Aim: - To determine the shear strength of very soft soil as per IS : 2720- Part 30-1980.

Need and Scope: -

The test gives the undrained strength of the soil. The undisturbed and remoulded strength obtained
are also useful for evaluating the sensitivity of soil. The data acquired from the vane shear test can
be used for determining the:

 Undrained Shear Strength

 Evaluate rapid loading strength for total stress analysis
 Sensitivity of soil to disturbance
 Analysis of stability problems with embankment on soil ground

Apparatus Required: -
1. Vane Shear Apparatus
2. Soft Soil Specimen
3. Specimen Container
4. Vernier Calliper
5. Sensitive weighing balance with 0.01 g accuracy.

Theory: -
The objective of this test is to find the shear strength of the soil. This test is performed to find shear
strength of a given (generally very soft) soil specimen. Vane shear test is a useful method of measuring
the shear strength of soft clay. It is a cheaper and quicker method. The test can be conducted on field
as well as in laboratory. The laboratory vane shear test for the measurement of shear strength of
cohesive soils is useful for soils of low shear strength (less than 0.3 kg/cm2) for which unconfined tests
cannot be performed.

Procedure: -

1. In case of remoulded soil specimen, the dry weight of soil and the required water content to
be taken depends on the requirement. (Usually in-situ dry density and water content will be
taken for sample preparation).
2. Prepare eight specimens of the soil sample by rapidly mixing the soil with the water taken
until uniform soil sample is obtained.
3. The uniformly prepared sample if filled in the specimen container whose height is 76 mm and
diameter is 38 mm (Having (H/D) aspect ratio of 2).
4. The application of torque can be done using springs of different stiffness referred to as spring
constants (2, 4, 6, 8 kg-cm). To start with, the spring of stiffness (spring constant, 2kg-cm) is
attached to the vane shear apparatus.
5. Mount the specimen container with the specimen on the base of the vane shear apparatus. If
the specimen container is closed at one end, it should be provided with a hole of about 1 mm
diameter at the bottom.
 6. Gently lower the shear vanes into the specimen to their full length without disturbing the soil
specimen. The top of the vanes should be at least 10 mm below the top of the specimen. Note
the initial readings of the (upper and lower) needles of angle of twist before applying torque.
7. Both needles should eventually be at the same angle before starting the experiment.
8. Rotate the blades at a uniform rate (say 0.1° per second) by suitably operating the torque
application handle and the lower needle of angle handle reverts back which signifies the
failure of soil specimen.
9. Note the final reading of the angle of twist by measuring the upper needle’s indicated angle.
10. Find the value of blade height in cm and find the value of blade diameter (total width) in cm.
11. The same procedure needs to be done by changing the springs of other stiffness/spring
constant say 4, 6, 8 kg-cm.
12. The repetition of tests for all springs of different stiffness is mandatory for reporting the
results.

OBSERVATIONS AND RECORDINGS:

Soil Description: Very soft soil

Sl. Initial Final Differen Spring T=(Spring G= S=T x S

No Readi Readi ce (Deg.) Consta Constant*Difference) 1 G =3*T/
𝐷2 𝐻 𝐷3
. ng ng nt (kg- /180 (kg-cm) П൤ + ൨ (kg/c 19
2 6
2)
(Deg.) (Deg.) cm) m (kg/cm
2)

1. 96 146 50 2 0.55 0.1579 0.087 0.087

2. 55 75 20 4 0.44 0.1579 0.069 0.069

This test is useful when the soil is soft and its in-situ water content is nearer to liquid limit.

CALCULATIONS:

Calculate the shear strength using the following formula: -

𝑇
S= 𝐷2 𝐻 𝐷3
П൤ + ൨
2 6

Where
S = Shear strength in kg/cm2
T = Torque in kgf-cm
D = Overall diameter of vane in cm, and
H = Height of vane in cm
In the case of vane actually supplied with vane shear apparatus H = 24 mm and D = 12 mm, the
above formula reduces to
3𝑇
S= 19
Note 1: This formula is based on the following assumptions:
a. Shearing Strengths in the horizontal and vertical directions are the same.
 b. At the peak value, shear strength is equally mobilised at the end surface as well as at the
centre; and
c. The shear surface is cylindrical and has a diameter equal to the diameter of the vane.
Note 2: In case H = D = 12mm, the above formula reduces to
21𝑇
S=44𝐷3
Note 3: It is important that the dimensions of the vane are checked periodically to ensure that the
vane is not distorted or worn.

Result of Vane Shear Test:

Shear strength of soil specimen = 0.078 kg/cm2.

Conclusions:
Vane shear test is used to determine the undrained shear strength of soils especially soft clays. This
test can be done in laboratory or in the field directly on the ground. Vane shear test gives accurate
results for soils of low shear strength (less than 0.3 kg/cm2). The shear strength of the soil obtained
was 0.078 kg/cm2 which is less than the specified limit, thus vane shear test is suitable for this type
of soil.
 Chart of Spring Torque at Different Angle for Laboratory Vane Shear (AIM-108-1)

For 2 kg-cm Spring

Sl. No. Angle of Deflection (Initial and Final Reading) Kg-cm
1. 20° 0.22
2. 40° 0.44
3. 60° 0.66
4. 80° 0.88
5. 100° 1.11
6. 120° 1.33
7. 140° 1.55
8. 160° 1.77
9. 180° 2.00

For 4 kg-cm Spring

Sl. No. Angle of Deflection (Initial and Final Reading) Kg-cm
1. 20° 0.44
2. 40° 0.88
3. 60° 1.33
4. 80° 1.77
5. 100° 2.22
6. 120° 2.66
7. 140° 3.11
8. 160° 3.55
9. 180° 4.00

For 6 kg-cm Spring

Sl. No. Angle of Deflection (Initial and Final Reading) Kg-cm
1. 20° 0.66
2. 40° 1.33
3. 60° 1.99
4. 80° 2.66
5. 100° 3.33
6. 120° 3.99
7. 140° 4.66
8. 160° 5.33
9. 180° 6.00

For 8 kg-cm Spring

Sl. No. Angle of Deflection (Initial and Final Reading) Kg-cm
1. 20° 0.88
2. 40° 1.77
3. 60° 2.66
4. 80° 3.55
5. 100° 4.44
6. 120° 5.33
7. 140° 6.22
8. 160° 7.11
9. 180° 8.00