Field Vane Shear Tester Kit

Field Vane Shear Tester Kit

The Field Van Shear Tester Complete is a great tool for taking direct readings of shear strength in various types of soil. Whether you’re working with soft or stiff clays, this is perfect for clay soils and can measure un-drained shear strength up to 10 feet (3 meters) deep. It’s especially good in sensitive clays.

With three different vane sizes (0.63” x 1.25” 16 x 32 mm, 0.79” x 1.58” 20 x 40 mm, 1” x 2” 25.4 x 50.8 mm) this complete set allows for measurements in a variety of soil conditions. The calibrated scale ring on the head assembly allows you to read the peak vane value as shown on the scale.

The cross handle serves multiple purposes, to push the vane to the desired test depth and to apply the shearing torque. This is an ergonomic design for easy use and accurate results. The depth can be extended with additional rods and the kit comes with 6 extension rods so you can adjust the number of rods as needed.

To get accurate readings the Field Van Shear Tester Complete comes with a dummy probe that replaces the vane to account for soil friction of the extension rods. By doing a skin friction test adjacent to the vane test location you can correct for any interference and get precise measurements.

Field tests are done with the tester and shear strength is measured and determined during the test. Soil properties especially in clay can affect the readings. Upon completion of a test, readings are taken and the values are used to determine soil properties.

This set includes everything you need to get started. It includes torque head assembly, 6 extension rods (rod), 3 vane sizes (diameter), skin friction probe, double-ended wrench and leather carrying pouch. All components are made of durable materials such as stainless steel and anodized aluminum so it can withstand harsh field conditions. The number of rods and vanes included is adjustable.

Note: Proper procedure is required for accurate results.

Whether you’re a geotechnical engineer or a soil scientist the Field Van Shear Tester Complete is the tool for you to measure shear strength in various soil types. With its versatility and comprehensive set of accessories this is a must have for any professional in the field.

The field vane shear test is a fundamental method in geotechnical engineering to evaluate the undrained shear strength of soils especially clays. This test is critical to assess the stability of foundations, trenches and other earthworks where soil strength is a factor in design and safety. By using a field vane shear tester engineers can quickly and accurately measure the peak value of shear strength directly in the field and get immediate data for site classification and decision making. Being able to determine undrained shear strength on-site ensures that foundations and other structures are built on stable ground reducing the risk of failure and improving overall project reliability. The field vane shear test is especially good in soft and soils where traditional sampling and laboratory testing may disturb the soil structure and give less reliable results.

Principles of Vane Shear

The field vane shear test works on the principle of measuring the torque required to rotate a vane embedded in the soil. The vane typically has four blades and is inserted into the ground – often through a borehole – and rotated at a constant rate. As the vane turns the resistance from the surrounding soil builds up until the soil fails along a cylindrical surface. The maximum torque recorded during this process is directly related to the undrained shear strength of the soil. This method gives a quick and reliable indication of shear strengths in situ making it ideal for evaluating the stability of foundations and other geotechnical structures. The field vane shear test is good in cohesive soils where the undrained shear strength is a critical parameter for design and safety assessments. By measuring the maximum torque required to rotate the vane engineers can determine the soil’s resistance to shear and ensure that structures are built on solid ground.

Components of the Tester Kit

A field vane shear tester kit is designed to be versatile and easy to use in various soil conditions. The kit consists of a rugged handheld device to measure the torque to rotate the vane, 3 vanes of different diameters to accommodate various soil types and strengths and a set of extension rods to test at different depths. The scale allows for precise measurement of torque and the cross handle provides control and comfort during testing. With a range of up to 260 kPa the kit is good for both soft and stiff soils making it a valuable tool for field investigations. The modular design with interchangeable vanes and extension rods allows geotechnical engineers to adapt the equipment to site specific conditions to get accurate and reliable shear strength measurements at different depths and soil profiles.

Assembling and Using the Field Vane Shear Tester

Setting up and using the field vane shear tester is a straightforward process to get undrained shear strength in the field. Start by calibrating the device with a known torque value to ensure measurement accuracy. Attach the correct vane for the conditions to the tester, then connect the required extension rods to reach the test depth. Lower the assembled vane into the borehole or test location making sure to disturb the surrounding as little as possible. Rotate the device at a constant rate and monitor the torque to turn the vane. The maximum torque value recorded during rotation is the value to be used to calculate the undrained shear strength using the vane’s dimensions. This allows for testing at multiple depths to get a profile. By following and maintaining a steady rotation engineers can minimize soil disturbance and get repeatable results for geotechnical analysis and design.