specimen container.

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BEC 307

1.8.2 CONCLUSION
The objective of the experiment is not achieved as the value of the Vane Shear for the undisturbed top
soils and undisturbed bottom soils have a big gap between their respective values and the same goes for the
remolded soil. This can be avoided by applying a few precautions during the test.
When we transfer the specimen or the sample tube with specimen, we must be careful, such as avoiding
the specimen from vibration, hitting, and expose to open air without sealing. All of these factors will later affect
the end result of our experiment. Vibration and hitting may disturb the specimen and particles arrangement in the
specimen, and exposing it to air without sealing will caused the lost of moisture content where we will unable to
obtained the real moisture content of the specimen.
The right number of spring must be chosen for the right type of specimen, the larger the number of the
spring number, the softer and more cohesive the specimen will be. Usually spring number 1 is for firm specimen,
spring number 2 for soft to firm specimen, spring number 3 for soft specimen and spring number 4 is for very soft
specimen, for our case we choose spring number 2.
When punching the vane head into the soil sample, lower down the vane head slowly into the specimen so
that it would not disturb the specimen. Must always look at the angular graduated scale and must stop the stop
clock just after the pointer stop to move. The distance between the locations of the testing point must be more
then 30 mm in radius. Just after the test, immediately need to take out some specimen for the moisture content
testing. This is to avoid excessive lost of moisture content due to the air drying.

GEOTECHNICAL LAB

BEC 307

1.9 REFERENCES AND APPENDIX

1.9.1 REFERENCES
Engineering Terms. (2011, September 27). Laboratory vane shear test | Civil Engineering Terms. Civil
Engineering Terms. Retrieved August 25, 2012, from http://www.civilengineeringterms.com/soilmechanics-2/laboratory-vane-shear-test/
Atkinson, P., Davison, D. L., & Springman, P. S. (2000, May 29). Shear strength. Faculty of Environment
and Technology - UWE Bristol: Faculty of Environment and Technology. Retrieved August 25,
2012, from http://environment.uwe.ac.uk/geocal/SoilMech/shear/shear.htm
Shear

strength

of

soils.

(n.d.).http://www.gtt.bme.hu.

Retrieved

August

28,

2012,

from

www.gtt.bme.hu/gtt/oktatas/feltoltesek/BMETKEOGB01/4_shearstrengthofsoils.pdf
Wikipedia. (n.d.). User:Vincent.yunansan/Vane Shear Test - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Wikipedia,
the

free

encyclopedia.

Retrieved

August

25,

2012,

from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Vincent.yunansan/Vane_Shear_Test
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Shear strength (soil) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Retrieved August 25, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shear_strength_(soil)
Google.

(n.d.).

Google

Image

Result

for

http://www.pitcherdrilling.com/images/Equipment/testingequipment/Vane-Shear-Testing.gif. Goog
le.

Retrieved

August

25,

2012,

from

http://www.google.com.my/imgres?

um=1&hl=en&safe=off&sa=N&biw=1366&bih=670&tbm=isch&tbnid=y70GEwtot2twrM:&imgr
efurl=http://www.geotechdata.info/geotest/vane-shear-test&imgurl=http://www.pitcherdrilling.com
/images/Equipment/testingequipment/Vane-Shear-Testing.gif&w=300&h=
198&ei=wt84UNrLENDirAf0g4CIBA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=730&vpy=184&dur=724&hovh=
142&hovw=216&tx=164&ty=89&sig=109842138435385279940&page=1&tbnh=134&tbnw=203
&start=0&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0,i:81

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1.9.2 APPENDIX

Figure 1.4: The reading after the torque had been applied.

Figure 1.4: The Vane Shear apparatus for laboratory test.

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Figure 1.5: The extruder is used to take the soil from the sample container.

Figure 1.6: Torque is being applied to the sample soil.