UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI PETRONAS CIVIL ENGINEERING PROGRAMME BANDAR SERI ISKANDAR 31750 TRONOH UNIvERSITI PERAK DARUL RIDZUAAN HIKNOLOGH PETRONAS TEST 3 : LABORATORY VANE SHEAR TEST Objective : To determine the shear strength of a sample of soft to firm cohesive soil. Apparatus : Laboratory vane apparatus ( Figure 1) General Discussion This method covers the measurements of the shear strength of a sample of soft to firm cohesive soil without having to remove it from its container or sampling tube. The sample therefore does not suffer disturbance due to preparation of a test specimen. The method may be used for soils that are too soft or too sensitive to enable a satisfactory compression test specimen to be prepared. Procedure : 1. ON Attach the sample container securely to the base of the vane apparatus, with the sample axis vertical and located centrally under the axis of the vane. . Trim the upper surface of the sample flat and perpendicular to the axis. Select a torsion spring that is most appropriate for the estimated strength of the soil and assemble it into the vane apparatus . Set the pointer and the graduated scale on the torsion head to their zero reading, and ensure that there is no backlash in the mechanism for applying torque. . Lower the vane assembly until the vane just touches the end surface of the sample. This provides the datum from which the depth of penetration of the vane can be measured. Lower the vane assembly further to push the vane steadily into the sample to the required depth. The top of the vane should be at distance not less than four times the blade width below the surface. Record the depth of penetration. Apply torque to the vane by rotating the torsion head at the rate of 6°/min to 12° min, until the soil has sheared.8. Record the maximum angular deflection of the torsion spring and the angle of rotation of the vane at the instant of failure. 9. Raise the vane steadily. As it emerges from the sample, prevent excessive disturbance due to tearing of the surface. Wipe the blades clean. 10. Extrude the sample from its container and take specimens from the level at which the tests were carried out for determining the soil moisture content. 11. Record the visual description of the soil at the same level. Calculations : 1. For each determination calculate the torque applied to shear, M (in N.mm), by multiplying the maximum angular rotation of the torsion spring (in degree) by the calibration factor (in N.mm per degree). 2. Calculate the vane shear strength of the soil, Ty in (kPa) , from the equation : Ty = (MAK) kN/m? where K = constant which depends on the dimensions of the vane. Note : The value of K (in mm?) is given by the following equation, which assumes that the distribution of shear stress is uniform around the perimeter and across the ends of the cylinder of soil at failure. K = TID? [ (H/2) + (D/6) J Where : D = overall width of the vane measured to 0.1mm. (om) H_ = length of the vane measured to 0.1mm (mm) The value of K for the vane 12.7mm wide and 12.7mm long is 4290mm? 3. Calculate the moisture content of the soil at the test horizon. Discussions : Conclusions :UNIVERSITI TECHNOLOGI PETRONAS CIVIL ENGINEERING PROGRAMME BANDAR SERI ISKANDAR 31750 TRONOH yuan | PERAK DARUL RIDZUAAN ‘Table 1 : Typical Torslon Spring for Laboratory Vane ‘General descriptive term ‘Suggested spring rference™ | Probable maximum for strength Shear stress | (aan) Very soft TAY oven 20. SOR @) 40. ‘Soft to rim ©) 0. Firm, | (D) (elittest) | i pointer Soneier ser 4 cuter 17° Berone Test eno oF Test aro setting deflection of spring ~= 26% oF fotatlon of vane sa Fotallon of spring mounting = 43" @ @ Angular scale on laboratory vane apparatus : (a) details, (0) example illustrating reading after atest.LAB-VANE SPRING SET EL26-2275/10 SPRING SET FOR FRAME NO.1103-10-1416 240 220 200 180 160 140 120 400 - : a 30 : 60 40 20 0 0 0.25080.75 4 1.2515 178 2 2.25 Torque kg.om — Spring 1 —-Spring2 —* Spring 3 — Spring 4 BO-+00-+00 2907000 i I t 5|075 8 3.253.53.75 4 Calibration Valid From Date of SaleUNIVERSITI HKNOLOGT PETRONAS 31750 TRONOH: PERAK DARUL RIDZUAAN UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI PETRONAS CIVIL ENGINEERING PROGRAMME BANDAR SERI ISKANDAR Table 2 : Typical undrained shear strengthvalues with visual identification. Term Undrained Shear Strength* | Visual identification (kpa) Vary soft <12.5 Exudes between fingers Soft 125-25 Easily moulded with fingers and indented considerably with he thumb Firm 25-50 Can be moulded with moderate pressure of fingers and indented with moderate pressure Stiff 50-100 Moulded with difficulty by fingers, can be indented by strong pressure of the thumb only a small mount. Very stiff 700-200 Can be indented to little more then a fingerprint with strong pressure of the thumb. Table 3 : Calibration chart for torsion springs of laboratory vane apparatus. Torque ‘Spring No. Kg.cm Nm i 2 4 0.25 0.025 8 10 14 21 0.50 0.049 16 19 27 ED 0.75 0.074 23 29 41 58 1.00 0.098 31 39 55. 18 1.25 0.123 40 49 69 98 1.50 0.147 48 60 82 118 36 69 95 139 [65 72 108 160 72 90 122 179 81 100 135 199 89 110 150 98 120 161 L_ ee ) 175