Standard Test Method for Approximating the Shear Strength of Cohesive Soils by the Handheld Vane Shear Device

Available format(s)

Hardcopy , PDF

Language(s)

English

Published date

01-05-2019

Publisher

American Society for Testing and Materials

This test method describes approximating the shear strength of cohesive soils using a handheld (pocket) vane shear device.

1.1 This test method describes approximating the shear strength of cohesive soils using a handheld (pocket) vane shear device.

1.2The device allows for a simple and portable method for measuring the approximate undrained shear strength of saturated, fine-grained, cohesive soils. The test method can be used in the field or in the laboratory, on the ends of sample tubes, on the surface of block samples or excavations, or on the surface of other test specimens with rigid confinement.

1.3Units—The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units [given in brackets] are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard. Tables of critical dimensions and tolerances of the described vanes are provided in separate units of inches and mm.

Note 1:The original shear vane device was developed when shear strength was often reported in tons per square foot (TSF) or kilograms per square centimeter (kg/cm²) which are approximately equivalent. These units have prevailed within the industry and are adopted herein.

1.4All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026, unless superseded by this test method.

1.4.1The procedures used to specify how data are collected, recorded, and calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The procedures used do not consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives, and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of this test method to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.

1.5This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.6This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Committee	D 18
DocumentType	Test Method
Pages	11
PublisherName	American Society for Testing and Materials
Status	Current
Supersedes	ASTM D 8121/D8121M : 2018

ASTM D 2216 : 2005	Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
ASTM D 653 : 2007	Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
ASTM D 2216 : 2010	Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
ASTM D 3740 : 2012	Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
ASTM D 3740 : 2023	Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
ASTM D 3740 : 2019	Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
ASTM D 3740 : 2004 : REV A : EDT 1	Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
ASTM D 3740 : 2008	Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
ASTM D 6026 : 2013	Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
ASTM D 4648 : 2005	Standard Test Method for Laboratory Miniature Vane Shear Test for SaturatedFine-Grained Clayey Soil
ASTM D 6026 : 2006	Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
ASTM D 3740 : 1999 : REV C	Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
ASTM D 653 : 2022	Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
ASTM D 653 : 2020 : EDT 1	Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
ASTM D 6026 : 1999	Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
ASTM D 3740 : 2011	Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
ASTM D 6026 : 2001 : EDT 1	Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
ASTM D 3740 : 2010	Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
ASTM D 653 : 2021 : REV A	Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
ASTM D 2216 : 2019	Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
ASTM D 6026 : 1996	Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
ASTM D 3740 : 2004 : REV A	Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
ASTM D 3740 : 2001	Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
ASTM D 653 : 2021	Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
ASTM D 653 : 2021 : REV B	Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
ASTM D 4648 : 2000	Standard Test Method for Laboratory Miniature Vane Shear Test for Saturated Fine-Grained Clayey Soil
ASTM D 6026 : 1996 : EDT 1	Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
ASTM D 3740 : 2012 : REV A	Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
ASTM D 3740 : 2003	Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
ASTM D 2216 : 1998	Standard Test Method for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
ASTM D 6026 : 2021	Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits and Data Records in Geotechnical Data
ASTM D 2216 : 1971	Standard Method of Laboratory Determination Of Moisture Content Of Soil
ASTM D 6026 : 2001	Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
ASTM D 3740 : 2004	Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction