ASTM D8121/D8121M-18
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Approximating the Shear Strength of Cohesive Soils by the Handheld Vane Shear Device
Standard Test Method for Approximating the Shear Strength of Cohesive Soils by the Handheld Vane Shear Device
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The handheld shear vane method provides a rapid method of measuring the approximate undrained shear strength of a fine-grained, cohesive soil either in the field or laboratory. This standard does not supplement or replace D4648.
5.2 The device is intended for use in saturated cohesive soils for determining their approximate undrained shear strength. Cohesive soils with appreciable amounts of silt or fine sand may experience some degree of drainage during shear and adversely affect the results.
Note 2: The user will probably not know at the time of testing if the material is saturated. However, that would not preclude using the device for less than saturated conditions based on the knowledge and experience of the user.
5.3 The presence of coarse materials or heterogeneous soils within the testing volume will adversely affect the results and may preclude the use of this test method.
5.4 The handheld shear vane test is not used to duplicate any particular field conditions but supplements the overall investigative program. However, consistent physical parameters are used in the test such that correlations of shear strength data can be made to evaluate variability of a deposit, assess sample quality, assist in planning of laboratory testing programs, and to classify the consistency.
Note 3: The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes approximating the shear strength of cohesive soils using a handheld (pocket) vane shear device.
1.2 The 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.
1.3 Units—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.
1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026, unless superseded by this test method.
1.4.1 The 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.
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Designation: D8121/D8121M − 18
Standard Test Method for
Approximating the Shear Strength of Cohesive Soils by the
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Handheld Vane Shear Device
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8121/D8121M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This test method describes approximating the shear
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
strength of cohesive soils using a handheld (pocket) vane shear
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
device.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.2 The device allows for a simple and portable method for
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
measuring the approximate undrained shear strength of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
saturated, fine-grained, cohesive soils. The test method can be
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
used in the field or in the laboratory, on the ends of sample
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
tubes, on the surface of block samples or excavations, or on the
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
surface of other test specimens with rigid confinement.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.3 Units—The values stated in either inch-pound units or
2. Referenced Documents
SI units [given in brackets] are to be regarded separately as
2
standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact
2.1 ASTM Standards:
equivalents;therefore,eachsystemshallbeusedindependently
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
of the other. Combining values from the two systems may
Fluids
result in non-conformance with the standard. Tables of critical
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
dimensions and tolerances of the described vanes are provided
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
in separate units of inches and mm.
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
NOTE 1—The original shear vane device was developed when shear
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
strength was often reported in tons per square foot (TSF) or kilograms per
2
square centimeter (kg/cm ) which are approximately equivalent. These
D4648 Test Method for Laboratory Miniature Vane Shear
units have prevailed within the industry and are adopted herein.
Test for SaturatedFine-Grained Clayey Soil
1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
Data
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
Practice D6026, unless superseded by this test method.
3. Terminology
1.4.1 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected,
recorded, and calculated in this standard are regarded as the
3.1 Definitions:
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
3.1.1 For common definitions of technical terms used in this
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
test method, refer to Terminology D653.
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
3.2.1 vane multiplier (VM), n—a multiplier to correct the
ations for the user’s objectives, and it is common practice to
vane’sdialreadingbasedonthestandard(mid-size)vanetothe
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
larger or smaller vane (4.2).
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
3.2.2 calibration factor (CF), n—correction to the vane’s
of this test method to consider significant digits used in
dialreadingbaseduponthephysicalcalibrationofthetorsional
analysis methods for engineering design.
shear device in accordance with Annex A1.
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This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
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Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.05 on Strength and For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Compressibility of Soils. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved June 1, 2018. Published July 2018. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
D8121_D8121M-18 the ASTM website.
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